BCXR28

Thank you for sharing, keep sharing po! God bless ???

For once in our life, there will be time that we will meet both "Aling Marites" or "Aling Marisol" Gossip was a sport to them. When we discussed someone at work, these two would subtly mention something negative and they would claim that person said. Often, their words would be hurtful comments they would claim others said about us. Eventually, We would realized that we had several strained relationships due to their gossip. After they were terminated as an employee We would learned that most of their gossip were lies. Ephesians 4:29 teaches, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Workplace gossip destroys relationships. Fending off gossip requires that we first start with ourselves. This week we’ll discuss Paul’s four insights into guarding against gossip.

Basahin ang 1 Timoteo 2:5. Ang Pasko ay puno ng mabubuting balita. Ngunit hindi ito ang mabuting balita ng mga espesyal na regalo. Hindi ang mabuting balita ng isang malaking salu-salo. Hindi rin ang mabuting balita ng pagkakaroon ng oras para sa mga kaibigan at kapamilya. Ang Pasko ay tungkol sa Mabuting Balita ng pag-ibig ng Diyos. Sinasabi ng Biblia na lahat tayo ay naliligaw kung wala ang Diyos. Wala tayong patutunguhan. Tayo ay walang proteksyon. Ang ating potensyal na walang hanggang epekto sa mundo ay hindi maisasakatuparan. Wala tayong tunay na kagalakan. Hindi tiyak kung magkakaroon tayo ng walang hanggan sa kalangitan. Ang Mabuting Balita ng Pasko ay ang pagpapadala ng Diyos ng kanyang anak na si Jesus upang hanapin at iligtas ang mga nawawala. Sinasabi ng Biblia, "Sapagkat iisa ang Diyos, at tanging si Jesu-Cristo lamang ang taong tagapamagitan sa atin at sa Diyos. Inihandog niya ang kanyang buhay upang tubusin ang lahat mula sa kasalanan." (1 Timoteo 2:5-6 RTPV05). Kung sakaling nakakapaglaan ka ng oras sa simbahan, malamang ay ilang ulit mo nang naririnig ang salitang "kaligtasan." Ngunit maaaring hindi mo alam ang kahulugan nito. Ang salitang ito ay parang diamante; maaari mo itong tingnan mula sa iba't-ibang anggulo. • Dumating si Jesus upang sagipin tayo. Hindi natin malulutas ang lahat ng problema natin nang tayo-tayo lang. Kung wala si Jesus, tayo ay nakakulong sa mga inaasahan ng ibang tao. Tayo ay nakakulong sa pamumuhay para sa pagtanggap ng ating mga kaibigan. Tayo ay nakakulong sa mga adiksyon. Sinisikap nating magbago nang paulit-ulit, ngunit wala tayong lakas na kinakailangan upang makawala. Dumating si Jesus upang bigyan tayo ng lakas na iyon. • Dumating si Jesus upang muli tayong buhayin. Lahat tayo ay nangangarap na buhayin ang mga bahagi ng buhay natin na nawala na. Kapag wala si Cristo, nangangarap tayong mapanumbalik ang ating lakas, ang ating kumpiyansa, reputasyon, kamusmusan, at ang ating pakikipag-ugnayan sa Diyos. Tanging si Jesus lamang ang makagagawa noon. • Dumating si Jesus upang muli tayong ibalik sa Kanya. Ipinapalagay ng maraming tao na pagagalitan sila ng Diyos kapag bumalik sila sa Kanya. Ngunit hindi galit ang Diyos sa iyo. Siya ay labis na nagmamahal sa iyo. Dumating sa mundo si Jesus noong unang Pasko upang ipagkasundo tayo sa Diyos, bigyan tayong muli ng pagkakaisa sa Kanya. Dumating sa mundo si Jesus upang ibigay ang Kanyang sarili. Marami sa atin ang nagdiriwang ng kanyang kaarawan nang hindi tinatanggap ang libreng regalo ng kaligtasan. Bukas at nananatili itong hindi nakabalot sa bawat taong lumilipas. Hindi iyan matalinong pagpili! Ikaw ay nilikha ng Diyos at para sa Diyos. Hanggang hindi mo nauunawaan yan, mananatiling walang saysay ang buhay. Ngayong Pasko, buksan ang pinakamahalagang regalong ibinigay sa iyo: isang panibagong pakikipag-ugnayan sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ni Jesus.

