1 Corinthians 16:58 Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Oh my Friends, today I read a beautiful quote from George Bernard Shaw in my One More Day Devotional, and it’s so applicable to the Christian life that I just had to share it with you. Then I went looking for a Bit and was led to Bruh Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians which dovetailed so nicely with the quote, that it could only be the Lord’s doing. And the quote says: ‘Life is not a "brief candle." It is a splendid torch that I want to make burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.’ Now doesn’t that capture the believer’s raison d’être perfectly? We’re like relay runners, doing the best we can on our leg of the journey, before passing it on to those that come after us. And for us to have any chance of winning the race, we must each gain some small advantage that the later runners can build on. That’s why Bruh Paul exhorts his readers: ‘Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…’ We can only make significant headway against the powers of darkness, or a useful contribution in Jesus’ name, by being well disciplined in mind, body and spirit, standing firm in our beliefs while having a strong work ethic, re our faith and how best to advance it. Peter gave the same advice. ‘Wherefore beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.’ (2 Pet.3:14) Those things are found in verse13: ‘Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.’ Believers should therefore try to be diligent and blameless in the Lord’s work until that time. Yes my people, nothing worthwhile is ever accomplished without much discipline and diligence, and working for Jesus is the most worthwhile job we can ever have. That in turn dictates we must always put our best foot forward, extend our best efforts, both in public and private as representatives, as ambassadors for our Saviour. Some of you might be wondering why I specified similar efforts in both public and private endeavours. Simply because we don’t want to live hypocritical lives, practising one thing in private and something else in public. And though it’s possible to pull it off for a while, sooner or later your double standards will come out and put another black mark against Jesus’ name. And remember too, the Most High is watching, not only our outward actions, but more importantly, the true state of our hearts, and judging us on that. Therefore we cannot afford to deviate from the path of discipline and diligence, else we’re liable to bring shame and disgrace on the Saviour’s Holy Name, which we never want to do. And as Bruh Paul points out, the good thing about working for Christ is not only the personal satisfaction we get from winning lost souls in His Name, but, ‘forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.’ Yes my Friends, when we work for the Lord we get a rather comprehensive package of rewards; personal satisfaction, salvation and eternal life, just to name the big benefits. But the package also contains many minor ones; some in this life, and others in the hereafter. What a good thing we have going my people! There’s no need for strikes, lockouts, or other labour dissension, for Jesus is the best employer ever. There are no arguments over who should get what, since you always get what you deserve, and sometimes even more. Bruh Paul outlined this earlier in the same letter. ‘Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.’ (1 Cor.3:8) Jesus empowers us to do everything. None of our abilities comes from any other source. And it’s only fitting we close with Jesus’ own words on the subject. ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, (basket) but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Mat.5:14-16) Oh Friends, there it is, right from the Saviour’s mouth! And if you’re a follower, then let’s get out there and follow Him, do as He asks. Remember, He’s our beloved leader, and His Church will only grow in direct proportion to our efforts. Much LOVE! …Bang!….goes the starter’s pistol…the race is on…hold your torch high…let it burn brightly for Jesus…
Oh my Friends, today I read a beautiful quote from George Bernard Shaw in my One More Day Devotional, and it’s so applicable to the Christian life that I just had to share it with you. Then I went looking for a Bit and was led to Bruh Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians which dovetailed so nicely with the quote, that it could only be the Lord’s doing. And the quote says: ‘Life is not a "brief candle." It is a splendid torch that I want to make burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.’ Now doesn’t that capture the believer’s raison d’être perfectly? We’re like relay runners, doing the best we can on our leg of the journey, before passing it on to those that come after us. And for us to have any chance of winning the race, we must each gain some small advantage that the later runners can build on. That’s why Bruh Paul exhorts his readers: ‘Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…’ We can only make significant headway against the powers of darkness, or a useful contribution in Jesus’ name, by being well disciplined in mind, body and spirit, standing firm in our beliefs while having a strong work ethic, re our faith and how best to advance it. Peter gave the same advice. ‘Wherefore beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.’ (2 Pet.3:14) Those things are found in verse13: ‘Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.’ Believers should therefore try to be diligent and blameless in the Lord’s work until that time. Yes my people, nothing worthwhile is ever accomplished without much discipline and diligence, and working for Jesus is the most worthwhile job we can ever have. That in turn dictates we must always put our best foot forward, extend our best efforts, both in public and private as representatives, as ambassadors for our Saviour. Some of you might be wondering why I specified similar efforts in both public and private endeavours. Simply because we don’t want to live hypocritical lives, practising one thing in private and something else in public. And though it’s possible to pull it off for a while, sooner or later your double standards will come out and put another black mark against Jesus’ name. And remember too, the Most High is watching, not only our outward actions, but more importantly, the true state of our hearts, and judging us on that. Therefore we cannot afford to deviate from the path of discipline and diligence, else we’re liable to bring shame and disgrace on the Saviour’s Holy Name, which we never want to do. And as Bruh Paul points out, the good thing about working for Christ is not only the personal satisfaction we get from winning lost souls in His Name, but, ‘forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.’ Yes my Friends, when we work for the Lord we get a rather comprehensive package of rewards; personal satisfaction, salvation and eternal life, just to name the big benefits. But the package also contains many minor ones; some in this life, and others in the hereafter. What a good thing we have going my people! There’s no need for strikes, lockouts, or other labour dissension, for Jesus is the best employer ever. There are no arguments over who should get what, since you always get what you deserve, and sometimes even more. Bruh Paul outlined this earlier in the same letter. ‘Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.’ (1 Cor.3:8) Jesus empowers us to do everything. None of our abilities comes from any other source. And it’s only fitting we close with Jesus’ own words on the subject. ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, (basket) but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Mat.5:14-16) Oh Friends, there it is, right from the Saviour’s mouth! And if you’re a follower, then let’s get out there and follow Him, do as He asks. Remember, He’s our beloved leader, and His Church will only grow in direct proportion to our efforts. Much LOVE! …Bang!….goes the starter’s pistol…the race is on…hold your torch high…let it burn brightly for Jesus…
SCRIP-BITS 