Devotions/Partners, English

Taking Heed Every Day

June 20, 2023

Devotions/Partners

Colossians 4:17 (KJV): “And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.”

COMMENTARY: Every person who comes to Christ receives a God-given ministry to fulfill. One of the most convoluted concepts in Christianity today is that only those who are called to be full-time pastors, missionaries or teachers are in real full-time ministry. Wrong! You have received a unique, full-time ministry from the Lord, and His desire is that you know it and take heed to fulfill it on a daily basis.

The problem is, we’re often too busy looking at what other people are doing (or not doing) and trying to emulate someone we admire, that we miss what God is telling us to do. In the process, we run the risk of becoming busybodies and complainers.

APPLICATION: When you wake up each morning, before you go to work, schedule some quiet time between you and the Lord. Pray. Study Scripture. Ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Then ask the Holy Spirit to give you His “marching orders” for your workday.

Take a plain sheet of paper, and write the words TAKE HEED on the top. Then, as the Holy Spirit gives you the inspiration, write down those things He wants you to do. Ask Him to prioritize the tasks on the list. Bring your list to work, and through the course of the day, take heed and fulfill that which He has directed you to do, as diligently as you can. You’ll be amazed at what the Lord can do as you tune into His version of time management.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Colossians 4:17 (KJV)，read Colossians and Work from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Remember the Sabbath

June 13, 2023

Devotions/Partners

Exodus 20:8-11 (KJV): “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

COMMENTARY: In this passage, the Lord tells His people to work six days and rest on the seventh. In today’s world, we see two extremes: people who never seem to comprehend that hard work is a reality of life going all the way back to Genesis, and workaholics who never seem to slow down and take a break. There is great wisdom in setting apart one day a week for worship and rest.

APPLICATION: Before you ask for more time off, ask yourself:

(1) WHAT IS MY ATTITUDE ABOUT WORK? The expectation that you can get out of working altogether is not realistic. Get that simple fact down, and life will be much more pleasurable. You won’t spend years fighting God about it.

(2) DO I HONOR THE SABBATH? God has already given you 52 days a year (over seven weeks) of time off each year. To work seven days a week is not healthy. Our minds and bodies must be recharged on a regular basis.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Exodus 20:8-11 (KJV)，read Remember the Sabbath Day and Keep It Holy. Six Days You Shall Labor (Exodus 20:8-11) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Rejoicing in your work

June 8, 2023

Devotions/Partners

Ecclesiastes 3:22 (KJV): “Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?”

COMMENTARY: Solomon, the wisest man who has ever lived except for Jesus, perceived much about the human experience. Some of his perception came from direct personal experience. Some came from personal observation of other people. Some came from divine revelation from the Lord. Over time, Solomon became a very perceptive psychologist and sociologist. Therefore, we should seriously consider what he had to say about “work.”

APPLICATION: Do you rejoice in your work? Do you arise every morning, thank God for your job, arrive at work, work hard and honestly, then go home and feel pleasantly satisfied about your workday? Work brings an intrinsic value and joy to the soul that transcends pay and benefits, the quality of your boss or co-workers, or the exact nature of your job. Just getting up each day and working should bring satisfaction to your life.

There are too many grumpy, irritable, dissatisfied, unhappy Christians in the workplace. If you have been “born again,” then you have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. He wants to fill you with His fruits, one of which is JOY. A consistently grumpy Christian employer or employee is a contradiction of terms. You cannot be full of the Holy Spirit and consistently crabby.

Yes, we all have our moments of anger and frustration, but as a general pattern of behavior, we should be the happiest people in the world. Your altitude determines your attitude!

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Ecclesiastes 3:22 (KJV)，read Timing (Eccl 3:1-4:6) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Patience is a Necessity

Devotions/Partners

Matthew 18:28-29 (KJV): “But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.”

COMMENTARY: In this parable, Jesus teaches the disciples a lesson in flexibility and forgiveness. It’s hypocrisy to plead for mercy and patience with those to whom we owe, and then turn around and be harsh with those who owe us. Patience is a necessary fruit of the Spirit. If you want to be a mature disciple of Christ, you must exercise patience.

APPLICATION: As a Christian business owner, I am very aware of the importance of cash flow. Sometimes, we’ll have a client who simply and honestly cannot pay his or her bill on-time due to unforeseen issues. When clients are late in paying us, and we feel the resulting cash flow crunch, we must pray for divine wisdom, discernment and patience. It is easy to get frustrated, have a tantrum, and be harsh. But all we have to do is think back to the times when we struggled with our cash flow and suppliers were patient with us. How quickly we forget.

