The Christian Working Woman
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Jesus was the greatest leader this world has ever seen. This God-man came to earth and in three short years of ministry, he took twelve unqualified men and developed them into a team that has changed the course of history. I want to point out some specific characteristics that made Jesus a great leader, and hopefully this can help us see the kind of leaders we should be, whether in business or our homes or our churches. First, Jesus was a great leader because he knew who he reported to, and he made sure he fulfilled his boss's expectations. Jesus kept in close contact with his Father. He said again and again he always did what pleased his Father and spoke what the Father had taught him. In John 7:18 Jesus said, ‘Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth … ’ When was the last time you checked with your boss to see if you're working to his or her satisfaction? Do you spend enough time with your boss to understand his or her priorities, so that you are doing the things that please your boss? It really is your job to make sure you've got the marching orders right. And besides, it is simply smart to take the initiative of letting your boss know you need and appreciate his or her feedback. Maybe you're thinking: You don't know my boss. It's impossible to communicate with my boss. That may or may not be true, but you should do everything you can to improve that communication. Many times, we excuse our own lack of effort by saying, "He never listens to me" or "I can't get any feedback from her," or "This company doesn't care what I think!" Pray about it and ask God to give you some creative ways to improve communication with your boss. That's the mark of a good worker and a good leader; certainly, Jesus was careful to stay in very close contact with the one who had sent him. In any business or organization, the ultimate boss is the customer. Your customer is the person who creates the need for your job. If they didn't exist or didn't have certain needs, your job would be unnecessary. Think about that, and clearly identify your own personal customers. Those are the people you need to please.
"Be still and know that I am God." What does it mean? How do we do it? At first, it seems like a very simple, straight-forward message: Be still and know that I am God. But I have discovered that it is not that easy to implement in my life, and I have a feeling many of you share that experience. First, it's not easy to simply be still, is it? We live in a world that seems to be in perpetual motion. All of us have more to do than we ever get done. It is not in vogue to "be still.” Successful people aren't viewed as people who are "still.” Rather, they are people who are active. We have this idea that if we're not doing something, we're not being productive. Those of us who are parents remember how often we would have given anything if our children would just be still! All that energy—constant movement! And when they're moving all the time, you can't communicate to them, they don't listen and you find it difficult to concentrate. How many times have you taken your child's shoulders, looked them in the eyes, and said, "Julie, please, be still!” You feel as though you cannot get anywhere with them until they simply stop. God, our Father, says the same thing to us. "Be still. Stop!” Stop walking, stop running, stop moving—just stop!” The first hurdle we face is to get our bodies to be still, to literally stop moving, and for most of us that does not come easy. I have learned that I must plan this "still" time in my day. It has to be designated, and I must give it the highest priority. For me, it has to be early in my day, before my mind is cluttered and my concentration is divided. And it's very helpful to me to have a certain place which I think of as my "still" place. That one spot in my home that is more or less reserved for my time with God. But I can get up early and get my body into that "still" place and discover that I'm still not "still.” Now the battle really begins for me. My mind starts going a mile a minute. If I allow myself to think about the schedule for the day, there is no stillness in that time. It's easy to lose my concentration on the purpose of this "still" time, and even though the body is in the right place, I'm not still before God. In order to be still before God, I have to have that inner focus which screens out all external thoughts and concerns, which centers on God and God alone, which brings me into that place where he is for that time my whole universe and no extraneous or conflicting information is allowed to interfere. I have sat for an hour or more in bodily stillness, but without inner stillness before God. How can I get to the place where I can be truly still before God, so that I am completely swallowed up with his presence and his reality, and nothing interferes with it? Frankly, I don't think it's easy for any of us, and I don't think it ever will be. Our three enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil, are all out to break up this quiet inner stillness, and a spiritual war wages when we sit down to be still before God. Here are some things that I have found helpful. First, I begin by praying for inner concentration, by claiming the blood of Christ as protection, by putting on the helmet of salvation to keep my mind from wandering. Singing can help me "be still" before the Lord, so at times I sing a hymn or chorus which focuses on God. Our pastor once suggested that you keep a pad and pencil nearby, and when your mind starts to wander, thinking of what you have to do, etc., just quickly make a note to remind yourself later on, and then you can go back to your meditation time. And then, simply be prepared to stay with it no matter how much your mind wanders. Each time it starts, quickly re-focus and start again if necessary. I find it takes time. I just can't dash in and out, like I do at the supermarket, get what I need and run. I cannot be still at the drop of a hat. Sometimes it takes what seems forever for me to be still on the inside.
Presented by Lauren Stibgen How we manage our time, the finances of our company, our relationships, and trials we experience are all ways we can show our faith at work. I would argue one of the most difficult tests of our faith comes when we are asked to do something that is questionable or become aware of someone else’s conduct that may be questionable. How we uphold our company’s code of ethics can show us as faithful stewards of the work God has placed before us. It is in these times Colossians 3:23 becomes even more important. Afterall, you are working for the Lord and not for man. Your colleague says, “Hey, I am running late, clock me in. If I am late again this week, I will lose my job.” “Let’s sell this old inventory on marketplace. They are throwing it out anyways.” Your colleague is drinking on the job and operating machinery. Your boss is secretly providing insider information to a competitor of the company about a new product. A coworker is using the petty cash to buy tickets for a sports event in town. You overhear a manager using derogatory language about someone of a different ethnicity. I was shocked to learn 75% of companies lose money each year from “buddy punching.” 20% of every dollar earned by U.S. companies is lost to employee time theft. The U.S. Department of Labor reported 65% of workplace job accidents are caused by drug and alcohol use. Intellectual property theft costs the U.S. up to $600 billion annually. Some of these issues seem less egregious than others, but how you respond can make all the difference as you consider God is watching your work. God doesn’t take kindly to dishonesty at work. Let’s recall Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. While they sold their land to give the proceeds to the early church, they lied about the profits. Both were struck dead on the spot. Beyond these statistics, the behaviors noted above are not only financially damaging to companies, but they make the workplace difficult. It can be tempting to help your coworker or to earn a few extra dollars when you think your company won’t miss a product. It can be hard to consider reporting a colleague for drinking on the job, and especially hard to report your superiors for misconduct. Making yourself aware of the expectations of your organization for reporting is one way to start. Most companies have an anonymous hotline you can call to report such incidents. If you find yourself amid any of these troubling circumstances, finding a trusted believer to pray with can help you discern the best steps to take. We are walking in a fallen world and cannot expect work to be easy, but surrounding yourself with community that supports your faith walk can make things a little easier. Maybe you are even questioning something you did at work; remember, God knows we aren’t perfect— this is why he sent Jesus. James 5:16 calls you to confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
Presented by Lauren Stibgen We have all been there. You feel the fiery flames of the enemy sting at work. We all face trials at work, but how we handle them is another way we can reflect our faith through our work and express a Colossians 3:23 attitude. James 1:2-3 tells us to consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. When trials hit you at work, we may find joy very difficult, but how we handle the trial will also speak volumes to those we work with. No matter what position you hold for work, receiving constructive feedback about your performance, being the subject of gossip, or being passed for a promotion can be some of the most personally difficult things you go through. Maybe the trial isn’t about you personally, but you are carrying the burden of knowing your company might be considering layoffs or even a pay cut. Feelings well up. We feel anger, frustration, less than, anxious, eager to retaliate or gossip in return, disengaged in general. These are all natural but not how the Lord calls us to respond. In fact, God uses these trials to draw us closer to and more reliant upon him. In, Exodus 14:13-14, Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.’ It takes time to process emotion during a trial. Those feelings, they want to spill out, but if we want to show our faith through our work, expressing our anger, frustration, anxiety, or harmful words don’t show our faith at all. What would happen if in the moment of difficult feedback, gossip, or disappointment, you chose to be silent and not react, to stand firm in your faith knowing the Lord will work for you? You don’t need to do anything in that moment, but remember the Lord fights our battles and walks with us in our trials. Taking this approach allows you to process a different response—a biblical and faithful one. After all, constructive feedback may be hard to hear but can help you grow. Not receiving that promotion may mean God has something better ahead. Flying above the gossip targeted at you and remembering what a reward you have in Christ can refresh your attitude. God even calls us to repay our enemies with kindness! I have personally experienced everything I spoke of here today. Yet, holding fast to the Word has helped me learn not to react but to lean on the Lord.
