Updated on Mon, Sept 03, 2012 at 06:26 a.m. (EST) & 03:56 p.m. (IST), SEPT 2012 Edition
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“Lord Always Brings Our Redemption! (L.A.B.O.R)”
Ramesh C. Reddy
SCRIPTURE:
"We continually remember before our God and Father your work
produced by faith, your labor prompted by love and your endurance
inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 1:3,
NIV)
Observation/Interpretation:
Observation:
Interpretation:
Faith, love, and hope are inner qualities that grow on the inside of
us because the Lord Jesus Christ is our central focus. Because of
these inner qualities growing on the inside of us, three things
happen:
The first thing is, as Jesus becomes the center of our life, our
faith produces work. I am talking about good works.
James 2:17 says, "In the
same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is
dead." (James 2:17, NIV)
Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, let your light shine before
men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in
Heaven." (Matthew 5:16, NIV)
The second thing is as Jesus continues to be the center of our
lives, our love for the Lord Jesus Christ prompts us to engage in
labor. I am talking about spreading the Gospel by being ministers of
reconciliation and Ambassadors of Christ in the areas our Lord Jesus
places us in whether it is in class, Greek life, athletics, work,
academia, career, etc.
This can only happen when we have so much love for the Lord that his
pain and love for the lost becomes our pain and love for the lost
that we want to finish God's work through laboring.
Luke 10:2 says, "He told
them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the
Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest
field." (Luke 10:2, NIV)
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling
the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against
them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We
are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His
appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled
to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him
we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:18-21,
NIV)
The final thing is as Jesus Christ continues to be the center and
focus of our lives, our hope in our Lord Jesus Christ inspires us to
endurance. When I think about endurance, I am reminded of the
persecution and hardship Christians can face because of their faith
in the Lord Jesus producing the work, because of their love for the
Lord Jesus that prompts labor towards mankind in love. But because
of the hope in Christ, endurance is inspired through the suffering
and persecutions.
Romans 8:37 says, "Who shall separate us from
the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or
famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your
sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be
slaughtered." No,
in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who
loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither
angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any
powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39, NIV)
A true witnessing community is all about work, labor, and endurance
as a fruit of faith, love, and hope.
To be continued......
Implications:
I ask you now dear friend, what does your labor
show in life?
So friend, on this labor day, let it not just be a time for
cookouts, an extra day off, etc but let this be a day where you
reflect on what your faith, love, and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ
has done for others.
Has your faith produced good works for others that they praise and
remember the Lord Jesus Christ because of you?
Has your love prompted labor for others that they praise and
remember the Lord Jesus Christ because of you?
Has your hope inspired endurance for the sake of others that they
praise and remember the Lord Jesus Christ because of you?
If the answer is 'YES', Praise the Lord and continue to be a beacon
of light for those around you so you can point each one to Jesus,
the Hope for All Nations.
If the answer is 'No', Praise the Lord that you do not have to
continue on that path when you seek the Lord Jesus Christ with your
heart, mind, soul, and strength. His love for mankind will be
instilled in you as you turn to Him just as you are. As you
experience the love of Christ, His love will be so powerful that you
cannot stand silent without sharing it with others. You will want to
shout and share Jesus as the song 'Shout to the Lord' goes.
Come as you are to the throne of grace and find help in time of
need. Come to Jesus and let Him work in you to give you His faith,
labor in you to give you His love, inspire you to endure in hope.
For He can do all these things for you this labor day and every day.
May you come to experience the love of Christ so when work, labor,
and endurance are thought of, then your faith, love, and hope in the
Lord Jesus Christ will be known because work, labor, and endurance
will be continually produced, prompted, and inspired because of
faith, love, and hope! Amen!
"Lord Always Bring Offering Redemption!" (L.A.B.O.R)/"What does your
L.A.B.O.R show in life?"
Prayer:
If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a
daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be
alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them
come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to
wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as
you pray the prayer below, meaning it in your heart.
