KEEP WORKING HARD FOR JESUS

If you have a job be thankful. It is a gift from God. God never
intended people to be lazy and "suck on the government baby bottle" as
I call it. He intended for man to work hard as if working for Him.
Colossians 3:23 is a verse I like to call the Christians' work ethic
and it says 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as
working for the Lord and not for human masters.'

1 Thessalonians 3:19(NIV) reminds us '..the one who is unwilling to
work should not eat.' Pretty clear and straight forward.

Here today in America we celebrate Labor Day. There are plenty of
people in our country today that like to let the government give them
everything and never lift a finger to earn it. They feel entitled to
it. There indeed are legitimate cases of those who are unable to
work, but if you can then you need to be. Working is a way a person
can feel good about providing for himself and/or a family. It builds
self esteem when you are contributing something.

Even the concept of just "shutting down shop" to retire is not in the
Bible. I have seen many older citizens who love working or
volunteering and contributing to society and not feeling like life
was over. It helps them to be around the younger generations too. If
you are retired and reading this I am not trying to guilt you but if a
person is in good health and able to work they should be allowed.

Stay home moms, your job is extremely important so please do not put
yourself down thinking you need to be in some office tower somewhere.

Today on this Labor Day be sure to give thanks for the gift of
employment and an income. Thank The Lord for the skills He has blessed
you with.

Proverbs 14:23 says 'All hard works brings a profit but mere talk
leads only to poverty.'

Both Ben Carson, MD and Star Parker, President of C.U.R.E. began life
in dire poverty and they were determined to make a good life for
themselves. It can be done. Never quit trying.

PRAYER: We celebrate the labor force today Lord and we thank you for
the blessing and gift of a hard earned income. I pray for those
needing jobs that you will encourage them to keep on and not give up.
In Jesus' name. Amen!

WORK IS A BLESSING...SAY WHAT?

A few days ago I heard a lady complaining about her job. Someone asked her how things were going and she replied something to the effect that everything but her work was great. Granted I know there are situations with impossible bosses, bad work conditions, or harsh treatment of employees, but to be able to have employment in this day and age is a blessing. Even probably the greatest job in the world has its' downside.

The attitude we should have as a believer is "how can I impact my workplace for Christ. How can I overlook the hurtful co workers or back biting that may occur." Realize God is instrumental in where you are and ask Him to make you a light in a dark place.

One of my favorite verses about work or life in general is found in Colossians 3:23(NIV) and it says 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.' You may have to pray for God to give you the strength and ability to love impossible bosses or co workers. Pray also for a good attitude.

Work is necessary in order to provide for yourself and your family. The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10(ESV) it says 'For even when we were with you, we would give you this command:If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.' Those who get constant handouts lose the desire to contribute to society and work but think it is the government who needs to take care of them.

Consider your job a blessing. If you are a stay home mom be grateful as you are being able to be a full time leadership developer and impact the next generation. I always hate it to hear stay home moms say they are "just" a mom.

No matter what your job is do it just as if Jesus were right there beside you. Ask Him for opportunities to be a light in a dark world.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help me whatever I do to be an example for you whether in my home or in the work place. Help me shine your light out into the world around me which desperately needs you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

OVER THE HUMP

There is a familiar phrase in the business world called "over the hump" simply meaning "I am half way through my work week and the weekend is coming!" Most who work long hard hours can hardly wait till another familiar term "casual Friday" is here!

We believers here on Earth need to be always thanking God for our jobs or even volunteer work we perform. Jobs are a gift and blessing from God. Not everyone who wants a job is blessed with one, then others have one and just complain. Actually I have met people who love their jobs. For instance my two sons and daughter in law love theirs.

When you are doing work do it with integrity. No taking home company paper,ink pens, paper clips and other "souvenirs" as they do not belong to you. No copying your own personal things on the company computer such as Sunday school or Bible study material. This is sort of stealing from your employer if you think about it. If you have been guilty of this ask for forgiveness from your employer and God. Also sitting playing games on the Internet at work is a big NO as well.

Looking forward to being over the hump is not a bad thing but keep working hard till the end of the week. In Colossians 3:23(NIV) it says 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.'

