Tag: Work

Devotionals

Working Steady for the Lord

Loring Schultz

“……The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Luke 10:2 NLT

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Labor Day is here once again. Like most holidays in the United States, the significance of the day is often overshadowed by festive celebrations of picnics, recreational activities, sporting events, and the like. That is not to say we shouldn’t celebrate, but at times we tend to look for any excuse to celebrate and we forget the purpose. Labor Day is no different. Labor Day is a National holiday both in the United States and Canada celebrated on the first Monday in September. It recognizes American and Canadian workers for their contribution and achievements to a working society of both countries. A labor force that is steady working towards building a better society, economically and for the advancement of all people is worthy of recognition on Labor Day.

But there is also another labor force that is steady working towards building a better society, the building of the Kingdom of God. And it is also for the advancement of all people. There is a problem though within this work force, it is extremely short handed. This job market is huge and there are plenty of opportunities. But as so often happens in the U. S. job market, some people would rather stay home rather than apply for the job. Our Lord Jesus makes reference to this in Luke’s gospel, “……The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (10:2 nlt))

There is certainly plenty of work to do. It is steady work we call job security, and you will never be laid off. And yes, if you know the Lord Jesus as your Savoir you are more than qualified. You were called for this purpose to serve and work for Him in the field He has placed you. The Lord has placed a light within you and me to share with others who are struggling in this dark world.  

Sometimes working for the Lord Jesus does not bring recognition. We should never do it to be noticed, but to bring glory to God by adding to His Kingdom. Besides we will receive the ultimate recognition when we hear our Lord Jesus say, ‘Well done good and faithful servant for Steady Working.’

Devotionals

Be blessed; Give

Loring Schultz

Read: Acts 20:13-38 NLT – Paul Meets the Ephesian Elders – Paul – Bible Gateway

“You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:34-35 NLT

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Hundreds of common sayings and proverbs we use today had their start somewhere. Someone had said them for the first time and the phrase caught on and spread over time. Many of those someone’s are unknown as history traces back to the origin of a saying to a place and time and the events that created such a saying. The saying ‘it is better to give than to receive’ is easy to trace and comes from a reliable source, the Bible, and spoken by a most reliable person, Jesus Christ.

Paul is giving final instructions to the elders of the church in Ephesus as he was about to leave for Jerusalem. He had told them this would probably be the last time they would see other each. It was an emotional time for them all. He encouraged them to preach the Word that he spoke to them concerning the Good News of Jesus Christ strengthening the new believers. Paul advised them to be good shepherds and feed the flock warning them that false teachers and accusers would soon arrive to sway the new converts away from the truth.

Paul ended his final words to these elders by reminding them of his work ethic while he was with them. Paul never took a salary for preaching the gospel but worked as a tent maker. He provided for himself and those who served with him. Paul was saying his work not only met his needs, but the needs of others, which he was glad to do. He also said, ‘a little hard work never hurts anyone,’ and it actually helps others. But Jesus has the final word on this, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ So, be blessed, and give.

Devotionals

Incomplete

Loring Schultz

Read: Acts 20:16-38 NLT – Paul had decided to sail on past – Bible Gateway

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” Acts 20:24 NLT

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Have you ever received an ‘I’ as a mark in place of a grade on your school report card? ‘I’ or ‘incomplete’ notes you haven’t finished the course to receive a passing or failing grade. You didn’t fail, but you didn’t pass either. You failed to complete the course. Except for certain uncontrollable circumstances, failing to complete the course could be considered failing. This may seem a little harsh, but you did fail by not completing the assignments to receive a grade. Some educators today are too quick to mark an ‘I’ when it is not warranted.

The apostle Paul would never give out an ‘I’ as a teacher nor would he accept one. Paul was determined to go back to Jerusalem by the leading of the Holy Spirit although he knew that chains awaited him. Waiting near the docks of Miletus, Paul called for the elders at Ephesus. When they arrived, he gave them some final instructions and informed them they would not see each other again. Paul emphasized he still had work to do. He said his life would mean nothing if he didn’t finish the work the Lord Jesus gave him to do. Even prison, which may be a legitimate excuse, would not stop him from preaching the Good News. Paul did not want an ‘I’ on his report card.