No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and
resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the
Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You
don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word
reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you
and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before
moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to
which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be
part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible
believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to
Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who
brings us hope, healing, and help!
Friend, if you have prayed this
prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and
all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may
feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your
new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave
you nor forsake you! Amen!
Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church
fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be
part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the
Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in
Bible Live Eternally!
Feel free to email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com
if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with,
talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is
412-641-9426
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
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 2012 DEVOTIONALS: Mark 4:4-8: "Who do you P.O.I.N.T to in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 01, 12, 10:10 a.m.) Mark 1:1-4: "How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophecy?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 29, 12, 09:57 a.m.) Mark 1:1: "Why bother with the G.O.S.P.E.L when you see yourself as a good person anyway?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 28, 12, 09:00 a.m.) Mark 1:40-42: "How do you deal with the L.E.P.R.O.S.Y of sin?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 07, 12, 11:21 p.m.) Mark 10:10-12: "When have you become an A.D.U.L.T.E.R.E.R in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:54 p.m.) Mark 10:6-9: "What should your take be for M.A.R.R.I.A.G.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:54 p.m.) John 6: "What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat to live forever?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:48 p.m.) John 10:9: "What D.O.O.R is the only Door that will save you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 31, 12, 09:08 a.m.) John 8:12: "How can the L.I.G.H.T impact your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 30 12, 08:28 a.m.) Matthew 25:14-30: "What are you doing with the T.A.L.E.N.T the Lord Jesus has given you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 28, 12, 10:38 a.m.) Matthew 22:36-40: "How are the dimensions of L.O.V.E in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 27, 12, 09:13 a.m.) Matthew 18:12-14: "What hope is there for the L.O.S.T in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 26, 12, 09:50 a.m.) Mark 4:22-23: "What happens to a sin you C.O.N.C.E.A.L in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 25, 12, 07:23 a.m.) John 15:18-21: 'Is it better for you to experience H.A.T.E or love, why or why not?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 24, 12, 01:01 p.m.) John 10:14-16: "Who will you make your S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 19, 12, 06:03 a.m.) John 15:10-14: "What does it mean to remain in the V.I.N.E always?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 18, 12, 10:13 a.m.) Matthew 18:21-22: "What stipulation do you put to F.O.R.G.I.V.E. someone?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 17, 12, 09:17 a.m.) Philippians 4:20-23: "How do you see F.A.T.H.E.R in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 13, 12, 07:39 a.m.) Philippians 4:19: "What are your N.E.E.D.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 12, 12, 08:51 a.m.) Philippians 4:15-18: "Who will you F.I.N.A.N.C.E in ministry?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 11, 12, 05:42 a.m.) Philippians 4:14: "How do you S.H.A.R.E in others troubles?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 10, 12, 08:30 a.m.) Philippians 4:12-13: "Where do you need S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 09, 12, 08:59 a.m.) Mark 5:24b-29: "Where do you need F.R.E.E.D.O.M to move on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 07, 12, 10:43 a.m.) Philippians 4:10: "Why show C.O.N.C.E.R.N for others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 03, 12, 09:18 a.m.) Philippians 4:9b: "How do you know your P.E.A.C.E is real?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 02, 12, 08:33 a.m.) Philippians 4:9a: "What kind of S.O.L.D.I.E.R will you be?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 30, 12, 09:58 a.m.) Philippians 4:8: What is your T.H.I.N.K.I.N.G based on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 30, 12, 09:56 a.m.) Philippians 4:6-7: "How do you handle A.N.X.I.E.T.Y in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 28, 12, 08:05 a.m.) Philippians 4:5: "What measure of G.E.N.T.L.E.N.E.S.S do you have?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 27, 12, 08:57 a.m.) Philippians 4:4: "When do you R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 26, 12, 09:26 a.m.) Philippians 4:3: "How have you C.A.M.P.A.I.G.N.E.D for Jesus in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 25, 12, 08:58 a.m.) Philippians 4:2: "How do you respond to a P.L.E.A.D in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 23, 12, 10:45 a.m.) Philippians 4:1: "Where do you S.T.A.N.D on love in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 23, 12, 10:40 a.m.) Philippians 3:20-21: "What C.I.T.I.Z.E.N.S.H.I.P should you desire the most?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 21, 12, 07:28 a.m.)
