Strength from God

²⁸ Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
²⁹ He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
³¹ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

--Isaiah 40:31

Perhaps you have recently found yourself to be experiencing weariness, weakness, and worthlessness.  Maybe something in your life has caused you to need a strength that is beyond what you are capable of handling with your own power.  This is not a time to turn inward and wonder "WHY me?!?", nor is it the time to give up on trying because "I'm incapable".  Trying and failing does not mean that you cannot do it; it either means you were not meant to do it that time, there is another way to complete the task, you need help/assistance to move forward, or you must find another path to follow.  God has given us discernment and ability to figure out with method to use.  We just have to learn to trust him more.












God does not wear out, he will continually encounter us and provide ways to give fearlessness in our lives.  Do not give into the temptation  to blame yourself for failures and mistakes.  Moe forward and allow Him to work on/in your life.  Even though God may not have revealed all parts of his plan, following his guidance is fruitful.  He is there all the time for you to provide the strength you need.












All throughout Scripture, men of faith encountered God and received a bountiful gift as they followed Him.  Abram left his comfortable homes in both Ur and Haran and went to Canaan, becoming Abraham and the father of God's people.  Moses departed from Egypt and the peace of pharaoh's place eventually to return and to defend the honor of God's people and lead the millions of complaining people for 40 years in the desert to God's Promised Land.  Daniel and his friends stood for the standards of God, refusing to eat the king's rich food, which had been offered to idols.  They were each rewarded a  strength, keenness, and knowledge that was 10 times greater than that of the other students.  Saul, a scholar to the highest degree and highly skilled man, encountered God in a most powerful way.  From that time, he left his comforts and power to spread the Gospel all around the known world.  Following the direction of God through literal and figurative storms, stonings,  imprisonment, and persecution, he witnessed to countless individuals, including his guards. Each of these heroes of the Christian faith made their decisions in spite of the trials and struggles they may have to face, because they understood that God knew what he was doing.








Paul wrote in Philippians that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  It does not mean that I can do whatever I want and get Christ to help us,  but rather in context, indicates that as we follow the will of God, and turn our eyes upon Jesus, he will take us through the affliction, pains, sufferings, and anything else and help us to flourish instead of muddling in the midst of malcontent and malfunction.  We are called to abide in Him through everything.  He is not just there when we need him, God, though the Holy Spirit, is always there.  We must depend upon His word, and fight the feelings of fruitlessness, functionlessness, and fear; knowing that he is more powerful than anything that stands in the way of his will.  IF we are in his will, it will not be always be an easy journey.





Eagles are soaring birds, because of their bulky nature, and have to take much effort to initiate flight from the ground.  Gravity holds them back, but once they reach heights where the wind is powerful, the force of gravity actually propels them in soaring flight.  They glide for 58 of 60 minutes, but that is only after they have overcome the struggles of what they are and their nature.  Even if they could try eagles could not become a goose or hummingbird.  The bird is still huge and weighted by its personal burden of self, yet it moves forward in flight.








So it must be with us. We cannot allow our personal struggles to hold us to the ground.  Just because we feel weak and worthless does not mean we cannot spiritually thrive. The great men of the faith constantly dealt with physical and mental issues, but with the strength of God, they were able to follow his guidance.  Though we may not be able to grasp how eagles fly we now they do.  It is the same with God:  How he is omniscient and omnipresent is beyond our finite human understanding, but we certainly can experience it.  It is a picture of what we cannot see or fully comprehend; the richness and pureness of God's love gives us the strength to carry on, and help us in our mission to follow Him.








All God wants is for us to abide with Him.  Placing our trust in Him, not just because of what he can do for us, but rather of how we can serve Him and do his will. How do we express his love in spite of our struggles?  How do we move forward when there is something that holds us back?  We do NOT do it on our own; it is not possible.  It is only what God does in us that allows us to stand firm and completely devote our lives to Him.  It is not on our own; through the Holy Spirit we receive the ability to overcome out problems and soar, to move forward and not stop, and to take each day step-by-step and never faint back into worry and weariness. When we fully trust him and rely on God to bring us through every trial and tribulation, it is then that we can truly experience the love of God and receive the joy and peace that comes by trusting in Him.

 Today is the day to consider the truth of God's Word and evaluate where you stand in allowing Him into every part of your life, not only so that he can have control, but so that he can have your back in any and every situation.  Let Him go with you every step of the way and guide you on life's journey.

 

What is the Motive of your Effort?

Hiatus over...not that I really have regular readers, but I know that before I begin I must admit one thing:  If given the choice of laziness, I would no doubt choose it.


Yet, my new job does not allow that at all.  For the last month-and-a-half, I have been an employee at a creamery.  I am at the bottom again, the newest member of the crew and not given the most respect from some of the crew, all younger than I (my supervisor being almost 10 years younger).  But since I have I job, out of many I applied to, I will not complain.