Kung hindi mo nauunawaan ang layunin ng Pasko, mabuti pa sigurong huwag ka nang magsabit ng mga Christmas lights at iba pang dekorasyon ngayong taon. Siguro ay makabubuti rin na kalimutan mo ang tungkol sa pagbili ng mga regalo. Kalimutan mo na rin ang Noche Buena. Kung hindi mo alam kung bakit ipinagdiriwang natin ang Pasko, walang saysay ang lahat ng paghahanda. Upang malaman ang layunin ng Pasko, kailangan mong lagpasan ang tagpo sa sabsaban, ang Mga Pantas, at ang mga pastol. Sinabi sa atin ni Jesus na ang dahilan ng pagpunta niya sa lupa noong unang Pasko: "Ang Anak ng Tao ay naparito upang hanapin at iligtas ang naligaw." (Lucas 19:10 RTPV05). Napakasimple, naparito si Jesus dahil walang landas ang mga tao kapag wala ang Diyos. Ang espiritwal na pagkaligaw ay nangangahulugang pagkawalay sa Diyos, hindi naka-ugnay at wala sa kaayusan. Kapag wala si Jesus, ang lahat ng tao sa mundo ay naliligaw — kahit gaano pa sila kamakapangyarihan, kayaman at katanyag. At ang pagkaligaw natin ay may matitinding pagsasanga sa ating mga buhay. Upang malaman kung bakit naparito si Jesus sa mundo, kailangan nating maunawaan ang kahulugan ng pagkaligaw. Kung walang Diyos, wala rin tayong: • Direksyon. Tayo ay nagkakaroon ng maliit na pang-unawa kung saan tayo tutungo at kung ano ang dapat nating gawin sa ating buhay. • Proteksyon mula sa Kanya. Tayo ay nag-iisa kapag hindi tayo sakop ng pangangalaga ng Panginoon. Iyan ang isang malaking dahilan kung bakit maraming tao ang nakararanas ng stress. Sinusubukan nilang mamuhay na umaasa lamang sa sarili nilang pag-aalaga at pag-iingat, kaysa sa nagmumula sa Diyos. • Potensyal. HIndi natin lubusang mababatid ang kalahati sa mga kaloob at talentong mayroon tayo kung hindi tayo nakaugnay sa Kanya. • Kaligayahan. Maaari nating makamit ang lahat ng yaman at kapangyarihan sa mundo, ngunit kapag wala ang Diyos, hindi tayo magkakaroon ng tunay na kasiyahan. • Tahanan sa Langit. Pinapayagan ng Diyos na magrebelde tayo habang nandito pa tayo sa lupa, ngunit sa langit ay wala nang paghihimagsik. Ngunit walang sinumang naliligaw ang nawalan ng ni katiting na halaga sa Diyos. Kahit na wala kang pakikipag-ugnayang personal sa Kanya, labis-labis ang halaga mo sa Diyos. May kaakibat na halaga ang pagkawala. Anumang halagang handang gastusin ng sinuman para mabawi ang isang nawala ay nagpapakita kung gaano kahalaga ang bagay na iyon. Sa pinakasikat na bersikulo sa Biblia, malinaw na ipinaliwanag ni Jesus ang ating halaga: "Sapagkat gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sangkatauhan, kaya't ibinigay niya ang kanyang kaisa-isang Anak, upang ang sinumang sumampalataya sa kanya ay hindi mapahamak, kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan." (Juan 3:16). Ang Mabuting Balita ay sa labis na pag-ibig sa atin ng Diyos ay isinugo Niya ang kanyang Anak sa mundo noong unang Pasko upang tayo ay hanapin at iligtas. Iyan ang dahilan upang magdiwang!

Noong bata pa ako, pinakain ako ng nanay ko ng Spaghetti. Akala ko ay iyon na ang pinakamasarap na pagkain! Tapos natuklasan ko ang yum burger. Nabago ang aking buhay mula sa mabuting buhay patungo sa mas mabuting buhay. Masarap ang Spaghetti, ngunit mas masarap ang malinamnam na yum burger. Maaaring akala mo ay mayroon ka nang mabuting buhay sa ngayon, ngunit kung may pagkakataon para magkaroon ka ng mas mabuting buhay, hindi mo ba nanaising malaman ang tungkol dito? Sa kasamaang-palad, ang pumipigil sa atin na makamit ang mas mabuting buhay ay ang walang katuwirang pag-iisip ng pagiging sapat sa sarili o self-sufficiency. Tingin natin ay ayos lang tayo sa ating pag-iisa. Binabanggit ito nang tulad sa Awit 10:4: "Ang sabi ng masasamang tao, 'Diyos ay walang pakialam,' sabi nila'y 'walang Diyos,' dahil sa kanilang kahambugan." (RTPV05). Katulad ng may-ari ng bahay-panuluyan sa kwento ng unang Pasko (Lucas 2), hindi tayo naniniwalang kailangan natin ng marami pang mga panauhin. Tingin natin ay nasa atin na ang lahat ng kailangan natin. Mayroon lamang isang problema sa kahambugan na yan: Nakakaligtaan mo ang pinakadahilan ng paglikha ng Diyos sa iyo. Nilikha ka ng Diyos upang magkaroon ka ng pakikipag-ugnayan sa Kanya. Hindi mo maisasakatuparan ang layunin niya sa buhay mo, na higit na engrande at higit na makabuluhan kaysa sa iniisip mo, maliban na lamang kung ikaw ay nakaugnay sa Diyos, ang tunay na pinanggagalingan ng lakas mo. Ngunit ang magandang balita ay hindi pa huli ang lahat. Maaari kang magkaroon ng pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanya kahit anupaman ang nangyari sa iyong nakaraan, kahit na ilang beses mo na siyang tinanggihan noon. Ginawa nang simple ng Diyos upang maintindihan ng sinuman. Tatlong salita lamang: Anyayahan mo Siya. Sinabi ni Jesus, "Nakatayo ako at kumakatok sa pintuan. Kung diringgin ninuman ang aking tinig at bubuksan ang pinto, papasok ako sa kanyang tahanan at kakain kaming magkasalo." (Pahayag 3:20 RTPV05). Kumakatok si Jesus sa iyong pintuan. Kamtin mo ang mas mabuting buhay sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatuloy sa Kanya sa iyong buhay. Gawin mo siyang panginoon ng iyong buhay. Babaguhin nito ang lahat. Maligayang pasko sa lahat!

