The Reason for the Season

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."

Matthew 1:18-25                                             

Christ came to die so you might live.

The history of Christmas celebrations can be traced as far back as 353 AD, when December 25 was authorized as the official day to celebrate the birth of Christ. That date has been debated through the years as to the more accurate day to celebrate Jesus' birth, but the December 25 holiday remains.

 Another date in Christmas history came in 1832, when Professor Charles Follen lit the first Christmas tree in America. Throughout the years the focus has changed from celebrating Christ's birth to noting the arrival of the winter solstice, to giving children a holiday to receive gifts.

Yet whatever the focus, one thing is true-the original meaning for Christmas (the celebration of our Saviour's birth) has been lost by many.

What is the true reason for celebrating Christmas? Is it a chance to decorate, give gifts, and enjoy festivities? Is it a time to seek peace on earth and goodwill toward men? Is it a time of brotherly love and joy?

Consider the words of the traditional Christmas song, "Away in a Manger," which was first published in a children's book in 1885:

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head
The stars in the sky look down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Many of the early Christmas carols focused on the birth of Christ: "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "The First Noel," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," and others. They were sung in celebration of the birth of the Lord.

As we are still a few days away from Christmas, I challenge you to take time to refocus your heart this season on Christ. Shopping can be fun, purchasing gifts is exciting, and enjoying the activities this time of year is joyful. Yet don't forget that had God not sent His Son to pay for our sins, there would be no Christmas.

This time of year is all about Christ. It's all about the sacrifice He made to provide a way of salvation for the world. He came so He could die; and He died so we may live. He deserves all glory, honor, praise, and thankfulness for that.

Take a moment right now to thank God for sending Jesus to earth. Thank Him for the gift of a child, the Christ-child who lived a sinless life, died, and rose three days later so that you can one day live with God for all eternity.

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION: Part II

I.                   WHAT BRINGS ASSURANCE OF SALVATION INTO MY LIFE

A.     Learn the word of God –II Timothy 3:14,15

B.     Thank God for His gift of Salvation –II Corinthians 9:15

C.     Make a Public Testimony before others –I John 4:15

D.     Attend Church services as much as possible –Heb 10:25

E.      Live a biblical life –Isaiah 32:17, Proverbs 10:9

II.                WHAT HAPPENS IF I SIN

A.     Yes even after salvation Christians sin-I John 1:8

B.     God does not want us to sin-I John 2:1

C.     Confession is what God wants us to do when we sin-I John 1:9

D.     When I sin Jesus appears before God the Father on my behalf-I John 2:1

E.      We lose our fellowship with God when we sin-I John 1:6;7

III.             CAN I EVER LOSE MY SALVATION

A.     According to John 10:28 “we shall never perish”

B.     According to John 10:29 -no man is able to remove us from God’s hand

C.     According to John 6:37-God will in no wise cast out those who come to Christ

D.     According to John 6:39 – The responsibility to keep us saved is the Lord’s not ours and that Christ can loses nothing.

E.      According to John 5:24 we now have EVERLASTING life.

F.      According to Romans 8:38,39 – nothing can separate us form the love of Christ.

G.     According to I Peter 1:5 –we are kept by the power of God

H.     According to Jude 24-Christ is able to keep us from falling

I.        According to Philippians 1:6 –Christ will continue  his work in us until the day of Jesus Christ

J.       According to Ephesians 1:13 –we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit.

K.    According to Ephesians 2:8 –Salvation is a gift of God. A gift taken back by the giver is NO GIFT AT ALL.

L.      According to Ephesians 2:9 –We have done nothing to gain salvation. If we have done nothing to gain it- we can do nothing to lose it.

·        If the Bible says it that settles is : Let God be true and every man a liar .

·       

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine,

O, What a fore-taste of glory divine.

Heir of salvation, purchased of God ,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His Blood.”

WISDOM IN THE WORD:51

Proverbs 22: 24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

25.    Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

People tend to become like those with whom they spend a lot of time. Even negative characteristics sometimes rub off ( Run with dog you will get fleas). The Bible exhorts us to be cautious in our choice e of companions. Choose people with characteristics you would like to develop in your own life, and people who already have a close walk with the Lord.

