Re: [FamilyofGod] Let's Remember Why We Do It!
wanda
Prov.28:13- he that covereth his sin shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them , shall have mercy.
From: Shelley Cartwright <bugshell87@yahoo.com>
To: FamilyofGod@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, August 30, 2010 10:00:37 AM
Subject: Re: [FamilyofGod] Let's Remember Why We Do It!
GLITTER~Http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FamilyofGod
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Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19)
Remember amateurs built the ARK . . . professionals built the Titanic If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it.
From: Michael J. Knight <michaelnight82@yahoo.in>
To: FamilyofGod@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, August 30, 2010 5:20:47 AM
Subject: [FamilyofGod] Let's Remember Why We Do It!
Let's Remember Why We Do It!
I would call it a senior moment, except I'm not old enough for AARP and I've been doing it pretty much all of my life. I go into a room to do something, but when when I get there I have forgotten what I am supposed to do. Most of the time I have to go back to where I started, pause a minute, and start the whole process over before I remember what I was going to do.
As Christians, we often lose track of not only WHAT we are supposed to do, but also WHY we are supposed to do it. Satan has made sure it easy for grace-filled and Spirit-trusting people to turn faith into a list of "must do's" and "can't do's" rather than living out of a reliance upon and an appreciation for Jesus. To know WHAT to do and WHY to do it, we really need to go back to the place we started -- Jesus!
Jesus reminds us that we can't lose sight of where we began or else we will lose the WHY behind our WHAT!
"I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don't tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen from your first love! Turn back to me again and work as you did at first. If you don't, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches". (Revelation 2:2-5 NLT)
The apostle Paul consciously lived a life before new Christians that modeled Jesus behavior and emphasized that Jesus was the reason and the goal behind his sacrificial and passionate ministry:
"I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them so they may be saved. And you should follow my example, just as I follow Christ's". (1 Corinthians 10:33-11:1 NLT)
"So everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ. We warn them and teach them with all the wisdom God has given us, for we want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. I work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ's mighty power that works within me". (Colossians 1:28-29 NLT)
We ask "What Would Jesus Do?" because we want to live as Jesus lived and we want to please Jesus, who lived and died for us. We want Christ to be both glorified and also to come alive in the way we live!
"According to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death". (Philippians 1:20 NAS)
As the apostle Paul neared the end of his own life, he tried to prepare Timothy for leadership. He gave Timothy these words of guidance about remembering WHY he did WHAT he did:
"As Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army. Follow the Lord's rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize. Hardworking farmers are the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will give you understanding in all these things". (2 Timothy 2:4-7 NLT)
For those who live for Christ and whose lives are defined by Christ, there is a great assurance of fantastic things to come:
"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory". (Colossians 3:1-4 NLT)
Jesus is not only our goal, he is the reason WHY we do what we do! So on those days when you find it hard to remember why you do what you do for the Kingdom, then remember the importance of going back to the place you started -- Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
Love & Prayers,
Michael J. Knight.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A-C-T-S/
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and I could say, "I used everything that you gave me."
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