2-22-15 Attitudes in Service

57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:57,58)

Thoughts: The work of the Lord (to which we are to give ourselves fully) is the work of His servants.  He is Lord and we know it, so we serve Him.  This tells us how we should serve:
1) Stand firm and let nothing move you.  Do not be swayed by pressure from people or from circumstance. Do not allow yourself to be washed about by the waves of culture.
2) Give yourselves fully- Be All in.  Do not just put your toe into being a Christian.  Being a follower means total commitment- as Jesus committed Himself for us.
3) You know your labor is not in vain- It is not in vain because we know we are on the winning side.  Christ conquered death.  The work of the Lord has eternal rewards.  

Prayer: Lord, help me ot serve you because of who you are. You are my anchor against the winds and waves of life.  

Day 24- 1 Corinthians 15:58- to the work of the Lord

10/22- Wednesday 1 Corinthians 15:58  58Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Bonhoeffer: “We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God.  God will be constantly crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions.”

Thoughts: The work of the Lord is the work that God brings to us.  It is not necessarily the work we plan to do.  Sometimes our problems and crosses surprise us.  Sometimes there is a need that we must attend to for the honor of God.  Whatever our call for God- planned or last minute- we should give ourselves to the work of the Lord wholeheartedly.  Many times, we must deal with evil, hurt, and heartaches that we had no intentions of handling.  Such things are our calling- but we should not be so distracted by the urgent good or the distracting evil to focus on what is most important.  The balance is to remain steadfast- giving ourselves to God’s work no matter what it is.  Sometimes the work of God is hard but the work of God has eternal rewards. 

Prayer: Help me to not grow weary or distracted in doing your work, Lord.