What Do You Do When You No Longer Want To Serve God? 1 Corinthians 15:58

There are times when everyone who serves the Lord gets discouraged.  What does the Bible say to do then?

"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,

STAND FIRM
This is stated as a command, but that means it is a choice, so it must be in your control.  To stand firm means:
     * To take ownership of enduring.

     * To choose to not give up.
     * To prepare for the long haul.
     * To refuse to retreat.

LET NOTHING MOVE YOU
In ancient warfare, soldiers would stand side by side facing the enemy; each one had to keep their place beside others and not let the enemy conquer the one place they held.  To give way would mean defeat to the one who yielded and the comrades on each side.

Many things try to move us away from service. We must learn to recognize them, turn from them, and deal decisively with them.

ALWAYS
Always means not just once in a while but at every turn and every opportunity. There is no room for the attitude of standing firm in one situation and then yielding in another.

GIVE YOURSELF FULLY
These three words offer much to think about.  We are to give ourselves away and if that is our attitude then discouragement or defeat are not considerations.  Discouragement and defeat are opposed to giving yourself away because it implies you were hoping to gain something, but giving yourself away is the sacrifice of yourself and all rewards.

WORK OF THE LORD
One effect of salvation is that God has made us His servants/partners. We do good works as if we were His hands and feet.

It is not our work- it is His work.  We are not responsible for success or failure, after all, the Bible teaches Jesus has already won the victory.  Our purpose is not the outcome but the work.

KNOWING
Knowing means you are certain and assured.  We know that our work is valued by our Lord.

NOT IN VAIN
So many things we do are vain and wasteful, but even a glass of water given in His name will not lose its reward.  (Matthew 10:42, Mark 9:41). If it is done in the Lord, it is not vain.

You might do many mighty great works, but they must be in the Lord, so those works are in fellowship with and in concert with His purpose and will.  If our works have the guidance of the Lord in keeping with his Word, they will be worthy of the "Well done good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23).

If you want to learn more about coming to God, please see my other blog about salvation.

(c) Adron Dozat 5/27/15

What Makes a Successful life? 1 Corinthians 10:31

We want a good life full of satisfaction, fulfillment, reward, and free from regret. What is the key?

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV.

The Apostle Paul instructed the church about their freedoms in Christ and the limits of conscience and love. Paul did not fill his Apostolic teaching with many "do this" or "don't do that" types of commands, but he gave boundaries and guidelines that open up more of our lives.

Click HERE to see some art using the words of this verse. 

Do for the Glory of God:
To do something for the glory of God is not just doing something big but doing something moral and right.

If we are doing what we do for the glory of God we...
*     Will do honorable things,
*     Will do good things,
*     Will do things that make the lives of others better,
*     We will be lifters of burdens and lights in our communities,
*     We will be working in integrity,
*     What we will be done without sin,
*     We will be guided by a moral compass that others lack,
*     We will have excellence.

Whatever You Do:
We do not need to be establishing monuments or great institutions or giving huge sums of money to do something for the glory of God.  It says, "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do." Eating and drinking are widespread daily activity and all healthy people do them. Even the common task can be done to the glory of God and become service in His name if it is done thankfully, in a righteous manner with love and thoughtfulness.

We are not told here to do only some special things for the Glory of God, like observing worship once a week or giving a huge donation once a month, but the instruction is to do all for the glory of God. This is inclusive of all the activities. If I clean house, I should clean house for the glory of God; if I work at a job, I should do it for the glory of God.

In Order To Do All Things To The Glory of God You Might...
*     Begin with a prayer,
*     Invite God's participation or help.
*     Confess any struggles, bitterness, resentment, vain pride, etc.
*     Thank him for the task and ask his blessing,
*     Publicly proclaim that your intent was to do it as unto God.

It's Why We Are Here:
We were made to glorify God, and the strange thing is that when we do focus on giving God glory, we are fulfilled. When we make doing the dishes for God's glory or changing diapers for God's glory, we find a sense of satisfaction; if we change car tires for the glory of God, we will find it rewarding.

(c)Adron Dozat 7/13/12

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

Foundations in Leadership 1.3 For South Columbia Baptist Church Awana

This is handout 1.3 (The Leader's Example) in Foundations to Leadership. I wrote it to help develop the Youth Leaders (LITs) in our Awana Club. This hand-out and others like it are given the the kids at the end of club to take home and review during the week. They write out answers to the questions which they then discuss with a mentor, and return to club. I do not object to it being copied and used.

______________________________________
Foundations in leadership.1.3
The unpopular fact of leadership: The example.

“Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” 1Corinthian 11:1, NIV.

You are the illustration of what a Christian is to the young kids in Awanas. Some kids may have never known a real Christian before meeting you. They are watching you today so they can imitate you tomorrow. Your example will influence their decision to live for Christ.

