Thanks!

Almost twenty centuries ago God inspired the Apostle Paul to predict today’s global attitude: But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come from men who will be lovers of themselves, unthankful, unholy (2 Timothy 3:1-2, emphasis added).
Many people today are self-centered, discontent, and ungrateful. But in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul counters the general attitude of the world with what the prevailing attitude of the believer in Christ should be: …in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Christians, more than anyone else should be thankful people. In a world of ingratitude, we should be thankful to God in times that are painful as well as in times that are pleasant, in times of war and peace, in times of famine and plenty, in times of poverty and prosperity.
An attitude of gratitude is an earmark of spiritual maturity. Those who have been gripped by grace spend time daily thanking God in private as well as regularly thanking God and others in the public domain.
Some people find it difficult to show appreciation to God and the people around them. They have a hard time saying, “I enjoyed that” or “I like that” or “Thanks for doing that.” If you are one of those people, maybe its time to do an inventory of your spirit and to ask the Lord to develop an attitude of gratitude in you. With the help of the Holy Spirit, your life can be transformed from the inside out by a two-word phrase that packs a powerful punch: “Thank You.”

Brushing Your Teeth

Finishing our series called “Working for a living” we discovered that our role as Christians is to be a light to the dark world. Not when we want to, but when the opportunity comes our way. This means we are prepared, always ready to help, serve and explain the message of Jesus inside of us.

What happens when we neglect this? Well, have you ever neglected something in your body, only to have it cause problems later? Like brushing your teeth, see all you have to do is neglect that one night and we all will know! Whewww! But if you keep on doing it, well; toothaches, cavities, bleeding gums, and so forth are yours to come. When you neglect what’s inside of you, soon the outside of you starts to suffer. The same thing is true with the message of Jesus that is inside of you.

So It’s half way through the week and have you seen any opportunities? They are out there if you take time to pray. As I finished my message I stated the Colossians chapter 4 gives us the answer on how to do this, but did you notice what each statement has in it, let me help…

(Colossians 4:2) “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
(Colossians 4:3) “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”
(Colossians 4:4) “Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”

Get the point, if you are going to share Christ in today’s world, you must be a person of prayer! It’s only in Jesus that you will be able to see and have the strength of heart to respond to a world that is so cold, and you get that through prayer.

Go and work for the rest of your life, unto Jesus!

Four Letter Word

Fresh out of college I was hitting the streets and ready to change the world for Jesus, oh yeah and for me as well. I returned to Colorado and settled back in my hometown of Strasburg and started working in Denver, about a 30 minute commute one way. I was determined to land that great job that was going to make me that wealthy, independent, island hopping businessman. Well, through visiting local networking venues I landed a job as the right hand man to the president of a growing and fast-paced business. IT was amazing, everything I wanted in my first job and there was even talk of me eventually talking over the business one day. The company was called “Headline Sports” and I had done it, I had hit my once in a life-time opportunity to make it big!

I knew it was going to be a challenge, but I thrived on that possibility and came into work as eager as a Colorado beaver! Well what I did not realize was the magnitude of the test God has just placed in my lap. In a New York minute my wonderful boss turned into a serious Mr. Hyde. He was not just mean, but emotionally demeaning and verbally abusive. To spare you the details, near the end of my time at the job I found myself looking forward to lunch as a person in the desert would long for water and dreading the return an hour later so much that I would get physically ill and almost thought I would throw up. Let’s face it this guy was a jerk and a horrible boss. He thought the best way to motivate me was to get 3 inches from my face and scream at the top his lungs until he was red in the face. Ok in boot camp but not in the business world.

But I stayed, not because I love this type of punishment but because I learned years before I work unto the LORD and not to man. So I had made a commitment to help this company for a period of time and when that time ended I resigned. During that season I learned what it meant to work unto God even when it costs me more than I gained.

I learned my job or career can be so much more than a “job”. It can bring me eternal fulfillment even in the middle of a horrible work environment. It came down to how I viewed my job.

So how do you view your job? Regardless if you are on the top of your game or at the bottom of the ladder what would your job be like, good or bad, if you entered everyday as if Jesus was your boss? Would you dread getting up to come in? Would you make those famous late excuses that are so easy around here, like “I got stuck in traffic”.

Perspective is king and it certainly rings true in your vocation. Work unto God and not man, you will be better for it!

"Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted" (Matthew 23:12)