Archive for January, 2024

15
Jan

Who Do You Work For?

   Posted by: admin    in Faith Writing

I always try to put in an honest days’ work. Sometimes, things seem to go really well, and other times, not so good. There are those days that you look back and surprise yourself at how much you got accomplished, and then there are those days when you are either surprised of how little you accomplished or surprised how fast the day went with so little done – those days when one item is crossed of the ‘to-do’ list, only to have two more take its place. We’ve all experienced both sides of the coin, some good days, some not so good, but I was a little aggravated at one of my ‘not-so-productive’ days, so I decided to pray and ask God about it, I wanted some guidance. Below is what was given me, and I hope it helps and blesses you as it has me. Fair warning though! If you are strictly looking for a pep talk to remember, this may not be for you. If, however, you would like to look at those days, both good and bad, from a more biblical/spiritual viewpoint….you’ve come to the right place.

The Question:

“Ok, God, How do I manage both the good days and the tough ones. Good days are pretty easy enough, but the tough days, and the days that are downright miserable, how can I change them or change me to make them more bearable?”

I know, that asking questions is beneficial to learning what God wants, but sometimes I wonder if I really want the answer….this time I did, and a wealth of knowledge poured on me like a soft rain and a gentle breeze all at the same time….I knew then, that the Holy Ghost was pouring out an answer to see through the scriptures…..here it comes:

First, everyday God gives us is a gift. How we use this gift is up to us, but it is intended to share His love, reveal His light, and lead others to Him. This much I know and understand, but I wanted to dig even deeper.

Ephesians 6:

5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Notice, in verse 6, that we are not to provide ‘eyeservice’ ?

It was laid on me that when I work, I should do that work as good as if I was doing that work for the Lord Himself! Wow! Are you serious?!? O.K., He is serious, but I am shocked that He answers this in His word, long before I showed up. Or maybe He threw that in just for me, maybe for everyone. Either way, it’s a perspective changer!

When you realise that when you work, whether slave/servant/employee, God wants you to give it your best, your all, as if you are doing the work for Him personally. I’m all for strong work ethics, but this really takes it to a new level. It pretty much tells you that the shortcuts, half-way doing things, cover up and cut corners every once in a while attitude is not acceptable….ever.

So, how do we handle our work: Ecclesiastes 9:10 answers:

10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

So, what do I need to do, besides do my very best, and not cut corners or make excuses for tough days?

And the answer is…….Proverbs 16:3

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

So, it would seem, any excuses like some days are better than others, really doesn’t hold water anymore. Bottom line, give it my all, accomplish everything I can for that day, and when the day is over I can always smile knowing I did everything that I could possibly do, because I know WHO I really work for!

As I prepared this, Proverbs 16 really stood out, and I’ve included it below in the King James version (KJV) and the New Living Translation (NLT).

Proverbs Chapter 16 (KJV)

Proverbs 16
King James Version
1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

7When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

9A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

11A just weight and balance are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

15In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Proverbs chapter 16 (NLT)

Proverbs 16
New Living Translation
1We can make our own plans,
but the Lord gives the right answer.

2People may be pure in their own eyes,

but the Lord examines their motives.

3Commit your actions to the Lord,

and your plans will succeed.

4The Lord has made everything for his own purposes,

even the wicked for a day of disaster.

5The Lord detests the proud;

they will surely be punished.

6Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.

By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.

7When people’s lives please the Lord,

even their enemies are at peace with them.

8Better to have little, with godliness,

than to be rich and dishonest.

9We can make our plans,

but the Lord determines our steps.

10The king speaks with divine wisdom;

he must never judge unfairly.

11The Lord demands accurate scales and balances;

he sets the standards for fairness.

12A king detests wrongdoing,

for his rule is built on justice.

13The king is pleased with words from righteous lips;

he loves those who speak honestly.

14The anger of the king is a deadly threat;

the wise will try to appease it.

15When the king smiles, there is life;

his favor refreshes like a spring rain.

16How much better to get wisdom than gold,

and good judgment than silver!

17The path of the virtuous leads away from evil;

whoever follows that path is safe.

18Pride goes before destruction,

and haughtiness before a fall.

19Better to live humbly with the poor

than to share plunder with the proud.

20Those who listen to instruction will prosper;

those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

21The wise are known for their understanding,

and pleasant words are persuasive.

22Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,

but discipline is wasted on fools.

23From a wise mind comes wise speech;

the words of the wise are persuasive.

24Kind words are like honey—

sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

25There is a path before each person that seems right,

but it ends in death.

