FAITHFUL TO OUR CALLING UNTIL THE VERY END

Watched a rerun of the movie Titanic with my family. My favorite scene was the 4-piece string band playing beautiful, soothing music on the deck while others were frantically scrambling for their lives. When the end was imminent, the leader of the band thanked the group and told them how it was an honor to have played together with them. As his group members walked away to join the rest of the passengers to look for a lifeboat, the leader of the band remained and started playing on his own. Hearing that, the three members turned back and joined their leader and they played on. What a depiction of devotion, faithfulness and dedication to the task and fierce loyalty to one another!!.

I was glad to read that this scene was real and not made up just for the movie. Harold Bride, the Titanic junior wireless operator who survived gave eyewitness account in his interview with the New York Times, "The way the band kept playing was a noble thing. I heard it first while we were still working the wireless, when there was a ragtime tune for us, and the last I saw of the band, when I was floating out in the sea with my lifebelt on, it was still on the deck playing 'Autumn'. How they ever did it, I can't imagine"

From Pastor Lily Chin[above] (One of our pastors/intercessor/my prayer partner) who looks after the Myanmar Ministry-

On 24th June i had a vision of Jesus and myself in a garden. There was a small tree which began to grow big and as it grew, the Lord put me on His shoulder so that i can touch the heights of the tree. I saw a good fruit and i wanted to pluck it but the Lord cautioned me "No human tampering." So i let go of my hand in obedience and know what, that tree became a masterpiece! I guess the Lord is still working on this. On the days that followed, other prophetic words came "I will set the pace for you and will expand My truths within you."
Today during staff devotion the Lord reminded me that as we stay consecrated to Him, He will open the Red Sea and we can pass thru. He will work wonders in our midst. Pr. Ron also shared that in the life of Abraham who tried to run ahead of God and ended up in a mess because he tried to depend on his human effort. Sometimes God in His mercy and wisdom wants us to bring our vision before Him and allow it to "die" before He can do a complete and thorough work in us. There is a compelling demonstration of the work of the Holy Spirit to do that in us as we consecrate ourselves to Him. After all He is the Potter and we the clay. Amen

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people" (Colossians 3:23 TEV).

How do I know if I'm doing my work for the Lord?

Two characteristics will show up in your attitude: excellence and enthusiasm.

First, if I'm doing my work, not for the boss but for the Lord, I'll do it with excellence. That means I give it my best shot—I do the best I can because I'm not doing it for anyone's approval, except God's. I do it with excellence, being the best I can be.

Second, I do my work with enthusiasm. I'm working for God, therefore, I do it with a cheerful attitude. "Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically" (Romans 12:11 NLT).When you are working with all your heart, motivated by the love of Christ, your work is transformed into an act of worship for God.

-Rick Warren

Smile the moment you wake up in the morning

because of all the opportunities and blessings

your Heavenly Father has waiting for you.

He crowns your days with His goodness

and your paths with plenty.

Your smiles reflect your faith in a God

who will take care of you in every situation.