The LIFE That Really Is Life

Scripture

For we are what He has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

~Ephesians 2:10, NRSV

Quote

Work for the cause {Christ} not for applause. Live to express, not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, work to make your absence felt.

~Source Unknown

I was reading through I Timothy this morning and I noticed something that had not come to my attention before: Paul says a lot about good works in I Timothy, especially in regards to widows. He said in I Timothy 5:25, “Good works are easy to see. But even good works that are hard to see can’t stay hidden.” Timothy is serving the church at Ephesus as the time of this letter and some of the church leaders were more concerned with making money than they are serving others. Paul gave these greedy church leaders some stern advice…

  • Command the rich to do what is good.
  • Tell them to be rich in doing good works.
  • They must give freely.
  • They must be willing to share.
  • By giving to others, they will put riches away for themselves.
  • It will provide a firm basis for the next life.
  • Then they will take hold of the life that really is life.

Greed produces pride and selfishness. Rich people have a tendency to put their hope in riches but earthy wealth is unstable and temporal at best; it is not to be trusted. We are to put our trust in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. What we are to focus on is being rich in good works. We are ordained for good works. God has saved us and prepared us to do good works. June prepares before hand our Sunday lunch. When we get home from worship, it is on the table. I hear people say, “You know your purpose but I don’t have a purpose.” Sure you do, God has prepared the table for you and you have a plate with your name on it. On your plate is another name maybe more: it is the person or persons you are to help today.  I am certain that this is the LIFE that is real life.

Three different widows have needed me this week. I have spent every day this week responding to their needs and I have no regrets. I feel like the most blessed man on the planet. I love helping people and thank God more than once a day for the privilege and ability to do so. I only wish I had the same passion for sharing the gospel and confronting the lost. In spite of what folks think, I do not enjoy confrontation. I don’t need a greater desire to help others, I need a greater desire to share the gospel. My desire to help others is the driving force of my life.

By the way, even widows are to do good works: I Timothy 5:10, “A widow should spend her time doing all kinds of good things.” Widows, how can you help me? I am glad you ask. I need you to pray for my son daily. Pastoring a church is a huge responsibilty. I would not be offended if you prayed for me as well.  Paul said, “A widow who lives for her pleasure only is dead even while she is still living.” {I Timothy 5:6} I point this verse out for only one reason: it is true of all, not just widows. Are you LIVING or you just drawing a breath, a check and waiting for your promotion. The life that is real LIFE is in loving and helping others. I am sure of it!


Great week: God is good and not because I have had a great week–He is good because HE IS GOOD, regardless of my week. My tomatoes are growing so fast that I need to get them caged but once I do that, I cannot protect them from a frost. I have a lot of chores to do arouond the house but I am not worried about them; I will get to them when I get to them. I plan to spend some time today preparing for Sunday. I am excited. Hope you are praying for me. I love to preach and especially at DBC. I don’t have A/C in my little building yet, it got kind of toasty in here last night

GOLDEN GIRLS Saturday morning at CB. We meet at 9:00 a.m. Some of our widows are having to fight battles they shouldn’t have to fight and we need to be like snow flakes and stick together. Remember, when things are going good for us, they may be going bad for someone else. Let us encourage one another.

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