“Make every occasion a great occasion. You can never tell when someone is taking your measure
for a larger place”_____George Matheson
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
“Make every occasion a great occasion. You can never tell when someone is taking your measure
for a larger place”_____George Matheson
thedailylily.com 
This quote seems to say to me to keep working and make the most of every opportunity by doing good with a good attitude.
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”
This quote by hymn writer George Matheson reminds me of another hymn. HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW
The lyric from that song says, His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.”
The Scripture Debi quoted includes,’do good to everyone’…and that is one of the parts of the fruit of the Spirit…GOODNESS plus KINDNESS and GENTLENESS.
I would like to quote Debi also: “we should do good to everyone”. God tells us to “love our neighbor as ourself” (paraphrased) Do you think there is some comparison here?
Needles, there seems to be a comparison to me. ‘Do good to’ is an action, not just a nice thought. True love of Christ is also.
Here’s what John has to say about it: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
Thanks, Debi. I think the last sentence says it all, doesn’t it? “let us not love with words or tongue but with ACTIONS and in truth.”
I am missing the comparison illustration… “we should do good to everyone” and “love your neighbor as yourself.” And, the last part of the verse is “especially those in the household of faith.”
I think I need to brush up on my etiquette in order to handle this one.
I may be missing it on the comparison but I thought there was some comparison between the doing good and the love according to how I John 3:18 explains what love is. And, thinking more on it, your neighbor is not necessarily someone in the household of faith and as Gal 6:10 says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”…there is a priority on doing good to believers first. Just as the gifts are given to be used in the body of Christ.
I think there is a comparison as well. We are to do good to all peoples. We should not be prejudice, lie, cheat, etc. And, we are to help feed and cloth the poor and many other good deeds. I agree with both Debi and Tammy on this. And, I am not sure prioritize is the word I would use for ‘those in the family or household of God.” I think there is a different set of rules some of which Debi mentioned, ‘the gifts of God are to be used in and for the family of God.’ Maybe read Matthew 15:26 and many others scriptures and make a comparison that will be a triangle and not two wavy lines. I think we could say not legalism but spiritual.
Good dialogue and I am trying to understand on a facet of levels. Thanks for the challenge to dig a little deeper.
I read Matt 15:26 and it seemed to my understanding that though Jesus distinguishes between groups of peoples, He responds to their needs when they reach out to Him with faith. Is this a correct assumption?
And I read further in chapter 15 that Jesus, involving His disciples in the act, compassionately reached out in love to ‘the crowd’ that had come to Him and fed four thousand of them.
Likewise, in reading Romans 5:8 I see, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
So, thinking on this triangle. There may be three different sides and each a different length or measure, but connected they frame a space and it’s a space that’s filled with the encompassing, merciful love of God and a Heart that says: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” …the ultimate reason behind the ‘doing’ good.’
There’s a lot to reflect on from Sara’s comment above.
Perhaps the story of the Good Samaritan is helpful in this Comparison.(Luke 10) When the lawyer tried to justify himself before the Lord, he asked….” and just who is my neighbor?”
To which Jesus responded with the story of the Good Samaritan. Evidently the man who fell among thieves was not identified by the Lord as an Israelite, specifically for the priest and the rabbis passed him by on the other side and would not have anything to do with him. But the Samaritan did not check his I.D. or see if he were circumcized or wore a any identifying apparel to note that he were a Jew or a Samaritan or a foreigner. He worked a work of compassion and mercy toward the victim and went out of his way to minister to him through his own personal finances and equipment, etc… whoever the man was.
Jesus was saying that the 2 great commandments were similar to one another. Love God and love your neighbor. Now Paul did say, “especially to those who are of the household of faith”…but did not exclude any man from this “DO GOOD” Policy. In fact, in the book of John 13 Jesus said others would know us (and Whom we serve?) by our love for one another. That our love for one another would be a believeable expression and witness to those who are seeking love, seeking peace, seeking the One true God and struggling in darkness. We are to be signposts of Kingdom by our deeds of good works and expression of love.
I see what Jesus does “when someone reaches out to Him.” What happens when they don’t reach out to HiM?
