September 3, 2011

“Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him”  Ecclesiastes 5:18-19

My challenge this Labor Day week-end is for you to "Take You Job And Love It"!

Love it as a blessing and love it as a bridge.

Thirdly,

III. View Your Job As A Building Project

God can build some things into you through your job than he can most other places in your life. There are several very logical reasons why: you spend more time there than just about anywhere else, the stakes are higher - you grow or you lose the job, and there is more accountability there than most other places in your life because you answer directly to a boss or bosses. So, what better environment to grow and develop as a person.

A. Build Your Confidence

In the book Scully, there is a dialogue between Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Computers and John Scully, who at the time was president of Pepsi. Jobs was attempting to recruit Scully for the top job at Apple and he asked Scully, “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?”
B. Build Your Competency

A local business puts a sign in the window, stating the following: “HELP WANTED. Must be able to type, must be good with a computer and must be bilingual. We are an equal opportunity employer”

A short time afterwards, a dog trotted into the office manager’s office, jumped up on the chair and stared at the manager. The office manager said “I can’t hire you. The sign says you have to be able to type.”

The dog jumped down, went to the typewriter and proceeded to type out a perfect letter. He took out the page and trotted over to the manger and gave it to him, then jumped back on the chair. The manager was stunned, but then told the dog, “The sign says you have to be good with a computer? The dog then executed a perfect program that worked flawlessly the first time.

By this time the manager was totally dumbfounded! He looked at the dog and said, “I realize that you are a very intelligent dog and have some interesting abilities. However, I still can’t give you the job? The dog jumped down and went to a copy of the sign and put his paw on the sentence that says Equal Opportunity Employer. The manager said, “Yes, but the sign also says that you have to be bilingual? The dog looked at the manger calmly and finally said, “Meow.”

C. BUILD YOUR CHARACTER

”Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” Colossians 3:23-24.

For years Gordon MacDonald rode the same bus daily from his home to his church in New York City. One day the bus driver complained to MacDonald: “You’ve got it a lot better than me. You have an interesting job and travel different places. I just drive this bus up and down the same streets every day.” MacDonald told the bus driver his job could be a Christian ministry too. “Every day, when you first get on this bus, before anyone else gets on, dedicate this bus to God for that day. Declare it to be a sanctuary for God for that day. Consecrate it to God’s glory, and then act like it is a place where God dwells.” Several weeks later MacDonald returned from a trip and saw the bus driver. “You’ve transformed my life,” the man said. “I’ve been doing what you said every day, and it has made me see my job in an entirely new perspective.”

THAT MAN LEARNED TO LOVE HIS JOB BECAUSE HE UNDERSTOOD IT WAS MORE THAN WORK – IT WAS WORSHIP!

IF I COULD SPEAK FOR GOD TODAY I BELIEVE HE WOULD SAY, “TAKE THIS JOB AND LOVE IT……..”

UNDERSTAND THESE TRUTHS TO HELP YOU LOVE YOUR JOB:

You didn’t get your job it was GIVEN to you by God - Give it back to Him

Don’t see your job as a profession but as a PLATFORM. – Live Godly through it.

Plan your retirement to be a RE-ENLISTMENT. – His plan is out of this world!

One of the most spiritual things you can do as a believer is this - TAKE YOUR JOB AND LOVE IT!

September 2, 2011

"This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart."  Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

Yesterday, I began the challenge to "Take This Job And Love It!". Part one was "Love It As A Blessing".

Here is part two:

II. Love Your Job As A Bridge

One day an eager young man from Stanford University applied for a part time position at the school. The man who was doing the hiring said, “All I need now is a typist.” “I’ll take the job, said the applicant. “but I can’t start until next Tuesday.” On Tuesday he reported for work. The employer said, “Why couldn’t you come until today?” “Because I had to rent a typewriter and learn to use it!” Do you know who the student was?  Herbert Hoover!

