Posted on Mon, Sept 01, 2013 at 9:58 a.m. (EST) & 07:28 p.m. (IST), AUG-SEPT 2013 Edition
|
Home |Expressions
|Impressions
|Hotpressions |News|
Greek Life |Education
|Entertainment
|Multimedia |Sports |
Food
|CulturalLife
|Features|
Archives
|
Top 5 EXPRESSIONS 
Custom Search
|
|
“Labor Always Before Our Redeemer! (L.A.B.O.R)”
Ramesh C. Reddy
SCRIPTURE:
"We continually remember before our God and Father your work
produced by faith, your labor prompted by love and your endurance
inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 1:3,
NIV)
Observation/Interpretation:
Observation:
Interpretation:
Faith, love, and hope are inner qualities that grow on the inside of
us because the Lord Jesus Christ is our central focus. Because of
these inner qualities growing on the inside of us, three things
happen:
The first thing is, as Jesus becomes the center of our life, our
faith produces work. I am talking about good works.
James 2:17 says, "In the
same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is
dead." (James 2:17, NIV)
Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, let your light shine before
men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in
Heaven." (Matthew 5:16, NIV)
Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship created in Christ
Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should
walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, KJV)
The second thing is as Jesus continues to be the center of our
lives, our love for the Lord Jesus Christ prompts us to engage in
labor. I am talking about spreading the Gospel by being ministers of
reconciliation and Ambassadors of Christ in the areas our Lord Jesus
places us in whether it is in class, Greek life, athletics, work,
academia, career, etc.
During our missions month at church Pastor Hugo of
Oakland
International Fellowship emphasized 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 which we
also studied in our small group of Transformers. It is a powerful
passage that brings to light what it means to labor for the Lord.
"For
Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for
all, and therefore all died. And
he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for
themselves but
for him who died for them and
was raised again. So from now on we regard
no one from a worldly point
of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no
longer.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the
new creation has
come: The old has gone, the new is here! All
this is from God, who
reconciled us to himself through Christ and
gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting
people’s sins against them. And
he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as
though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on
Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God
made him who had no sin to
be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of
God." (2 Corinthians 5:14-21, NIV)
This can only happen when we have so much love for the Lord that his
pain and love for the lost becomes our pain and love for the lost
that we want to finish God's work through laboring.
Luke 10:2 says, "He told
them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the
Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest
field." (Luke 10:2, NIV)
The final thing is as Jesus Christ continues to be the center and
focus of our lives, our hope in our Lord Jesus Christ inspires us to
endurance. When I think about endurance, I am reminded of the
persecution and hardship Christians can face because of their faith
in the Lord Jesus producing the work, because of their love for the
Lord Jesus that prompts labor towards mankind in love. But because
of the hope in Christ, endurance is inspired through the suffering
and persecutions.
Romans 8:37 says, "Who shall separate us from
the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or
famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your
sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be
slaughtered." No,
in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who
loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither
angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any
powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39, NIV)
A true witnessing community is all about work, labor, and endurance
as a fruit of faith, love, and hope.
To be continued......
Implications:
I ask you now dear friend, what does your
L.A.B.O.R
show in life?
So friend, on this labor day, let it not just be a time for
cookouts, an extra day off, etc but let this be a day where you
reflect on what your faith, love, and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ
has done for others.
Has your faith produced good works for others that they praise and
remember the Lord Jesus Christ because of you?
Has your love prompted labor for others that they praise and
remember the Lord Jesus Christ because of you?
Has your hope inspired endurance for the sake of others that they
praise and remember the Lord Jesus Christ because of you?
If the answer is 'YES', Praise the Lord and continue to be a beacon
of light for those around you so you can point each one to Jesus,
the Hope for All Nations.
If the answer is 'No', Praise the Lord that you do not have to
continue on that path when you seek the Lord Jesus Christ with your
heart, mind, soul, and strength. His love for mankind will be
instilled in you as you turn to Him just as you are. As you
experience the love of Christ, His love will be so powerful that you
cannot stand silent without sharing it with others. You will want to
shout and share Jesus as the song 'Shout to the Lord' goes.