Presented by Lauren Stibgen As we continue to explore how we show our faith through our work, thinking about our relationships with our colleagues, superiors, subordinates, and clients is key. Remember, we are thinking about Colossians 3:23, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord… So, what does God have to say about our relationships? Well, if you study the bible, you know he says a lot! However, if we are to take a wide lens view of what the word says about our relationships, it is summed up well in the greatest command. While this command is found throughout the gospels, Luke 10:27 says we need to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself. Love your neighbor as yourself. Those that we encounter at work today are our neighbors. How can we show them love? We have already covered one way to show love to others and that is through our time. Let’s take this one step further and think about being present. Mary recently talked to us about the ministry of presence. Truly being in the moment and present for someone is a way to show our faith and love for God. When you meet with someone, think about leaving your phone behind or silencing notifications. How is your eye contact? Are you actively listening to what they are saying? Think about how you connect with others at work. Are your connections authentic or surface? How are you getting to know more about them, beyond their position in your workplace? Knowing more about their favorite past times and even their family time can help build authentic community at work. Maybe you can ask about a child’s birthday, an important sporting event or buy them a gift card to their favorite restaurant for a special occasion. You won’t know if you don’t take the time to connect. Being in a leadership role makes your relationships even more important. As part of my role as a leader in our organization, I am responsible for reviewing team performance and ensuring goals are set for the upcoming year. With a few new team members this year, I was surprised to learn two of them had never had managers who asked about their goals. In fact, one told me her goals were always the goals of her manager. Now, while part of this is true of any position, it was clear no one had shown an interest in her talents, strengths, and goals. Simply asking the question made her feel valued. Most importantly, spread the love! Don’t silo yourself to your team. Building cross-departmental relationships is both good for you and for your organization! Be the builder!
Presented by Lauren Stibgen I am sure you have heard the phrase, dollars and cents add up! As we look at showing our faith through our work, I want to remind us of Colossians 3:23, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. Luke 16:10 states, whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. How you steward the financial resources entrusted to you at work can be one way to show your faith at work. You don’t need to be managing a budget or working in accounting to impact your company’s financial wellbeing. We don’t often stop and think of the implications of small actions or seemingly unrelated things that truly add up for our company. How are you faithful in the small things? First, let’s consider the ways we interact with the financial resources of work. Maybe you are in a support capacity for your office. Let’s think of something as simple as sending a package in advance of a meeting. While sometimes you may not be in complete control of all the materials, sending this package a week ahead versus a day ahead will mean lower shipping costs for your company. I have personally seen the difference in shipping be greater than $50! Maybe you are only rushing a package once, but what if this becomes a weekly occurrence? If we just consider the $50, this will equal an added $2,600 annually for your company. Again, $2,600 may sound small, but what if everyone on your team was managing this way? You can imagine the math could add up well into the six figures depending on the size of your organization. Are you in a customer facing position? Whether you are in customer service or sales, the relationships you have with your clients have financial implications for your organization. Being responsive and solving the customer’s concerns can both retain sales for your company or even add sales. What are the implications of having a poor client relationship? Lost sales? Maybe you are fulfilling orders in a warehouse. Getting the orders fulfilled on time and with accuracy matters. Impact on shipping costs or having to replace an order because it was incorrect all add costs for your organization. Maybe my examples seem small, but reflect on Luke 16 again, he who is faithful in very little…. Don’t discount the little things you can do to be a good financial steward for your company. Whether it is time, relationships, or accuracy, your faithful actions can truly add up and make a difference!
Presented by Lauren Stibgen Faith can feel very personal, especially when it comes to thinking about faith at work. Maybe like I used to you are overthinking the concept of faith at work. What we will talk about this week isn’t about starting a bible study, quoting scripture, or offering to pray for a colleague. It is a little different. I consider it faith at work 2.0! Colossians 3:23 implores us to work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord… Let’s look at different ways to show your faith through your work rooted in Colossians 3:23. First, let’s consider time. What do you do when the boss isn’t around? Are you a remote worker or even hybrid? According to a recent McKinsey report, 5% of remote workers are working two full time jobs! While I am sure there are talented people out there, as a leader, I would not want to get ½ of someone I think I am employing full time. Have you stopped to think about how you spend your work time? Perhaps you aren’t in this 5%. But whether you work remotely or head into an office, the reality is how you spend the time your employer expects you to be working matters. From signing in to work or showing up for a meeting on time, to being focused on your work during the day, you can show your faith by being a good steward of your time. Ephesians 5:15-16 tells us to be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Perhaps it isn’t being on time that is your issue, but the temptations of social media, a long lunch, or online shopping that take you away from your work. Are you prone to gossip or make personal calls during your day? Being consistent and faithful with your time shows respect both for your employer and for your colleagues. I am sure like me, you have sat looking at yourself on zoom, waiting for someone to join, or maybe you have a colleague or boss that is always late. How does that feel? Maybe there is someone who scrolls through their phone during a meeting or misses a question because they are distracted. While there are sometimes good reasons for being a few minutes behind or being distracted, be aware so this doesn’t become a pattern in how you spend your time at work. God has entrusted you with the time you spend at work. How you spend this time is a direct reflection of how you take Colossians 3:23 to heart and live out your faith through your work.
