Just a couple of days ago, millions of people around the
globe witnessed one of the most prestigious ceremonies honoring achievements in
the film industry. Winners were awarded the Academy Award of Merit, nicknamed
as an Oscar.
As I read the news and watched people getting excited
about their favorite actor/actresses nominated and receiving an Oscar, I could
not help but think how God has an Oscar
ready for each of us.
Today I want encourage you to wait patiently for your “Oscar” from God. You have labored hard.
You have count the cost. You have endured temptations, kept your integrity and
honored God. The angels have nominated you to be the “Best Person of the Year.” Today my job is to open the sealed
envelope and declare your name to come up to the Throne of Grace boldly and accept
your “Oscar!”
At work, maybe you have a difficult boss. You arrive
early and leave late, but you don’t feel appreciated. No matter how hard you try, he/she’s always got more
things for you to do. Your hard work is never good enough. You’re better qualified but others are
promoted ahead of you. That just stinks! But the Bible says, “Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the
south. God is the judge: he
putteth down one, and setteth up another” (Psalm
75:6-7). Here’s
the good news. If you keep a good attitude, stay in faith and work as unto the
Lord, God will promote you. And who knows, you may even have the job your current
boss!
I heard a story about a
mechanic. He was a faithful worker. He did his job most tediously. However, his
boss did not like him. His co-workers made fun of him because he wouldn’t go
out and party with them. Several years went by without a raise or a promotion
for this faithful employee. One day out of the blue, the owner of the company
called him. They lived in another city and were not involved in the day-to-day
running of the business. The owner told the mechanic that he was retiring and proposed
to sell his business to him. The mechanic said, “I can’t buy your business. I don’t have that kind of money.” The owner
said, “You don’t have to have money. I’ll
loan it to you.” Long story short, today the mechanic owns the business
free and clear. The same people who called him names now call him Boss. The
people who didn’t give him the time of the day, now has to make appointments to
see him. What happened? God just handed this mechanic his Oscar. Friend, don’t be discouraged. Keep a good attitude. Your name
is in the envelope – the next Oscar
belongs to YOU!
As you are reading this,
something jumps within your heart. Do you know what that is? It is called hope.
As long as you hope in your God, there will be a promotion and prize waiting
for you. This is what happened to a young lady in the Bible called Ruth. Ruth
had lost her husband at a young age. She honored her mother-in-law and on her
own free will, she returned to Jerusalem to serve her. Every day she got out on
the field in the hot sun and gleaned after the reapers. One day Boaz, the owner
of the field, came to visit and Ruth caught his attention. They developed a
friendship and a liking for each other. Soon after, they got married. What
happened? One day Ruth was working in the field and the next day she became the
owner of the field! Today, you may be a single mother, raising little ones,
doing your best to make ends meet. Like Peter in the Bible, you may have toiled
all night over your business and profited nothing. That sickness on your body
may have kept you bound. Here’s the good news my friend. God’s got an Oscar ready for you! God sees your tears
and he knows your fears. The sealed envelope has been opened and Gabriel - the
messenger of good news is bringing you your recompense. Stand up. I just heard Him
call your name to receive your Oscar.
All of heaven is cheering for you. You’ve kept the faith and given it away.
Today is your day! Will you receive the Oscar?
I love you and I believe in you!
“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).
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