pepperspaw
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Registered: 12-2007
Location: PeppersVille
Posts: 462
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THE WORD for August 20
Surpassing Value
On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' (Mat 7:22)
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Many of us want to do more for Christ. And some of us feel unappreciated for the things that we do. The people in the verse just quoted want Jesus to recognize them for what they have done.
Contrast this with what Paul the Apostle (who did probably more than any of us and was persecuted often for it). He wrote, "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord... (Phi 3:7)
Let's see what happens to all who come to Jesus with the 'after all I've done for you' speech- "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.' (Mat 7:23)
Christian, you know that we should please the Lord and seek how we might do that. And by entering into his rest and abiding in him the good works he has prepared for us will be right in front of us. As far as not being appreciated, let's put our hope in Christ and not in getting praise from those around us.
Let's do as Paul did and count anything we have achieved as a loss compared with the surpassing value of knowing Christ. Do we want to carry our good works around and collect the praise of men, or do we want to occupy our time knowing Jesus more and more? Let's pray.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the good works that we can do as we find our rest in you. Help us to keep the eyes of our heart on the real value, nothing compares with knowing you. Help us to surrender our hurts and our victories to you so that with empty hands we would hold on to you. Amen.
Today's very great and precious promise
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock." (Mat 7:24)
We have God's Word on it.
--- PEPPERSPAW
I Practice Random Acts of Fun!
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8/20/2008, 4:32 am
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