AUGUST 2014

“Whatever You Do”

This month ends our intensive and adventurous journey in Colossians 3:12-17 that we have taken since last September.  In verse 17, Paul said: “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  This message comes through clearly in the hymn “Living for Jesus.”

Living for Jesus a life that is true, Striving to please Him in all that I do;

Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free, This is the pathway for me.

Living for Jesus, as Paul challenges us to do, is a matter of courageously opting to use the greatest human power that God has endowed us, our power to choose.  Choose to live for Jesus.  In striving to do this, I want to share some thoughts of Christians past.

Do not yield to every impulse and suggestion but consider things carefully and

patiently in the light of God’s will.  For very often, sadly to say, we are so weak

that we believe and speak evil of others rather than good.

                                                                             ---Thomas A’ Kempis

A Christian should always remember that the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, but on the love of God which prompts him to do these things.

                                                                          ---St. John of the Cross (1542-1591)

A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.

                                                   ---Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906)

The bottom line is “Love in Action” and that love, the love of Christ dwelling in us and through us.  Let the chorus of Living for Jesus be a daily prayer for us this month.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee;

For Thou, in Thy atonement, Didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, My heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, hence-forth to live, O Christ for Thee alone.

                                                                                                                God bless!  Fred