Category Archives: Work

What Works Are You Working?? A Word from THE WORD!!! #214

28 Sunday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Advice for the journey, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Armor of God, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Wait upon the Lord, Walk in the Spirit, Walking by Faith or Sight?, Walking With Jesus, Walking Worthy, Wasting Time, Well Done Thou good and faithful servant!, What are you listening to?, What do you SEE?, Where your treasure is--Your heart is!, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening too!, Who will you believe and follow?, will you?, Work

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What Works Are You Working?? A Word from THE WORD!!! #214

“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man

which was blind from his birth.

2 And his disciples asked him, saying,

Master,

who did sin,

this man,

or his parents,

that he was born blind?

3 Jesus answered,

Neither hath this man sinned,

nor his parents:

but that the works of God

should be made manifest in him.

4 I must work the works of him that sent me,

while it is day:

the night cometh,

when no man can work.

5 As long as I am in the world,

I am the light of the world.”  John 9:1-5

As I watch the scenes that fill the news each day, my heart is grieved at the darkness around us, and it is getting darker with each passing day.  It reminds me that the “evil day” that Paul mentions in the Ephesians 6 passage regarding the armor of God, is upon us; sadly it’s going to get darker.  Jesus made it clear to His followers that sin wasn’t and isn’t the cause of all calamities; that God is totally in charge and that while some things are the result of original sin, they aren’t necessarily the direct result of personal sin.  God is at work in and around us and while we don’t always understand what is going on, we can absolutely know that God is sovereignly in charge—always!

With that said, Jesus gives us the standard, “I must work the works of him that sent me”!  And when we are following Jesus, we are accomplishing the works of our Father who sent Him to us.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give in exchange

for his soul?”  Matthew 16:24-26

The way to do the Father’s work is to follow Jesus, and be born again, by the power of God, and then yield to His Word, His ways, and the truths that Jesus made clear to us.  Jesus is saying above that if we choose to attempt to “save” ourselves, we will lose! Yet when we give our life to Him, He will help us walk the narrow way, rather than hear “depart from me” in “that day”.

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will

of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful  works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:21-23

The question is, are we doing the work of Jesus or our own thing?  The distinctions are very visible if we will but open our eyes!

“I charge thee therefore before God,

and the Lord Jesus Christ,

who shall judge the quick and the dead

at his appearing

 and his kingdom;

2 Preach the word;

be instant in season,

out of season;

reprove, rebuke, exhort

with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come

when they will not endure sound doctrine;

but after their own lusts

shall they heap to themselves teachers,

having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears

from the truth,

and shall be turned unto fables.

5 But watch thou

in all things,

endure afflictions,

do the work of an evangelist,

make full proof of thy ministry.

6 For I am now ready to be offered,

and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought a good fight,

  I have finished my course,

  I have kept the faith:

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me

a crown of righteousness,

which the Lord,

the righteous judge,

shall give me at that day:

and not to me only,

but unto all them also

that love his appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:1-8

In case you haven’t noticed, we also are in a time when people are not wanting to hear the word, much less obey it.  So, my friends will we “work the works of him that” saved us, called us, and has commissioned us to do HIS works.  It’s your choice, but remember, there is a test.

“And, behold,

I come quickly;

and my reward is with me,

to give every man

according as his work shall be.”  Revelation 22:12

Amen and Amen!!!

Faith That Works??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #517

26 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Jesus, Freedom To Or From?, Trust God, Truth is True, Work

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #517  Faith That Works???

 

“But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him.”    Hebrews 11:6

“Now faith is

the substance of things

hoped for,

the evidence of things

not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

These are two of the quintessential passages about faith in all of scripture, helping us understand that faith isn’t an ethereal, unreal thing but truth that we haven’t seen or perceived with our physical eyes yet! Our faith and hope reveal that our trust in is secure and sure, for it is God in whom we have placed our faith. And having trusted Him through our Lord Jesus Christ, we can look forward to the things that HE has promised. Paul speaks of this assurance and hope in Romans 8, and when he speaks of hope he is referring to our confidence in God’s promises, His ability, and the surety of His ever-faithful deliverance of HIS own!

“And not only they, but ourselves also,

which have the firstfruits

of the Spirit,

even we ourselves

groan within ourselves,

waiting for the adoption,

to wit,

the redemption of our body.

