Footprints To Faith: 2016

Good News of Great Joy

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people (Luke 2:10)

Your prayers have been heard! God’s promises will be fulfilled at the proper time. The word of God will never fail! The day is coming when you will say “How kind the Lord Is! The Lord has done this for me.” You have nothing to fear, the Lord is with you! The Lord’s hand is upon you! Exchange your fear for peace and joy – The Savior – yes the only one who can deliver you from your sin, the Messiah, was born in Bethlehem.There is no need to worry – He is risen from the dead!

Lay at the foot of the cross your past,your shattered dreams, your wounded heart and broken toys. Allow Christ to fashion you into the person he created you to be. Surrender yourself-centeredness your pride, your dreams, your hopes and fears to the Lord of the universe and you will find peace and joy. Exchange your self-pity, regret, guilt, remorse, resentments and frustrations for glorifying and praising God. Then you will know the peace of God which surpasses all understanding.

Hallelujah! He is Lord in each and every situation that you find yourself in today. He is Lord wherever you go. If you rise on the wings of the dawn, or settle on the far side of the sea God’s hand will guide you, and his right hand will hold you fast [1]. Don’t allow yourself to be cheated out of peace and joy by planning and preparing for every contingency so that you cannot hear the baby born in Bethlehem say to you “I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope [2]. Firmly and confidently place your future where it belongs in the hands of your Savior and Lord.

Merry Christmas!

James Bruyn

[1] Ps 139:9-10

[2] Jer 29:11

Servants of God

Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you! (Luke 1:28)

What a privilege it is to be a servant of the Lord, to know that you have a unique contribution to make in God’s Kingdom at this time, in this place. What a privilege it is to be a servant of the living God, right here, right now in the midst of your everyday, ordinary life experiences. God did not choose you because of your job, your skills, your financial status, your marital status or where you live. God chose you to be His servant and has filled you with the Holy Spirit because He created you and because He loves you.

God is mindful of you. God has done great things for you. God takes the initiative morning by morning to show you His mercy. God has given you sufficient grace for where you are right now in your life. God will bless you with sufficient grace for what lies ahead. You don’t need to have all the answers, trust that God knows all the answers.

Today you have a choice – you can focus on all that has to get done between now and Christmas, or you can thoughtfully reflect on what you hear God is saying to you today through his Word. You can choose to worry about what lies ahead next year or you can choose to humbly trust that the Lord will fulfill his promises to you. You can choose to be troubled about all that is broken in this world, or you can choose to glorify the Lord.

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” (Luke 1:46-55)

Prayer

Lord our spirits rejoice that you are mindful of each one of us. You have done great things for each of us, forgive us for the times when we forget or are blind to what you have done for us. Thank you for your mercy, and the mighty deeds you have done. Keep us humble, purify our inmost thoughts. Amen

Merry Christmas!

Immanuel, God With Us

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”

(which means “God with us”) (Matt 1:23)

God is with you! God is with you today in your meetings, during your phone calls, over lunch and coffee. God is with you while you do each task of your job. Your value, your significance and your hope comes from doing what you are doing with God, for God’s glory. No matter how mundane your life may be, in continual communion with God, your life is elevated to sacred heights. [1]

Enjoy the immense privilege of God being with you right now. In your Spirit freely callout ‘Abba, Father’ and know that God hears you. Since Christ is at your side you can trust and obey God. Humbly allow the potter to shape you according to his divine will into the person he created you to be. Make a fresh start today with God at your side. God will strengthen you so that you can turn from sin and resist temptation. God is your hiding place from temptation in a hostile world. The Lord, God almighty is upholding you with his righteous hand.

Who is it that is with you? The Lord of heaven and earth is with you! The God of peace, grace, truth and light is with you. The loving, holy and righteous God is your constant companion. God delights over you with his whole being and freely gives you true riches and treasures. God hears your prayers and is providing exactly what you need for this moment.

Allow God’s presence to fill you with joy, celebrate God’s righteousness and the eternal pleasures that are at God’s right hand. Be strong and courageous! God is with you! God will never leave you nor forsake you! Live a grace filled life without shame, seeking no reward, fearing nothing, being afraid of no one. Live your life with boldness, joy, love, power and gratitude. Freely give. Freely forgive. Freely love. Enjoy each moment of this day basking in God’s presence.

