Are you losing the Joy

https://youtu.be/LAJ9tNXZfu8

Personally the last few days have had some moments that I was ready to throw my hands up and give up.  Between the sinful effects of the world showing its ugly face, individuals lashing out, saddening reports from friends, and just the wear and tear of life it is easy to start losing hold of the joy of life.  Of course this joy is only found in Jesus and how He paid and paved the way for us to eternal life with God. 
     Satan's ultimate goal is to get us to lose sight of Jesus and all He's provided us.  When he can get Christian's to forget the hope of Heaven, the security of salvation, and joy of knowing Christ; he knows that we lose our most powerful weapons to advance against his ugly forces.  Christ told us that the gates of hell (a protective structure for Satan) would not stand against our declaration of Christ's position as the Son of God.  (Matthew 16:16-18)  The Word of God provides us such assurances with its unchanging message.  It doesn't change, but we lose sight.
    This stands as a reason that worship is so important in our lives.  It reminds us of Christ's position, His strength, the completion of His Work, His Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence, the Love He shows for us despite our failings, and so much more.  Once we get our eyes back in line with His, we can rest in His assurances, wait on His timing, and advance His Kingdom.  Nothing is about us anymore.  Our 'kingdom' and its resources, our ego, our family, they don't lead our work and efforts; they are resources we contribute to see His kingdom grow.  We realize that we do not save the world, but if we can help one more soul see the gift Christ offers, the efforts will be worth it.  Will you keep reaching out?  Offering Christ and Love to those you meet every day.

Who is it that does the work of the God?

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Col 3:17

“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Acts 13:2

“But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:9-10

Why do you work? There are many answers to that question.  There are many who work, because that is what we were taught to do, and as Thessalonians says, “those who don’t work, don’t eat.” We will work in order to receive money to purchase items we want, to buy gifts for friends and family, and to support our families.  Sometimes we work in order to draw a retirement, or save money for the future.  Of course we also know that part of this money should be given back to God as tithes and offerings.  But what about the time and effort that is expended during ‘work?’  Is it just a holding pattern, keeping us busy between worship services in exchange for money?

   No our work is not simply a means to earn money.  God intends our work, like the rest of our lives, to declare His glory to the world.  Each job shows skills that God distributed and enabled his children to do.  Each person receives talents from God, and His providence places us at the time and place we live.  These details contribute to a unique placement for each person. 

The following is two quotes from A.W. Tozer’s book ‘The Pursuit of God’, Chapter 10 pages 81+83. “Paul's exhortation to "do all to the glory of God" is more than pious idealism. It is an integral part of the sacred revelation and is to be accepted as the very Word of Truth. It opens before us the possibility of making every act of our lives contribute to the glory of God. Lest we should be too timid to include everything, Paul mentions specifically eating and drinking. This humble privilege we share with the beasts that perish. If these lowly animal acts can be so performed as to honor God, then it becomes difficult to conceive of one that cannot.” – “We must offer all our acts to God and believe that He accepts them. Then hold firmly to that position and keep insisting that every act of every hour of the day and night be included in the transaction. Keep reminding God in our times of private prayer that we mean every act for His glory; then supplement those times by a thousand thought-prayers as we go about the job of living. Let us practice the fine art of making every work a priestly ministration. Let us believe that God is in all our simple deeds and learn to find Him there.”

7/21/19

Different doesn’t have to mean divided

Different is… … …. just different

Isa 66:18 NKJV - "For I [know] their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory.”

Rev 7:9 NKJV –“ After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands.”

    There is an elephant in the room in many congregations today. Sometimes differences in worship styles, Bible translation, and so many other small things will cause major divisions among people in the same congregation and sister churches. God is certainly not a God of division, but of unity in Christ Jesus.

    Isn’t it funny that we have friends who have different passions but we don’t disengage from them because we have other interests in common?  Such as our racing buddy that loves to cook and we can’t boil water.  Why is it different that we both love Jesus, but I like contemporary music, and you like traditional? God made people with different passions, abilities, spiritual gifts, and tendencies so that all the world could be reached.  A great preacher, Bro Lonnie Sheets once passed some great wisdom to me and the congregation at Leitchfield Crossing. “Different is. . . .just different.”

    Sometimes the new ideas come into our lives in order to introduce us to good opportunities. When was the last time you tried a new activity or restaurant and then it became your favorite thing to talk about?   Even if a new activity is not our cup of tea, if we’re doing it with our friend it shows that we care about them.

     Finally Jesus was no stranger to differences.  He had fisherman, a couple tax collectors, a zealot, among others in his entourage yet his team changed the world with his mission.  He engaged with sinners, Pharisees, Jews, Gentiles and rulers with his teachings because He wanted to see them reconciled to His Loving Father.  Jesus didn’t withdraw from differences but embraced them because they were key to accomplishing His Mission.  Let us embrace ours also. 8/4/19