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Monday, November 4, 2019
"Not
A Waste Of Time"
Message summary: An old quote attributed to missionary CT Studd we first heard in Bible College is, "Only one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last". We believed that over 40 years ago and believe it even more now as we have experienced the inevitable passing of life. Let us live with a Kingdom of God outlook!
Message summary: An old quote attributed to missionary CT Studd we first heard in Bible College is, "Only one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last". We believed that over 40 years ago and believe it even more now as we have experienced the inevitable passing of life. Let us live with a Kingdom of God outlook!
"For the Son of
Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke
19:10). "And the King will answer them, ‘I
assure you: Whatever you did for one of the
least of these brothers of Mine, you did for
Me’" (Matthew 25:40).
This weekend we had
longtime friends visit us from North Carolina. We
first met the very young Matangelo family 42 years
ago when we planted a church in northern
Pennsylvania right after we graduated from Bible
College. They became a part of that church and
raised their family there. We departed from that
church in the early 90's and they moved to North
Carolina in 2000. But like we have with many
others we have stayed in touch through the years.
Mike trained and
served for many years as an electrical engineer
and specialized in quality control in the
corporate world. But Mike and Kathy's passion has
always been for people, leaving a long trail of
impact for Christ in many places and in many ways.
They presently serve together in prison ministry.
Mike shares a story
of a conversation with a supervisor many years ago
when he was beginning prison ministry. His boss
just couldn't understand why Mike did not want to
prioritize his time in advancing in the corporate
world and told him, "I just don't understand why
you would waste your time on that." (that being
prison ministry)
Now most won't be as
blunt as this supervisor but this is an attitude
many have toward ministry and people work,
especially ministry to those whom Jesus called "the
least of these".
One of the major
decisions of life is determining what comprises a
waste of time or more broadly a waste of life. We
may describe someone addicted to drugs as "wasting
their life" but what about a successful person as
we often understand success? Are they wasting
their life?
That depends on where
your primary kingdom orientation is; the kingdom
of this world or the Kingdom of God.
Mike's supervisor
years ago likely understood a valuable use of time
as being a focus on business success, often
described as climbing the corporate ladder.
An orientation to
this world can express success in many ways which
are not necessarily bad and which can be God
honoring such as working diligently with
integrity. We are all blessed in various ways by
this kind of outlook in life.
However for the
genuine follower of Jesus our primary kingdom
focus should be the Kingdom of God which
Jesus clearly taught includes caring for the least
of these and He demonstrated this by seeking and
saving the lost. We have a call to follow His
example.
An old quote
attributed to missionary CT Studd we first heard
in Bible College is, "Only one life will soon
be past, only what's done for Christ will last".
We believed that over 40 years ago and now we
believe it even
more now as we have
experienced the inevitable passing of life. Let us
live with a Kingdom of God outlook!
Only
One Life
Two
little lines I heard one day, traveling along
life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, and from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, and stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice, gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, and to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years, each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore, when Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep, in joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife, pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn, and from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, "twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all";
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
Author Unknown
Bringing conviction to my heart, and from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, and stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice, gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, and to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years, each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore, when Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep, in joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife, pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn, and from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, "twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all";
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
Author Unknown
Be encouraged and
today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father help us to live with a
Kingdom of God focus and a realization that truly
this life we now live will soon be past, and only
what's done for Christ will ultimately last. Help
us to never see the work we do for You or the
people we are called to serve as a waste of time.
Mike,
Kathy and Tina Matangelo
After
our church service yesterday we headed over to the
Casey Jones' Restaurant at the Red Caboose for a
late breakfast in the dining car.
From
our seat in the dining car we had a nice view of the
Strasburg Railroad along with a lot of old-order
horse and buggy traffic on a beautiful Sunday
afternoon.
Later
in the afternoon we visited the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
especially to visit with Chaplain John Uhler, who
has a ministry in living history. He was at the
museum as part of a "trains and troops" weekend.
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
An
old locomotive at the Railroad Museum of
Pennsylvania.
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
This
last summer Mike and Kathy recently celebrated their
50th wedding anniversary and met with all of their
children and grandchildren in California, all
managing to fit on this huge Sequoia tree stump!
(Click
to enlarge)
Today's
Suggested Music and
Supplemental Resources
"Only One Life"
Video
Lanny Wolfe
Finally today:
Yesterday afternoon
also stopped by to visit with
the Lapp family on the Old
Windmill Farm and of course
saw the baby animals with
Brooksyne holding a baby goat.
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Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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