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"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).
Someone long ago developed the acronym "TGIF" (Thank God it's Friday), to describe the final day of the five day workweek. This common expression insinuates the supposed drudgery of work, although God wills that we recognize each day as a gift for which we are to rejoice in and be thankful. (See Psalm 118:24)
Yesterday we attended a celebration luncheon for Jean Hershey who has a distinction we suppose very, very few have. She has worked for the same company for sixty years.
Yesterday the company held a luncheon to honor her years of service.
Later after the luncheon as I walked by her work station she quipped,
"I'd better get back to work or I may be fired."
She inspects very small parts that go into mission critical equipment and at 82 years of age she is still quite proficient in her meticulous duties. When I walk by her station, as the company chaplain, I certainly can't distinguish defective materials from acceptable ones. But she can just run her hand through the hundreds of small parts and instantly detect those that will need her careful attention to see if they're acceptable or will need additional adjustment.
As we consider Jean's incredible accomplishment and her tremendous work ethic we thought of the rewards for being a diligent worker here and now, not just those that come with our future inheritance. The rewards of a faithful, diligent worker brings about commendation from their supervisors, possible promotions within their company, a positive role-model for co-workers, productivity which increases profits within a company, fulfillment at the end of the day, a steady paycheck (in addition to many more that you might think of.)
In the daily Scripture portion the Apostle Paul is addressing slaves. This may be a turnoff to some, but in the text we can learn a very important Biblical principle. Slavery was a common practice throughout much of the Roman world in the New Testament age. Sometimes you may feel like a slave to your boss or employer, but you know better! If you wish you can walk off the job right now, although there would likely be some very consequential ramifications!
Paul says to these slaves concerning their work, "Work at it with all your heart." We should apply these same principles in our work ethic toward our employers. In whatever we do, our work should be "as to the Lord." Our underlying motivation is the future inheritance we will receive from the Lord. And what is that inheritance? It's our home in heaven that can "never perish, spoil or fade." When we work with this attitude Scripture teaches us that in some remarkable way it is the Lord Christ whom we are serving even more so than our employer.
Today remember that our work matters to God. Assuming that you are not involved in a type of work that is Scripturally immoral, your work and the diligence in which you perform is honoring to God. (If your work is immoral God can miraculously provide another job as you take a spiritual stand and commit the matter to Him.) The very next verse states: "Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism" (Colossians 3:25).
May you experience the joy of the Lord in your work today!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, as we do our work heartily unto You we won't be half-hearted in our service or in our attitudes. Seeking to please You will be our major motivation. Not only in our service do we want to do our best but we also ask You to keep our attitudes in check and our words uplifting in the work place. Help us to be quick to see another co-worker's need and respond accordingly. May we not yield to the temptation of finger-pointing and finding fault with others. Prompt us to be faithful in prayer for our employers, supervisors, co-workers, and the business in which we serve. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Interesting note: This same company had a similar celebration when Jean had her 50th service anniversary and at that point she had never had a sick day!
We stopped late yesterday afternoon to see our Amish friends who had called us to offer a big pail of fresh string beans and other fresh vegetables. As we visited in the barn Ester took a photo of me with a horse and mule.
Yesterday the first corn was cut and hauled in from the fields on the wagon to chop up for sileage.
An old fashioned corn chopper still periodicaly used.
This photo is not upside down. Any idea what it is?
(See below footers for answer.)
Mystery photo: Today's mystery photo is tobacco hanging in the barn to dry. Please note: We are not
endorsing tobacco use! In fact our Amish friend does not grow tobacco
but another farmer is using the space in his barn to dry it.
Friday, August 27, 2010
We passed these beautiful flowers yesterday along the road north of New Holland, PA and backed up so Brooksyne could take the photo out of the side window. As we did we so we observed the old order Mennonite couple sitting on their porch pleased at our interest in their flowers!
We passed these beautiful flowers yesterday along the road north of New Holland, PA and backed up so Brooksyne could take the photo out of the side window. As we did we so we observed the old order Mennonite couple sitting on their porch pleased at our interest in their flowers!
