Category Archives: Works

Bible, Blessing, Humility, Obedience, Scripture, Service, Submission, Works

THIS IS TOO MUCH WORK

MALACHI 1:13

“‘You also say, “See, how tiresome it is!” And you view it as trivial,’ says the LORD of armies, ‘and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I accept it from your hand?’ says the LORD.”

I was blessed (yes, I said blessed) as a pre-teen and teenager to have some employers that were very demanding. I worked in the fields harvesting crops. I washed more cars than I could ever count at Walter Pollock and Sons. I hauled furniture for The Hand Trading company. All of these were very physically demanding. There were times I thought the work was too much. But I knew what my bosses expected, so I dug in and finished.

The Lord is accusing the priests in today’s verse of just whining and complaining. Truly, their work must have been tiring. They had to sacrifice all those animals, handle the blood and guts, burn it correctly and dispose of the ashes correctly. In Leviticus, God had laid out detailed instructions for offerings, and He expected the priests to follow them to the letter of the law.

APPLICATION

What is the “work” the Lord has called you to? Maybe you are called to serve full-time in ministry. You may be a doctor or lawyer. Perhaps you are a housewife and mom, struggling to manage the daily grind. Whatever it is, you can do this with the power of God in your life.

Are works necessary for a believer. Well James says this in James 2:20. “But are you willing to acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless?” You really need to read more than just this one verse to understand what James in talking about. But obviously, he is telling us we need to do our work.

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, “12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If   anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire.” Your work isn’t too much. Enjoy it for Jesus.

Father, give me the strength to work for You and show joy in the process.

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Affliction, Battles, Bible, Jobs, Provision, Satisfaction, Scripture, Works

NO WORK

ZECHARIAH 8:10

“‘“For before those days there was no wage for man nor any wage for animal; and for him who went out or came in there was no peace because of his enemies, and I sent all the people against one another.”’”

Last Fall I was in an East African country that was struggling economically. The unemployment rate was extremely high. People were suffering due to high food costs and the lack of fuel for vehicles and their homes. It was hard to hear the stories of families suffering and having to make difficult financial decisions. There was no work and no prospects for new jobs.

In today’s verse God is reminding the Israelites how bad it was before. Nobody was working. There wasn’t even any work for the animals due to poor crops and the damage of war. Sometimes, you just have to be reminded how bad it used to be so you can appreciate the present. Obviously, God felt the people needed that little reminder.

APPLICATION

Have you forgotten God’s blessings in the past? Better yet, have you forgotten how you were before Christ? Think back to that day. Before Christ came into my life, I was wandering aimlessly. I was pursuing all the wrong things. I was spiritually bankrupt. I need God to work on me, and He did. He gloriously saved me when I was sixteen. Now, that did not solve all my issues. I have still made mistakes since then. But it is so much better now.

I have never gone through a time for very long when I did not have a job. My dad taught me to never leave a job until you have another one lined up. I have pretty much always done that. So, it’s hard for me to relate personally to someone who has struggled for months or even years without a job. I have friends who have gone through that and have watched them struggle. I have prayed with them and even wept with them about this.

I want to remind you today of a passage in Colossians 3. Verses 23-24 tell us, “23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” You see, that is the key. Whatever we do!

Take a minute and list all the jobs you have ever had. Now, thank God for each one. Yes, each one. Every job you have ever had has been used by God to teach you and train you for the next one. I am not sure what job I will have in heaven. But whatever it is, it will be glorious to serve my Master. Don’t you agree?

Thank You, Father, for “employing” me in Your service. I want to always work to bring You glory.

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Bible, Reward, Scripture, Service, Works

BECOMING WEARY

HABAKKUK 2:13

“‘Is it not indeed from the LORD of armies that peoples labor merely for fire, and nations become weary for nothing?’”

To what purpose is our labor? I don’t know about you, but I have worked all my life. I began at an early age mowing lawns with my brother in our hometown. Even before that, I was tasked with household chores (washing windows, vacuuming, washing dishes, etc). I hope I am able to labor until God calls me home.

God is speaking here of the weariness of our labors if they are not directed in laboring to please Him. He says they labor just making fire. They get weary doing nothing. The pagans knew nothing of working to please God. They were only concerned with themselves. It is all weariness!

APPLICATION

As I am writing this blog, I am attending Pastors’ Conference in Kenya. I warned them as I was teaching to not get too busy “for God.” We can become so busy “doing” that we don’t focus on “being.” Sure, we need to labor. We need to do God’s work, but we can’t become so focused on working that we forget why we are working.

