Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - "Worth The Effort" – Sunday, 16 November 2014 - Scripture: Proverbs 21:20-31

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - "Worth The Effort" – Sunday, 16 November 2014 - Scripture: Proverbs 21:20-20 Valuables are safe in a wise person’s home;
    fools put it all out for yard sales.
21 Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind
    finds life itself—glorious life!
22 One sage entered a whole city of armed soldiers—
    their trusted defenses fell to pieces!
23 Watch your words and hold your tongue;
    you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.
24 You know their names—Brash, Impudent, Blasphemer—
    intemperate hotheads, every one.
25 Lazy people finally die of hunger
    because they won’t get up and go to work.
26 Sinners are always wanting what they don’t have;
    the God-loyal are always giving what they do have.
27 Religious performance by the wicked stinks;
    it’s even worse when they use it to get ahead.
28 A lying witness is unconvincing;
    a person who speaks truth is respected.
29 Unscrupulous people fake it a lot;
    honest people are sure of their steps.
30 Nothing clever, nothing conceived, nothing contrived,
    can get the better of God.
31 Do your best, prepare for the worst—
    then trust God to bring victory.
"Worth The Effort" by David J. Felter
It had been one of those hot, humid summers on the saltwater-surrounded island. The absence of air-conditioning meant that every window in the house was open and poised to capture the slightest breeze.
Off in the distance you could hear the gentle lapping of the Chesapeake Bay, where commercial fishermen ceaselessly toiled in their boats. Some worked large seine nets as they fished for menhaden (herring), which had a disproportionately high value for their size.
One July night, while the world seemed to sleep, sounds of all sorts began to erupt from the darkness. Fishermen who had faithfully but fruitlessly been dragging their purse seine nets with so little to show for their efforts suddenly found them bursting with fish. Immediately the boats began to arrive at the docks fairly overflowing with fish.
The news spread. People awakened to the sounds of car horns and lights filled the darkened houses as news of the catch came ashore. Fishermen who had grown weary from the heat and long hours were suddenly flushed with income. Sore backs and calloused hands were forgotten because perseverance had paid off.
So it is when we tirelessly pursue God.
Hymn for Today:

"When We All Get To Heaven" by Eliza E.Hewitt
1. Sing the wondrous love of Jesus; 
sing his mercy and his grace. 
In the mansions bright and blessed 
he'll prepare for us a place. 
Refrain:
When we all get to heaven, 
what a day of rejoicing that will be! 
When we all see Jesus, 
we'll sing and shout the victory! 
2. While we walk the pilgrim pathway, 
clouds will overspread the sky; 
but when traveling days are over, 
not a shadow, not a sigh.
Refrain:
When we all get to heaven, 
what a day of rejoicing that will be! 
When we all see Jesus, 
we'll sing and shout the victory!
3. Let us then be true and faithful, 
trusting, serving every day; 
just one glimpse of him in glory 
will the toils of life repay. 
Refrain:
When we all get to heaven, 
what a day of rejoicing that will be! 
When we all see Jesus, 
we'll sing and shout the victory!
4. Onward to the prize before us! 
Soon his beauty we'll behold; 
soon the pearly gates will open; 
we shall tread the streets of gold. 

Refrain:
When we all get to heaven, 
what a day of rejoicing that will be! 
When we all see Jesus, 
we'll sing and shout the victory!

Thought for Today: 

“Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work."(Colossians 3:22-25).
Prayer Needs:
For the compassionate ministries among the poor and in diasaster areas of Mesoamerica.
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