Come as you are to the throne of grace and find help in time of
need. Come to Jesus and let Him work in you to give you His faith,
labor in you to give you His love, inspire you to endure in hope.
For He can do all these things for you this labor day and every day.
May you come to experience the love of Christ so when work, labor,
and endurance are thought of, then your faith, love, and hope in the
Lord Jesus Christ will be known because work, labor, and endurance
will be continually produced, prompted, and inspired because of
faith, love, and hope! Amen!
"Lord Always Before Our Redeemer!" (L.A.B.O.R)/"What does your
L.A.B.O.R show in life?"
Prayer:
If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a
daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be
alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them
come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to
wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as
you pray the prayer below, meaning it in your heart.
You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace,
Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a
life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I
need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround
me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your
presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you
love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek
your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for
your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case.
Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN!
(Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All” May the Lord Jesus guide you in His love leading you! Amen! No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help by His grace alone! Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426 "This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB) |
2013 DEVOTIONALS: Philippians 3:20-21: "What C.I.T.I.Z.E.N.S.H.I.P should you desire the most?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sat, Aug 24, 13, 08:34 a.m.) Philippians 3:18-19: "Why shed your T.E.A.R.S for others in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, Aug 21, 13, 08:26 a.m.) Philippians 3:15-17: "Who are what are you willing to P.A.T.T.E.R.N your life after?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, Aug 19, 13, 10:08 a.m.) Philippians 3:12-14:"How can you deal with the P.A.S.T in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, Aug 15, 13, 04:21 a.m.) Philippians 3:1-11: "Why for R.E.F.O.R.M.A.T.I.O.N you need the transaction of the cross?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, Aug 14, 13, 05:55 p.m.) Philippians 2:25-30:"When will your H.O.M.E.C.O.M.I.N.G begin?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Tues, Aug 13, 13, 10:39 a.m.) Philiippians 2:20-24: "How can you Q.U.A.L.I.F.Y well in other people's lives?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Fri, Aug 09, 13, 08:38 a.m.) Philippians 2:17-19: "When do you live out your F.A.I.T.H in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, Aug 08, 13, 03:19 a.m.) Philippians 2:14-16: "What does your B.E.H.A.V.I.O.R do for others in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, Aug 07, 13, 12:03 p.m.) Philippians 2:13: "How do you W.O.R.K out your Salvation?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, Aug 05, 13, 01:33 p.m.) Philippians 2:13: "What path have you taken for S.A.L.V.A.T.I.O.N in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, Aug 05, 13, 01:33 p.m.) Philippians 2:12-13: "What is the point of O.B.E.D.I.E.N.C.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sat, Aug 03, 13, 01:28 p.m.) Philippians 2:9-11: "How do you handle the N.A.M.E of Jesus in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Fri, Aug 02, 13, 07:58 a.m.) Philippians 2:8: "What can the C.R.O.S.S do for you in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, Aug 01, 13, 08:03 a.m.) Philippians 2:5-7:"How do you match Jesus' A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, July 31, 13, 10:50 a.m.) Mark 10:6-9: "What does Jesus want for your M.A.R.R.I.A.G.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Tues, July 30, 13, 11:24 a.m.) Philippians 2:3-4: "How do you respond to God's C.O.M.M.A.N.D.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, July 29, 13, 09:53 a.m.) Philiippians 2:1-2: "What C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N are you in?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sat, July 27, 13, 11:42 a.m.) Philippians 1:29-30: "How do you handle S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Fri, July 26, 13, 10:02 a.m.) Philippians 1:27-28: "How do you C.O.N.D.U.C.T yourself in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, July 25, 13, 11:17 a.m.) Philippians 1:22-26: "What are your C.H.O.I.C.E.S based on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, July 24, 13, 09:50 a.m.) Philippians 1:21: "Why D.I.E for Christ?