Quote of the Week

Our Greatest Need

If our greatest need had been information,
God would have sent us an educator;
If our greatest need had been technology,
God would have sent us a scientist;
If our greatest need had been money,
God would have sent us an economist;
If our greatest need had been pleasure,
God would have sent us an entertainer;
But our greatest need was forgiveness,
so God sent us a Saviour.

Passing it on :INSPRATION OFTEN PRECEDES EDUCATION

Proverbs 24:4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Ecclesiastes 8:1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

For the engine of learning to begin to turn, there must be a fire built in the furnace of inspiration. It is this furnace that fuels, and drives and motivates the student to gain or acquire knowledge and truth.

Part of the inspirational process involves the students understanding why something is important. The instructor cannot fail to remember that people tend to give time to that which they feel is important. We spend our money on that which we think is impotent. Therefore, we need to inspire the student to grasp the importance of the subject , principle or truth being taught.

The preaching of the Word of God is the easiest venue through which inspiration may occur. Biblical principles are principles that are eternal. They secure life change. It is up to the instructor to allow these truths to captivate, change and redirect the heart of the student.

It also must be clearly stated that if the student does not thinks these principles are important the teacher, he certainly will not place value on them. This is where personal testimonies of what these truths have meant or done in our lives will help to show value to the listener.

It is more difficult to inspire students in secular subject, but showing the practicality of a certain subject will inspire them to learn the subject at hand. In the field of history, there are facts considered general knowledge. In the field of business, there are issues of budgeting, investing and comprehension of what compounded interest can do either for or against a person. In the area of science, explanations can be given to show a person the hand of God and the order which He has created the world. Seek to inspire your students to learn in every aspect of their education.

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION: Part I

I.                    WHAT IS MEANT BY “ASSURANCE”: Spiritual certainty that you belong to God, that you posses eternal salvation.

A.     I am Keep and Persuaded ( positive and safe) – II Tim 1:12

B.     God wants me to have assurance and Know I am saved – I John 5:13

II.                WHY DO I NEED ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

A.     Assurance brings us Joy-I John 1:4

B.     Assurance brings us Confidence before God – I Jon 3:19,21

C.     Assurance brings us Comfort of Heart –Colossians 2:2

D.     Assurance brings us Stability. – James 1:8

E.      Assurance enables us to Overcome the World – I John 5:4,5

F.      Assurance enables us to effectively serve the Lord –John 1:40,41

III.             WHAT IS THE BAISIS OF ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

A.     Not on feelings

B.     Not emotions

C.     Unchanging word of God –I John 5:11,12

1.      Record hath given eternal life (promise of God ) –John 5:24

2.      Hath the Son hath life (Presence of God) – Romans 5:5

IV.              HOW MAY I KNOW I AM SAVED?

A.     I KNOW because I believed on the Lord Jesus Christ-Acts 16:31

B.     I KNOW because I hath the Son. – I John 5:12

C.     I KNOW because I have a love for the brethren- I John 3:14

D.     I KNOW because I desire to keep God’s commandments.-I John 2:3

E.      I KNOW because I desire to turn from the world of sin –I John 2:15

F.      I KNOW  because I am overcoming the world-I John 5:4

G.     I KNOW  because I have the witness of the spirit within – I John 5:10

WISDOM IN THE WORD: 50

Proverbs 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

When a farmer has no oxen for plowing, his food trough for the animals will be empty and the barn will be free of messes. The only way to keep your life free of people problems is to keep it free of other people, but if your life is empty of people it is ineffective, and if you live only for yourself your life loses its meaning. Instead of avoiding people we should serve others, share the faith and be about the father’s business (to SEEK and to SAVE). Is your life clean, but empty? Or does it give evidence of your serving God wholeheartedly in the lives of others?

Quote of the Week

Death comes when memories of the past supersede the vision for the future

WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF ME?