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isa 41:10)

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. (Ps 23:4-5)

Prayer

May the god of love and peace be with you, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

[1] Jethani, Skye, With¸ (Nelson books, 2011) p. 150

Calling

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)

God is calling you today. God may be calling you to a role that is exciting or to a place that the world may deem as “ordinary”. That is not what is important. What is important is that God is calling you to be exactly who he created you to be when he knit you together in your mother’s womb. When God created you, he knew that the world needed you today with your unique gifts and skills. He knew that there were things that needed to be done in this world that only you can do. God is calling you today to be a living witness to the life of faith. God is calling you today to a life of quiet obedience and faithful trust in every situation, in every conversation, in the good times and the bad times. God is calling you today to use the skills and talents he has blessed you with, right where you are. God’s call on your life is tremendously freeing, for his call on your life is for you to be you.

You don’t have to be afraid! The one who calls you today, sees exactly what is happening in this world. God is grieved by the sinfulness he sees, and his heart longs for redemption and reconciliation, but God is not surprised or panicking. What a privilege you have to constantly enjoy the presence of the one who called you, the one who is in control of this universe wherever you go, as you take the next step in obedience. No matter how many scary, dark, wonderful or joyous situations you experience, God has promised to be with you and never to leave you alone or forsake you. When you are tempted to say “what if this happens” or “what if that happens” what are you saying about God?

You know what you need to do next! The one who calls you, has given you sufficient guidance for the next step. His word is a lamp unto your feet. God has blessed you with everything you need to faithfully move forward (people, gifts, resources, skills). The one who calls you, is the one who created you. He is aware of your weaknesses and limitations be they physical, emotional, financial or whatever they may be. Yes, God has called you, because he knows that your unique combination of strengths and weakness are exactly what is required to do what you are called to do. When you doubt your ability to follow his call, what are you saying about God, and who he created you to be?

It is never too late … today you can start being the person God created you to be. Be obedient today and faithfully follow what you know about God. There is nothing stopping you from starting now to trust God. God is with you. God will deliver you. God is faithful, God will keep his promises toward you. Even though nobody around you may be trusting God – you can! Today you can model Christ’s love! Today you can model grace!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Heb 12:1-3)

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Heb 13:15-16)

Humility

Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. (Prov 22:4)

As the cloud lifted, there she stood covered in leprous sores, like a newborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten. Next to her, he knelt, praying that the Lord would heal his sister for speaking out against his leadership. Is it any wonder that Moses was known for being the most humble man on earth? (Numbers 12)

One of the great paradoxes in the Kingdom of God is that true humility is strength not weakness; a quiet strength of character resting in a firm belief in God.

Your humility is the strength that lets you serve others in your job, in a way that is uniquely you, without fear of losing your identity, for your identity is rooted in Christ. Your humility, based on Christ’s love for you, is the backbone that enables you to deeply love those around you without expectations. Because Christ has shown you how precious you are, you can show your neighbor how precious they are. Since you are complete in Christ, and assured that Christ sees you and knows your heart you don’t need to seek the place of prominence out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. When God calls you to a place of prominence, then with peace humbly go there for Christ is Lord there. When God calls you to a place of obscurity, then with joy humbly go there for Christ is Lord there.

Humbly remember your place in God’s creation. When God created you, He blessed you with your skills and abilities, and what God has created is good. In humility acknowledge your Creator. Courageously be who God created you to be; and do what God calls you to do; where God has placed you; with and for the people God has placed in your life. This is the narrow path of faith which is marked by trust in God. Never forget the grace God has shown you by forgiving your sins through faith in Christ, and allowing you to cry out Abba Father. Take the yoke of Christ upon you, and learn from him, for Christ is gentle and humble in heart, then you will find rest for your soul. Christ’s yoke is easy and his burden is light.

Prayer

May your position in Christ bring you encouragement. May the Love of the Father bring you comfort. May your life be marked with tenderness and compassion. Amen

Rest

Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long,and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders. (Deut 33:12)

It had been a long busy day for Jesus and his disciples. It was night-time and they were crossing over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was resting peacefully in the back of the boat when suddenly a huge storm descended from out of nowhere. As Creator, he knew that he was Lord over nature. Although these winds and the roaring sea threatened his very life and the life of his disciples, Jesus knew that the winds and sea were subject to his sovereign authority, so he rested peacefully. These experienced fishermen, could not comprehend how a simple carpenter could sleep through this horrendous storm. Drenched to the skin, shivering from the ferocious winds, they awakened Jesus, in the hope that the one who could drive out demons, the one who taught in parables, might possibly be able to do something to save them.