Thank you for sharing kapatid. God bless you ? Merry Christmas po!

Basahin ang Juan 4:10. Sa ngayon ay nagkalat ang mga TV at radio wave sa paligid mo. Kung mayroon kang radyo, malalaman mo kung ano ang mga nasa alon na iyon. Ngunit hindi dahil sa hindi mo nakikita ang mga ito ay hindi nangangahulugang hindi sila totoo. Hindi ka lang nakatutok. Parang ganyan din ang tagpo sa Bethlehem noong gabi ng unang Pasko. Kahit na mayroong lugar panuluyan sa Bethlehem na ang tanging layunin ay mabigyan ng matutuluyan ang mga manlalakbay, walang naging bakanteng kwarto para sa di maikakailang pinakamahalagang pamilya ng manlalakbay sa Bethlehem noong gabing iyon. Ngayong Pasko, huwag nating palampasin ang katulad na kwento sa ating mga puso. Nilikha ang puso mo para patuluyin ang Diyos. Nilikha ka ng Diyos at para sa Diyos. Hanggang hindi mo nauunawaan ito, mananatiling walang saysay ang buhay. Sa kasamaang-palad, pinupuno natin ang ating mga buhay ng ibang mga bagay. Nag-iimbita tayo ng ibang mga bisita sa ating mga tahanan. Napupuno ang puso natin ng ibang mga saloobin, interes, pagpapahalaga, pagmamahal, at iba pang mga pangako. Punong-puno ang ating mga buhay na halos di natin namamalayan na si Jesus ay dumarating sa paligid natin. Dumarating ang Diyos sa buhay natin sa lahat ng oras, nagbibigay ng mga pagkakataong hindi natin lubos akalaing maaari pala nating maranasan, sa gitna ng mga problemang hindi natin nalalaman na tayo ay magkakaroon pala. Ngunit kadalasan, sadyang hindi natin Siya nakikita. Maraming beses na itong nangyari sa Biblia. Magpapakita si Jesus at makikipag-usap sa mga taong hindi nakakabatid kung sino Siya. Sa aklat ni Juan, nakaupo si Jesus sa may balon nang dumating ang isang babae upang mag-igib. HIndi niya nakilala si Jesus. Sa katunayan, nakipagtalo pa siya tungkol sa relihiyon sa Anak ng Diyos! Saka sinabi ni Jesus, "Kung alam mo lamang ang kaloob ng Diyos, at kung sino itong humihingi sa iyo ng inumin, ikaw ang hihingi sa kanya at bibigyan ka naman niya ng tubig na nagbibigay-buhay" (Juan 4:10 RTPV05). Ngunit hindi nakilala ng babae si Jesus. Ang Diyos ay patuloy na kumikilos sa paligid mo — hindi lamang tuwing Pasko kundi sa buong taon. Maaari kayang ikaw o ang mga taong mahal mo ang di nakapapansin sa Kanya?

So, carrying burdens is something for which we are built . . . and something which we are supposed to do, as men. God designed us, built us, intends us—to lend our strength to others, to those who need it. “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). The problem is, most of us read Scripture one way only: that we are to carry burdens for others. Few read it the other way: that we must allow others to carry our burdens too. We don’t really like that reading. That reading causes our pride to rise up. Like it or not, though, any one of us can carry only so much. Sure, we can “gut it out” with burdens that are too heavy . . . for a while, at least. Before long, however, they begin to grind us down. Anger, anxiety, burnout, depression and despondency, isolation and loneliness, or rebellion and sin emerge . . . simply because we’re neither designed, nor built, nor intended to carry our burdens alone. “One's pride will bring him low” (Proverbs 29:23). Okay, so what do we do? Is there something you’re carrying that’s feeling too heavy? The burden of being a provider? Fears about finances . . . about work? The burden of children living up to expectations, in school, in athletics? A hidden sin? A hidden addiction? Another burden, perhaps? If so, look around for that person with whom God intends you to share it . . . your friend, your wife. Go to them today. Die to pride. Let them in. Explain the situation and let them respond. Fulfilling the law of Christ also means that we must, sometimes, surrender our pride, surrender the images we have of ourselves, get over ourselves, and ask for help. We are meant to live free and fast and light . . . and together.