Remember how you felt on those days your grades came out. Christians should have that feeling year-round for we do not know when our final report card is coming out. I don’t say this to put us into a state of panic, but to encourage us to complete what God has given us to do in this life. The Lord has given each of us our own assignments to accomplish, but all of us have the same work Paul had, telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ. We don’t want to be given an ‘I’ on that day but to hear ‘well done good and faithful servant.’

Devotionals

Procrastination; it’s not time yet

Loring Schultz

“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: The people are saying, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’” Haggai 1:2 NLT

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To procrastinate is to put off doing something until later. Unless it’s for a good reason, procrastination could be disastrous even deadly. When knowing there is a need and we do not respond looking out for our interests first, a callous attitude towards others and the things of God will quickly develop. We’ll start making excuses and getting very astute in them. Soon it becomes all about us and only if we have time then we will help others and seek what God has for us to do for Him.

The returning exiles in Judah had gone back to their land after seventy years of captivity and were to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. They encountered some push back from people who had settled in the land and soon the work stopped. Over time the work of rebuilding God’s Temple was no longer important to them, but building their own homes and neighborhoods were. People started saying that it wasn’t time yet to get back to work. Perhaps the hostilities were still there, or we still have work to do securing our homes and farmland, or the economy may not be strong enough to support the effort, were likely excuses to procrastinate. The actual reason was they were selfish and did not care about the things of God.

As Christians when a need arises that the Lord God is directing our hands to the work, may we not procrastinate and say ‘it’s not time yet’ for I have things to do first. God knows our responsibilities and He will not direct us to a work we have no time for or incapable to perform. When the Lord calls, it is always time.

Devotionals

I Have Too Much on My Plate           

Loring Schultz

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

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How often have you used the phrase, ‘I have too much on my plate?’ I’m not speaking of a dinner plate, which never can have too much on it, but your plate of responsibilities you have taken on. Suddenly you find yourself overwhelmed with the commitments you’ve made all with good intentions or perhaps you just couldn’t say no. Now your plate is full and no extra room to squeeze in the necessary chores you need to accomplish.

I’m beginning to find myself saying, ‘I have too much on my plate.’ Soon, I’ll be asking myself, ‘Do I need a bigger plate?’ But I can answer that right now, No! So, what is needed is an evaluation of the responsibilities on my plate. First, what is on my plate that was put there by God? Second, what has God directed me to add on my plate? During discouraging times in keeping up with the Lord’s work it is good to recall Jesus’ words. When we are weary in our work, even work for God, and the burden seems too much to bear, Jesus says He will give us rest. He doesn’t say, He’ll take away the God appointed duties on our plate, but He will give us rest.

The Lord Jesus invites us to hook up with His yoke, as oxen are yoked together to plow a field. The yoke allows the two to work together side by side. If you’re doing the Lord’s work, you are plowing a field with Him. Young inexperienced oxen are joined together with older experienced oxen for training. Jesus put this work on your plate, and He is right alongside there with you to help you and train you. Notice that even when we get discouraged and feel we can’t go on, Jesus tells us His yoke is easy and the burden He gives us is light. We can trust Him with that. Everything on our plate from the Lord should remain there. He will help us through it. It’s His work.

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Third, we may have some things on our plate that need a reevaluation by way of prioritizing. Listing them by priority you’ll be able to accomplish those things which are necessary. The Lord will honor your commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities you have on your plate. Those with less importance, God has not forgotten but will help you complete them in His good timing. And fourth, there may be some things on your plate, and mine that we need to get rid of. They can’t afford to take up valuable important space on the plate the Lord gives us to work. When we prioritize what’s on our plate, beginning with what God has put there and work our way down, we will find there is more than enough space on the plate, maybe even some room for dessert.

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Devotionals

Don’t miss out what God has for you 

Loring Schultz

“Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. So take this seriously. The LORD has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 NLT

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How do we serve God with a willing mind? It begins with worshiping Him with our whole heart. King David in his last instructions to his son Solomon, soon to be king, were words of encouragement, “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind.” David knew the task of building God’s Temple was before his son, and he wanted to prepare him to be ready not miss out on what God had chosen him to do.

