design – Page 25 – Called To Work

Are You Planted in Church?

January 4, 2023

Devotions/Partners

Image by Dean Moriarty / Pixabay . Used with Permission.

Psalm 92:12-15 (KJV): “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

COMMENTARY: Throughout the Scriptures and in our own lives, we know of Godly men and women who lived to a ripe old age, and continued to live abundantly fruitful lives until their deaths. We know of others who went off-track and stopped bearing fruit, limping their way into eternity. What’s the difference between those whose lifetimes are a crescendo of faith and fruitfulness, and others whose lifetimes are a decrescendo of doubt and dryness? The answer is found in this passage: being planted in the house of the LORD.

APPLICATION: When you’re old, do you want to be a flourishing palm tree? If so, stay planted in the house of the LORD. Be consistent and faithful, week after week, month after month, year after year.

To the degree that it is in your control, avoid weekend business travel, and go to your local church with your family. If you must be out of town on business, make a commitment to participate in worship services wherever you are. There are plenty of printed and online resources to help you to find a church to go to.

I realize that there are many obstacles, including bosses who don’t appreciate your interest in church, trade show planners who consider Sunday just another work day, and airlines that establish pricing policies that penalize church-goers, but HOLD YOUR GROUND! Show God that He is your God by making Him your #1 priority this weekend, no matter where you are. You’ll be blessed and you’ll be a good example to others.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV)， read Moral Guidance (Matthew 7) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Are You Better @ Work?

Devotions/Partners

Image by Gerd Altmann / Pixabay . Used with Permission.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 (KJV): “A good name is better than precious ointment…”

COMMENTARY: For decades, I’ve been active in the Better Business Bureau. The word “better” appears 127 times in the Bible, so I asked myself, “Which of these passages seem to be particularly relevant to the workplace?” The answer is many.

APPLICATION: In studying these passages, we can glean that from a Judeo-Christian perspective, a truly “better” employer or employee exhibits these characteristics:

1) Values obedience to the Word and the Spirit.

2) Pursues and cherishes integrity.

3) Trusts in God through thick and thin.

4) Seeks to receive and apply wisdom.

5) Is content with little instead of coveting wealth.

6) Is loving and avoids hatred.

7) Is humble and avoids pride.

8) Is slow to anger and avoids tantrums.

9) Enjoys his or her work.

10) Works in quietness and tranquility of soul.

11) Handles correction well and learns from it.

12) Has a servant spirit and avoids selfishness.

13) Is willing to suffer for doing what’s right.

Do you see these “better business” attributes in yourself at work? Can you see how much better the business world would be if more employers and employees had these attributes? Let it begin with us!

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Psalm 92:12-15 (KJV)， read Book 4 (Psalms 90–106) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Are You a Monster @ Work?

Devotions/Partners

Image by mohamed matar / Pixabay . Used with Permission.

Matthew 23:25, 28 (KJV): “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”

COMMENTARY: In this passage, Jesus rebuked these religious leaders for their double standard, their dual “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” personalities. On the outside, they were Dr. Jekylls—upright citizens. On the inside, they were Mr. Hydes—spiritual monsters!

APPLICATION: Some people praise the Lord during weekend worship services, look and act so holy, but if you saw them in their workplaces you’d see a different person. The first step in overcoming hypocrisy is acknowledging that you are guilty of it. If the Holy Spirit is convicting you that you’re a Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde, don’t beat yourself up. If the truth were known, all Christians are hypocrites in one way or another. The only true hypocrisy-free person to walk on earth was Jesus Christ.

Humble yourself before your God, pray and ask Him to forgive you and supernaturally set you free of hypocrisy from this day forward: “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:5b-9)

As you grow in the Lord, obey the Word and walk in the Holy Spirit, your hypocrisy will diminish.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Ecclesiastes 7:1 (KJV), read There Is No Way to Find Out What Is Good to Do (Eccl 6:10-8:17) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Affluence of Influence

Devotions/Partners

Image by Good News Productions Int.. Used with Permission.

John 4:39 (KJV): “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.”

