DATE POSTED: Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, Dowling Park, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) IS FOUND IN Hebrews 6:10-11

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: God is fair, and he will remember all the work you have done. He will remember that you showed your love to him by helping his people and that you continue to help them. We want each of you to be willing and eager to show your love like that the rest of your life. Then you will be sure to get what you hope for.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: It is so unfortunate that believers give up and quit the work that God has set out for them to do. When we are asked to help in the ministry, we seem to conclude that God had this all planned out for us and that we must be in the center of His will for our lives, seeing that we’ve been asked to participate in His kingdom work here on earth. We could finally apply our skills, desires and selves to a work that He has set aside for us. However, the average Christian will soon look around and start complaining about how unappreciated others feel about their tireless work. I’ve either heard, or at times used, excuses like: I seem to be a lone worker in the ministry, while others are looking on, finding fault and excuses; OR – Why should I bother, when so many are at home with their families, enjoying life to the fullest; OR – But I have so many things I am already doing for the church; OR – I had to take on yet another ministry, since no one else would assume the responsibility. But we should try to remember what happened to Peter when he took his eyes off Jesus and looked around. While these excuses all sound so familiar, we should stop and reflect on the response of Jesus when the Father said that He would face death on a cross for the sin of the world. Jesus didn’t refer an uninvolved, unconcerned person who was doing nothing, for the Kingdom work God had assigned to Him. Friends, I believe that the faithful one who ministers in Kingdom work while here on earth will one day hear the voice of Jesus and His Father, as they welcome us all home and recognize the work done for Jesus in obedience to His call on our life. Over my years of ministry, I have witnessed some low periods where I would consider some of the above thoughts, but then there were also times where ‘out of the blue’ God sent an encourager to remind me that the work done for our Master and Lord has not gone unnoticed. It is unfortunate, but when we look around, we tend to be fed by all the negativity that seems to fill this world. When we keep our eyes focused on Jesus, regardless of the storms of life that surround us, then we will be reminded of His love, compassion and unending care for us. God wanted His servant writer of Hebrews to remind us that what we do under the lordship of Jesus Christ, and when we attribute the blessings to Jesus, our efforts will not go unnoticed. Perhaps this is where that popular reminder comes from: ‘Well done good and faithful servant’, for God knew that we would tend to sometimes take our eyes off Him and look around at whether the world is noticing us, instead of consistently remembering and believing that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Thank you Lord Jesus for being patient with us, especially when we feel like we are doing so much for the kingdom. Forgive us Lord when we look around and allow those of the world to cause us disappointment, and even regret at times, for the time we dedicate to Your kingdom work. We could never repay You for what You sacrificed on our behalf. Satan is out to distract us, so please open our eyes to his distractions, by helping us to stay focused on our Master and Lord. Our aim is to draw our strength and direction from You, Lord, while being such a strong witness for You to the unsaved. Oh Lord, may they see Jesus and never doubt about Your existence because of Your strong impact on, and presence in, us. How we look forward to the day when we shall see You face to face, our Master and Lord! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!