It is true that the harvest if plentiful, but the laborers are few. We need more people to serve the Lord to reach this world for Christ. We have to labor together. Isaiah 26:12 tells us, “All that we have accomplished, You have done through us.” Don’t forget that. He is the One who gives us our marching orders.

As I have gotten older, I have had to learn to work smarter, not harder. I just don’t have the physical stamina I used to have. That does not mean I can just sit on the porch in my rocker and watch others do all the work. I desire to be used by the Lord until I can’t be anymore. How about you?

We’ll work til Jesus comes, we’ll work til Jesus comes

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Bible, Reward, Scripture, Service, Works

BECOMING WEARY

HABAKKUK 2:13

“‘Is it not indeed from the LORD of armies that peoples labor merely for fire, and nations become weary for nothing?’”

To what purpose is our labor? I don’t know about you, but I have worked all my life. I began at an early age mowing lawns with my brother in our hometown. Even before that, I was tasked with household chores (washing windows, vacuuming, washing dishes, etc). I hope I am able to labor until God calls me home.

God is speaking here of the weariness of our labors if they are not directed in laboring to please Him. He says they labor just making fire. They get weary doing nothing. The pagans knew nothing of working to please God. They were only concerned with themselves. It is all weariness!

APPLICATION

As I am writing this blog, I am attending Pastors’ Conference in Kenya. I warned them as I was teaching to not get too busy “for God.” We can become so busy “doing” that we don’t focus on “being.” Sure, we need to labor. We need to do God’s work, but we can’t become so focused on working that we forget why we are working.

It is true that the harvest if plentiful, but the laborers are few. We need more people to serve the Lord to reach this world for Christ. We have to labor together. Isaiah 26:12 tells us, “All that we have accomplished, You have done through us.” Don’t forget that. He is the One who gives us our marching orders.

As I have gotten older, I have had to learn to work smarter, not harder. I just don’t have the physical stamina I used to have. That does not mean I can just sit on the porch in my rocker and watch others do all the work. I desire to be used by the Lord until I can’t be anymore. How about you?

We’ll work til Jesus comes, we’ll work til Jesus comes

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Bible, Boasting, Humility, Relationships, Scripture, Service, Strength, Works, Worship

THERE IS A GOD AND YOU’RE NOT HIM

HABAKKUK 1:11

“Then they fly along like the wind and pass on. But they will be held guilty, they whose strength is their god.”

Some people have a god complex, meaning they think they are gods of some sort. They think everyone should bow to them and do whatever they ask. They think they can do no wrong. They see themselves as superior, and we should be grateful they even acknowledge our existence.

The Chaldeans made a fatal mistake. They thought their success against Israel was due to their own strength, their own power. They did not realize God was simply using them as His instrument of judgment against Israel to bring them back to Himself. If God calls you guilty, you are guilty. They were and would soon find out.

APPLICATION

Do you suffer from a god complex? I sure hope not. As believers, it is important to know your position in Christ. Yes, we are beloved. Yes, we are the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). But God is on the throne. Jesus is at His right side. They rule heaven and always will. We will not arrive in heaven one day and tell Jesus to move over.

I love what Colossians 2:10 says. “In Him you have been made complete.” Does that mean we are perfect. Not by a long shot. The word “complete” there means to be filled up, to be satisfied. Because of Christ’s sacrifice we have been filled up. Filled up with what? With Him through the Holy Spirit. We lack nothing spiritually anymore.

But we cannot sit idly by and simply dwell in that. We have work to do. I read a quote this week by A.W. Tozer. It said Christ didn’t call us to work. He called us to worship. It is through worship that we are led to work. That is a rough paraphrase, but you get the idea. We are not in charge. God is. Live like it.

Father, I want to acknowledge right now that You are the one and only true God. There is none like. There is none beside you.

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Affection, Bible, Caregiver, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Commands, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faith, Family, Love, Mentoring, Mercy, Ministry, Modeling, Obedience, Qualifications, Service, Widows, Works

WORTHY OF HONOR

1 TIMOTHY 5:10

“having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.” 

Just look at the list of this widow’s character traits making her worthy of honor by the church. She has a good reputation. She is a child raiser. She is hospitable, service oriented, full of mercy and devoted. Wow! That’s some woman!