COMMENTARY: One of my favorite passages of Scripture is John 4:1-42. A woman comes to Jacob’s well to get physical water, but instead she receives the living water of the Holy Spirit. After her encounter with Jesus, she leaves her water container at the well and races back to her nearby city of Sychar to tell her neighbors about Jesus. Her enthusiasm, sincerity, and credibility stir many to stop what they’re doing and go to Jacob’s well. Once they meet and hear Jesus, they persuade Him to stay and teach for two days. Many believed on Him because of the Samaritan woman’s testimony, and many more believed because of Jesus’ own words. The city of Sychar experienced an incredible spiritual revival.

APPLICATION: Never underestimate the “affluence of influence” the Lord has given you right where you are. Like the Samaritan woman, you may feel like you’re nameless. Like nobody cares whether you live or die, stay or leave. Like an insignificant person going about your mundane, routine daily chores, living and working in a relatively obscure town or city far away from where the action is. Perhaps you don’t feel that you have the credentials to share the Gospel with your boss, co-workers, customers and suppliers. Remember: God’s Will is for every believer to be a minister of reconciliation, not just pastors and missionaries. He gave you the gift of eternal life, the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the gift of the Word of God. That’s all you need to have a Godly impact.

As you faithfully and enthusiastically share your personal testimony, as you point others to Christ, and as they hear His Word preached and taught, incredible spiritual revival can break out right where you live and work. It happened in Sychar, and it can happen where you are, too.

Remember: Jesus wasn’t born in Jerusalem, but in the small town of Bethlehem. Stay rooted in Christ and bloom where you’re planted! The Lord has a wonderful way of turning humble beginnings into huge blessings.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Matthew 23:25, 28 (KJV), read Living in the New Kingdom (Matthew 18-25) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Staying on God’s Plan @ Work

Devotions/Partners

Image by JayMantri / Pixabay. Used with Permission.

Psalm 119:105 (KJV): “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

COMMENTARY: One of the unique and fascinating aspects of hiking during the winter is seeing all of the animal and human tracks in the snow. On the positive side, it’s often common and helpful to follow in other people’s footsteps. On the negative side, sometimes the compressed snow from previous hiker footprints turns into ice. As a result, the trail becomes very slippery. You have to avoid their steps, and hike along the fringe of the trail where the traction is better. Other times, previous hikers can lose the trail altogether. If you naively follow in their footsteps, you can unknowingly go off the trail and stumble into unexpected trouble. When hiking in the snow, the most important thing is to follow the tried-and-true blazes on the trees.

APPLICATION: In the working world, there are moments when following in the footsteps of management, co-workers, customers or suppliers can become very slippery. Sometimes you definitely do NOT want to follow in their footsteps, because they’ve taken steps that are unethical, deceptive, manipulative, illegal and ultimately harmful to themselves, you and others.

No matter how cold and icy the working world becomes, obey the trail blazes of God’s Word. Walk in the footsteps of Jesus and not of businesspeople who deliberately mislead, misrepresent and manipulate. Doing what’s right will keep your conscience and your testimony clean. In God’s way and time, He will bless you for your integrity.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about John 4:39 (KJV), read Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Mud Season @ Work

Devotions/Partners

Image by Jerzy Górecki / Pixabay . Used with Permission.

Psalm 107:28 (KJV): “Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.”

COMMENTARY: Here in Connecticut, as the snow gradually melts and spring arrives, we enter mud season. Dry land turns into muck, dry meadows become shallow ponds, and dry streams become active brooks. Hiking during mud season can become a bit challenging. Sometimes when you reach a patch of mud, you can carefully walk on adjacent rocks to avoid stepping into the muck. Sometimes, you have to improvise and build a temporary bridge out of fallen branches. Sometimes trails become impassable, and you must creatively develop a workaround. Sometimes, the mud is hidden by fallen leaves, left over ice and snow. You don’t realize you’ve stepped onto mud until it’s too late, and your boots become encased in it!

