Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

February 1
Friday


HEART
ATTITUDE

READ:
Ephesians 6:5-9
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Not with eyeservice,
as men-pleasers, but
as bondservants of
Christ, doing the
will of God from the
heart. __Ephesians
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I love watching the skill and passion of great athletes as they give their all on the field. It shows their love for the game. Conversely, when a long season is winding down and a team is already eliminated from any opportunity for championship or play-off games, sometimes it seems that the players are merely "going through the motions." Their lack of passion can be disappointing to fans who have paid to watch a good game.

Passion is a key aspect of our personal lives as well. Our heart attitude toward the Lord is revealed in how we serve Him. The apostle Paul said that our service includes the way we go about our daily work. In Ephesians 6:6-7, we read that we are to approach our work, "not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men."

For me, the key in that verse is "from the heart." I have a heavenly Father who loves me deeply and sacrificed His Son for me. How can I do anything less than give my very best for Him? The passion to live for God that comes "from the heart" provides our best response to the One who has done so much for us. __Bill Crowder
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The love of God motives us to live for God.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Ephesians 6:5-9**************

5 Bondservants, be
obedient to those who are
your masters according to
the flesh, with fear and
trembling, in sincerity of
heart, as to Christ; 6 not
with eyeservice, as
men-pleasers, but as
bondservants of Christ,
doing the will of God from
the heart, 7 with goodwill
doing service, as to the
Lord, and not to men,

8 knowing that whatever
good anyone does, he will
receive the same from the
Lord, whether he is a slave
or free.

9 And you, masters, do the
same things to them, giving
up threatening, knowing
that your own Master also
is in heaven, and there is no
partiality with Him.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Acts 19 records that Paul planted the church at Ephesus, a church
that has a prominent place in the New Testament. This congregation
benefited from the ministry of Paul and his team for a period of
3 years (Acts 20:31). The Ephesian elders were given a special
teaching session by Paul (Acts 20), and the church had a letter
written specifically to them. According to tradition, John the apostle
later pastored the church and was buried in Ephesus after his time
of exile on the island of Patmos. Lastly, Ephesus received a letter
dictated to them by Christ Himself (Rev. 2:1-7). It is impressive to
see how much was invested in this local assembly of believers.