The right job will be a bridge for you to accomplish many wonderful things. Here are just some of the more obvious ones.
A. It Is A Bridge For A Strong Reputation

“We know how telephone conversations are; we usually hear only one side of the conversation. A young boy was talking and his father was listening, "Hello, sir, I was calling you to see if you could use a lawn boy to do your yard work!" "Oh, I see you already have one!" "Well, is he doing your work to your satisfaction?" "He is! Thank you, sir, I was just checking," then the young boy hung up the phone. The father looked at his son and said, "Sorry son, you didn’t get the job!" "Oh, no sir," said the boy. "I’ve already got that job. I was just calling to check up on myself!"

A good reputation is essential for you as a Christian desiring to witness for your Lord at your workplace. If your work is not respected, you won't be respected and you will have a negative impact rather than a positive one.

B. It Is A Bridge to Showing Real Faith
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people” Galatians 6:10

Be “pre-prayered” – Pray for God to fill you so he can use you.
Be pleasant and positive - Be enjoyable to be around not a pain in the rear.

Be productive - Make money for your boss and lighten the load for your co-workers.

C. It Is A Bridge to Redemptive Relationships

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6

”But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15-16

If you are called to be a witness for your Lord (and you are), and if work is where you spend 40 hours a week 50 weeks a year (and you do), then where is a better place to try and build bridges for sharing your faith!!!????

What kinds of bridges are you building to introduce the reality of Christ where you work?

September 1, 2011

“This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.  They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.”   Ecclesiates 5:18-20

Some of us remember the old country western classic, “Take This Job and Shove It” sung by Johnny Paycheck. A few years later during a recession of the early 1980’s, I heard someone say that the new version of the song had been changed to say, “Shove That Job – I’ll Take It!”

No kidding! Estimates show 14.6 millions who want a job don’t have one. 7.9 million jobs have been lost since the recession started in Fall of 2008. Many of those will never be recovered. Unfortunately, with an unemployment rate of 9.1% there are many who would love to take a job but can’t find one. I saw a report by a private firm that tracks unemployment trends and their findings show for the month of May 28% of 1,000 households surveyed had at least one person unemployed – June was 27.8% and July 28.8%. Their factors that they use to calculate actual unemployment totals shows it at 22% or almost two and a half times more than the Labor Department numbers. Those are heartbreaking statistics.

In view of this current reality, I want to offer some perspective on this important issue of working as I prepare my message for Sunday which will be entitled "Take This Job And Love It".

First, I urge you to love your job as a blessing!

Solomon in his wisdom reminds you that to be able to labor at a job is a "gift from God".

Have you forgotten that?

A husband and his wife woke up one Sunday morning and the wife dressed for church It was just about time for the service when she noticed her husband hadn’t moved a finger toward getting dressed. Perplexed, she asked, “Why aren’t you getting dressed for church?” He said, “Cause I don’t want to go.” She asked, “Do you have any reasons?” He said, “Yes, I have three good reasons. First the congregation is cold. Second, no one likes me. And third, I just don’t want to go.” The wife replied, wisely, “Well honey, I have three reasons why you should go. First the congregation is warm. Second, there are a few people there who like you. And third, you’re the pastor! So get dressed!”

Don't be that guy!

Realize these three facts:

God blesses work!

I have already documented in my last few blogs how God invented work and sanctified it. He has wired us so we need to work in order to find satisfaction and fulfillment. Perhaps if you stopped thinking about your job as work and began thinking about it as worship that would help your attitude.

Second, work blesses you!

In addition to all the spiriual, emotional and psychological benefits of working, there is the practical aspect of being able to provide the basic needs and wants of yourself and your family. What a blessing to enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you can provide for your family and give them the security and stability of knowing they will be cared for!

Finally, work allows you to bless others!

One of the most spiritual things you can do after you have provided for your family is to lend assistance to family and friends in need. That happens through the tithe you give to your church and it happens through special offerings the church fellowship may occasionally collect in response to a need. God never intended for His people to become dependent on the government, they are supposed to take care of one another.

BUT, it is difficult to do that if you don't have a job!

Will you take a moment and thank God for your job? Will you ask Him to help you take that job and love it?

It is a blessing to you, to your family and to others!

