Wisdom in the Workplace (Proverbs 2:1-15)
At the beginning of his reign, King Solomon prayed for one superior gift from God. Not wealth, not long life, but something far more valuable. He asked for "an understanding heart". He asked for wisdom. A heart that would listen and be teachable. Repeatedly, I have seen the constructive outcomes of those who have pursued wisdom. This has come by those who do not have charismatic personalities, high qualifications, or are exceptionally talented. These wise people have achieved responsibility and respect for one reason; they have handled themselves wisely in their accomplishments over a long time. In their work and in their relationships, they have applied wisdom and are still receiving honor and reward. On the other hand, those who have foolishly neglected these principles eventually fell by the wayside. Wisdom works from the inside out. It must be in our heart before it can be in our actions. Doing right on the outside is important, but if things are not right on the inside, it will be revealed in time. We do not receive a lifetime supply of wisdom all at once. We must continually seek it through the pages of God’s Word and from godly counselors. The direction of our lives will be shaped by our heart attitude toward wisdom. Their Wisdom (Proverbs 2:10). It is one thing to have wisdom, it is another to delight in it. One must have wisdom to have safety, but one must also delight in wisdom to have safety. Their Warning (Proverbs 2:11). Discretion is having the right discernment which leads to right decisions. Discretion, which originates from godly wisdom, will guard and protect us from the pitfalls of life. Keep God’s principles in your heart and mind and they will guard and keep you from danger. Their Words (Proverbs 2:12). The words froward or perverse refer to anything that turns against God’s righteousness and His commands. Words are very powerful (James 3:3-5). The wicked seek to draw others onto their path by their seductive speech. If we are not on guard, the Devil will use his deceitful words to lure us away from God and His commands. Their Walk (Proverbs 2:13). The wicked deliberately turn away from the straight path that God longs for them to follow. The way of the wicked is crooked, confusing, and chaotic. This is the very opposite of the straight path of uprightness; the road God has designed for people to travel. Their Will (Proverbs 2:14). The wicked love the way they are and the way they live. They enjoy the wrong they do and take pleasure in their perversity. Their seared consciences have been numbed to the point that God’s commandments matter little to them, so they no longer feel any guilt or shame over their actions (I Timothy 4:2). Their Ways (Proverbs 2:15). The father emphasized the importance of choosing the right way or path. Godly wisdom will protect a wise person from the pitfalls of corrupt people. We need wisdom and in His Word, God revealed clearly how we can obtain it. Wisdom is not produced by our ingenuity or learning; it is given by the grace of God. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Wisdom is not reserved for a special class of believers. The promise of wisdom is available to anyone who is willing to ask for it. And God gives it freely without restraint or condemnation because of His nature. Questions to Consider: · What are some decisions you have made which you believe were wise? · What are some ways that you have sought God’s wisdom? · What moved you to act with wisdom in those situations? · What are some ways in which practicing wisdom has delivered you from danger? Points to Ponder: · Pursuing wisdom requires great effort. · Practicing wisdom results in great benefits. · We need to pursue wisdom continually and wholeheartedly. · As we receive the Word of God and develop godly wisdom, we will have the insight to make right decisions in life. Prayer, Lord, thank You for growing me in wisdom and that You offer me more and more as I immerse my mind in Your Word. Forgive me for placing pride in my own insights. Thank You that Your wisdom is an inexhaustible supply. I can never reach the end of knowing You and learning from You. Thank You for wisdom personified in Your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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One Thing I Have Desired (Psalm 27:4)
Psalm 27:4, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.” Worship a pure and precise antidote for worry. David understood that praising the Lord and being in His presence was the one thing that could disperse fear. There is safety and security in the Lord’s presence. David did not isolate himself, nor did he face his troubles alone. He gathered himself with the fellowship of believers. David didn’t enter the Lord’s house to watch but to worship. He was personally involved. We must not allow the struggles of life to seize our time spent with the Lord. Daily Passion: David’s heart cried out for the Lord." Where could he find eternal security? Where could the desires of his soul be fully satisfied? When his eyes turned toward the sanctuary, he cried, " One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. David is not just praying for deliverance from his present condition, but he also wanted to get a grip on the Lord in his relationship with Him. David wanted to live in uninterrupted enjoyment of the Lord’s presence throughout life. Most often our prayers are centered around asking the Lord for His hand on our behalf rather than seeking His face to behold His glory and holiness. Devout Passion: Prayer means to ask. We pray because God is faithful. We thank God because He is good. We praise God because He is great. David was very clear about what mattered most to him and what he desired. Above all else, with