Jan 11, 2021
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Is high stakes but pales in comparison to the stakes for every
individual when it comes to their eternal destination. Our country
seems divided right down the middle politically and it would be
easy as conservative Christian to say this divide lines up with the
sheep and the goats, I.e. Trump supporters are going to be saved
and the rest will not , that’s not true of course and the fact that
it’s not true should be a reminder that we should identify
ourselves first and foremost with our allegiance to our Savior
Jesus Christ and our identity as a child of the most High God and
not by any earthly affiliation or group or political party.
One of the truths of the Bible that I have struggled with is
the fact that there is a Hell and that those who choose not to
accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior will spend an eternity in
torment. Rather than responding to that struggle by trying to
rationalize what is clearly taught in the Bible, a better response
on my part
Would be to have a renewed sense of urgency to share the
Gospel with those I have access to in my life. We all have an
area of influence in our life and a big part
Of that influence is through our work.
This issue of eternal salvation hit home to me this past week
after spending several days with a close relative who is an avowed
Atheist. We were watching a special on CNN a documentary on Linda
Rondstadt. I was very intrigued by this doc because I enjoyed her
music growing up but didn’t know much about her. She lived a very
impressive life in terms of her music career. She was the first
woman to have 5 albums in a row that went platinum. She was the
first person to have a hit on the pop, R&B and country charts
simultaneously. She played to large crowds. And won over many
with her unique and powerful voice as well as her stage presence
and physical beauty. Despite her success in rock and roll she
boldly pursued other challenges including winning a Tony after
singing on Broadway and producing some powerful traditional Mexican
music, honoring her heritage and her Mexican father who was also a
musician.
At the end of the documentary they showed her in the present
day. It was a bit sad because she contracted something like
Parkinson’s a number of years ago and lost her ability to sing as
she used to along with other physical complications. She never
married but had many lovers which seemed a sad to me. It was
interesting that nothing was said in the documentary about her
spiritual beliefs though they made several references to her
political beliefs. I did a quick search and found that though she
was raised Catholic she considered herself an Atheist.
It hit me that just like my relative, she is currently alive
and based on her beliefs is destined for Hell.
I thought about writing a letter to her to Share the Gospel.
Though I may do that, realistically there are so many unbelievers
as well as those whose beliefs are unknown to me with whom, unlike
Linda Rondstadt, I actually have some kind of relationship and
influence, and that certainly includes my relationships at
work.
There’s another aspect to this story I want to share. We
talk about what it means to live
Out our faith through our work. Through those conversations we
often say that you don’t have to be a minister nor do you have to
be proselitizing in order to live
Out our faith through our work. So what do we do?
Well, to answer that question let’s talk about LInda
Rondstadt. As an atheist she has a spiritual belief and
without a doubt has faith, in fact I would argue it takes more
faith to be an atheist than a Christian.
She clearly has shown excellence in her work as evidenced by
her accomplishments. She has certainly been rewarded
financially for her work. Others have enjoyed the fruits of her
labor and befitted from them.
despite these truths about what Linda has accomplished and
despite the fact that we don’t really know if Linda has lived
Out her faith through her work, Based on the Bible and
Wikipedia she is destined for Hell.
So what is my point?
Well, for one thing, Like Linda Rondstadt we can achieve
success by the worlds standards through our work but not live out
our faith through our work and not go to Heaven.
Also, I believe we can go to heaven and not live out our faith
through our work.
In other words, living out our faith through our work is not
about getting to Heaven, that’s true whether we are a plumber, a
doctor or a pastor. We are saved by grace through faith in the
saving power
Of the blood Jesus Christ.
So if living out our faith through our work is not about being
saved what is it about?
One way to answer that
question by sharing a devotional from Pastor Brian Biggers, called
“As You Go”. To sign up to receive Brian’s First Light Devotionals
go to tlcalive.com
"As You Go"
As you go, preach, saying 'the kingdom of heaven is available'!
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils.
Freely you have received, freely give.
Matthew 10:7-8
Have you ever noticed that Jesus' ministry was an "as you go"
ministry? Do you also notice that he commanded us to practice an
"as you go" ministry? Through the years of church history ministry
has morphed into an "organized, scheduled" ministry instead of what
He said it should be. A short reading of scripture reveals that
Jesus did not "plan" ministry events. He didn't "organize" healing
services, evangelistic outreaches or prophesy conferences. As He
moved about His daily routine, He would encounter human needs. It
was then as He "ran into" people with needs that He would
minister to them in whatever capacity their need called for. That
is an "as you go" ministry. There is certainly nothing wrong
with planned ministry events where people can come together and
receive help. But, are we missing the greatest opportunities to
serve and help people by not being "as you go" minded? Our current
mindset is, "come to church on Sunday and find help". "I'll call my
minister and set up a time for him to help you". Again, nothing
wrong with these options. But, do I really need to wait until
Sunday to help someone? Do you and I not have the same Holy Spirit
living inside of us that Jesus had inside of Him enabling Him to
bring Kingdom blessing to others "as He went"? Let’s change (love
that word!) the way we think about ministry and become followers of
the Man that lived His life always on the lookout for an
opportunity to serve someone "Kingdom style". Why do you need to
"take a mission trip" to Africa to minister to needy people when
you can take one to Walmart for far less money! Why not take a
mission trip to help the heathen in Gibsonville, Mebane or Ossipee?
If you are feeling really spiritual, head for Saxapahaw! A great
life is to head out every morning after praying, "dear Jesus,
I am your ambassador today on the lookout for a need to be
met. Thank you that you will 'order my steps' to just the
right person and fill me with your precious Spirit to
meet any need I might encounter"! Then you walk through
your day with you "periscope up" looking for chances to bless
"as you go"! Wonder what God would do during a day if we
adopted an "as you go" mindset to minister? All you have to do
to find out is look at Jesus' life.
Thank you for the call to represent you in my corner of the world
today! Line me up somebody to bless "as I go" today!
E
Cameron Arnett - refused to do partial nudity in a big role -
crushed him
L
Psa 104:19 The moon marks off the seasons,
and the sun knows when to go down.
Psa 104:20 You bring darkness, it becomes
night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl.
Psa 104:21 The lions roar for their prey and
seek their food from God.
Psa 104:22 The sun rises, and they steal
away; they return and lie down in their dens.
Psa 104:23 Then man goes out to his work, to
his labor until evening.
Psa 104:24 How many are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your
creatures.
Interesting how our daily work is listed among other things
that are part of daily life in Gods creation, part of Gods
works!
Our work matters to God!
A
If Podcast not accessible look to website
www.christianmenatwork.com
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