Serve the Lord Heartily
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23, 24.
The Lord requires the physical strength, and you can reveal your love for Him by the right use of your physical powers, doing the very work which needs to be done. There is no respect of persons with God….
There is science in the humblest kind of work, and if all would thus regard it, they would see nobility in labor. Heart and soul are to be put into work of any kind; then there is cheerfulness and efficiency. In agricultural and mechanical occupations, men may give evidence to God that they appreciate His gift in the physical powers, and the mental faculties as well. Let the educated ability be employed devising improved methods of work. This is just what the Lord wants. There is honor in any class of work that is essential to be done….
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength” (Mark 12:30). God desires the love that is expressed in heart service, in soul service, in the service of the physical powers. We are not to be dwarfed in any kind of service for God. Whatever He has lent us is to be used intelligently for Him. . . . There is need of intelligence and educated ability to devise the best methods in farming, in building, and in every other department, that the worker may not labor in vain. . . .
It is the duty of every worker not merely to give his strength but his mind and intellect to that which he undertakes to do. . . . You can choose to become stereotyped in a wrong course of action because you have not the determination to take yourselves in hand and reform, or you may cultivate your powers to do the very best kind of service, and then you will find yourselves in demand anywhere and everywhere. You will be appreciated for all that you are worth. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).
That I May Know Him p. 333
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Prayer Requests
—–I just received word via….. Pastor Derek Morris that Pastor Antonio Monteiro was released from prison yesterday in Togo West Africa. It’s been a long 600+ days since this ordeal started for him, but God has heard and finally answered our prayers and delivered. However, the fellow church member, brother Amah, who was also falsely accused has not been released but actually sentenced to 25 years. There’s no more reason to accuse him than Pastor Monterio. Let’s keep praying for brother Amah. The church has 8 days to appeal his case to the supreme court. Lets pray for a miracle on his behalf, as well as others falsely accused in this case. Carol
—–Pray for those that attended the NAD Prayer Conference in Monterey, CA. May they return home on fire with the Holy Spirit and that their churches will be ignited. Diane
—–Things took a turn in Rik’s condition and he is now facing a removal of the tumor asap…..as it has been growing (despite all symptoms leaving until recently) We really thought things were OK and his blood work etc has not shown signs of problems until recently. The tumor is now restricting bladder/rectum so it has to come out. We are going to a large hospital and they are trying to get us in quick ~ if it ruptures it will be life threatening. Please ask that he be held up in prayer for this procedure. Marilyn
—–I am writing this to tell you that Daniela had some great results till now. She has another exam tomorrow and some others in the following week. Please, pray for her and also for Dorina, who is also having and exam tomorrow. Carol
—–I am asking for prayers. Avery [age one] has battled the flu for a week and spiked fever again last night. This morning, she had blue lips and 102.8 fever, but breathing okay. They are admitting her to ACH because she has gotten some fluid on one lung and after 3 rocephin shots, her ear still has a bad infection. Amy
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Dear Friends,
While I was visiting Brian and Esther, their one church had communion service. What a fitting representation of our Dear Saviour’s great sacrifice for us. As we washed one another’s feet, our mind went back to the first foot-washing service when He “laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” John 13:4-17
After this preparatory service, we partook of the Lord’s supper. “The Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” As we took of the unfermented wine and the unleavened bread, we were careful to keep our thoughts focused upon the Reason for this service for Paul warns, “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep [the sleep of death].” 1 Cor 11:23-30 Fearful and solemn words.
May we take time to read of our Loving Redeemer’s great sacrifice for us. May we meditate upon the love of Him Who “thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil 2:6-8 May we thank the One for His great love for us is my prayer.
Rose