Monthly Archives: February 2017

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Work Week Devotion 02.19.2017

James 1:19

James 1:19b (NLT): …you must all be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry.

It’s been said that we often listen to respond rather than listen to understand. You’ve also probably heard that we have 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason – we should listen twice as much as we speak. Imagine a world where we all listened to understand and talked about half as much as we currently do. Forget about a world; imagine an office, a home, a classroom.

A leader listens before speaking and does not let her emotions rule her actions. A leader is eager to understand another’s point of view and does not quickly get defensive or angry. A leader realizes that listening is a counter-intuitive act that takes practice and intentionality to cultivate.

Patient Father, thank you for the gift of communication. Help us to be quick to listen and slower to respond. Please forgive us when we get it backwards. Amen.

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Work Week Devotion – Valentine’s Day 2017

Song of Solomon 8:7

Song of Solomon 8:7 (NLT):
Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it.
If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth,
his offer would be utterly scorned.

It’s customary and enjoyable to show love by exchanging gifts on Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. Sometimes gifts are lavish and sometimes they are simple. It’s not the gift that makes the love – it’s the love that gives gifts their meaning. If love is there, lack of wealth cannot destroy it. If there is no love, all the money in the world is meaningless.

“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” By now, this phrase has become cliche, but there is so much truth there. We all want success and security and nice things and to provide for those we love but it’s the people that matter. Friendships matter. Relationships matter. Marriages and parenting and mentoring matter. Love is an action. Build love that waters can’t quench. Don’t get to the end of your life and find you are utterly scorned despite your “success.”

Loving Father, thank you for the gift of love and showing us what real love is. Help us to love like you. Please forgive us when we seek wealth before relationships. Amen.

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Work Week Devotion 01.29.2017

Ephesians 4:2

Ephesians 4:2 (NLT): Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Humble and gentle aren’t words often associated with successful business – leader types. But they should be. We absolutely want excellence and growth and achievement but we must never forget that we are dealing with human beings. Where there are no people there is no ministry. If what we’re doing isn’t ministry, it counts for NOTHING.

When you are learning something new or having a bad day, you long for patience, understanding and love from those around you. When you encounter others in those situations, be the person you would long for. Love them like Jesus would.

Patient Father, Thank you for loving us despite our faults and shortcomings. Help us to love others in that same way. Please forgive us when we are not humble and gentle. Let us love like Jesus. Amen.