Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

July 16
Thursday


BEHIND
THE BUILDING

READ:
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Be steadfast,
immovable, always
abounding in the work
of the Lord, knowing
that you labor is not in
vain in the Lord.
__1 Corinthians 15:58
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Where we were working was hot, dirty, and it smelled bad. We had traveled thousands of miles to do some work projects, and on this day we were painting the back of a classroom building at a school for the deaf. The only people who would ever see this part of the building would be the guy who cut the grass and any unfortunate person who would have to work on the septic pit.

Yet, as the young adults diligently painted away, one of the girls, Melissa, put it in perspective by saying, "Nobody will ever come back here to see this, but God will see it. So let's make it look nice." And so we did.

Sometimes we sit at our desk and think no one sees our work. Or we stand at a line assembling item after endless item, Perhaps we take care of crying babies in the church nursery. Or we live the best Christian life we can--without anyone noticing.

Often our work is "behind the building." But if that is what God has called us to do, we need to work with all our heart. As part of our calling to love others deeply (1 Peter 4:8), offer hospitality (v.9), and use our gifts to serve others (v.10), our task is to work with God's strength to bring praise and glory to God, not ourselves. The important thing is that God likes what He sees. __Dave Branon
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``````````````````Though others may not observe us``````````````
``````````````````And see how we serve God today,```````````````
`````````````````````Our job as servants of Jesus````````````````
````````````````Is to please Him in every way. __Branon```````````
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No service for Christ goes unnoticed by Him.

*****************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Peter 4:8-11*********

8 And above all things
have fervent love for one
another, for "love will cover
a multitude of sins." 9 Be
hospitable to one another
without grumbling. 10 As
each one has received a gift,
minister it to one another,
as good stewards of the
manifold grace of God. 11 If
anyone speaks, let him
speak as the oracles of God.
If anyone ministers, let him
do it as with the ability
which God supplies, that in
all things God may be
glorified through Jesus
Christ, to whom belong the
glory and the dominion
forever and ever. Amen.

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

The word fervent in verse 8 is taken from a Greek word which
means "to stretch" or "strain." In literature, it was used to describe
the taut muscles of an athlete who strains to win a race. One way
believers show fervent love is to cover over ("hide") a multitude of
sins. This focused love is not blind but sees and accepts the faults of
others while working for their highest good. __DENNIS FISHER