"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Colossians 3:17
Whether it is an extra measure of attentiveness when we are being served, an extra measure of thoroughness when we are having work performed or complete information given when we make inquiries, we all appreciate a job well done. Likewise, it speaks well of us when we put our very best into all we do.
What prompts people to put there best foot forward and do all they can to accomplish the very most possible at any given opportunity? To be sure, it depends on the person, the circumstance, the motivation, the importance and the ramifications. Have you met, however, a person that can be counted upon to do their best at all times, regardless of the variables? There is such an individual in our congregation by the name of Hien Nguyen. He is a carpenter by trade, however, his experience in the construction industry has given him the ability to build or repair most anything in and around the home. Many of the members have had work done by him and, due to the quality of his demeanor and his work, he stays very busy.
Beloved, as Christians, we must strive for quality in all that we think, say and do. Contextually, we are advised to clothe ourselves with Godly qualities, bear with and forgive one another, love others, pursue peace, allow the message of Christ to fill us and pass it along to others. It is added in 1 Peter 4:11, "If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised." Finally, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men," Colossians 3:23.
Let us consider what the quality of our thoughts, words, service and work would be like if we were performing them specifically for the Lord. Though others may be the direct recipients, we are serving the Lord and bringing attention to our Heavenly Father. Strive to be the best husband, wife, son, daughter, employee and Christian that you can be. And do your very best in everything, for we are called upon by our Lord to be people of quality who serve a God of quality.
Building God's family,
Lee
Showing posts with label Giving your best. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Giving your best. Show all posts
Friday, January 19, 2018
Friday, September 27, 2013
Living Your Giving 9/27/2013
“A poor widow came and
put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them,
‘Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to
the treasury; for they all put in out of
their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had
to live on.’” Mark 12:42-44
While many expositors of the Word have used this passage to
prompt their congregations to give and that generously, the thought I would
like to share this morning has not as much to do with financial contributions
as giving our all to and for the one who gave his all for us.
When you consider the poor widow, what do you think? The fact that she is a widow tells us that
she is in a perpetual state of loss. She
is described as basically being down to her last cent. This tells us that she either had no children
or the children she had were not willing to support her. Perhaps she had a way of making money or
survived on the kindness of others, nevertheless, it was everything she
had. Lastly, she was willing to give it
to the Lord. We know that she appeared
at the temple to pay her temple taxes as was the custom for the Israelites, but
to her, it seems the ultimate demonstration of faith, obedience and love.
Beloved, when we think of our Lord, what is his worth to
you? It is well known that he, as an
absolute expression of love, left heaven and gave his life for us, but what are
we willing to give to express our love for him?
To be sure, we are unable to earn the great gift that he gave, but we
are by no means prevented from demonstrating love and faith toward him and
expressing ourselves by giving ourselves.
You see we were bought by his blood, but must still voluntarily give
ourselves to him. This can certainly be
expressed in our financial contributions, but is exponentially better shown in
our manner of living. Our attitude and
actions should be consistent with this:
Therefore
I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living
and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of
worship. And do not be conformed to this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove
what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Rom
12:1-2
What is the biblical meaning of sacrifice but the giving of
life? It is what he did for us. Let us be willing to give our living for him.
Committed,
Lee
Friday, January 13, 2012
What About Me?-1/13/2012
"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matt 7:12
When most people think about the "Golden Rule," they think more about how they want to be treated than how they treat others. In fact, treating others well can be a means to an end rather than a pursuit of virtue. The reason for pursuing this thought is that there are those who become disenfranchised with their local congregations, particularly around the time that they stop attending for one reason or the other. Members get upset if no one comes to check on them and see how they are doing.
Let it first be said that they have a point. Who among us does not want to feel cared for by our brothers and sisters in Christ? It is a fact that the congregation has a responsibility to its members. If we do not care for one another who will? We must love others as we love ourselves and as Christ loves us.
That said, it must also be considered why members forsake the fellowship. To be sure there are a variety of reasons and it exceeds the purpose of this writing to consider them per se. Instead, the question must be asked to some of those who feel wronged, "Do you visit the absent?"
Beloved it is easy to ask oneself, "What about me?" but not as easy to make the sacrifice and show the love for others by visiting them in their need, particularly when they may have, for one reason or the other, lost their way. Much is said about cliques in the church and how only certain people get the attention of the masses. While this can be seen in any organization (let us not forget that we are still humans and still short of perfection despite our calling) this can be defeated by being the friend we wish to have. If everyone focused on building relationships and reaching out to the person normally on the nearby pew that you have not seen in a while, the problem could be virtually eliminated. In so doing, we will likely find ourselves being treated the way we have treated others. Let us think on these things.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
When most people think about the "Golden Rule," they think more about how they want to be treated than how they treat others. In fact, treating others well can be a means to an end rather than a pursuit of virtue. The reason for pursuing this thought is that there are those who become disenfranchised with their local congregations, particularly around the time that they stop attending for one reason or the other. Members get upset if no one comes to check on them and see how they are doing.
Let it first be said that they have a point. Who among us does not want to feel cared for by our brothers and sisters in Christ? It is a fact that the congregation has a responsibility to its members. If we do not care for one another who will? We must love others as we love ourselves and as Christ loves us.
