W ORSHIP J OINU S in

BETHANY

GRACE FELLOWSHIP

Bible

To Thrive I To Impact I To Unify 400 Reading Road East Earl, PA 17519

717-445-6644 www.bethanygf.org command not a suggestion. In 2 Timothy chapter 2, Paul gives us examples of the good soldier who doesn’t entangle himself in the affairs of the world, the athlete who exercises great discipline and the hard working farmer. Whatever you do… do it heartily… extraordinarily, totally, completely, thoroughly, wholeheartedly, fully, with all of your soul and might.

There is no place in our Christian life for sloth, laziness, idleness or apathy. Scripture says be zealous. Proverbs 10:4 ­ “A slack hand causes poverty but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

Excellence is the standard and we are to pursue it in the everyday tasks as well as the prominent endeavors.

Excellence in our activities begins with excellence in our minds. Paul reminds us of this in Philippians 4:8 ­ “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right , whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, dwell (think/meditate) on these things.” We are to pursue excellence in all that we do. Daniel was an example we can turn to. Daniel 6:3 ­ “Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he

Pastor Ken Williamson

Church Street Bowmansville 717-445-6256

Pastor Phil Shober

Sunday Worship 10:30am In-Person & on Sunday School & Nursery Available Men’s & Women’s Bible Studies

Second Wednesday of the Month, 7pm Home of “Grace House Blessings” www.stpaulsuccchurch.org

Liberty Baptist 47 Cindia Lane, Ephrata 717-733-0396

Pastor Jim Taylor Assoc. Pastor Keith MacDougall Old Hymns - KJV

Traditional Services

Sunday School 9:30 AM Sun. Worship 10:30 AM & 6:00 PM

Wed. Prayer Meeting 7:00 PM

Thurs. Bible Study 1:00 PM Independent - Fundamental Soul Winning

The Beacon on the Hill

249 East Main Street New Holland, PA 17557 717.354.7871 www.ststephenpca.org possessed an extraordinary spirit (excellence) and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.”

I have personally committed Colossians 3:23, 24 to memory as a motivation to do all things enthusiastically and with excellence as the goal. At times if I don’t want to complete a task or view it as unimportant, I can put a slack hand to the job. Actually, it goes deeper than that… if I just don’t feel like doing it, I can turn into a sloth. The author must confess when asked for help from my dear wife, frequently I am (was) but no more… slack, grumpy, mumbling, wanted to quit before the task was complete and displayed a host of other bad attitudes. How we act at home that’s how we really are. This is the proving ground for character. The way we treat our husband, wives and children, that’s the real you, not what we would like to project to the watching world.

When I memorized this verse I realized how negligent I was. That’s the “mirror of the word” of God. In James 1:23­25 it states that the one who looks into the mirror of the word and not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word; this one will be blessed in what he/she does. I believe you will agree it’s the little things, the everyday… let’s purpose to do everything heartily

Next week we look at the motivation behind our actions “as unto the Lord and NOT unto man.”