24 For we are saved by hope:

but hope that is seen is not hope:

for what a man seeth,

why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not,

then do we with patience wait for it.”  Romans 8:23-25

So what about your faith and mine? Are we walking by faith in Jesus, or by sight? Much of the “name-it-and-claim-it” theology seems to focus our hope on being in this present world, and fulfilling our fleshly lusts rather than living for Jesus and looking for our reward with HIM. Trusting HIM to meet our physical needs in His will and His time. Remember what Jesus said, “Give us THIS day our daily bread”! And Paul told Timothy about keeping his “desires” in check: “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (Be sure and check out the context of 1 Timothy 6:8).

Faith is holding on to Jesus, not abstract mental assent, but having confidence in The One who saves and delivers. Holing on to Jesus as to a ‘life preserver’ in a sea of sin and darkness. Holding on to that “shield of faith” that we will be able to utilize it in our daily battles (and we are in a warfare, see Ephesians 2:10-18)—and to utilize a shield you must have a firm grip on the shield itself with complete confidence in it’s ability to protect and deliver! Doing HIS work in the midst of a dark, hostile world that most often doesn’t want to see the light. Even as Jesus Himself said, “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (from John 3:19, and see 1 John to see more about the ‘light’)—our faith is from the light, and will grow us in the light when we yield to the Spirit’s leading in our lives—but only for those who have genuine faith. But what is genuine? W. E. Vine, in the “Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words” gives the most succinct definition of faith that I have found:

“The main elements in ‘faith’ in its relation to the invisible God, as distinct from ‘faith’ in man, are especially brought out in the use of this noun (Greek pistis, as described on page 222, under “faith”) and the corresponding verb, pisteuo; they are (1) a firm conviction, producing a full acknowledgment of God’s revelation or truth,….(2) a personal surrender to Him…..(3) a conduct inspired by such surrender… Prominence is given to one or other of these elements according to the context (of the passages listed which I haven’t included here for time and space sake). All this stands in contrast to belief in its purely natural exercise, which consists of an opinion held in good “faith” without necessary reference to its proof.”

It is sad that people become confused and think that Paul says we are saved by faith not works—which is true—but they often misunderstand what James says about works. It’s like the proverb of the blind men describing an elephant as they grasp only one part of his anatomy, without seeing the “whole” context! We need to understand that real faith works—recognizing that real faith is in God, not self, dead works, wealth/poverty (and either/both can be consumed with greed!), or religion—when we know Jesus, The One who has called us to Himself, by His own blood!

James describes one who “says” he has faith, and Paul talks about “vain” faith—each one describing those who have lip service with no outward evidence of God’s presence and work. It’s what Paul reminded the Philippians of:

“Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear

and trembling.

13 For it is God

which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”   Philippians 2:12-13

Paul didn’t say that we work “for” our salvation—but by faith we are to work “out” what God has put in! And my friends, when we belong to Jesus, it is because of the work that HE does in us; working it out in our daily living, so that others see Jesus in us! “Working out” our spiritual muscles with more passion and devotion than athletes do their physical bodies. I pray right now, that Jesus will help us to see that real “faith”, is dependence on HIM in every area of our lives; yielding to HIM; knowing HIM more each day; walking with HIM in every circumstance—the good, the bad, and the ugly! May we yield to Jesus’ HIS work in us—to a desperate world!

So my friends, I am praying that you/I examine our hearts, even as the Psalmist cried out to God, letting God do His perfect work of grace in me/you today—every day!

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Amen!!!

Who’s Your Builder??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 04

03 Monday Sep 2018

Posted by in Labor, Life, Work

≈ 5 Comments

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 04 Who’s Your Builder???

 

I’d like to share a few things with you today, as many in the US will be celebrating Labor Day; a time when we honor those who live productive lives and support our culture with ‘work’. Work is something we all make jokes about, but if you’ve ever been without ‘work’, you know that the joys of honest, fruitful ‘work’ can be a satisfaction to heart and soul as well as fruitful to the bank account. What we often forget is that God gave us labor—as a gift of His creation—the opportunity to be a part of His glorious creation—whether we are producing actual ‘produce’, skilled work, creativity or intellectual activity. God wants us to take joy in our ‘labor’ and see it as an opportunity to serve Him.

