In a mess

Well, life has been a kind of mess lately.  To a person who is organised and loves to be on top of stuff, it is ultimate chaos when things are out of order.  

Which made me think, who defines order and chaos in our lives?  In the same situation, another individual would probably think life is great and just keep living it up!

So, who defines our state in our lives?  You got it...it's me. It's us. We define our own lives according to the way WE see it.  

At work, we come across different people with different levels of perfection, tolerance, joy, anxiety, peace, arrogance and what-not. All of these put together make up the personality.  

Understanding myelf is important.  You know, God says in His Word that we should love the LORD with all our heart, mind and soul and love our neighbor as ourself.  So I need to have a healthy dose of "understanding" myself.  Which is the hard part. We wish to be someone else and we end up being something else and totally think we are great when we can be all messed up.  That's mostly when we run to God. And He makes it right.  Just like Him to just embrace us and make everything alright. His love for us knows no bounds. 

When we can understand ourselves, we can understand others and give of ourselves to them. 

I have noticed that when I love God, spend time with Him and HIS peace enters my innermost being, there is a sense of peace that dwells even when my world is spinning.  When I forget Him and His peace, everything is a mess. My soul is anxious, not at rest.

When I am at peace, I can give of it to others. Which is why we are the light of the world.

At work, allow God to give you the grace you need to have peace.  Even in a mess. 

Life and work

Is work your life?  Or life your work?  Slow down ...and check this out. 

Let's see what Jesus says about work and how that relates to our LIFE.

John 6:27-35

Stop toiling {and} doing {and} producing for the food that perishes {and} decomposes [in the using], but strive {and} work {and} produce rather for the [lasting] food which endures [continually] unto life eternal; the Son of Man will give (furnish) you that, for God the Father has authorized {and} certified Him {and} put His seal of endorsement upon Him.

They then said, What are we to do, that we may [habitually] be working the works of God? [What are we to do to carry out what God requires?]

Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger].

 Therefore they said to Him, What sign (miracle, wonderwork) will You perform then, so that we may see it and believe {and} rely on {and} adhere to You? What [supernatural] work have You [to show what You can do]?

 Our forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as the Scripture says, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.

 Jesus then said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Moses did not give you the Bread from heaven [what Moses gave you was not the Bread from heaven], but it is My Father Who gives you the true heavenly Bread.

 For the Bread of God is He Who comes down out of heaven and gives LIFE to the world.

 Then they said to Him, Lord, give us this bread always (all the time)!

 Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in {and} cleaves to {and} trusts in {and} relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).

We get caught up in the things of this world -- getting a good home, a good vehicle, comforts in life and pleasures that identify us in today's age and makes us people of "status".  

What or who are we working for?  In most third world countries it's survival.  For some it's for a "better" life. Life?  What life?  

Isn't there something which people look for and are still groaning within unable to find that "something" that completes them?  Jesus is that life that EVERYONE is looking for. HE can fill that thirst that you are looking for.  We look in all the wrong places -- at our work, for example .  And it cannot satisfy us nor define us.  

Let's allow Jesus in.  To be filled with LIFE and have a purpose.  And then work....without being hungry or thirsty.  

"Raised up" for what purpose?

"For such a time as this..."  Almost every Christian knows the story behind these words.  Esther , a commoner was chosen Queen and there was a purpose behind it which was to save her people.  Her uncle Mordecai who brought her up assured her during the difficult times that maybe she was made Queen .." for such a time as this."

Wherever you work, or are placed...you are there ...for such a time as this.  This is your opportunity to shine like the King and Queen that you are.  The Scripture says that even Pharaoh was raised to proclaim the power of God. 

Rom 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, I have raised you up for this very purpose of displaying My power in [dealing with] you, so that My name may be proclaimed the whole world over.

Whether it's me who is raised up or my enemy that is raised up, God is going to get the glory!!!

We might have lost a job, or may have been promoted....two sides of the coin.  Dull or shiny, God has a purpose and will fulfill it. 

When we are raised ...we need to be assured that God has raised us for a higher purpose.

Ultimately He is glorified.  It takes a lot of trust.  In the Creator of the universe.  That shouldn't be so hard should it ?  Ha! Your circumstances may look like you are at the bottom of the pile and no one notices you or your life or your resume.  The God of the Universe notices.  He is watching to see if you trust Him.  And His purpose for you.  And it WILL BRING GLORY TO HIS NAME. 

You are raised up to bring glory to His name! 

Wisdom of God....in these times III

When we can relate to Him and know HIM , His wisdom is evident in our lives.


We are God's treasure. When He lives in us, we reveal His wisdom at work, and He works for us.


So , in the end...all it takes is trusting Him completely.

So why can't I appropriate this truth in my life and just sail through life and all it's challenges with this wisdom that God gives me?

