Work for God

Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: "Those unwilling to work will not get to eat." (NLT) ( 2 Thessalonians 3:10 ) 

With so much going on in our lives today, the "unwillingness to work" doesn't appear applicable. If anything, we work way too much. However, being busy versus working on God's plan for you are two very different things. Are you willing to work on God's plan for you? There's more to His plan than just paying the bills. If you strive to work hard using the special talents He gave you, your work will be more effortless and purposeful.

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Salt

"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless." (NLT) ( Matthew 5:13 ) 

Salt is used as a preservative to keep food fresh longer. Once it loses its usefulness the salt will get tossed out with yesterday's trash. It's difficult to imagine how salt loses its saltiness but in the context of a Christian, it's easy to see how a Christian loses their flavor. When Christians try to blend in with the world we give away the essence of a Christian. Let's do our best to keep our flavor!

Differences

"When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison." (NLT) ( Matthew 5:25 ) 

Pride can seep into a relationship when disagreements occur. The longer you sit and stew over your disagreement, the harder it is to reconcile. Pretty soon, days, weeks, and years pass by and you become accustomed to the way things have become in the relationship. Every passing moment without reconciliation makes it that much harder to turn around and say you are sorry. Don't let your pride get the better side of you. Make it a practice to hurry and settle your differences . 

He will fight for you

The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm. (NLT) ( Exodus 14:14 ) 

When you find yourself full of despair and hopelessness, look to God.  When everyone around you says it can't be done, it's not worth your energy, or you have too much to lose; Do not allow your obstacle to appear larger than what God can handle. Remember God is greater than the obstacle at hand.  Have faith in Him and He will fight the battle for you.

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Light

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. (NLT) ( 2 Corinthians 4:7 ) 

The light shining in our hearts is the news that Jesus Christ is our Lord. We are charged with the task of showing the world how Christ has changed us. However, when we show these great abilities over time, it is easy to get puffed up and think we are the ones who are responsible for the greatness. Rather, it is important to stay connected to God and always remember He is the ultimate source of power.

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Poor Simon

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. (NLT) ( Acts 8:18 ) 

Poor Simon was too far from understanding the concept of faith. The Spirit lives within you through repentance of your sins and asking for forgiveness. Instead, Simon wanted to cut to the chase and receive the benefits of the power of the Holy Spirit. Today we do the same thing, attend church thinking it will make up for the time we didn't read our Bible or spend time with God. Stretch yourself beyond this type of thinking and reach for a relationship. Invest your time in God.

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Seek the kingdom of God

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. (NLT) ( Luke 12:31 ) 

Do you have everything you need? Does what you need match up according to the Kingdom of God? Let God's Kingdom come in to your work, play, business, friendships, all areas of your life. Don't hold back. Align your life to be constantly seeking God and His Kingdom.

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Video

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Build your house

But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. (NLT) ( Matthew 7:26 ) 

The Bible has a lot to say on how we should live our lives. If we know how we are supposed to live and disregard that knowledge it is foolish. As we build our lives, we should strive to build it on a solid foundation that will last forever, the Kingdom of God.  What are you building your house on?

Discipline

Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins? (NLT) ( Lamentations 3:39 ) 

When we feel God is disciplining us we get angry and shake our fists at him. If you feel He has turned his back on you it is exactly the opposite. Because He loves you he wants to teach you. As parents we want our kids to learn the difference between right and wrong. How could our children say we don't love them because they receive discipline from us? Isn't that further from the truth?

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God will not abandon you

No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. (NLT) ( Joshua 1:5 ) 

Think back to a time when an exciting, unbelievable event happened in your life. Then, put that event into context. What important events, conversations, or interactions happened to make the miracle possible? At first glance those precursors seem random, but in hindsight everything seemed to come together. That's the hand of God in your life. When you think He has abandoned you He is actually busy at work.

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Don't worry

So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. (NLT) ( Matthew 6:34 ) 

At the very root of worry is fear. Fear of the unknowns or what if's can erode away the security we find in God. Don't let this fear overtake you and allow the worry to creep in your thoughts. Place your confidence in Jesus that He will provide and comfort you. Then pray.

Rest

For all who have entered into God's rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall. (NLT) ( Hebrews 4:10-11 ) 

Are you well rested? We can enter marathons of work, projects and even emotional hardships. You may feel invincible at times and take on more than your body can handle. But remember that God made us in His image and we should rest just like He did. Firmly set aside a day or two after any intense period of work to replenish yourself.

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Children

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. (NLT) ( Proverbs 22:6 ) 

When you have children there is always an excess of people who want to advise you on how to raise them. The above verse is also a piece of advice as well. However, this is advice coming from God who created us and knows how we fit together. Why not accept advice from THE person who knows us the best and help them get familiar with God.

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Too Hard

You say, 'It's too hard to serve the Lord,' and you turn up your noses at my commands," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. (NLT) ( Malachi 1:13 ) 

Walking by faith in the Lord is not an easy path.  It comes fraught with a journey of constantly recognizing we aren't perfect, seeking and maintaining peace around us, or even living with honor and integrity.  But learning to grow and walk according to God's commands is part of a relationship with God.  Don't turn up your nose, it's not too hard!  Along the path you will be rewarded and blessed greatly.  Are you regularly seeking to learn more of God's ways?

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Rejoice in darkness

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. (NLT) ( Romans 12:12 ) 

This verse is a helpful nugget of guidance to get us through dark times. As a believer in Christ we have hope and not just a random hope, but a confident hope. We can confidently believe in a time when hurt, pain, and sorrow will end. It's comforting to know amidst all of your despair and discouragement there is one thing you can be sure of which is that it will come to an end.

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Marriage

And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (NLT) ( Ephesians 5:21 ) 

God blessed us with marriage to be the primary person that shows your spouse God's love for them.  It's not because they deserve it or have earned it, but because of the grace you have been given.  This will mean you are the first person to say sorry, or you will have to come home from work to help your spouse clean, or you take the blame when it's not your fault.  What can you do for your spouse today that reveals God's love for them?

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