Good Work

Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-25; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; Titus 2:9-11 (day six)

“…so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” Titus 2:10

The Gospel changes both how we think about work and how we do work. Certainly God provides us good work as a means to meet our basic needs, but work also transcends a paycheck. The reality is that God uses our work to both sustain his creation and restore it. That is the work itself is more than a platform or place for ministry, but is a means through which God holds all things together and brings creation back in order. So, truthfully the Gospel restores work into its proper place, as a manifestation of being made in the image of God.

This reclaimed reality changes how we work. We begin to realize that work, either glamorous or mundane, serves God’s purposes; both farmers and lawyers are apart of God’s sustaining work in society. So work hard and with excellence, because you are indeed serving unto the Lord.

Spoken Blessing

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 39:32, 42-43; 40:1-2, 16-17, 32-38 (day four)  The Israelites had done all that God had commanded them through Moses.  They had followed His instructions to the letter.  For once, they had done good.  Verse 43 says, “So Moses blessed them.”  Moses spoke good words to them…he praised them for their obedience.  Words of blessing and encouragement can lift the spirit of everyone.  Do you like to receive praise from your authority…your boss, your parent?  Parents (especially Fathers)…do you bless your child with the words of Scripture?  Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”  A spoken blessing is a prayer.  Giving your child a spoken blessing will help them to strengthen their character, to face temptations, or to walk in wisdom.  For your children to hear you pronounce blessing into their life will impact them immeasurably.  Spoken blessings call on us to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as we pronounce these prayers.  Remember…death and life are in the power of the tongue.

A Good Boss

Re:Verse reading–Psalm 8 (day two)
If you’ve never had a good boss, it is hard to appreciate the significance of Psalm 8:6. “You made him lord over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet.” A good boss makes everyone’s life better. Objectives are clear. Less time is wasted. Conflicts don’t get out of hand. The organization flourishes, and everyone joyfully does their part. When the New Testament authors thought of Jesus, they thought of him as a good boss. Consequently, they referred to this psalm to celebrate Jesus’ reign over their lives and all creation (see Ephesians 1:20-23). When you see an organization well run, a home well-managed, a life well ordered, you are seeing the thumbprint of the perfect boss who “does all things well” (Mark 7:37). His work of restoration is not yet complete, and He invites us to participate in it. Are you a “good boss” of your own life, family and work?