2 Colossians 4:5 “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.” 2 Col. doesn’t say make the most of SOME opportunities. It states EVERY opportunity. As I think about this many thoughs of opportunities come to my mind. I think of the many opportunities missed or failed. I think of the many times I was sitting in a crowded resturant and I was speaking about something other than God’s Living Word. Although, there are people in hearing distance, I spoke on something other than God. This is a missed opportunity to glorify God. I think of the many times I have complained of something that I didn’t agree with. This is a failed opportunity. Instead of complaining I should be joyous in the Lord in every occassion. Complaining stimulates flesh and not Holy Spirit. Failed and missed opportunities comes when we let our guard down and allow fleshly emmotions take over. If we truly believe in Hell and the torment for all who enter Hell, we would be more cautious with these precious opportunities that could touch someone who needs it. Opportunities such as our conversations in a crowded resturant could be an outreach mission for the glory of God. How many times have we just stopped and listened to the words in the air around us. Did they help our Spirit or our Flesh? What did Jesus talk about while sitting at the dinner table with His friends? Did He complain about His job, His boss, the high Priest, His Life? Did He tell ugly jokes so that the disciples would laugh at Him and think that He was cool? Did He talk how time flies and He doesn’t have enough time to do His chores? Did He join the crowd who was about to stone the woman, just because He was out numbered. No, I don’t think that I have read that in the gospels! What did He do with Opportunities? Jesus handled Every opportunity with wisdom and honor from His Father. Jesus knew He was represnting God and he needed to act like it. He never let his guard down and allowed his flesh to come out to entertain the crowds. He knew that a missed or failed opportunity was serious and it wasted God’s precious time. He knew that someone in hearing distance may be about to come face to face with eternity. He used every opportunity as a outreach mission field for God the Father. And God said This is my son in Who I am well pleased. So, the next time we are in a crowded area, are we going to complain about our work or are we going to use this opportunity for our outreach mission field. Are we going to be a represenative for God or a representative for Satan? We must remember we never know who is watching and listening to God’s children…..2 Col. 4:5″Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity…………
Sara, Sometimes when people don’t reach out to Jesus, He will brush by them allowing them to feel His glory even just for a moment. At that moment, they will feel the awesome love, peace and hope that they have never felt from the world and they will eventually reach out to Jesus. Ready to be saturatured in the Love, peace and hope that they felt for that moment. Although the body may be sick, beaten, tired, and weak; the spirit becomes strong with the gentle touch of Jesus.
I am sorry if what I wrote above didn’t go hand and hand with the blog. I read this blog twice and although it states to make every occasion a great occasion, my mind changed it to make every opportunity a great opportunity.
CF, you did well to interpret “occasion= opportunity.
A favorable opportunity; a convenient or timely chance; convenience. [ Webster] Occasions that we think of as a coincidence or serendipity may well be God-calculated, God inspired opportunities to put forth the truths of the Gospel in many venues.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” And That Day is approaching quickly. And people are watching. They watched Jesus carefully, in all He did, trying to find a crack, a fissure in His demeanor, His speech, His actions. There was NO fault in Him. We should strive for that because we are His and because He has asked us to be Excellent representatives for HIM on earth, bring the souls He craves into the Kingdom and use every opportunity and occasion to ‘tell them about ME”.
CF says,”they will eventually reach out to Jesus.” WHOA, not sure I can quite agree with this. I hope they will and I hope this is true. But, I haven’t developed that kind of thinking yet. Of course, the good part is, my thinking is not the real answer. And, CF started the sentence with “sometimes…” Maybe I need a little clarification.
I agree wholeheartedly about our public conversations. I know I sit around and listen and watch others in the malls, restaurants, etc. I come away either refreshed or as downtrodden as the ones I just listen to are.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)
I believe faith is a gift! And, everyone has been given a measure of faith, and that faith grows as we hear the Word of God. Therefore, Chickenfarmer, I think you hit the hot button when you quoted, “…and make the most of every opportunity…” You went on to give a real eye popper illustration on why faith in others may not be growing. You basically said, big belly faith(ers) are failing to rain on dry plants. They are mowing the dry wilted plant down with mouth disease. OK, CF, when do you go back to work so I can get some rest. 🙂
“Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about His mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains” (Colossians 4:3, NLT)
Paul was in prison for preaching the gospel and still looking for someone other than a prison wall to preach this mysterious plan of salvation to! Whoa! What limitations are you staring in the face and need to pray and seek others to pray for and with you that opportunities/occasions would open for you. If we have a warm body that needs to hear this plan anywhere in earshot of us we have an opportunity to speak.
