What If I Am Tired Of Serving The Lord?

Are you tired of serving God?

Sometimes, you just get tired of serving God because it is so draining on your time and energy, and after all that work, it seems like no one appreciates it. So what do you do?

"Therefore, 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 15:58. 

BROTHERS AND SISTERS...
In the writings of St. Paul, serving God was not exclusive to the clergy or the faithful of a certain rank; he saw serving God as a privilege and a mandate for every believer.

STAND FIRM...
At first glance, this phrase does not convey a lot of activity. More than once in the Old Testament, God says, "Be still and know I am the Lord," Psalm 46:10. Exodus 14:13. 2 Chronicles 20:17.
To stand firm means to not give way to an enemy in battle or leave a position. A soldier on the battle line does not need to advance as much as he needs to hold his one place in line, so he must stand firm. If he fails to stand firm in his position, the entire line may collapse, and the battle will be lost. When we fail the Lord, those we love are hurt too.

LET NOTHING MOVE YOU...
"Let" is a word that indicates we have a choice. Choose and resolve to allow nothing to move you. We must be watchful for the many little things that can move us by an inch from our place. If the enemy can get us to move enough inches, then we will have moved a yard. We must be vigilant and diligent to be watchful of all temptations, big and small.

ALWAYS...
There is no exception. There is not a day off and no vacation from persevering in service to God. Every situation is an opportunity to demonstrate faithfulness.

GIVE YOURSELVES FULLY...
Again, we are challenged to choose to be all out for the Lord. We don't give ourselves halfway or 90%, or mostly; we must be fully given to the Lord.  This is a reasonable response because he gave himself fully for us in his death for our sins.

YOU KNOW...
We can be assured there is no doubt.

LABOR IN THE LORD
A condition. Not all church work is in the lord. Two people can be doing the same work simultaneously and place, but one may be in the lord, and the other is not.  The difference is the heart attitude; if we are serving selfishly or seeing it as drudgery, it is not in the Lord. But if we are serving with an attitude of  Love, devotion, joy, and obedience, we are doing that task in the Lord.

NOT IN VAIN...
We may not see the fruit of our labors but are like the patriarchs who sought a city not made with hands, which is to say we obey God's calling in faith. We do not know the outcome and may not even see the fruit of it in our lives here on earth, but we have this promise in this verse that our labor, our energies, and our lives will not have been wasted.

Resolve that no matter how tough it is to stand for the lord where you are, he is the one who makes it worth it.

To learn more about how to have a relationship with God, CLICK HERE.

(c) Adron 7/7/16

If you are interested in seeing some calligraphy art for 1 Corinthians 15:58 CLICK HERE

How Do I Know If I Should Do Something For God?

Are you called to do something for God?

Sometimes people feel they should do something for God, like a mission, a service project, or start something in their community, but how do you know if it is the right thing?

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel." Philippians 1:27.

This verse of Scripture is where Paul was talking about being uncertain that he would be able to visit the church in the city of Philippi.

WHATEVER

Whatever means in all circumstances or at every moment.  We might be able to do something, or we might not, but either way, we are to control our reactions and make sure those reactions are righteous.

MANOR

You should behave as ambassadors of the gospel and act like citizens of Jesus' kingdom. Our actions should be above reproach. What we do and who we are should reflect the Gospel message.
     * If the message is truth, then live and do the truth.
     * If the message is love, then live and do love.
     * If the message is reconciliation, then live and do reconciliation.
     * If the message is forgiveness, then live and do forgiveness.

GOSPEL OF CHRIST

The Gospel of Christ is the good news that though we were once driven away from God because of our sin, God in love has paid the price for our sin by sending his son to die in our place and take the judgment so we can have forgiveness and be brought back to God. He offers this new life with him as a gift that we can receive by faith in his promise.

This is a worthy Gospel. This gospel of love, forgiveness, and oneness with God is worthy of any sacrifice, act of devotion, service,  or dedication we may be called to do.

IS IT WORTHY?
If you are called to do something worthy of the gospel, then respond yes to that call, but make sure it is worthy of the Gospel...
     * It must be done in love.
     * It must be done in Jesus' name- meaning it would be something he would do.
     * It must be a service to God and others.
     * It must engage the unity of the community of faith.
     * It must advance the gospel.
     * It will mean sacrifice.

Life is full of options, and the "whatever" of this verse is that if you do something in a way that is worthy of the gospel, the choice is acceptable.

