Tag: Work

Keep the LORD on Your Heart

When in the work, it is easier to keep the work in focus and we will remain on task. But, when the work is “done” we will find ourselves drifting away from the work and onto/into things that are not of a productive nature.

“4And now the Lord your God has given rest to your brothers, as he promised them. Therefore turn and go to your tents in the land where your possession lies, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan. 5Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” – Joshua 22:4-5 (ESV)

Joshua is advising those that have come to be with and help out their fellow Israelite people that their work is done and they are free to return to their homes and live out their lives. Joshua is indeed thanking the people for their help and advising them that they have done that which God had asked of them. Now they can return home and get back to their own, caring for themselves.

But, Joshua also charges them to keep the LORD on their heart. They are to return home and get back to life, and they are not to forget what they have done and how they have done it. The LORD had given them victory as they had obeyed Him and now they should remain in the LORD and continue to receive victory.

As I mentioned in the first paragraph, it is easy to remain on task while doing the work, but when the work slows, we tend to wander off task. Joshua is warning the people of this as he sends them home. He wants them to know that they are free to return home, only not to forget the LORD who provided for them and the victory they achieved.

I have to remember to keep the LORD on my heart at all time. I have to not give in to the distractions of the world. I have to love and serve the LORD, “with all your heart and with all your soul”. It is okay and encouraged to get back to the life that I have been given by the LORD, only I have to remember that He gave it to me. I have to remember Him in all that I am and do.

Where is the LORD in your life? Once you have completed the work, have you drifted off, away from the LORD? What if you were to stay on task with the LORD, remembering Him on your heart as you traverse this life in this world regardless of where you are?

Compassion Even When Worn Out

I want to believe that everyone has compassion for others. Yet, what about when we are worn out and in need of some rest. Well, there is never a time where compassion takes a back seat.

It is natural to want to have some time to rest. In today’s world everything is so fast paced that we all look for that time to relax and not be bothered so that we can just kick our feet up. But, Jesus tells us that rest comes to those who come to Him.

“28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28 (ESV)

Even as we will have rest when we come to Jesus, that does not mean that we will not be tasked with continuing the work. We will be worn out, yet we are to continue the work that He has for us and find rest in the work as it is in the name of Jesus and not just work.

“30The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.” – Mark 6:30-32 (ESV)

In the above verses, there is reference to the work that the apostles had been doing. They had been sent out by Jesus to spread the gospel and they had just returned to Jesus. They were excited and telling of all that they had done. They had worked and worked and worked and had no chance to rest and kick their feet up. Jesus knew this and recognized it and decided to give them a chance to catch their breath. He went with them to a place to do just that, away from the hustle and bustle to recharge the batteries a bit. But, that was not what happened. As they went away, the people followed and went ahead of them to the place they were going to rest.

“33Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.” – Mark 6:33-34 (ESV)

Here we find that the rest was not going to come. The apostles were not going to kick their feet up. They were not going to have a chance to breath. Jesus provided the example we all should follow. When there is a need, we are to work to fill that need. In this case, the need was for the gospel and the need was immediate. Even in the face of being worn completely out, Jesus showed the apostles that serving was more important than rest.

We will all have times when we are completely worn out, yet there is no time to shy away from continuing the work of the LORD, spreading the gospel, and serving others. Whenever and wherever we might be we are to have compassion for those in need and know that we will have rest when the work is done. Be the example that Jesus demonstrated for us here, show compassion for others even when we are worn out.

What is your view of when to show compassion? Are you all in when you have the energy and the time? What if you were to follow the example of Jesus and show compassion to others even when you are worn out?

Be His Instrument

I am His workmanship, created in His image and the pinnacle of the creation of God. I am pleasing to His eye and am counted as precious and treasure to Him. Yet, I am also His instrument to get the work done.

“’13I have stirred him up in righteousness,

and I will make all his ways level;

he shall build my city

and set my exiles free,

not for price or reward,’”

says the Lord of hosts.”

— Isaiah 45:13 (ESV)

Still studying in Isaiah this morning and the passage is titled in my English Standard Version Bible, “Cyrus, God’s Instrument”. Even in the one verse above, I am reminded that I am cared for by God and lead to righteousness for His pleasure, and yet I am not just to sit and bask in the glory that is the LORD, I have work to do as His hands. I am the instrument doing the physical work. I am here demonstrating the glory of the LORD. I am here doing all that He has instructed me to ensure that His glory is shone around the world. And, it all started in the beginning.

“26Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’” and “15The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” – Genesis 1:26 & 2:15 (ESV)

You see, I am not alone in being created to do the work of God. We all were. We were made to manage the work in this world for our LORD. He created us to work and keep all else that He had created. We are not just His instrument, but were created to be such. And all not because we are paid or receive something in return (see end of Isaiah 45:13 above) but for His glory to be shone in this world that others might realize and experience His glory.