To be honest I think I would fall in the rabbit hole of running from opportunity than seriously looking for one. But, if I fall in this hole I know to climb out and try again.
Along with running from opportunity and falling in a hole, perhaps many opportunitues are missed if we are not looking for them and recognizing them when they do open.
Jesus gave us a promise that if we followed Him, He would make us fishers of men…He would show us where to throw out the nets and how to catch fish. And He also gave us an unavoidable and serious command that we have responsibility for to help us with staying focused and staying at it.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing themthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28:19-20 (NIV)
I agree, wholeheartedly, with you, Debi. A year or so ago I visited Air and Space Museum, Dulles, Va. with Christian friends and had precious children with us. We had the opportunity to see a movie on a big screen, huge. They even bought my ticket. It was about the study of earthquakes. It was overwhelming in many ways. But, I remember looking at the devastation of past earthquakes and having the understanding that more were evident. And, one of the places was Turkey. Now, just recently I heard of an earthquake in Turkey. I thought, Dear God, I did not even utter a prayer for Turkey and the prediction of earthquakes that would destroy people, homes and parts of the nation. Why?
That reminds me of a reading from Joel Osteen that heaven had huge closets of items of answered prayers but that we sometime fail to access the items God has waiting for us in our prayers (prayers for others in the work place, prayers for the needs of the nations, prayers for each other).
As Chili was hit today with an after shock did we pray when the earthquake hit them or before it hit. A lady I ran into today told me that the whole Pacific Plate was effected. Yes I did pray for that one. Although I think your point is that there is so much more action in the form of prayer and helping others that we could do if we became sensitive to the Holy Spirits urgings and obtaining more the character trait of God’s mercy to lift petitions to God before the unsettling things come upon the earth bringing disaster, disease, human suffering, emotional torment, afflictions of sin, etc.
I don’t understand the second sentence, ” You can never tell when someone is taking your measure for a larger place.” The first one, “Make every occasion a great occasion,” reminds me of what Sara told me that she has learned in life,
“Be in the Moment”. Don’t think about someone else while you are with someone else or start planning for tomorrow. Just enjoy this moment and God will be in it. If not in the moment God has given you, maybe you have missed what He is saying to you.
If praying – pray whole heartedly with what God gives you, if working in the market place give it your all, if enjoying ice cream with friends enjoy the moment. God is in all things.
Rena, I believe the 2nd sentence means, that one never knows when someone is watching and “sizing you up” for a promotion or an accolade or a prize…..or higher place.
MG, what you shared reminds me of an important priniple and parable that Jesus taught regarding the humility that is a prerequisite for promotion to the higher place.
“When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:8-11 NIV)
I think this is excellent advice on how to ‘make every occasion a great occasion.’
Good thinking and writing. Reminds me not to think to highly or to lowly of myself. Just get real and get on with life….give it all you got all the time no matter who or what….
Sara, I’d like to clarify my above comment. I believe Jesus knows who will accept him and who will reject Him before they are even born. He knows their hearts. God knew Giddon’s heart. Jesus knew Zacchaeus’s heart. Jesus brushed by Zacchaeus and He stopped, looked up in the sycamore-fig tree and invited Himself to go home with Zacchaeus. Why did He reach out to Zacchaeus because He saw his heart. He knew Zacchaeus would reach out to Him. No, I don’t believe Jesus does this to everyone, but I do believe He does this to some. He reached out to His disciples and told them to follow Him and they did. He also, reached out to the ones that didn’t follow Him. Such as the rich man. He knew the rich man’s heart but He gave him the choice to sell everything and follow Him. Jesus already knew his heart and his answer. Just like He knows our hearts and our answers.
Thanks Chickenfarmer for taking the time to explain your statement for my clarification. I so want everybody to reach out to Jesus. I believe from John 3:16 that He made a way for all, if they want. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
I hope and pray that all will have faith in God. I like coming to this page and reminding myself with hope that I can and should continue to pray and hope and communicate this message. Thanks for the booster shot.