It’s true what Jesus told us. We cannot serve God and Money, spelled with a capital "M", because he recognized the power of money. He knows how easily we can be fooled into thinking money is the answer to all our problems. Fran finds herself in this mental trap. At work this day the money worries are heavy on her mind, and she really doesn't want to listen to Jesus. She's into self-pity and sometimes it's hard for Fran to leave her pity party behind. As she sits at her desk worrying and feeling sorry for herself, her phone rings. "Mrs. Langley," the voice says. "Yes," Fran replies. "Mrs. Langley, I'm calling for Dr. Carrow. I was just calling about the bill for Alice's dental work. It's past due and we were wondering when you might be able to pay it?" Fran is stunned as she realizes what this is—a collection call. "Uh," she mutters, very embarrassed, "well, I know it's a little late, but I'll try to pay right away. I'm sorry, it's just that so many bills have come due this month. I’m sorry." "Are you saying then that you'll get a check off to us soon? When can we expect it, Mrs. Langley?" the cold voice asks on the other end of the phone. Fran can't believe how pushy he is. "Uh, well," Fran tries to think, "I'll try to get a check off this week." "Then we can expect full payment this week, is that right Mrs. Langley?” he continues. Fran is starting to get irritated. "I'll do the best I can." "Well," the voice continues, "I'm sure you realize this is already 60 days late, so we'll expect your check in the next few days." "You know," Fran replies, "you shouldn't be calling me here at work. Don't call me here anymore please." "Well, Mrs. Langley, if you pay your bills on time, we won't have to call you again at all," he says with emphasis. "I don't believe that guy," Fran says as she slams the phone down. She has never been so humiliated in her life. The rest of the day is pretty much a wipe-out. Fran can't think of anything else, and she gets angrier and angrier. Several times during the day, Jesus tries to get her attention, but Fran chooses to ignore him. She knows what he'll say: Fran, you're feeling sorry for yourself. Fran, you're letting your imagination run away with you. Fran, I'll take care of you. She doesn't want to hear it. Fran stops at the station to fill her car on the way home. Johnny says to her, "Mrs. Langley, do you realize your tires are real thin? Those two on the back, well there's hardly any tread left. You oughta get some new tires soon, I think." Fran looks at Johnny and then at the tires. How dare he suggest that she needs to buy new tires—today of all days. She's so upset she can't even respond to him; abruptly she pays for the gas and drives off. As she arrives home, Drew rushes up to her. "Mom, what happened? We can't get the kids channels anymore?" "Oh, Drew, I canceled the cable service today," Fran replies. "You canceled cable? But why?" Drew demands to know. "Because we can't afford it, that's why," Fran replies with a raised volume in her voice. "What do you mean we can't afford it? We've always afforded it before," Drew asks. "Drew, we don't have money like we did before your father died. You kids have to realize that," Fran replies. "Oh, we realize it all the time. That's all you talk about," Drew throws back at her with anger. "Now, listen to me son," Fran grabs him by the shoulders, "I'm doing the best I can. I have to cut our costs, and we can do without cable television, that's all there is to it. Furthermore, we're probably going to have to sell the house and move to a cheaper place.” As soon as she says it, she knows she said the wrong thing. "Move to another house? Mom, we can't leave this house. Mom..." Drew looks at her with fear in his eyes, and tears start to roll down his cheeks. Fran is ashamed of how she has upset him unnecessarily. This was no way to tell him this bad news.
Fran has just learned from her manager, Ben, she may be laid off. Driving home that evening, Fran says to Jesus, “That was pretty incredible what Ben said to me today, Lord. He wants to keep me!” “And it looks like he wants to ask some questions and I know I have to be ready to give answers for the hope that is within me,” Fran smiles as she pulls in her driveway. After her evening with the kids and putting them to bed, she sits quietly and talks to Jesus: “You know, I really worry about John. If he gets laid off instead of me, it could be devastating for him. And with all his expenses now—he's got it worse than me, Lord. Should I suggest to Ben that he keep him and not me?” Fran needs some wisdom, and she has learned to ask for it when she needs it, because the Bible promises to give us wisdom if we ask for it. That still small voice impresses on her it would be better to let this work itself out and just keep her hands off. As long as she’s willing to accept it either way and she knows the Lord will take care of her either way, she’s in a win-win situation. However, her concern for John continues, and she prays for him. “And Louise, too, Lord. If I stay and she goes, that would be hard for her and me, too,” Fran reminds Jesus. But, of course, he never forgot. Did Fran lose her job? No. The next day Ben told her he had decided to fight the decision to lay off five people and convinced them to cut that to four. So, Fran stayed and so did John. But Louise was laid off. But, you see, for Fran the outcome was decided when she gave the situation over to the Lord and looked to him for her support and trusted him to take care of her. Once she did that—and continued to do that—she was in a win-win situation. Regardless of the circumstances, her peace remained. Obviously, Fran is very thankful. She is, however, very concerned about Louise and has been spending lots of time with her in the evenings, encouraging her and praying with her. She did have lunch with Ben, and they talked about what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It's all new to Ben and he finds it a little scary. But Fran is sowing seeds and praying they will take root in good soil in his heart. Whatever circumstances you're facing today, remember with Jesus at your side, you have a resource of strength and wisdom that will not fail you. Be sure you practice his presence in your everyday life. Just like Fran, you need to realize Jesus is there beside you all the time.
Fran has just learned there is likely to be a large lay-off in her company, and Ben, her manager has asked to meet with her at 3 o'clock. She returns to her office after lunch and completes her project, with unexplainable peace which only Jesus can give. Time passes quickly and Fran looks at her watch. “Wow, it's three o'clock. I need your presence with me through this, Lord.” And she heads down the hall. Ben shuts the door behind Fran as she sits down. “Well, you've probably been hearing some rumors today, Fran. Let me try to tell you what's happening. It's been very sudden, but as you've probably heard, we lost two huge accounts.” “Yeah, that's what I heard,” Fran responds. “And I heard that a bunch of us would have to be laid off.” “Well,” Ben nods her head, “unfortunately, that's the case. They are telling me I have to let five of my fifteen account reps go. And the rules are that the newest employees go first. I've been looking at the records, Fran, and you're number five.” “So, that means I'm out of here I guess,” Fran looks at Ben. “Well, I don't know for sure yet,” Ben responds. “You see, John, who is number six, has been here only six months longer than you, and he has had an unsatisfactory performance rating for almost a year now. I'm hoping I can let John go and keep you. You're one of my best performers; I respect you and I want to keep you if I can.” Fran smiles at Ben. “Well, I appreciate those words of confidence more than I can say. That means a lot to me, regardless of what happens. And I feel sorry for John.” “Well, I do, too. He's been going through a nasty divorce, and it has affected his work. I've tried to hang in there with him, but it just drags on and his performance gets worse. At any rate, I have to do what's right for the company,” Ben shares with Fran. “Wow, Ben, you're in a tough spot. I don't envy you,” Fran says. “You know, I need a job, too; I have two kids to support. But if you decide to keep John, it'll be okay because it might be harder for him to find a job than me, and with this divorce, he might break under it,” Fran explains. “I have to tell you the truth, Fran, if I didn't know you as well as I do, I wouldn't believe you could be so calm and say what you did. I never thought I’d like you ‘Jesus freaks,’ but you're different. Someday let's talk about it more,” Ben suggests. “Love to, Ben. I guess I am a ‘Jesus freak,’ as you put it, and I'd love to tell you why. Let's have lunch soon,” Fran replies with a smile. “Okay, soon as I get this terrible ordeal over with. Well, there's not much more I can tell you now. I'm meeting with Human Resources people tonight, so maybe I'll have an answer for you tomorrow.” Fran gets up to leave. “Oh, by the way, how about Louise?” “I'm afraid she'll have to go, too. She's number 3,” Ben advises Fran.