APPLICATION: There are times when you experience “mud season” at work. A flurry of challenges, problems and troubles of all kinds (people, technology, bureaucracies, weather, etc.) seem to hit all at once and radically disrupt your progress and throw your projected costs, budgets and delivery times into disarray.

Projects and production schedules can hit delay after delay, obstacle after obstacle to the point where you wonder if you’ll ever get out of the mess. It seems endless, like one big “Black Hole.” You’re discouraged, tired, perplexed, exasperated, frustrated and disappointed. Sometimes the workplace “mud” can get so deep that you consider throwing up your hands and quitting. “I’ve had it!” “This is it!” “I can’t take any more of this!” “I’m out of here!”

During those moments, don’t be shy about crying out to the Lord for divine guidance and help. In His time and in His way, He can and will bring you out of your distresses. Mud season doesn’t last indefinitely. This too shall pass. Your trust and dependence on God during mud season will be a testimony to those around you, and a source of great encouragement to you. As the years go by and you experience God’s deliverance mud season after mud season, your Christ-like confidence will grow. The mud seasons that used to freak you out and paralyze you won’t seem as intimidating as they used to be, and you’ll become a mature, wise example to others on how to effectively navigate through workplace mud season

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Psalm 119:105 (KJV), read Book 5 (Psalms 107–150) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Adding Fun Extra Touches @ Work

Devotions/Partners

Image by Paul Brennan / Pixabay . Used with Permission.

Psalm 150: 4-6 (KJV): “Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”

COMMENTARY: I picked up my first pair of drumsticks at age seven during a summer music camp in Somerset, New Jersey. I don’t remember exactly why I selected drums instead of another musical instrument, but drums were the one and only instrument I wanted to try. Perhaps it goes back to the toy drum I had been given for Christmas a few years before.

That day, “Drew the Drummer” was born and I’ve never looked back. Drumming has played a huge role in who I am, what I’ve done, where I’ve gone, my career path, my business, my service to and worship of the Lord. Of course, I didn’t know that back when I was seven years old. It was just one baby step forward in what became a lifetime journey.

Inside the shells of each of my drums is the date these drums were manufactured: March 18, 1971. I’ve been playing this drum set since I was a teenager, and I still play it on Sunday mornings as the percussionist in my church’s praise band.

APPLICATION: There’s no logical reason why a drum manufacturer would stamp the birth date on a drum. It doesn’t change the quality of the sound. It’s not for show, since no one can see the birth date hidden inside the shell. However, there’s just something intrinsically “fun” about it!

Which leads me to the point of today’s devotion. God is the ultimate Creator. You are made in His image. You have His Spirit living within you. Be sensitive to the voice of the Lord on how you can add fun touches to make your job, your work environment, your products or services more creative, innovative, fun, interesting, and rewarding. There’s only one you, so show some God-inspired personality!

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Psalm 107:28 (KJV), read God Undergirds All Work and Productivity (Psalm 107) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Death @ Work

Devotions/Partners

Image by Johana Peña / Pixabay . Used with Permission.

John 11:25-26 (KJV): “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

COMMENTARY: I must confess that, on the surface, this may be one of the most morbid devotions I’ve ever written. But hang in there. There’s hope and encouragement by the time you reach the end.

Can you think back and remember anyone you worked with who has since died? Over the decades, I can think of quite a few, including former bosses, clients, employees and suppliers. For example, when I worked in Chicago, I watched our CEO deteriorate from being a dynamic business leader (and a huge mentor to me) to a frail man on death’s door through the ravages of lung cancer. He died at age 60. I will never forget his funeral, and how we as a staff had to keep the organization running smoothly for several months as the Board of Directors searched for and hired a new CEO.

The harsh reality is that no environment (home, church, community or work) is insulated from “death.” Death has been part of living in this broken world since the original fall of Adam and Eve. It’s ugly. It’s terrifying. As the Scriptures say, death has a nasty sting. And unless the Lord returns beforehand, you and 100% of the people around you will die.