all his heart, David’s desire was to be in God’s presence. The man after God’s own heart desired but “one thing” and sought but “one thing” from the Lord, “…that I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” Psalm 23:6b. David loved the sweet communion on earth and longed for the perfect communion in Heaven with the Lord. “To behold the beauty of the Lord” by faith here, and face to face for eternity. This long period of David's weakness and vulnerability was serving a good purpose. God was using David’s circumstances to strengthen his faith. Having no other to protect him he was cast totally on God. He longed after God Himself, both in this time of trouble and forever. His troubles and fear drove him to a deeper experience with the Lord. Determined Passion: He had a burning desire to be faithful to the house of God throughout his entire life. His determination was not to be an occasional or casual attendee. David vowed to dwell in the house of the Lord. This speaks of durability and dependability. As far as he was concerned, God’s house was his home. There he would seek the Lord’s face and focus upon His blessedness. He desired the Lord’s presence in his life, and it is the supreme focus of his prayer. God calls all of us to this same purpose. David wanted to live in the Lord’s presence to enquire or seek Him. His foremost priority was to know God. This is the desire of the true worshipper: not to receive something from God but to know God. Scripture reveals that God’s beauty is in His holiness (I Corinthians 16:29; II Chronicles 20:21; Psalm 96:9). Every object and piece of furniture in the tabernacle testified to the Lord’s holiness. True worship is to bask in the presence of God, adoring His perfect holiness. Psalm 92:13, “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.” If we are going to dwell in the house of the Lord forever then, it goes without saying that we should want to dwell there all the days of our life. If we have no love for the meeting place of God's people, no passion to be there, then there's something radically wrong with our belief. Fewer people today view His Word as a thing of beauty and a thing of great value. Many are not interested in spiritual things. They are more interested in dwelling in sports' stadiums, shopping malls, and social media rather than in church sanctuaries. As with anything in life, we will only spend time in fellowship with the Lord if we are willing to make time for Him and make Him a priority. May we be determined to live in unceasing fellowship with the Father. Points to Ponder: Daily seek unbroken enjoyable fellowship with God. Every believer needs a time and a place to commune with the Lord. Questions to Consider: Where does your security lie? What is your satisfaction in? PRAYER: Father in Heaven, my desire is to seek Your face, to know You, and to dwell in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com One Way (John 10:9)
John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” The famous magician and escape artist, Houdini, could get out of any set of handcuffs, or any straight jacket that was ever placed upon him. In fact, he could release himself from almost any enclosure in less than one minute. Only once did Houdini fail. That incident occurred when he was touring the British Isles. Arriving at a small town, he agreed to demonstrate his ability by escaping from the local jail. The cell door was so ordinary looking that he smiled at the simplicity of the task. When given the signal, he used his terrific speed and agility to try to pick the lock. Unfortunately, he was unable to pick that lock. In frustration, he frantically tried every device he knew to pick the door, but nothing happened. He worked feverishly for two more hours, but to no avail. Finally, being completely exhausted, he fell against the door and lamented in defeat. Immediately, however, the door sprang open. His frustration had been due to the fact that the door had never been locked at all. The key truth is that Jesus is the door to salvation. There is no other way. Because of Jesus, we have access to God. How frequently, by a similar strategy, Satan had deceived poor sinners who are seeking to find a way to open the door of God's salvation. People work, cry, fret, sweat, and pray, trying in every way possible to bring release to their captive souls. Yet, it is only when sinners fall exhausted from their own efforts, and rest against "The Door," the Lord Jesus Christ, that they find the immediate release they so desperately seek. There are no alternatives and no options to salvation—it must come through Jesus Christ. God's salvation is available only through faith in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Those who accept Jesus will be “saved” from the eternal consequences of sin (spiritual death and separation from God) and will experience a personal and never-ending relationship with God. As a result, they will have all they need to serve God’s purposes and experience victory over sin, guilt and condemnation. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” A traveler engaged a guide to take him across a desert area. When the two men arrived at the edge of the desert, the traveler, looking ahead, saw before him trackless sands without a single footprint, path, or marker of any kind. Turning to his guide, he asked in a tone of surprise, "Where is the road?" With a reproving glance, the guide replied, "I am the road." So, too, is the Lord our way through unfamiliar territory. He is the way! He is the only way to God. There is no other way. “For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Dear friend, if you want to go to the Father’s house, to Heaven, you must come through “the Door”, the Lord Jesus. He is the only way! There was one small opening in the shepherd's sheep pen. To enter it, you had to remove any obstructions or hindrances. The shepherd literally became the door of the pen, protecting the sheep from wolves and from straying away. Our Lord is the door to Heaven. There is no other way. If you want to enter the sheepfold of Heaven, the obstructions, such as our own righteousness or sinfulness, must be removed. There was one door into the sheep pen, one door into Noah's Ark, one way into the Temple, and there is one way to have access to God and be saved. Christ is the door. Jesus is the only door that leads to salvation. Jesus is the only door that opens to salvation, security, serenity, and satisfaction. He is the only door that allows the sheep to go in and out. If a man could "go in and out" without difficulty or danger, it meant he was safe and secure. Jesus brings to the believer safety, security, and serenity. Jesus is the only door that opens to healthy and lasting nourishment. He is the only door that leads to the true pasture, the pasture that has the living stream flowing through it and the pasture that has the living food in it. His pasture alone can restore, reassure the soul, and give eternal life. Jesus Christ is standing knocking at the door of our lives, waiting. He is standing at the door, not pushing it; speaking to us, not shouting. He is the architect; He designed it. He is the builder; He made it. He is the landlord; He bought it with His life-blood. It is His by right of plan, construction, and purchase. We are only tenants in a house which does not belong to us. He could put His shoulder to the door; He prefers to put His hand to the knocker. He could command us to open to Him or He could issue orders. He will not force an entry into anybody’s life; instead, He merely invites us to do so. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, Thank You for Jesus, Who laid down His life for me so that I might live with You forever. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post has blessed you in any way, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Guided by Grace (Exodus 23:20)
Exodus 23:20, “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.” With over three million people, God foretold that He would send His angel before them to protect them in the way, bringing them to the place He had prepared for them. Today, God speaks to us through His Word, the Holy Bible, and through His Holy Spirit. God guides us and directs us through the wilderness of this world as we journey to the promised land. Our duty is to listen, to do exactly what He says, to obey His Word and the leadership of His Spirit. Jim Elliot was unsure what to do after graduating from Wheaton College in 1949. He spent the summer praying for guidance, and on October 29 received a letter about the need for workers in Ecuador. Jim felt a “simple urge” in that direction. On November 25, his diary records interest in Peru and India. On December 1, British Guiana entered the picture. Four days later he wrote, Stirred for work among the Ecuadorian Quichuas again. On December 17, his missionary plans narrowed to either India or Ecuador. On December 31, he wrote : O Lord, if you see anything in me holding back the revelation of Your will about Ecuador, uncover it. Had a letter from India today which ended, “I would rejoice to think the New Year would find you here.” Still I am waiting. Early in 1950, he received acceptance from Wycliffe Bible Translator’s study camp in Oklahoma. “Feel as though the Lord would have me there, whether I go to India or South America.” Elliot arrived at the camp, still torn between two nations. The tutor assigned him was a missionary from Ecuador, and from him Jim first learned of the savage Aucas. But India still burned within him. On July 4, Jim set aside ten days for prayer. On July 14 he wrote, “I asked for some word from God ten days ago, which would encourage my going to Ecuador. It came this morning in an unexpected place. I was reading in Exodus 23 when verse 20 came out vividly”. ‘Behold I send an angel before thee to keep thee by the way and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.’ Coming as it did, with such preceding feelings and simple believing for some promise, I take this as leading … to Ecuador.” This is the verse that sent Jim Elliot to his death, to his martyrdom, and to his glory—and that brought the Aucas, in God’s timing, to faith in Jesus Christ. In January of 1956, Jim Elliot and four other missionaries gave their lives in Ecuador in their effort to reach the Waodani (Auca) Indians. This fierce group was known to attack any outsiders, but the vision for reaching them with the gospel compelled these young men to take the risk. Not long after they set up camp near the Waodani village they were attacked by warriors. Refusing to defend their lives with force, the missionaries were killed. The news flashed around the world, and the story of courage and sacrifice challenged many to take up the missionary cause. Even today Elliot’s words live on: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Nothing of lasting significance and importance for God is ever accomplished without great sacrifice. Whether it is our time, our talent, our treasure, or even our lives, we must be willing to give up what is temporary for the sake of what is eternal. When we do, we are following the example and pattern of Christ and walking in His steps. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, You have been so good to me. You have placed godly people in my life. You have led me to many wonder people. To my precious godly wife, the sweetest church I know, and to the hearts of those who are in need of You. There is no need to turn back now. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. AMEN! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Our Heavenly Father Knows Best (Proverbs 1:8)
