An opinion poll was conducted recently with the focus on views and preferences about change. The survey sought to knowhow daring people can be, in moving from a routine exercise to a completely different one, especially with an uncertain result in view. Though it was conducted randomly, the sample population was carefully chosen to represent different groups of people. The topmost response was the concern of possibly incurring loss or misfortune. People were betrayed by their emotions, fearing some nonspecific danger, they chose to back out, rather than give the new exercise a shot.
As I thought about the anxiety displayed by people in this opinion poll, I was disturbed about how they could be so scared of a mission yet to be embarked on. I asked myself the following questions: Would there have been a faster way to travel if the thought of inventing an aeroplane was horrific? Would communication be this easy across great distances if the telephone and internet were so much dreaded that we stuck to the traditional means of sending human or bird messengers? Also, would there be salvation and eternal hope, if Jesus was not willing to die for the world, because He considered the possibility of not having a single person accept him as Saviour, a risk too great?
In this article, I am highlighting three lessons from the lives of few people who saw some manoeuvrings and identified them as opportunities instead of misfortune. The unique commonality was their approach or first moves. They were spontaneous moves devoid of anxiety or apprehension; they were filled with hope, expectation and high optimism.
1.A momentary setback is not an indication of a wrong move
While you are on course, you may experience a setback, challenge or delay; never mind, it does not suggest that the move was wrong. Paul’s missionary work was punctuated with some prison experiences. Some Bible scholars argue that Paul could have avoided at least one of those prison experiences, if he took heed to the warning of Prophet Agabus that he would be bound in Jerusalem. However, his trials and imprisonment afforded him the opportunity of appearing in major palaces in his time, captivating the attention of world rulers who were then kingdom or empire rulers. He witnessed to them the testimony of the good news. In Philippians 1:12-14(MSG) for example, Paul stated“I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else too, found out that I’m in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they’ve learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the Christians here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah”.
- Consistently affirm and maintain your Vision
The events that led to Joseph becoming the Prime Minister of Egypt started out very dangerously, and filled with life-threatening activities. In Genesis 37:5,when Joseph shared his dream with his parents and his jealous siblings, his siblings hated him the more. As you may be familiar with the story, after he shared two of such dreams of greatness with them, they got enraged and ganged up to kill him. After he was sold into Egypt, Joseph remained unwavering in his faith, and refrained from sinning against God. He was eventually imprisoned then moved to the palace in Genesis chapter 41.
Joseph never mistook the opportunities ahead for a misfortune waiting to unfold. For some others, it may appear to be too risky sharing and affirming such revelations. Even if we are bold to share our vision with others, we may be intimidated to continually affirm what God has revealed to us, especially if we are scolded the first time. But in Joseph, we see a fearless and focused individual who was ready to follow as the Lord leads.
- God will manifest His will when you move (act) in obedience.
In Acts 16: 9-40 (GW), Paul’s obedience to God’s instruction led to an unprecedented move of the spirit with signs and wonders. People gave their lives to Jesus, and the demon possessed was let loose. Though they were thrown into prison after being openly beaten and humiliated, this led to massive conversion of souls through the earthquake experience in the prison where Paul and Silas were jailed. When Paul set out to obey the instruction in the vision at night, he never had the inclination that events were going to turn out such that they will stand before magistrates to witness Christ and convert a soldier with his family.
“During the night Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia. The man urged Paul, come to Macedonia to help us. As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we immediately looked for a way to go to Macedonia. We concluded that God had called us to tell the people of Macedonia about the Good News… One day when we were going to the place of prayer, a female servant met us. She was possessed by an evil spirit that told fortunes. She made a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes… Paul became annoyed, turned to the evil spirit, and said, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! As Paul said this, the evil spirit left her. When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them to the authorities in the public square. In front of the Roman officials, they said, these men are stirring up a lot of trouble in our city… The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas. Then the officials tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and ordered the guards to beat them with sticks. After they had hit Paul and Silas many times, they threw them in jail and ordered the jailer to keep them under tight security… Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God. The other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the foundations of the jail. All the doors immediately flew open, and all the prisoners’ chains came loose. The jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open. Thinking the prisoners had escaped, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul shouted as loudly as he could, “Don’t hurt yourself! We’re all here! The jailer asked for torches and rushed into the jail. He was trembling as he knelt in front of Paul and Silas. Then he took Paul and Silas outside and asked, Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved? They answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will be saved. They spoke the Lord’s word to the jailer and everyone in his home. At that hour of the night, the jailer washed Paul and Silas’ wounds. The jailer and his entire family were baptized immediately. He took Paul and Silas upstairs into his home and gave them something to eat. He and his family were thrilled to be believers in God…”
When God orchestrates such moves termed ‘risky’ by humans, there is always an expected end, or a future plan; the results are always dumbfounding. Therefore, rather than becloud your mind with the thought of misfortune that may be associated with a nudging by the spirit of God, forcefully advance with the thought of enormous possibilities.