Little did they realize that their passenger had authority not just over demons but also over the wind and the sea. Their boat was tilting over precariously, and another huge wave was about to splash over the deck when with one short sentence from Jesus the wind stopped, and the sea was as flat as glass. The silence was deafening as they looked out on the reflection of the moon and stars on the Sea of Galilee. The only evidence of the storm was the water dripping off their clothes into the puddles on the deck of their boat. Softly Jesus whispered to them “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” [1]

Can the one who drives out demons, can the one who teaches with authority, can the one who calms the winds and the sea, calm the raging storm around you, or in your soul? Can you hear the Lord asking you “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Your soul can be at rest today, because you trust the personal, living Lord who sustains you. Tonight lie down and sleep in peace, knowing that in the middle of the storms of life, the Lord will keep your soul safe. Know that just as the Lord is the sovereign authority who rules over the wind and roaring sea, the Lord is the sovereign authority who rules over all those who are causing storms in your life.

Jesus is calling out to you today …“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” [2]

Tonight when you go to bed don't be afraid, sleep sweetly, for the Lord is at your side, and will keep your foot from being snared [3]. God in whom you trust is your refuge and fortress, so rest peacefully in the shadow of the Almighty.

[1]Mark 4:40

[2] Matt 11:28-30

[3] Prov 3:26

Standing Firm

If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Cor 10:12 NIV)

As an unschooled and ordinary man, filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter astonished the high priest and the teachers of the law by courageously proclaiming that salvation is only found in Jesus, and that there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Courageously Peter declared before the Pharisees that “we must obey God rather than human beings”.Floggings and beatings for his faith could not stop Peter from daily teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah in the temple courts and from house to house.

Yet Peter still had more to learn about the magnitude of God’s grace. God miraculously spoke to Peter through a vision to convince him that he could eat the same food as Gentiles eat, and hang out with them. God had to teach Peter not to call anything impure that God had made clean. Peter had to absorb the fact that Jesus is the Lord of people from every nation. When in obedience Peter accepted the centurion Cornelius’ invitation to be his guest, Peter, had the awesome opportunity to see the Holy Spirit poured out on Cornelius and his Gentile friends who believed in Jesus Christ.

Imprisoned by Herod, Peter fearlessly and peacefully slept chained between two soldiers until the Lord sent an angel to free him, and escort him out of the heavily guarded prison. Later when Peter’s friends came to visit him in Antioch we find Peter cowering in fear. The one whom the Lord had delivered from Herod’s clutches, and from everything that the Jews hoped would happen to him, drew back from the Gentiles and acted like a good Jewish person because he was afraid of being criticized. Paul, appealing to Peter’s value and dignity as a child of God, spoke to Peter about his sinful behavior and the impact it was having on Barnabas and his friends. Paul reminded Peter what is important – his faith in Jesus Christ expressing itself in love.

You stand firmly in your faith and boldly proclaim the Lordship of Christ in many places, but where do you cower in fear?

How might your actions be impacting those around you?

If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Cor 10:12-13 NIV).

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV)

God's Redeeming Power

Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14)

Along the path of your life, in each circumstance you find yourself in; continue to listen to God’s voice and be obedient. God is not surprised by where you are today. God remains faithful! God hasn’t stopped fulfilling his promises! God will not be surprised by where you are tomorrow. In every situation, through the power of the Holy Spirit, choose faithfulness and obedience to God. Keep your eyes focused on Christ. When you find yourself faced with temptations of any sort – stand firm in the grace of God. Stand firm where God has planted you because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of your Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.

According to his loving, wise and good pleasure God is bringing to your situation redemption, healing and provision in ways beyond what your finite mind can grasp or imagine. Quietly trust and obey, knowing that God’s redeeming power is actively at work in the midst of the sin and darkness around you. You are not the savior of your workplace, but you know the Savior of this world. It is God’s redeeming power that restores and heals lives, families and relationships broken by sin. God redeems the harmful actions of those around you according to his good pleasure. By remaining faithful, you may be God’s chosen instrument for such a time as this at your workplace. Watch patiently and rejoice as you see the powerful, redeeming hand of the Lord of heaven and earth accomplish more than you ever imagined or dreamed.

