From: jesus_is_lord To: List Member Subject: Why? Date: Tuesday, December 07, 1999 9:59 AM jesus_is_lord [Reminder: this list is not for the hellbound. Repent and get washed in the blood of Jesus and then it will be for you.] Dear Christian Friends: Greetings in the name of the ONLY wise God and Saviour Jesus Christ. A few weeks ago, the Lord put a question in my brains-- why do you do what you do? It was a question concerning EVERYTHING I do. Let me break it down like this... WHY DO YOU EAT? Possible answer: So I can have some good tasting food in my mouth. Better answer: So I can have the nourishment and strength to serve the Lord. Oh, Lord, feed me with food convenient for me that I may serve thee with my hands, feet, mind...my all. WHY DO YOU TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO READ? Possible answers: So they can impress me as they read "Little Red Riding Hood". So they can do well in school. Better answer: So they can read the Bible and get instruction on how to serve the Lord. If they read the book of the law Jesus will make their way properous and successful (though this does not always involve dollars and cents). WHY DO YOU WANT A HOUSE? Possible answers: So I can get a tax break. So people can see how well we live. Better answer: So I have a home base from which my family can serve the Lord. We can show hospitality to the saints, to strangers, to the widow, and to the orphan. Remember that pure religion and undefiled is this--to remember the widow and fatherless in their affliction. WHY DO I WANT A GOOD JOB? Possible answers: So I can make a bunch of money to spend on my own lusts. So I can be well-respected by my colleagues and others. Better answer: So I can provide for my family. This is Biblical. The Bible says a man that doesn't care for his family is WORSE than an infidel. It also says if a man won't work he won't eat. I also want to give generous tithes and offerings in church that the work of the kingdom may be carried out. I understand that the workman is worthy of his hire and that in many cases the pastor has left the "security" of a regular job and benefits in order to serve Jesus full time. I understand that it costs money to maintain the church--utilities, Sunday School materials, Bibles, song books, outreaches to the poor, etc. WHY DO YOU WANT A NEW CAR? Possible answer: So I can show off. Better answer: So I can have reliable transportation as I seek to fulfill the commands of the Lord. WHY DO YOU WANT SOME NEW CLOTHES? Possible answer: So I can look good to other people. Better answer: So that my nakedness appear not. I want to dress modestly not causing anyone to stumble. Warm clothes in the winter will help me to stay healthy so I can keep doing the will of the Lord. Cool clothing in the summer will keep me more comfortable as I do the work of the Lord. WHY DO I READ BOOKS? Possible answer: So I can enjoy lurid, fleshly or horrific material which displeases God. Better answer: I primarily read the King James Bible because man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God. I can't live without the Word. I need it for my spiritual nourishment. I read other seemly books because they are profitable to me and help me to serve the Lord. WHY DO YOU GO ON VACATION? Possible answer: To get down and have some F-U-N! I wanna waste all the money I can and go home broke. [note: I actually knew a lady who would save her money for a whole year, every year, go to Vegas and gamble it all away. She'd come back home and start saving up again.] Better answer: I go to a place apart that I may be refreshed. When I return home I'll be ready to get back to the work. While I am away, I'll leave tracts/Bibles and be prepared to give an answer to every man that asketh me a reason for the hope within me. WHY DO YOU HAVE A FELLOWSHIP AT YOUR HOUSE? Possible answer: So I can show unbelievers that we Christians can have fun too. Better answer: To lift up the name of Jesus. Everything else is incidental to this overriding Object. WHY I MARRY A CHRISTIAN? Possible answer(s): So I'll have a husband that comes home every night. So I'll have a wife that won't step out on me. Better answer: The Bible says that I am not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. I want to be with somebody that wants to praise the Lord. What communion do I have with a son of Belial? Even my closest friends are not unbelievers. What kind of spiritual advice can they give me seeing they are dead in trespasses and sins? WHY DO I STAY AWAY FROM HELLISH PLACES? Possible answer: So my church family won't see me. Better answer: I refuse to let Satan have an advantage over me. I am mortifying the deeds of my body. I am keeping under my body and bringing it into subjection. ******** Friends, as you can imagine, this list of questions could go on and on but I believe you get the point. As we examine our lives, we should examine our motives for EVERYTHING we do. Man's chief purpose in this life is to glorify God. Glorify Him in your brains, wives glorify Him as you wash dishes and cook meals, husbands glorify him as you work to take care of your family, children glorify Jesus while you are doing your schoolwork and obeying your parents. Let all the earth glorify the Lord for He is worthy. Let all the people of the Book lift up holy hands all over the world praising Jesus for His goodness. Don't always come begging for something. Let's give up the praise. Know ye not that God inhabits the praises of His people Israel? Who is the Israel of God but those that put their faith in Him? The faith of their father Abraham? May each of us endeavor to walk circumspectly in every area of life ALWAYS abounding in the work of the Lord for we know it WILL NOT be in vain. Oh, no. God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Blessed be the name of the Lord. for Jesus' sake, tracy -- http://www.jesus-is-lord.com ...I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to jesus_is_lord-unsubscribe@listbot.com Start Your Own FREE Email List at http://www.listbot.com/links/joinlb