Work And The Christian

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

" Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart."      Ephesians  6:6

     Man was created by God to be a worker.  Already in Paradise Adam was charged with the care of the Garden.  God has given us minds and bodies which can only be healthy and happy if they are occupied with fruitful labor!  It is true that toil has become more difficult due to sin, yet it is noble, and if performed as unto the Lord, brings a rich legacy of joy and satisfaction.  Even the lowest type of service can be done with the highest possible motive; namely, that of glorifying God from the heart.  Work done in this fashion transforms even the meanest drudgery into a glorious opportunity.

     Christians are always to do their duty fully and carefully.  They are not to be industrious only when the boss or overseer is looking, but must be faithful at all times, realizing that they operate under the very eye of the Lord Himself.  Our labor is not to be done for the applause of men or merely for the joy of accomplishment, but must be carried on for the glory of God and for the blessing of mankind.

     Before the days of Christ a sculptor was employed to erect a statue in one of the Grecian temples.  He spent much time and labor in making it beautiful and ornate, even the part which was to be against the wall.  On being asked why he carved the back part with the same pains as he did the front, he replied, "That is the way I always labor.  Though men may not see it, I believe the gods do!"  Although he was a pagan, he had caught something of the spirit of true, conscientious service.

     Let us meditate on Paul's admonition to perform our daily tasks faithfully - "not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God"  (Colossians  3:22).

"Bread For Each Day"

Body And Soul

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord.  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                     " . . . I keep under my body."  1 Corinthians  9:27

     The body of a man without life differs in no wise from the earth from which he is taken.  In Genesis we are told that God formed man "of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul."  Before God breathed into Adam, he was merely a lump of clay.  It may have been fashioned in the shape of a man and all the organs may have been in place, but it was only clay.

     Someone has broken down the chemical composition of the body of a 150 pound man, which among other elements contains about enough sulphur to rid a small dog of fleas, enough phosphorous for one match, enough calcium to whitewash a doghouse, fat enough for six bars of soap, enough sugar to sweeten 5 cups of coffee, iron enough for a ten-penny nail, nitrogen enough to blow up a house, and sufficient hydrogen to fill a ten-gallon pail of water.  Total value of all the elements (before inflation):  98 cents.

     But what a valuable structure the body becomes when life is imparted to it.  It becomes the most versatile machine in the world.  It can walk, talk, laugh, cry, sing, see, hear, think, and invent.  It repairs itself without stopping, the air conditioning plant breathes 30 times a minute, the heating system keeps beating at 70-80 beats a minute for 60-70-80 years.

     But still more astoundingly wonderful is the body when the Spirit of God comes to dwell in that person. Our bodies then become "temples of the Holy Spirit"  (1 Corinthians 6:19).  When we are His, our bodies become the members of Christ  (1 Corinthians 6:15).  How careful we should be to keep those temples clean.  Our bodies belong to Him - take care of your body - for it is God's house.

"Bread For Each Day"

Cornered

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

" . . . in a strait bewtixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.  Nevertheless to aide . . . is more needful."   Philippians  1:23, 24

     The Apostle Paul had once enjoyed a unique experience.  Being caught up into the third heaven, he had tasted the indescribable bliss of Paradise and knew that it was gain and far better.  He longed to return to those "many mansions," yet the urgent need of his converts here below tempered his yearning to "depart and to be with Christ."  The expression Paul uses is picturesque.  Literally he says,  "I am pressed in a corner between two strong desires."  It is not difficult to understand his problem, for in this life he had a thorn in the flesh, was languishing in a prison, and had the tremendous burden of all the new missionary churches resting upon his shoulders.  Bearing in his earthly tabernacle the "marks of the Lord Jesus," he knew he would find blessed relief in the sinless bowers of Paradise.  Yet Paul recognized that he must not selfishly seek to desert the duties which God had given him.

     We often hear of those who because of illness or discouragement earnestly wish to "depart, and to be with Christ."  However, the Lord has work for them to do - even though it may be only a silent witness from a white cot of pain - therefore, He leaves them here.  If you are among those who are pressed into such a corner, remember the Apostle Paul, who was willing to remain here if it was for God's glory and the benefit of others.

     On the other hand, there may be some who are clinging to life though they know death is near.  To you Paul says in effect,  "There is something far better beyond the horizon of time.  You may soon be granted the joy of eternal gain - the glory of Christ's presence.  Do not fear, for when you leave your cramped corner of pain, you will suddenly find yourself in the broad palaces of His eternal pleasures!"

     Whatever your lot, keep trusting, knowing that to those who leave the choice with Him, God ever sends the best.

"Bread For Each Day"

Come And Get It!

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

READ PSALM  119:  33 - 40

    " . . . I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food."  Job  23:12

     Hold everything!  Wait a minute!  Not so fast, brother, or you'll burn out a bearing before the say is over.  Have you read the Scripture for today?  Only eight short verses.  It will take you only forty-five seconds!  If you read it in less than that, go back and read it again, for you read it too fast the first time.  No, No! don't lay this book down and mumble to me,  "I'm in a hurry and you're delaying me."  It is not my fault you overslept.  I didn't keep you up late last night.  Slow down, brother, slow down!  I see you're eating breakfast this morning even though you are late.  You take time to feed your body, but you were going to starve your soul.  Take 45 seconds and read Psalm 119:  33-40.  Don't bother to read the rest of this devotional, but instead read the Bible.   These articles are not designed to substitute for the Bible, but are meant to stimulate your desire to read more of the Bible.  If these devotionals have made you neglect the Word, so you read them instead of some verses of Scripture, then please, please throw these devotionals away!

