“Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully….” (Jer. 48:10)

The work of the Lord is so important, pressing, sublime and awebegetting that a curse rests upon anyone who does it negligently. The God who wants and deserves the best cannot bear with sloth, delays, halfheartedness, or slipshod methods. When we think of the tremendous issues involved, we are not surprised.

During the latter part of 1968 a young Christian in Prague, Czechoslovakia witnessed to another young Czech named Jan Palach. There seemed to be a genuine interest on Jan’s part, and so the Christian promised to deliver a New Testament to him. He was filled with good intentions but he let weeks pass before he even obtained the New Testament. Then he kept delaying its actual delivery.

On January 16, 1969, Jan Palach stood in St. Wencelas Square, poured gasoline over his body and set himself afire. He never lived to see the New Testament that had been promised to him.

Good intentions are not enough. It has been said that the streets of hell are paved with good intentions. But they don’t get the work done. They must be translated into action. And here are a few ways to do it.

First, never refuse when the Lord directs you to do some act of service for Him. If He is Lord, then it is ours to obey without question.

Second, don’t procrastinate. Delays are deadly. They rob others of needed help and blessing, and fill us with guilt and remorse.

Third, do it diligently. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Eccl. 9:10). If it’s worth doing at all, it’s worth doing well.

Finally, do it for God’s glory. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,” (1 Cor. 10:31).

We should all have the spirit of Amy Carmichael, who wrote, “The vows of God are upon me. I may not stay to play with shadows or pluck earthly flowers till I my work have done and rendered up an account.” (From a message by J. R. Miller)

After reading the following poem last Sunday, someone suggested that I share it with others by using it in the Morning Manna. Just about every Christian is familiar with the famous quote by C. T. Studd--“Only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last”, but most people have never read the entire poem. Some say it was written by the famous missionary, while others attribute it to an unknown author. Whatever the case might be the message is the same, and worthy of our consideration:

Two little lines I heard one day,Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

To learn more about the man and his ministry I suggest you go to the following link:

http://www.wholesomewords.org/missions/biostudd.html

Note:Since I never quote scripture from anything other than the King James Version of the Bible, it is needful that I add a note to this article. The phrases in quotation marks convey the thought of the scriptures mentioned, but they are not exact quotations of the scriptures. The emphasis is on the words “always” and “never”, not the precise words of the verses.

Very few things in life are “always” and “never.” Your wife doesn’t always tell you how to drive. Your pastor isn’t always asking for money. It’s not like your kids never do a thing you say. But when it comes to God, there are some always and nevers you can take to the bank.

He is “always at his work” (John 5:17), never dozing off or growing tired of meeting your needs. He is “always righteous” (Jeremiah 12:1), never changing to accommodate the times. Jesus “always lives” to pray for you (Hebrews 7:25), to continually insure that your sins are forgiven, if you’ve trusted Him for salvation. He is a rock of refuge to which you can “always go” (Psalm 71:3).

He will “never stop doing good” to you (Jeremiah 32:40), always supplying you with all you really need. He tells us not to worry about money or the future, because He has promised, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). His years “will never end” (Hebrews 1:12). He has “set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44). “Heaven and earth will pass away,” Jesus said, “but my words will never pass away” (Luke 21:33).

Life may seem a tangled mess of empty words and broken promises. But when your trust is in God, you’re on the most solid footing of all. Blessed is the man who “always fears the Lord” (Proverbs 28:14).

….Lord, I always want to be your man, even though I miss the mark in many ways. I know with you, though, that you will always be my God, forever and ever.(Joe Gibbs)

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”1 Peter 5:8-11

Ten years have passed since the morning of September 11, 2001-a day that has defined our generation and changed every American’s life in some way. I’m sure many of us can remember places, feelings, fears, prayers, and emotions of that day and the many days that followed.

On September 11, one of the worst instances of inhumanity was shown as those seeking destruction and death took hostage innocent people and destroyed the lives of thousands. Through their actions, the evil of our world reared its ugly head and showed the true wickedness in this world.

But on the other side, we were shown the selflessness of those who worked for recovery and rescue. People selflessly gave their time, energy, money, and efforts to find those trapped and suffering, and spent of themselves for people they had never even met.

In President Bush’s address to the nation after the September 11 attacks, he said the following:

“Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices. Secretaries, business men and women, military and federal workers. Moms and dads. Friends and neighbors.

“Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.

“The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.

“These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.

“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

“America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.”

Today we remember ten years since that event. Possibly the most defining day in our generation’s history has had an impact on our nation through enforcing greater security policies and changing the way we approach travel. Some speculate the attacks could have been prevented, but one thing is for sure-our nation is doing all it can to help prevent another such attack from happening.

Take a minute to realize that there is a more serious attack plotted against your life than even the terror of 9/11. Scripture warns us in 1 Peter 5 that the devil is looking to destroy our lives. He’s actively planning, plotting, and scheming how he can ruin our lives and destroy our testimonies.

Just as those terrorists actively planned to bring down America, so the devil is actively planning to bring down your Christian life. He cannot steal your salvation, but he can steal your effectiveness. Take God’s warning, and be vigilant in your defense against the evil in this world. The devil never takes a moment off from evil; don’t take a day off from vigilantly defending against him through prayer and walking with God. (From “Daily in the Word”, by Dr. Paul Chappell)

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”–1 Corinthians 13:4-7

During the seventeenth century, Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, sentenced a soldier to be shot for his crimes. The execution was to take place at the ringing of the evening curfew bell. However when the time came, the bell did not sound. The soldier’s fianc’e had climbed into the belfry and clung to the great clapper of the bell to prevent it from striking. When she was summoned by Cromwell to account for her actions, she wept as she showed him her bruised and bleeding hands. Cromwell’s heart was touched and he said, “Your love shall live because of your sacrifice. Curfew shall not ring tonight!”

Many times we can be guilty of acting like we love someone, but not truly loving them. Without God’s love, nothing we do matters. Our empty service will not make a difference or impact someone without God’s love.

Without God’s love, our words are meaningless. First Corinthians 13:1 says, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” God is telling us that even though we may speak well and have nice things to say to others, without His love, our words are empty. It is good to speak kindly to others, but we must make sure we are speaking out of a heart of love.

Also, without God’s love, our motivation is weak. First Corinthians 13:2 says, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.” There will be times when we do not feel like loving others or showing Christ’s love through our lives, but God tells us that we must have His love in order to love others. We must have His love as our motivation each day.

Last, without God’s love, our actions will have little impact. First Corinthians 13:3 says, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”. Even if we were to sell everything we have and dedicate our lives to loving others, it would mean nothing if we did not have God’s love in our lives.

God’s love makes the difference between meaningless actions and life-changing deeds. It is when we are yielded to God and are serving others with His love in our hearts that He is able to use us. We must make sure our motivation for loving others is out of a love for God.

God knows that our relationships are more important than our accomplishments, and He challenges us to grow in His love. Are you serving others out of a love for God or have your actions become routine? Ask God to renew your love for Him and to help you love others with His love today.–Daily in the Word