by George | Jan 4, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
An Audience of One
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
I Corinthians 10:31
I don’t pretend to be an expert on social media: posting, tweeting, snap chatting and the like… But, I’m still learning.
A few days ago, I posted something on my daughter’s timeline on Facebook. I had to change the setting to where the post only went to her.
That worked, but I forgot to reset it back to “public.”
So, for a couple of days, all my posts, including the daily Bible reading and a post I wanted my son to see, only went to her timeline.
She was… An audience of one!
Paul is challenging us today to make God our audience of one.
His list covers anything we do.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
I Corinthians 10:31
Paul tells us in Colossians:
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Colossians 3:17
Do all in the name of Jesus. If I follow this verse, then it would help me to NOT do some things. There are some things that I can’t do “In the name of Jesus.”
And, he reminds us to give thanks to God.
Paul tells us to do it with gusto…
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”
Colossians 3:23
There’s a reward when we do this…
“Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:24
There’s something very freeing when we do all we do for God. We don’t have the stress of worrying about performance. It doesn’t matter if others don’t notice that I’m doing a good job. What matters is that I’m doing it for the King. This gives us a laser sharp focus.
I think the main reason to do whatever we do for God is that He loved us first.
“We love Him because He first loved us.”
I John 4:19
Because we are loved, we walk by, and live this life, by faith.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
We do whatever we do for God, and He works in us to help us do these things!
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13
Finally, remember:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
May the love of God motivate and empower you today to do whatever you do, for Him.
by George | Jan 1, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Goodbye 2020
“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12
I keep hearing people say that they will be glad when this year is over. The subject line of an email I received today said “Good riddance 2020!”
I would be lying if I said I hadn’t been thinking similar thoughts.
We want to hit fast forward, and be in the year 2021.
It seems ironic though, because one of the lessons we learned this year is that time is precious. We read every day about how many are sick with Covid, how full the hospitals are, and how many have died from Covid. We’ve realized that every day is a gift, and that we are here by the grace of God.
Years ago, I told a co-worker that I would be glad when Saturday came. He said “Don’t wish your life away.”
Someone talked about this subject a long time ago. It was Moses, the author of Psalm 90.
“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12
Whether you are reading this before or after the calendar has turned to 2021, I pray that God will teach all of us to number our days, to enjoy each day, and give us a heart of gratitude for each day we are given. Happy New Year!
by George | Dec 31, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Paul Finished Well
“Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”
Acts 28:30-31
Who are you no more likely to follow, the one who tells you what to do, but doesn’t do it himself, OR someone who tells you what to do, and does it himself?
I think we would all pick the latter. We like people who “walk the walk” and don’t have much regard for someone who merely “talks the talk.”
Paul “practiced what he preached.”
He instructed early believers how to run this Christian race. It’s not a sprint, it’s a long distance race.
Paul finished the race well, but it didn’t happen by accident. He ran well, and showed us how to run well. Running well has several requirements.
- It requires discipline.
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
I Corinthians 9:24-27
- It requires focus. You have to keep looking ahead, not behind.
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
- It requires a strong finish. Good long-distance runners make a final “kick” or sprint in the end of the race. At the end of his race, Paul wasn’t jogging. He was sprinting. He kept teaching and preaching with confidence until the end. “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.” Acts 28:30-31 .
If we keep those principles in mind, one day we will be likely to say what Paul said at the end of his race:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
II Timothy 4:7
Finish well!