Adeyiga Awomuti
He that is born of flesh is flesh, and he that is born of the Spirit is spirit. There is a spiritual side to us, which is more important than our physical side. In everything as Christians, we must act from and by the spirit.
Our heavenly account is of more importance than our earthly account and we must consciously pay attention to its operation.
Yes we all have a heavenly account and Jesus warned that we pay more attention to this account than we do to our earthly account. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20)
That means you can lay up treasures here on earth, and you can do the same thing in heaven from your time on earth!
“Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens.”(Luke 12:33)
When bank accounts were held in bags, Jesus taught that there was another bag account in the heavens.
Paul also referred to this account in the admonition to the church in Philippians: “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”(Philippians 4:17)
So, we all have a heavenly account. This account is operated in similar ways to how we operate our bank account. You can make deposits and withdrawals at will. But like Jesus said, the account in heaven has major advantages:
It is not subject to loss of whatever kind: no economic upheaval , inflation nor financial system collapse can affect it.
It gives more than monetary returns and for me this is the greatest. Most people lay too much emphasis on “cash”, but the blessings of God maketh complete/whole. It ensures we don’t have emergencies- that means you will not suddenly have a need or an issue you do not have the capacity to meet. It ensures provision and need come side by side. When there is a need, then the resource is available. When you make deposits in this account, a penny with you achieves so much compared to a million in the world. I tell you it is a typical case of give five loaves and two fishes and have more than enough supply to feed a multitude and still have excess! And whatever you cannot afford in a sense you receive for free! A pastor once explained this phenomenon to me in another light; he said even when he does not have the “asset “he always has “access”. Wow! There are a million and one things all the money in the world cannot give you. But the proceeds from your heavenly account gives you access to them.
Another benefit is that your heavenly account is managed by God. And no one gives better returns than Him. Your deposits keeps speaking and bearing fruits.
I am blessed by the story of Cornelius told in Acts 10. Apparently when the time came to pour out the spirit on the Gentiles, God started with a man who had made constant deposits to his heavenly account. “His prayers and gifts to the poor came up as a memorial offering before God”. At that time he was unsaved, but God still kept a record of all the deposits he ever made and rewarded him with the Gift of Gifts!
So how do you make deposits and withdrawals into this account we all have?
Deposit!
As long as the earth remains, seed time and harvest will not cease! Deposits are made in seed time. It is giving time. Anytime we give, we make a deposit into our heavenly account.
Phil 4: 15-17, our seeds or giving is a direct deposit to our account.These accounts can abound and increase through giving to the poor (Proverbs 19:17) Giving to the poor on earth makes an instant deposit in heaven. Jesus said whatsoever you do to the least of them, you do directly to Him. Making any type of investment into the preaching of the Gospel (Mark 10:29,30) and giving simply as praise to God are also deposits to the heavenly account.
So Luke 12:33 says “sell that ye have, and give alms, provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19 also says “charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on to eternal life.”
If all you have is a heavy earthly account then your tomorrow is uncertain. Money has failed to save anyone. So focus on your heavenly account through giving, and lay up in store for yourself a good foundation for the time to come.
If giving had no returns I will still give. I cannot imagine a life where I cannot share my resources, my time, my talents and the gift that God has made me, and put in me. Life will be without worth if I cannot give and receive a smile, a hug and a prayer from another person. But thanks be to God because we can make withdrawals from our heavenly account and receiving follows giving.
Withdrawing
Let everyman be a liar, God remains true. The scripture cannot be broken. Our deposits are securely received and multiplied by God. Many have been taught to give, but few Christians expect or know how to receive and withdraw from heaven.
But God who cannot lie affirmed that as we give, it shall be given back to us, good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give to our bosom. And also affirms that He is able to make all grace abound towards us that we always having all sufficiency in all things may abound unto every good work!
The first step to making withdrawals is to have the confidence and consciousness that you have an account you have a right to at anytime. This is key; confident faith and a consciousness. This should lead to an unwavering expectation. Expect always a return on your investment. When you go out, expect to be blessed because men giving to your bosom is a form of withdrawal.
Expect things to work for you. When men fail all over, you win because your account has to be multiplied for you. In Malachi,God said test me and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour you down a blessing there will not be room enough to receive it. It’ is confident faith, consciousness and an unwavering expectation at all times that we use to withdraw from heaven.