In today’s harsh business world, being patient with collections may seem foolish. However, if we want God to be patient with us, we must be patient with others. If you’re not, God will see your double standard and you may suffer even more for your impatience!

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Matthew 18:28-29 (KJV)，read Conflict Resolution (Matthew 18:15-35) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Organic Growth is Good Growth

Devotions/Partners

Matthew 13:31-32 (KJV): “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.”

COMMENTARY: If you study the creation process of all life on earth, you’ll see a consistent pattern. Much seed is sowed, new life is germinated or conceived in microscopic form, and over time, this new life grows into full maturity.

APPLICATION: If you’re a Christ-follower in the workplace, God wants you to be a minister right where you are. Don’t worry about your position, title, abilities or resources. God loves to confound the wise by taking a person with little power, influence, authority, credentials, knowledge, ability or strength and growing that person into a mighty Christian mustard tree that nourishes many souls.

When I was born again in June of 1985, God called me to be minister in the marketplace. Yet, I didn’t have a degree from seminary or a degree in business. Yet, God has sustained the business for decades and it has been a vibrant witness. Remember, God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20). Ask the Lord to make you and your business a thriving mustard tree, and in due season, He will. Years from now, you’ll look back with astonishment at what He has done from such humble beginnings.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Matthew 13:31-32 (KJV)，read Parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Oblivious to the Obvious

May 15, 2023

Devotions/Partners

Proverbs 18:1 (KJV) “Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.”

COMMENTARY: “Oblivious to the obvious” means to be unaware or neglectful of that which is easily seen and in need of immediate attention.

If something is so obvious, how can we be so very blind to it? Sometimes it’s ignorance, and sometimes it’s denial—a refusal to acknowledge reality. If we’re not careful, our own wishful desires can blind us from wisdom, and cause us to separate things that are normally and logically joined together. Through our intense yearning for a particular outcome, we can interfere with wisdom and hinder the successful pursuit of that outcome.

APPLICATION: There are an endless variety of business applications of this Scripture in the business world. For example, all businesses must make a profit, or they will not stay in business. Revenues must exceed expenses. Accounts receivable must be current, so that accounts payable can be current. Payroll and benefits must be in-line with the company’s financial resources.

Many employees and their families do not understand the arithmetic of running a business. Some are simply ignorant. Others do not want to understand. In their relentless pursuit of career, higher pay, more benefits, a bigger house and more “stuff,” they blindly push management for more. When push comes to shove, employees get laid off, businesses close or move away. By meddling with wisdom, a man or woman can hinder or destroy the very dream that he or she yearns for! Do not self-destruct by meddling with wisdom. Be reasonable. Pray for wisdom. Instead of battling with management, minister to them. God is fully capable of giving you wisdom, raising you up, and making you a modern-day Joseph right where you are.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Proverbs 18:1 (KJV)，read Proverbs and Work from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Non-Violence @ Work

Devotions/Partners

Exodus 20:13 (KJV): “Thou shalt not kill.”

COMMENTARY: Today’s workplaces seem to be full of angry people. Discontent people. Stressed-out people. Manipulative people. Abusive people. Violent people. Sad to say, bizarre news accounts of disgruntled executives, employees and ex-employees entering workplaces with guns and going on shooting sprees have become alarmingly common. In the flesh, the scenario is scary. In the Spirit, we know that there’s always hope for positive change.

APPLICATION: The Lord has saved us and brought us into workplaces to be salt and light. To be Godly examples. To be ministers of reconciliation in the public square. It’s time for Christian employers and employees alike to understand that emotional, mental, physical or spiritual manipulation, abuse, and violence have NO place in the workplace (or anywhere else, for that matter).

Satan is continuously at work to kill, steal and destroy. The Holy Spirit wants us to be fountains of Living Waters springing forth love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control. He wants you and me to be Christlike in our relationships with our bosses, co-workers, employees, customers, suppliers and anyone else with whom He brings us in contact.

You can “kill” someone with your tongue, body language, overbearing micro-management and oppressive controlling spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to sensitize you to ways that you are being destructive instead of constructive. We all have dysfunctional behavior patterns from the past that need to be eliminated by the washing of the water of the Word and the Spirit.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Exodus 20:13 (KJV)，read “You Shall Not Murder” (Exodus 20:13) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Moving? Don’t Cling to Your Stuff!