     Still eating breakfast are you?  Listen!  you might better skip breakfast than skip reading the Word.  Job says,  "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food."  Man shall not live by bread alone.  Yes, I know you had a rough day yesterday and everything went wrong and you're way behind.  But why be surprised that  yesterday was such a bad day, when you started the day without the Word?  Remember, don't make the same mistake today.  Look at Psalm  119:33 - 40 and make it your prayer today as follows:  Verse 33 - Teach me; verse 34 - Give me; verse 35 - Make me; verse 36 - Incline me; verse 37 - Turn me; Verse 38 - Stablish me; verse 39 - Spare me; and verse 40 - Quicken me.

"Bread For Each Day"

When The Bread Comes Back

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

    "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."  Ecclesiastes  11:1

     It is said that Ecclesiastes 11:1 may well be translated,  "Cast your seed upon the waters."  The thought is of a farmer in the land of Egypt who sowed his crop in the rich valleys of the Nile river.  In the spring of the year the land was always flooded by the overflowing stream.  When he scattered his seed upon these waters they were carried out over the field.  When the liquid tide finally returned to the confines of the river, the seed settled down in the black loam that was left behind.  Many days later a bountiful crop was reaped.

     We too are sowers, and the Word of God is the precious Seed which we should be scattering  (1 Peter  1:23).

     It is said that Captain Fuchida, who led the attack on Pearl Harbor, was once full of personal hatred for all Americans.  He has now, however, been led to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  What made him change from a destroyer of life to a Christian minister seeking now to rescue other lost souls?  The story goes that a Japanese friend of his, who had been imprisoned in America, had been attended by a Christian nurse.  When he found that her missionary parents had been beheaded by his people, he realized for the first time that the grace of Christ was something very real to make this young girl truly "love her enemies."  By her earnest witness and the truths of the Gospel which she presneted to him, he was gloriously saved.  Later this Japanese was to a great extent instrumental in helping to lead Captain Fuchida to Christ; yet it was the Christian nurse who made the fruitful harvest possible by slowing the original "good seed."  She shall receive part of the rewards when the sheaves are counted.

     What kind of seed are you sowing?  "As you sow, so shall ye reap!"

"Bread For Each Day"

A Sweet Reward

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak; for your work shall be rewarded."  
                                                                                                                     2 Chronicles  15:7

     The story is told of a woman who had a rare rosebush.  She worked over it for weeks, but saw little or no results for her labor.  One day she observed a crack in the wall and upon investigation found a small shoot of the rosebush running through the crevice.  When she went to the other side of the wall she found roses blooming in splendid beauty and her labor rewarded.  Some of us too work year after year seeing little if any result, but we are not to be discouraged, for our work is truly blooming.  However, it may be we shall only see its luxuriant growth when we get on the other side of the wall!

     Gipsy Smith at one time was conducting meetings in Aberdeen.  At the close of the service he was working his way through the great crowd when he felt a tug at his coat.  For a few seconds he did not pay much attention, thinking it was merely someone trying to get ahead of him down the aisle, but the tug became more insistent.  Finally he stopped.  Looking down, he saw a little Scotch lassie.  Although she was dressed in rags, her face and eyes were shining.  Gipsy Smith said,  "In her uplifted hand was something wrapped in tissue paper.  It was moist and grimy for she had been clutching it for some time.  'What is it, my dear?'  I asked.  And she replied,  'I want you to have my candy."  'Why?"  I asked.  'Oh, sir,'  she exclaimed happily,  'we've got a new daddy.  He's never been sober until Saturday.  We've never known him to be anything but drunk.  He was in your meeting on Saturday, and it's ll so wonderful now.'  And didn't I take her candy?"  said Gipsy Smith.  "I should say I did - it was worth living a lifetime for that minute."

     Yes, there are rewards for the righteous at the Judgment Seat, but there are also many sweet compensations even in this life when one is engaged in the service of Christ!

"Bread For Each Day"

Road Signs

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

  " . . . therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them WARNING from me."  Ezekiel 3:17

     Wherever and whenever the word "warning" appears, it is a signal to take notice and take care.  You are notified of a danger, and if you ignore the warning and evil befalls you, no one else but you is to blame. Warning - air brakes is written on the rear of heavy trucks.  Stay far enough behind!  Warning - high tension wires appears on the electric poles.  Keep away!  Warning - this bridge not safe!  Warning - this water unsafe for drinking!  And then there are the various road signs warning us of dangers which lie ahead. In many areas, before a driver's license is issued the applicant must be able to identify these various signs by their shape.  We have all the various shapes and designs which warn us:  SLOW, STEEP HILL AHEAD, SHARP CURVE, SPEED 25 MILES, DO NOT PASS, YIELD RIGHT OF WAY, and STOP.  These signs are for our safety, and to ignore them is to invite disaster.  Many cities issue a booklet on traffic laws and require drivers to become thoroughly familiar with its various provisions.  All signs should be heeded even if some are less important than others.  Some are so obviously TRUE that we smile.  Touring along, we saw a sign - SLOW MEN WORKING.  We saw the men and murmured - How true!  We saw another - equally prophetic - SLOW REPAIRS AHEAD.

     We are all travelers to eternity on the road of life.  The Lord has given us in the Bible the road signs to warn us of dangers and show us the right way.  One signs says - TO HEAVEN this way, another says - TO HELL this way.  You are being fairly warned.  Once having started on the way to Heaven by taking Jesus as Lord and Saviour, He will guide by His Word and counsel.  Pay close attention to the signs in the Book and you will not only arrive safely but have a most enjoyable trip.  Read the warnings in the Bible!

"Bread For Each Day"