Work as if for the Lord

I am a supervisor at my job, so I don't have to tell you that being liked is a challenge when dealing with co-workers who want a paycheck but want to do the least amount of work possible to get it. I have learned, however, to lead with a smile. And, because we expect everyone to keep a work log to list their activities for every minute of the day, I, too, keep a work log whenever possible so my co-workers know that I don't just sit in an office chair and answer phones. I am actually working as hard as I expect them to work.

When we are short handed, I have to do my regular supervisor duties as well as cover the area of the employee that didn't show that day. When I am off work, I have to keep my phone on in case someone calls in and the manager on duty doesn't have enough coverage. Over time, all of this can become stressful and sometimes, as supervisor, I get the feeling that I have no life except my job.

I wonder if I am making a difference as a Christian.

Colossians 3
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

I try to follow the Golden rule at work (Matthew 7:12 All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets). I follow the ten commandments. I do everything I do that I might be an example to my co-workers how to live, and what being a Christian really is.

There are moments that make it all worth it.

Last night, a co-worker approached me. She said, "May I speak with you?" Of course, I said, "Sure!"

She said, "I just want to apologize to you. I have been really rude to you and sometimes downright mean, and you have been nothing but nice to me. I want to let you know that I am going to try to do better. I sometimes feel overwhelmed and frustrated and I think that is why I take it out on you, but that is wrong and I want to change. Will you forgive me?"

I was taken aback. Truthfully, I was so used to being treated that way I don't even notice it anymore. I just work around it. I told her, "For someone who is that overwhelmed and frustrated, I think you do an awesome job and I look forward to seeing you grow, no apology necessary."

She said, "I just know that as a Christian, I am supposed to do that when I know I am wrong." I smiled and said, "I forgive you, now go, and keep up the great work!" She laughed.

It made me think of how often we, as humans are overwhelmed by our lives, frustrated, discontent, and any other negative description of our day to day experiences. When we get on our knees, we sometimes whine, shake our fists, and question His authority over our lives. We may even decide to stay in bed rather than go out and do what He has called us to do. Then, just like those employees who want a paycheck but don't want to do the work to get it, we wonder where our reward is.

And, yet, God reaches down and consoles us, sends us peace, let's us behold the beauty of the morning sunrise, taste the delicious meals we are provided with, and warms us with the clothes we have been given to cover our nakedness and hide our brokenness. Over time, He blesses us with healing and sustenance. How often we are ungrateful and unable to see all the ways our Father provides for us that we don't even have to ask for.

Don't you think it is time to ask God to forgive you?

If this has inspired you, please share it!

Dirty

by Shonda Ponder
(originally written in April, 2000)

I didn't want to feel dirty
As I came to God that day
For all I'd done to forsake Him
And go my merry way

I knew that I had been wrong
And that there was no hope
Except that He forgive me
And give me strength to cope

Every sin I'd sinned
Every law I'd broken
Out of selfish hypocrisy
I ignored the words He'd spoken

And now I felt alone
And now I felt betrayed
But who was I to blame?
By myself I knelt and prayed

O, Lord, can you forgive me?
Can you hold me once again?
And can you help those others
That I'd taken from your plan?

Can you bless and keep us,
and bring us all back home
And give us hope again
Where before this there was none?

Have I been so wrong
That you have let me fall
Will you grab my hand
And let me feel your call?

I am but human, Lord
I am weak and frail
But with you I have strength
Without you I have failed

Lord, I walked away
Knowing I was wrong
And now I beg forgiveness
I know where I belong

And as I sat there hoping
And wondering if I'd done right
I felt a warm familiar cover
A soft array of light

That said, "I have not left you
Nor have I let you down
It was you who chose
To give away your crown

I know that you are hurting
Lost and so afraid
And now I am here waiting
To hold the child I made

I did not forget you
Nor did I let you go
My love reached out to you
As I watched you grow

And now you ask forgiveness
You want to come back home
I have a feast here waiting
And we won't eat alone

I began to cry
As I ran into his arms
How can I make it up
To all those I have harmed?

He wiped away my tears
And broke my heart of stone
And then He said, "In time,
They too will come back home."

Dear Friend: An Invitation

I am a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. I serve with my whole heart because He paid a debt I owed that I could never repay no matter how I try. I serve with joy and gladness, for the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations. (Psalms 100:5)

I wish I had the time to tell you how God has given me so much to be thankful for in my Lord Jesus Christ. I have tried, but hearing, ye have not heard. (Matthew 13:13) Maybe it's because you have not experienced my God the way I have, and you find it hard to relate. Or maybe you feel as if you are not good enough to approach the light of His Glory. I can only speculate as to what your reasons are, for I have invited you to join me in the praise and worship of my Lord, and to join me in His Kingdom work as He has instructed me to do , when He said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: And Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20). Yet you linger, and refuse to quickly honor the invitation.