David also warned his son that if he forgets God and goes his own way, it will have severe consequences. The Lord would reject him forever, including his assignment to build the Temple. But isn’t God a God of mercy, you ask, yes, He is, but the one who rejects God, rejects all that God is, His love, His salvation plan, His grace, and yes, His mercy. David didn’t want his son to reject God. His desire for Solomon was for him to know God intimately through worship and serving. David stressed to Solomon to ‘take this seriously,’ and think about who God is and what He had chosen him to him to do above everyone else, build His Temple. I’m sure it was overwhelming for Solomon, but David wraps up by saying, ‘Be strong and do the work.’ The Lord would be with him.

God has a specific assignment for you and me to do. Will we have a willing mind when He reveals His plan to us? To be willing and ready we need to worship Him with our whole heart. The Lord sees and knows what’s in the deepest crevasses of our hearts, so we can’t fool Him. If we wholeheartedly seek God, we will find Him and won’t miss out what He has for us.  

Devotionals

Rewarded for Our Work 

Loring Schultz

“But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” 2 Chronicles 15:7 NKJV

As I have gotten older, I have learned a few things, like you’re never too old to learn something new. I also learned there is always something to do, particularly things that need to be done. They don’t go away just because you have gotten a little older. Since my retirement from my full-time vocation, I have been just as busy with the work that is before me. There is always work to do around the home my wife and I share, work around the neighborhood, and work in and around the church I belong to.

One of the greatest joys is having the opportunity to serve the Lord within the church with the work we do. A major part of that enjoyment is the men I work with, all of us retired, imagine that! I am thankful for the grace they show me as I work alongside them. Full disclosure, there is a lot that I cannot do, even some simple things. I’m not much of a handyman and I know my colleagues would agree. But eventually, I get there, it just takes a little time.

There is a verse in 2 Chronicles which says, “But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded” (15:7 nkjv) Now I believe I can speak for my friends as well as myself that we do not do the work for a reward or a pat on the back. It is for God’s glory and for the ministry to continue in our city. Scripture does infer that rewards will be given in heaven, although we won’t hold on to them very long, for we will lay them at our savior’s feet.

Whatever work you do, either for the church, your home, your neighborhood, or if you’re still actively employed, do it all for the glory of God. Make sure you have something to lay at Jesus’ feet.

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Devotionals

Just another day at the office

Loring Schultz

Read: Daniel 2:1-16 NLT – Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream – One night – Bible Gateway

“When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion.” Daniel 2:14 NLT

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Corporate Executives in notable positions of authority are subject to an unexpected crisis happening at any time. How they deal with it unveils their character a good bit of the time. Some may panic, but most do not. Some may be quick to assign blame, rather than responding to the situation. Others respond by doing their best work while under pressure. The prophet Daniel in the Old Testament did his best work best while under pressure.

Daniel was one of the Jewish captives brought to Babylon trained to become one of king’s advisors serving in his administration. An unexpected crisis developed within the king’s entire advisory staff. Nebuchadnezzar, the king, had a terrifying dream calling his advisors to tell him the dream and then give it its meaning. The advisors who were known as his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers, would not attempt to answer the king’s order without knowing first what he had dreamt. The king, perhaps wise to their previous inaccuracies and deceptions, demanded they tell him his dream first, and then interpret it. He reasoned if they could reveal his dream, then they would be able to give him its interpretation. Nebuchadnezzar demanded they follow his command and failing to do so will result in their execution. They could not fulfill the king’s command, as a result they were ordered to be put to death.

Meanwhile, back in Daniel’s office, Daniel is confronted by the commander of the king’s guard. We may question why Daniel wasn’t called with the others to interpret the king’s dream. It could have been Daniel willing kept himself away from the heathen practices of his colleagues, or perhaps he wasn’t called due to being a Hebrew, he wouldn’t have knowledge of their pagan gods. People in the Near East during those days believed that gods spoke to human beings in dreams. Whatever the reason, it didn’t matter. Daniel was one of the king’s men, so he was included, guilty by association.