·      G-R-O-W-T-H

G- GO- TO A BIBLE –BELIVING BAPTIST CHURCH– Hebrews 10:25

R- READ– YOUR BIBLE DAILY- I Peter 2:2; Acts 17:11

O- OBEY- CHRIST AND BAPTIZED – Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41

W-WITNESS- TO OTHERS OF CHRIST- Acts 1:8; John 4:28,29

T-THANK –GOD DAILY IN PRAYER - Philippians 4:6; Matthew 7:7

H-HONOR – GOD WITH THE TITHE- Malachi 3:10; I Corinthians 16:2

WISDOM IN THE WORD: 49

Proverbs 6:1- My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

 2.  Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

 3.  Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.

 4.  Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

 5.  Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

At this time of year there is a real danger of overextending our financial resources, or being caught up in the season causing us to act in an irresponsible way that could lead to poverty. The verses are not telling us to refrain from being generous, but to maintain a balance between generosity and good stewardship. God wants us to help our friends and the needy, but he does not promise to cover the cost of every unwise commitment we make. We should always act responsibly so that our family does not suffer.

Quote of the Week

“The outward appearance of success does not always indicate faith, and the outward appearance of failure does not always indicate that faith is lacking"

PASSING IT ON

“It’s All About Attitude”

Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs 15:1 A Soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

The study of great coaches and leaders will sometimes reveal men of immense sharp and acerbic personalities (men such as Bobby Knight , Vince Lombardi, and Richard Nixon ) I have always thought , however , that the coaches or my mentors that made the most impact on me to be ones who were at times more kind and positive.

Once I read an article about John Wooden the great basketball coach of UCLA , the question was  asked  “What is the most important trait for a leader?” His answer was quite surprising. He said “He must be a good listener, Having a kind listening sprit allows one to mentor and instruct far mote thoroughly than if one was to be overly reactive caustic or cruel.”

In Proverbs, the greatest book of wisdom ever written Solomon wrote, “The sweetness of the lips increaseth learning” The instructor needs to remember that the tongue is a little member that can cause a great fire or bring vast encouragement. In the words of the great philosopher Mary Poppins “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” We need to be experts at looking for and commending the good.

Oftentimes an instructor can spot an offender committing the most minor of grievance at a distance of 400 yards. He will draw down on him like a bow hunter ready for the immediate kill on the first day of deer season. Equally, if the instructor will have the same amount of attention directed towards those who are doing right, attitudes would without doubt be affected. In short the Golden Rule will help us as we strive remember to treat others the way we would kike to be treated.

WHAT DOES SALVATION MEAN FOR ME?

I.                   WHAT I WAS :

A.    I was spiritually dead –Ephesians 2:1

B.     I was condemned already-John 3:18

C.    I was headed for the lake of fired-Revelations 20:15

D.    I was lost –Luke 19:10

II.               WHAT GOD PROMISE ME

A.    The gift of eternal life -Romans 6:23

B.     The forgiveness of sins – Colossians 1:14

C.    The joy of Jesus Christ –John 15:11

D.    The peace of God –Philippians 4:7

III.           WHAT I DID

A.    I Called upon the name of the Lord-Romans 10:13

B.     I Believed in my heart-Romans 10:9

C.    I received Him –John 1:12

D.    I repented of my sins  -Acts 17:30

IV.            WHAT GOD DID

A.    Washed me from my sins-Revelation 1:5

B.     Recorded my name in the Lambs book of life –Revelations 21:27

C.    Accepted me in the beloved –Ephesians 1:6

D.    Made me a new creature –II Corinthians 5:17

WISDOM IN THE WORD :48

Proverbs 31:4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5.      Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Drunkenness has corrupted so many in our world today, even in our churches the battle rages over the use of alcohol. The bible makes it abundantly clear it is inexcusable for a national leader to be swayed by any form of a mind altering substance. Alcohol clouds the mind and the facts are it can lead to injustice and poor decisions. As leaders in our homes, our jobs, our communities and our churches the bible makes it clear those who will make wise judgments and truly lead in a godly manner will not drink strong wine, whiskey, beer, or coolers ….

Quote of the Week

There is no promise in the Bible to those who partially trust in Christ. If you’re not trusting 100%, you’re not trusting at all! — Pastor Dan Tidd

CHANGE

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Our Christian lives are a series of changing seasons.