May the Almighty bless you with blessings from the skies above, and blessings from the deep springs below.

A Canopy of Grace

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;

Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted (Prov 11:10a, 11a)

Your righteousness is making a difference in your workplace! Your Godly behavior is bringing a blessing to the people where you work! Your honesty has been noticed not only by your employer, but by the people you work with. The fact that you don’t make excuses, but do the work you are asked to do, and do it with a smile is appreciated. The fact that you go the extra mile, to make sure that things are in the right order, and the right place, so that work is easier for your colleagues, hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Many people find it remarkable that you quietly avoid the griping about your boss, and the complaints about the way the company is being run. In fact when people ask your opinion, they are amazed that you always have something positive to say. When you speak, people know that you are speaking the truth motivated by love, with a desire to see things improve, rather than to see someone being belittled or hurt. In fact nobody can remember you ever stabbing somebody in their back, or saying hateful things about somebody. Your righteous behavior is making a difference in your organization. Within your sphere of influence (however limited that might be), by being Christ’s living presence in your workplace, by having the Lord’s favor rest upon you, you are a ‘canopy of grace’ for your co-workers. Your words, your smiles, your peaceful demeanor bring joy and gladness to people’s hearts. Because you delight in the law of the Lord, God has planted You like a tree by streams of water, that brings a cool shadow of protection, and beauty within your workplace.

The Lord has promised, that as you continue to trust in the Lord with all your heart, that He will make your paths straight. He hasn’t said that your paths will be easy. But he has promised that wherever your paths may lead, that he will be with you, that he will be a lamp unto your feet, that he will delight over you and that he will bring blessings through you to those around you. Wherever you go, by your righteousness, by your faith in your living savior, by your obedience to your risen Lord, you bring a canopy of grace to those in your sphere of influence.

Prayer

Lord, may the meditations of our heart, the words from our mouths, and the work of hands be pleasing in your sight. Amen

Who is your neighbor?

We love because he first loved us – 1 John 4:19

Neighbors come from surprising places. Your neighbor is different from my neighbor. Neighbors could be down the street, in the office, on the team, or halfway across the world. Neighbors could be from the same race or a different race. Neighbors might even support different political parties. Whoever your neighbor may be, they are people created in the image of God, people like you and I with hopes and dreams, people who need to know that they are precious, that they are important and that they are loved. In the hope that ‘some’ people might not be your neighbor Do you catch ourselves asking the question ‘who is my neighbor?’

Are your neighbors at work just the friendly customers with smiles on their face, and the out-going coworkers who go the extra mile to make your job and the workplace a fun place to be? Do your neighbors include co-workers who are living pay-check to pay-check wondering if they are next on the lay-off list. Is the new employee who is struggling to learn the ropes and do his job or the employee who is creating more work for you also your neighbor? Is your supervisor your neighbor?

Out of love for the Lord your God, when you see that person who desperately needs a neighbor, choose to love him or her as yourself even as Christ first loved you. You have been filled with the Holy Spirit, the Comforter who will guide you in all truth and wisdom so that you can discern who your neighbor is, and how best to love them. As you rest in your Father’s love you will find the strength today, this moment, to love your co-workers. He will give you the grace to hear their hearts, hopes and dreams, if you only ask him. Truly you can love your neighbor because Christ first loved you.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your great love for us. You ask us to love others as we love our selves. We know that we cannot do this on our own strength, and so we ask you to walk beside us, and fill us with your love for our co-workers, for those who desperately need a neighbor. Amen.

Thanksgiving

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:4-8)

The Lord is near. Christ is the anchor of your life. Christ is the source of your strength. Christ’s power has overcome all principalities and powers. Christ is sufficient for you to have a peace that transcends all understanding. As one who has been richly blessed by divine grace are you able to bow down in thanksgiving today? Lay out before God what has been bottled up in your heart. Then in gratitude make room for God in your life and your workplace by giving thanks that Jesus is Lord of your life and Lord of your workplace.