APPLICATION: Remember the JOY you experienced when your faith in Jesus Christ came alive! Remember that in Christ you HAVE eternal life in heaven! Remember that Jesus died on the Cross so that your workplace acquaintances can also experience the joy of salvation by God’s amazing grace. Many of these acquaintances may not step into a church building, but you are in their current work lives to be an Ambassador for Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you “divine moments” when you can plant and water seeds of faith through your Christ-like words and actions.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Psalm 150: 4-6 (KJV), read Psalm 150 from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Bogged Down in Bureaucracy & Politics

Devotions/Partners

Image by Geralt / Pixabay . Used with Permission.

Acts 24:27 (KJV): “But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.”

COMMENTARY: During your career, either as an individual or an entity, have you ever been bogged down in governmental bureaucracy and politics–by a strange, mysterious and convoluted lack of decision-making and action by the powers that be?

Over the decades of my professional career, I’ve seen government bureaucracies at multiple levels expand and exert an ever-tighter, unreasonable grip on businesses. There are times when I get exasperated “rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” when I see so much unreasonable control, manipulation, and misuse of governmental power, authority and resources.

Back in his day, the Apostle Paul went through a whole lot of nonsense due to bureaucracy and politics, on multiple levels. In Acts 24 and surrounding chapters, we read about a situation during which he sits in jail for two years without being convicted of anything–for apparently no “good” reason except that Felix wanted to please the Jews and receive a bribe from Paul. While Paul was a spiritual giant, I’m sure that humanly speaking, he got frustrated, exasperated, irritated, and restless. However, in due season, Paul had an opportunity to speak and defend himself with Festus, and the wheels of progress began to turn once again.

APPLICATION: If you are bogged down in bureaucracy and politics today, keep praying and trusting the Lord. Be alert to strategic opportunities to speak words of divine, Holy Spirit-led clarity (spoken in a calm, confident manner) into a confusing, confounding and contentious situation. Watch how the Lord works to break up the stagnation and get things moving again. He will work it all out for good, even when we cannot see how or when.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about John 11:25-26 (KJV), read Jesus’ Sacrifice (John 10-12) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

You can be a “beautiful gate” at work

Devotions/Partners

Acts 3:10 (KJV): “And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.” (Read verses 1-11 for more context.)

COMMENTARY: When we think of “beauty,” we often think of visual beauty. However, beauty encompasses all of the aesthetic senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and feel.

In a world that’s full of ugliness, as a Christ-follower, you have a wonderful opportunity to be “a beautiful gate” at work. Not “The” Beautiful Gate, because that’s Jesus. As His ambassadors, we can be beautiful gates into His way of doing business and His Kingdom. Over time, the Lord can make you known as “The Company Christian,” which is a compliment and not an insult!

APPLICATION: There are two kinds of beauty: physical and spiritual. Here are some suggestions on how you can be a beautiful gate at work in both ways:

Beauty through overall cleanliness and order. A dirty, messy, disorganized, chaotic workspace and poor personal hygiene send unhelpful messages to others.

Beauty through visuals. What kind of content do you have on your screensaver, furniture, bulletin boards, equipment, signage and walls?

Beauty through sound. What can you do to make your workplace sounds more beautiful? Remember, quietness can be beautiful.

Beauty through smell and taste. Utilize air purifiers and filters to keep the air smelling “clean.” Offer free, prepackaged snacks to co-workers and guests.

Spiritual beauty. You can be a beautiful gate at work by exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit and through your work quality, work ethic and team-building skills.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Acts 24:27 (KJV), read 4 Attributes of Paul’s Leadership as Witness (Acts 20-28) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Called To Work

Author: design

Are You Planted in Church?

For Further Exploration

Are You Better @ Work?

For Further Exploration

Are You a Monster @ Work?

For Further Exploration

Affluence of Influence

For Further Exploration

Staying on God’s Plan @ Work

For Further Exploration

Mud Season @ Work

For Further Exploration

Adding Fun Extra Touches @ Work

For Further Exploration

Death @ Work

For Further Exploration

Bogged Down in Bureaucracy & Politics

For Further Exploration

You can be a “beautiful gate” at work

For Further Exploration

Contact Us