And finally make verbal demands on your account. Exploit the power of your tongue. A man shall eat good by the fruits of his lips and by the increase he shall be satisfied. When you need anything call it. Say you have it. I have should replace I need. Your faith produces the consciousness which creates an expectation. And out of the abundance of that expectation your mouth speaks forth. That’ is how you make a withdrawal. Be conscious of that. God expects you to expect to receive. He expects you to draw on your heavenly account.
You have an account in the heavens. Use it well. As ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace of giving also. (2 Corinthians 8:7).
We are blessed.
Emmanuel A Aladenusi
| “Then he brought me back to the door of the temple: and there was water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, the water was flowing from the right side of the temple, south of the alter … And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish because these waters go there; for THEY WILL BE HEALED and EVERYTHING WILL LIVE WHEREVER THE RIVER GOES.” NKJV Ezekiel 47: 1 & 9
Just reading the above scripture gives me goose bumps and sends cold chills down my spine because it brings to my remembrance again the tremendous healing power that is available to me as a child of God. The good thing is, not only is this power available to you, it can be available to others through you. If you are a child of God, you’ve got healing waters in you. In the above passage the Spirit of God was busy revealing to the prophet Ezekiel the glory of the temple to come. A temple that was going to be an epitome of perfection and beauty; a temple that will be built according to God’s original design. This temple of Ezekiel, contrary to the beliefs of some is not referring to some futuristic temple that will be built in Jerusalem when Jesus comes again. How do I know that? Because the Bible categorically states that God does not dwell in temples made with hands. (Acts7:48). The Bible also categorically states that WE (The body of Christ both individually and collectively) are the temple of God. (I Cor 3:16, II Cor 6:16).
I therefore submit to you that the temple that Ezekiel saw was directly (not indirectly) pointing to the church of Jesus Christ and to you as an individual believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, it was this scripture in particular that Jesus was referring to when he gave his invitation to all who were thirsty. “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, AS THE SCRIPTURE HAS SAID, out of his heart will flow rivers of LIVING WATER.” NKJV John 7:37-38. There are many references in the Old Testament to ‘water’, but the only reference to ‘living water’ was the scripture we quoted from Ezekiel 47. So, in essence, Jesus interpreted that scripture for us and said that the temple that Ezekiel saw represented those that believe in him and the rivers of living waters flowing out from beneath the altar represented the living waters that would flow out of the hearts or spirits of those who believe in him. Now that we have this background, we can better understand the message of Ezekiel 47. Within you, child of God, is a mighty river and this river flows out to bring healing wherever it goes. The Bible says, ‘EVERYTHING WILL LIVE WHEREVER THE RIVER GOES.’ This is a sovereign declaration of Almighty God. This is the word of God that cannot fail. Have you received the life of Jesus into you? Do you have the Holy Spirit living in you? Then, my brother, my sister, you have all the healing in the world that you will ever need waiting to burst out not from heaven, but from within your own spirit. The healing waters of God will flow out from your spirit and bring healing to you. I don’t care what the sickness is. There’s healing for you today in God’s mighty river of healing power. It’s in you! – Dr. Daniel Oyebamiji |
I never knew it had happened to someone else until I heard the song.
Shattered dreams, shattered dreams
Nothing I planned had turned out right,
Shattered dreams, shattered dreams,
My life without Christ is shattered dreams
As I listened, my mind went down memory lane, years back. Very early in life, I had already laid out plans of what I wanted out of life. I saw my classmates failing exams; I was always coming out in flying colours. Some fell sick and had to drop in class; my ill-health cases were never severe. Some of my colleagues lost their parent that early. Others struggled to eat thrice a day; I always whistle with filled stomach. I could still remember my classmates that died.
It seemed I was untouchable. Life was treating me fine. My plans were working out. I thought it would continue, but I was wrong.
Like a fierce wind, coming first as a gentle breeze, life troubles came upon me. My health started failing me. Before I could settle that, my academics careened down the slope. I saw my dream of a blissful love-life drifting away like the mist in the air. Things were falling apart. All efforts to fix back my life proved abortive.
Helpless, I watched my hope for living ticking away. My very existence was at stake. That was when I shouted for help from my Maker. Jesus came to the rescue. When He told me to surrender and follow Him, I willingly obeyed. And I was saved. Then I understood that all my plans without Christ were nothing but shattered dreams.