Maybe if you do not like your job you really can't hardly wait to have two days off. Be thankful anyway and try to muster up a good attitude. If your "job" is that of a stay home mom, do not demean your status. I have told people that being a Stay Home mom was a true blessing and I was thankful to have the opportunity to do so all the way through their high school days. It has been my favorite job by far!

1 Thessalonians 5:18(NIV) says ' give thanks in ALL circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Are you thankful for work and for the paycheck it provides? Do you remember to give God a portion of that money back as a tithe? God is the one who gives us the ability to get work.

Are you as excited about getting over the "Saturday hump" too in order that you are excited to go worship the Lord on Sunday. One of Tony Campolos' famous sermons' is entitled "It's Friday but Sundays' coming!' If you are dreading church because of all the "religious" things associated with it and you feel dried out spiritually, perhaps you need to find a church where you do not dread having to go. If you have not yet asked Jesus to be Lord of your life and take control do that right now.

Remember the spiritual "over the hump" should be looked forward to with anticipation.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus sometimes just being closer to the weekend to relax is much anticipated. I thank you for where you have me in life. Forgive me for ever complaining. Help me shine my light for you where you have me in life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

RETIREMENT..NOT IN THE BIBLE

Now I am not trying to create a new sin here by saying if you are retired and out sailing, shame on you. The point is the word retirement and the concept of retirement is a modern day phenomena. It is not mentioned in the Bible. Why should someone who loves their job have to quit and sit in a rocking chair because society has deemed them washed up or too old or ready for their 'golden years'? It is refreshing to me in my travels to meet flight attendants who got hired after the age of 50. Why not? Also two ski instructors I met this winter in Maine were both over 65. Stop saying " I am too old". That negative talk  has to end. You can choose to believe you are of no value and no chance to do anything worthwhile or you can choose to know that God can use you at any age.

Also stop letting society make you feel you are old. Do not be afraid to try things. Do not worry that people will comment on your age. Keep doing things and do not sit in that infamous rocking chair unless you want to. You have many good years in you and the mindset of retiring is a new one created by something in today's world. If you love your job and want to keep at it, so be it. But you have to get the voices out of your head saying that  you are too old. Says who? This is the time to keep going. Take classes. Try new hobbies. Get a part time job somewhere. Volunteer. Help others. Keep active. Go to gym and work out. Stop constantly thinking it is time to retire for "after all I am 60".  60 seems young. People who quit on life and think they are too old will talk themselves into feeling it is time to hang it all up. Retirement then gets to mean "ready to die" to many. It should not!

Proverbs 23:7 says "or as he thinks in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee." You start believing things you keep thinking on. God does not say in His word to go retire and sit in a rocker or to head for the eternal golf course. Older people are simply people with a higher number than you for age. It is only a number. Often times you hear of stories of those who retire and they have no purpose in life and want to return to work. Your purpose should be to still serve the Lord with joy in whatever you do just stop saying "I am too old"!


Many feel they deserve to retire and kick back and do what they want as they have worked hard. Especially in the Armed Forces it is a well deserved honor for the sacrifice and hard work of these men and women. Unlike a civilian job they literally have laid their life on the line.

It is maybe time to visit the grandkids or take a trip or two. That  is fine. God wants to use you no matter where you are in life. The point being is not to be so into self and what you 'deserve' that you forget there are many people out there that could still benefit from your talents and gifts. You can only take so many cruises and play so many rounds of golf till maybe it is time to do something else. I have 'retired' friends who are full time missionaries.

Age should be something to be honored and respected and not poked fun at by comedians. With age comes wisdom and experience. Today we say "70 is the new 60 and 60 is the new 50!" Feel good and be thankful for the years the Lord blesses you with and find ways to bring glory to Him through your life no matter how old or young you are. You were created for a purpose! You are never too old in GOD'S kingdom to be valued and worthy to help those around you.

Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans to bring you a hope and a future."

You save for the future which is good and you provide for your family generations after you. God has blessed you with wealth but just remember no one says nor does the Bible say you have to retire. Keep going if that is what you want to do. God can use you wherever you are!


PRAYER: Lord God I thank you for each year of life you have blessed me with. I thank you for giving me talents and abilities to help serve others. Thank you for the gift of relaxation and thank you for money to enjoy fun times as well. Help me keep balance in my life so it is not all about me and what I deserve. In Jesus name. Amen!