Proverbs 1:8, “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” An old farmer, who was about to die, called his two sons to his bedside and said, "My boys, my farm and the fields are yours in equal shares. I leave you a little ready money but the bulk of my wealth is hidden somewhere in the ground, not more than eighteen inches from the surface. I regret that I've forgotten precisely where it lies." When the old man was dead and buried his two sons set to work to dig up every inch of ground in order to find the buried treasure. They failed to find it, but as they'd gone to all the trouble of turning over the soil they thought they might as well sow a crop, which they did, reaping a good harvest. In autumn, as soon as they had an opportunity, they dug for the treasure again but with no better results. As their fields were turned over more thoroughly than any others in the county they reaped better harvests than anyone else. Year after year their search continued. Only when they had grown much older and wiser did they realize what their father had meant. Real treasure comes as a result of hard work. Ephesians 6:5-6, “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 eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart…” Christians workers are to be loyal and obedient to their employers. We are to follow their instructions and put in a full day's work for a full day's pay. Laziness and shoddy workmanship are poor testimonies and clear signs a person is not filled with the Spirit. Singleness of heart means we have our minds focused, concentrated on our jobs, and work to the best of our ability. The role of the supervisor is to instruct the employee on what to do, not the other way around. One way we show respect is by not fussing, feuding, or fighting but by shining as lights. Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for human masters, Knowing that of the LORD ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the LORD Christ.” The Spirit filled worker is to work hard and to do their work for the Lord. This will make certain the quality of the work is admirable, which is vital if one is to have a good testimony for God. What we do is ultimately to the Lord and not unto men. This certainly is true in the work place as referred to above, but also in any other venue of life. As our earthly supervisors give compensation for our labor, keep in mind, we will also receive compensation from the Lord. The reward is called an "inheritance", which means payday is coming soon. Reward: The wages are what God gives. Reaping is the work He sets in the providential field. Our everyday commandment is spoken by our conscience, and this text says that our reaping is rewarded in something more than that. Virtue is its own reward, that is to say that it pays to do right. Revelation 22:12, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Eternity: Eternity is the quality of the moral harvest. Field-sowing is for time; but heart-sowing is for eternity. It is the long look ahead that enables us to see the reality of spiritual things, and the certainty of spiritual consequences. J. Oswald Sanders was nearing his ninetieth birthday when he died-working on his last book. Before he was 50, he was afflicted with arthritis so badly that he could hardly get out of bed. He could have taken a nice retirement. Instead, he entered the most procreative years of his life. At age 50, he left a prosperous career as an attorney in New Zealand to lead the China Inland Mission. Remarkably, as he entered his second and third careers, he was totally freed from arthritis. After several years of leading the mission, he retired, only to take on the directorship of a Christian college. Another step downward. Then he retired again. A widower twice, he certainly deserved a rest. But rather than taking it easy, he accelerated, spending his last 20 years speaking around the world over 300 times per year. His respect grew even though he never sought the limelight or tried to maintain his position. Prayer: Lord, thank You for the work You’ve given me to do. Remind me to work with all my heart as if I’m working directly for the Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to embrace the dignity of my work. I want to work hard on everything for Your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Oh, How He Loves You and Me! (John 11:36)
John 11:33-36, “When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!” Oh, how He loves you and me, Oh how He loves you and me. He gave His life, what more could He give? Oh, how He loves you; Oh, how He loves me; Oh, how He loves you and me. Jesus to Calvary did go, His love for sinners to show. What He did there brought hope from despair. Oh, how He loves you; Oh, how He loves me; Oh, how He loves you and me. It is said that one of the most distinguished statesmen of the times of the American Revolution was once a hopeless drunkard. He had been engaged to a beautiful girl, but his debauchery had compelled her to break the engagement and sever herself from his influence, which was dragging her down. She had not ceased to love him, or to pray for him. One day she was passing along a road. She saw him lying intoxicated by the sidewalk, his face exposed to the blistering sun, and swollen with drink and exposure. Her tender heart was moved, and, as she passed by, she took her handkerchief and gently spread it over his face. An few hours later he awoke and saw the handkerchief and her name stiched on the corner of it. He arose to his feet, and a cheerful thrill of hope and courage came to his heart. "She loves me still," he said, "all is not yet lost. For her sake I will redeem my life." And he did... Oh how much more power there is in the love of Christ to save lost men from despair, if they can only believe that He loves them! He left us the Bible, His love letter to us. Jesus groaned in His spirit and was troubled when He saw them weeping. This word groaned indicates a very strong display of emotion of being upset. This word troubled means "stirred, agitated, or disturbed like a pool of water." Jesus wept. This is the shortest verse in the Bible; however, it is powerful. Notice: Jesus does cry? 1. Tears of Sorrow (Luke 19:41) 2. Tears of Suffering over Jerusalem. 