August 31, 2011

"One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”  Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 1and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him."  Luke 5:1-11

"After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him."   Luke 5:27-28

Continuing on the theme of the sanctity of work, I remind you that many of the significant servants of the Bible were called by God while they were busy working. The Scripure references above affirm that. Remember that Moses was tending sheep when he saw the burning bush. God often met with David as he was tending his sheep. The angels appeared to shepherds in the fields announcing the good news of Jesus' birth. And, Jesus Himself, had a job as a carpenter until He entered His final three years of life and ministry.

I came across this article by a researcher named Craig Galati that explains why God calls busy people:

There is an old adage, “if you want something done, ask a busy person.” It certainly seems true that busy people do get things done, but I wanted to know why. I decided to poll a few people I know who are very effective in their work to find out.

Before I describe my findings, I want to establish a common definition of what I mean by a busy person. For the purposes of this article, a busy person is one who is sought after for his specific specialty because he does it well. He is the one who always has something to do and he is the one everyone chooses to help them when a task needs to be accomplished. He is not the unorganized, multi-tasker who swoops in with a flurry of activity but never really accomplishes much beyond creating chaos. The busy person I refer to is a performer and, because of his ability, is busy. He works on important things, not just busywork!

With that said, here are my findings:

Busy people are organized. It didn’t come as a surprise to that the people with whom I spoke, those who were busy and accomplished, were also very organized. Although there were a few exceptions to this rule, in most cases these busy people knew what they were working on, how long it would take, what resources they needed, when they needed resources, and they had a path to follow including contingencies. They spent the time necessary to plan an appropriate course of action. At times, these people didn’t appear to be as busy as the person next to them with the overflowing desk, but their workload and accomplishments indicated otherwise.

Busy people delegate. One of the ways top performers get things done is through timely and appropriate delegation. They have mastered the art of what and to whom tasks should be delegated. They also are accomplished in keeping track of the delegated work and provide support to their team. This keeps them from putting their team members in a panic or crisis mode and eliminates the need for micromanaging. I was told that when delegating, it is important to keep in touch with what the entire team is working on and ensure that all involved are communicating effectively among themselves.

Busy people spend time planning. The busiest people with whom I spoke were also the calmest. It was explained to me that one is not nervous working a well-thought-out plan. Busy people spend the time it takes to develop a solid work plan. When I asked how they were able to find the extra time it takes to plan, I was told that it didn’t require additional time to plan. The time it takes to plan is more than offset by the more effective use of time executing the plan. The high performers also explained that without a well-thought-out plan, people begin working on tasks that may or may not be relevant to the overall goals of the project. The plan is the key. Spending the appropriate time planning will ensure that the work meets its objectives, that tasks are sequenced well, and time is use effectively.

Busy people are driven. The busy people with whom I spoke were all very successful. I already knew that; they didn’t need to tell me. In fact, the busy people acted with a cool confidence that clearly told me that they knew they were successful and didn’t need outside recognition of that fact. They are driven by a need to succeed and to do a great job, and internal satisfaction is their reward.

The conclusion I draw to the adage, “if you want something done, ask a busy person,” is that busy people get things done because they are organized, driven and the are effective delegators. Most importantly, busy people get things done because they plan their work well to ensure its success.

I know you work hard and stay busy, but will you be busy for Jesus?

August 30, 2011

"To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”  Genesis 3:17-19

Is your work a job or a joy?

We established that work came from God. The first glimpse we get of Him in the Bible He is working! Creation was a joyful experience for Him but it WAS work! He found it necessary to rest on the seventh day.

After He created Adam the first thing God did was to put him to work in Eden, aka - Paradise. It is clear that work has a sacred aspect to it.

So, when did work stop being a joy and become a job? What changed that working became more of a pain than a pleasure?

Sin happened. Adam got on the wrong side of the Boss when he disobeyed God. Everything changed after that from a labor of love to labor. Because of sin his relationship to the Boss changed and his attitude toward his job changed and his motivation for work changed. That took the joy out of the job.

