BLESSED SERVANTS.

" Trusted Servants "

Titus 2:9-10  Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them,

not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted,

so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive. (NIV)
 

The New Testament was written at a time when slavery was normal

although many of the servants were treated well

and became respected as part of the household.

When these slaves became followers of Jesus,

how were they to demonstrate their faith?

They should show their faith in the way they worked.

Christian workers should be willing to obey their masters,

to serve gladly without resentment, rudeness or stealing.

Indeed, they were to go further than that; they should see

what pleased their employer and make every effort to achieve that.

It was important for the credibility of the gospel that Christians

were known as people who could be trusted.

Trustworthiness demonstrates somebody's character.

Yet those servants who had previously been in the habit of serving grudgingly,

arguing and stealing needed to be taught that those things did not honour Jesus.

Although, in one way, Titus and the church elders in Crete would have nothing

to gain from teaching slaves to change their behaviour,

there was much to be gained for the gospel's sake.

If people could see the difference that Jesus Christ made to a person's life,

then the teaching about Jesus would be much more attractive.

This still applies to those people who work for others.

We do not primarily work well because somebody pays us,

but because Jesus has already paid the price for us to enter His household.

Paul expanded on this teaching in Colossians 3:22-24:

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it,

not only when their eye is on you and to win their favour,

but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that

you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

" So, if you work for somebody and you are trusting in Jesus ...

you should now know what to do!

Prayer for the day : -

Dear Lord God.

Thank You for being my Master,

for having purchased me with the precious blood of Christ

away from slavery to sin so that I might serve You.

Help me to see my daily work as part of my service to You.

May I please my earthly masters to the best of my ability,

with Your help, however difficult it might be.

I am sorry when I have resented what I had been asked to do,

argued with my employers or taken what did not belong to me.

Please help me to do my work with integrity so that I can be fully trusted

and be a good witness to Jesus Christ.

In His Name. Amen.

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" Letter to Son from his Father "

God gave us the gift of life;

it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.

 

Following is a letter to his son from a renowned Hong Kong TV broadcaster/Child Psychologist.

The words are actually applicable to all of us, young or old.

All parents can use this in their teachings to their children.

 Dear son , 

 I am writing this to you for 3 reasons                                                                                                      

 

1. Life, fortune and mishaps are unpredictable;
    nobody knows how long he lives. Some words are better said early.      

                                                                                                                                                                                

2. I am your father, and if I don't tell you these, no one else will.

3. What is written is based on my own personal experiences that perhaps
     could save you a lot of unnecessary heartaches.

Remember the following as you go through life

1. Do not bear grudge towards those who are not good to you.
    No one has the responsibility of treating you well, except your mother and I.

    To those who are good to you, you have to treasure it and be thankful,
     and ALSO you have to be cautious, because, everyone has a motive for every move.

    When a person is good to you, it does not mean he really likes you.
    You have to be careful, don't hastily regard him as a real friend.

2. No one is indispensable, nothing in the world that you must possess.
    Once you understand this idea, it would be easier for you to go through life
    when people around you don't want you anymore, or when you lose what/who you love most.

3. Life is short. When you waste your life today, tomorrow you would find that life is leaving you.
    The earlier you treasure your life, the better you enjoy life.

4. Love is but a transient feeling, and this feeling would fade with time and with one's mood.
    If your so called loved one leaves you, be patient, time will wash away your aches and sadness.
    Don't over exaggerate the beauty and sweetness of love,
     and don't over exaggerate the sadness of falling out of love.

5.  A lot of successful people did not receive a good education, that does not mean
     that you can be successful by not studying hard!

     Whatever knowledge you gain is your weapon in life.
     One can go  from rags to riches, but one has to start from some rags!

6.  I do not expect you to financially support me when I am old,
     neither would I financially support your whole life.
     My responsibility as a supporter ends when you are grown up.
     After that, you decide whether you want to travel in a public transport or in your limousine,
     whether rich or poor.

7.  You honour your words, but don't expect others to be so.
     You can be good to people, but don't expect people to be good to you.
      If you don't understand this, you would end up with unnecessary troubles.

8.    I have bought lotteries for umpteen years, but I never strike any prize.
      That shows if you want to be rich, you have to work hard! There is no free lunch!

9.    No matter how much time I have with you, let's treasure the time we have together.
       We do not know if we would meet again in our next life.