It is natural for those who have Jesus dwelling in their heart to want to do things for him. If you have never felt that you want to do something for God, then it may be that you do not really know the Lord. To find out how you can know Jesus as savior follow this link for more information.

(c) Adron 7/9/15

Does The Bible Say We Must Choose God? Joshua 24:15

Does God want us to drift through life and somehow float up to him at the end of it all, or is there a point where we have to make a choice?

"...Then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15.

Even though the people had conquered the Promised Land and were enjoying God's blessings, Joshua challenged them to choose.

CHOOSE
God gives us a choice; he does not force himself on us. That would not be a loving act on His part. If we are to love God, we love him best if we choose to —not if we are forced to.

To choose is an act of personal will. Another cannot choose for you. It must be your own. You cannot say, I serve the Lord because I was born to this family or I serve the Lord because it is my culture. You must choose for yourself.

THIS DAY
We live one day at a time, one hour at a time, and one moment at a time. We do not know what the next day or moment may bring. The Bible never says to choose God someday, or to wait. Scripture is full of, "Call on the Lord while he may be found,"* and "Today is the day of salvation."** Don't say I will choose to serve God someday later on.

SERVE
We are created to serve God. We suspect this subconsciously and spend our lives looking for meaning or purpose. We do not realize it, but this is an expression of our search for Him. When we choose the Lord, we find what we were designed for.

THE GODS OF...
The gods that their ancestors served and the gods of the Amorite people were inferior to the Lord. Many times, the Lord proved himself better, stronger, superior, more loving, and more powerful than the gods of the pagans, whom He defeated many times. Why choose them?

BUT AS FOR ME
Regardless of what other people think, Joshua chooses the Lord, and if no one else comes along, he will still choose the Lord. It is like he is saying if he is the only one, then he will still choose the Lord, even if it makes him a social outcast.

Choose to serve the Lord this day.

To learn more about coming to the Lord see my other blog.


* Isaiah 55:6  ** 2 Corinthians 6:2

© Adron 10/23/14

What Does God Want Me To Do? 1 Peter 4:10

We have talents, abilities and gifts, so we wonder what is next in our lives.  What does God want me to do with the "me" he has made me to be?

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4: 10, NIV.

WHO
The gifts God gives men is not so that some may use them but that we "each one" should use the gifts God has given us. The Bible does not teach some use their gifts while others watch, but that all use their gifts in service.

WHATEVER
In 1 Peter 4:11 he specifies spiritual gifts such as speaking the Word, and serving; though it is clear from the Bible that we are all given spiritual gifts and it is apparent from life that God has given us physical gifts too. According to Peter "Whatever" gift God has given us, speaking or serving, is to be used to serve others.

BEYOND MERIT
We must remember these gifts are received; we could never get these on our own. We did not merit the gifts of the spirit but God gives them out of his grace. Also we can take no more credit for our physical talents than we can take credit for the color of our eyes, they all come from God. We should be humbled that God has given us any talents at all.

GIFTS TO GIVE
God has a purpose in giving us the gifts he gives, both physical and spiritual; it is not so we can be on center stage gaining all the attention, but so that we can serve. To serve takes the role of the lesser and perform actions of meeting need. In serving we make the one we serve more important or noble than ourselves. As John the Baptist said, "I am not worthy to untie the lace of his sandal."* When we serve any persons of the Church we are serving Jesus of whom we are not worthy.

Our gifts are a responsibility we must discharge faithfully, and diligently use those gifts for his service. As stewards of these blessings and will give account for them; our task is to be ready to say, "Yes!" when presented an opportunity to employ our gifts in service to mankind.

INEXHAUSTIBLE
Using our gifts makes us vehicles bringing God's grace to others. Through us God does deeds of mercy, kindness, love, and brings light to a dark world. When we use these gifts they do not diminish but seem to reveal unanticipated dimensions; and our use of them do not exhaust them us but gives us joy.

If you want to learn more about coming to the Lord visit my other blog: click here.

*John 1:27

(c)Adron Dozat

What Is An Easy Way To Serve God? 1 Thessalonians 5:11 W

There are times when we feel like there is nothing we can do for God. We know we should be serving in church or community or some other way, but we don't seem to find our place. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 gives a good easy place to start.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV.