Listen to this message on
your
audio player."Our Work Matters"
"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).
Someone long ago developed the acronym "TGIF" (Thank God it's Friday), to describe the final day of the five day workweek. This common expression insinuates the supposed drudgery of work, although God wills that we recognize each day as a gift for which we are to rejoice in and be thankful. (See Psalm 118:24)
Yesterday we attended a celebration luncheon for Jean Hershey who has a distinction we suppose very, very few have. She has worked for the same company for sixty years.
Yesterday the company held a luncheon to honor her years of service.
Later after the luncheon as I walked by her work station she quipped,
"I'd better get back to work or I may be fired." She inspects very small parts that go into mission critical equipment and at 82 years of age she is still quite proficient in her meticulous duties. When I walk by her station, as the company chaplain, I certainly can't distinguish defective materials from acceptable ones. But she can just run her hand through the hundreds of small parts and instantly detect those that will need her careful attention to see if they're acceptable or will need additional adjustment.
As we consider Jean's incredible accomplishment and her tremendous work ethic we thought of the rewards for being a diligent worker here and now, not just those that come with our future inheritance. The rewards of a faithful, diligent worker brings about commendation from their supervisors, possible promotions within their company, a positive role-model for co-workers, productivity which increases profits within a company, fulfillment at the end of the day, a steady paycheck (in addition to many more that you might think of.)
In the daily Scripture portion the Apostle Paul is addressing slaves. This may be a turnoff to some, but in the text we can learn a very important Biblical principle. Slavery was a common practice throughout much of the Roman world in the New Testament age. Sometimes you may feel like a slave to your boss or employer, but you know better! If you wish you can walk off the job right now, although there would likely be some very consequential ramifications!
Paul says to these slaves concerning their work, "Work at it with all your heart." We should apply these same principles in our work ethic toward our employers. In whatever we do, our work should be "as to the Lord." Our underlying motivation is the future inheritance we will receive from the Lord. And what is that inheritance? It's our home in heaven that can "never perish, spoil or fade." When we work with this attitude Scripture teaches us that in some remarkable way it is the Lord Christ whom we are serving even more so than our employer.
Today remember that our work matters to God. Assuming that you are not involved in a type of work that is Scripturally immoral, your work and the diligence in which you perform is honoring to God. (If your work is immoral God can miraculously provide another job as you take a spiritual stand and commit the matter to Him.) The very next verse states: "Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism" (Colossians 3:25).
May you experience the joy of the Lord in your work today!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, as we do our work heartily unto You we won't be half-hearted in our service or in our attitudes. Seeking to please You will be our major motivation. Not only in our service do we want to do our best but we also ask You to keep our attitudes in check and our words uplifting in the work place. Help us to be quick to see another co-worker's need and respond accordingly. May we not yield to the temptation of finger-pointing and finding fault with others. Prompt us to be faithful in prayer for our employers, supervisors, co-workers, and the business in which we serve. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Interesting note: This same company had a similar celebration when Jean had her 50th service anniversary and at that point she had never had a sick day!
We stopped late yesterday afternoon to see our Amish friends who had called us to offer a big pail of fresh string beans and other fresh vegetables. As we visited in the barn Ester took a photo of me with a horse and mule.
Yesterday the first corn was cut and hauled in from the fields on the wagon to chop up for sileage.
An old fashioned corn chopper still periodicaly used.
This photo is not upside down. Any idea what it is?
(See below footers for answer.)
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
A medley by Kristyn Getty Video
Finally today:
Yesterday we passed this interesting sign with some slight
mispellings! Is the family moving and selling their "extras"? Or are
they letting people know that they'll be moving their sailboat today?
Finally today:
Yesterday we passed this interesting sign with some slight
mispellings! Is the family moving and selling their "extras"? Or are
they letting people know that they'll be moving their sailboat today?Send
a message to Stephen &
Brooksyne.
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Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
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4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
Scripture
references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version.
© 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD
BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation,
New King James
Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the
King
James Version.
Personal
Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ
I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord.
My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and
to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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Copyright 2010
Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
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