Wednesday 31 March 2010

Professional inspirations #10 - Reflect..

Psa 25:4-5 Make your ways known to me, O LORD, and teach me your paths. (5) Lead me in your truth and teach me because you are God, my savior. I wait all day long for you.

REFLECT

Rev 2:4-6 GW However, I have this against you: The love you had at first is gone. (5) Remember how far you have fallen. Return to me and change the way you think and act, and do what you did at first....

I reflected on my path with the Lord this last year. I remembered my first Passover experience last year, the fact that we were camping, the experience of holding our own Lord's Supper, just reflecting on what we are...children of GOD, only possible through Jesus Christ. Joh 14:6 Jesus answered him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.

740 years BC this view of the coming Messiah was recorded.

Isa 52:13-15 GW My servant (the Messiah i.e. Jesus) will be successful. He will be respected, praised, and highly honored.
(14) Many will be shocked by him. His appearance will be so disfigured that he won't look like any other man. His looks will be so disfigured that he will hardly look like a human.
(15) He will cleanse many nations with his blood. Kings will shut their mouths because of him. They will see things that they had never been told. They will understand things that they had never heard.


Today (2260 years later) we have the privilege to be able to know this fact to be true.

Thank You Lord Jesus that I do understand what you have done for me.Thank you Holy Spirit for leading me to reflect, honour, praise, worship you Lord Jesus our Saviour. Amen

Monday 29 March 2010

Professional inspirations #9 - There is no easy way out...

Psa 25:4-5 Make your ways known to me, O LORD, and teach me your paths. (5) Lead me in your truth and teach me because you are God, my savior. I wait all day long for you.

THERE IS NO EASY WAY OUT

To plan to gain or not gain something is a mindset that can be either negative (i.e. the mind of a sluggard) or positive (i.e. the mind of the Righteous). These types of mindsets (including the mindset of a thief (Pro 1:10-19) is set out in Proverbs.

Read more about the sluggard or the Righteous (and the Proverbs related verses) in: http://ourfathershome.com/sermons/Prevailing%20Kingdom%20mindset%20-%2013.06.2009%20Cliff%20Jones.doc
Acknowledgements given to: Dr. Jonathan David – Market place invasion

A definition of mindset is follows;
1. A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person's responses to and interpretations of situations, or
2. An inclination or a habit.

The mindset of a sluggard

It is a spirit, a mindset that attacks you when you become comfortable – you yield to the negative force and emotions around you i.e. you have a - “I am a victim” mentality. Pro 14:23 In hard work there is always something gained, but idle talk leads only to poverty.

– If you join with them (sluggards) you will be in trouble and if you are like that (a sluggard) you are already in trouble.

The mind of the Righteous (a person in right standing with GOD)

– can only be a child of GOD, You?

Your thinking patterns must be set in such a way and into a position that you can be blessed continually by GOD. Your mind must be renewed more and more like the mind of Christ – 1Co 2:14-16 GW A person who isn't spiritual doesn't accept the teachings of God's Spirit. He thinks they're nonsense. He can't understand them because a person must be spiritual to evaluate them. (15) Spiritual people evaluate everything but are subject to no one's evaluation. (16) "Who has known the mind of the Lord so that he can teach him?" However, we have the mind of Christ.

What to do when we have a difficult task?

Are we not frustrated because we look for wisdom, abilities and strengths in ourselves?

Remember this; GOD will never call you to do anything that you cannot do! GOD does not seek capable people, HE forms those He calls to be capable!

When Peter saw Jesus walking on the sea, Peter asked Jesus to order him to come to Jesus also by walking on the sea, which he did!. Why did he then start to sink? Because he failed in himself i.e. he had little faith, he looked for the strength in himself! Mat 14:28-30 GW Peter answered, "Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water." (29) Jesus said, "Come!" So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. (30) But when he noticed how strong the wind was, he became afraid and started to sink. He shouted, "Lord, save me!"

Is there thus a easy way out?

Yes indeed there is.

