An Entreaty

Mark 9:23-25 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Sometimes I wonder if I'm just going through the motions.

If the way I think and what I say and how I act is just a facade. 

Do I really believe that God sent his son to die and rise again, to save not only me, 

but everyone else too? 

I want to. But It's not easy. I question if I really do believe, or do I just want to believe?

I'm influenced by those around me to keep hold of what I refer to as my faith. 

Is it really my faith, or is it their faith projected onto me so I may perceive it to be mine? 

Are we just encouraging one another to believe in the world's biggest lie? 

Yet how can a lie go undetected? The gospel has spread like wildfire across the centuries. Surely it would have been totally disproved, and its followers disbanded by now if it were of man's invention.
But time and again academics who began as atheists, become not only Christians, but evangelists.
Fulfilling what Gamaliel the Pharisee said, when the gospel first began its spread:

"Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." (Acts 5:38-39)

Those whom I care about I who care about me...

People whom I trust and value their options...

Most of these people are Christians...

But some have turned away, slowly giving up their faith.

It was no longer precious, but instead turned into something that they resented and rejected.

Dear God, I don't know what kind of person I would be without you living with me.

Directing my heart, soul and mind every day.

I am guided by you for give up the God who is just yet whose love surpasses all understanding.

Please my Heavenly Father, remind me every day where I stand.

Let me remain supported by Christ, the solid rock, and not give in and tread down upon the sinking sand. When you call me home, may I then in Him be found. 

Work

What is it?

According to the macquarie dictionary (2003),

the word work has 23 separate meanings.

The first of which is

'exertion directed to produce or accomplish something; labour, toil.

Why do people work?

I asked what work meant to people I know and they told me that to them work is;

'Something that is never easy but makes you feel a lot better than from when you started.'

'Procrastination...don't put things off.' 

'Realising I will never get paid work ever again, mourning that, and trying not to let it define me.'

'Society requirements.'

'Some work is great to watch. I remember watching 2 men make concrete when I was a kid, it was perfect timing and action. They use concrete mixers now, of course. Some work is very creative and makes you feel good. BUT I hate housework.'

To me  going to work means

Using all the skills and energy that God has blessed me with to serve him,
loving and serving others as he has done for me.

This is what Paul says in Colossians 3:23 and 24

'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.'

I am blessed by God that I truly love my job.

I find meaning and value in what I do.

Paid or volunteer.

So... why do you go to work?