Throughout history, people have resisted changes to their everyday lives. For instance, when the railroad system was developed in America, many people vehemently opposed it. Here's a letter written to President Andrew Jackson on January 31, 1829:

As you may know, Mr. President, 'railroad' carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by 'engines' which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock and frightening women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed.
Signed,
Martin Van Buren
Governor of New York

Even Governor Van Buren, a future President of the United States, opposed what now we can say was a very important step in our nation's transportation development. It seems that with every major change in history came some resistance. While not all change is good, good change is beneficial.
In our lives as Christians, there needs to be a "changing process" every so often. As our verses show, we live through different seasons in our lives. There will be times of growing, sowing, reaping, repenting, building, and repairing. Our Christian lives are a series of different seasons.

Take a moment to think of the season you've been in recently. Perhaps you've endured a trial and have since come through closer to God. Maybe you've experienced blessings and have had much for which to thank God. Or perhaps you've encountered a time of backsliding, a falling away from God's will.

What season are you in right now? If you are facing a difficult season, know that God doesn't bring seasons of difficulty or stretching and growing into your life for no purpose. There's always a reason! And as Ecclesiastes explains, your season of difficulty will not last forever. There will be seasons of blessings coming as you remain faithful to Him.

If you've experienced a season of blessing recently, take time to thank God! He has blessed you and deserves to be thanked because of it. Just as a season of difficulty will not last forever, so a time of blessing will end. Rather than spending the time of blessing away from God, make sure to stay close to Him so that when difficulties come, you can thank Him just as you did during the blessing season.
Or have you strayed from God recently? God never desires that you would turn away from Him, but He offers you forgiveness and restoration if you turn back to Him. You are never too far gone that God will not forgive you.

Which season of life are you in today? Thank God for His guidance and love no matter the season you face, and remain faithful to Him no matter what's going on in your life right now.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times. — Martin Luther

His Ways are Perfect

 

"Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee? Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. For the LORD's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance."

Deuteronomy 32:1-9

Things may not go perfectly according to our plans, but we can trust that things always go perfectly according to God's plan.

If you've ever played the game of bowling, you understand the difficulty of bowling a perfect game with a score of three hundred points. Only the best of bowlers are able to accomplish such a feat. It's said when one bowler bowled three hundred, he collapsed after the final pin fell. Another bowler was so nervous about messing up his final roll that he refused to bowl his last turn. He never again set foot in a bowling alley and spent the rest of his life wondering what might have been.

The pursuit of perfection reaches beyond bowling and sporting events. Many people pursue perfection in their daily lives. They want the perfect job, the perfect spouse, the perfect children, the perfect home, the perfect salary, and so on. Yet while many people pursue perfection, as Christians we realize nothing in this sin-infested world is perfect. Things may not go perfectly according to our plans, but we can trust that things always go perfectly according to God's plan.

Psalm 18:30-32 tells us of God's perfect plan, "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." Things don't always go as planned. Our schedules can change, our plans can be stopped, and what we once thought was important can fall away. A bad medical report, a loss of a job, a wayward child, or a loss of a home can throw us into a downward spiral, yet God proves that no matter what enters our lives, His plan is perfect.

Realize that any situation you face is in God's hands. Any trial you come across has already been approved by God. God does not allow trials to hurt you, but to perfect your faith. Author Warren Wiersbe put it this way, "Christ has already run this race of faith and conquered for us! He is the Author (Pioneer, Trailblazer) and Finisher of our faith; He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. What He starts, He finishes; He can see us through to victory."

God is not finished with you yet. He has not finished perfecting, maturing, shaping, and molding your life. Honestly, God will never be done until you reach full perfection in Heaven. Accept the fact that trials and difficulties will enter your life. Do not view them as inconveniences, but accept them as God's work. Ask God what His purpose in each trial is, and allow Him to mold you into a more Christ-like being.

Remind yourself of Deuteronomy 32:4 today as you go about your not-so-perfect day, "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." God's ways area always perfect. Rest in the fact that He's working through even the trials today.

Pressing on the Upward Way

 

“Between an airplane and every other form of locomotion and transportation there is one great contrast. The horse and wagon, the automobile, the bicycle, the locomotive, the speedboat, and the great battleship—all can come to a standstill without danger, and they can all reverse their engines, or their power, and go back.