Philippians 3:18-19:
"Why shed T.E.A.R.S for others in
life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 20, 12, 08:37 a.m.)
Philippians 3:15-17:
"Who or what are you willing to P.A.T.T.E.R.N your life after?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 19, 12, 07:30 a.m.)
Philippians 3:12-14:
"How can you deal with the P.A.S.T in your life?" By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 18, 12, 11:43 a.m.)
Philippians 3:1-11:
"Why for R.E.F.O.R.M.A.T.I.O.N do you need the transaction of the
cross?" Philippians 2:25-30: "When will your H.O.M.E.C.O.M.I.N.G begin?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 15, 12, 6:43 a.m.) Philippians 2:19-24: "How can you Q.U.A.L.I.F.Y well in other people's lives?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 14, 12, 8:18 a.m.)
Philippians 2:17-18:
"How do you live out your F.A.I.T.H in life?" By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 13, 12, 6:58 a.m.) Philippians 2:13: "How do you W.O.R.K out your Salvation?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 11, 12, 8:36 a.m.) Philippians 2:12-13:"What path have you taken for S.A.L.V.A.T.I.O.N in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 09, 7:50 a.m.) Philippians 2:12-13: "What is the point of O.B.E.D.I.E.N.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 7:51 a.m.) Philippians 2:9-11:"How do you handle the N.A.M.E of Jesus in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 7:47 a.m.) Philippians 2:8: "Why should you make a C.R.O.S.S transaction in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 06, 7:26 a.m.) Philiippians 2:5-7: "How do match Jesus' A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 05, 9:09 a.m.) Philippians 2:3-4: "How do you respond to C.O.M.M.A.N.D.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 03, 6:19 a.m.) Philippians 2:1-2: "What C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N are you in?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 02, 6:52 a.m.) Philippians 1:29-30: "How do you handle S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (June, 01, 6:52 a.m.) Philippians 1:27-28:"How do you C.O.N.D.U.C.T yourself in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 31, 12, 7:32 a.m.) Philippians 1:22-26: What are your C.H.O.I.C.E.S based on?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 30, 12, 6:27 a.m.) Philippians 1:21: "Why D.I.E for Christ?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 29, 12, 4:59 a.m.) Philippians 1:20: "Where do you need to have C.O.U.R.A.G.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 25, 12, 8:08 a.m.) Philippians 1:19:"Who do you C.A.L.L often in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 24, 12, 8:32 a.m.) Philippians 1:19: "What reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 22, 12, 8:21 a.m.) Philippians 1:15-18: "How are your M.O.T.I.V.E.S in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 22, 12, 8:21 a.m.) Philippians 1:13-14:"What have your C.H.A.I.N.S done to others in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 21, 12, 9:04 a.m.) Philippians 1:12: "How can you feel so S.P.E.C.I.A.L when things are going so wrong in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.) Philippians 1:9-11: "What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response in life based on?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.) Philippians 1:8: "How can your A.F.F.E.C.T.I.O.N grow towards others in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 17, 12, 6:32 a.m.) Philippians 1:7: "Why cannot you be saved by G.R.A.C.E. alone?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 16, 12, 9:55 a.m.) Philippians 1:6: "Where are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 15, 12, 10:54 a.m.) Philippians 1:3-6: "How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 14, 12, 08:38 a.m.) Philippians 1:3: "How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when they remember you?" (May 11, 12, 09:53 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:1-2: "When do you B.L.E.S.S others in life?" (May 09, 12, 7:30 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:1: "Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when you are already a leader?" (May 10, 12, 9:01 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:1: "Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y instead of being a sinner?" (May 08, 12, 8:05 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:1: Who will you be a S.L.A.V.E to in life? (May 07, 12, 7:06 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy
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