– okenna igbokwe
Yesterday, we had arranged to meet with a friend of mine to strike a certain deal. That was supposed to be at 3.00pm. I was also attending a church retreat from 11.00am. He called at 2.45pm to announce that he was already at the venue. Guess what? I was miles upon miles away from the place, still enjoying the aura of the retreat. I tried to guzzle the traffic jam and other road distractions but got to the venue forty minutes late. His greeting was, “I can see you are a typical African, you can’t keep to time”. I stood there sheepishly, trying to drown his last word with “er…er, I’m really sorry”. It felt awful because he is a Muslim and I am a Christian yet he had won the bragging rights. I had let distractions creep in and steal my time with him.
Time can never be created, so the saying goes. It is true. But wait. Have you ever tried to fit wool into a sack? You will be amazed how much space the sack affords each time you press the wool hard. You will discover that the sack can actually carry more wool than you ever imagined. You will eventually say that you created some space until all the wool fitted. In reality, you didn’t create any space. You just squeezed the wool into the already existing space. This is the same case with time. We can always squeeze all our tasks and afford some spare time if we learned basic truths about creating time…..or should I say saving time. We can save time if we:
- Avoid time-wasters. Time wasters are things that eat into our time while we remain sub-conscious about them. These may be people, object, ideas and such other things. These include but are not limited to gossips, fantasies, day-dreaming, worries, disorganized desks and so on. These can be avoided if we choose to. Remember it’s about choice not about possibility. Certainly it is possible to avoid time-wasters but if a determined choice has not been made to do so, then it will never happen. If we avoid gossips, fantasizing, worrying and organize our desks and working environment, then we can save (I mean create time)
- Prioritize. Some of the text messages we receive can be read when we are taking our lunch or even when we get home after the day’s work. This means we should peruse through and leave them alone for later attention. Some calls can also be drowned with a polite “can I call you later, probably in the evening?” Those emails, messages and other things which are urgent and important should be considered first. Then comes those that are urgent but not important, which we can delegate if we have a delegatee. If we don’t have one, we can go through them quickly since they are likely to be short in nature and requiring short response. Things which are important but not urgent can be done in phases, bearing in mind the deadline. Last comes things which are not urgent and not important which should be ignored till when we want to attend to them at our own pleasure rather than pressure.
(To be continued)
– johnstone katuku
The church, a single but worldwide congregation of brethren whose sins had been washed by the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, is looking for individuals.
Qualification
Simply ABC. They must:
A: Acknowledge that they are sinners, thereby marked out for judgment in which they are unable to save themselves.
B: Believe that there is no other who is able to save them from this coming doom, except the One sent from heaven, Jesus Christ, the saviour.
C: Accept the gift of salvation from Jesus Christ and be willing to yield to His leading throughout their lifetime.
Job Description
Qualified candidates are expected to lay down their life to Master Jesus Christ, and use their talent, money, aspirations…for His work.
Candidates Background
The rich, the poor, the sick, the dejected…both small and big…young and old, who decides today to embrace the simple ABC qualifications listed above.
Remuneration
- Divine Nature
- More than Trillion years ownership of the street of GOLD
- Ambassadorial Portfolio to the Earth
- Hope in this life and in the one to come
- A life that makes work meaningful and pleasurable
Announcer – okenna obi-igbokwe
| 2 Thess. 3:10-13 ‘For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies’.
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
Here the Bible has a general rule: he who does not work shall not eat. It is therefore apparent that refusing to work is a form of disobeying God. Paul himself used to work though he was a missionary and a propagator of the gospel. He knew he would set a bad example for others if he shunned work. Paul had a real right to depend on the church hence he says in 2 Corinthians 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? Freely? What does this mean? It simply means that Paul had the right to charge the church at Corinth for the gospel he took to them. What charges are these? This is not gospel fees but support. Yet Paul worked for his own supply, that he may highlight the importance of working.
I have a colleague at work who told me it has been hard for him to surrender his life to Christ because of his elder born-again brother who has shunned work. He fears that “deep” Christianity may make him behave like his brother, who doesn’t look for a job though he graduated two years ago. He is just crisscrossing the country, attending conferences and Christian gatherings. Is there any wrong with such? No there isn’t and yes there is. No because putting God first is crucial to any person who is aiming to be successful in this age and the age to come. Yes because first he may set a bad example to his siblings as the first-born. Then there comes the question of provision to the family. The ageing parents expect him to help in educating the siblings. Does he? Definitely he doesn’t. Now he depends on his younger brother for provision of personal necessities including clothing. The younger brother explains “I have talked to my elder brother to join full-time ministry or look for a job but he does neither”. How can this chap convince his younger brother that Christ is sweet when he is already a burden to him? How? There’s no way. Consequently his brother fears that “deep faith” may cause him to become careless in life. If this elder brother began working, then his younger brother may consider handing his life over to Christ. The conclusion is that work is important, it is a way of obedience to God; it is a way of preaching the gospel of Christ.