By giving thanks you center your life in Christ. When you humbly adopt a posture of thanksgiving you cannot keep your eyes on yourself and what is going on around you. For thanksgiving takes you outside of yourself, outside your circumstances, and orients your focus on your loving heavenly Father. Through thanksgiving you acknowledge that God has created you and blessed you with the skills to do your work. Through thanksgiving you acknowledge that everything you have is a gift from God. Through thanksgiving you acknowledge God’s goodness and generosity. Thanksgiving acknowledges by faith that Jesus is Lord of your workplace; that Jesus placed you there, and that Jesus is in control of what is happening at your workplace.

At times when life is going well, thanksgiving can keep you from idolatry by keeping you focused on the one who has blessed you in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing. At times when the waves of life seem to overwhelm you, and it is hard to see God in the midst of the storm, thanksgiving can keep you from idolatry by keeping you focused on the one who has promised never to leave you or forsake you. Thanksgiving gives you the opportunity to see your circumstances through your Father’s eyes. When you are thankful to God, you can see God’s hand in all that is true, all that is noble, all that is right, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is admirable in the midst of the blessings, darkness and sin that is around you. When you are thankful you will see things that are excellent and praiseworthy.

May your life be filled with thanksgiving!

May your heart rejoice in the Lord!

May he who began a good work in you carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus!

May your love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.

Job Satisfaction

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Prov 3:5)

God created you as a unique, whole, infinitely complex individual. You bring a distinctive contribution to the organization where you work. Your primary attributes are the ones where you make the most meaningful contributions through your work, and where you find the most satisfaction in your job. However you have many other minor attributes that make you uniquely you, and enable you to do your role in a way that is just slightly different to the way the next person will perform that role.

If you experience twinges of dissatisfaction or unrest in your current role – Rejoice! Rejoice that God has created you with infinitely more facets than other people recognize, or that you may realize yourself, or that you are using at this time. Prayerfully consider how you might be able to use these attributes, within the political constraints of your role, to maximize your value to your employer. If you are a manager, look for attributes in your team beyond what you hired them for. Find creative ways to allow your staff to use their talents and to express their infinitely complex beauty.

Sometimes you may find yourself in a job where you believe your value is not fully appreciated. Or you may believe you are able to contribute more to the organization, or you feel that you would be more fulfilled if you were able to use your skills in a different role. When you focus your attention and energy on the apparent injustice or inequality of your situation it is easy to become negative and lose sight of God. If that is the way you feel today, I invite you to step back for a moment, to abandon the illusion that you are in control of this world, and reflect on God’s character. Does God change when you feel like you are a square peg in a round hole? Does God’s love for you, or the hope that you have, or your salvation disappear when you feel like your skills are being under-utilized? Did God make a mistake when he placed you in this position? Is this situation beyond God’s redemptive power? Can you trust that this job, for right now, is part of God’s perfect plan for your life?

Whether you feel like your current job is a great fit for who you are, or you feel like your job situation is less than ideal, continue to trust in the love and care of your Heavenly Father! God says to you “my child, trust me, I am sovereign, I am in control, I love you. I have placed these people in authority over you, I have appointed their times and boundaries, I love you.” Make it your goal to please God. Give thanks to the Lord that you have been granted the privilege to participate in what God is doing in your workplace.

What would it take in your current job to say that “I have learned to be content in this job”?

What does it look like for you to trust in God as you go about your work?

With what is happening in your workplace, can you identify with one Biblical character who experienced something similar? (i.e. Joseph) Re-read their story. How does their example inspire you?

Prayer

Gracious Father, Thank you for your love. We praise you that you are sovereign, and that you are in control. Forgive us for when we fail to trust you. Strengthen us today, so that we may live our lives pleasing in your sight. Amen

Christ's Presence at our Workplace

What is mankind that you are mindful of them,human beings that you care for them? (Ps 8:4)

God delights over you! God sings over you! God rejoices over you! God loves you with a love that exceeds your expectations! You live and move and have your being in Christ. Rejoice that the transcendent, all powerful, all knowing God is personally intimate with you everywhere you go, including at your workplace and as you go about your daily routine, just as Christ is with you at church on Sunday, or in your small group.

God’s compassions are new every morning. God cannot be corrupted by what is going on around you. He is the faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Just at as the Lord faithfully provided Manna for his people when they travelled through the wilderness, God’s righteousness and justice will daily come to light in the midst of the apparent chaos of the world.