3. Tears of Sympathy (John 11:33). These verses teach five lessons about the Lord. 1. God notices our tears (Job 34:28; Psalm 34:15). 2. Jesus was a man who understood sorrow and grief (Isaiah 53:3). 3. Jesus was not ashamed to cry (Luke 19:41; John 11:35). 4. Jesus is praying for us (Hebrews 7:25; 8:26-27, 34). 5. God is very concerned about our troubles (Psalm 91:15; I Peter 5:7). 1. Jesus Loves You Eternally. There never was a time when He did not love you. His love for His own is without beginning and without end. It is eternal. 2. Jesus Loves You Perseveringly. Though we sinned in Adam, were born in sin and lived in sin by deliberate choice, His love for us was never broken. Though we sin still, after experiencing His grace, His love does not cease or grow cold. His love is patient, longsuffering, lasting and enduring. God will never cease to love those whom He has always loved. His love is immutable. 3. Jesus Loves You Sacrificially. ‘Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us.’ I know that God is good and kind to all men. His compassion reaches to all people. He will not stand idly by and allow one soul whom He loves to perish, when He has the power to save that soul! He so loved us that He voluntarily laid down His life in our place! So mighty is His love that, when He knew the price of our souls was His own precious blood, He willingly poured out His life’s blood to redeem us! 4. Jesus Loves You Satisfyingly. His love will be satisfied. He will never lose the object of His love. He will give us all that we can need or desire for all of eternity. He will withhold no good thing from His own. In that great day which is yet to come, God’s creation will stand back in awe and wonder and say, concerning His redeemed people, ‘Behold how he loved them!' Jesus suffered to pay for the sins of mankind. I John 4:10, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” It wasn’t enough for Him to die. Jesus had to pay a debt. The payment was necessary. Jesus suffered to satisfy the demands of God’s wrath. As much as God loves you, He hates your sin with a holy, burning hatred that we cannot comprehend. The only way that He could embrace you was to get someone else—someone perfect, to pay for it. Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” Jesus suffered to purchase the opportunity for our sins to be forgiven. No longer do we have to carry our sin around. We can be forgiven. God laid all of our sinfulness upon Jesus as He willingly suffered and died upon the cross. The debt was paid, opening the door to our forgiveness. Jesus suffered to provide the way to eternal life. To get a gift, you must receive it (Romans 6:23). Have you? Do you know that Jesus is the gift of eternal life? His suffering has made that gift possible. PRAYER: Lord, thank You for loving me unconditionally with a supernatural love. May my love for You be shown in my love for those You have given me. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post has blessed you in any way please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Don’t Swerve…Stay on Track (Acts 20:24)
Acts 20:24, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” In the classic Looney Tunes cartoons, Wile E. Coyote makes frequent, yet futile, attempts to capture the Road Runner for his dinner. Using his customary Acme Products, he lays several traps for the speedy bird. The key to one of his plots is a “Detour” sign that he hopes will lead the Road Runner off the right path and into one of his traps. As usual, the plan falls through and the doomed coyote ends up in the trap himself. But the idea of using a detour to lead to a trap doesn’t always fail in real life. In fact, this is a tactic that the devil often uses successfully against us. Usually, his first attempt is not to get us to totally change direction and turn our backs away from following God. Instead, he tries to get us to change course just slightly. Perhaps he offers what appears to be an easier road or a shortcut while telling us that it will still lead to the same destination. Doctrinal error always results in moral failure. Never sell doctrine short. False doctrine promotes controversies and strife. But sound doctrine produces a dynamic love which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (I Timothy 1:5). That is the pattern Satan followed when tempting Jesus in the wilderness. Yet each time Jesus responded with the Word of God, staying the course that His Father in Heaven had laid out for His life. Jesus was not interested in an easier way to accomplish God’s plan. He realized that God’s purposes could only be accomplished by God’s methods, and that helped Jesus stick to His course and overcome temptation. There simply aren’t any shortcuts or detours that lead to good ends in the Christian life. Stay out of the devil’s ditches and stick to God’s road and you will not go astray. There are a number of reasons why we get sidetracked, off the right path, or spiritually derailed. Here are four reasons. 1. We get sidetracked by being absorbed with self-will instead of God's will for our lives. Proverbs 14:14, “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.” 