"ACTIONS SPEAK" #4

Hello everyone and I am back after a few weeks off. The Lord has blessed me with great health these days and I am back in the workforce once again. Many of you may know that I have been sick for a while and unable to do a whole lot, but with The Mighty Hand of God, I am doing great and feeling wonderful. A big thank you to everyone who has been in prayer for me. Now, we continue with our next devotion and this is number 4 in our series. God bless as you continue to serve Him.

III. GRATITUDE THROUGH SERVING (vss 28-29)

This kingdom is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Daniel prophesied this kingdom. "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever." (Dan. 2:44).
Jesus said, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it" (Matt. 16:18).
This kingdom CANNOT BE SHAKEN.
No matter how much Satan may try, he will not overpower the church.
No matter how much the governments of the world may try, they will not overpower the church.
No matter how much some immature antagonistic Christians may try, they will not overpower the church.
No matter how much some Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, may try, they will not overpower the church.
No matter how much some evangelists may depart from preaching the truth of God’s Word and will instead conform to the teachings of man, they will not overpower the church.
Vs 28
(Deut. 10:12) "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?"
"With good will render service as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free" (Eph. 6:7).

(Vs 28) How are you, personally, showing gratitude? In other words, what on earth are you doing for heavens sake? What ministry are you involved in, when it comes to the work of the church. I have heard it said that in the average congregation, 20% give 80% of the money and the same 20% will do 80% of the work. But remember, it will be the same 20% that it will be said, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
REMEMBER, FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works," (Eph. 2:10).

Our Lord Jesus gave us an example of servitude – washing feet. Usually the first sign-up sheets to be filled are those where people are not doing menial tasks. Let’s face it, a person gets much more recognition for providing special music than for working with the 2 & 3 year olds during Vacation Bible School or helping during Spring Clean Up Day.

The defenses come up and will be stated, "But I’m too busy." Not too busy to show up for ball practice. Not too busy to do those things that you deem more important than the work of the LORD and HIS church. BEING UNDER SATAN’S YOKE!

"A writer for a great newspaper visited India. One day he met a missionary nurse who lived among the lepers and helped them. How tender and loving he was to the poor lepers. The reporter looked upon him with amazement. He said, ‘I wouldn’t wash the wounds of these lepers for a million dollars!’ ‘Neither would I,’ answered the missionary nurse, ‘but I gladly do it for Christ. I have no thought of any reward other then His smile of approval upon me!’"
Oh, how serving Christ has become an option in the modern church!

"Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, ‘You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works"
(Ja. 2:17-18).

(Vs 25-29)

Heb. 2:2 "For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?"

The TRUTH is, THERE IS NO ESCAPE!! Now go and do the right thing and serve God through serving others. God bless until our next time together. Mark