1 Peter 4:7-11
Amplified Bible

Serving for God’s Glory

⁷ The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.] ⁸ Above all, have ^[a]fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others]. ⁹ Be ^[b]hospitable to one another without complaint. ¹⁰ Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor]. ¹¹ Whoever speaks [to the congregation], is to do so as one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves [the congregation] is to do so as one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified [honored and magnified] through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

As we come to the end of the Church Age, it is very important that what we do be for the glory of God and not for self-recognition. Remember the praises of mankind is temporary. The world is fickle. They love a person one day and despise them the next. Even in the Church people forget easily and move on to admire someone new.

What is important is to seek to please our Heavenly Father! Working for God does not always please others. The family of the Pastor who married me and my hubby unfriended me on Facebook because they were offended by my posts on sin.

It is very important that our motivation be to please God and not mankind. If you work for God very long, you will offend someone and often it is not the sinner but a fellow Christian. We must be willing to do what God tells us even when others are offended.

Do your work for God in love and allow God to deal with the consequences. Trust in God and seek comfort from Him when your feelings are hurt. God will sustain us through all situations.

Victory is ahead! Our home in Heaven awaits us. Do not give up. Heaven will be worth it all.
Betty