1. What does it mean to follow the example of Christ?



2. How did Paul follow Christ example?



3. How can you better follow Jesus example.



4. What things did Jesus’ life illustrate? What kid of things did he do?



5. How can we do these things?



6. Jesus chose the twelve to “Be with him.” (Mark 3:13-15) So they could see his life and follow his example. How can you be with Jesus?



7. List 3 practical steps will you take to “Be with Jesus” to learn his example?




8. What things can you do to set a more Jesus like example to the kids at Awanas?





Review answers with a mentor or parent. Mentor/ or parent’s signature._________________.


(c) Adron

____________________________

Thank you for visiting and reading my blog. I sincerely hope this post is helpful and an encouragement.  For more like this see the most popular post in the left sidebar, or use the search box above.  

Adron

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To Vainly Receive God's Grace, 2 Corinthians 6:2

We all admit that we have received blessings from God, and it is good to remember our blessings. What should be our response to His many blessings?

“As God’s fellow workers, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.”

2 Corinthians 6:2, NIV

God will not force Himself upon us but offers us a choice. He gives us understanding, blessings, and light to equip us to receive His "grace." The ultimate grace is the sacrifice of his Son on the cross for me as payment for my sins. God offers this grace of eternal salvation, but we must intentionally receive this grace by faith.

God also shows His "grace" in that he allows us to live each day and draw breath moment by moment. God's many graces to us include blessings of freedom and health, family, sustenance, and more than we could count. You think our response would be gratitude and devotion.

No one can force us to do right by God, but the Apostle "urges" us to not let God's grace in our lives be in "vain." Vain could mean something that has no substance or that is pointless. It is an insult to God’s mercy and grace that we take all these blessings and squander them on our own agenda, whims, and pleasures. We casually take from God and give little or nothing back and even demand more. If we behaved this way in society, we would be charged with embezzlement or larceny.

God’s blessings of Grace are to enable us to be His "fellow workers," what an honor! The angels are never called God’s fellow workers, but sinful man redeemed by the blood of Jesus is brought into a true partnership with God. Yet we who are made in His own image and redeemed by the sacrifice of His Son just go our own way and ignore the awesome privilege of serving His Kingdom.

Since God has given so much to me, does He do wrong to ask a response? If God has given me blessings and I squander them, then I am spending God's grace in vain. If I am saved and live only for myself, I am living in vain. If God has given me a calling and I fail to respond, I am living in vain.

I pray that I do not respond to God’s grace with a cavalier attitude but reverently choose to follow the light he has given me. May I never receive God's blessings in vain, but instead, use them to serve as one of His "fellow workers."

(c) Adron 3/24/10

One of The Most Narrow Minded Things Jesus Ever Said. Matthew 12:30

Some of Jesus's words were pure poetry, beautiful teachings, or memorable parables, but here is something that really cuts to the bone.

“He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.” Matthew 12:30, NIV.

EITHER OR...
Jesus says you are one or the other, there is no middle. He says we must be “with” him as if our identity and future is one with his; and we are to “gather,” that is to work at bringing others to him.

AGAINST JESUS?
It is clear that if we are not with Jesus then we are against Jesus. Who would be "against" Jesus? Jesus lived the most beautiful life ever and offers the power to live that life to any who come to him. He lived perfect love, mercy, and compassion. He is himself the “Way the truth and the life,” (John 14:6). He is the “Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep,” (John 10:11). With or against- Jesus did not give a third option.

GATHER
So few "gather," and even in the church, many oppose the Lord and "scatter." We say, “I am with Jesus. I go to church, I tithe, and I give my time.” You can do all that and still not be "with" Jesus. We don’t consider ourselves against Jesus; we are just neutral or waiting for a better time. But to Jesus, neutral, passive, halfhearted, or waiting until later are the same as against and scattering.

To be with Jesus means:

• Having his purposes as your purposes.
• Being close in the companionship of Jesus.
• Participating in action and heart in the same task as Jesus.
• To share his identity and lot.
• To experience the same treatment as was given to Jesus.
• Performing the same work he did.

To be with Jesus is to be a gatherer. We are to draw people to Jesus, and our actions should attract people to Him. Our words should make others wish to know the Savior If our lives do not match up such standards then we are scattering.

Wolves succeed in the kill by scattering the sheep; if we are not gathering people to Jesus, then we are leading friends and family toward wolves that would devour their souls.

ON JESUS' SIDE
Let's resolve to be on Jesus' side, do what he did, and live out his life. Let's possess his actions and purpose. His hand is set to work and ours ought to be at the same task. He did good works among men and we should too. He brought redemption’s hope to people and so should we. May our actions never become a reason others do not come.

(c)Adron Dozat 3/5/10