Archive for the ‘Work’ Category

7 Oct

Service or Seashells?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Service, Work.

As I have celebrated another birthday, may I have the luxury of passing on some thoughts on getting older, and how we might spend our later years?

I am reminded of a story Pastor John Piper told in his book “Don’t Waste Your Life.” The story was about a couple who took early retirement, moved to Florida to “cruise on their 30 foot yacht, play softball and collect shells. Then he adds this… “Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: ‘Look, Lord. See my shells.’ That is a tragedy”
How many Christians look to the day they can retire and “enjoy life”, only to find themselves with a feeling that there must be more? What if that something more is to spend those years not doing nothing, but having time to “wholeheartedly serve the Lord?”

I find only one reference to “retirement” in the Bible, and it is that the Old Testament priests were to retire at age 50, and then to assist the younger priests. (Numbers 8:23-26 NIV).

Here is some perspective from scripture: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree…they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” (Psalm 92:12-14).
Solomon, to whom God gave more wisdom than any other man, said this at the end of Ecclesiastes: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

From the apostle Paul, we get the idea that the Christian has a responsibility to keep on until the end. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7) “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”(Philippians 3:14).

At the judgment, will you hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant”, or will you have only seashells to bring to the throne?

Just thinking,
Pastor Jerry
“It is a sad contentment to be content without Jesus.” (Mark Dever)

28 Jan

Help for the Helpless

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Faith, Work.

Here is our thought for the week. Most people have heard the saying, “God helps those who help themselves.”  Almost everyone has the idea that it comes from the Bible, but it doesn’t. It is not in the Bible, and it is totally false.

I have seen no scripture that would indicate that God helps those who help themselves. As long as we’re helping ourselves, who needs God? It’s when we reach the end of our rope, and we’re dangling out in space, that we finally cry out, “God, help me!” We have nothing to offer God, and we are powerless to help ourselves. Only He can deliver us from ourselves and our sinful nature.

When I was convinced I was doing something for myself, and that God was blessing me because of my wit and wisdom, He showed me that I had nothing to offer in the way of self-sufficiency. It was then I learned what the Bible really says.

We find it in John 15:5. Jesus is speaking:”I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Here are just two more verses. “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles”. Also, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:6, 18).

Jonah, who we visited recently, called out to God from inside the big fish and was rescued.

Perhaps the apostle Paul said it best. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

Does God help those who help themselves? No! It is quite the opposite. God helps the helpless.

In His grip,
Pastor Jerry Continue reading →

3 Sep

Labor Day

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Work.

It has been another busy week. I find that busyness is not a bad thing. The idea of just sitting, watching the world rolling along without being involved just does not appeal to me. What would be the purpose for getting up in the morning if there was nothing waiting for our participation?

After a busy week, it might be good to think back and see if we have made a difference in someone’s life. If we were to do that, would we find out we were only thinking of ourselves? I wonder if it might cause us to make some changes in the way we relate to others?

Since we have been observing the Labor Day “holiday” for the last few days, it might be good to check in with God’s word for some wisdom on the subject of work.

I would venture a guess that many of us don’t realize that our job is a gift from God. Most people probably see their vocation, or work, as more of a burden than a gift, but I believe in the case of the Christian, He meant for our work to be our ministry.

Ephesians 6:5-8 speaks of the slave/master relationship, but we would apply it in the employee/employer context. “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on your, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.”

In addition, we are commanded to work, as a means to provide for ourselves, and for our families. Here are Paul’s instructions from 1 Thessalonians: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands…so that your daily life will win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody” (1 Thes 4:11-12). Also, “‘We gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’ We hear that some among you are idle…Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat'” (2 Thes 3:10-12).

Finally, “Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry” (Proverbs 19:15). “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4).

Points to ponder,
Pastor Jerry

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