The greatest thing is that this job allows me to be home in the evenings and a chance to relax at the end of the day.  I must say that I have not used my time too wisely, but in light of recent events I am changing that.  One of the things I can now participate in is our Wednesday evening prayer meetings at church.  That has been a challenge to my lazy evenings, and the studies in Ecclesiastes have been amazing!


Last week, I was struck by the personal message I received from the meeting last week, hit me between the eyes:  "What is the motive of my effort?"




I knew I took shortcuts at work.  I knew that my evenings were filled with laziness-sitting at the lappy and binging on online shows and consuming social-media(aka Facebook).  I knew that I had mentally prepared myself to work in a less physical environment, so I can check out sometimes at work.  I never stop working, while at work, but I just didn't put the most effort into the task of running milk and putting it into the right order.  I never used my skills to the mostest, but I would use them kind of.  My focus was on getting the job done, not doing it to the best of my effort.


While at work, I would often think that I was working hard. I mean I was pouring sweat after a few hours, I was completing the tasks, I was working overtime with little complaints, and doing what I thought was my best. I was definitely working for the pleasure of my supervisor and letting him feel that I was doing my best.  Looking back however, it was not the case.


This past Wednesday, our pastor was in Florida, our one deacon was ill, and at the last minute our other deacon prepared the session.  He said that we shouldn't expect much, but in reality that is when God seems to speak the most.  I do not even remember the exact topic of discussion and the true direction of his message to the few of us that gathered, but I know that I took away two verses that will stick with me for a while:  Colossians 3:23-24 and James 4:17.


I know this verse is quoted constantly, and while most versions do Colossians justice, the Amplified Bible gives a unique perspective that enforces the message that I am putting forth in this post:

²³ Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,

²⁴ Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).

We mentioned this in our service and talked about how our workplace (the marketplace) is the most-often neglected area of effort toward God as opposed to pleasing men. We are coached to please the company, to make sure we follow their rules, to listen to the boss/supervisor.  Yet, oftimes we forget that we can go beyond this.  As Christians, we are called to actually serve the Lord, above all.  Meaning that like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, we should do what God desires of us, not just what we are "expected" to at our jobs. Not just because we will be given a reward and blessed for what we do, but rather because we love God and know others are looking to us as an example and reflection of Christ.


I knew this already, but it was the next verse that made me rethink my habits at work (especially the part of taking shortcuts).  I know that I still would be tireless, but I would also complain less (on the inside) about the attitude and motives of any of my co-workers that did not seem to be putting the same effort in as I did,  I knew what I had to do, I knew that was right, I just wasn't doing that, and I was sadly ok with it.  (I mean, I get paid by the hour, right?)


Consider the second verse:

"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."

Well, isn't that just a slap in the face to the "know-it-all" self I can be...Seriously, though, this is one of those "amen-ouch" connections that Christians can have, especially if they believe they are living a life that is PERFECTLY acceptable to God as it already is....


Think how this affects the modus operandi, the M.O., the motive, the actions of anyone.  If you know the GOOD you ought to do, you must do it, or you are disobeying God.  You are doing something that displeases Him, If the thought occurs to you to help someone, but because it will be inconvenient to your "effective and efficient" plans, you do NOT, it is saddens God.  It is not enough to know what is good to do, but you must actually act upon the impulse that the Holy Spirit places in our hearts.  At work, we must not just work to appease our bosses, but rather make an effort to please God.  When we see someone in need, we must offer to assist by any means we can.  Just let that sink in, marinate in your mind; God has expectations/standards which he desires us to work toward, but we must follow his commands and love him (Deuteronomy 7:9).


Following in God's Steps and thinking with the servant's heart of Christ is a good way to renew our desire to whole-heartedly work at the tasks in front of us.  Daily, Christians are responsible for every action they take, but more importantly for the actions they know they should have taken and yet did not.  That is the wisdom I am trying to apply to my life, and I challenge you to do something similar.  My challenge started at my workplace; yours can be in another part of the marketplace, but do NOT forget to have following Christ and acting through the guidance of the Holy Spirit as your motive for every single effort. 

7 Habits of Less Effectual People

Authors have been writing books for a long time, and often they create ideas and patterns for people to feel good about improving themselves.  I have not read much of any of these books, but I do know that while positives are helpful, sometimes it takes seeing the negatives before the positives can be effective.  For this reason, I have come up with a list and commentary concern seven things I know have made me ineffective and less than productive.  Perhaps you, the reader, can reach a personal conclusion from my remarks.

7.  Sitting around when there are tasks to complete.

In this age of Information, the Internets have provided us with a great way to access the bits and pieces of knowledge that was not easily accessible even 15 years ago.  It allows us ways to find past TV shows, games, toys, and things that help us relive memories.  The internet is a useful tool in instantly sharing information that was once shareable only through letters and boxy video cameras and tapes.  Yet, if it is not balanced, and it consumes the majority of our time and energy (Netflix season marathons and World of Warcraft gameplay etc.) and replaces the physical interaction with live people, it is not right.  Sitting around watching hours of your favorite shows that you missed the night before and staring at the screen to find out what others are doing, via Facebook or other social media, certainly makes a person less effective in completing tasks at hand or even tasks unknown. Go out and make new friends, invite people to your house/apartment, volunteer at a local food bank or literacy council, just get out of the house, and you can make someone's day (maybe even your own). Taking action is the first step to becoming more effectual.