Tumingin sa anumang tagpo sa belen, at maaaring napuna mo na mayroong isang pangkat ng mga tauhan na tila hindi nababagay sa bangan: Ang mga Pantas. Maaaring nasanay na lamang tayo sa kanila, ngunit kung titingnang mabuti, nagmumukha silang hindi kabilang sa eksena dahil sa magagara nilang kasuotan at mga mamahaling regalo. Ngunit para sa akin, sila ang mga pinaka-kamangha-manghang mga tao sa kwento ng Pasko. Marami tayong hindi alam tungkol sa kanila. Hindi natin alam kung sino sila at kung saan sila nagmula. Tinatawag sila sa Biblia na mga "mago." Ang mga mago ay pinaghalong pilosopo, siyentista, at astronomer. Sila ay mayayaman at may mataas na pinag-aralan. Ngunit tanging iyon lang talaga ang alam natin tungkol sa kanila. Ngunit alam natin na sila ay matatalinong mga tao. Sa katunayan ay marami tayong matututunan mula sa karunungang ipinamalas nila sa kwento ng Pasko ng pagsilang. Sa lahat ng mga aral mula sa Mga Pantas, natututunan nating maging mapaghanap ng katotohanan. Ang matatalinong tao ay hindi kuntento sa mga hula o haka-haka. Nais nilang malaman ang katotohanan tungkol sa Diyos, sa kanilang nakaraan, at sa kanilang hinaharap. Itinanong ng Mga Pantas, "Nasaan ang ipinanganak na hari ng mga Judio?" (Mateo 2:2a RTPV05) Hinahanap ng mga Pantas si Jesus. Siya ay patuloy pa ring hinahanap ng mga matatalinong kalalakihan at kababaihan sa ngayon. Mayroong dalawang uri ng tao pagdating sa katotohanan: Ang mga speculator o mga palagay sa haka-haka, at mga seeker o naghahanap ng katotohanan. Ang mga speculator ay nanghuhula lamang tungkol sa katotohanan. Ipinapalagay ng mga speculator na alam na nila kung ano ang Diyos. Gustong-gusto ng mga speculator na makipagtalo at pag-usapan ang Diyos, ngunit sila ay nanghuhula lamang — dahil hindi nila talaga nais malaman ang katotohanan. Gusto lamang nilang pag-usapan Siya. Sa kabilang banda, kinalulugdan ng Diyos ang mga taong naglalaan ng oras upang alamin ang katotohanan. Ginagawa ng mga seeker ang apat na bagay na ito: • Nagtatanong sila. • Nag-aaral sila. • Nagmamasid sila sa kung ano ang nangyayari sa paligid nila. • Ginagawa nila ang lahat upang mahanap ang mga kasagutan. Hinahanap nila si Jesus gamit ang lahat ng mayroon sila. Kinalulugdan ng Diyos ang mga seeker. Sinasabi sa atin ng Biblia, "Gayunman, matatagpuan ninyong muli si Yahweh kung siya'y buong puso ninyong hahanapin." (Deuteronomio 4:29 RTPV05). Kung ikaw ay talagang seryoso na matuklasan ang katotohanan, siguradong makikita mo ito. Hindi hahayaan ng Diyos na hindi mo ito makita

All that we have, all that we are, and all of our opportunities, relationships, and resources have come from Him. In reality, when we take an eternal perspective, all we have is on loan from our beautiful Creator. We can do nothing of eternal value without Him. As we surrender what He has given us to His purposes, we open up eternal opportunities. It is so easy to be distracted by the pull of all that is around us. While we are called to live life well and enjoy His blessings, our true home is with Him. Let’s hold what we have only lightly, as stewards and faithful servants. Imagine a world where we caught the reality of this truth—where we truly used what we have for the kingdom. Quick Prayer: Lord, I acknowledge that all I have and all I am are from You. Use me for Your glory. Amen.?

The term “work-life balance” falls short because it suggests that life can be neatly divided into equal parts to which we can assign equal importance. What we actually find is that life is messy and poses problems of priority at important moments. In her book Living a Purpose-full Life, Jan Johnson writes, “If each day is about knowing and loving God, that day’s activities will flow out of a divine common sense.” Holding life in proper priority requires us to constantly reorient our lives around Christ. In Christ, what we see modeled is not balance but a great deal of consistency, a great deal of peace, and a great deal of certainty and purpose in the midst of some dramatic circumstances. Christ’s faithfulness was not measured by his life’s efficiency or some vague perception of balance. Jesus’ faithfulness was reflected in his willingness to do whatever God asked of him. We can find opportunities to glorify God in every part of life—the entire day’s activities, not just the so-called “religious” tasks. Throughout the day as we face decisions about how to spend our time, we can ask ourselves how we can use our time to draw closer to God or demonstrate a characteristic of Christ to those around us. Some days that might mean working a little longer in order to complete a project on time, because Christ is faithful to keep his word. Other days we might take time off to care for a sick friend or spend a special day with our kids, as Christ valued and honored relationships in his life. At other times, it might mean getting rest and exercise, because our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit through which we experience God and serve others. Prayer Jesus, I confess that apart from you, I have no good thing. I pray that you would be glorified as I seek to love you with all my heart and mind, and to honor you with my time and actions. I pray that you would instruct me and fill me with joy in your presence. Amen.

Play is not just for kids. If you are under pressure at work, a playful spirit can lead to balance, creativity and good health. Play relieves stress, increases physical and mental fitness, and introduces new ways of learning. Play reminds us how it feels to be a child—innocent, everything new. God is inviting us to play each time he points our hearts to beauty. An article entitled “The Importance of Play for Adults” turns to psychiatrist Dr. Stuart Brown for a definition of play. The focus of play, Dr. Brown observes, is “on the actual experience, not on accomplishing a goal” and the activity “is needless.” You do it for fun, he says. In our hyper-productive world, we need to learn how to play again. Play is not a one-size-fits-all pursuit. If we’ve been “all work and no play” for months on end, we’ll need to experiment to find what fits us. Are you the type to belt out ‘90s tunes, take your dogs for a walk, or meet up with a friend for coffee? Find your play. Let it work in you to remind you how to be like a little child. Though we mature in our faith, in some ways we must remember to become like little children. After all, “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Prayer Lord, I know you didn’t intend for me to live a life dictated by work. Help me recognize the ways I can find small moments of joy, rest and play in my hectic life. Help me be refreshed. Amen.