We see things with our eyes, we hear and listen with our ears......and use our five senses.  We BELIEVE what we see, hear , taste, smell and touch.  That's where our problem lies. When we can live beyond our senses, and "hear" what God has to say to us, we are one step ahead on God's wisdom trail...:-)

Now just come with me....

1 Cor 2:7 - 16

But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God--[that wisdom] which God devised {and} decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence].
None of the rulers of this age {or} world perceived {and} recognized {and} understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.

 But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed].

Yet to us God has unveiled {and} revealed them by {and} through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring {and} examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny].

For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man's thoughts except the man's own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

 And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining {and} interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit].

 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept {or} welcome {or} admit into his heart the gifts {and} teachings {and} revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned {and} estimated {and} appreciated.

 But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern {or} appraise {or} get an insight into him].

 For who has known {or} understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide {and} instruct Him {and} give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) {and} do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.

Having the wisdom of God goes hand in hand with inviting and receiving the Holy Spirit into our lives.  We  make decisions based on the revelation to us by the Holy Spirit who reveals the mind of Christ ( Who is wisdom) to us. 

Do you get it?  No...do you REALLY get it?

It says " for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring {and} examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny]."

 Which means the HOLY SPIRIT knows everything. And He reveals to us the mind of Christ. And we receive divine wisdom.

Wow. It's beautiful. The way God has orchestrated this world and everything in and about it is awesome.  When we realize that we on our own are truly blinded to the real wisdom of God, we can open our hearts to the Holy Spirit to lead and guide our decisions based on the wisdom of God.

Wisdom of God - in these times II

Okay...now let's go on to the New Testament...

You have got to read what this says..:

1 Cor 1:20 - 29

Where is the wise man (the philosopher)? Where is the scribe (the scholar)? Where is the investigator (the logician, the debater) of this present time {and} age? Has not God shown up the nonsense {and} the folly of this world's wisdom?

 For when the world with all its earthly wisdom failed to perceive {and} recognize {and} know God by means of its own philosophy, God in His wisdom was pleased through the foolishness of preaching [salvation, procured by Christ and to be had through Him], to save those who believed (who clung to and trusted in and relied on Him).

 For while Jews [demandingly] ask for signs {and} miracles and Greeks pursue philosophy {and} wisdom,

We preach Christ (the Messiah) crucified, [preaching which] to the Jews is a scandal {and} an offensive stumbling block [that springs a snare or trap], and to the Gentiles it is absurd {and} utterly unphilosophical nonsense.

But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek (Gentile),

Christ [is] the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.

[This is] because the foolish thing [that has its source in] God is wiser than men, and the weak thing [that springs] from God is stronger than men.

 For [simply] consider your own call, brethren; not many [of you were considered to be] wise according to human estimates {and} standards, not many influential {and} powerful, not many of high {and} noble birth.

 [No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame.

 And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is lowborn {and} insignificant and branded {and} treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose {and} bring to nothing the things that are,

So that no mortal man should [have pretense for glorying and] boast in the presence of God.

God has CHOSEN us to be at this place at this p articular time and season.  Therefore, only HE and His wisdom will be sufficient for you to appropriate in this life.  

At work, what someone else says which sounds real "sensible" and " logical.." is not really wisdom of God.  

What the media says is "news" ...not wisdom.

When JESUS , who is the wisdom of God, has a relationship with you, He in His wisdom is revealed to you and you receive wisdom to deal with situations in your life.  It is a total dependance and trusting in God.  Which brings us back to "fear of the Lord".

When we can relate to Him and know HIM , His wisdom is evident in our lives.

It's really beautiful when you delve into God's word and find treasure hidden for us to give to the world.  

We are God's treasure.  When He lives in us, we reveal His wisdom at work, and He works for us.

So , in the end...all it takes is trusting Him completely.  You don't need to break your head.

Wisdom of God ....in these times - I

I'm sorry I couldn't get on earlier to continue my post.  Anyways, here we are talking about wisdom during these times. 

First off, what is the wisdom...of God?

Job 12:13 But [only] with [God] are [perfect] wisdom and might; He [alone] has [true] counsel and understanding.

 But where shall Wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
 Man knows not the price of it; neither is it found in the land of the living.
 The deep says, [Wisdom] is not in me; and the sea says, It is not with me.
 It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price of it.
  Gold and glass cannot equal [Wisdom], nor can it be exchanged for jewels {or} vessels of fine gold.
 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; for the possession of Wisdom is even above rubies {or} pearls.
  From where then does Wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?
  Abaddon (the place of destruction) and Death say, We have [only] heard the report of it with our ears.
 God understands the way [to Wisdom] and He knows the place of it [Wisdom is with God alone].

