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| Serving God in all things | June 1, 2010 |
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Greetings!
Life ... what a trip ... what a journey. Life is always before us yet usually greatly unknown. Honestly, do any of us know what tomorrow holds? The future is something we rarely predict but nonetheless awaits our arrival. Such is life. Now, how to respond?
This past week has had it's surprises and regularities. Zach, our oldest son, was scheduled for a knee operation late last week. The surgery occurred just hours ago and Zach is recovering. Thank you for praying. Shelby continues to improve from a broken back but the pain remains strong. Again, thanks for praying. As a father, I wish I could see the future and protect my children from such calamities yet God is working in the midst of the storm. I would not change that for anything.
Life is hard. Life can be easy but a season of "hardness" is always lurking around the corner. As redeemed people living in a fallen world how can we expect any less. The truth remains that this is not our home but a temporary landing spot on a journey that is eternal. I am thankful to God for His great grace, love, peace and encouragement that sees us through.
As we enter June and the graduation season, life turns to promotion. Children move up a grade, some graduate high school and others launch careers after college. For some, retirement is the change and promotion. Nonetheless, June is a season of promotion. As such, may this be a reminder to serve our King and His Kingdom "No Matter What"! |
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Loving and Serving God throughout life
1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
~ 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 ~ |
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| Doing Life in God's Strength
Paul had it rough! Beatings, scorn, riots, prison, hunger, sorrow and poverty are just a few of the items that made his list of hardships. Still, Paul pressed on to accomplish all God had for him to do and he did it under the grace and strength of God's Spirit. Friend, this is an example for us to follow.
"No Matter What" means that you will serve God and His purposes like Paul. "No Matter What" is your response to the question life asks during hardship or storms, "Will you serve God now?"
"No Matter What" is the mantra of a Christ-Follower that finds strength and courage despite the storm and trusts in God for the outcome "no matter what" the circumstances look like. "No Matter What" doesn't laugh in the face of the enemy but turns his attack into opportunity for growth in Jesus.
Just as Paul, I urge you (and myself) not to receive the grace of God in vain. We have been chosen by God to live this life and all it entails be it good or bad. This is OUR walk and OUR way and OUR response to God's touch of grace. May we never fall victim to apathy and roll aside from life's fray but engage, enlist and encourage as God leads "No Matter What"!
This week, tackle life. Throw everything you have into your relationship with God and witness His hand in all you do. God is not absent nor absent-minded. He has you in the palm of His hand and His plans for you are spectacular ... may you live them fully!
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For King and Kingdom,
Randy Martin |
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