2020-02-07
Ecclesiastes 5:19 NLT
Over the course of our lives, we’ll probably spend a lot of time working. Whether it’s studying, a paid job, or volunteering, God wants us to enjoy it. The Bible says: ‘To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – this is indeed a gift from God.’ The idea of working doesn’t always fill us with joy. Sometimes we struggle to get out of bed and get started on our work with a positive attitude. But we need to try to realise that God has a purpose for us where we are and in our work. When we understand that, we can begin to rejoice in our work rather than resent it, and believe that God has a plan for our future. God may have plans for us to have a different job in the future, but whatever work we’re doing right now, we need to try and glorify God in it. The Bible says: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters’ (Colossians 3:23 NIV). Sometimes we can struggle with our work because it seems like other people overlook or undervalue us. David’s family didn’t think he was qualified to be Israel’s next king, but God had a different opinion. He also had the last word. The Bible says: ‘It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall’ (Psalm 75:7 NLT). We need to be faithful and work hard where God has placed us, and when the time is right, He’ll bless us.
Isa 49-52; Matt 13:1-9; Ps 67; Prov 4:1-2
Ecclesiastes 5:19 NLT
Two-thirds of your adult life will be spent earning a living, and God wants you to enjoy it: “To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – this is indeed a gift from God.” Try to realize that God has a purpose for your being where you are. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23 NKJV). When you understand that, you begin to rejoice on the job rather than resent it, and believe that God has a plan for your future. It may be a different job, a promotion in your present job, or improving your skill set, which will result in your feeling fulfilled, knowing you are a valued and contributing team member. So with one eye on the present and another on the future, your goal should be to perform your responsibilities with efficiency and professionalism, and glorify the One whose name you carry. Learn all you can from your current position – both in skill building and in character building. Prepare yourself for what God has in mind. So what if others overlook or undervalue you? David’s family didn’t think he was qualified to be Israel’s next king, but God had a different opinion. He also had the last word. There’s an important lesson here for you. Be faithful and seek to excel where God has placed you, and when the time is right He will bless you and promote you. “It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall” (Psalm 75:7 NLT).
Soul food: Isa 49-52; Matt 13:1-9; Ps 67; Prov 4:1-2
2019-12-21
Genesis 2:15 NIV
God created the Garden of Eden, placed Adam in it, and told him to “work it.” God said, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:22 NIV). In other words, “Be successful.” But notice, there’s a definite sequence. First: God prepares a place for you. Second: He puts you in it. Third: He tells you to “work it.” Fourth: He says, “I want you to succeed.” This is called “the law of location.” You only flourish in the place where you belong, doing what God has called and equipped you to do. And you’ll have to work at it, so don’t expect it to be quick and easy. The law of location is evident throughout the Scriptures. After his life-changing encounter with God, we read, “Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared'” (Genesis 32:30 NIV). That’s when God changed his name from Jacob, which means “deceiver,” to Israel, which means “a prince with God.” God spoke to the prophet Elijah in the middle of a famine and said, “Go at once to Zarephath…I have directed a widow there to supply you with food” (1 Kings 17:9 NIV). Eden was the place of fruitfulness. Penial was the place of radical change. Zarephath was the place of divine supply. Question: Are you in the place God wants you to be? If you’re not sure, talk to Him today. “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go” (Isaiah 48:17 NKJV).
Soul food: 1 Cor 1-3; Matt 1:6b-11; Ps 113; Prov 31:14-17
2019-11-27
Psalm 32:8 NKJV
Why are you still here? When Jesus saved you, why didn’t He simply take you to heaven to be with Him? Because He’s not only interested in your final destination; He wants to do a work in you and through you on the way to it. We get impatient when it comes to God’s will for our lives. We just want to get there! But a great deal of time usually elapses between when God calls us and when we’ve fulfilled His will for our lives. And until we accept that, we’re not ready to go anywhere! We need to understand that the journey is an important process. It matters to God what you become on the way to where you’re going. And following Him in obedience through many unknowns, trials, and difficulties is an integral and indispensable part of your preparation. God uses the journey to teach you faith, refine your character, and equip you for greater challenges that lie ahead. In fact, if you’re in the process of seeking God’s will right now, you’re already fulfilling part of it in your life. God said, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.” Don’t make the mistake of thinking that because you don’t know all you’d like to, you’re not making progress. Something is happening right now. Your faith is being stretched, your patience is being developed, your doubts are being confronted and conquered, and your relationship with God is growing deeper. He always prepares us in advance for what He has planned ahead for us. Yes, the struggle is uncomfortable – but it’s a necessary part of the process.
Soul food: Josh 5:1-8:29; John 14:15-25; Ps 118:19-29; Prov 28:5-8
2019-09-12
John 8:25 NLT
Jesus was constantly under pressure. There were grueling demands on His time. He rarely had personal privacy, and He was constantly interrupted. People repeatedly misunderstood, criticized, and ridiculed Him. He was under enormous stress, yet He remained at peace under pressure. How did he do it? He based His life on eight sound principles of stress management. So for the next week let’s look at them and see what we can learn. Know who you are. “‘Who are you?’ they demanded. Jesus replied, ‘The one I have always claimed to be.'” If you don’t know who you are, others might try to tell you who they think you are. If you don’t know who you are, you’ll subconsciously let other people pressure you into believing you’re somebody you’re not. A lot of stress comes from our hiding behind masks, living double lives, being unreal with others, and trying to be somebody we’re not. Insecurity always produces pressure in our lives; when we’re insecure we feel coerced into performing and conforming. We set unrealistic standards for ourselves, and even though we work, work, work, we still can’t meet them. So what should you do? You must know who you are, and Whose you are! You’re a redeemed child of God, put on this earth not by accident but for a purpose. You are deeply loved and fully accepted by God. He has a plan for your life; therefore you are significant. To overcome stress you must know who you are, and until you deal decisively with this issue you’ll be plagued by it.
Soul food: 2 Cor 5-8; Matt 25:14-21; Ps 78:65-72; Prov 20:26-30
