Serving for God's Approval

Introductory questions to chew

"Who shall judge" me -- how does that reality affect my so-called daily life?

Do I still value and live by sound doctrine?

Am I committed to keeping my ears turned toward the truth?

How am I fighting a good fight and keeping the faith?

"Hath forsaken me" versus "profitable to me" -- who has experienced which from me?

Who is depending on me? And how?

"I pray God that I may not be laid to their charge" -- how can I develop such an attitude toward those who have wronged me?

Am I aware of Christ standing with me and strengthening me? Is He?

Preserved from Rot

I am surrounded by cultural, moral, and spiritual decay.

The rot and its stench are everywhere.

Will this decay invade me?

Every day it tries, with varying degrees of limited success.

So every day I need cleansing, deliverance, and restoration.

I need preserving.

"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (2 Timothy 4:18).

At your service, God

I suspect you are not loving and serving (is there any difference?) God the way the Bible teaches -- with your all. I know I allow too many things to keep me from wholehearted service to God. What might those things be which succeed in distracting us from the kind of service God wants from us?

Forgetfulness.

Laziness.

Lack of commitment.

Personal pursuits and ambition.

May we refocus our lives on serving God, that we may meet with His approval.