I know it's been a couple of weeks since my last post but I felt like I wasn't allowing God to use me the right way. I guess it's hard to explain, it was like I was forcing the topics.
Anyway...I wanted to share with you about a man from our congregation his name is Jack Willard. Jack was the guy that could and did do anything in the church. He was usually the first person in the building and the last one out. If I try to list all the things he did I know I'd forget something. I guess my title needs a little explanation. Jack loved to help with the lawn care from time to time. Rumor has it that his favorite mowing and trimming atire included red Speedos. I never had the priveledge of seeing Jack in them. I'll consider that a good thing. I can't tell you how many times I shook his hand when he opened the door for me. His desire to serve others far outweighed his own needs. Jack went home a couple of weeks ago to spend eternity with his Lord and heaven has one more greeter at the gates. We already have stories and jokes about St. Peter at the pearly gates, well...we can now include Jack in those because he'll be right there with him.
That reminds me of a great passage from Ephesians. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. This scripture was sent to me recently from a friend via a text. Isn't it great when God uses others to remind us of how great and awesome He is. Jacks life was all about serving. He didn't do it to gain favor with God or get access to heaven. I bet he understood this passage better than most. It's God's grace that saves us, a free gift for our taking. Works won't get us anywhere. Verse 10 however spells out why Jack and the rest of us do what we do. We are His workmanship, His creation...created to do good works in the name of Christ Jesus.
I want to make this last statement without sounding judgemental or mean. Good people are going to Hell every day. Good deeds are worthless when their not done in love or through the saving graces of Jesus Christ. God doesn't need your lip service, He wants your love. I want to close with this scripture, 1 Corinthians 13 1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Whatever we do and say we do out of love.
Hope I didn't confuse you.
Peace...
totalheel
Anyway...I wanted to share with you about a man from our congregation his name is Jack Willard. Jack was the guy that could and did do anything in the church. He was usually the first person in the building and the last one out. If I try to list all the things he did I know I'd forget something. I guess my title needs a little explanation. Jack loved to help with the lawn care from time to time. Rumor has it that his favorite mowing and trimming atire included red Speedos. I never had the priveledge of seeing Jack in them. I'll consider that a good thing. I can't tell you how many times I shook his hand when he opened the door for me. His desire to serve others far outweighed his own needs. Jack went home a couple of weeks ago to spend eternity with his Lord and heaven has one more greeter at the gates. We already have stories and jokes about St. Peter at the pearly gates, well...we can now include Jack in those because he'll be right there with him.
That reminds me of a great passage from Ephesians. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. This scripture was sent to me recently from a friend via a text. Isn't it great when God uses others to remind us of how great and awesome He is. Jacks life was all about serving. He didn't do it to gain favor with God or get access to heaven. I bet he understood this passage better than most. It's God's grace that saves us, a free gift for our taking. Works won't get us anywhere. Verse 10 however spells out why Jack and the rest of us do what we do. We are His workmanship, His creation...created to do good works in the name of Christ Jesus.
I want to make this last statement without sounding judgemental or mean. Good people are going to Hell every day. Good deeds are worthless when their not done in love or through the saving graces of Jesus Christ. God doesn't need your lip service, He wants your love. I want to close with this scripture, 1 Corinthians 13 1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Whatever we do and say we do out of love.
Hope I didn't confuse you.
Peace...
totalheel
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