We follow the on-going story of Fran and Jesus on the job. Fran has just learned there’s a good possibility she may be laid off. Jesus has comforted her with the knowledge he will never leave her and will take care of her, so she managed to have a productive morning. Lunch time rolls around, and Louise sticks her head in Fran’s office. “Hey, it’s time for lunch; let’s go.” “Okay, I’ll meet you in the cafeteria in five minutes,” Fran answers. Just as she’s starting to leave for lunch, Ben, her manager, walks into her office. “Fran, we need to find some time to talk this afternoon. How about 3 o'clock?” Ben asks in a rather subdued manner. Fran can feel her heart beating faster. “Fine, Ben. What's up?” “Oh, I'll give you all the details later,” he replies. “Sure, okay—see you at three, Ben.” Fran begins to pray as he leaves. “Well, Lord, looks like Louise was right. This will probably be it—the big news.” As she feels the anxiety begin to rise, she can hear Jesus saying she should not borrow trouble from tomorrow. Tomorrow has enough trouble of its own. “Okay, Lord, I'll just wait and see what he says. Now, I better go meet Louise.” As they settle down at a secluded table, Louise starts in right away. “So, have you heard anything else, Fran?” “Well, I haven't talked with anyone else, but Ben did ask me to see him this afternoon at three, and he seemed kinda somber,” Fran reports to Louise. “See—see what I told you. I bet you anything, he'll drop the shoe on you then. He'll probably see me today, too,” Louise laments, while picking at her food. “If I lose my job, what will I do?” She puts her head in her hands. “Louise, I went through a panic attack after you left my office this morning, but I remembered a verse I read in Psalm 56 just this morning. It says whenever we are afraid, we must trust in the Lord, and it asks, 'What can mortal man do to me?' All this company can do to you is let you go. That's all, Louise, and that's not the end of the world. Jesus has promised to take care of you.” “I knew you would say something like that, Fran, but I'm sorry. I just can't dismiss it so easily.” Louise turns her head so Fran can't see the tears. “Louise, I'm not dismissing it. But Jesus is totally trustworthy, and I'm just going to keep trusting him to take care of me and my kids. He'll take care of you, too. You belong to him.” Fran's words seem to have little effect on Louise. “Lord,” Fran says quietly to Jesus, “She's not listening to me. She needs to hear it from you, I think.” Fran turns to Louise, “You know, Louise, why don't you take the rest of the lunch hour and go out to your car to get alone and just spend some time in prayer. Did you bring your Bible today? You can borrow mine. I think that will help you a great deal.” Fran puts her arm around Louise. “Okay, Fran. I think you're right. I've got my Bible in my desk. I'll see you later,” Louise says as she walks off with her tray, her food untouched. Not an easy day for Fran or Louise, but with Jesus there, they'll get through it.
Fran faces a troubling predicament—she may be laid off from her job. As she talked about it with Jesus, he assured her nothing could separate her from him, so she could trust him. Of course, the nagging fears keep nibbling around her mind, but Jesus speaks to her again in that inner voice, reminding her he always keeps his promises. Fran begins to think about that. “That’s right, Lord, and you’ve promised never to leave me or forsake me. And you’ve promised to supply all of my needs according to your riches,” Fran says. “It’s really a question of whether or not I think you have the riches and resources to meet my needs and those of my children, even if I lose my job, isn’t it, Lord?” Fran thinks this through very carefully. Trite answers won’t do here. “Yes, I believe you can meet my needs,” she responds, a little shaky. She can hear that inner voice saying to her: “Well, believing I can meet your needs is one thing; but do you believe I will meet your needs, Fran?” As she thinks about this question, Fran realizes this is a real test of her faith, because faith is believing what you can’t see. It’s not too hard to say you believe God can take care of you, but when you’re facing possible financial hardships, lack of income, or loss of a job, it causes you to search your heart and see who you trust. Fran asks herself: “Do you trust your employer more than Jesus?” “Oh, no, Lord, of course not. I trust you more than anyone. You know that,” Fran quickly asserts. “So that means there is no need to panic. I can relax. The company does not hold my future in their hands; you do, Lord.” As this thought fills her mind, the tears start down her face. “It’s so easy to forget that, Lord. Thanks for reminding me. You’re a whole lot more reliable than any company I could ever work for, and I can trust you with my future. But I have a feeling you’re going to have to remind me of that quite often as this all starts to play out. I’m sure the fear and panic will raise its ugly head again.” Thinking about that, Fran decides it would be a good idea to type those two verses from Psalm 56 on a card and prop it up right there on her desk, even on her screensaver, so she can see it all the time. “That will help me remember that when I am afraid, you are here for me and no earthly person or organization can get to me except through you. Lord,” she continues, “I am your responsibility, and you are capable of taking care of me quite well.” “I will keep trusting you, Lord,” Fran replies. “I’m okay now; I’m fine. I better get to work. Got lots to do today.” And with that, Fran's mind is at rest, and she begins her day’s work.
I examine the story of Fran and Jesus on the Job. For those who’ve been following for a while, you know that we’ve been following the life of a fictitious woman named Fran, who works as an account representative for an advertising agency. I tell this story to help us learn to practice the reality of Jesus’ presence in our everyday lives. He is with us when we are born from above; we just often forget he’s there. Walking into her office today, Fran says to Jesus, “You know, Lord, things have been going really well lately. I sure appreciate your patience with me and your goodness to me.” As Fran settles into her office, Louise, a coworker who is also a believer, rushes in and shuts the door. “Fran, sit down. You’re not going to believe what I just heard. We just lost two key accounts, our largest. That’s about 30% of this company’s business, Fran. Do you realize what that means?” Fran sits down; she does indeed realize what it means. “You're kidding, Louise. We lost both those accounts? Why?” “Money. Simpson and Elliott came in with incredibly low bids, and the clients went for it. Fran, there will be some drastic cuts around here, you can be sure of that. And you know who gets cut first—those of us who’ve been here the shortest. That’s me and you. Fran, we could be out of a job in a week.” Louise’s words hit Fran like a ton of bricks. “They wouldn’t do that. We have good records; we bring in business; we do our jobs well." “Don’t kid yourself,” Louise replies. “When it comes to laying off people, it’s first in, first out, regardless of your contribution to the company. I gotta go to a meeting; let’s have lunch and talk more.” “Yeah, sure,” Fran replies as Louise rushes out of her office. “Lord, did you hear that? If Louise is right, I’d have to collect unemployment, but unemployment won’t pay all my bills. Plus, I have very little money put back. I mean with two kids to feed and clothe, it just takes a lot. And jobs are hard to find; Lord, what am I going to do?” Fran feels panic starting to rise. Then Jesus brings to her mind the Psalm she read just this morning before leaving for work. As she reaches for her Bible, she says, “What Psalm was that? Here it is—Psalm 56. Verses 3 and 4 say When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? Well, quite honestly, Lord, right now it feels like mortal man—my employer—has the power to do something pretty dreadful to me—take my job away.” But the quiet inner voice of God’s Spirit reminds her again if that happens, nothing can separate her from the love of God. “No, of course not,” Fran says. And Fran is reassured by Jesus’ gentle words.
