The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (2 Cor 13:14)

This week and throughout this month, many students will close a chapter of their life as they mark a level of accomplishment and graduate to venture into another life journey. The time recognizes the graduate’s achievements and accomplishments, but also acknowledges those who shared and supported the graduate throughout the journey. The time refocuses for the opportunities that lie ahead that begin the next journey. The time also reminds them of the continued help they need for the journey ahead. Our scripture passage today provides to us the closing comments by the Apostle Paul written to the beloved church at Corinth. Paul’s letters to the church at Corinth were filled with instruction to teach them, guidance to direct them, and counsel to correct them. On occasion his words seem harsh but never hounding, chastening but never crushing, caring but never criticizing as he is “compelled by the love of Christ” and led by the Holy Spirit to guide this local church in their faith and destiny as believers in Jesus Christ. He recognizes to them, the journey that lay ahead and the resources they have available to endeavor in a manner that pleases God and glorifies Jesus as their Savior. Paul declares to them, and to us, the necessities for life. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost.” What a marvelous declaration to give for anyone’s journey in life with the encouragement that God spoke to Joshua as he began a new chapter in the life of the children of Israel. “Be strong and of a good courage…only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law” (Josh 1:6-7) until the Lord gives you rest (Josh 1:14). My friend, our Lord desires to bless you in life. He has provided you salvation through his Son Jesus, the promise hope of eternal security in His word, the strength of the resurrection by the indwelling Holy Spirit that you have a new life with Him for eternity. This our hope and this is our success in life. Father, thank You for the blessed hope we have through Christ Jesus our Lord and all we ever need, or more than we can contain, is from You. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.  

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body’s sake, which is the church. (Col 1:22)

Have you enjoyed any fresh produce from a garden lately? Longer days and warm sunshine have caused garden plants to produce and ripen some early fruit. Some of the early fruit that is being enjoyed are the fresh strawberries from local farms. These ripen berries are pulled, prepared, and enjoyed for consumer’s delight. While the consumer finds delight in the fresh, ripened fruit, yet the berry must suffer and be crushed to produce the sweetness that is contained within. Our scripture passage today reminds us that suffering in Christ is for the benefit of others, mainly the church. Paul writes to the young church at Colossae to encourage them his difficult circumstances is fruit for the furtherance of the gospel. He wanted them to know that he gave his all for Christ, even if it meant to suffer for Him. Paul realized that the fruit produced in his life was not his, but for others to know Christ. He understood that the time a child of God spends with the Father, delighting in His word, growing in the faith, being strengthen with all sufficiency in Christ, is to produce a harvest that will benefit others and glorify the Father. As a child of God, you are a branch eternally grafted into the Vine of Jesus Christ. Nothing can separate you from Him (Rom 8:39). Sealed with the eternal Guarantee of the Holy Spirit until the day of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 1:22). The branch, once grafted into the Vine, is nurtured to grow, mature, and produce the fruit of the Vine. The branch does not bear fruit for itself, but for the harvest that others may enjoy the sweetness of its fruit. The sweetness of the fruit is produced by warn days in the sun, nurture by the abundant flow of water. It bears the attraction and sweetness of the life that flows from the Vine through the branch. My friend, have you known the warmth of the Father’s love? His radiance through the light of His word? The abundant flow of life through the indwelling Holy Spirit? Then suffer yourself to bear His fruit that is sweet and can be enjoyed by those who are perishing. Bear fruit that others may “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps 34:8). My friend, spend time before Father, delight yourself in the light of His word, that you may come to know and proclaim with the Apostle Paul “now rejoice in my suffering for you…for His body’s sake, which is the church.” Father, thank You for the life-giving flow that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. May He bear the sweet, sweet Spirit of Your love, for others to enjoy. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

And whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Col 3:23-24)

Every action has a reaction. At the core of all we do is motive. Hunger, thirst, sleep, hurt, are reactions to a void for something that is missing or needed. Our scripture passage today directs us to identify our motive for Christian service. “Whatever ye do…as to the Lord.” The word “whatever” is without limitation. It includes everything and leaves out nothing. Husbands, wives, and children? As to the Lord. Employee, employer, volunteer? As to the Lord. Unemployed, retiree, student? As to the Lord. “Whatever” your state or status, “do it heartily, as to the Lord.” Christ’s motive for all He done and all that He continues do today as He ministers through the Holy Spirit. “The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father doeth…For the Father loveth the Son…” (Jn 5:19-20). He did all that He done to glorify the Father who loved Him. My friend, if you know the Father’s love for you, you can do the same. So, begin this day with thoughts of the Father’s love for you. He loved you and sent His Son to die in your place, for all your sin. He has forgiven all your sin and given you His righteousness. (2 Cor 5:21). He loves you with an “eternal love.” Knowing His love for you and out of His love for you, ought to motivate you to love and serve others, that the Father is glorified. Resist the urge to measure your actions based on reward you will gain from others or the reactions of others. “For ye serve the Lord.” He is worthy of our best and our all. Serve Him with gladness and a sincere heart. Father, thank You for Your eternal love and the forgiveness of sin. Remind me to walk in a manner that pleases You and at every turn and crossroad in life today, that “whatever” I do, do it with a sincere heart devoted to You, “as to the Lord.” In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.