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!