26It is good for workers to have an appetite;

an empty stomach drives them on.

27Scoundrels create trouble;

their words are a destructive blaze.

28A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;

gossip separates the best of friends.

29Violent people mislead their companions,

leading them down a harmful path.

30With narrowed eyes, people plot evil;

with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

31Gray hair is a crown of glory;

it is gained by living a godly life.

32Better to be patient than powerful;

better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

33We may throw the dice,a

but the Lord determines how they fall.

Footnotes:
a 16:33 Hebrew We may cast lots.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
All Rights Reserved.

No Comments
15
Jan

Eat Fruit or Die!

   Posted by: admin    in Writings of Life

Dear readers, this experience is only about five to six weeks old, so is fairly new for me. It involves my grandmother on my mother’s side, of whom I’ve blogged about before.

I got off from work and went to the local Wal-Mart that is open twenty-four hours. I was actually hungry and trying to find something quick to pick up, fix, and eat around 230 in the morning.

As usual, my first stop is always the electronics section, to see what new movies are out. As I searched through what was on the shelves, I had the feeling that there was something else I needed to get, but for the life of me couldn’t remember what it was. I am used to going to Wal-Mart, or anywhere else for that matter, and forgetting what it was I went for, so not remembering this time was not unusual, I simply tried to shrug it off.

I couldn’t shake it from my head, so I decided to walk over by the books, maybe something on the way would spark my memory. I knew it couldn’t be candy or chips, because although hungry, I would never forget candy or chips, it just doesn’t happen. Anyway, at the book section, I perused a moment, and ended up in the section where the Bibles and devotional books are. I browsed a moment, and then decided I was so hungry I had to grab something and go.

I walked across the front of the store and hit the produce section first. I have a bad tendency to buy a bag of ‘hearts of romaine’ lettuce, a bottle of salad dressing, and bacon bits (Oscar Meyer – the hickory flavored are the bomb!). Sorry, see what I mean?!?

Ok, back to what happened. Instead of grabbing the lettuce, I kept hearing grapefruit. Grapefruit? Yeah, grapefruit, and the pink kind! Ok, I walked over to the grapefruit, smiled, and said, ‘OK, I haven’t had one in years, why not.’ Then I hear “You have got to eat more fruit, or you are going to die!” I smiled and said aloud, we are all going to die sooner or later, you gotta do better than that…..but I recognised the voice, my maternal grandmother who passed away when I was a kid……awww shit. I knew she was looking out for me, and better take it serious.

“Get some oranges too, the juicy kind!” Looking around to make sure no one was around me, to think I’m nuts, lol, I spoke out loud again, which is the way I prefer when dealing with spirits, even grandma, I said, “Grandmaaaa!, they are all juicy, that’s part of being an orange.” “No,” she said firmly, “get the juicy ones.” Ok, I don’t really know how to get the juicy ones, how to separate juicy juicy oranges from regular juicy oranges, but felt around until I found the ones I thought would be the juiciest….she approved, and even for a medium, I feel like I’m going nuts.

I decided if fruit is what I needed then fruit is what I would get. I also got bananas and kiwi-fruit. During this time my grandmother switched from my shopping music being her singing amazing grace to whistling a song I didn’t recognise. “What is that you’re whistling?” No answer, just whistling. “Grandma, what are you doing, what’s with the whistling?” Finally, I’m told whistling- thank God she told me that, or would have never known, lol! Then, “Ask your mama.”

I finally get home, and yes, got my salad too! I ate my salad and a grapefruit, all after eating a kiwi on the way home. Nope, I didn’t wash the kiwi before eating it, and it was good too. I told my wife of what was going on, and later went to bed.

The next day, I called my mother, asking her if grandma use to whistle. Immediately she answered yes, especially when she went walking, or picking up pecans. “I think I heard her last night whistling a song, but I don’t know what it was.” I was nervous to bring it up to my mother, afterall, it is her mother I’m talking about. She insisted I whistle it, but that doesn’t work good over the phone, so I hummed it. My mother spoke up very quickly saying she used to whistle that song all the time, I never knew that up until now. “Power in the Blood,” she said she thought the name of the song was, but she did recognise the song. My mother asked many other questions, but suffice it to say, is not needed for this blog.

So, dear readers, I have begun eating fruit! Needless to say I believe one day I will probably die, but if fruit will hold it off for a while longer, then call me fruity instead of nutty, lol, cause I’m still eating fruit.

No Comments
Back to top