WORK: WHAT A BLESSING!

Be Fruitful

God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.” Genesis 1:28 (HCSB)

In today’s economy, everyone is trying to maximize their potential. Employees are looking for the best job and Employers are choosing only the best employees. I read an article some time ago, I can’t remember where, that listed the top 10 values employers look for in employees. They are: Strong Work Ethic, Dependability and Responsibility, Positive Attitude, Adaptability, Honesty and Integrity, Self-Motivated, Motivated to Grow & Learn, Strong Self-Confidence, Professionalism, and Loyalty. The values are taught in Scripture and have always been important. It is funny that in hard times people begin to discover them.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) has an inspiring story. I hope you will able to see these values in him. The reason he held them, even in spite of difficulties, is God.

“Johann Sebastian Bach was born into the musical family of Bachs in 1685. By the age of ten, both of his parents were dead. Early in his friction-filled life, young Johann determined he would write music … music for the glory of God … and this he did.

Most of Bach’s works are explicitly Biblical. Albert Schweitzer referred to him as The fifth evangelist, thus comparing him to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. At age 17 Bach became the organist at the church; soon thereafter he was given charge of the entire music ministry.

During his ministry in Weimar, Germany he wrote a new cantata every month … EVERY MONTH! And during one three-year period he wrote, conducted, orchestrated, and performed (with his choir and orchestra) a new cantata every week!

No one had any idea what a mark Bach would leave. His legacy lives on some 300 years later. You can hear his music at will.

At the beginning of every authentic manuscript one will find the letters “J.J.” This stands for Jesu Java (Jesus help me). At the end of each original manuscript you will find the letters “S.D.G.” This stands for Soli Deo Gloria (to the glory of God).

Bach is a reminder that one who gives his life to Jesus and serves Him does not count it a loss. Mk 8:35 “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

How do you start and finish each day? May it be for the glory of God!

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord,

Forgive me for taking this precious gift of life for granted. Help me to accomplish all that I do for your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.

WORK: WHAT A BLESSING!

What is A Blessing?

God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.” Genesis 1:28 (HCSB)

I am without a doubt a creationists! I believe that God spoke… and everything that exist came into being. I know all too well that this is politically incorrect. However, I must confess, it takes far greater faith to believe that something so well designed could ever come to exist by accident. I believe the biblical account of creation where God spoke into existence everything in a mere six days. The sixth day is the focus of our attention today.

The Bible records in Genesis 1:24 (HCSB) that on the sixth day of creation, “… God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that crawl, and the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds.” He made everything that roams the face of the earth, but He was not through. In Genesis 1:26 (HCSB), we read “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” His last act of creation in this account was man!

After God created Adam and Eve, He blessed them. I have often asked “What is a blessing?” Upon a closer examination, I would break it into two major categories: God’s blessing and man’s blessing. Let us consider the latter first.

We often hear a familiar response after someone sneezes. It is proper etiquette to say “Bless you.” Man will bless others with what could be considered no more than wishful thinking. If we pronounce a blessing on someone without the authority or ability to make it happen, it is at least wishful and at most hopeful thinking. So often we use a blessing as a mere greeting.

God is omnipotent. He has all authority and power to bless! If God could speak into existence out of nothing all that exists, then He has the power necessary to bless. God blesses Adam and Eve in four incredibly important ways: Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. God blessed the union of a man and woman and gave them the ability to reproduce. He furthermore commanded them to do it. The last of these blessing is one of domination. God said subdue the earth. His blessing could not be clearer. God also gave man abilities and responsibilities in the Garden of Eden as caretakers. He intended for their labors to be productive, i.e. fruitful. And just as with procreation, He give man the ability to work and be fruitful.

I have some questions that beg answers. If this one simple verse teaches fruitfulness (and there are many others), How fruitful are you? Have you allowed the world’s thinking to sour your outlook on work? Are you living just for the week-end? Retirement?

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord,

I believe You created me with many talents and abilities. Help me to use them to the fullest extent. Thank You for giving a purpose and meaning for life. Help me to find all You intended for me. In Jesus Name, Amen.

WORK: WHAT A BLESSING!

Outlook Is More than A Microsoft Program

God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.” Genesis 1:28 (HCSB)

A person’s outlook is nothing more than an attitude. All of us have them and they affect, for better or worse, everything we do. It just makes sense that we have an outlook that will help us make the most of life. We spend, depending on the number of jobs and overtime, somewhere between 25 – 33% of our life working. It is a tragedy that so many people wait until the weekend to start enjoying life. So many people think, “If I just hit the jackpot, I will be able to enjoy life!” See if you relate to this story:

“A family in Lander, Wyoming went to their local refuse dump to dispose of some unwanted family items that were either busted or greatly abused. As they were emptying there junk into a large dumpster, the man of the home saw something that caught his eye. It was apparently an ornate, antique four-poster bed that had been left there by some other family.

The man called to his wife to have her to look at it as well. After a few moments of discussion they both agreed that it most likely could be stored to its original condition. So, even though it was a bit worn and tattered, they began to inquire about that possibility with the management staff of the refuse center. They found that there was no problem with taking the grand piece of junk home if they would just pay a small fee of a few dollars.

They proceeded to load the headboard, footboard and the wooden rails into the back of their pickup and pull-along trailer. As they were loading the post, which were separate pieces, they began to question the weight of each one. The husband felt they were quite a bit heavier than he had imagined they would be. But they finally got all the pieces loaded and drove home.

When they got home, the husband backed the truck and trailer into his driveway with the assistance of his wife and eldest son. They then proceeded to unload the bed one piece at a time. To their amazement, as their son picked up one end of the first bed-post, the finial at the top worked loose and slipped out of its socket. Thankfully they were standing in the front yard and a nearby hedge broke the fall, catching the post. But suddenly they heard the weirdest noise.

As they turned to look toward the area of the noise, something caught the glimpse of the father’s eye. A few silver coin tumbled to the ground near the base of the bush. After picking up the loose coins he looked in the opened end of the bed-post and to his surprise there were more silver coins inside. With the help of his son, he picked up the opposing end and hundreds of silver, brass and gold coins came rolling out onto the lawn. Many of the gold ones dated back into the 1800’s and almost all of the coins were near mint condition. After close inspection of the other three posts, they, too, were completely hollow and contained equal amounts of coinage.”

They Hit the Jackpot! Statistically, you have a greater chance of being struck by lightning, but what would change in your daily routine if you suddenly “Hit the Jackpot”? If you are waiting for money to really live, than you are wasting the most precious gift of all – LIFE!

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for this marvelous, precious gift of life. Help me to appreciate every minute of it.  In Jesus Name, Amen.