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, July 22, 13, 3:33 p.m.) Philippians 1:21: "Why L.I.V.E your life to be appreciated by others?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Fri, July 19, 13, 10:20 a.m.) Philippians 1:20: "Where do you need to have C.O.U.R.A.G.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, July 18, 13, 05:17 a.m.) Philippians 1:19: "Who should you C.A.L.L often in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, July 17, 13, 09:41 a.m.) Philippians 1:19: "What reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Tues, July 16, 10:23 a.m.) Philippians 1:15-18: "How are your M.O.T.I.V.E.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, July 15, 04:57 a.m.) Philippians 1:12-14:"What have your C.H.A.I.N.S done to others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, July 11, 10:40 a.m.) Philippians 1:12: How can you A.D.V.A.N.C.E the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, July 10, 11:46 a.m.) Philippians 1:9-11: "What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response based on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, July 07, 03:24 a.m.) Philippians 1:7-8: "How can your A.F.F.E.C.T.I.O.N grow towards others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, June 27, 10:21 a.m.) Philippians 1:7-8: "Why can you only be saved by G.R.A.C.E alone?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, June 26, 10:42 a.m.) Philippians 1:3-6: "Where are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Tues, June 25, 12:42 p.m.) Philippians 1:3-6: "How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, June 24, 11:22 a.m.) Philippians 1:1-3: "How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when they remember you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sat, June 22, 11:34 a.m.) Philippians 1:1-2: "Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when you are already a leader?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 21, 10:58 a.m.) Philippians 1:1-2: "When do you B.L.E.S.S others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 20, 08:33 a.m.) Philippians 1:1-2: "Who will you be a S.L.A.V.E to in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 19, 1:26 p.m.) Philippians 1:1: "Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y instead of a sinner?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 17, 11:38 p.m.) Psalm 46:1: "Where do you need R.E.F.U.G.E from?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 14, 08:30 a.m.) Proverbs 14:12: "Why seek God's R.I.G.H.T over our right?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 14, 08:30 a.m.) Psalm 42:5: "Why H.O.P.E and praise the Lord in your distress?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 13, 01:36 p.m.) Psalm 40:1-5: "Where do you need to be L.I.F.T.E.D up in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 13, 01:34 p.m.) Mark 9:28-29: "What can P.R.A.Y.E.R to Jesus do in your friends lives?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 11, 07:53 a.m.) Mark 2:2-5: "What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D will you be thought of as?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 10, 07:03 a.m.) Mark 3:14-15: "Why S.P.E.N.D time with Jesus daily?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 11:07 a.m.) Psalm 34:4: "What can you do with your F.E.A.R.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 07, 2013, 8:43 a.m.) Psalm 33:4: "What will you do with F.A.I.T.H in your classes?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 05, 2013, 9:31 a.m.) Mark 1:43-44: "What does your disobedience C.A.U.S.E for others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 03, 2013, 2:57 a.m.) Mark 1:41-42: "What past do you need to be C.L.E.A.N from?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 31, 2013, 10:54 a.m) Proverbs 29:25: "Where will you take a S.T.A.N.D without wavering?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 30, 2013, 07:43 a.m) Matthew 18:21-22:"Why F.O.R.G.I.V.E when it will happen again?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 29 2013, 09:35 a.m) Psalm 27:14:"How do you C.O.P.E with your hurt?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 27, 2013, 11:13 a.m) John 12:24:"Who do you remember physically and spiritually on this M.E.M.O.R.I.A.L day?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 27, 2013, 11:13 a.m) "What has the law P.E.R.M.I.T.T.E.D you to do but it goes against the Lord?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 09, 2013, 6:57 a.m) "Who do you become an A.T.T.R.A.C.T.I.O.N to and why?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 08, 2013, 6:58 a.m) "What has A.N.G.E.R done to your relationships?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (April 29, 13, 1:28 p.m.) "How can the L.I.G.H.T impact your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (April 06, 13, 11:48 a.m.)
|
Copyright 2013 Pittsburgh Standard
Reproduction or reuse for profit prohibited without written consent from
Pittsburgh Standard