After Fran gets the kids in bed this Tuesday evening, she says to herself, "It's the first of the month. I've got to pay bills tonight." One of the toughest aspects of being single for Fran is the total responsibility of the finances, which now rests on her shoulders. Since the death of her husband, Jim, that job has become Fran's, and she doesn't enjoy it at all. Of course, it's particularly difficult because there's hardly ever enough money to pay all the bills. She and Jim moved into their home three years before he died, but the mortgage payment is pretty steep for Fran's salary. As she looks at her bank account, Fran says to herself, "Well, what bills will I pull out of the hat this month? Good grief that phone bill is ridiculous. And this dentist bill for Alice. All she had was a small cavity; you'd think she had a tooth implant—and my insurance doesn’t cover dental," Fran fumes, as she continues to calculate the bottom line. "Oh great," she exclaims, "I'm $200 short this month. If the kids just didn't have to eat, I guess we could get by!" As soon as she says that she can hear Jesus saying to her, "I've promised to take care of you. You will not be brought to shame or go hungry or miss anything you need." Fran had momentarily forgotten that Jesus is always there, but she finds herself a bit annoyed. "Yeah, but I still have to pay these bills!" She tries to calm herself down a bit and think more rationally. Jesus quietly says to her, "Well, Fran, take a look at your bills. Which ones can be eliminated or reduced?" "Well, this cable TV bill—I guess that could be eliminated. The kids enjoy some of the kids programs and the cartoons," Fran rationalizes, “but they have a lot of good videos, and mom has bought them several Bible videos recently. It's just easy for me to plop them down in front of the television when I'm tired or busy," Fran candidly admits. "But I'll cancel the cable tomorrow." Looking through the rest of the bills, she says, "There's really not much else here I can do away with. This VISA bill is too high. I bought that new dress last month, but I need to have nice clothes to work in.” Fran feels defensive. "But you do need to find ways to reduce your expenses,” Jesus reminds her. "Well, I know I could sell the house and live somewhere cheaper, but...” That's the one thing Fran doesn't want to think about. She loves her home, and she's been hanging on by her fingernails to keep it. "Every woman wants her own home, and the children are comfortable here. It's home to them," Fran says. "I don't think it would be wise to change schools." “Fran,” Jesus says to her, "don’t you think it's time for you to seek some good counsel?” She remembers Proverbs 20:18: “Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.” She says, “Well, I do need to wage war against these financial woes. They're causing me a great deal of stress and it's getting worse, not better. So, I’ll seek some counsel." As she finishes paying bills, the thought of selling her house begins to depress her. She feels anger start to rise up just thinking about it. "It's just not fair," she thinks, as tears start down her cheeks. Looking at her wedding picture on the desk beside her, she remembers life with Jim. "It's just not fair. Why did Jim die? Why did God take him from me? It's just not fair!" Fran puts her head down on the desk, and the sobs shake her body, as the pain and loneliness flood her memory. Suddenly she sits up and says out loud, "Lord, it's just not fair. I didn't do anything to deserve this. I was doing what you wanted me to do, and so was Jim," she says as all her anger pours out. "I understand," she can hear that quiet voice of the Lord whispering to her. "How could you understand? You've never had to raise two kids by yourself.” The words come out of her mouth before Fran can stop them. Then she remembers how Jesus was rejected by his closest friends.
There were two occasions in Scripture where we’re told Jesus was amazed. Do you know what they are? It may amaze you to see what amazed Jesus. The first occasion is recorded in Luke 7, which is the story of the Roman Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his sick servant. Roman soldiers were characteristically hard, tough men, with little compassion or concern for others, certainly not for servants. We would expect this man to be ruthless and uncaring. So, we cannot help but be impressed that he would care about a servant, and that he would be willing to come to Jesus on his behalf. In addition to this, we see in verse 5 that he had been very generous with the Jewish people who were under his command and had built them a synagogue, though he was not himself a Jew. This was indeed an unusual man. What is really amazing is his profound comprehension of who Jesus is. We’re told as Jesus was going to his home to heal his servant, the soldier sent friends to say to him, “Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. Here was a Roman soldier who somehow knew the power and authority Jesus had. In addition, he was a truly humble man, feeling unworthy for Jesus to even enter his home. He showed great faith in Jesus, believing he could heal his servant by just speaking a word, without even seeing the servant. And when Jesus heard this, we’re told he was amazed at him. In fact, Jesus said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, even in Israel.” Jesus was amazed at his faith. He was amazed at the depth of his faith, and at his persistence in seeking Jesus. I’m sure Jesus was also amazed this Roman Centurion would believe in him in spite of the social or political consequences it might cause. Surely it was not considered smart for a man in his position to believe in this itinerant, controversial Jewish preacher. Yet he unashamedly goes to Jesus for help. He had amazing faith. I would like to have that kind of faith—the kind that amazes Jesus, wouldn't you? Next we’ll see the other occasion where we're told Jesus was amazed.
There were two occasions in Scripture where we’re told Jesus was amazed. Do you know what they are? It may amaze you to see what amazed Jesus. The first occasion is recorded in Luke 7, which is the story of the Roman Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his sick servant. Roman soldiers were characteristically hard, tough men, with little compassion or concern for others, certainly not for servants. We would expect this man to be ruthless and uncaring. So, we cannot help but be impressed that he would care about a servant, and that he would be willing to come to Jesus on his behalf. In addition to this, we see in verse 5 that he had been very generous with the Jewish people who were under his command and had built them a synagogue, though he was not himself a Jew. This was indeed an unusual man. What is really amazing is his profound comprehension of who Jesus is. We’re told as Jesus was going to his home to heal his servant, the soldier sent friends to say to him, “Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. Here was a Roman soldier who somehow knew the power and authority Jesus had. In addition, he was a truly humble man, feeling unworthy for Jesus to even enter his home. He showed great faith in Jesus, believing he could heal his servant by just speaking a word, without even seeing the servant. And when Jesus heard this, we’re told he was amazed at him. In fact, Jesus said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, even in Israel.” Jesus was amazed at his faith. He was amazed at the depth of his faith, and at his persistence in seeking Jesus. I’m sure Jesus was also amazed this Roman Centurion would believe in him in spite of the social or political consequences it might cause. Surely it was not considered smart for a man in his position to believe in this itinerant, controversial Jewish preacher. Yet he unashamedly goes to Jesus for help. He had amazing faith. I would like to have that kind of faith—the kind that amazes Jesus, wouldn't you? Next we’ll see the other occasion where we're told Jesus was amazed.
I want to examine fair-weather faith. I see an awful lot all around me and I see far too much in my own life at times. Fair-weather faith is the kind that is strong when things are going well, but when bad times hit, it falls apart. Let me share some verses with you, which illustrate the kind of faith we should have. First, a few verses from the Psalms: The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy (Psalm 126:3). What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me (Psalm 116:12)? Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise him (Psalm 28:6-7). And in contrast: Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17-18). Here we see two types of praise: one when things are good and wonderful, and one when nothing good is happening. You know, it's easy to have fair-weather faith, to praise God when everything’s going our way, when we’re feeling good about our circumstances, when we’ve had a wonderful answer to prayer. But what about those off-days, those down times, those dry spells? A mature Christian is one who praises even when nothing good is happening and there’s no silver lining, no light at the end of the tunnel. Habakkuk said even though things are just awful, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. It's that set of our will that makes the difference. We make a choice to praise God and rejoice in him, regardless. Where are you today? Good times in your life? Nice circumstances? If so, praise God and promise him that when the hard times hit, you’ll praise him then, too. Maybe it’s not so good for you right now. Tough days, heartaches, failures, disappointments? Praise him anyway. Say “Lord, everything’s going wrong right now. But I will rejoice in you anyway.” When God sees that kind of faith and that set of your will, he is pleased for he knows that your commitment and love for him are steadfast. Your faith is not the fair-weather type. May that be true of each of us.
Do you ever go to God for help in a faithless panic? I certainly can remember doing that at times when I've been at the end of my own rope, and in panic rather than in faith, I've run to God for help. Recently I was comparing two stories in Matthew 8. The first is the story of the Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant. You remember the Centurion insisted Jesus could heal his servant simply by speaking a word; he didn't even need to come to his house. The Centurion had faith to believe Jesus had the power to simply speak healing to his servant who was miles away. When Jesus heard this, he said, “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” You see, this Centurion was not an Israelite, yet he believed in Jesus. And Jesus commends him for his faith, and heals his servant as requested. A short time later, the disciples come to Jesus in a panic. Jesus was asleep in the boat, and a squall comes up quickly, which threatens to overturn the boat and drown them all. They come in great fear, begging Jesus to do something if he can. And Jesus says to them “You of little faith. Why are you so afraid?” Interestingly, the Centurion was commended for his faith, and the disciples were confronted for their lack of faith. Both needed help. Both sought help from Jesus. Jesus responded to both requests. But one was a request of faith and one was a faithless cry of panic. The Centurion expected Jesus to heal his servant—long distance. The disciples were amazed Jesus could calm the storm. The Centurion only knew Jesus from afar by reputation. The disciples had spent much time with him. Yet, the Centurion showed great faith. He came with his need, but he brought expectation along with the need. The disciples came with their need, but they thought this storm was too much for Jesus. They really didn't expect him to do what he did. How about you and me? Jesus invites us to come with our needs, but he loves to see faith along with it. The next time you’re in a panic situation and you need Jesus’ deliverance, come with faith believing he will hear and answer. He loves to see us come to him by faith. It pleases him to see we have faith in him. In fact, without faith, it’s impossible to please him.