I am the instrument of God. I am doing His work in this world that I am assigned. It is not always glamorous nor will I see reward in it now. But, I am doing it for His glory and that others will get to realize and experience and come to His glory.

What are your thoughts as to being the instrument of God? Do you take on things to get something of value in return? What if you were to just be the instrument of God that you were created to be, knowing that your reward is in heaven?

Wait on and Trust in God Only

I am human and a man and therefor I believe it is my responsibility to make things better. I am in control of things and by my work I am the thing that gets me and us through things that happen to get in the way. Well, as I child of God, I have to remember that it is really He that does such and I have to wait on and trust in Him only.

“1For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

2He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.”

“8Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your heart before him;

God is a refuge for us.”

— Psalm 62:1-2&8 (ESV)

God is my refuge and my redeemer. I have to remember these things. I have to do the work that He has for me, yes. But, it is just that, the work He has for me that he prepared ahead of time. The work He has for me is for my good.

“10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

I have to wait on God to give me the direction for that work and trust that it is enough for me. Yes, there will be things that distract me, like riches and things and places. God will provide that which I need and not those things of distraction. I have to stay focused on Him and the work and things He has for me and know that is enough.

“10Put no trust in extortion;

set no vain hopes on robbery;

if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

11Once God has spoken;

twice have I heard this:

that power belongs to God,

12and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.

For you will render to a man

according to his work.”

— Psalm 62:10-12 (ESV)

When reading verse 12 above, it would appear that it is through works that we gain from God. But we have to look at where those works come from, Him. It is not the works that lead to our gain, it is because of our gain that we complete the works of the LORD. We have the works thanks to Him and those works are tailored specifically for each of us. And that is where the waiting and trusting come in. I have to wait on God to provide me the works He has for me and then trust in Him that these works will be enough for His glory to shine brightly for the world to see.

What is your view of waiting on and trusting in God? Are you anxious and looking to do things on your own? What if you were to wait on Him and trust that He will provide that which you are in need of to bring glory to Him?

Teach so They Return

I am reading in Psalms again this morning, chapter 51. As I look at my bible, I have been in this chapter a lot over the years. It is no wonder why, the title of the Psalm is “Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God”. Although this morning it is not about me as I have been reminded.

Yes, I look to the LORD for guidance in my life that I might live a life pleasing to Him. I take action to do the work that He has assigned for me. Not for my glory but His.

“10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

And those works are to lead to others growth and learning and lead them to or back to the LORD. Those works are just that, works, not just actions. Righteous actions are important, but those actions are between the LORD and me and do little for the advancement of the gospel in their own right.

“16For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;

you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.”

— Psalm 51:16 (ESV)

The action of sacrifice or burning offerings to the LORD are for me and for others to see in me. I am to demonstrate proper action with the LORD and my faith. But I am also to do the work of Christ and that work is to spread the gospel to those I interact.

“13Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will return to you.”

— Psalm 51:13 (ESV)

I have to teach as Jesus did. I have to guide others in the Word of the LORD. When I do, those will have the opportunity to come to and/or return to the LORD. They need to be led back to the LORD who they have wandered away from They need to see in me that it is okay to be with and about Him. It is acceptable to worship the LORD. It is where they belong and that the LORD wants them there for His glory. The LORD wants to be there for them. The LORD wants to the relationship with them. The LORD is grateful for their return to Him.

I forget on the regular that my role is to teach. Whether in my role at my worldly job, or in the work I perform for the LORD. I am to teach. I am to give to others that which will benefit them. I also have to remember that I cannot make them accept that which I bring to them. My role is to teach them and then encourage them to accept and use that which they have learned. With the LORD that is no different. I am to teach so that the Word of the LORD reaches. I am to encourage the exploration and continued learning of the Word of the LORD. I am to lead them to the LORD and turn them over to Him to work on their heart. I am to teach them so they have the opportunity to come to Him.

What is your role with the LORD? Are you the constant recipient and are you just taking on actions for yourself? What if you leaned into the work you are called to do and teach so that the sinners will return to the LORD?

Do the Work and Prepare for the Fight

A fight for and around our faith is coming, that we can be certain, yet we have work to do in the name of the LORD. I have to be prepared for that fight and ensure that I continue the work. The work is the important part as relates to my existence here in this world. I was added here to do the work of the LORD, and when we even look back at creation, the man was created to have dominion and do the work of the LORD.