As you recognize the righteous presence of the living God in your workplace, you represent to the world around you that there is a righteousness greater than man’s. As you use the skills and talents that God has blessed you with in the daily routine of your job you are worshipping God and bringing glory to his name. As you do your work with integrity, with excellence, with diligence and with joy you demonstrate to a watching world the reality of Christ’s presence. Rely on the wisdom of God that is calling out to you in the marketplace, so that you can live a life of righteousness in your workplace.

Prayer

Father thank you that you love us, and personally intimate with us everywhere we go. May your righteousness and justice daily come to light. Help us to grasp the length and breadth and height and depth of love you have for us. Amen.

Gifted to do your work

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! (Rom 11:33)

God delights over you! Each facet of your life wonderfully reflects His glory. God rejoices over you! God sees his love radiating as you use your spiritual gifts. God sees his love sparkling as you use the talents and skills he gave you. Each of your abilities is a precious gift God uniquely chose to bestow upon you for his honor and glory before you were born. Your abilities and talents are not something to be despised or abused. Your talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts are what make you unique.

In the Old Testament, we meet leaders like Moses, Joseph, and Gideon who are filled with the Spirit of God and with wisdom, understanding and knowledge. We also meet talented tradespeople whom God has filled with wisdom, understanding and knowledge. We see these tradespeople use their God given skills to design and build the tabernacle and all the furnishings of the tabernacle, sew the priestly garments, farm, raise cattle, herd sheep and do countless other jobs.

God created this world with wisdom, knowledge and understanding, which are part of the very of essence of God’s character. God has filled you with the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to use your talents and abilities because he loves you. God has blessed you with understanding to solve the inevitable problems that arise in your job. God has filled you with the knowledge to do what is necessary to fulfill the requirements of your job. God has provided you with the wisdom to learn and teach others the skills to do your job with excellence.

May you live a life worthy of the Lord who has blessed you with the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to do your work. May you please the Lord in every way as you go about your day today. May every good work that you do bear fruit. Continue to grow in the knowledge of God. Be the best you that you can be today to the honor and glory of God! That is how God has gifted you, how God has created you, and who God has called you to be.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the unique personalities, learning styles, and interests that you have blessed each one of us with. Thank you for the wisdom, understanding, and knowledge that you have blessed us with so that we can do our jobs with excellence. Help us to do our work in such a way that your name is glorified. Amen

God's Creation

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth (Acts 17:24a)

Receive what you have, and what you use today with Thanksgiving. Everything you have and everything you use exists only because God created this universe. All the natural resources that form what you and I enjoy today were created by God. The individuals who skillfully take these raw materials and shape them into what we are now enjoying were blessed with their talents by God. The laws of nature which you rely upon to design and build everything you have are principles established by the Lord of Heaven and Earth when he created the universe.

There are no little jobs, and no little people in God’s Kingdom. Every role is vitally important in God’s kingdom. Architects and engineers designing a new building use the principles of engineering that are inherent in the world God created. Construction crews use the natural resources that God created, to build a new building. Accountants brings order to the finances of a building project, just as God brought order into the universe he created. Equally important are the baristas serving coffee to the architects, engineers, accountants and the construction crew. Baristas brew coffee from coffee plants that can be traced back to the first plants God planted in the garden to feed us.

As you do your work, you are fulfilling the mandate that God gave each of us in Genesis to fill the earth and to be responsible for it. As you go about your job today acknowledge that God is the creator and Lord of all the things that you have. As you celebrate the privilege you have to use what God has created; as you discover and follow the principles of God’s world, you are constantly reminding those around you, that this is our Father’s world and not just a random collection of particles.

Prayer

Gracious Father, we thank you for creating us, and blessing us with everything that we have. Forgive for the times when we take things for granted. Help us to live our lives in such a way that all those who are watching us know that is your world. Amen

Seeking God

The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. (Ps34:10)

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.¹

When you seek God, you are trusting in the God who created this world, and who has blessed you with the intelligence and abilities to earn and enjoy all the blessings you have. When you don’t seek God, you are saying that you, with your intelligence and your hard work have enabled the blessed life that you are now enjoying. When you seek God, you are acknowledging that God has laid out every moment of your life before you were born, and that his workmanship is marvelous.When you don’t seek God, you say that the God who created you is not able to deliver you. When you seek God you allow God to do things beyond what you can imagine. When you don’t seek God, you say that you know more than God knows.When you seek God, you will find God. When you don’t seek God, God will abandon you.