You don't have to read much in the New Testament to realize faith is a vital part of our relationship with Jesus Christ. How do we have more faith? That certainly is a key question for all of us who desire to please God, since it's impossible to do so without faith. We read in Matthew 13:58 that Jesus did not do many miracles in his hometown because of their lack of faith. As I was reading that chapter, I thought, why didn't Jesus perform miracles so they would have faith in him? The miracles would have produced faith. But then I remembered the many times he refused to do miracles so that people might have faith in him. Faith is not produced by miracles; miracles are a result of faith. Jesus never jumps through hoops to try to convince us to have faith in him. After all, Jesus doesn’t need our validation of who he is, and it is sinful arrogance to think God must prove himself to us. We must come to God by faith if we come at all, and faith is the evidence of things hoped for, it is being certain of what we do not see. Therefore, miracles don’t produce faith. They strengthen our faith, but the faith must come before the miracles. As a matter of fact, I think if Jesus had tried to produce faith through miracles, he never could have done enough. He would have to come up with bigger and better miracles all the time, because we would want more. Have you been asking for a miracle? No question God loves to respond to our need, but before you ask for that miracle, ask God to increase your faith. God is looking for faith; in fact, without faith it’s impossible to please God. And the Bible tells us faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). Your faith grows from spending time in God’s Word. That's where faith finds its birth. Then, as your faith is strengthened, you can pray in faith for the miracle you need.
Presented by Lauren Stibgen Unless you work for a Christian company, and, let’s be honest, even if you do, it is important to remember that we live in a fallen world. The characteristics of a fallen world are all around us, and we all sin and fall short. Even as believers, we will still sin. The difference we have is Jesus. While there are many Scriptures that outline the differences between a worldly walk and a Christian walk, Romans 12 provides one of my go-to lists when I am thinking about the fallen world versus the perfect, new, flawless world we are promised as believers—heaven. Although we will not have heaven on earth right now, how we show people a glimpse of Jesus and this perfect world should be our focus for living out our faith through our work. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul is clear in his appeal, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. And to not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. So, what does this world look like at work? In the verses following in Romans 12, Paul provides us a “do this, not that” list. First and foremost, do not think of yourself more highly than you ought (Romans 12:3). Simply, be humble. The opposite of humility is pride, and I think we can all think of a time when we were prideful. Of course, it is easier to see this in others, but let’s think of how we can display humility. Maybe you are leading a project. The team is finding great success, and someone provides you with an opportunity to present your project to the leadership team. Pride says, I, I, I. Humility says, we did this together. Can I bring the team with me to the meeting? Let love be genuine (Romans 12:9). When I think of this, I automatically think of checking my motives. Why am I asking questions, complimenting someone, or giving them a small token of appreciation? I know this may sound strange, but sometimes we are prone to show “love” so that we can experience gain. Make sure you can answer for yourself that your compliments are genuine, and your gifts whether physical or of your time are given without the expectation of seeking something in return. Don’t be slothful in zeal. Serve the Lord (Romans 12:11). Colossians 3:23, tells us that we work as to the Lord and not for man. Showing up to work with the Lord on your heart and working for him is a good reason to have zeal. Zeal is defined as showing great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective. Maybe you really don’t love your job right now. Change your thinking. Be full of zeal as a service to the Lord! Instead of grumbling, think about how different someone will experience you today if you show up with zeal! Maybe this is your opportunity to move to faith at work 2.0! You can let them know who you work for! The Lord! Bless those who persecute you (Romans 12:14). Live peaceably and do not avenge yourself. This must be one of the most difficult things to do. C. H. Spurgeon uses a great word for this—calumny. A simple definition of this is slander, but overall, it refers to words that damage your reputation. In this instance, words spoken at work. It is way easier to put a zealous skip in your step than it is to do as Paul says and to live peaceably and not avenge yourself. Throughout Scripture we are told that the Lord will avenge us. In Romans 12:19, Paul reminds us, Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay.’ He goes on to tell us the contrary way to handle this. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). I have found that the more I fight to avenge my good name, the more strife it stirs in the workplace. When someone chooses to speak poorly about you, it may be hard to outwardly bless them, but perhaps you pray for them or pray for God to care for your situation specifically.
Presented by Lisa Bishop Most of us recognize the importance of developing patience, we’re just not in a hurry to grow in it; and patience has been said to be a test of our Christian authenticity and character. One example of patience is the story of Joseph told in Genesis 37-50. I encourage you to read the story on your own but here’s the gist. Joseph was a favored son of Jacob, betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt. In Egypt he finds favor with one of Pharaoh’s officials, Potiphar, and is given charge of Potiphar’s household. Potiphar’s wife unjustly accuses Joseph of trying to sleep with her and as a result he is thrown into prison. After years in prison, Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, and is finally freed and put in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Then a famine strikes and Joseph’s brothers, who did not recognize him, come to ask him for food. Joseph provides for them and eventually reveals his identity. His brothers are afraid expecting him to seek revenge. But Joseph responds patiently: Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children (Genesis 50:19-21). Joseph’s faith in God gave him the patience to persevere from pit to prison and ultimately being elevated to the palace. His story shows that patience begins with knowing God is sovereign and in control. When you find yourself enduring hardships, setbacks, betrayal or uncertainties, this is the time to trust and lean into God. I will be the first to say it’s not easy, especially when suffering is involved. But you must have the patience and perseverance to know God will work all things out—most likely not in your timing or liking, but according to his love and sovereignty. And God will use the time to produce something in you as you cling to him. Patience is learning to accept the things we cannot change as we lay them down at the foot of the cross, placing our trust in our heavenly father. In difficult seasons, I want to encourage you to surrender to God’s timing and embrace waiting as a time of growth. Allow God to shape your character and deepen your faith during these times. And remember the words of Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.\
Presented by Lisa Bishop Most people will admit patience is not their greatest strength, but it is a fruit of the spirit, and as a follower of Jesus, you and I are to grow in being patient. Take a moment to reflect on the impact your lack of patience has had on your relationships and life. We can all identify moments we wish we could rewind the clock and get a do-over on patience. The other day I was reading through the gospel of Matthew and came to chapter 18 verse 7 when Jesus said, woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come… It is necessary that temptations come. What does that verse have to do with patience? If you think about it, impatience can be the impetus for very poor choices. When you lack patience, you can be tempted to take matters into your own hands, go your own way, and not trust God’s way. How has temptation tested your patience and caused you to give in? Maybe you have been longing for marriage and are tired of waiting so you are tempted to be in a relationship with someone who is not following Jesus. Or, perhaps you have been waiting on a job promotion and you are tempted to fudge numbers to make yourself look more productive. A coworker could be getting accolades, and it can create the temptation to talk poorly about them to discredit their efforts. We have all experienced moments when our displeasure or dissatisfaction causes us to make choices we later regret. We are human after all. But don’t let the lack of patience tempt you to fall. No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13). Whenever you are tempted, God gives you a way out. The next time your lack of patience may try to pull you in a direction or to make a decision that will cause remorse; pause, remember God’s faithfulness, and take the way of escape. God promises he will help you endure and prevail.