But shouldn’t we all be like that? I mean, look at the list again. Which one of those traits don’t belong in your life? The bottom line is she puts others before herself. Therein lies the rub. We don’t want to do that. We want to see ourselves first. We want to meet our needs first. It’s always me, me, me!

APPLICATION

Well, this is a no brainer. As parents, we are constantly teaching our little Gertrudes and Elords how to not be selfish. We teach children to share because they are naturally selfish. We teach them to watch out for their little brother or sister because they are not concerned with that. 

But once again, this is better caught than taught. We must model these behaviors. When they see us showing mercy to someone, they learn from that. When they observe us serving someone else, they watch how it’s done. We are living out the traits they need to embrace. So, be very careful what you do and say. Little eyes and ears are watching and listening.

How are you in regard to these traits? Are you hospitable? Do you show mercy or wrath? We may not be a widow who needs to be put on the church list, but we still need to live out these same godly traits. And what is amazing is that when we do these things, we are the ones who are blessed. Be a blessing!

I do enjoy blessing others, Lord. Help me see their need even before it is apparent. Let me be Your hands and feet to them.

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Commands, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Inspirational, Love, Mentoring, Ministry, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Qualifications, Scripture, Wisdom, Works

YOUR REP

1 TIMOTHY 3:7

“And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

This verse intrigues me. Why would Paul say an elder must have a good reputation with those OUTSIDE the church? Why be concerned about those people? Isn’t the church the important thing. Of course, the church is important. But Paul is telling Timothy that those outside the church are watching us. We may be the only example of Christ they ever see.

So, it is very important to keep your reputation up among the world. They may not like you, but they need to respect you. If we let our reputation falter due to our own sin and lifestyle, we have lost every opportunity to bear witness for Christ. After all, isn’t that the important thing – sharing Jesus?

APPLICATION

Our children must be taught this important lesson. Their reputation can be damaged in a second. An impulse decision in a weak moment can lead to years of reputation rebuilding. How do we teach our children the importance of maintaining their reputation? 

I truly believe it is by teaching them that they are not just representing themselves and their family. They are representing Christ (if they are a believer). It is Christ’s reputation who is damaged by our disobedience and rebellion. Nothing we can do can diminish who Christ is, but we can cause people to turn away from Christ based on our behaviors. 

How’s your rep? Do you represent Christ in the world? Do your lost friends and neighbors know you stand with Christ? If you have anything in your life that you would not share with Jesus, get rid of it. If Christ wouldn’t do it, you shouldn’t either. Let your reputation reflect Jesus every day.

I want to be an example of Your everlasting love. I want others, lost or saved, to be drawn to me because of my love for You. Thank You for loving me despite my failures.

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Advice, Affection, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Comfort, Commands, Direction, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Family, Fatherhood, God's Will, Love, Mentoring, Modeling, Motherhood, Obedience, Parenting, Scripture, Surrender, Works

GOOD WORKS

1 TIMOTHY 2:10

“but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.” 

To properly understand this verse, you have to go back to verse 9. You know that is true of every verse in Scripture. You can’t just take the verse out of context. That’s what causes a lot of confusion and dissensions. Stick to the context.

And here, you have to go back to see Paul discussing how the ladies should adorn themselves. Paul is saying what you wear and how you look outwardly isn’t the important thing. The important thing is to let your walk match your talk. He is NOT saying good deeds is the mark of godliness. That would go against all his other teachings. He is saying that if you claim to love Jesus you will be about doing good works, not because you have to but because you want to.

APPLICATION

This is so important to teach our children. We do not want them thinking they have to “perform” to get our love or God’s love. It’s what is in the heart that matters. Their behavior or good deeds are merely an outpouring of their love for us and God. We obey and do because we are loved and because we love. We don’t have to do those things to be loved.

How can you teach this? The next time your little Johnny really blows it (and he will, lol) show him love. You may still have to discipline him in some manner but pull him close and hug him tight. Let him know that nothing he can do will ever diminish the love you have for him. He can’t earn it. It is just yours to give freely.

Are you trying to get God to love you more by doing stuff for Him? Stop it. Your godliness is not portrayed because of your good works. Your godliness is shown through submission to your holy God. Then as He tells you to do certain things, you do them to honor Him, not to get Him to love you back.  Isn’t that great? His love is freely given. 

Father, I desire to please you in all I do. Thank You I don’t have to earn Your love, though. Thank You for loving me despite me being me.

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