– johnstone katuku
|
Extreme of everything is poisonous. Extreme hunger causes starvation and malnutrition. Excess eating cause stomach upsets and pains. Excess rains causes flooding. Excess dearth causes death and devastation. Such is the case in the country I live in. Part of the Kenya is desert while other part borders Indian Ocean, another part is next to a major lake, another part still is highlands known as ‘White Highlands’. The highlands get evenly distributed rains and have become the granary of the country. The land bordering the ocean is lowland and is prone to occasional flooding due to sporadic convectional rains. Same applies to the lake region. In the desert region, things are more pathetic. The herdsmen had to battle with all mannerisms developed by their cattle namely licking droplets of water in dry taps. The image of a cow smelling and licking a dry tap caught the cameras of the cameramen in 2006. Too much rain in the lake and coastal regions has been causing damage. Too much drought in the desert region on the other hand has resulted to devastation.
For some people, Ecclesiastes Two Eleven is the guiding principle when it comes to toiling. “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun”.
Why do I work for no profit then? Those who follow this principle in extremism shun all work and decide to spend time either doing non-profitable things or doing nothing. The end results? I guess everyone knows. An idle mind provides a platform for deceptions of the enemy. That’s what Eve and Adam experienced in the Garden of Eden. Theirs was to move around enjoying the creation. They didn’t look for food as food was there. They didn’t need clothes since they were covered by the glory of God, thus they were not naked. The serpent approached Eve and deceived her. Her wills were strong and her husband could not avoid being deceived too. Humanity got a curse from their action. Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Paul has a warning to the church at Thessalonica.
2 Thess. 3:10-13 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
(Catch the action in this page next week)
-johnstone katuku
A certain father was always busy pursuing his career. So busy was he that he did not have time even for his growing son. One day his son decided to have a tête-à-tête with him. He began “father how much is each of your hour valued?” the father not aware of the trap responded magnanimously “50 dollars son, you want to help me with work or is it some bucks you want?” I’ll tell you someday dad. The son by all means gathered some coins till he got 200 dollars. Then he waited for his father with all joy. When the father came home, the son ran to him and said, “Dad I have got great news for you”. “What is it son?” asked the unsuspecting father. The son replied, “Father, can I buy four of your hours and spend time with you? I love you so much dad and I would like to have some close moment with you. The father, after some thought replied with tearful eyes, I’m sorry son I know I have acted irresponsibly. I should have set sometime of my busy schedule to be with you”.
I hope right now your kids are not saving some bucks in order to have some of your time?
– johnstone katuku
Scores of people in my country usually look forward to weekends so that they can relax from the arduous task of going to work for five consecutive days in a week. So relieved are many people that on Friday the mood is a weekend one. In government offices, workers leave their coats in their seats and disappear for their weekends. People coming to be served are informed that these workers have just gone out and will be back in a moment. But the truth of the matter is they are off for their weekends.
Codes of conduct and ethical principles have done little to eliminate this vice in public offices. The call for patriotism by our government spokesperson has done little either. The reason for this is that the implementers have turned to be the perpetrators of the practice. Some do not even appear on Friday. Slow pace is what marks most public offices in my country. A thing that would normally take hours to sort out may take months, or at least weeks. I once tried to follow up a refund of my overpaid fees in the university. It was about three thousand shillings. Well, eight weeks into it, the refund was within a striking distance. Then there was a strike in the university and so the process had to be halted. On resumption, I was told I had to restart the claim process. This time round I was taken through phases that I hadn’t gone through during the first time. I was fed up and I gave up the “fight” … and my money. That was not before I witnessed a real incident of systematic soldiering (slowing down everything). I was shell-shocked when a certain lady complained that it was her fifth time coming there to follow her results. And that’s not what shocked me. What fazed me was the response from the university attendant. All she could exclaim was…”this is your fifth time only? People have come here eleven times!’’
As Christians whatever we do should be done as unto Christ and not as unto men. Servants should give the best to their masters knowing that they derive their livelihood from them.
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him – Ephesians 6:5-9
Doing good work is a way of preaching out the gospel. When the masters are pleased, we provide an avenue for them to ask some soul-searching questions, may be leading to their conversion. Some masters are unscrupulous, always mistreating their servants but GOD is not a respecter of any persons and he will avenge our mistreatments (Romans 12:19). Finally let us overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21) by doing good works.
– johnstone katuku