The Bible depicts Jesus—busier than anyone around him—praying about the work and the people God sets before him every day. His first priority of the day is to connect with God. Amid the pressures of working life, daily prayer may seem like a luxury we can’t afford to indulge. Jesus, however, couldn’t imagine going to work without prayer, much as most of us couldn’t imagine going to work without shoes. Daily prayer is a difficult practice for many Christians. Between early morning family responsibilities, long commutes and late nights at work, it seems almost impossible to establish a consistent routine of prayer. Regular time set apart for prayer is a good thing, but it is not the only way to pray. We can also pray in the midst of our work. One practice many have found helpful is praying very briefly at multiple times during the day. “Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families,” found in the Book of Common Prayer, provides brief structures for prayer throughout the day. You can also try one-sentence prayers when moving from one task to another, praying with your eyes open or offering thanks silently. You might not notice change at first, but over time prayer can increase your capacity to both receive and give God’s love and grace. Prayer Jesus, help me establish a rhythm of prayer that connects me to your love and your Spirit every day. Amen.?

Man was created by God for work. For the Christian, life without work is meaningless; but work must never become the meaning of one’s life. Finding fulfillment in the work God created us to do requires that we take a break. Work is one of the primary means by which we fulfill our true purpose: to glorify God, serve the common good, and further God’s kingdom. God reminds us of this on the seventh day of creation. God worked for six days, and then he rested – not because he was tired but because he had “completed his work.” God teaches us that work is not an end in and of itself. This is why he instituted the Sabbath. In Deuteronomy 20:8-11, God repeats this idea again in the Ten Commandments when he says to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. Today culture views work as an end. Work supplies our identity and gives meaning to our lives by maximizing success and money through our labor. Our work is never finished, and the constant drive to prove ourselves destroys our ability to find rest. We can’t sit still and unplug. This drive also inhibits our ability to find fulfillment in our work. This distortion of work’s purpose cripples our chances of finding true joy and fulfillment in our work. It also hinders and distracts us from worshipping God. When divorced from God, all work degenerates into pure self-centered ambition. The only thing that will silence the condemning voices driving so many of us to the brink of exhaustion is the biblical discipline of Sabbath rest. Correctly practicing the Sabbath brings about a new spiritual understanding of both work and the whole of our lives. The purpose of the Sabbath is not rejuvenation in order to be more productive. Nor is it only the pursuit of pleasure. Instead, the purpose of Sabbath is to enjoy: God Joyful worship with God’s people God’s glorious creation Time with family Life in general Your accomplishments, achieved through God’s help The freedom found in the gospel, freedom from slavery to any material object or human expectation The Sabbath is a time to unplug from our vocational work. The author of Hebrews writes that we have to labor diligently to enter God’s rest. We have to work hard at disconnecting from what we do the other six days and really enjoy the release and peace that God has designed for us on this holy day. Sabbath keeping has to be intentional. Setting aside one day in seven to observe the Sabbath will begin to change the way we see our work and what it can and cannot accomplish. We should love the vocational work God has given us so much that he makes us take off a day every week. Let Sabbath rest rejuvenate you and your work.

True rest brings us into a right relationship with God and with others. When we experience this kind of rest, we feel revitalized, more alert, more creative and more human. Our capacity to love others, as well as our desire to be in relationship, increases. A deficiency of rest can compromise the quality and meaning of our work and negatively impact our health, family and personal lives. Difficulty entering into rest might indicate that we’ve made an idol of our work. As fallen and broken human beings, we might devote ourselves to work in the vain hope that it alone will bring us meaning, purpose, security or happiness. Our work can become driven by a desire for perfection, worth, admiration or status. Perhaps some of us define success by comparing ourselves to others and working to have more than they do. Still others of us may use work to avoid dealing with other areas of life. We sacrifice our health, our families and our discipleship on the altar of excessive work. The idol of work might fool us for a time, until we are passed over for promotion, fired, laid off or retired. Then we discover that work comes to an end, and meanwhile, we have become strangers to our family and friends. Fulfillment doesn't come from frenzied work. It comes from rest and repentance. And strength comes from quietness and trust, trust that who we are in Christ is enough. Prayer Jesus, if I’ve made work into an idol or even an addiction, I repent and ask you to heal my wayward heart. Help me to take the steps I need to enter into true rest. Amen.