Before Adam sinned he worked to please the Boss. After sin he had to work to pay the bills. Before he sinned all of nature was working with him, but the curse of sin was that nature turned against him. Suddenly the earth was not as fertile and weed and thorns grew like wheat and corn once did.

If you have a hard day on the job today, you can blame Adam! He caused work to change from joy to a job. But rather than feel sorry for yourself, feel the sting of sin and determine to turn from it. Decide to get right with the Boss and put Him in charge of your attitude. Remind yourself of the sancity of work and do your job in a way that honors God. As you work to serve the Lord, the joy will return to your job!

Work at bringing the joy back to your job.

August 29, 2011

 ^"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."   Genesis 2:2-3

^"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."  Genesis 2:15

Maybe it is just me, but doesn't it seem a little strange that we would honor the Labor Movement in America by taking a day off of work?

In advance of the Labor Day week-end, I want to share some Biblical perspectives on work. Like every relevant thing that happens in your life, the Bible has quite a bit to say about work. For instance, our verses referenced above shows where work came from - GOD! God created work!

The very first time you see God in the Bible guess what He is doing - WORKING! If you don't think that creating the universe was work then explain why God set aside a day to rest from His work. Sure, God is different fom you, but the reason people generally rest is because they need a break from working.

Maybe you don't feel like your job is divine, but the concept of work is! Notice that not only did work originate with God, but when He placed Adam in Eden one of the first things He did was set him up with a job! He was to tend to the plants and animals that God had placed in Paradise. Talk about a dream job and a perfect work environment - move over Apple headquarters!

Work is worth celebrating! Maybe it would be more appropiately celebrated by actually working, but work is God's idea for His creatures! Work has God's seal of approval!

So, you may want to re-examine your attitude toward work in view of the fact that it is God's idea and His invention. And further, I had a college professor who proffered the idea that if you want to know what heaven will be like, look at Eden since it was the original paradise! There could be some validity in that view. It would be easier to make the case that it's true than to argue it isn't. Therefore, you can figure that there will be a job awaiting you in Heaven. Dying doesn't get you out work but it will certainly get you a better Boss!

Celebrate God's gift of work!

August 28, 2011

"Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty— he is the King of glory.”  Psalms 24:7-10

III. WRAP YOUR HABITS AROUND HIS WORSHIP, Vv. 7-10

A preacher got on the bus to go downtown. After sitting down, he noticed that the driver had given him a quarter too much in change. He wondered what he should do. After all, it’s only a quarter, he figured. By the time he reached his stop, he knew what he had to do. Telling the driver he had given him too much change, he gave the quarter back. The driver asked him, “Aren’t you the new preacher in town?” “Yes”, came the reply. “Well, I’ve been thinking about going to church but I wasn’t sure. So I gave you extra change to see what you’d do. I’ll see you Sunday.” THAT’S EVANGELISM! God’s glory was revealed through the simple act of doing the right thing.

Holiness is reflected by a lifestyle of worship. When you wrap your hrad around His wonder and when you wrap your heart around His will, it will show in your habits. Your life will be an expression of worship to Him.

“The King of glory” - must be lifted up in your life – allowing Him to reign

“The King of glory” – must be let in your life

“lift up your head” - rejoicing

“lift up your doors” - receptive

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:9-21

IS YOUR LIFE AN EXPRESSION OF WORSHIP?

CONCLUSION:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  Romans 12:1-2

Wrap Your Head Around His Wonder – “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”

Wrap Your Heart Around His Will – “Therefore, I urge you, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Wrap Your Habits Around His Worship – “this is your true and proper worship”

Holiness is being all wrapped up in God – WHAT ARE YOU WRAPPED UP IN?

WHY IT MATTERS

When you are a Christian who has not been made holy you will be like I was when I had one foot on the deck and one on the boat. You have to get both feet in the boat, get on the dock or you will fall. You can't have one foot in your will and one in God's will.

Are you all wrapped up in God?

Is your head wrapped up in wonder for Him?

Is your heart wrapped up in His will?

Do your habits reflect His worship?