Working for God with Enjoyment

This week the 100th Annual Session of the Original Free Will Baptist Convention meets to conduct the business of this great denomination.  Our history is filled with great men and women of God who have given there lives in the service of the King. They have also left those of us who remain a tremendous heritage to love and appreciate.  The theme for our week is "Working for God with Enjoyment" (I Peter 4:13  -  "But rejoice, since you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.").

We will relive some of that history through pictures, videos, sermons, workshops and fellowship with those who have lived it; but we will also cast our vision for the future in the hopes that those in attendance will reach out and catch the excitement of young men and women who are beginning to make their mark in the history of the church.  Join us if you can.  

Are you excited about your future?  Does your vision for tomorrow include fellowship with and inspiration from God?  Are you grateful for the life He has given you and the opportunities you have had to serve Him?  If so, let's share our heritage with those following, and do so with the kind of enthusiasm and reality that will inspire the next generation to work for God with enjoyment as well.

Mom! Mom!

Hey, Mom, I'm home!  What's for supper?  Have you washed my new jeans yet?  Did Susie call?  Mom!  Mom!

I guess every mother that has raised a family has heard those shouts from her children as they come in from school, play or work.  I see two very significant thoughts in the bleating of the babies.  First, there is the fact that you, mom, are needed.  The shouts are just an acknowledgment of the need.  And that need is constant, whether you are a stay-at-home mom or one who goes to an outside job everyday.  The kids see your time as a valuable commodity as long as it doesn't "hold up the show."  After all, Johnny has got to have his jeans.  And although they don't say it often enough, they really do approve of your presence.  The empty supper plate may have to be proof enough for now.

The second thought is that you, mom, really care.  You wouldn't be chef, chauffeur, maid, and mom if you didn't care. Even when the frustrating moments of motherhood swoop in like a dark cloud, you still care. When the kids, and dad, take you for granted, you still care.  When the afternoon nap is interrupted by the call of the soccer field, you still care.  When everyone else's needs have to be met before even considering yours, you still care.  And that's why you are "MOM".  We do love you, even though you hardly ever hear it.  Thanks, mom, for being there for us, and for caring.  You remind us of what Jesus must have been like...full of special love.

And one more thing mom...while you're up would you get me a sandwich...and some tea!

Jesus - The Servant

Have you ever felt as though your work for God has gone unnoticed and unheeded?  Do you find yourself physically, mentally and spiritually drained with nothing to show for your efforts?  Well, lift up your head...you are not alone.  Jesus Christ felt the same way, and it's recorded long before His incarnation and His crucifixion.

Isaiah 49:1-7 is a stirring account of how the Son of God dealt with His agony eons before it ever took place.  His preparation brought Him power and protection while His humanity listened to His valid complaints.  Yet His love-driven task was to provide opportunity for Israel, and us, to be restored to fellowship with God.  As a result He has been crowned King of Kings and is the object of the Christian's worship.

The desired direction of your service to God and mankind was known to Him long before your were created.  In John 15:16, Jesus says to his disciples, "You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain..."  Our call to servanthood is a call to be like Christ...servants to Him and one another, bearers of fruit, and more than conquerors in Jesus' army.

Be blessed, O servant of God!

What If?

Matthew 28:20  "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

What if, God couldn't take time to bless you today because we couldn't take time to thank Him yesterday?

What if God decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today?

What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when God sent the rain?

What if God didn't talk to us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?

What if God took away our Bible today because we did not read it yesterday?

What if God took away his message because we failed to listen to His messenger?

What if God didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to pay the price for our sin?

What if the door of the church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart?

What if God stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?

What if God would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him yesterday?

What if God answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?

What if God met our needs the way we give Him our lives?

--Adapted (Used by permission)

David's Praise

Eugene Peterson proclaims David's praise of God in the following way:

I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King! and I'll bless your name into eternity. I'll bless you every day, and keep it up from now to eternity. God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness. Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts. Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking; I compose songs on your wonders. Your marvelous doings are headline news;  I could write a book full of the details of your greatness. The fame of your goodness spreads across the country; your righteousness is on everyone's lips. God is all mercy and grace—not quick to anger, is rich in love. God is good to one and all; everything he does is suffused with grace. Creation and creatures applaud you, God; your holy people bless you.They talk about the glories of your rule, they exclaim over your splendor, Letting the world know of your power for good, the lavish splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal; you never get voted out of office.  God always does what he says, and is gracious in everything he does. God gives a hand to those down on their luck, gives a fresh start to those ready to quit. All eyes are on you, expectant; you give them their meals on time. Generous to a fault, you lavish your favor on all creatures. Everything God does is right— the trademark on all his works is love. (Psalm 145:1-17 Msg.)


Now that's the God I want to worship.  That's the God who will take care of me. . .and you.