6.  Not being organized or living with a messy space.

Now obviously if you want to invite someone, or a group, to your abode, it is important that your home is inviting.  A little clutter is ok, especially if you are cooking for your special guests, but having a clean space is more important than having friends and family for a visit.  Being organized is a pattern that I find to be very difficult; I am organized in my head, but physically I am certainly NOT organized.  I have tried many times to break the bad habit of never keeping a calendar/schedule in written record, and each time I have failed.  I bought three calendars for the new year, and one month into the year, I only wrote in a week of entries combined. I left my two pocket calendars at home, when I visited, and have not gotten them back yet.  I keep falling back into the pattern of pure laziness with that, but especially with cleaning.


I find the best excuses when it comes to not readying up my apartment.  Sure I am a male, and my "level of clean" is visual, but I could do a lot better, although #7 keeps getting in the way.  I see what I have to do: wash the week's worth of dishes in the sink, dust the table tops and bureaus, sweep the floors, and the other things that go with tidying up a place.  Most people don't like living in dirtiness, but they just don't take the time to clean.  A clean house not only makes the place look nicer, it makes you feel better.  It enlightens your mood, gives you a better outlook, and knocks a task off your list, therefore, giving you the confidence to focus on other issues for which to find a solution.

5.  Focusing on the problem and not finding a solution.

There is one man issue with doing the same thing over and over again: when it is not effective.  That is trying the same thing and expecting different results; sure the situation may be different, but if the motives and methods are the same, the result will most likely be the same.  When problems arise, looking at the issues caused by the problem is a good first step, but should not be a big step or even the last one. Analysis should not take long, rather you should move toward a solution quickly by seeing how a solution should take place.  Sure there may be set backs when attempting to reach goals and new heights, but you got to keep working hard to push through it.  IF you do well, you will excel, even if it takes longer than anticipated because of a small bump in the road.  Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.

4.  Letting the negative critics getting into their head.

Sometimes there is a need to prove your worthiness and skill level to those who are more skilled than you, or you are faced with tasks that require the criticism of a professional.  I recently began a marathon watching of the cooking show called "The Taste".  On this show homecooks and professional chefs are teamed with a mentor that teaches them strategy and skills.  Mentors advise the teams, both together and individually, and most of the members are humble and listen. However, despite the positive encouragement of a mentor, one team was too stubborn to be open to the directions given.  They constantly mentioned how comfortable they were, how many skills they had, or how everything was fine...yet things were not.  Within 3 competition episodes the entire team imploded and was eliminated from contention.  Attitude makes all the difference.


Even if someone attacks everything that you believe in, and yet you are willing to learn and flexibly open about receiving the criticism, then you can move beyond being ineffectual.  If you allow their negativism to plague your thoughts and actions, you will probably fall flat and never improve-ending up like the team.  Instead you should keep the positive portions of advice, be willing to listen, even if you have to be a phoenix that must rise from the ashes. However, being cocky, and thinking that you do NOT need any help is just the same as the allowing negativity to get into your head. It has the same lasting effect, delusions of grandeur and potentially foreshadowing of failure (at least until there is an attitude adjustment.)

3.  Creating a plan of attack without a strategy.

My most famous strategy is to attack with a wing-and-a-prayer, not always the best idea, but it has been successful for me.  I know that I am a procrastinator (I wanted to complete this post last month), but I can change my plan when necessary.  Each plan of attack must come with a plan for success.  Today in church, my pastor spoke about the cost of being a disciple in Luke 14 and verses 28-30 state this:

²⁸ “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? ²⁹ For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, ³⁰ saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

Sitting down and looking at the pros and cons, discovering small steps and big advances, determining a cost of the process and the risks, and then beginning to complete the task is a necessary step in the creation of a plan.  Laying down a plan leads to effectiveness, plain and simple, but even with a completed plan some things are outside the scope of prediction.

2.  Trying to control the things beyond your control.

Enough said just with this statement, just don't do it, you cannot be effective if you try to control the things you can't predict.  Playing chess and predicting the moves of your opponent is one thing in a game, but that same prediction is truly another in life;  just go with the flow and leading of the Holy Spirit.

1.  Not talking to God before taking action.

If you are listening to the Comforter and following the will of God for your life, you will be constantly asking for his advice and praying to Him.  When doing this, don't ask for what you want, ask for how he can guide you.  Right now, my biggest thing is that I was asked to be a Sunday School teacher, appointed to the missions committee, and volunteered to be the janitor for the church...it is all new to me, but wow, God is guiding, but I still have trouble following...  He is still working on me, I just have to be ready and willing.  IF I do so, I will be much more effectual in life and for the Kingdom of Heaven, here on Earth. Hopefully, as a reader you were able to take something away from this post.