April 23, 2000 Humble Messenger
Humble Messenger
Building Up One Another
"Work Heartily, as for the
Lord" David Osteen
Sundayıs are the most
awesome day of the week. Everything about Sunday is good for me. It is what rejuvenates me
from the world of the previous week, and what gives me the spiritual energy I need to make
it through the next week (the boost in the middle of the week is always pleasant as well).
I enjoy so much the worship service and our assembling together. Although there is a great
amount of work and service involved at every service, it is an experience that is
energizing and uplifting. When I know it is my responsibility to lead a prayer or lead
singing, there is always time and effort spent in preparation, but it is never time I feel
that is wasted or would be better spent on something else. When you are working for the
Lord and with his people, and your heart is one of devoted service to God, then one canıt
help but feel good from the inside out about the work he has done and the service he has
accomplished.
So why canıt every day of the week be like Sunday? How come when people go to work all
they do for half of the day is watch the clock to see when they are off? Why donıt people
come in when they are supposed to, or show up to work on time? Why do people not prepare
for their assignments or spend twice as much time on simple things they know they could do
faster and more productively if they cared? Why do people talk behind one anotherıs back,
and criticize one anotherıs work? Why can we be different people at work than we are at
church?
We know how we are supposed to act as Christians and know that the qualities described in
the previous paragraph should not be representative of us at school, at home, at work, or
at church. We can be dragged down by the world of the workplace and all of the negativity
and despair that it offers to us daily, if and only if we lose sight of our true purpose
and Master. In Colossians 3:22-24 it says, "Slaves, in all things obey those who are
your master on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with
sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work with all your heart,
as working for the Lord and not for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the
reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." We should know that
when we are at our occupa-tions, God is still watching and judging our hearts. If we are
true believers and followers of Christ, then we will do our best, to the best, in the face
of all adversity, negativity, despair, heartache, trial, and temptations that may arise
within the workplace.
We know that God is faithful and that the statements made by the Spirit in the previous
verse are true. If we do ALL of our work with ALL of our heart then there is an
inheritance laid up for us. We may never receive earthly wealth, pleasures, and fame for
the backbreaking labor we put in day after day, but who wants perishable things anyway? If
it is perishable that you desire, then perish you will, but he who desires that which is
imperishable shall surely live, and live in Godıs commandments. For those who believe
they can be poor employees and workers, and good servants of God, I have but one verse for
you to ponder: 1 John 4:20, "If someone says, OEI love God,ı and hates his brother,
he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God
whom he has not seen." Now I say to you that if someone says, "I am a good
servant of God," and is a bad employee, he is a liar; for the one who is a bad
servant of his earthly master whom he has seen, cannot be a good servant of God whom he
has not seen. Think about it.
Bill Faulkner continues to recover from second degree burns to his arm and face
suffered when a compressed air paint can exploded while burning trash . . . Doug
Bernard received good news from the colonoscopy he underwent last Tuesday.
No cancer was detected . . . Linda Otterbachıs mother recently suffered a minor
stroke and her father has been experiencing extreme fatigue and angina. Both are getting
better . . . Steve Fontenot will be in a gospel meeting in Lubbock,
Texas, next week. John Whitehead will teach the Sunday auditorium class, Rocky
Rodriguez will preach in the morning assembly, and the evening assembly will be
devoted to singing. It will be the fifth Sunday of the month. The Wednesday morning class
will continue on the theme of "Basic Studies" and it will be taught by Wally
Ottersbach. Kris Emerson will teach the Wednesday evening auditorium class
. . The following is adapted from a message Wally Ottersbach posted on
a broadly distributed email list . . . Lynita (Jason Swannıs mother) has insurance
through her place of employment. Š However, her insurance would only pay for 60
days for what they call "re-hab." For the first two months that Jason has been
at TIRR, he has not actually been in rehab; rather his medical, i.e. physical condition
(seizure, fevers, infections, digestion, etc.) has been the focus of treatment. The family
has had extensive discussion with the insurance company and have had doctors talk to them
and inform them that Jason was not in re-hab, but they would not negotiate. April 14th
their insurance was scheduled to run out. Because Jason made significant progress in the
past three weeks (this was the period when Jason began to answer questions using his eyes
to communicate), another plea was made by Jim and the medical staff and, literally at the
last hour the insurance company finally agreed to extend the insurance for another three
weeks Š Jason is currently incurring costs at about $60,000/month to stay in TIRR.
His parents are committed to keeping him there as long as he is improving and leave the
financial aspects to God, much as they have left Jasonıs recovery to Him Š It is
expected that Jason Swann is going to continue to need high level of care (and expense)
for many months to come. To aid in the financial need an account has been set up for Jason
in Joplin Missouri. For those who are able and willing to help him in this time of need,
funds can be sent to: Jason Swann Fund, c/o Southwest Missouri Bank, 2530 North Rangeline,
Joplin Missouri 64801, Attn: Chris Crouch Š For those who might wish to send a card
to encourage the family you can reach them at: Jason Swann, c/o TIRR Systems; 1333
Moursund, Houston, Texas 77030-3505. Also, there is a direct line to the room,
713-797-7407 and Jimıs email address is, jswann@dellnet.com. Above all, prayers for Jason
and his family would be greatly appreciated.
Wednesday Evening Close
Apr. 26 Mark Laburt
May 3 Jay Lietka
May 10 John Lowrance
May 17 Ro McCaskill
Transportation for
Zelma Bobbitt
APRIL
Sun. 23 pm Betty Yocum
Wed. 26 pm Rocky Rodriguez
Sun. 30 pm Rice
MAY
Wed. 3 pm
Sun. 7 pm
Wed. 10 pm
Sun. 14 pm
Wed. 17 pm
Sun. 21 pm
Wed. 24 pm
Sun. 28 pm
Wed. 31 pm
Wednesday April 26
Song Leader: Rob McCaskill
Close: Mark LaBurt
Sunday AM, April 30
Announcements: Boyd Hurst
Song Leader: Dwight Osteen
First Prayer: Jim Porterfield
Lordıs Table