Tag Archives: scripture

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Work Week Devotion 01.15.2017

Proverbs 3:9-10

Proverbs 3:9-10 (NLT): Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.

Giving your first fruits back to God is not necessarily an easy practice to get into. It’s so counter-intuitive. “So you’re telling me I’ll have MORE if I give it away? Wouldn’t it make more sense to pay all my bills and then work with what’s left over?” Yes. That would make more sense. There’s not much faith involved in doing what makes sense. God doesn’t always ask us to do the logical thing. He always asks us to do the obedient thing.

Take a step in faith. Give the Lord your first fruits. Put Him to the test. (Malachi 3:10) See what happens to your barns and vats. You’ll not find a better financial plan.

Generous Father, You give us so much more than we deserve. Help us to be generous and to keep our priorities in order. Please forgive us when we are selfish and don’t trust You with our finances. Amen.

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Work Week Devotion 10.30.2016

I Peter 4:10

I Peter 4:10 (NLT): God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

God has gifted and equipped you to serve an important purpose. There are others that need your brand of leadership, teaching, encouragement, hospitality, even humor. You are not in your workplace or neighborhood by accident. He wants to use you to serve your peers, those you answer to and those you lead.

Hopefully you are in a position to use your gifts on a regular basis. If not, why don’t you pray for God to open your eyes to new and creative ways to serve others? There could be opportunities right in front of you that you’re not even aware of. Our God loves creativity and ministry opportunities are virtually limitless if you’re looking for them!

Father, Thank you for the creativity seen in how you have gifted each of us. Forgive us when we use our gifts for selfish gain. Show us how to use our gifts for Your glory and to serve others. Amen.

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Work Week Devotion 10.23.2016

Mark 10:23-25

Mark 10:43-45 (NLT): But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

The world tells us to climb the ladder of success and step on as many people as we need on the way up. Our status is determined by how many people are “under” us; who is at our beck and call. As Christians, we are supposed to become more like Jesus as we live in this world. He was above everyone yet He had a servant’s attitude. We should expect no less from ourselves.

Who is your manager, boss or leader? Serve them.
Who do you manage, direct or lead? Serve them.
Serve them like Jesus would – whether or not you think they deserve to be served!

Father God, thank you for showing us the perfect example of servant leadership in Jesus. Please forgive us when pride, insecurity or a hardened heart prevent us from serving others. Help us to serve others the way Jesus would. Amen.

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Work Week Devotion 08.21.2016

Ecclesiastes 7:14

Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NLT): Enjoy prosperity while you can,
but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God.  Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

Matthew 5:45b (NLT): For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

We want to practice being faithful when things are easy and when things are tough, in times of plenty and in times of want. We can look at the life of Joseph (Genesis 37, 39-45) – favored in his father’s house, thrown away by his brothers, falsely accused, thrown in/forgotten in jail, finding favor with the king, gaining power and ultimately showing grace to his brothers. He certainly had a roller coaster of a life! We can’t always see the “big picture” or the whole of God’s “upper story.” Sometimes we get blind-sided by a health issue or the actions of others. When these things happen we must resist the “why me?” attitude and remember what it says in Matthew 5:45. We can follow the example of Joseph and do our best to remain faithful in the ups and downs of life remembering that nothing is certain – the sun shines and the rain falls on the just and unjust alike – but God is faithful and one day it will all make so much more sense.

Thank you, Father, for being faithful and good even when we are not. Help us remember that our fortunes can turn at any time and it’s not necessarily an indication of Your favor but a result of the world in which we live. Help us to be faithful during good times and bad. Please forgive us when our faith falters and we cry “Why me?” Amen.

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Work Week Devotion 08.14.2016

Colossians 3:23

Colossians 3:23 (NLT): Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

People can be tough sometimes! They’re demanding, irrational and unappreciative. They don’t always DESERVE your best, but God asks you to give them your best anyway. When you serve a difficult person in love, it says nothing about what they deserve but a lot about the Lord of your life. Rest assured that God sees each time you are mistreated and all of your effort that you think goes unnoticed.

When you get discouraged and are tempted to cut corners remember that God honors good work. When you are ready to throw your hands up in frustration, imagine Jesus standing in front of you. In serving others you are serving and representing Him.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for loving us and giving us the opportunity to love others. Help us remember that even difficult people are created and loved by you. Show us how to serve You through serving others. Amen.