Rewards-Now or Later?

“So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” (Luke 17:10)

Jesus needed His disciples to understand their proper place concerning their service to Him. They were to serve Him now for the joy ahead. This is the same way Jesus served His Father – service now / joy later. Do you think it is possible for you and me to simply serve the LORD from our heart now - without an expectation for immediate rewards?

The Lord may well affirm our faith-driven obedience. This affirmation can come through prayer,

through words of fellow-workers, through visible results, through Scripture and so many more ways. Because of our work-orientation in this life, we seem to readily apply the same to our spiritual walk. “I work and I get rewarded.”

When followers of Christ obey the Lord, they should not think they need or deserve an immediate reward from the Lord—the reward will follow when the service is completed.

So, I challenge you to count it all joy to work for the Lord, love Him for the opportunity, and continue to seek Him and His will?

—Russ Sharrock

 

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Prayer Requests

1)  In the village of dhepaguda, please pray for the man who has suffered for two years not being able to walk. Medications are not helping him.

2)  In the village of Ruguda, a mother has given birth to her baby two months premature. The baby is very weak, and has now been transported to the hospital in Paralakhemundi. Please  prayer that the baby will gain strength and grow healthy. And that the mother will soon be able to take the child home with her.

3)  Two Sundays ago, Missionary Ekalabya Jagaranga who has been trying to plant a new church in the village of Silimi in Orissa, 20 young men gathered and protested the planned ministry and worship service in this village, and threatened them with death. Out of fear for their lives, the people did not meet that Sunday. Please pray that the Lord God will change the hearts of those who threaten His people. And give the believers the faith and courage to continue to reach out with the good new of Jesus Christ.

Severe Flooding

Khammam District in North Andhra Pradesh is experiencing severe flooding. There are over 2.5

million people in this area, and thousands are being impacted by the high waters.

About 600 villages in Khammam district have been affected as flood waters overflowed on roads, bridges and culverts. Water entered many villages in Khammam and East and West Godavari districts.

Please prayerfully consider giving to help purchase Mosquito netting, medicines, food, clean water, blankets, etc. Even $10 will buy some rice and blankets. You can give on our secure website by using the Donate button below and then clicking on Disaster Relief in the drop down box. 

If you would rather send a check or money order you can send it to:

AIM 

PO Box 1597

Stillwater, OK 74076

Remember to write Disaster Relief on the memo line. Thank you.

--Russ Sharrock

Jesus—The Master Builder

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3)

The Savior has been gone for two thousand years, and has not yet returned to this earth to receive His people to Himself. So what is the plan for His people on earth between His going and coming?

He is still focused on the plan He had over 2,000 years ago when he said, “…I will build my church,

and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18b)  The head of the body, the church, is building His church during this time. The process of establishing local churches in cross-cultural environments is difficult at best, but not impossible, because Jesus is the Master church builder.

Everyone here at AIM has the privilege and responsibility of serving the head of the church, and participating in His plan as we wait for His return. Each of us has spiritual gifts and natural talents God has given to us. Jesus, the church builder, uses all kinds of people and talents as special tools to build the church around the world.

Please pray that we will keep focused on His plan for this church age. Work willingly as His tool. Wait patiently for His return. 

—Russ Sharrock