May 1, 2023

Devotions/Partners

Genesis 45:20 (KJV): “Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is your’s.”

COMMENTARY: In this passage, Pharoah commanded Joseph to move his family to Egypt without worrying about packing all of their “stuff” with them. Pharoah promised to provide for their needs.

APPLICATION: Perhaps your community is going through an economic famine. Perhaps your employer is transferring you to a new location. Perhaps you were laid off, and you’re preparing to take a new position that will require you to relocate your family.

Transplanting yourself and your family to a new location is emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually and perhaps financially difficult. Even if you’re single, moving can be very challenging.

Every time you move, you must take an inventory of your “stuff” and make decisions about what to keep, sell, give away and discard. If you are going through a move, be of good cheer. God WILL take care of you, wherever you go. Don’t cling to your “stuff” for security. This move is a God-given opportunity to get rid of clutter, get back to basics, and trust in God for your future.

Remember what 1 Timothy 6:6-8 says: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” May the Lord give you peace, wisdom and enthusiasm as you move and begin a new chapter in life’s journey.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Genesis 45:20 (KJV)，read Jacob’s Family’s Move to Egypt (Genesis 45:16-47:12) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Moving Forward in Criticism

Devotions/Partners

Isaiah 53:3 (KVJ): “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised and we esteemed him not.”

COMMENTARY: Everywhere Jesus went, He was criticized and rejected for doing good. Here’s a good exercise: study the four Gospels and make a chart with five columns: BIBLE PASSAGE, JESUS’ ACT, NATURE OF CRITICISM, BY WHOM, and JESUS’ RESPONSE. Then, go through each Gospel, filling in the chart when you come to passages where Jesus is criticized. This will be a real eye-opener!

For example, in Matthew, Jesus heals a paralyzed man and is accused of blasphemy. He ministers to sinners and is criticized for hanging around the wrong crowd. He heals a man possessed of a demon and is accused of being Satanic. He feeds the hungry and is criticized for working on the Sabbath. He teaches Truth, and his credentials and authority are criticized. He cleans the temple and is criticized for his audacity. A variety of people criticize Him including his own family, friends, disciples, townspeople, Pharisees, Sadduces, chief priests and scribes. A final tidal wave of criticism and rejection leads to His crucifixion.

Notice how Jesus responds to each instance of criticism and rejection. Time after time, He keeps going, keeps healing, keeps preaching, keeps teaching. No criticism or rejection of men stops Him from fulfilling His calling. The critics can’t even intimidate and silence him with death because He had victory over that, too.

APPLICATION: If you’re facing criticism and rejection on the job today because of your good, Godly works, be of good cheer. Jesus went through it Himself. Don’t stop. Don’t flinch. Don’t give up. Keep on faithfully serving the Lord.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Isaiah 53:3 (KVJ)，read Servant at Work (Isaiah 40ff.) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Mentor Younger Workers

Devotions/Partners

Titus 2:4a, 6 (KJV): “That they may teach the young women to be sober…Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.”

COMMENTARY: As a pastor at Crete, Titus had a big challenge trying to organize the early church. He urged everyone to take an active role in building a constructive, Godly church culture. He urged older believers to teach younger believers and pass along valuable, Godly knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

APPLICATION: It is crucial that older Christian business owners, partners, managers and employees mentor younger Christian men and women in the workplace. These younger workers need to know how to have a Godly work attitude and work ethic. If they do, they will be blessed for years to come. If they don’t, unless God intercedes, they will struggle for years to come.

How young people handle their jobs can either be a springboard for a successful, fruitful career climb or a slippery slide into chaos, poverty and unfruitfulness. Not only do ungodly attitudes and work ethics hinder young people; they hinder the organizations for which these people work. They also hinder the testimony and cause of Christ.

What are you doing to pass along Godly wisdom to others at work?

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Titus 2:4a, 6 (KJV)，read Titus: Working for Good Deeds from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Called To Work

Category: Devotions/Partners, English

Taking Heed Every Day

Remember the Sabbath

Rejoicing in your work

Patience is a Necessity

Organic Growth is Good Growth

Oblivious to the Obvious

Non-Violence @ Work

Moving? Don’t Cling to Your Stuff!

Moving Forward in Criticism

Mentor Younger Workers

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