After months of hard work, the deal goes through. Sales skyrocket after a new product launches successfully. A new member to a team adds value and energy. Projects are completed on time. In the midst of struggle and obstacles, we see glimpses of success. In the brokenness of work, we have hope. Thanks to God’s grace, we aren’t stuck in the Fall forever. In Genesis and the creation story, we learn the origin of our work. In the Fall, we know the difficult realities of work. Christ lived an earthly life and died a horrific death to pay the wages for our sin. This sacrificial act redeems and frees us from a life enslaved to sin. We can begin to see the untangling of the sinful consequences of the Fall. We get a foretaste of the world to come, of how things could be. However, we still face the obstacles of sin in our daily work. We await the final restoration when Christ returns to make all things new. A Christ-centered Perspective A redemptive, Christ-centered perspective helps us see the significance and hope in our mundane jobs. Jesus’ days on earth ultimately make our most ordinary days significant. He died to redeem our sin and all of creation, including work. Without Christ’s redemption, our work would be plagued by our sin. Now, the work of our hands matters. We can help bring redemption to every facet of work, furthering God’s kingdom. We are called to serve faithfully in our vocation in light of the gospel. Our vocation may not be to take the gospel to new places and preach it to people who have never heard it, but it is still important to be faithful in the mundane. As we do our daily work, we should do it with the hope of the resurrection when everything will be set right and sin will be no more. We should strive to bring order to disorder, treat others with love, and demonstrate integrity in all that we do. Our work, if it is done for God’s glory through his grace, demonstrates the nature of God’s kingdom. Christ’s sacrifice frees us from the grips of sin today, not just eternally. Because of Christ’s redemption, our work holds significance, and when done to God’s glory, our work is good. The garbage man works every day to keep God’s creation clean. The accountant brings order to chaotic finances and spreadsheets. The doctor redeems sickness and heals pain. Pharmacists prepare and dispense prescriptions, ensure medicines and doses are correct, prevent harmful drug interactions, and counsel patients on the safe and appropriate use of their medications.The teacher shares knowledge and skills with children and adults. The artist and musician capture, interpret, and portray truth in many forms. Every good and moral job can bring redemption to God’s creation. How do you see the effects of redemption in your work?

Often we don’t find our work fulfilling because it’s hard, discouraging, and unenjoyable. Projects get derailed. Ideas fail. Sales plummet. Deals fall through. Coworkers quit. Mundane tasks pile up and seem never-ending. However, Genesis 1 tells us that God created his people to care for and grow his earth and to prosper. He created work as a way for his people utilize the gifts he gives them, all to his glory. Work is a way to glorify God in everything that we do. So then, why is work so toilsome and difficult? Broken by the Fall Work itself is not inherently bad, but it didn’t escape the destructive effects of the Fall. Our work is broken and toilsome because sin corrupted it and our relationships. In Genesis 3, God curses the earth for Adam and Eve’s disobedience. We learn that men will toil with the earth and women will endure pains of childbirth. Relationships are broken and in them we will struggle for authority. The obstacles we encounter in work – the boredom, frustration, challenges, discouragement, and failure – are consequences of sin. But, our work is not in vain. Understanding the context for our work helps mitigate these results of the Fall. The Fall is not the last chapter of God’s story. There is still more to come. Attitude Matters Finding fulfillment in work in the midst of this drudgery and toil requires a biblical perspective and right attitude. No matter what we are doing, it is all for God’s glory. In our favorite and most fulfilling jobs to the mundane and meaningless, it all matters to God. We commonly believe that a fulfilling vocation can only be one that we enjoy. At least, jobs that we enjoy seem easier. However, there has never been a time in history with so much opportunity and freedom to pursue our calling and jobs that interest us. We live in a time where the effects of the Fall are still so real and pertinent, but they reside in an environment of great freedom and opportunity. So, as you face obstacles at work today, tomorrow, and next week, remember that in the mundane tasks and hardships, your work is glorifying to God. While you can’t wish away the difficult realities of work, a biblical attitude has the power to transform your work day. How can your attitude change the way you view your work?