If we have faith, grow in faith, excel in faith, we become a person more and more having the mind of Christ. We are then reliant on the wisdom, abilities and strengths through Jesus. We need to be less of ourselves, and more of Jesus. From the strength of Jesus and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit we will, we can, approach anything with ease and peace.

Heavenly Father, thank you for knowing that you never change. That your love for us is for ever and ever. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for knowing that through you, we can and will achieve all that we want to; by faith in you, by your wisdom and your strength we will be capable to do anything. Use us, make us aware of you, make us aware of what you want from us. Holy Spirit, please make us faithful, trusting GOD every minute of every day. Amen.

Wednesday 24 March 2010

Professional inspirations #8 - If a difficult task awaits you...

Psa 25:4-5 Make your ways known to me, O LORD, and teach me your paths. (5) Lead me in your truth and teach me because you are God, my savior. I wait all day long for you.

IF AN DIFFICULT TASKS AWAITS YOU..

People tend work harder when they know that a difficult and demanding task is awaiting them in near future, a new study claimed calling it a 'get ready mindset'.

According to a new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research, the more difficult a future task was expected to be, the harder people worked on a current task because of "get ready mindset".

"It seems reasonable to expect that when people know that they will have to work hard on a future task, they will devote less effort to the current task, in order to save energy for the upcoming demanding task. This is not what we found," said lead author Hans Baumgartner from Pennsylvania State University.

In a series of five studies, the authors observed that the more difficult a future task was expected to be, the harder people worked on a current task.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/People-work-harder-when-about-to-face-difficult-task/543639

2Co 2:16 To some people we are a deadly fragrance, while to others we are a life-giving fragrance. ....

It is for certain true that a new year, every new year brings us new challenges and it is most certainly not always downhill. There will be times when we all have to make difficult decisions or have to complete a task that takes up all our strength and talents, testing it to the limits.

When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Redeemer, we are promised a new live trough Him. 2Co 5:17 GW Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.

We do not however know what to expect from Him, what task He will give us. Luckily for us, Jesus knew He needed to give us help Joh 16:7 However, I am telling you the truth: It's good for you that I'm going away. If I don't go away, the helper won't come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

Maybe we should not focus on the grade of difficulty, but focus to ask the Holy Spirit to lead us? Ask the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and insight to deal with the task at hand. Through the power of Jesus Christ and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit we will then be able to achieve anything, any difficult task.

This way we will then be able to approach work and all tasks , PRAYING and deeply dependent on the POWER of Jesus Christ!

Rom 7:6 But now we have died to those laws that bound us. God has broken their effect on us so that we are serving in a new spiritual way, not in an old way dictated by written words.

Holy Teacher, thought the power of your Holy Spirit, I will aim to do any tasks that you may give me and complete in in your Name. Amen.

Thursday 18 March 2010

Professional inspirations #7 - Approach the future with a purpose

Psa 25:4-5 Make your ways known to me, O LORD, and teach me your paths. (5) Lead me in your truth and teach me because you are God, my savior. I wait all day long for you.

APPROACH THE FUTURE WITH A PURPOSE

Ambitious people know what they want and are prepared to do all to achieve their goals. They are prepared to offer all their time, health, family life, social life any money to achieve these goals. They are motivated, energized and proud in what they achieve....... Is this you?

Perhaps you are not that ambitious, but still you have your own goals? Are you not planning ahead on a daily basis? What to do on easter weekend ( possibly saving for this a month or two)? Planning to buy a new car / house sometime / next year / later? Planning what to do when you retire? etc. etc.....Are we not again motivated, exited, happy in achieving these goals?

(From the ESV Study Bible Notes) Proverbs 1: 2-6 give the purpose and benefit of the book: it instills wisdom in the reader. The wisdom offered here is practical (instruction in wise dealing), intellectual (increase in learning), moral (righteousness, justice, and equity), and probing (to understand a proverb and . . . riddles). It is for all people, be they naive and ignorant (the simple . . . the youth) or already experienced (Let the wise hear).

