WELL, WELL, WELL

Matthew 25:14-30 (New International Version)

The Parable of the Talents

 ²³"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!

 

Well done my good and faithful servant is one of those bible verses that have always stood out to me.

As a silly kid always joking around and getting a laugh out of everything, I can remember when I first heard that verse. The first thing came to my mind was STEAK.

I was thinking why make a bible verse just to show us how the Lord likes his steak. Then my smile turned to a frown when I was told no

It's not steak that he wants well done. IT'S HIS SERVANTS. I was baffled,,, thinking He wants us well done,,& this is the same God that took

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego from the fiery furnace!!! LOL

 

After reading the Parable of the Talents and some pondering on the word I came to the conclusion that he really does want us well done. Not well done in a sense of being cook but he wants our inner works and thoughts to reflect what our outer appearance shows.

I did a little cooking at a sports bar as a younger man and one of our specialities was steak. I knew absolutely nothing about steak at the time other than how to eat it with some rice gravy and cornbread. But, after a few disgruntled customers and a talk in the back office I got it together real fast. One thing I quickly learned is that a steak can look nice and ready on the outside but you cut into it and find that it is no more cooked than when it came out of the package. The only thing now is it has a little seasoning. HMMMM! This reminds me of some Christians today. We have to examine ourselves and ask AM I seasoned or sure.

You see at the sports bar I found that everyone likes his or her steak cooked a certain way, but the father we serve specified, well done.

When the Lord looks at our life and examines use from inside out what will he find?

 

Seasoned or Sure; Just like meat when its cooked can easily give a cooked appearance depending on the temperature its being cooked at and the seasoning.

Most times its not until it is really cut or bite into you can actually tell if its done.

You see its very easy to talk the Christian talk and walk the Christian walk but when the doors are closed lights are off and bible is put down are you still well done or just medium rare.

You know brown on the outside hot and red on the inside but red and pink in the center. Even though medium rare is almost medium well and medium well is almost well done

It's still just almost, and it was specified WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT when the order was placed.

 

Matthew 25:14-30 (New International Version)

The Parable of the Talents

 ¹⁴"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. ¹⁵To one he gave five talents^[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. ¹⁷So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. ¹⁸But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

 ¹⁹"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

 ²¹"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

 ²²"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'

 ²³"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

 ²⁴"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

 ²⁶"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? ²⁷Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

 ²⁸" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. ²⁹For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. ³⁰And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

 

Just like the three men in the parable. Its not what you have been giving that matters but what but what you do with it that counts.

In the end when the Lord opens the book of life we want him to be able to say WELL Done my good and faithful servant. Through thick and thin you have served me and followed my commandments.

No X-ray machine or MRI can look and see what our father sees. A surgeon can cut as deep was they want but only our Father in heaven can Look and say well done.

 

BE Blesses! Deacon J Jones

The Perfect Storm

Matthew 8:23-27 (New International Version)

Jesus Calms the Storm

 ²³Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"

 ²⁶He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

 ²⁷The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

 

The Lord says if I call will you answer?

If I say Move will you move?

When I say stand will you stand?

 

One clear blue sunny day a vessel sets out on a charted journey. The crew has all supplies needed for the trip onboard. The weather has been verified and it looks like smooth sailing. As the ship gets a few miles out, the bright blue sunny sky begins to look cloudy and grey. Soon those grey skies are echoed by the sounds of thunder and with the sun hidden the only light that can be seen is the continuous stretch of lighting that illuminates the sky. It appears that the plans of the captain and crew may be slightly altered by an unexpected storm. Pretty soon the crew begins to worry and get a little tense asking the captain if he thinks they should turn around and head back. The captain ask the crew member if he has double checked to make sure they have everything they need in case the weather gets more intense. With a strange look, the crew member answers yes but still wondering why the captain has not answered him about turning back and seems to be dead set on continuing this journey.

Filled with fear and anger the crew member goes to his cabin on board and pulls out a small transmitter radio, desperate to get a signal he tries over and over but he cannot hear anyone and it appears no one can hear him. He runs back up on the deck too access the weather only to see that the waves are bigger the storm has grown stronger and it feels as if the boat will capsize at any moment. Every emotion in his body seemed to rush to his head as he stormed back up to where the captain was, asking him what is your problem? Can you not see what you are leading us into? Have you not taking the time to see that this storm can kill us and wipe this boat off the map! Once again the Captain replied 'have you checked to make sure we have all we need. Filled with anger, fury and fear the young crew member began to cry. With compassion and love the Captain let go of the wheel and wrapped his arms around the young man. He asked him, who am I?

Eyes filled with tears the young man gazed up and said what do you mean? Once again the Captain asked who am I? The crew member said you are the captain. The Captain asked how long have I been in charge of this vessel. The young man said well as long as I can remember. The captain asked him,,, is this the first storm I have guided you through a storm or a rough patch? Taking a deep breath and catching his composure the young man said no captain we have been though many storms together. Being as I am the captain of this vessel and everything on it including you is my responsibility, do you think I would lead you into a storm or on a path not knowing how get to our destination in one piece?

You see son before we left you had it all planed out. The weather was nice, water was calm and everything was fine. But I knew about this small rough spot that we would hit. But because I knew we could make it I decided not to go around it but rather through it. It would have been easy for me to re-alter the route but sometimes I just have to see what my crew is made of. I had to see if you trust me and my judgement enough to stand your ground hold up the fort and let me do my job, I mean I am the captain right?

 

Just as the captain finished his statement the sun began to shine rain ceased and waters laid flat. The young man began to cry again feeling foolish for doubting his father who was also his Captain. The Captain told him it was alright and he was not upset at him for his emotion getting the best of him but he wanted him to be mindful that he only has the best interest for him and just wanted him to trust his judgement in the rocky times as well as the good.

 

Just as the Captain in the story we have a Captain in our lives that we have to trust no matter how big the storm may be. No matter what the situation looks like we have to be mindful that he knows what's best for use even when it doesn't seem to make sense. Our father in Heaven loves us. He created us in his own image. So if you really and truly trust him why would you doubt that he would give you a promise only to destroy you. People of God we really have to learn to TRUST STAND Have Faith & Believe.

 

Trust In His WORD

Stand On His Promises

Have Faith and be unmoved

Believe that he will because he can

THERE is no Such Thing as a Perfect Storm Only a Perfect GOD