2. We get sidetracked by a carnal lifestyle, or indifference toward the Lord. Matthew 24:12, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” 3. We get sidetracked by forgetting what the Lord has done for us. Revelation 2:4, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” 4. We get sidetracked when we replace our love for the Lord with something else. II Timothy 4:10, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.” A foolish old farmer concluded one day that the oats he had fed his mule for years were simply costing too much. So he hatched a plan. He mixed his sawdust in with the feed, and then a little more the next day, and even more the next. Each time he would reduce the amount of oats in the mix. The mule did not seem to notice the gradual change, so the farmer thought things were fine, and kept decreasing the amount of oats. Weeks later, on the day that he finally fed the mule nothing but sawdust, the mule finished the meal and fell over dead. Christians that feed on spiritual sawdust get weaker and weaker because they lack the nourishment and strength that comes from the Bread of Life, the Word of God. What you do with the Bible will determine what God does with you. If you stray from the Scriptures, don't be surprised if you stray from God and get out of church. They go hand in hand. We, as motorists, take detours because we have to. As Christians, we take them because we want to. If you have detoured and are of course, out of the will of God, you do not have to remain there. How does a Christian get back on track? The Word of God is the key to getting your life straightened out: 1. Analyze and apply God's Word. Psalm 119:104-105, “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:130, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Proverbs 6:23, “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” 2. Give Attention to the Holy Spirit. Exodus 31:3, “And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,” 3. Ask God for understanding. Psalm 119:34, “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” Psalm 119:125, “I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.” 4. Be Attentive to the godly and wise counsel of others. Proverbs 15:32, “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.” 5. Avoid and shun a sinful lifestyle. Job 28:28, “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” 6. Abide close to the Lord and get to know Him. Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Questions to Consider: Is your life full of confusion? Are you sidetracked? Points to Ponder: If so, get back into the Bible and obey it. The Word of God will give direction and order in your life. If this post has blessed you in any way, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Spirit-Filled Worker.”
Spirit-Filled Worker Series – Lesson 7 Glorifying God in the Workplace (Colossians 3:23-24) Colossians 3:23-24, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the LORD, and not unto men; Knowing that of the LORD ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the LORD Christ.” Paul encourages Christians to consider all of their efforts and labor as a service directly to the Lord. As Christian employees, we must work with a view toward God’s judgment, in both reward and discipline. We must work as though Christ were our employer, knowing that all work performed “for the Lord” will someday be rewarded (Colossians 3:24; Ephesians 6:6-8). The Spirit filled worker is to work hard and to do their work for the Lord. This will make certain the quality of the work is admirable which is vital if one is to have a good testimony for God. What we do is ultimately for the Lord and not unto men. This certainly is true in the work place as referred to above, but also in any other venue of life. As our earthly supervisors give compensation for our labor, keep in mind, we will also receive compensation from the Lord. This life is hard and many unfortunate circumstances makes life even more difficult than it already is. As a child of God, what this world offers I do not envy. As a child of God, I’m promised a benefit package that is out of this world. The reward is called an "inheritance" which means payday is coming soon. We are promised an inheritance of eternal life in Christ. God records, remembers, and will reward you for your service for Him. Remember, your labor is not in vain (I Corinthians 15:58). Some people are recognized for their greatness in this life, while God honors others in the life to come. Henry C. Morrison was a faithful missionary who served the Lord in Africa for over 40 years. He recalls that emotional day when he and his wife boarded a ship on their way back to the United States. His mind flooded with memories of the wonderful experiences they had enjoyed on the mission field. He began wondering what it would be like to return to his Midwestern hometown, will anyone there still remember us? Aboard that same ship that day with Henry and his wife was the former President of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt. He was returning from a big game hunting trip in Africa. When the ship pulled into the New York harbor, there were thousands of people there to greet him. The crowds cheered and the bands played. There were signs, banners, and billboards everywhere saying, “Welcome Home!” As the dear missionary and his wife left the ship, they saw that no one had come to welcome them back home. Not a single person was there to welcome the missionaries. With a heavy heart, Henry Morrison went to his hotel room and told his wife, “Honey, it just doesn’t seem right, for 40 years we poured our lives into ministry and service. And yet we come back to America and not a single soul comes to welcome us home, it’s as if no one cares when we return. Yet the president goes over there