In either being ambitious i.e. spending all your time in achieving your goals, or just being focussed on your own personal priorities and goals, if we do this through Jesus, then we have the promise that Jesus will smoothen our ways. Pro 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth.

A different approach to planning the future

i.e. think about this; Why did Jesus come to live on earth? Joh 1:14 The Word became human and lived among us. We saw his glory. It was the glory that the Father shares with his only Son, a glory full of kindness and truth.

Recently I heard the following simple explanation: Jesus came to earth to seek humans, to seek you and me! Rom 8:24 We were saved with this hope in mind. If we hope for something we already see, it's not really hope. Who hopes for what can be seen?

Jesus also left with the following promise (our hope): Joh 14:2-3 GW My Father's house has many rooms. If that were not true, would I have told you that I'm going to prepare a place for you? (3) If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again. Then I will bring you into my presence so that you will be where I am.

Revelations is the prophesy of Jesus's return. In Rev 22: 17 the simple word "Come” is a prayer addressed to Jesus, who promises to come soon. Here it is an invitation to the spiritually thirsty, to take the water of life without price, for it is freely provided by God's grace. Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" Let those who hear this say, "Come!" Let those who are thirsty come! Let those who want the water of life take it as a gift.

The Spirit and the bride say 'Come"....

The bride (thats us) and the Spirit whom lives in us ( we cannot be separated, we are not separated) should call out to Jesus to "Come"!!!!

We should live our lives, plan our lives, prioritize our lives; every month, every week, every day, every minute,. Plan what we want to achieve considering that what is really really important. Mat 6:19-20 GW "Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. (20) Instead, store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust don't destroy and thieves don't break in and steal.

Will this not, should this not... alter our planning, our goals?

Should we not approach the future with the purpose to meet Jesus?!!!

Tuesday 16 March 2010

Professional Inspirations #6 - Work and Pray

Psa 25:4-5 Make your ways known to me, O LORD, and teach me your paths. (5) Lead me in your truth and teach me because you are God, my savior. I wait all day long for you.

WORK AND PRAY or is it PRAY AND WORK?

Joh 5:19 Jesus said to the Jews, "I can guarantee this truth: The Son cannot do anything on his own. He can do only what he sees the Father doing. Indeed, the Son does exactly what the Father does."

Have you ever thought about a typical day in Jesus' life? Perhaps He might have had questions like these, "What will I do today? Who am I going to heal today? Who will I visit today? Who will I bless today?" . The demands on Jesus' time were great. Yet we see that Jesus allocated His time very deliberately. We don't get the idea that Jesus was flustered or stressed from the activity He was involved in. His life appeared to have a BALANCE of quiet moments, work and active ministry into the lives He came in contact with.

How do we determine what we will be involved in each day of our lives?

What keeps us in sync with the will of our heavenly Father for the daily tasks He calls us to? Jesus tells us that He was only involved in those things the Father was involved in. Nothing more, nothing less. So often we determine our participation in an activity based on whether we have the time to do it or whether we desire to participate.

The real question we should ask is, "Does the Father want me to participate in this activity?"

We have already discussed our work in this regard. Remember this? Col 3:23 Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as though you were working for your real master (Jesus) and not merely for humans.

Other than at work, during work have you had similar questions as these that follow?

"Lord, should I add this Bible study to my schedule? Should I spend an extra night out on this committee this week? Should I take on new business that will take me away from home more? Should my daughter be involved in music lessons?" etc. etc. Are these not the daily challenges of the world we now live in?. Are we not an activity-based society that often encourages more and more activity?

What to do?....Pray of course!

Our lives will become less cluttered, less stressful, and more fulfilling when we follow the model Jesus provided. It may not always please everyone. Jesus never sought to please everyone.

Ask the Lord each day this week how you and He are to spend your time. Yield your schedule to Him. Let Jesus direct your every activity. You may discover that He desires you to cut back some things in order to spend more time alone with Him. He will be faithful to show you. And you will become more fulfilled because you are centered in His will for you.

