Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:10

There is a general statistic that says 20% of the workforce does 80% of the work. In other words, not many people are doing their very best, leaving the work load to a very few productive people. I can tell you by experience, this is true. It’s very difficult being in the 20% category when you see others not performing at the level you are, putting that burden of extra work on yourself. Fortunately, I learned early in my career that I’m working for the Lord, and not man.

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. Colossians 3:23.

Today’s verses give encouragement for us to do well in our work, especially when it comes to serving God. He blesses each of us with talents and abilities to perform certain tasks and when we don’t give our all, we fail ourselves and God. He expects us to do our part as His children, either in the workforce, serving Him, responsibilities in the home, and as a family member. There are not shortcuts to doing God’s work.

Another aspect of Ecclesiastes 9:10 is in our obedience to God. It’s said that partial obedience is disobedience. We often pick and chose certain areas of our life where we remain faithful and other areas where we feel sin isn’t as important in the eyes of God. Those who live this way will find themselves living a lie on the day of judgment, when we face God. OUCH! Does this hit a nerve?

God loves you and sent His Son to take care of your sin debt. Don’t take advantage of your status with God to let sin slip in, justifying it by how well you live in other areas of your life. People depend on you to live up to the standard as a father/mother, son/daughter, husband/wife, and a child of God. Give all you’ve got in whatever role you serve, so one day you will hear God say, “well done my good and faithful servant”! God bless!

 And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. Revelation 22:12

 While at my church yesterday cleaning up after our Judgment Journey production, one of my fellow church members drove up. He was telling me his work plans for tomorrow. The task wasn’t going to be easy, but it had to be done. I thanked him for his volunteer service and he replied, I do get paid, it won’t be in this lifetime but when I cross over into Heaven. A great reminder for me, that every little thing I do, at no charge, will be rewarded upon the return of Jesus Christ.

God has gifted each of His followers with specific talents and abilities. If you claim to be a Christian, are you using them to serve God? It’s easy to say we are a child of God, attend church, maybe even Wednesday night service, but what happens beyond your attendance matters in the kingdom of God. You don’t have to quit your job to serve God, but you should be willing to step up and help when you feel the Holy Spirit prompting you.

Time is valuable and goes by quickly. You have priorities at work, home, and your family. God understands that, but when you are wiling to step out in faith to make time for serving Him, He in turn rewards you with little blessings now, leaving the big rewards when He returns for all of us.

 How can you use your talents to serve God this week?

 Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. Micah 7:8

 Waking up this morning to see the election results has had me in a state of shock and concern for our country. Many of the policies implemented by the Trump administration has aligned with my beliefs. And now my concern with the changes in House of Representatives and Geogia governor, things look bleak. I believe we are in for 2 years of a dead-locked government and dissolvement of many policies that has helped turn America around for the better.

 Putting my frustration and fears aside, today’s verse came up as an encouragement that regardless of defeat, we have a God who rules the world. That is where we can put our trust, regardless of who manages our local, state, and federal governments. For Christians, we need to pray for God’s guidance and wisdom, to guide these leaders in the right direction.

 Don’t feel defeated! Be inspired to pray more than you ever have. God has a plan for America and through your prayers, He will light our path moving forward for the next 2 years. God bless!

 

 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me, and he who loves ME will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 1421

 Personal relationships are a two-way street. When both parties love each other, there is a bond that is inseparable, and faithfulness abounds in their actions, words, and thoughts. When one strays though, that bond is broken, and peace, protection, and joy slowly diminish. I’ve been there and it’s not enjoyable.

 Jesus made it very clear in today’s verse how to tell if you truly love Him. By following His commandments! You might be thinking that is pretty rigid or even impossible, but God has standards for His faithful and true followers. We are to be the light of Christ. A child of God living in darkness does not display the true character of Christ and deceives those outside the faith. Sadly, some have turned away from following Christ because of a Christian’s poor example that they’ve witnessed. God help us!

