DO MORE THAN IS EXPECTED

Time with Jesus - 10 July 2013

Hi all,

Some of us talk about “initiative”. It seems to be a quality of life sadly missing all over the world. I’m told that it is severely absent in Africa, mainly because of the “hand out mentality” pervading the continent. But what is it? The Free Dictionary defines it as follows. “The power or ability to begin, or to follow through energetically, with a plan or task. i.e. enterprise and determination”. The Wiktionary, (the free dictionary) defines it as “The ability to act first or on one's own”.

In some respects, the Trades Unions have inhibited initiative. So have the introductions of job descriptions. It’s difficult to “get on with the job” when the unions are constantly on the lookout for people doing work they shouldn’t be doing. 

I experienced a sample of this in Canada in the 1970’s. I wanted a device removed and its dimensions checked with an ordinary steel ruler. In the UK a commissioning engineer did this sort of thing as a part of their engineering responsibilities. As soon as I started doing so, the shop steward wanted to know what I was doing. I told him about wanting to check certain measurements. He commented that doing so was a task for his union. He would have to get the job done by a union member and provide me with the dimensions. 

I had to apologise to him. I’d only been in Canada for a couple of weeks and I hadn’t yet learned the right way to work with the union. It was a lesson for me in Union rules and regulations. I was subsequently advised that they did what was required; nothing, more or less. Where more than one union was involved in a task, each would do their own defined portion. They would watch each other till the job was finished. In this way, initiative was hampered.

Willingness to act on one’s own doesn’t happen much in South Africa. Our public hospitals have become some of the filthiest in Africa. The reason is, the wards must only be cleaned by the cleaning staff. The nurses look at any mess and leave it. Cleaning it up is not included in their job description. So things get ignored, even though the condition of the patients is in jeopardy.

Is it possible to be a Christian without using one’s initiative? I’m not certain how anyone can testify or speak about Jesus without making use of opportunities presented in day to day life. It’s unlikely that we will ever find a notice on the wall saying that it is now time to speak to someone. It doesn’t work that way!

Paul, in his second letter to Timothy wrote: ² Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 2 Tim 4:2 NLT

There will never be a “perfect” time to speak about Jesus. At the same time, speaking about Jesus must never be done in an objectionable way. We need to attract people to Jesus with our words and lifestyle. If we are objectionable as we speak to others, they will say to themselves, “How do I get away from this guy?” If we do that, we may have pushed someone away from the Gospel permanently. I’ve seen it happen on several occasions. It’s something we need to bear in mind as we journey through life. 

Yes, we need to be prepared to “speak up” for Jesus at any time; whether we feel like it or not. We also need to use our initiative. Yes, it’s a difficult requirement. But we are not alone. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into the right opportunities. He will do exactly that.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 10 July 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	DO MORE THAN IS EXPECTED
In the newspaper several weeks ago, there was a complaint by a student concerning her exam results. She ended up with 99.95% and was complaining that she should have received 100% Personally; I admire her for her very high achievement. 99.95% is a fabulous result for an examination. During my days at school, 40% was the pass mark. We all tried to do better and usually we were successful. Did you enjoy writing examinations? Most of the time I enjoyed. I suppose it was a matter of the effort you had put in. I have heard it said that if 40% is the pass mark and you get 41% it represents 1% wasted effort. A similar question goes like this. Two medical students write their final exams. A pass mark of 50% is required. One of the students get 90% and the other 51% What do you call them? The answer is you call both of them Doctor. The next question is which Doctor would you prefer to consult? How does this affect us in our Christian Faith? First of all we need to realise that there is no such thing as a part time Christian. It’s not possible to be 50% Christian and 50% pagan. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is recorded as having said: 24 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24 NLT It is just as true today as it was ±2000 years ago! In spite of this many Christians think they can. On Wednesday evenings and all day Sunday, they are Christian. For the rest of the week they are anything but Christian! This doesn’t work. King Solomon, the man who (supposedly) wrote Ecclesiastes, was in something of a bad humour when he wrote: 10 Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. Ecclesiastes 9:10 NLT Another way to put it is to say, “This isn’t a dress rehearsal. You only get one shot at life!” We need to be radical Christians. Anything less than 100% is only serving God part time. The young woman’s 99.95% does not qualify her as being a Christian. Yes, there are problems and difficult circumstances. How would you feel if Jesus said to you He will only be with you 99.95% of the time? You would ask Him, “Lord, please tell me when You are not around. That’s when Satan’s attack will be the greatest.” On top of this, it’s time to realise that every moment in life is your time for being a witness for Christ! I’m not talking about speaking but about life itself. In this 21st century, what you are speaks much louder than what you say. So do more than your best for Jesus. How can we do better than 100%? Jesus will show you. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			26 O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways. Proverbs 23:26 NLT	What is it that excites you? Is it the good or bad? The way you take a look at things, will make you sad or glad? But what will give you confidence, is following My way. Know that it will thrill you for your remaining days. But many do not fear Me. My Word, they won’t obey. If only they would do it; things wouldn’t go astray. If they would live forever, with all the family, They have to change direction and follow after Me. But at this very moment, things are not going right. Because your heart’s not with me, you’re sure to lose the fight. Your attitude before Me has got to be correct. If not, you’ll have a setback you never would expect. Stop looking at the hindrance; stop focussing on you! The situation will not change, if you don’t change your view. For those who fix their focus, on anyone but God, Will find that it’s a rocky road on which their feet have trod. The Lord will not approve of it, if He has been ignored, And you will reap the judgement of his terrible swift sword. My friend, don’t treat this lightly. He knows what’s going on. A Holy God will not approve of anything that’s wrong! It always leads to judgement and you are sure to lose. Now’s the time for taking sides. Which is it you will choose? Do more than is expected. You were not made a wimp. And you are not expected to be a spineless shrimp. So give yourself completely, to Him Who reigns on high. You will either follow Him, or you will surely die. Be like Hezekiah; incorporate God’s law, In every little move you make. Don’t think you can explore, The outer limits of His grace; for if you would succeed, The time has come to follow Him in word and truth and deed. Whatever else you choose to do, I bid you guard your heart. That’s where everything we do gets its initial start. Work with everything you have. Put all your energy, In doing what the Lord requires and not half-heartedly. Jesus is your Master; so be His willing slave. Whatever He requires of you is how you must behave. Do it with a willing heart, a servant of the King. Surely He will free you from all this world might bring. Jim Strickland Written 10th July 2012
			29 If only they would fear me and obey all my commandments as long as they live! Then things would go well for them and their children forever. Deuteronomy 5:29 GW
			21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Acts 8:21 ESV
			7 Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self, ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. 8 And God isn't pleased at being ignored. Romans 8:7-8 MSG
			5 They did more than we expected. First they gave themselves to the Lord. Then they gave themselves to us in keeping with what God wanted. 2 Corinthians 8:5 NIrV
			21 Hezekiah incorporated Moses' Teachings and commands into worship and dedicated his life to serving God. Whatever he did for the worship in God's temple, he did wholeheartedly, and he succeeded. 2 Chronicles 31:21 GW
			23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 TNIV
			23 Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23 NIrV
			6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Ephesians 6:6-7 NLT
			32 I am quick to follow your commands, because you have set my heart free. Psalms 119:32 NIrV