for a few weeks to kill some animals and the whole world takes notice!” His wife came and sat down next to her husband. She put her hand on his shoulder, and said to him, “Henry, you have forgotten something. You’re not home yet!” If we forget that He is the one who rewards us, it is easy to become discouraged and apathetic. Although there is certainly a sense in which God rewards us on earth, as promotion and exaltation come from the Lord (Psalm 75:6-7), He will especially reward us in Heaven (I Corinthians 3:11-15; Matthew 25:21). POINTS TO PONDER: To glorify Christ, employees must obey with an expectation of God’s judgment and reward. No work is just work. It is a way to serve Christ. Each person is called to work. Maybe you spend long hours working with children each day, or you work a mundane office job. Never forget that this world is not your home. Serve your Saviour faithfully each day, and He will reward you for your labors — just keep in mind, you’re not home yet. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: Have you ever experienced a work environment where it was hard to maintain joy? How can we glorify Christ in the workplace? Do you ever feel like the things you do for Christ are overlooked? PRAYER: Lord, I know that my labor in your harvest is not in vain. Strengthen my hands that I may not get weary in Your work. In Jesus' name. Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Thank you for reading Lesson 7 of Spirit-Filled Worker Series. And the Series in its entirety. Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Spirit-Filled Worker.”
Spirit-Filled Worker Series – Lesson 6 Christians in the Workplace – Part 2 Ephesians 6:7-9, “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.” We have all heard the saying “good jobs are hard to find.” For the most part, good jobs are hard to find because employers are basically self-centered and self-serving. They do not often put their employees’ interests first. And so it is rare to find a job where the employer genuinely cares about your welfare. Paul says that the Christian is to serve their employer, as unto Christ, doing service, as to the Lord. The employee is to consider their service as being rendered directly to the Lord. Anyone who takes this passage seriously and demonstrates it will have a good work ethic. “With good will doing service…” (Ephesians 6:7). With good will means being helpful in your service. The employer or manager expects at least two things from his workmen and that is diligence and loyalty. The believer should be helpful to their supervisor by the way they perform their duties. Service obligations in the secular realm must be done by the believer as the will of God. This service must be done primarily as unto the Lord. This will help the service to be holy, not poor in performance. Christians can glorify Christ by working willingly. Paul encouraged a cheerful and glad service. He said that the believer should serve with a good attitude, not with a begrudging spirit. He told them to put their heart and soul into their work because, after all, they are doing God's will. Christians can glorify Christ by working eagerly. "…the same shall he receive of the Lord…" (Ephesians 6:8). Paul reminded them that the ultimate reward is coming. No act goes unnoticed. Men may not always give you proper compensation for your work even though you are following the Lord's directions regarding doing the work. But whether man compensates you or not, God will compensate you. Believers will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ and be rewarded based on present faithfulness (Matthew 16:27; I Corinthians 3:14; II Corinthians 5:10). Think about how this perspective would change the way one could work. Keep in mind, that you do not work primarily for your employer. You work primarily for Jesus Christ, Who sees your every motive and action, even when your earthly boss is not there. Employers also have an obligation to see to that they treat their employees right. If you have people that work for you, treat your workers the way you would treat the Lord. As you desire to please the Lord, desire to be a blessing to those who work for you. Employers, too, will answer to God for their action and their respect of persons with him. In His time, God will reward you beyond anything you can imagine. Just remember, Spirit-filled employees respect their supervisors and do great work. Christian employers should treat their employees as the employer would want to be treated if he were an employee. He should be fair, reasonable, and understanding. He should not play favorites, because his Master in heaven does not show partiality. God originally gave these commands to slaves who had no rights, no health insurance, no paid vacations, and no salary. So, think how much more binding they are today for us, who, in comparison, labor in a worker's market. However, maybe you work in a place where your good work and Christian attitude goes unappreciated. If so, you shouldn't get discouraged because of what promise is found in Galatians 6:9? God records, remembers, and will reward you for your service for Him. Remember, your labor is not in vain (I Corinthians 15:58). Prayer: Lord, I want you to be glorified in my life and in this place of business that I may be a living witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Guide me with your wisdom and help me to work through every challenge and conflict. Let me be a beacon for you and a blessing to my coworkers. In Jesus' name. Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Thank you for reading Lesson 6 of Spirit-Filled Worker Series. Please visit this website tomorrow for Lesson 7 of Spirit-Filled Worker Series. Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Spirit-Filled Worker.”