But there is no reverse about the engine of an airplane. It cannot back up. It dare not stand still. If it loses its momentum and forward-drives, then it crashes. The only safety for the airplane is in its forward and upward motion. The only safe direction for the Christian to take is forward and upward. If he stops, or if he begins to slip and go backward, that moment he is in danger.”—

Quote of the Week

Success is never final, and failure is rarely fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts.

THERE IS A GOD

The Bible does not present any argument for the existence of God; it takes the FACT of God for granted. God is the infinite and perfect Spirit in whom all things have their source, support and end.

The word of God reveals God to us. Because God is infinitely beyond our human comprehension, the Bible often “couches’ God in human language.

The number of reasons is given in the Bible to show how we can know there is a God.

A.    The Fact Of Universal Belief Proves There Is A God.

Man has a “religious nature” which is unique to man. All men in all ages and in all civilizations have manifested a belief in some higher Being. Most times this belief is perverted- but it demonstrates that there is some higher being .

Romans 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;

This teaches that even those who have never heard of the Lord have His law written in their hearts

B.     The Fact That Everything Must Have A Cause Proves There Is A God

Man is an intelligent being; therefore his Cause must also be intelligent. Man has personality; thus his Cause could not be impersonal.

C.     The Fact Of Intricate Design In The Universe Proves There Is A God

A watch not only requires a watchmaker, must also a designer and a purpose.

 Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

How does the human body prove there is a God?

D.    The Whole Of Creation Proves There Is A God

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

E.     The Events Of History Proves There Is A God

Many times God has intervened in human history, and His Hand is often seen in the rise and fall of nations

 Psalm 75:6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.

 7.  But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another

F.     The Bible Says There Is A God

If there is a God , it is most reasonable to expect Him to reveal Himself to man. This He has done- first through creation, but in detail through His Word.

 Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

The Bible begins with God – not philosophical arguments for His existence.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Coming together is a beginning; staying together is progress; working together is success

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

I don’t know the way to success, but one sure way to failure is to try to please everybody. -Pastor James E. Woods

Who is the Focus

“And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.”
Luke 15:11–12

God desires you to focus on advancing His cause.

Every young student knows of Isaac Newton's famed encounter with a falling apple. Newton discovered and introduced the laws of gravity in the 1600s, which revolutionized astronomical studies. But few know that if it hadn’t been for Edmund Halley, the world might never have learned from Newton. It was Halley who challenged Newton to think through his original notions. Halley corrected Newton's mathematical errors and prepared geometrical figures to support his discoveries. Halley coaxed the hesitant Newton to write his great work, Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy. Halley edited and supervised the publication, and actually financed its printing even though Newton was wealthier and could have easily afforded the printing costs.

Historians call it one of the most selfless examples in the annals of science. Newton began almost immediately to reap the rewards of prominence; Halley received little credit. He did use the principles to predict the orbit and return of the comet that would later bear his name, but only after his death did he receive any acclaim. And because the comet only returns every seventy-six years, the notice is rather infrequent. Halley remained a devoted scientist who didn't care who received the credit as long as the cause was being advanced.
Halley’s life was spent advancing the cause of others and giving of himself so others could succeed. He had his own accomplishments and his own ideas that he could have received glory for, but he chose to focus on others rather than himself.

Someone who was the opposite of Halley was the prodigal son, as our verses today show. He had grown tired of working for his father and wanted to enjoy the pleasures of the world; he wanted to live for his own gratification.

The younger son had a right according to the law to request his portion, but he was thinking only of himself. By law, if his father was being cruel or mean to him he could request his portion and move away. But his motives were not pure; his focus was on his desires.
Think of your actions and motives. Why do you serve? Why do you go soulwinning? Why are you a choir member? Is it so others will see your work and praise you? Or are you thinking of the cause of Christ?
It can become easy to work hard to promote self, but how many of us work hard to promote Christ? How hard do you work the Lord’s work, knowing you may never gain recognition on earth? God desires you to work selflessly to advance His cause, much like Edmund Halley worked to promote Sir Isaac Newton’s discoveries.

Take time now to consider your motives for serving. Are your eyes on your own glorification or on God’s? Make sure that each time you head out the door for soulwinning, sing in the choir, or stand in a Sunday school classroom, your motivation is to see God glorified through your service.