“And the LORD God formed man

of the dust of the ground,

and breathed into his nostrils

the breath of life;

and man became a living soul.

8 And the LORD God planted a garden

eastward in Eden;

and there he put the man whom he had formed.

9 And out of the ground

made the LORD God to grow

every tree that is pleasant to the sight,

and good for food…….

15 And the LORD God took the man,

and put him into the garden of Eden

to dress it

and to keep it.” Portions of Genesis 2:7-15

God provided everything in the creation to support humanity, yet He gave this man, Adam, a job—not because he lacked something, but because work is a good thing, just as God ‘worked’ in creating all these things, He calls us to work to care for ourselves and others—to be an example of a godly work-ethic!

“Neither did we eat any man’s bread

for nought;

but wrought

with labour

and travail

night and day,

that we might not be chargeable

to any of you:

9 Not because we have not power,

but to make ourselves an ensample

unto you

to follow us.

10 For even when we were with you,

this we commanded you,

that if any would not work,

neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some

which walk among you disorderly,

working not at all,

but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such

we command

and exhort

by our Lord Jesus Christ,

that with quietness they work,

and eat their own bread.

13 But ye, brethren,

be not weary

in well doing.” 2 Thessalonians 3:8-13

It seems that Paul had some experience with people who held an “entitlement” mentality—it’s not new! If you read through the Proverbs you’ll find that laziness, sloth and entitlement aren’t new, but God calls His own to set an example of diligent work and provision for our own needs and the needs of those around us who can’t help themselves; God designed us that way, and He expects us to be examples of productivity not laziness and neglect.

“But if any provide not

for his own,

and specially for those

of his own house,

he hath denied the faith,

and is worse than an infidel.” 1 Timothy 5:8

Those who claim the name of Jesus ought to be the best in the workforce, no matter their field. It doesn’t mean we all have to be great entrepreneurs or millionaires, but it does mean that we ought to be the best that we can be in the job that we have—every minute that I am at work—not thieves but diligent workers who don’t ‘give to get’ but those who ‘get to give’!

“Let him that stole

steal no more:

but rather let him labour,

working with his hands

the thing which is good,

that he may have

to give

to him that needeth.” Ephesians 4:28

We are to work for God’s glory, taking care of our own, and helping others as we have resources and opportunity; living a selfless life of giving—not a selfish life concentrated on getting more money for ourselves. We must keep our eyes on the goal and the prize—JESUS’ glory, our eternal reward!

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth

and rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

break through

and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth

nor rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.”   Matthew 6:19-21

As we think of treasure, let’s tie all this together with our title subject of “building”, what are we building and for whom. Who is your builder? Are we honoring God with our labor? Are we laboring for the right reward? These are questions that we all must ask ourselves, for no one else knows your/my heart but God, and He will reveal truth to us if we will but seek HIS face and ask for HIS wisdom!

“Except the LORD build the house,

they labour in vain that build it:

except the LORD keep the city,

the watchman waketh but in vain.

2 It is vain for you

to rise up early,

to sit up late,

to eat the bread of sorrows:

for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;

so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man

that hath his quiver full of them:

they shall not be ashamed,

but they shall speak with the enemies

in the gate.”   Psalm 127:1-5

God builds on the Rock, Jesus–the expressed love of God in Jesus’ sacrifice for us– not on the values that the world clings to; sins of greed, lies and self. God’s love also values life and children—they are the only heritage that God gives here on earth. It is a gift of passing on life, love and the truth of Jesus to affect and change this lost and dying world.

May we each take time today and examine our lives, our hearts, and our minds to see if we are reflecting the glory of our Lord or settling for the imitation of life that the world offers. May we yield to God’s work in our lives that we may reflect His glory to the world, no matter what our “work” may be—from the mother rocking her baby to the CEO carrying the load of a large entity—from the trash man to the Pastor—from the farmer to the waitress! May we each strive to be God’s handiwork before the world today! Yesterday is already gone—tomorrow may not arrive—but we have today, so let’s go forward! And don’t let the past hold you down, simply be the best “laborer” for God that you/I can be! Today!

“Brethren, I count not myself

to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect,

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.”  Philippians 3:13-15

Amen and Amen!