Family Focused
Pembroke First Baptist’s mission is to minister to the whole family.
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.
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him. For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? (2 Sam 22:31-32)
I pray you had great worship on this past Lord’s Day in your local church! Let’s join our hearts together and look to the word of God for His strength and guidance to begin this day. In our scripture passage this morning, the elder David declares at the retirement of his life that God’s “way is perfect” and His word is “tried” and proven. Therefore, “trust in Him.” Wow! What a conclusion for one’s life. In a world that is filled with change, conflicts, and uncertainty. Trust in God. In life when fears arise within you, failures stump you, and frustrations confuse you. Trust in God. Jesus says that we are to welcome these moments and not loose heart. “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). He spoke these words just hours before He would be crucified and die for the sin of the world. What a confident conclusion for life. “Be of good cheer.” How is this possible? Jesus says again in John 14, “you believe in God, believe also in Me.” The conclusion is clear as you begin this day. God is worthy of our trust and confidence. Look to Him in prayer. Lean on Him for His understanding. He will guide you in His word. My friend, trials, challenges, and difficulties are certain to come. But “be of good cheer,” you have a way through each one of them by faith in Jesus Christ. Life is filled with uncertainties. Trust God at every moment that you may know with confidence “His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried.” Father, thank You that Your way is perfect, Your word is proven, and You never change. You are unshakeable. A solid Rock that all may stand through the uncertainties in life. I look to You now, to lead my way. I will rejoice and be glad in it. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.