Daily Encouragement

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58, NIV)

There is a kind of work that fails to satisfy. This is not to say that such work is not helpful, or even necessary, on some level.

However, if we are to engage in the kind of work that endures beyond our years, and that satisfies us at the core of our being; it must be work that is motivated by our desire to give glory to God. Any work — no matter how menial — that is undertaken in obedience to God; or that is rendered as a service to God is never in vain.

If your work seems pointless, ask yourself: “What is the point?” – Luther

Tagged labor, purpose, the book of 1 Corinthians

February 29

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“But exhort [encourage] one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13, KJV)

Do not underestimate the power of personal example.

Sin is deceitful (e. g. tricky) because it always promises more than it ever actually delivers. Fellow disciples who are immature, inexperienced, or ignorant of God’s word are prime candidates for sin’s deceit.

Sin blunts the power of God’s spirit within us because it causes our heart to become less receptive (e. g. hardened) to both the Spirit’s guidance, and the Spirit’s gifts. The farther we are from God, the smaller God seems. The antidote to this kind of atrophy is the disciples’ “exercise” of growing ever closer to our heavenly Father.

We can be of immeasurable help to others at risk of sin’s deceit and insensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and gifts by using every opportunity to testify (e. g. give voice) to the active presence and the loving care of our heavenly Father in our personal example of what we do and what we say. – Luther