Working for Christ

When I was 10 years old, I got my first job working at a riding stable.  Each day that I worked (about three or four hours), I put clean shavings in the stalls, swept the barn floor, and helped to bring in hay bales from the field.  In exchange, one of the working students gave me riding lessons on an Appaloosa gelding named Gunmetal.  I learned my work ethic from some of the best riders in the country.  Some of them went on to join the United States Equestrian Team (USET) and go on to compete in the Olympics.

Having learned under these people was an experience of a lifetime, but not as exciting as the one lesson I received from the owner of the stable.  The owner was a member of the USET and the team used her property to train for world-wide competition in Dressage and Three-Day Eventing (dressage, stadium jumping, cross-country jumping).  I watched the riders train every time I worked, that summer.  It was amazing! It was a dream come true and as the years went by I worked for and got to know many world-renound competitors in the horse world; but, nothing stands out to me as clearly as riding for the owner.  I became a perfectionist in my work and I gave my all to impress her because she was important.  You see, I loved the give and take.  I gave all of myself to my work so that I could receive valuable and quality riding lessons.

Now that I'm all grown up, I still have my good work ethic.  Sure, there are some things I could improve upon, such as, being more rested for work, leaving five minutes earlier so that I'm not rushing out the door at home, having my files a little more organized; however, even though I have a boss I now recognize that my work is not just for her, it's for Christ.  My work has the potential to turn people to or away from the Lord according to my actions.  Even so, God is watching.

In Ephesians 6:5-9, Paul told us to work as if we were working for the Lord.  He knows our hearts, too, so we'd better be sincere and obedient, with good attitude, and avoid complaining (even in our minds!).  I have lots to work on and with the power of prayer, I can overcome my occassional negative attitude.  What is the end goal?  To expand the Kingdom of God.  Rewards will follow.  You'll see.

The Cornerstone Devotions for Teachers: What it means to be more than conquerors

The Cornerstone Devotions for Teachers: What it means to be more than conquerors: I'm in a phase of life right now in which a lot of really important things are riding on the decisions of someone else. The biggest o...

Giving Thanks

Good morning!  Today, I feel thankful for so many things. I am thankful that Jesus loves me and that He wants to share His kingdom with me.  I am thankful for everything God has given me. One way I show my thanks is through prayer.  In Psalm 145, David praises and exalts the name of the LORD.  He tells God that future generations will know of His works and the power of His Name.  "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations" (vs. 13).

Prayer isn't just about asking for forgiveness of our sins, or the healing of a friend.  Of course it is a way we can lift up our problems and concerns, but it is also a way to give thanks and praise for the wonderful things He has done for us now and in the future.  Today, I praise the Lord for the mind He has given me, along with the talents and gifts He will provide for me to use in the classroom.  "My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.  Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever" (vs. 21).  Amen and amen!

Bearing the Marks for Jesus

Good morning! This morning, I read Galations 6:11-18 and something really opened my eyes about the importance of boasting in the Lord; not boasting about ourselves.  In this letter to the Galations, Paul encourages them (and us) to remember that the former traditions are not as important as understanding that when Jesus died on the cross, He took away our sins and we became a new creation.  He sacrificed Himself so that we could be made new but it doesn't stop there.

In verse 17, Paul writes "Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus." Up until that point, Paul had been stoned (Acts 14:19), beaten (Acts 16:22, 2 Corinthians 11:25), and had suffered illness (2 Corinthians 12:7, Galations 4:13-14).  He literally had marks on his body for being a servant of Christ.

I don't know about you, but I don't have any physical proof (on my body) that I am Christ's servant.  However, many people of this day and age do suffer in that way.  I think it's very important that we remember those who do bear the literal marks of Christianity.  Here's a link to Voice of the Martyrs.  Please check it out.  http://www.persecution.com/

Studying the Scriptures Part 2

As a follow-up to my last post, I decided to share the seven verses that I am studying.

1. Do everything without complaining or arguing.  Philippians 2:14
2. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.  Colossians 3:23
3. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.  Job 23:12
4. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.  Colossians 4:6
5. The day of the LORD is near for all the nations.  As you have done, it will be done to you . . .  Obadiah 13:15
6. The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in him.  Nahum 1:7
7. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.  Ephesians 5:17

These verses have become particularly meaningful to me since I began to study them.  Surely, they are words for you and I to live by.

Would you like to share the seven passages you chose?  Just click on the comments link and type them in.  I would love to make this an interactive post.

 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you . . ." Matthew 28:19-20.  Let's hold one another accountable.  

Studying the Scriptures

Good morning, everyone! This morning, my devotional was about studying the scriptures.  It really wasn't about daily devotions or long Bible studies, though.  It was about meditating on a verse or passage about three to four times daily, similar to taking time out for meals.  In fact, one of the reference verses was from Job 23:12, which says "I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread."

I'm going to assign myself a personal challenge, starting now.  I'm going to pick seven verses, write each one on a separate index card (recipe card, even!) and meditate on one per meal until I have all seven of them memorized.  Then, I will keep repeating the cycle until I am led to do something else.  For me, it's not about the number of verses I can memorize, but about how I can build a firmer foundation in the Lord.  Do you want to join me in this challenge?

Going to Make Disciples Any Way I Can

Today, I am so excited to type in these verses from the Bible because they are some of my favorites: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me.  Yet what shall I choose?  I do not know!  I am torn between the two:  I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.  Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel" Philippians 1:21-27.

What do these verses mean to me?  They mean that even though heaven is my true home, earth is where I am going to hang out until the Lord decides that it's time for me to go to my true home, so I need to fulfill the mission that Jesus set forth, which is to "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" Matthew 28:19-20a.

I can spread the the good news in my quiet Christ-like actions, or by the gentle words I use to tell someone the story of Jesus.  I can spread the gospel through this blog or by putting a link to this blog in my email to someone.  I can tweet John 3:16 or post it on Facebook.  There are so many ways to be a witness to Christ, these days so while I'm here, I'm going to do it.  Some say technology is taking over the mankind.  Well, I'm going to take advantage of it.  Enjoy your day!