Christ First

Sunday's sermon on "Keeping Christ First at Your Job" in the current series in Colossians was informative and convicting. It reminded us that God's design for the workplace is not for businesses to be separated from God and morality.  Separation from God is actually the root cause of the symptoms of the ills we often see.

From Colossians 3:22-24, the characteristics of the Christ-first employee is one:

• who consistently listens and follows instructions
• who is still industrious, even when the boss is not looking
• whose quality of work reflects that he is working for God
• whose attitude is shaped by relationship with God
• whose deepest motivation is not money but eternal reward
• who sees Jesus as his ultimate boss

And from Colossians 3:25-4:1, the characteristics of the Christ-first employer is one:

• who treats everyone with dignity and without favoritism
• who gladly pays his employees what is right and fair
• who understands that he answers to God for how he conducts his business and cares for the employees

Acts 4:1-31

Despite being thrown into jail, put on trial before the Sanhedrin, and ordered to no longer speak in the name of Jesus, Peter and John were able to continue to speak the word of God boldly and effectively.  The Church grew to about 5,000, the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they PRAYED.

What a contrast to when Peter denied Christ.  What now gave him the boldness to be able to say to the same Jewish religious leaders who crucified the Messiah, "'Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.'"?   Clearly the Holy Spirit empowered him; but, this also shows how God can use what may be our greatest failures, to develop us into bold and effective witnesses for HIM.  I see Peter as having grown from the denial experience, restored by Christ, and now a strong leader in the Early Church.

This gives me encouragement, that at times when I have failed, I may learn and grow; and then trust that God can use those experiences to develop me in ways that may not have happened otherwise.  And, when Peter spoke before the Sanhedrin, "they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus"  (Acts 4:13b).   I would love for that to be said of me, in that I would reflect my Lord so much that others would recognize I "had been with Jesus."

Parenting

Though this Sunday's sermon on Parenting was not very personally relevant to me, it was filled with good advice and information worth noting:

• There should be a balance between liberal and authoritative parenting
• Doing everything right does not guarantee an ideal outcome, for even God as the only perfect parent had rebellious children (Isaiah 1:2)
• A mother's love anchors a child's emotions and a father's acceptance anchors a child's identity
• God has placed the ultimate responsibility for spiritual leadership in the family on fathers, not on mothers nor spoiled demanding children (Colossians 3:21)
• Ways parents can embitter their children:   overprotection (not allowing creativity, shows distrust), showing favoritism, put-downs (undercuts child's worth), unrealistic goals (results in depression for never being able to achieve or receive approval), no affection (sets them up for anyone else who comes along and "says the right thing"), no boundaries (results in insecure person due to mishandled freedom), and neglect (children don't raise themselves)
• Two things that will cause rebellion:  indulgence and harshness; And two things to counteract the extremes:  training and instruction (thru encouragement; when they fail, don't leave them there but help them pick themselves up)

Overall, there are five stages to a child's life associated with answers to life's questions:

1. Infancy:  Hold me...Am I loved enough?
2. Childhood:  Tell me....Do I know enough about the world around me?
3. Adolescence:  Show me....Have I seen enough good exampels to avoid disaster and make wise decisions?
4. Young Adulthood:  Release me...Am I equipped and confident enough to make it in the real world?
5. Adulthood:  Advise me....Am I humble enough to seek wisdom when life doesn't make sense?   (NOTE:  This is different from the "Tell me" stage)

Cupid's Arrow

It may be the influence of the bombardment from images and promotions related to the upcoming Valentine's Day, or merely just the resulting effect of something that's been brewing in the background for awhile; but for whatever reasons, I find myself possibly having been nicked by Cupid's Arrow.  It's been such a long time since I've been anywhere near Cupid's target that I even wonder if maybe I just got in the way of a passing arrow.  Since this experience is an uncommon one for me, I do feel out of my element and unsure of how to proceed.  Hence, my doubts about whether or not the arrow even found its intended target.

So, until I am sure, I do not plan on doing anything really in response.   I did talk it over with a friend of mine, and I'm basically in a wait-and-see open-to-it mode.

This person and I actually have interests in common - music, traveling, cooking, and church.  He is kind, trustworthy, reliable, unassuming, complimentary, and talented.  Though, I always hoped that I would know when I met THE ONE; at this moment it is all indeterminate and indistinguishable to me.   However, by now, I am very familiar with sitting in God's Waiting Room until He reveals His Plan and Will to me clearly.  I am in prayer and will patiently wait, listen, and watch for His leading.

Strategic vs Tactical

In work-related circumstances, I've frequently come across the terms:

• Strategic - the "what and why", looking at the big picture, mission, purpose
• Tactical - the "how", dealing with hands-on details

Both are important, and good leaders find a balance between the two - being able to step back and get the overall perspective; but also being able to understand and be aware of the details.

Luke 1:38

"'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said.' "(Luke 1:38a)

Mary had just received the wondrous and yet fearful news that she would give birth to the Son of God.  We can only imagine what went through her mind and what her heart felt, but, she was recorded as essentially saying that she would accept whatever God has planned for her.

That is a worthy example to follow - that no matter what we are faced with in life, even the difficult or seemingly "impossible" challenges, we submit to the Lord's leading.

Promise Notebook

In an Insight for Living video, Chuck Swindoll talked about how his mom used to put together Promise Notebooks for others, by writing in them promises from the Word of God, decorating them (e.g. with pictures and drawings).  What a great idea for a personalized and encouraging gift for others, that will also point them to God and His Promises.