As you go about your day today, pause to reflect on the promises of God that are precious to you. Stop and give thanks to God for his faithfulness to you in the past,and his faithfulness to you today. Take time right now, to count your blessings, to name them one by one, and to celebrate all that God has done for you. God continues to be faithful to you in ways that you cannot imagine.

Wait in hope for the Lord. God is your help and shield. In your heart rejoice, as you trust in God’s holy name. For the eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. May the Lord’s unfailing love be with you as you put your hope in God.²

Prayer

Lord, we praise you for walking with us through the challenges and joys of life. Forgive us today for relying on our own strength, relying on our credit cards, relying on our own wisdom and abilities, and not trusting you. As we turn our eyes on you, Lord, we ask you to continue to be a light to our paths, and a lamp to our feet. Help us to keep your word within our heart. Guard our hearts. Help us to shine brightly like the morning sun in this dark world. Amen

[1] Lamentations 3:22-25 NASB

[2] Psalm 33 20-21;2 Chron 16:9; Psalm 33:22

God is watching over you

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9

This morning, as you got out of bed, the eyes of the Lord were watching over you. As you are going about your work today, the eyes of the Lord are watching over you.

The one who watches over you is your creator. The one who watches over you is the one who has blessed you with the intelligence and abilities to earn and enjoy all the blessings you have. The one who watches over you is the one who laid out every moment of your life before you were born. God watches over you with a heart of tender compassion, filled with love for you, just as a mother watches over her children. God watches over you longing for you to know and experience his great love today.

If your faith starts to fail today, remember that God is watching over you so that he can strengthen you. God knows your weaknesses, God knows where you may stumble and fall. God knows that you live in a fallen world. When you are tempted today to rely on your own resources and abilities, remember that God is watching over you, ready to do exceedingly more than you can imagine or ask or do on your own strength.

God knows when Satan is or will be tempting you. Satan only has the power that God permits him to have. When Satan asked to tempt the disciples, Jesus prayed that their faith would not fail. In the same way God’s eyes are upon you, not to see your faith fail, but to strengthen you so that your faith will not fail.

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry;
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. (Psalm 34:14-20)

Prayer

Lord, thank you for watching over us. Thank you for your love for us. Lord you know our weaknesses. Strengthen us today so that we can stand firm. Lead us not into temptation. For yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever Amen

Pressing the Pause Button

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 1:16)

Can we face any situation in the “name of the Lord?” When life is good, and you feel like you are in the groove, can you get up in the morning and head off to work in the “name of the Lord?” What about when work is full of challenges and difficult situations, or when your career takes a twist or turn that you didn’t foresee? Can you still face what lies ahead “in the name of the Lord?”

I believe we can face any situation in the name of the Lord – if we press the pause button and acknowledge that God is the Lord of heaven and earth; if we acknowledge that God is in control; if we ask God for his wisdom and help. It is countercultural to pause and pray. It is countercultural to acknowledge our powerlessness in the middle of a stressful, problematic, or thorny situation at work. When we acknowledge our powerlessness – we are declaring that God is sovereign at our workplace. When we trust in God’s ability to help – we are declaring that God made the world and everything in it. When we press the pause button – we are taking time to remember that the Lord of heaven and earth is the very source of our life.

The people of Judah were threatened by an enemy army that was twice the size of their army. As they went to battle they hit the pause button and in faith prayed: “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!”¹ The Lord heard their prayers and defeated their enemy.

Each situation is unique. God answers our prayers with his divine wisdom. God answers our prayers in mysterious ways which are beyond our explanation. God knows everything that is going on in your workplace. God knows the people you’re dealing with. God is able to deal with your situation in ways you cannot imagine. Place your trust in the infinite power and sovereignty of the Lord of heaven and earth who created you and who loves you. Allow God to work in your situation, so that his holy name may be glorified in your workplace.

Prayer

Lord, you have proven yourself faithful to past generations, and you have proven yourself faithful to us in the past. There is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you. In your name, Lord, we confidently walk into this situation, knowing you will never leave us or forsake us. Lord, you are our God. Amen

1. (2 Chronicles 14:11, NLT).

Pages