Last week, I asked what the common theme to my quotations was. Did you get it? I’m sure you all did, it was really rather straight forward - enthusiasm.

This week I would like to start with three quotations that come from the Word of God, the Bible.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23 –24

“Then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Over the last few weeks, I have been very busy. Selling a car, studying for exams, working. It’s easy to get into a flat spin. I have been reminded that all this activity is useless if it is not for the Lord. One can be so easily distracted from what’s really important by so much activity. I think of the story of Jesus' friends, Mary and Martha. I must confess that sometimes there is a bit too much Martha in me and not enough Mary.

I could do an exegetical analysis of the texts above, but I don’t think that that would add anything to what we read in the plain English. I draw three lessons from these texts:

1) “Whatever you do” – What is it I am doing? Is it God-honoring? If not I should stop.

2) “do it with all your might” – I understand to mean, I should do my very best at it.

3) Remember who it is I am serving – The Lord Jesus Christ. Let everything I do, bring glory to God.

Wow – that is hard, and we all fall far short of that high standard – but the fantastic thing is, that if we ask God for help, He does. That is why He deserves the Glory not us.

I have seen signs around the place that have the initials A. M. D. G. – They stand for a Latin phrase – Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam - To the greater glory of God. People with those letters on their business signs are declaring that their business is for God’s glory. I hope and pray that my life can have A. M. D. G written on it.

Not much in the way of news this week, I have to admit. Briefly I have written 4 exams since Monday. Our musical at school is making progress. The teachers involved in its production had a good meeting on Thursday. Friday was “Half-term” – a day off, and I got a lot of things accomplished, and did a lot of cycling.

May God bless you all in the coming week. A.M.D.G.