<div>God's grace is sufficient for us. We are saved by grace, through faith--<em>not of works</em>, lest any man should boast. Yet we are also called to "work out our salvation" with fear and much trembling. So, what is it? Should we be hard at work for God, or hardly working at all? Is our faith active, or passive; or perhaps actively passive, or passively active?</div> <div> </div> <div>In so many ways, we mistakenly try to work our way toward God's favor, as if there was anything we could do that would improve on the incredible sacrifice He made for us at the cross to pay our price in full. Yet, most of us have also discovered that when it comes to our daily walk with God, and our ministries for Him--like most everything else in life--we get out of it what we're willing to put into it. <em>Truly, we reap what we sow.</em></div> <div> </div> <div>As we seek to be a church that reaches our community and disciples believers in their faith, one thing is for certain: <em>good ministry requires hard work</em>. Of course, more than that, it requires God's work, and we should be constantly and dependently praying for His hand of work among us. But there's no getting around the fact that our ministries bear fruit in accordance to our willingness to give of ourselves in service to the Lord, for His glory.</div> <div> </div> <div>Check out the common theme in these many verses from the New Testament:</div> <blockquote><div>"<em>Make every effort</em>to enter through the narrow door (God's way)..." (Luke 13:24)</div> <div> </div> <div>"<em>Make every effort</em>to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (Romans 14:19)</div> <div> </div> <div>"<em>Make every effort</em>to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3)</div> <div> </div> <div>"<em>Make every effort</em>to enter that rest (God's rest for His people)." (Hebrews 4:11)</div> <div> </div> <div>"<em>Make every effort</em>to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no man shall see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14)</div> <div> </div> <div>"<em>Make every effort</em>to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." (2 Peter 1:5)</div> <div> </div> <div>"<em>Make every effort</em>to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with the Lord." (2 Peter 3:14)</div> </blockquote> <div>God has done so much for us, and it's so exciting to see how He is at work in the life of our church these days. Let's be sure than in our walk with Him--and our service for Him--we give Him our best and <em>make every effort</em>to serve Him with our whole heart and give Him the glory He's due.</div> <div> </div> <div>I'm praying for you, as I hope you are for me, and I look forward to seeing you Sunday.</div> <div> </div> <div>--<em>Pastor Ken</em></div> <p>]]</p>