God’s Promises: About Serving Him

Colossians 3:23 (NIV) says "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

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by Carley Cooper 

This winter has been long and very cold here in Canada.  Even though we are the land known as “The Great White North”, many will agree that we’ve had way more than our fair share of the white stuff this year.  Every time we think we have had the last storm, another one happens.  When will it come to an end?  Where’s summer?! 

Oh Those Winter Blues!

Winter is a very depressing time of year for so many people.  It’s really hard to be cheerful about much of anything when the days are so dull all the time.  However, God’s word says that we are to be cheerful in all that we do.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (ESV) says “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not quench the Spirit.”  Not only that, but Colossians 3:23 (NIV) says "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

I know what you’re thinking “God doesn’t get it!  It’s impossible to stay happy all the time.  And in everything we do, serve God?  That sounds like I’m supposed to be in church worshiping every day.  I don’t have time for that.  I have a busy life to lead.”  So with all this in mind, how do we deal with long depressing times like winter?  How do we circle our life and activities around God?

God’s Promises are Good

We do it by focusing on His promises to us, and keeping an eye on serving Him.  Working for the Lord with all that you do doesn’t mean just doing “religious stuff.”  I have many things that I do that are intended to be for God in my heart.  I volunteer in the church office one day per week.  I enjoy it, I love my church, and I really want to do this work for Jesus to help create an atmosphere filled with the Holy Spirit for us to worship and fellowship in. 

Granted that is a church thing, but it doesn’t have to be.  For example, once per year, during tax season, I go help my friend who is a tax consultant.  That’s where I am right now.  He is a disabled man with a home-based business.  During the months of February to April each year he is swamped with work.  So I go out of town to Scarborough and I stay with his family for a week or two to help dig him out of the pile of paperwork he’s buried under.  I do this because he’s my friend, I know the work and I can help him without being trained, he needs an assistant, and I need the extra income.  However, despite all this, I do it for God.  I keep a cheerful heart under the workload, and I do it because it is also a ministry to God. It is a form of worship when I do it for no other reason than I love God and He wants me to do it. 

Spring is indeed coming!

The Bible tells us that we cannot serve two masters.  We cannot serve both God and the world (Matthew 6:24 NIV).  We are to serve God only (Matthew 4:10 NIV).  God gave Moses the Ten Commandments as the rules we are to follow if we want to serve Him fully and effectively; and He expects us to do it whole heartedly (Joshua 22:5 NIV). 

Doing things with a whole heart can be hard though.  It can seem like those long, cold, dreary winter months.  Those difficult periods will no doubt show up in our life, but that’s the enemy telling us lies.  I could go with that and let myself believe those things.  However, I could just as easily believe God.  I can help my friend out with his tax clients for the money; or even for the fantastic Portuguese food that I get while I’m there.  But that wouldn’t be right.  My focus wouldn’t be on God then.  The money and the cuisine are bonuses.  I like to think of them as blessings for doing the work. 

Our whole lives; body, mind, and soul are to be given to God as a living sacrifice to Him.  When we live our lives as such, our minds are renewed and we will find what is good, acceptable, and the perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2 NIV).  Whether we are volunteering in our church office, helping out a friend, or simply going about our regular daily lives, focusing on God will bring happiness.  So when times look down and dull,just remember long, cold winters have come and gone many times throughout history.  This one, will come to an end soon as well. 

Let’s Pray

Dear God ~~ Wonderful, loving Father.  Even though it’s hard for us to see sometimes You created everything in this world to be a blessing to us in some way… even winter!  Thank You for that.  Please help me do everything with a whole heart, focusing You and Jesus.  I pray in Jesus name, AMEN

Now It’s Your Turn

Thoughts?  Questions?  Want to share your story?  Ask for prayer? Please share in the comments section.

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