When adversity , it requires that we shift from being paralyzed by fear to taking Spirit-led action. There may be damage that needs to be repaired, people who need to be encouraged or a new solution that needs to be discovered. The action you choose can mean the difference between success and failure, between strong relationships and broken ones, between keeping your job and losing it. No matter what the adversity is, we need God’s help, not just to know, but also to take the best next steps. After fasting and praying, Esther was empowered to approach the king, even though it could have cost her her life. The king extended his scepter to her – a sign that she had found favor with him. That opened the door for Esther to request that the lives of her people be spared. It was a critical step toward victory over their enemies. When Celia had to respond to the vice chairman the day after he had reamed her out, she told him, “I’m in … and what I hope you will understand is that when I bring something to you, I have a reason and aligned purpose behind it.” This bold statement was received favorably by the vice chairman and opened the door for future opportunities. The action we take doesn’t need to be aggressive. In fact, small, slow steps may be what are most called for in the situation. When we lean on God, He gives us direction and He can turn those difficult circumstances around for good for your team, for your organization and for you. Even the most hopeless situations and overwhelming odds can be turned around through faith. Prayer Father God, fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Strengthen my faith and help my unbelief. Give me the wisdom to take the best possible action for the highest good of all involved. Show me where I can walk in holy boldness and bring You glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pause When adversity strikes, we have a choice to either give into our emotions or hit pause. To think that, because we are Christians, we should be able to respond to everything that comes at us at work with poise at the onset is unreasonable. Neither is it a good idea to jump into action immediately since it is not likely we’ll give our best response. We all have emotions – they were created by God! – but they don’t have to have us or control us. We need healthy strategies for processing through our emotions. Pausing puts your primal “threat” response in check and enables you to respond from a place of peace. Pray After we pause, we need to reset. Esther fasted and prayed along with her community for three days. That allowed Esther to reset and gain the courage she needed to approach the king. For Celia, after her reaming out she spent a long evening processing her anger, soul searching and in prayer. The next day, Celia was prepared to respond confidently to the vice chairman. Praying helps you gain the clarity necessary to determine what to do and the courage to do it. God wants us to seek Him for wisdom and to trust Him through the storms. When we bring Him our needs in prayer, He can then strengthen us and guide us to take the best course of action. Process Scripture helps us to know what God says about the situation and gives us the wisdom we need. As we consistently read God’s Word, we will find it easier and easier to shift from fear to faith quickly. Fear often comes from not knowing how it will all turn out, but we can trust the One who does – God. God uses adversity to strengthen our faith and create stories that inspire others to turn to Him and trust Him as well. Leaning on God helps us avoid being paralyzed by fear and gives us the courage and confidence to take bold, Holy Spirit-inspired action. Prayer Heavenly Father, help me to remember to pause and pray when adversity strikes, knowing you are there waiting for me to simply turn to You. I thank You that You hear my prayers, You give me strength and You show me the way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When God created the universe, He said it was all good – the stars, the wildlife, people, our relationships and the work God blessed us with. But sin entered the world like a virus, infecting everything including our relationships – with God, with other people, with ourselves – and our work. As a result, we often experience work as hard and adversity as commonplace. No one is immune from facing adversity, no matter how hard you work. Today, we’re going to look at two examples of people who faced adversity by leaning on faith – one from the Bible and one from today’s marketplace. The book of Esther tells the story of a Jewish orphan girl in exile who becomes queen. Out of the blue, she received the disturbing news that a plan to destroy the Jews had been approved and scheduled. On top of that, the only way to save her people was for Esther to put her own life at risk by approaching the king without being summoned. Celia Swanson was the first female executive vice president at the world’s largest retailer. She started her career in a department store and worked her way up, but not without a few bumps along the way. In one meeting, Celia made remarks that led the vice chairman to think she was not aligned with his vision. He asked Celia to step outside where he proceeded to ream her out in front of the trash cans! The vice chairman told her she had 24 hours to let him know if she was on or off the team. Sudden adversity can cause us to react. We might either go into a state of shock and confusion, or jump into doing something unwise. And that’s just where our enemy, the devil, wants us. But we don’t have to bite. Jesus encouraged us by saying that we would face trials. But we can “take heart” that Jesus has already won the victory over the adversity, trials and challenges that are inevitable at work and in life through our faith. Prayer Father God, thank you that you will never leave me nor forsake me. Help me to remember to pause when adversity strikes and seek You. Give me the wisdom to respond instead of react. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus expands upon the Great Commandment to include a parable that answers the question “who is my neighbor?” The story of the Good Samaritan provides us with insights for both life and work. The Good Samaritan was a successful businessman. He likely traveled the trade route often, and was deemed trustworthy enough by the innkeeper to demand services on credit. He was successful enough to be able to afford oil and wine for medicinal purposes and lodging at an inn for a complete stranger. Perhaps his success was a result of his kindness. It turns out that treating coworkers well is good for business. Arthur Demoulas, CEO of the chain of groceries Market Basket, made it a point to treat his workers well. He paid them well over the minimum wage and refused to scrap the company’s profit-sharing plan even in an economic downturn. He forged direct connections with his workers, learning the names of as many of his 25,000 employees as possible. When Market Basket’s board of directors fired Arthur Demoulas in 2014, due in large part to his generosity, the employees of the supermarket went on strike in support of their leader. Workers refused to stock the shelves until Arthur Demoulas regained control of the company. It was the first instance ever of workers organizing to choose their own CEO, and it was fueled by Arthur Demoulas’ self-sacrificing generosity. At work we have many chances to show this sort of self-sacrificial love to our coworkers. Being a Good Samaritan in the workplace means cultivating a specific awareness of the needs of others. Are there people in your workplace who are being robbed in some way, perhaps of recognition or promotion? A Christian should be the one to point out their contributions. Or if you see one or your coworkers struggling with a project, stop what you’re doing and help them. Connect them with someone else who can help. This is what the Good Samaritan does to love his neighbor. Prayer Lord, help me be a Good Samaritan in my workplace today. Bless me with success in my work and give me the opportunity to use that success for others. Amen.

