day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4). Follow Paul’s example: “We worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you” (2 Thessalonians 3:8). Warring Hands: The Christian life is one of spiritual warfare, not spiritual welfare. We are not called to a spiritual vacation, but to a military vocation—soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3)! We are not called to a church picnic, but to a lifelong spiritual battle. “Put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11), and “fight the battle well” (1 Timothy 1:18), so that you can be like the Apostle Paul at the end of his life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Worshiping Hands: We were created to worship God: “I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands” (Psalm 63:4). However, our heart and our hands need to be in the right place before we worship. “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:3–4). Once again, we look to Paul: “I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing” (1 Timothy 2:8). Remember again that only sanctified hands can become servant’s hands for God’s glory and for the good of others. So pray to the Lord and dedicate your hands to Him so that He can use them as working, warring, and worshiping hands. Remember that Jesus has eternal nail scars in His hands as proof of His love for you. His hands were pierced with nails so that your hands could be cleansed, anointed, and free. He wants your hands to be His hands, used exclusively for His honor and glory!
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