Job 28: 12 - 23 ( some verses not included- similar meaning)

But to man He said, Behold, the reverential {and} worshipful fear of the Lord--that is Wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.  Job 28:28

Wow. 

We cannot  get wisdom from gold, the seas, nature, land, wealth, rubies and pearls or from the knowledge of anything from this world.  WOW.  So a knowledgable man is not really "wise" ...but a man who seeks after knowledge realises his inadequacy and turns to God. ( which is a different topic so we'll move on..) 

The worshipful , reverential fear of the Lord is Wisdom.  

So how do we get wisdom for these times?

Nowadays, we fear everyone and everything...except God.  If I have no money I am full of fear, anxiety and worry.  Why?  

During this financial downturn, there is a constant underlying fear of lack. Of want.  Of need.

The fear that Job talks about is reverential, not of worry...but of complete trust and "abandon".  Where we know that God is my SOURCE for everything ( not just money) and I worship Him in awe of this knowledge and I am ready to obey Him.  

When I come to that place, I am ready to receive His counsel and wisdom...the wisdom of God....because now I am ready to walk the path that He gives me...fully trusting Him.  And walking in the wisdom of GOD. 

Not on what 'I" think is right. But on His direction.  Which calls for a relationship with God.

At work, is there talk among everyone that borders on fear, worry, anxiey, steps to save money at the cost of helping someone else...etc?

Where do we stand?  Are we in sync with God?  

The most beautiful aspect of all that I am saying right now is that it is "PERSONAL".

I cannot tell you how you need to be in relationship with God.  It's your call.  

Just like I cannot dictate the relationship between two close friends if I am not one of them and don't know them.  I sure hope you understand this.

For this is the key to my further posts on acquiring the wisdom of God in our life and workplace.

If you are serious about this, take a minute and talk to God -- if you have no idea what I am talking about and would like to know more, ask a person who knows  or write to me at bestchristianjobs@gmail.com.

Recession

I looked it up and found this -- "A recession is a decline in a country's gross domestic product (GDP) growth for two or more consecutive quarters of a year. A recession is also preceded by several quarters of slowing down. " Many have an idea what recession is but not many actually know what it is. So I googled it and here we are. courtesy : http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/feb/14spec.htm

What does it mean to a Christian worker? Let's look in the Bible...

There was a famine(worse than recession) in the land where Isaac lived. Read on below to know what happened.

Gen 26:2 - 6 "And the Lord appeared to him and said, Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I will tell you.
Dwell temporarily in this land, and I will be with you and will favor you with blessings; for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.
And I will make your descendants to multiply as the stars of the heavens, and will give to your posterity all these lands (kingdoms); and by your Offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, {or} by Him bless themselves,
For Abraham listened to {and} obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commands, My statutes, and My laws.
So Isaac stayed in Gerar."

Isaac, just like his father Abraham....obeyed GOD and STAYED.

He continued to do just what God told him to do. You may have heard this many times. Many preachers or teachers may have said, during this recession...God is with you and will never let you down. Which is true. But maybe deep inside only you know the current situation and the state of your soul. And you have an unbelief that borders on rebelling against trusting in God.

God, the creator of the heavens and the earth. Now, DO we grasp the meaning of that. THE CREATOR. How can we not trust HIM? That's the key to Isaac's obedience. He knew that his father's God does what He says and he trusted Him. So Isaac continued to WORK.

Then Isaac sowed seed in that land and received in the same year a hundred times as much as he had planted, and the Lord favored him with blessings.
And the man became great and gained more and more until he became very wealthy {and} distinguished;
He owned flocks, herds, and a great supply of servants, and the Philistines envied him.

His work was the same. He sowed seed in "that" land ( land of famine) and managed his estate. He sowed seed during the famine!!! No one would do that !!! You sow and plant where it looks like it would grow right? He just did it. The difference was that God did what He promised him. HE MULTIPLIED HIS seed a HUNDRED times during that same year. Who says that cannot happen to us?

Only be sure that is what God wants you to do. How can I know? How will you know if your father wants you to do something....ASK him. And WAIT for an answer, a promise that is just for you. That's the hardest part. In this instant generation, we want to know everything NOW. We want control. But God asks us to trust His TIMING and His PROMISE.

And HE will bless.

Sometimes, it goes against the grain of what we want to do. Precisely. During these times as a Christian worker, we need to continue to stand on God's promise ( which is just for you, not someone else's) or get to know what He wants us to do and KEEP DOING WHAT HE HAS ASKED US TO DO.

God will take care of everything else. You don't need to know, or even break your head about it.

And Abimelech said to Isaac, Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we are.

The King asked Isaac to leave!

Isaac carried the blessing. Not his circumstances, and not his locality. But him.

Wherever you are, YOU carry the blessing of God ......so it's whats in you that's important , not your situation.

Follow me on my next post on "Wisdom of God ... in these times."