ENCOURAGE
So many people around us need encouragement. There are those struggling with silent private issues and some who are having desperate times. We have the opportunity to do more good than programs and sermons and spending expensive resources; it is simple- it is by being an encouragement. You can do this easily by cheering them on from the sidelines, or you can come alongside and bear the weight in their struggles.

We have many reasons to encourage one other. We want to encourage others because...

     * We share great salvation.
     * The Bible commands us to.
     * To be able to encourage is a gift you may have.
     * We share God's forgiveness.
     * We experience God's grace.
     * We share the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
     * We have the eternal promises in the word.
     * We are part of the blessing of the church.
     * Remember the time will come when we ourselves will need encouragement.

ONE ANOTHER

The phrase "one another" implies community; it suggests that the Christians are woven into each other's lives. We do not live life only unto ourselves, but as Christians, we are part of a living thing called the church. We must be lovingly involved in each other's lives.

BUILD UP
We build each other up by reminding each other of God's mercy, purpose, and salvation.

     * We can share our own experiences.
     * We can teach the word.
     * We can do acts of service.
     * We can reaffirm the positive.
     * We can pray together.
     * We can commit ourselves to our brothers and sisters who need encouragement.
     * We can simply communicate words of encouragement by letter, email, or phone call.

YOU ARE DOING

Paul paid attention to things. He knew his flock, and he knew what was happening in the lives of those to who he ministered. We need to pay attention to our friends and pray for God to show us when and how they need encouragement.

To encourage and build up our brothers and sisters in the Lord, we must do it on purpose. It just doesn't happen on its own; we must be committed to the fellowship of the faith and stand with our brothers and sisters in their struggles.

To learn more about knowing God personally, visit my other blog. Click here.

(c)Adron Dozat 8/14/12

Who is God’s Worker? 1 Thessalonians 3:2, NIV

Does the Almighty God of the Universe just go about His wondrous divine work while all I do is earn a paycheck and watch TV? Does he need my help?

"We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith." 1 Thessalonians 3:2, NIV.

WHO WAS TIMOTHY
Timothy was the Apostle Paul's protege and an early church leader. He came to the faith through the teaching of Paul, which was built upon the foundation his grandmother taught. He had problems; in fact, he was encouraged to be less timid and care for his stomach and his many ailments. He was admonished to not allow others to look down on his youth. Timothy could sit in our church today, and you would not think him different than any other worshiper.

BUT HE WAS SOMETHING
Paul calls him "God's fellow worker." Timothy had responsibilities in the first-century church, but we have no less responsibility in our day. We are God's fellow workers too. The work of God on this earth is being done by our hands. God has a purpose, and He calls on us to fulfill that purpose; to continue the work that the Lord began in the first century of building up the church, and make Jesus known to the lost world.

God could have written the Gospel in the clouds, on the sides of mountains, or had angels proclaim it in thunder, but instead, He chose to put it in the hands of redeemed sinners.

FELLOW WORKER
A fellow worker labors beside another. We work side by side with the Almighty, laboring toward the same end. We share the same struggle and bear the same sufferings as those early saints, but we also share in the rewards and the blessings.

God did not ask us to toil alone or unaided but gave us community, gifts, powers, and authority to do the same work He is doing.

US
When we believe the Gospel and come to God through Jesus, we are God's fellow workers; it is not optional. We must not forget that we are not here to build up our own estate but to build up His kingdom.

He doesn't need us; he could do it without us, but He wants us, and that is even better.

If you have not come to God through Jesus and want to know more about salvation, follow this link to my other blog. 

(c) Adron Dozat 12/1/10

Is Jesus Worth Giving Up Everything? Philippians 3:8, NIV.

Is Jesus worth the trouble and sacrifice? Is he worth the cost of giving up stuff, like wealth, career, self-image, pleasures, and dreams?

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8, NIV.

CONSIDERED
The Apostle "considered" everything loss. He weighed things in his mind and concluded that he was willing to give up everything because knowing Jesus was better, for to gain Christ is all,

RUBBISH
Paul considered things of this world as "rubbish." Rubbish is the worthless, useless leftovers, you throw away. If you offered him wealth, he would think it trash compared to Jesus.  All the wealth of the world combined is small change compared to the Lord.

LOSS
To follow Christ cost him his seat on the council, lost his status as a national and religious leader; he became an outcast to his own society and community, he was disowned by his countrymen he was stoned, beaten, and whipped on various occasions. Finally, unjustly imprisoned he gave his life as a martyr for Christ.