The fight is coming and yet I have to focus on the work of the LORD. I have to know that the LORD will protect us and fight for us, yet I am to be prepared for the fight for when I am called into action. I have to know that I have help in this world through my fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ, yet they will not be right beside me all the time. I and they are to prepare for the fight and know that the LORD is there with us to fight on our behalf so that we are able to continue the work to bring glory to him.

“19And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, ‘The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.’” – Nehemiah 4:19-20 (ESV)

I see here that the work of the LORD must continue, yet we are widespread in our work. We are not always working right next to others. We are not going to have in the immediate proximity, brothers and sisters in Christ who are at the ready to defend us. We are protected by the LORD. We are doing His work and He is right there with us as we work. Protecting us so that the work can and will be completed. And the alarm will sound to alert our brothers and sisters to come and defend us. They will come to our fight for our fight is their fight for the glory of the LORD.

I am blessed to have, at the ready, brothers and sisters in Christ to alert and call for when needed. Yet even with them at the ready, I still have the work of the LORD to do. I have faith that the LORD will protect me and give me that which is needed to complete His work. I must know that the fight is coming and prepare for it, yet focus on the work of the LORD with the comfort of knowing that He is fighting for me and that I have brothers and sisters in Christ ready to step in when called.

What is your thoughts on doing the work of Christ? Are you focused on the work or worried about the fight that is coming? What if you know it is coming realize that the LORD is fighting for you and that your brothers and sisters in Christ are at the ready to come when called so that you are able to complete the work of the LORD?

The LORD’s Plan is Way Bigger Than We See

First question this morning is, what was the result of Moses, Aaron, the Israelites, and Pharaoh? Well, the result was that the Israelites did escape from the land and rule of Pharaoh, in fact, Pharaoh willingly let them go.

Yes, the LORD’s plan was realized, but when we look back at the beginning of the plan, it did not look to promising. You see, the Israelite people were doing work for Pharaoh and thanks to Moses and Aaron, that work was made harder.

“4But the king of Egypt said to them, ‘Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens.’ 5And Pharaoh said, ‘Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens!’ 6The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen, 7’You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as in the past; let them go and gather straw for themselves.’” – Exodus 5:4-7 (ESV)

Moses and Aaron tried to get relief for the people and instead Pharaoh made their work even harder. They were to no gather straw on their own for the bricks and continue to produce the same results of the work, doubling the effort needed.

The part we have to remember is who is in control during this entire time. God! The people could not see the plan of the LORD. All they saw was that they now had more work and things were harder for them. But, the LORD was just starting the work to get them released. And, the time it took for them to be released was not short (some say about a year). So, it stands to reason that the people did not see the plan that God had for them in the beginning.

For us, we have to do the work assigned by God. It may be difficult in the moment, and it may get even more difficult and we may not see the plan He has for us. The results may not be revealed until we get there. It may take years, and as we see with the Moses and the promised land, we may not even get to be there for the result. But God does have a plan and it is up to us to do the work and realize it is for the result of this plan we work, even when we may not be there when it is resolved fully.

What is your view of the plan of God? Do you expect that you know where it all ends? What if you did the work, knowing that you may simply be at the beginning of the plan that will play out over a long period of time?

God May Make it Difficult

“21And the Lord said to Moses, ‘When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.’” – Exodus 4:21 (ESV)

What is this, the LORD sends Moses to work for Him. Tells him exactly what to say and what to do. And for his trouble, the LORD hardens the heart of Pharaoh. Obeying the LORD is not where the work ends, there is more to it.

The LORD told Moses that just telling Pharaoh in His name was not going to work. Not because it would not, but because the LORD was going to make it not work. Isn’t this just a bit contrary to what we might believe to come from the LORD. Aren’t we to obey the LORD and in doing so, He will take care of us? Why then would the LORD have us do something that would not work, shouldn’t it be that the LORD wants that things carried out in His name be done and take care of that which He intends? Well, yes, but there is more to it.

This is of course one of those things that makes it difficult for me. The LORD has something for me to do, I do it, and yet the result does not come out as planned. Why would the LORD do such a thing?

He is not doing it to get the result “we” have planned. There is a greater result that He is working toward, and I am just one part of the plan to get to that result. The LORD is working on His plan, to get His result, not mine.

So, with this in mind, I go back to verse 21 as above. Moses was to do the work of the LORD and tell Pharaoh to let the people go, and on the LORD’s design, it would not happen. It could have happened, if it were of God’s design, but it was not and did not. The LORD had something greater in mind and this was only part of the design.

Notice how this all plays out. The LORD has a task for us, we take care of that task and yet the result is not there that we expected. We are to continue on with the tasks that God has for us, and know that He will get the result He is working toward, and that result may not come for some time, or be different than we expected.