In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus expands upon the Great Commandment to include a parable that answers the question “who is my neighbor?” The story of the Good Samaritan provides us with insights for both life and work. The Good Samaritan was a successful businessman. He likely traveled the trade route often, and was deemed trustworthy enough by the innkeeper to demand services on credit. He was successful enough to be able to afford oil and wine for medicinal purposes and lodging at an inn for a complete stranger. Perhaps his success was a result of his kindness. It turns out that treating coworkers well is good for business. Arthur Demoulas, CEO of the chain of groceries Market Basket, made it a point to treat his workers well. He paid them well over the minimum wage and refused to scrap the company’s profit-sharing plan even in an economic downturn. He forged direct connections with his workers, learning the names of as many of his 25,000 employees as possible. When Market Basket’s board of directors fired Arthur Demoulas in 2014, due in large part to his generosity, the employees of the supermarket went on strike in support of their leader. Workers refused to stock the shelves until Arthur Demoulas regained control of the company. It was the first instance ever of workers organizing to choose their own CEO, and it was fueled by Arthur Demoulas’ self-sacrificing generosity. At work we have many chances to show this sort of self-sacrificial love to our coworkers. Being a Good Samaritan in the workplace means cultivating a specific awareness of the needs of others. Are there people in your workplace who are being robbed in some way, perhaps of recognition or promotion? A Christian should be the one to point out their contributions. Or if you see one or your coworkers struggling with a project, stop what you’re doing and help them. Connect them with someone else who can help. This is what the Good Samaritan does to love his neighbor. Prayer Lord, help me be a Good Samaritan in my workplace today. Bless me with success in my work and give me the opportunity to use that success for others. Amen.

For all the many hours that we spend at work, the people to the right and to the left of us are our neighbors. Jesus teaches that whether or not we love our coworkers is directly linked to how much we love God. When Jesus answers a lawyer’s question about which commandment in all of scripture is the greatest, he brings together two commandments into one new directive. Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself. This new dual command has been called The Great Commandment for its importance in all of scripture. We cannot fully show our love for God if we do not love our neighbor. What does loving our neighbor as our own self look like in the workplace? It looks like paying attention to a coworker’s presentation rather than checking your phone, even if the subject matter isn’t interesting to you. You would want to see other people’s eyes if you were giving a presentation. Or it looks like taking time to sit with a new coworker at lunch because you would want to be welcomed if it were your first day on the job. Or it looks like asking a colleague, “Is it possible we’re not taking her seriously enough because she’s a woman?” knowing that you would want a colleague to stand up for you if you were being misunderstood. These are small examples, yet each of them may come at a price—boredom, an hour of unbillable time, access to the inner circle of power. To love your coworkers, as yourself, may require taking risks that we would surely take in order to serve our own ends, but which loom large when undertaken only for the benefit of someone else. It is truly a high bar, and perhaps that is why Jesus equates such behavior with showing love for God. Prayer God, I love you with all my heart, soul, and might. Let me express my love for you today by loving my coworkers. Give me eyes to see the ways I love myself, and let me love others in this way. Amen.

If God intends us to work in helpful relationships with others, where do we go wrong? According the book of Proverbs, a lot of strife creeps into our working relationships when we talk about coworkers behind their backs. Work often brings together people with different skills from different cultural backgrounds. This is good for building a diverse team able to handle many types of challenges. But it often also leads to conflict. How we deal with workplace conflict determines whether we work in a loving environment or an energy-sapping one. When we have a conflict with a coworker we are often tempted to unburden ourselves on some other friendly ear. But many verses in the bible caution against such talk. While we think it will make us feel better, talking maliciously about a coworker often prolongs a fight rather than resolves it. Gossip casts other people in a questionable light by raising doubts about their integrity. The gossiper elevates his or her own status at the expense of others who are not present to speak for themselves. This casts a shadow over anyone else in the office who might as a result of the gossip feel guarded and suspicious. Instead of ending a conflict, gossip amplifies it. A better way of dealing with workplace conflict is laid out in Matthew 18:15-16. If you have an issue with one of your coworkers, it is best to talk it over in person when the two of you are alone. This gives you both a chance to clarify your positions and clear up misunderstandings. If you have not solved the conflict after a one-on-one chat, hold a small meeting with one or two additional people. Other coworkers may have different insights into the conflict and useful perspectives on ways to solve it. Conflict occurs in most coworker relationships. It takes courage and humility to deal with conflict head on. Yet, when you follow the advice of scripture, you create a better environment where everyone is happy to work. Prayer God, you see the conflict in my workplace. Give me strength to heal my work relationships. Guard my tongue against gossip and slander. I put my trust in you. Amen.

We will tackle about the first two human co-workers, Adam and Eve. God put Adam in the garden of Eden with a job: to till the garden and keep it productive. But soon God saw that working alone was not good for Adam. So God made another person to be Adam’s helper and partner. The phrase in Hebrew that is used to describe the first woman is ezer k’negdo. Ezer is used in the Old Testament to mean one who helps, not as an apprentice or assistant, but as a competent ally. The word ezer is also used to describe God as our help, as in Exodus 18:4 “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.” The word k’negdo means “comparable to him” or “suitable to him.” Put together, the phrase indicates that Eve was created with comparable or complementary gifts to Adam, with the purpose of joining Adam in the work God had asked him to do. Adam and Eve had the distinction of being the first couple too, but before that they were the first human coworkers. What lesson can we take from their story for our modern (nonromantic) working relationships? One way that we can love our coworkers is by being an ezer k’negdo at work. A helper delivers others from distress. Is there a coworker struggling with a new task who could use your expertise? The second half of the phrase implies that God intended his first human coworkers to share the load with each other. Being an ezer k’negdo to your coworkers means approaching work-related problems with a shared vision. This means forgetting phrases such as “that’s not in my job description” and partnering with your coworkers to achieve a shared vision. Prayer Lord help me love my coworkers today, as you originally designed in creation. Let me be a helper to those I work with, and bless them to be helpers to me. Amen.