JESUS
     * Jesus is worth giving up TV to spend time reading the Bible.
     * He is worth sacrificing the promotion to be able to have time to serve in Christian work.
     * He is worth giving up popularity to befriend the unlovely and bring them to Christ.
     * He is worth a smaller bank account so that we may give liberally to the work of Christ's kingdom.
     * He is worth a few minutes of sleep to wake early for Morning Prayer.
     * He is worth giving up a romance to experience the depth of his love.

SURPASSING GREATNESS
Jesus is worth more than all these things. Jesus outweighs all things in beauty, greatness, worth, and reward. Jesus offers to come into our life but he doesn't force himself on us and he refuses to compete. He wants us to choose. He wants us to have that love that declares “Jesus over all.”

Jesus is worth the sacrifice and he will reward both in this life and the next.

To learn more about the Gospel see my other blog.

(c) Adron 4/3/10

Do Not Come Empty Handed, But You Must Come. Exodus 23: 14.

People think that church worship is boring, dull, and irrelevant to modern religious experience, the question maybe is it the worship service or the worshiper?

“Celebrate the Feast of unleavened Bread; for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in that month you came out of Egypt. No one is to appear before me empty-handed.” Exodus 23:14. NIV.

TODAY'S PROBLEMATIC CELEBRATION
We live in an entertainment culture where we go to “get;” to be amused or edified.  We want our church to offer a sermon (hopefully one that is not too troubling to our conscience) with a few laughs and memorable stories.  We want the child care to be clean and happy and the fellowship hour to be well-stocked with fresh cookies.  It is tragic that today’s Christianity has turned away from the example of our Lord who “came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.”(Matthew 20:28).

THE ANCIENT COMMAND

Do Not Come Before Me Empty Handed, Exodus 23:4

Do not come before God “empty-handed.” This requires personal consecration, a setting aside of self-interest and needs in order to prepare to serve.  Prepare for worship on The Lord’s Day by spending time the day before in God’s word, prayer, meditation, and personal worship.  Daily personal devotions make us ready to bring an offering of service on Sunday.  Daily personal worship makes us ready to say “Amen” to the benediction, the offertory, or the sermon.  When you spend time during the week reading the Bible, in prayer and worship then Sunday worship meeting becomes a celebration of our personal worship experienced throughout the week, because we are bringing something we took the time to prepare.

GIVING BLESSES
When you come to community worship you will be able to sing from your heart to the Lord since He has been close to your heart all week long.  You will be able to pray silently and say amen to the prayers offered by others.  When you bring an offering of a full heart to the community worship service and give it to God you will take away a heart full of blessing far exceeding what you brought.

(c) Adron 2/18/10

What is the Point Of The Good Samaritan Parable? Luke 10: 25 – 37

We have heard it since childhood and tell it to our kids, yet after a lifetime of exposure to this parable, do we still miss the point?

BACKGROUND
It is in response to a question that Jesus tells a parable of how a man fell among robbers who beat him and left him half dead.  A priest ignored him as he walked by, as did a religious leader.  Then, a socially low-caste Samaritan stops and helps the man by treating his wounds, taking him to an inn, and paying for his care, including a promise to return and make good at any other cost.  Jesus then asks, “Who was the neighbor to the man?” It begs the answer- the Samaritan. (See Luke 10:25 -37.)

WHAT WE DON'T HEAR
Often we are so focused on the illustration that we miss the point, or we know the story so well it has no effect on us.  Instead of being moved by God’s Spirit, we are inoculated against the action.

THE END IS THE BEGINNING
Jesus concluded the parable by saying, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"  The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise.”

WHAT WE SHOULD HEAR
How many sermons have we ever heard on the last four words of that verse? “Go and do likewise.”  That is the point of it all.  It is not just a story about a guy who did a good deed- but it is a mandate.  When we read this passage and all others in God’s Word, it should affect us as if we are hearing His voice directed to us, as if we hear Jesus commanding us to personally “Go and do likewise.”  He is telling us to be the Good Samaritan.  If only we did! It would make such a change in our lives and the lives of those around us.

Jesus' words call us to a lifestyle that responds to the needs of others. The Christian life is a relationship with God; as such, we must be aware of opportunities He has set in our paths to be " Good Samaritans.”

May you find great blessings as you “go and do likewise.”

© Adron 10/11/09