That said, it must also be considered why members forsake the fellowship. To be sure there are a variety of reasons and it exceeds the purpose of this writing to consider them per se. Instead, the question must be asked to some of those who feel wronged, "Do you visit the absent?"
Beloved it is easy to ask oneself, "What about me?" but not as easy to make the sacrifice and show the love for others by visiting them in their need, particularly when they may have, for one reason or the other, lost their way. Much is said about cliques in the church and how only certain people get the attention of the masses. While this can be seen in any organization (let us not forget that we are still humans and still short of perfection despite our calling) this can be defeated by being the friend we wish to have. If everyone focused on building relationships and reaching out to the person normally on the nearby pew that you have not seen in a while, the problem could be virtually eliminated. In so doing, we will likely find ourselves being treated the way we have treated others. Let us think on these things.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Giving Your Best-9/14/2011 (rp)
"But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?" says the Lord of hosts." Mal 1:8
Consider our behavior when we are trying to impress or to please. We will marshal the very best that we have in order to give it to another. I am reminded of preteens as they discover members of the opposite sex. The same gifts for which they used to sacrifice in order to show their adoration for a parent are now replaced with afterthoughts or nothing at all, while a new girlfriend or boyfriend receives the fruit of long labor. I am reminded of adults who give the best of themselves at their jobs, applying every skill and cheerfully working overtime in order to gain favor that will lead to a promotion. They will even give to the local charity or political action fund, not because of a deep seated belief, but because it is the "company" thing to do.
A person's priorities can always be seen in how and where they spend their time and resources. It becomes very clear what is most important in their lives. Abel famously gave the very best that he had to God while his brother evidently did not hold the Lord in as high esteem. Let us always remember that God has given us His very best.
Why then beloved, do we cheat God in the giving of our best? Be it prayers, resources, works, representation or obedience, we consistently treat Him as an afterthought. This would be unacceptable to our bosses, spouses and the IRS and in most cases, we would not think of giving less than our best. Why do we not reserve our very best, our first fruits for Him who gives us His? Surely we must re-prioritize our lives.
As the saying goes, "give God what's right, not what's left."
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Consider our behavior when we are trying to impress or to please. We will marshal the very best that we have in order to give it to another. I am reminded of preteens as they discover members of the opposite sex. The same gifts for which they used to sacrifice in order to show their adoration for a parent are now replaced with afterthoughts or nothing at all, while a new girlfriend or boyfriend receives the fruit of long labor. I am reminded of adults who give the best of themselves at their jobs, applying every skill and cheerfully working overtime in order to gain favor that will lead to a promotion. They will even give to the local charity or political action fund, not because of a deep seated belief, but because it is the "company" thing to do.
A person's priorities can always be seen in how and where they spend their time and resources. It becomes very clear what is most important in their lives. Abel famously gave the very best that he had to God while his brother evidently did not hold the Lord in as high esteem. Let us always remember that God has given us His very best.
Why then beloved, do we cheat God in the giving of our best? Be it prayers, resources, works, representation or obedience, we consistently treat Him as an afterthought. This would be unacceptable to our bosses, spouses and the IRS and in most cases, we would not think of giving less than our best. Why do we not reserve our very best, our first fruits for Him who gives us His? Surely we must re-prioritize our lives.
As the saying goes, "give God what's right, not what's left."
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Nothing But the Best-DD 1/20/2011
"It was necessary therefore that the copies of things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us." Heb 9:23,24
The Hebrew writer penned his letter primarily to make the case for the supremacy of Christ over all who had come before. There were people who were leaving the Christian faith to return to what they felt they knew best. They had begun to fall back to their traditions and religious habits that had since been superseded in innumerable ways and measure.
In short, everything that has and is being done is mere practice for heaven. The temple worship of old and all of its tenants and implements were symbolic of things in heaven (Rev 4). Even they, however, required the sacrifice of bulls and goats to make them clean. In order for you and I to gain the actual heaven, far more was needed. In fact, it required the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus to make it possible.
Beloved, many times in life, we get by with the next best thing. Rather than insisting on purity, the genuine article or the name brand, we compromise for one reason or the other. Know that God is the master of quality. Our reconciliation to Him required no less than the perfect sacrifice. Knowing and requiring this, He sent the only one of his kind. He sent nothing but the best. Dare we give Him any less than our best?
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
The Hebrew writer penned his letter primarily to make the case for the supremacy of Christ over all who had come before. There were people who were leaving the Christian faith to return to what they felt they knew best. They had begun to fall back to their traditions and religious habits that had since been superseded in innumerable ways and measure.
In short, everything that has and is being done is mere practice for heaven. The temple worship of old and all of its tenants and implements were symbolic of things in heaven (Rev 4). Even they, however, required the sacrifice of bulls and goats to make them clean. In order for you and I to gain the actual heaven, far more was needed. In fact, it required the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus to make it possible.
Beloved, many times in life, we get by with the next best thing. Rather than insisting on purity, the genuine article or the name brand, we compromise for one reason or the other. Know that God is the master of quality. Our reconciliation to Him required no less than the perfect sacrifice. Knowing and requiring this, He sent the only one of his kind. He sent nothing but the best. Dare we give Him any less than our best?
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
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