Use What You Got

Revelation 21:4 is one of the most comforting verses in the Bible: He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. But it is also one of the scariest, because every believer in that moment has just watched Revelation 20:15 happen — anyone whose name was not found in the Book of Life thrown into the lake of fire. Hell was never built for people; Matthew 25:41 says it was prepared for the devil and his demons. God is doing everything in His power to get everyone into Heaven, but each person decides. That is why 2 Peter 3:9 says the Lord isn't slow about His promise — He is being patient, not wanting anyone to be destroyed but everyone to repent. Our God's patience is literally more people getting saved. Judgment day isn't scary for believers; it is the moment all suffering ends and we enter worship forever. So Colossians 4:5 tells us to live wisely and make the most of every opportunity: a meal, a conversation, an invitation, a prayer. Treat today as the opportunity God gave you.

Peter teaches Christians under pressure to love, welcome, and serve one another — hospitality, speaking, and practical service, not just public ministry. 1 Peter 4:10 says each of us has received a gift, and we are to use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Stewards — oikonomoi — are managers entrusted with someone else's resources. What God gives us is something to manage for His purposes. Look at Tabitha in Acts 9:36-39. She wasn't an apostle on a stage; she was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor, making coats and clothes. When she died, the widows filled the upstairs room weeping and showing Peter what she had made. Tabitha changed lives by making clothes. You don't need a platform to change eternity — you need to manage what is already in your hands: your home, your gift, your strength, your energy, all for the glory of God through Jesus Christ.

Philip is told by an angel to go south down the desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza, and he goes. Then the Holy Spirit says to walk alongside the Ethiopian treasurer's carriage, and he runs over. Then Philip simply asks a question: Do you understand what you are reading? The man invites him up, and beginning with Isaiah, Philip tells him the Good News about Jesus. Notice the pattern: the Holy Spirit says go this way so he does; the Holy Spirit says walk alongside that chariot so he does; then Philip asks a question. When the Holy Spirit leads us we will know exactly what we need to do in the situation we're placed. God prepares so we can respond. You don't have to manufacture the moment — you have to obey the nudge, open your mouth, and let the Spirit fill it with Jesus.