It is not that the LORD is making things difficult, He is having them play out just as He designed. I have to look to the LORD and know that His wisdom will produce the result He wants and my role is to do the work He has for me. The work He has for me is the work He has for me. The result of that work is not for me, just the work itself. It may be difficult and the result may not be felt by me, but it is the work the LORD has for me and that is where I have to be focused.

I look at my bible study and writing each morning. Where is the result? How many have I reached? Is it touching people the way the LORD intended? Is there more that I should be doing? How do I get more responses, and know that I am reaching the people to make a difference in their lives? Why is it that I don’t see more results? Is there an easier way to get things done? Why, Why, Why? Well, this is the work the LORD has for me and I have to know that it is the work, not the result that is my responsibility. He will get the result that He has planned. He is not making it difficult, He is simply leading me to follow Him.

What is your thoughts on the tasks that God has for you? Are you looking at them to get a specific result and thinking why so difficult to get that result? What if you saw them as part of God’s plan and those tasks are not difficult, but just designed to get a result that is just part of that plan?

Question God? Go Ahead

I have studied and written in the past of whether or not we should be questioning God and what He is asking of us. And each time, the prevailing answer is sure, go ahead and question God. The thing is, questioning Him is okay, but it does not absolve us from doing His work.

Moses was not confident in himself and subsequently questioned whether or not he was qualified to speak with the Israelite people or Pharaoh about their release and migration to the promised land.

“1Then Moses answered, ‘But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, “The Lord did not appear to you.”’” “10But Moses said to the Lord, ‘Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.’” “13But he said, ‘Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.’” – Exodus 4:1, 10, & 13 (ESV)

Over the span of one conversation with the LORD, Moses questioned Him three times. Moses was not ready to be the workman of the LORD. As I noted earlier, he was not confident in himself and was quick to make note to the LORD the he was just a regular guy and not qualified for such important tasks and work.

The LORD listened, provided answers and solutions to the questions, even was angered, but He did not relent or take away the task. The LORD had a task for Moses and Moses was going to do the work.

“8’If they will not believe you,’ God said, ‘or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign.’” “11Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?’” “14Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, ‘Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do.’” – Exodus 4:8, 11, & 14-15 (ESV)

The LORD was okay with the questions and that should be an example for us to follow (but that is a discussion for another time). The thing is that the LORD did not relent on the responsibility He placed on Moses. He had work for Moses and by golly Moses was going to do the work. The questions were valid in the beginning and the LORD provided ways to overcome. Then, as Moses allowed his fear and apprehension well up in him, he was trying to get out of the work. The LORD did not relent.

It is okay for us to question the LORD. He wants us to come to Him with our open heart, and that cannot happen if we are afraid to question. The LORD will provide all the answers we need. But, He has work for us to do and that work, even when we do not see how we can do it, needs to be done so the LORD will provide the way. We have to understand that our questions will lead to answers that we will need to accept.

What is your approach to the LORD? Are you willing to question Him? What if you did question to get answers, but remembered that you are still responsible for the work?

The LORD Uses All for His Work

Moses was a relatively unknown individual at the time that God chose him. Yes, he had lived in the house of Pharaoh and knew all the comforts of that lifestyle and was known in Egypt. But he had fled that life and was known only as the Egyptian that had saved the flock and delivered the daughters of the Midian priest, so, a relatively unknown.

Isn’t it that way with us. Aren’t we all relatively unknowns in the world. Sure, there are those that are doing the work of the LORD in grand fashion and are known to all. But even they were unknown at the time the LORD called them to do His work.

Other than knowing he was of Jewish lineage, there is no real mention of Moses being a man of God. He was a shepherd in Midian and was called by God through the burning bush.

“2And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3And Moses said, ‘I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.’ 4When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ 5Then he said, ‘Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ 6And he said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” – Exodus 3:2-6 (ESV)

Here is the beginnings of the call of Moses. He was out keeping the flock of sheep and saw a burning bush and went to see what was going on with it. The LORD came to him and introduced himself to Moses.

What an example of God working in ways that can only be described as mysterious. The LORD came to a regular man and commissioned him to do extraordinary work. Moses was asked to take on the leading of Israel out of the bondage of slavery. And, as just a regular guy, look at his response to this commission.

“11But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?’” – Exodus 3:11 (ESV)

I believe that I would say something very similar if God were to ask me to take on such a notable task for Him. But, isn’t that how it is all the time? The LORD asks us to act and we do not really know the full impact of what He is asking. All of the actions He commissions us to undertake are notable to Him. My job is simply to take them on and know that I may see myself as a simple, unknown, regular guy, but God sees me as His child and chosen for a reason. God uses us all for His work.

What is your view of your station? Do you see yourself as a simple, unknown, regular person? What if you saw yourself as God does, His child and know that He chooses you for a reason, for His work?