Spirit-Filled Worker Series – Lesson 5 Christians in the Workplace – Part 1 Ephesians 6:5-6, “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 eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” We have all heard the saying “good help is hard to find”. For the most part, good help is hard to find because people are basically self-centered and self-serving. They usually don’t put the concerns of their employer first, unless it somehow benefits them. This passage points out in strong terms what the world's problem really is. It is not an economic problem; it is a spiritual problem. Hunger and economic relationships between individuals and nations can only be solved when men turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is Lord, and when men serve Him as Lord, they serve Him in all they do. This means they work for Him. And in working for Him, they work not only to provide for themselves but also to secure enough to give to others (Ephesians 4:29). A Spirit-filled worker is eager to do a good job. The conduct of a person’s service speaks of the quality of their service. God wants believers to be good employees; doing a good job that would glorify Him. A Christians influence in the workplace results in setting a high standard at work. We can glorify Christ by working reverently because we are working unto Christ. As employees, we are to serve with reverence and respect to our employers. This means we must respect authority in the workplace. Christian workers are to be loyal and obedient to their employers. We are to follow their instructions and put in a full day's work for a full day's pay. Laziness and shoddy workmanship are poor testimonies and clear signs a person is not filled with the Spirit. Singleness of heart means we have our minds focused, concentrated on our jobs, and work to the best of our ability. The role of the supervisor is to instruct the employee on what to do, not the other way around. One way we show respect is by not fussing, feuding, or fighting, but by shining as lights. The Spirit-filled employee doesn’t only work hard when the employer is watching, but when the supervisor is away. We can glorify Christ by working wholeheartedly. This means the service will be diligent, not lackadaisical. It is not half-hearted service. It is service that does the job right. To glorify Christ, employees must obey without eye service. Those who serve with "eyeservice" (when someone is looking) or as "menpleasers" (to gain the applause of men) will not serve faithfully. They will only serve when someone is looking, or when someone will praise them. Every believer should live every day with the motivation “I fear the Lord. I am no longer my own. I belong to Christ as my Lord. I must do His will. I must live to please Him. Someday I will stand before Him to receive the reward for my faithful obedience.” Let’s set the scene: imagine gym class. While doing push-ups, the students stay in the up position while the gym teacher is not looking. Many are like that in the workplace. When the supervisor is around, they work diligently, but when the supervisor is not, they crack jokes and play on social media, etc. Believers should endeavor to deliver sixty minutes of work for every hour of pay. The idea here that we don't just work because the boss is watching. We don't serve to be seen of men, we serve because it is the will of God and we know He is watching. In a lifetime, the average employee is at work about 90,000 hours. This means that the 90,000 hours, or an average of forty-five work years, we spend at work obeying this passage count as doing service as to the Lord. Do you work without eye service—delivering a day’s work whether your supervisor is around or not? We do not obey our bosses or schoolteachers simply when they happen to be in the room watching us. Rather, we do our work “from the heart”. We show up on time; we do quality work; we put in a full day and report our hours correctly whether anyone is watching or not. Whether or not the boss sees us, the Lord does, and it is Him we serve. At the end of each day, may we receive a good report. Questions to Consider: As a Christian, do you strive to do your work with excellence and for God’s glory? Do you see your workplace (home, school, job, etc.) as God’s calling and as your opportunity to be His witness? If not, what could you do differently to honor the Lord at work? If you are an employer, do you lead with excellence and treat everyone fairly, knowing that God is your Master and He is watching how you treat your employees? If not, what could you do differently to honor the Lord at work? PRAYER, Lord, may I bring Your presence with me to work today. Thank You for the gifts You have blessed me with, work through me in the power of the Holy Spirit. Help me to serve with the singleness of heart that I might do Your will and glorify You. In Jesus' name. Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Thank you for reading Lesson 5 of Spirit-Filled Worker Series. Please visit this website tomorrow for Lesson 6 of Spirit-Filled Worker Series. |
AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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