Labor Not In Vain

1 Corinth 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

When things get tough and the everything in life seems to be against you, hold on! Don’t quit doing what is right. It may seem that our work is in vain. Time in prayer and trying to build the Kingdom with little results can be discouraging and dishearten. We are tempted to just give up and close the church doors. Our labor to build the kingdom seems to be all in vain. Like Paul, we live in a society that is corrupted and immoral. Sin abounds at every street corner, people are not willing to give up their sin to live for God. People would rather spend the day of worship with recreation or personal pleasure. There seems to be no time for God. This is not the time to run and give way to the devil. Let us be steadfast, unmovable in our convictions that Christ is the answer for the ills of this world. Our work for the Lord is not finished. Let us occupy till He comes.

Vanities of Vanities

Ecc. 1:2 “Vanity of vanities,” saith the Preacher. “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”-

Man strives to gather the riches of this world, but at the end of life it is all left behind. The vanity of seeking this world’s treasures. We become keenly aware of it fertility when we take our last breath on earth. Life goes on and the world continues to function as if we were never there. What is left behind is a memory for those who also will come to the end of their lives and look back to ask, “What was my purpose, what legacy will I leave to the next generation that follows?” Is our life being lived in vain? Are we spending our time gathering earthly treasures? God who created all things, made us for a purpose and our short life on earth is to bring glory to Him. He knows each of us by name. It is beyond my imagination to think that out of the billions of people walking this earth, that He takes notice of each one us, and has a purpose for our existence. We walk not this earth in vain. Let us set our affection on things above, may we look to Jesus who give us a reason to live.

His Name in Vain

Ex 20:7 “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.”-

God is holy, He is to be honored and lifted up with love and praise. We need to be careful and conscience that we do not misuse His name foolishly. Many, who don’t understand the gravity of knowing God and His word, flippantly will use the word God or Jesus as part of a cuss phrase or with empty meaning. Words mean things and the words we speak must be guarded with care. How we use the name of God is a serious matter. It matters to God how we use His name. He is to be held in high regard and using His name outside of the context of who He is brings dishonor to His name. Let us be cognitive of the way we verbalize the name of God. “If you love me, keep my commandments”