“And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.” -Ezra 6:22
Take joy in serving the Lord and in worshipping the Lord with His people. Show your joy in Him! -Pastor Steve Wainright (excerpt from Sunday Evening Sermon “Is God Your Exceeding Joy?” from Ezra 6)
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” -Hebrews 11:8
When you trust in the Lord, you are obedient to the Lord. There is a turning away from the old things that have passed away and — behold! — all things have become new.
When faith is based upon God’s promise, faith produces obedience.
-Pastor Steve Wainright (excerpts from Sunday Morning Sermon from Hebrews 11:8-12 – “By Faith Abraham”
“And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.” -2 Chronicles 25:2
Amaziah’s heart was not right. He had godly actions, he did what was right in God’s sight, but his heart (attitude) was not devoted to God.
Service to the Lord our God comes from a heart of love to the Lord our God. The more you love Him, the more you desire to serve Him. If you serve God out of obligation, you will end up burnt out in serving Him.
-Pastor Steve Wainright (excerpts from Sunday Evening Sermon from 2 Chronicles 25:1-28 – “Right Thing, Wrong Heart“)
“Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof; so he that waiteth on his master shall be honored.” -Proverbs 27:18
He who tends the fig tree has figs for his pains, and he who waits on a good master has honor as his reward. Truly the Lord Jesus is the very best of masters, and it is an honor to be allowed to do the least act for His sake. To serve some lords is to watch over a crab tree and eat the crabs as one’s wages; but to serve the Lord Jesus is to keep a fig tree of the sweetest figs. His service is in itself delight, continuance in it is promotion, success in it is blessedness below, and the reward for it is glory above.
Our greatest honors will be gathered in that season when the figs will be ripe, even in the next world. Angels who are now our servitors will bear us home when our day’s work is done. Heaven, where Jesus is, will be our honorable mansion, eternal bliss our honorable portion, and the Lord Himself our honorable companion. Who can imagine the full meaning of this promise: “He that waiteth on his master shall be honored”?
Lord, help me to wait upon my Master. Let me leave all idea of honor to the hour when Thou Thyself shalt honor me. May the Holy Spirit make me a lowly, patient worker and waiter!
[from Morning & Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon]
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” -Galatians 5:13
Are you free in Christ? Don’t use your freedom to indulge self, but to serve others. -excerpt from Pastor Steve Wainright’s Wednesday Evening Sermon “Abusing Prosperity”
“Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.” -Psalm 101:6
If David spoke thus, we may be sure that the Son of David will be of the same mind. Jesus looks out for faithful men, and He fixes His eyes upon them, to observe them, to bring them forward, to encourage them, and to reward them. Let no true-hearted man think that he is overlooked; the King Himself has His eye upon him.
There are two results of this royal notice. First we read, “That they may dwell with me.” Jesus brings the faithful into His house, He sets them in His palace, He makes them His companions, He delights in their society. We must be true to our Lord, and He will then manifest Himself to us. When our faithfulness costs us most, it will be best rewarded; the more furiously men reject, the more joyfully will our Lord receive us.
Next, he says of the sincere man, “He shall serve me.” Jesus will use for His own glory those who scorn the tricks of policy and are faithful to Himself, His Word, and His cross. These shall be in His royal retinue, the honored servants of His Majesty. Communion and usefulness are the wages of faithfulness. Lord make me faithful that I may dwell with Thee and serve Thee.
[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. -Philippians 4:8
The things you daydream about in your spare time are often the things you serve. -Tim Keller via Twitter
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” -Mark 10:45
Serve God by doing common actions in a heavenly spirit, and then, if your daily calling only leaves you cracks and crevices of time, fill them up with holy service. -Charles Spurgeon via Twitter
New Life Baptist Church 