"THE CHURCH ON WEEK DAYS"

The church that gathers to pray, praise, and give thanks on Sunday, should be no different from the church on week days. The speaking and hearing of the Word of God in church should equip and strengthen us to be the church during the week while we are scattered throughout our community.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1Corinthians 10:31

What is the church to do? We, the church, are to do all things to the glory of God ~ even personal things, such as eating and drinking. With the spiritual welfare of others as our aim, we shall avoid giving offense or seeking our own advantage selfishly. We have been called by God's grace as His redeemed children to minister one to another.

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Colossians 3:17

Do you want a norm for Christian conduct? Do you want a standard to go by? Do you want a principle rather than a lot of little rules? Paul gives us such a principle here. He does not say what we should or should not do. He simply says, "Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Whatever you do ~ at your place of work, in your home, and in all encounters with others ~ can you say, "I'm doing this in the name of the Lord Jesus?" This is a marvelous standard for us to apply to our daily lives.

"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." 1Peter 4:11

"If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth." Example: here is one man who teaches the Bible one way and another man who teaches it a different way. You may say, "I like this one, and I don't much care for the other." Well, the other man's method may appeal to someone to whom your man doesn't. We should let each one minister "as of the ability which God giveth." "That God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Peter is saying that we are to teach the Word of God in such a way that God may get glory through Jesus Christ.

Application: As Christian citizens we should be law-abiding and work for the good of the community. As parents we should bring up our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. As children we should love our parents and not dishonor them by our behavior. As members of the Christian church we should give our time, tithes and abilities to further the church's work and to build up our fellow Christians in the saving faith of Christ. In everything, we should radiate Christian love. Our Sunday religion is for week days also.

Today's Devotion: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16

Heavenly Father, we ask for new strength daily to be applied to our weak bodies. Lord, purify our motives so our daily activities may glorify You. In all You do, we give thanks and praise. In Jesus' precious name we pray. Amen.

God Bless You All as the Lord guides you on to His perfection in the likeness of Christ Jesus.