Presented by Lisa Bishop Do you consider yourself a patient person? If you are anything like me, I really don’t like waiting. I can get impatient when a meeting doesn’t start on time or when I am waiting for a friend who is running late for our lunch date. I can also be impatient when I am not feeling heard or understood, or when I have been praying about something for a long time and I am just not getting the clarity I crave. When do you find yourself lacking patience? Impatience runs the gamut. From small scenarios when your patience is tested to bigger circumstances in life that require endurance. Proverbs 14:29 teaches us, Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. I want to share a few tips with you on developing patience. Stop and do an internal inquiry: The next time you feel impatience surfacing stop and ask yourself, “Why am I getting impatient?” Sometimes we find ourselves swept up in a moment and getting what I call emotionally hijacked. We are not using our rational thinking brain. Stop to really examine why impatience is your go to at that moment. Matthew 12:34 says, the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. What is going on in your heart? Make it a goal: When we set goals, they often revolve around things we want to achieve and not so much on who we want to be. Think about your vision for your relationships and how you want people to experience you. Be determined to have your mindset, attitude and heart set on practicing patience. This will create greater connection in your relationships. Practice patience in your daily life: Train yourself to be patient in the small things, such as waiting in line or dealing with unexpected delays. Use those moments as opportunities to intentionally cultivate self-restraint. Seek God's help: Remember you have the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you. Romans 8:26 says, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. Take time to ask for his help. Join me in this prayer as we strive to live lives marked by patience. “Father, thank you for being patient with me! Transform me with your love and with your spirit and help me to grow in my capacity for patience. I yield to you, Holy Spirit. Remind me I have a choice on how I respond to people and that when I ask, you will help me to handle any situation that comes my way with graciousness, kindness and patience. Amen.”
Presented by Lisa Bishop Have you ever lost your cool or reacted in a way you later regretted? We’re examining patience—that all too important fruit of the spirit we can often bypass and find difficult to practice in our daily interactions. Yet, as followers of Jesus, patience is not optional. If you were to reflect on the past 48-72 hours, can you identify moments where your patience was lacking? It can be tempting to get frustrated with a coworker or fly off the handle with a family member or spouse. But when you are tempted to have the flesh response of a quick temper or being easily irritated, you can look to the words of the Apostle Paul to redirect you and ground you in your identity. And your identity informs your propensity toward patience. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:12-13). As a chosen son or daughter that God loves, you are called to clothe yourself in Christ-like characteristics. I think we often spend more time planning and preparing our wardrobe for the day, and we don’t give much intentional thought about putting on attitudes and behaviors that put the glory of God on display. Now don’t get me wrong, living out these Christ-like qualities is not easy. Patience does not develop overnight. Yet, Colossians gives us clues on how to develop patience. When you have the mind of Christ, merciful, kind, humble, and gentle, you position yourself for patience. When you make allowances for people’s faults, as you would like others to do for you, you find yourself less testy. I think a lack of patience can kick in when things are not going the way we want, or someone is not conforming to our preferences. When we are not humble, we become easily offended and reactive holding onto minor offenses or irritations that build and then impatience becomes our default. When and with whom do you find yourself lacking patience? To truly transform you will need to be proactive. Rather than getting wrapped up in the same old reaction, decide now how you will respond with patience. As you break the habit of being easily aggravated, ask the Holy Spirit to help you but also be determined to clothe yourself in patience rather than losing your cool.
Presented by Lisa Bishop Do you know God is patient with you? God himself states this about his character when in Exodus 34:6-7 he declares, The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. We see throughout the Old Testament the numerous times the Israelites tested God’s patience by chasing after their own man-made gods and continually disobeying the Lord’s instructions on multiple occasions. And they did experience the repercussions brought on by their own behavior. But if you look closely, even when they rebel, God is always slow to anger and quick to forgive. He demonstrates patience as the Israelites defy him time and time again. And when he does express anger, it is a response to human evil and is ultimately an expression of his compassion and loyal love. He knows their rebellious ways and God is not content to let his people self-destruct. He gives them time to acknowledge their waywardness and repent; and in the waiting, he never removes his compassion, mercy, and love from them. He will never remove his compassion, mercy, and love from you. Sometimes we think God is just waiting to unleash his dissatisfaction on us when we mess up, and that is not true. God is not punitive. Any punishment you deserve, Jesus paid the price for. Period. And God isn’t like us. He doesn’t lash out in the heat of a moment or get angry at petty and small things. His anger burns at true injustice, and again, even then, he is ultimately slow to become angry. You may have had an earthly father who was quick with harsh words or ready to turn into a full-on rage when you made the slightest misstep. If that is what you experienced growing up, I want to say that I am sorry for the pain that caused you. You deserved to be loved fully, and treated with kindness, care and tenderness. Sometimes it is hard to believe our heavenly father is patient and loving because we did not have a great example of a compassionate father here on earth. Whether you had a father who demonstrated patience or lack of, I pray that you would grow more and more in the true knowledge of God. That he is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love for you.
There’s a very well-known verse in 1 Corinthians 13:13 that says: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. And you know, we talk and think a lot about faith and love. We hear many sermons on faith and love. We know we need to build our faith and learn to love better. But how often have you even talked about hope? Did you ever hear a sermon on hope or go to a Bible study on hope? Have you ever intentionally worked at building your hope, growing in your hope, becoming a more hope-filled person? Yet, God says it’s one of the three things that remain, and therefore it should have a place of importance in our lives, don’t you think? God places a high value on hope, and so should we. A book by Ray Johnston entitled The Hope Quotient really caught my attention as I read it. I highly recommend the book to you because Johnston presents a compelling case for the importance of building our hope, maintaining our hope, making sure our hope is not crushed by life. I don’t have to tell you that it’s not easy to remain hopeful in this evil world, is it? Just think of the days when your hope has been dashed. It makes you want to give up; it saps your energy and drains your enthusiasm. And if you are not prepared to build your hope, to unleash hope even in the face of disappointments, you will find yourself sitting on the sidelines of life, discouraged and depressed way too often. So, today I want to give you just a taste of some of the things that are covered in this book, The Hope Quotient, and hopefully encourage you to realize that you can, through Christ, unleash hope in your life in a new and exciting way. I can tell you that this book study has given me a new understanding of the importance of unleashing hope in my life. Let me begin by making sure we know what hope is and what it isn’t. First, hope is much more than an emotion you feel. It is not wishful thinking or blind optimism. The kind of hope we’re focusing on comes from God through Jesus Christ, so you need to be a Christ-follower in order to tap into the hope he gives. You unleash this hope through the power of Christ in you. It’s not something you just work up on your own. It requires more power than you have in yourself, but if you know Jesus as your Savior, you have what is required to unleash hope in your life through the Holy Spirit and through Scripture. Sadly, however, many Christ-followers are not unleashing hope in their lives, and they live in a state of discouragement and quiet desperation. Does that describe you? If you’re not doing what you need to do to keep hope alive in your heart and mind, you’re missing one of the greatest gifts, one of the greatest advantages we have as Christ-followers. We read in Hebrews that we have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure. An anchor is something that holds a boat or ship in place, keeping it from moving. Hope for a Christian provides an anchor of strength and support in the midst of this stormy world we live in. Hope is the thing that will keep you from going under. So, what I’d like to do now is give you a taste of some of the very practical and biblical advice from this book, which I believe will help you begin to understand the importance of unleashing hope in your life and give you some tools to make that happen. I’ve often said that discouragement is the devil’s most effective tool in our lives. Hope is the cure for discouragement. It’s so very important. In his book, Ray Johnston says that “Becoming a person with hope—defeating discouragement and building a new future—is always a result of raising seven hope factors. . .” I want to emphasize two of the seven factors that will unleash hope in your life. The first one is: “Recharge Your Batteries.” If hope is to be unleashed in your life, you have to continually replenish the things in your life which fuel you. When you run out of fuel, all your expertise and giftedness and experience...
