Do you work for God like you do for the world?

DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY JANUARY 29, 2003
( I Corinthians 15:58, Galatians 6:9, 2 Timothy 4:7 )

Do you work for the things of God as hard as you work for the things of this world?

Jon Gruden, became the youngest coach in history to win the Super Bowl this past Sunday, leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory over the
Oakland Raiders. Living in the Tampa area, I have had the opportunity to follow Coach Gruden since he became the coach of the Buccaneers this time last year.

One of the trademarks of Coach Gruden is his incredible work ethic. He is famous for getting up at 3:17am each morning, and working until 10 or 11pm each night. His entire life is focused on, and dedicated to winning football games. Sunday, he received the ultimate payoff for all
of his hard work and determination as the Bucs won Super Bowl XXXVII.

I have had the pleasure throughout my life of personally knowing many people that are extremely successful by the worlds standards. The one common bond that they all share is an incredible work ethic. They are driven to do whatever it takes to succeed in their given profession. They will routinely put in 100 hour plus work weeks, they will make whatever sacrifices they have to, in order to be successful. There is literally no price that they are not willing to pay to achieve their goals.

My question to you this morning is this. If people are willing to literally give their very lives for the temporary success that this world can offer, how much more should the men and women of God be willing to work for the eternal success the Creator of this world can offer?

Let me ask this question again, and I pray that right now you will stop whatever you are
doing, and ponder it. IF PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO LITERALLY GIVE THEIR VERY LIVES FOR THE TEMPORARY SUCCESS THAT THIS WORLD CAN OFFER, HOW MUCH MORE
SHOULD THE MEN AND WOMEN OF GOD BE WILLING TO WORK FOR THE ETERNAL SUCCESS THAT THE CREATOR OF THIS WORLD CAN OFFER? If Jon Gruden is willing to get up at 3:17am and put in 20 hour days to win a football game, that in the light of eternity is absolutely meaningless, how much more willing should the men and women that God has called to His service, be willing to do to win souls for eternity?

My sole motivation for this word to you today is this. We can ALL do more. EVERY man, woman, and young adult that has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, is called by God to His service. Sharing the hope and love of Christ is not just the job of your pastor, or an evangelist, but is the job of EVERY person that has accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts and
lives. THIS IS NOT AN OPTION.

It has only been because of the tireless work and efforts of those saints who have gone on before us that we share in this great faith today. It is OUR JOB AND RESPONSIBILITY to insure, should
Jesus tarry, that the next generation of saints who are still not even born, have a rich and solid Christian heritage and family throughout this world.

That will not happen by accident, but through the hard work and efforts of men and women of God all over the planet. There is a very real enemy that
would love to destroy the people of God. We live in a world today that will not let the message of hope and love through Jesus Christ be heard without a fight. We have to fight, we have to work hard to make sure that the TRUTH of the Bible is boldly proclaimed.

The enemy has no shame or fear in telling people the lie that there is no God, that there is no truth, that you can live any way you want. We have to be equally as bold and fearless to tell people worldwide that there IS a God that loves them very much, that there is TRUTH found in the Bible, and that the only real peace, joy, and
abundance that this life can offer comes from living for Christ 24/7/365.

There is nothing wrong with working hard to be successful in whatever your earthly profession may be. However, should we not be equally as
passionate and diligent in our work for God? I think back on what a handful of mostly uneducated men totally sold our for Jesus did right after his
death. These men that had no great position in life, they did not have great financial resources, traveling was very difficult, and there were no form of modern communication. Yet they literally turned the world upside down as they helped lay the foundation of Christianity. With our incredible education opportunities, people in the Kingdom that have vast resources,
being able to fly around the world as easy as it is to drive down the street, and all of the amazing communication devices we enjoy....HOW MUCH
MORE CAN THOSE MEN AND WOMEN OF GOD WHO ARE SOLD OUT...MAKE AN IMPACT FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST???
~Bill Keller~

"He that gives up what he cannot keep; to gain what he cannot lose...is nobody's fool."
~Nate Saint~ Missionary


Sue

[ January 29, 2003, 09:04 AM: Message edited by: I Am Blessed 16 ]

 

I hear you Brother Ed. But, if you're like me, we don't give that 18% to the USA as willingly as we give our 10% to God.

Sue

 

WOW WisdomSeeker! Have you considered searching for a more laid-back church?

In our church, we go into ministries because the Lord has called us into them; not because we are required to be in a certain number to satisfy the church or the pastor.

Your church sounds more like a jail. That would make me dread going to church rather than looking forward to it. How can there be any joy in a place like that?

I thank God for a good provider also...my husband works 50+ hours a week and sometimes he is so tired (gasp)he does not go to church on Wednesday night. No one condemns him.

I am praying for you and your situation and hoping the Lord will lead you to a better place.

(((((((((( Hugz ))))))))))

Sue

 

I agree Pete; I call it 'ministry' and we are to be called into that; not coerced like they do in WisdomSeeker's church.


Sue