 Thankfully God’s His Holy Spirit helps us stay in the center of His will and walk in obedience. Yes, there will be times when we stray and fall into sin, but the blood of Christ cleanses us upon confession. Do you love Jesus Christ? What areas of your life need His spiritual healing to bring you back into God’s graces? He’s provided you everything you need to love Him. Ask God to help you live a closer, more intimate walk with the Savior today. Your faithfulness to Him shows you love Him unconditionally, just as He loves you in the same manner. God bless!

 

 “[8] Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ”

Colossians 2:8 NKJV

In two days Americans will vote for the candidates of choice. Currently there is a concern that the opposing party of the President will take over both chambers of government, leaving the country deadlocked for 2 years. 

You listen to their views, what they want to accomplish, and how their plan will make life better for you. How do you know which belief to accept as truth? 

Today's verse, written well over 2,000 years ago, is just as applicable today as it was back then. Many falsehoods abound out of the mouths of those who think their way is best. Many who hate our president are embracing opposing philosophies and policies that quite frankly will turn God's blessings over this country to His judgement. And when that happens, chaos and destruction abound. Just as we saw in the former administration. 

The ONLY best plan is the one that aligns with God's word in the Bible. It has been the centerpiece of people and nations who've been on the receiving end of His blessings and prosperity. Those nations who've turned away from biblical beliefs have suffered greatly, even been annihilated. Just look what happened to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in Scripture below:

“[6] and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; ”

II Peter 2:6 NKJV

You want to live in a free country, abounding in prosperity and God's blessings? Then choose the best way that God will bless and honor. The future of this nation lies in your hands. 

 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7

 I just love this time of year with the Fall weather, leaves turning beautiful colors, and so many festivals to embrace the season. The changing of the leaves is one event that draws so many people to the mountains to witness God’s beauty. As much as we appreciate their beauty, there is one element of those trees that we don’t see that play an important role in their beautification.

 The roots of a tree provide life sustaining water and nourishment. Without them, the tree would slowly die. Growing deeper each year, they tap into the abundant source of minerals and water, while maintaining the strength of the tree as it grows upward.

 As God’s children, we should be like tree roots, grounded in God’s word daily to provide us wisdom for how to live in this earthly life. I’ve witnessed some beautiful godly souls in my lifetime, people who are 100 percent committed to Christ and they all stay rooted in God. Nothing deters their spiritual growth; they know where to receive the nourishment to sustain faith.

 If you were a tree, how strong are your roots? Are you growing deeper in your faith as your spiritual life changes colors with the seasons? Start your day in God’s word, pray often, and trust God in every corner of your life and you too will be a beautiful soul in your corner of this world. God bless!

 

 1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron and said to him, "Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." 2 Aaron said to them, "Tear off the gold rings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me." 3 Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it into a molten calf; and they said, "This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt." Exodus 32:1-4

 In today’s scripture we read that Moses was on the mountain receiving the 10 Commandments from God. His delay in coming back down stirred the hearts of God’s people (the Israelites) to focus on another god, a gold calf. You’ve got to wonder what they were thinking. They gave up worship towards the God of the Universe for a golden calf that had no life, no power, no eternal value. Why did they give up on God?

 The bigger question, why do we give up on God? Life has its moments and sometimes when things don’t go our way, God gets blamed and we exchange our relationship with God for something that has no eternal value. I recall reading an article recently about Billy Crystal who stopped trusting God because of the tragedies in his life. I just wonder what he will put his trust in now? That’s a tragedy in itself.

 3 “You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor [a]serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, Exodus 20:3-5

 Wrapping this up, you might be waiting on God to come through with something requested; don’t lose hope or your trust in Him. He is always working behind the scenes to fulfil His purpose in your life. Satan will try to draw your attention away from God’s offerings, so you will turn to the small gods of earth. Trust me, those things have NO eternal value. Time is on God’s side, and your patience is the necessary ingredient to fulfil His plan for your life.