Friend, you don't have to be on good terms with yourself or God to approach the throne. For God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

As a servant of God, I am not perfect or sinless. I am, however, forgiven. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) And because I am saved, I am a new creature. My old life is passed away, and I have a new life. (2 Corinthians 5:17) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created unto Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

You see, I can never do enough to repay God for sacrificing His only son for me. I can only believe He did it because He loves me, just as I am. Even so, faith, if it has not works, is dead. (James 2:17) Therefore, I cannot, in good conscience, after the price my Lord paid for me, continue in my sins. I could not change who I am. But my God can. When I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, I gave Him permission to mold and shape me as He would have me be. This is because once I realized the total price of my sins, I was convicted to serve with all my spirit, constantly striving to cleanse myself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:1) Even striving to perfect myself, I am constantly reminded that no matter what I do, I will never be righteous enough, For there is none righteous, no, not one. (Romans 3:10)

I have said all this to teach you, friend, that if you are waiting until you are "perfect enough", it will not happen. You need not linger or have excuses not to accept my invitation any longer. God is calling you to join Him in His kingdom work. Do you really want to disappoint Him after what He's already done for you?

Jesus never condemned the sinner, though he begged them to repent. Therefore, neither do I condemn you. (John 8:11) To do so would be blasphemy, for I am not perfect either, and am unworthy to cast stones at your character. (John 8:7) What I say to you, I say out of love, as Christ has commanded us to love one another as He first loved us. (John 3:35) Having said that, It is my duty to inform you that the Kingdom of God is at hand. (Matthew 10:7) It is because of that that I would be derelict in my duty if I failed to write this letter to you.

You see, once again, I am pleading with you to come and worship the Lord with me. I don't understand why it is so hard for you to accept my invitation. Can't you hear Jesus saying through me, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) What relief you will have when you realize that you have eternal life, rather than condemnation! For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Friend, I beg you to linger no more! You have been invited to eat the bread of life at my Lord's supper table! when I think of you, I remember a parable Jesus told once of a man who fixed a great supper. He invited certain people. These people who were invited all had some excuse for not wanting to show up. It doesn't matter what their excuse was. So, he told his servant to go out onto the streets and gather the lower classes of people to eat in their place. (Luke 14:16-24) I believe he did this because He knew they would appreciate his efforts more. (Luke 14:14) How is it that you cannot appreciate what my Lord has to offer you? If you won't come, God will invite someone else in your stead.

I have prayed for you, my friend. I have pleaded with you; and, now, I am writing this letter as a last attempt before I go on my way to invite others, as the servant of the Lord has been instructed to do. Please do not make excuses, for God will not accept any excuses on the day of judgment. Jesus has instructed that we should always be prepared, because you may not be alive tomorrow to repent, and if you are, what if He returns for His servants? Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day, nor the hour wherein the son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:13) And, if He does, do you really want to take the chance of hearing Him say "I know you not"? (Matthew 25:12)

But if you still refuse the invitation, it is my duty to leave you alone and to shake the dust of my feet on the way. (Matthew 10:14)

My Lord is a gracious God. He has patience with you for now, but I beg you, my friend, not to test my Lord's patience for long. he has been known to curse those who continue in their sins. (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) Maybe you are already experiencing some of them. I hope not; but, if you are, repent, and God will turn those curses into blessings.

Jesus taught a parable about a prodigal son, who defied his father, spent his inheritance, and wound up slopping pigs for a living. Finally, he determined to be his father's servant, if only his father would take him back into his home after what he'd done. When his father saw him coming, he welcomed his son home, rejoicing with a great feast and restoring his place in the home. God will do that for you if you let Him. (Luke 15:11-32)

Please accept my final invitation to join me in the praise and worship of my Lord at 1st Biker's Church in Texarkana, Texas. We are located at 12th and Walnut. If you don't want to go to that church, then find one you are comfortable with, but we will accept you with open arms if you do.

With Agape Love for You,

Your Servant in Christ,

Shonda M. Ponder

A Legacy of Forgiveness

The above picture is Brad Taylor, Danny's son, as he embraces a forgiven Peyton Glenn at 1st Biker's Church on the Sunday after the accident. Wow. One of the things that I've learned since I started going to 1st Bikers Church is that forgiveness is a mandatory part of being Christian. The first thing one does is ask The Father to forgive them. After that, we are required to forgive in order to practice the Grace that was given to us.

Without first learning what forgiveness is, our Christian Faith is moot. And, in order to teach us the depths of the Grace that God has bestowed upon us, He only requires that we forgive others as we have been forgiven. If we cannot forgive, then our growth in The Lord is stunted.

I have had to learn to forgive people that are not even alive now to forgive, as well as others who still are. I have learned to ask for forgiveness when truly I did not want THEIR forgiveness, for I did not think I had done anything to be forgiven for. But, I have learned that it isn't about whether or not you or someone else is in the wrong, it's about restoring the relationship you need with The Father. Once you take that step, all other relationships begin to be restored as well.

This whole situation with the Taylor family has reminded me of where I, myself, have come from, and where I, myself, wish to go. Thank you, Taylor family, for opening up the opportunity for us to love!

Matthew 6:

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

More to be forgiven for

On the way home from church tonight, me and my friend were talking about what it was that made my church, 1st Bikers Church of Texarkana, that was filled with sinners from the worst walks of life, so Spirit-filled, compared to other churches she and I had attended in the past. As she had stated before, it's rare to find a church now days that you can feel God's presence as soon as you walk in the door.

I thought about it, and I said, "Maybe it is the fact that these church members have more to be forgiven for than most." I couldn't remember the verses off the top of my head, but when I came home, I determined to find them and post them up.

Our congregation is proof that Jesus can change lives.

Luke 7

39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.