My question is: When your cup runs over, what spills out? During the times when we are jostled on life's roller-coaster seas, what's inside of us will come spilling out. If it's thankfulness and trust and joy in the Lord, that will come out. If it's bitterness or worry or self-centeredness, that will come spilling out. The secret is to make sure you're filled up on the inside with the right stuff. Then you don't have to worry about what comes out. We need cups filled with Jesus. Friends, I am more and more convinced that the focus of my life has to be simply and only Jesus. There's an old hymn that I love which says: Only Jesus, only Jesus, only he can satisfy. It reminds me that regardless of the circumstances, if I'm filled with Jesus, I will be satisfied, I will be joyful, I will be spilling over with the beauty of Jesus. Oh, that doesn't mean I have to be happy about negative situations, about difficult things. But what is so great about being a Christian is that with Jesus, we can know his peace and contentment and joy in the midst of all those troublesome situations. How do we get our cups filled up with Jesus? Through the Word—the bread of heaven. If the time you spend in the Bible is not very much and not consistent, you cup won't be full of Jesus, and when it spills over, you won't like what you see. But if you pour the Word of God and prayer into your cup regularly, then your cup will spill over with the peace and compassion of Jesus Christ. You fill your cup up with Jesus by thinking about him all through the day. Do you practice his presence regularly? Do you communicate with him all through the day, and seek his guidance in all things? That will fill your cup up with Jesus. So, I encourage you to use every jostle, every bump in the road as an opportunity to check up on yourself. When the boss upsets you and causes you to complain, you know you need to clean out the inside of that cup. When someone does you wrong, and you respond with patience and tolerance, you know Jesus is spilling out of your cup. When the money is low and you spill over with worry and fear, you need to work on the inside of the cup. When your health is not good, but you praise God anyway, you are spilling over the beauty of Jesus. When your cup runs over, what spills out? A good question to ask ourselves every day.
Is there some adversity in your life at present? Do you have a situation that is getting to you? Maybe it's a person you work with, or your boss, or the whole job itself. Perhaps it's financial difficulties or a health problem. It could be almost anything. If your cup is being jostled right now, what is spilling out? If you're not happy with what you see spilling out of your cup from time to time, then you need to get the inside clean, really clean. Turn those adversities into positive movement in your spiritual life. The earlier you begin, the better and the easier it is to face yourself and make changes. Remember, if you keep going through life, refusing to look at what is spilling out of your cup and get that cup cleaned up, as you grow older those irritating, unpleasant, un-Christlike traits will become more and more entrenched and more and more difficult to clean out. Let me remind you of Romans 5:3-5: Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Our cups are jostled to show us what's inside, so that we can develop a mature Christian character. It's rather painful sometimes to have to face up to the mess that's spilling out of our cups, but the sooner we face it, confess it, and ask God to change us, the better equipped we'll be to let God fill our cups with himself, so that when we spill over, people see the likeness of Christ in us. Often, we use the expression “my cup overflows” when we feel particularly blessed and happy. Well, that's the way it should be—our cup should overflow with good things but not just when the circumstances are good. Even in the tough times, even when we don't feel like it, even when we can't see what God is doing, even when we are plagued with discouragement or doubts—even then in the midst of the trouble, our cups should overflow with God's goodness. Today check it out: Does your cup overflow with good things only when things are going your way? Or does it overflow with God's goodness to you even in the midst of trouble?
I'm examining cups—in particular, your cup. What comes spilling out of your cup when it runs over, when something causes it to be jostled or upset? We learn a great deal about ourselves as we take a look at what comes out of our cups in those stressful moments. Do you remember what Jesus said to the Scribes and Pharisees about cups? It's found in Matthew 23:25-26: Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Can you imagine how those Scribes and Pharisees felt, being accused of robbery and self-indulgence? They saw themselves as the epitome of uprightness; after all they were meticulous about keeping the law. They were so very careful about outward appearances, and they did the right thing at the right time and followed all the traditions. They were the ultimate in political correctness! And Jesus shows them that all that exterior stuff is no good if on the inside they are harboring bad attitudes and motives. We all are guilty at times of cleaning up the outside of our cups and allowing things to remain on the inside that need to come out. And Jesus made the point very clear: it's what is on the inside of the cups that matters to him. Let me take the illustration a step further. If I had a perfectly clean cup filled with fresh milk and offered it to you, you'd have no difficulty drinking it. But if I took that same fresh cup of milk and put one small teaspoon of vinegar in it, I doubt you'd be willing to drink it. Though it contained mostly good healthy milk, that one teaspoon of vinegar would ruin the contents of the entire cup. I hardly have to apply this illustration for you, I'm sure. It doesn't take very much bitterness to ruin what is in your cup. Or malice, or envy or pride or unkindness or unthankfulness or . . . the list could go on and on. That's why it is so important to see what is in your cup that needs to be cleaned out. Check it out today. When your cup runs over, what spills out?
Have you had your cup jostled lately? I learn a lot about myself when things go wrong and my cup gets bumped, because what's inside comes spilling out, and sometimes it's not that pleasant. Often, it’s true our job and the people we work with are great places to get bumped and jostled. I well remember a job situation that caused my cup to spill over. I was dealing with a very difficult boss, who managed through humiliation and intimidation. At first, I had great difficulty with this person, and when God challenged me to take a serious look at what came spilling out of my cup because of this difficult relationship, I wasn't too pleased. Selfishness was the first thing I saw come running over the sides. I realized my thought patterns had been centered on such sentiments as "I can't take this anymore," or "This is not fair to me," and "I've worked too hard to get where I am to have to put up with this kind of treatment." Unfair and unkind treatment will come our way from time to time, and that kind of treatment really reveals the self-centeredness that's inside of us. This unpleasant job environment caused another thing to come spilling out of my jostled cup: I had to admit a severe lack of patience. Patience is not one of my strong points, but it is one of the fruits of the Spirit that I should exhibit. So here again, I had to confess that a whole lot of impatience was spilling out of my cup. In Psalm 103:8 we read the Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. When I began to compare my behavior with God's behavior toward me, I had no choice but to repent of my own lack of tolerance, and ask God to give me his graciousness and kindness. Another thing this stressful situation caused to spill out of my cup was malice. Isn't that an awful word? Malice is the desire to see others suffer. And I saw I had a heart full of malice toward the person causing me the difficulty. And along with malice, we usually have slander, because as soon as we express those malicious thoughts, we have become guilty of slander. It wasn't pleasant to see what came running over the sides of my cup in that situation. But it caused me to get serious about cleaning up my cup. And with prayer and the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, changes started to take place. Watch yourself today. If your cup is jostled, take note of what spills out.