Daniel has a remarkable reaction signifying his ability to work well under pressure when Arioch came to kill him. The Bible says, “Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion. He asked Arioch, ‘Why has the king issued such a harsh decree’?” (Dan.2:14b-15a nlt) Daniel didn’t panic, not even the slightest. If he did it didn’t show. It was just another day at the office for him. What Daniel had was faith in his God who had sent him there and was with him as he worked under the pressure of being an advisor to the king of the Babylonian Empire. Daniel knew the Lord’s hand was on him come what may. He trusted God with the outcome enabling him to concentrate on his work in a professional and godly manner. A valid lesson for us to follow.   

Devotionals

Don’t Forget to Remember

Loring Schultz

“Think about this eighteenth day of December, the day when the foundation of the LORD’s Temple was laid. Think carefully……But from this day onward I will bless you.” Haggai 2:18, 19b NLT

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On this date December 18, 520 B.C. the Lord spoke through the prophet Haggai to the people of Judah who were about to continue rebuilding the Temple. The work on the Temple had stopped ten years earlier, but the work on the people’s own homes continued to be completed. The Lord reprimanded them in Haggai chapter 1. The leadership and the people responded, and the work began again.

The Lord told the people to “Think about this eighteenth day of December” (to remember from this day forward) how their lives were before they laid the foundation to rebuild the Temple. He wanted them to think about it carefully. The efforts in their work produced only half of what was expected. The Lord had caused a drought to occur, and sent blight, mildew, and hail to destroy their crops. Their money vanished as if they had holes int their pockets. The people of Judah were to remember their previous conditions and not forget what their sin of abandoning the Lord and His work cost them.

This December 18, 2024, may find you in an abandonment situation where you started a work for God, but it has been put on the back burner. You’ve abandoned it, meaning in a sense you’ve abandoned God. Perhaps all is not well, or perhaps it is, but you know something is amiss. The work you are pouring yourself into is not achieving profitable results. Unexpected bills are piling up, and the kids need braces. When we take our eyes off God, focusing on ourselves and our needs, we forget God can take care of both our needs and His work He assigns to do. Upon doing this we create a lot of our own problems by not trusting God.

The Lord doesn’t want to see us have problems. He desires us to obey Him and trust Him for our needs. If you are ready to get back at it for the Lord, don’t forget to remember what it was like before December 18, 2024, as the Lord told the people of Judah, “from this day onward I will bless you.” (Hag.2:19b nlt) God will never abandon His children. Let us not abandon Him.

Read: Haggai 1:1-15, 2:15-19 NLT – A Call to Rebuild the Temple – On – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

The Brevity of Life

Loring Schultz

“Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty.…. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Psalm 90:10a, 12 NLT

Photo Wikimedia Commons

Today marks the 100th birthday of former United States President Jimmy Carter. He is by far the oldest living president in American history. The second longest lifespan for a U.S. President was George H. W. Bush at age 94 followed by Gerald R. Ford at 93. Cater became president in 1977 following the 1976 election, the first presidential election I participated it while in college. A lot of years have passed between then and now, but they seem almost like yesterday. I guess that is why the psalmist was inspired to write, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (Ps.90:12 nlt)

Before making that statement, the psalmist says, “Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty.” (Ps.90:10a nlt) If that doesn’t make you think. I’m very close to the age granted to me before the extension for good health, and that time has gone by very quickly. Indeed, I need to realize, as all of us do, that life is short compared to eternity. But as short as life is, we have given a responsibility to leave our mark for Christ in the world we leave behind.

The Lord has blessed Jimmy Carter with a long life. President Carter has made good use of the time God has given him. He served in the U.S. Navy, was a successful farmer in his home state of Georgia, elected to the state Senate in 1963 he then became the governor of Georgia before serving as U.S. President. Outside of politics, Carter is best known for his humanitarian work of building houses for the less fortunate in his ‘Habitat for Humanity Project.’ In fact, in honor of his 100th birthday volunteers are constructing 30 new homes this week in St. Paul, Minnesota. President Carter has also served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher in his church for many years until his health prevented him to do so.

Today Jimmy Carter is 100 years old, and even at 100 years old, he is aware life is short. What is 100 years compared to eternity. President Carter has used his short time well and is still influencing people around the world. May we realize the precious time God has given us to work His plan in the world. Our life may be brief here on earth, but it can and will be used by God for His glory if we don’t squander it away.

Happy Birthday President Carter!

https://www.cartercenter.org/about/experts/jimmy_carter.html

https://www.habitat.org/carter-work-project