Mat 6:33 But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.

Thursday 11 March 2010

Professional Inspirations #5 - Work and Family

Psa 25:4-5 Make your ways known to me, O LORD, and teach me your paths. (5) Lead me in your truth and teach me because you are God, my savior. I wait all day long for you.

WORK & FAMILY

Exo 20:9 You have six days to do all your work.

Do we not spend most of our life time at work to provide a living for our family? i.e. spending a lot of time and energy trying to earn enough money to pay for the home mortgage, the bills and to buy the things our family needs?

Is it not then also true that by the time we've finished working, there's barely enough time left at the end of the day, week, month to actually spend time with the family we're working so hard for.

The key to a simple life filled with love and joy is to build a work life balance that doesn't exclude those people nearest to your heart. 1Ti 5:8 If anyone doesn't take care of his own relatives, especially his immediate family, he has denied the Christian faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Join together as a family in prayer and ask God for some guidance as you begin to develop your plan for a healthy work/life balance.

Look for ways you can find pleasure and joy from the simple things in life and you'll find your priorities begin changing all on their own.

Rom 12:9-10 GW Love sincerely. Hate evil. Hold on to what is good. (10) Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other

Finish Strong!!

Enjoy the day. Many many blessings I pray the Lord does grant you.

Tuesday 9 March 2010

Profesional Inspirations #4 - GOD works through you

Psa 25:4-5 Make your ways known to me, O LORD, and teach me your paths. (5) Lead me in your truth and teach me because you are God, my savior. I wait all day long for you.

GOD WORKS THROUGH YOU

For GOD to be able to use you and me, we need to seek Him first and then GOD will find us, use us!

Heb 11:6 No one can please God without faith. Whoever goes to God must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

1Ch 16:11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

Seeking God's face means in fact seeking his heart. God promises me and you: "You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek me with all your heart" i.e. Jer 29:13-14 GW When you look for me, you will find me. When you wholeheartedly seek me, (14) I will let you find me, declares the LORD......

But what do we really do most of the time? Do we not generally seek God for what He can do for us i.e. prayers to please heal, please give, please fix?

If we keep seeking GOD in this way, if we continue to hold on to earthly things; we most certainly will never ascend to the level of stepping into heavenly things.

We can't come face to face with God unless we
1.) humble ourselves,
2.) pray and
3.) turn from our wicked ways.
2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

We need to find out from Him what things in our lives are displeasing to Him.

We find what is "wicked" to God ( not according to the will of GOD) through prayer and reading His Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal those things to us we need to get rid of.

If we do this,

THEN .....

we will find GOD,

and THEN

GOD will start to work thru us!!! Php 2:13 It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please him.

Friday 5 March 2010

Professional Inspirations #3 - Job Statisfaction

Psa 25:4-5 Make your ways known to me, O LORD, and teach me your paths. (5) Lead me in your truth and teach me because you are God, my savior. I wait all day long for you.

Carpe Diem - seize the weekend and glorify Jesus!! Be joyfull!!!!

Have a blessed weekend


JOB SATISFACTION


Jesus explains that there is a thief in our midst who works hard to obscure and impede the only real path to an abundant, meaningful life. He said, "A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came so that my sheep will have life and so that they will have everything they need. " (Joh 10:10 )

Indeed, God is our real employer because ultimately, He provides all of our needs. God told the ancient Israelites in Deuteronomy 8:18, "But remember the LORD your God is the one who makes you wealthy. .."

If we are working for God, we can bring an attitude of enthusiasm and cheer to our workplace even if we have a supervisor or fellow workers who are difficult to work with (1 Peter 2:18-19).

When work becomes boring, then our inspiration and joy in working disappears and we most certainly become negative i.e. are you stressed out? Refer this survey; http://www.health24.com/medical/Condition_centres/777-792-3728-3731,29558.asp

Maybe we dont give ourselves enough time to rest, to relax, spend time with the family or to take vacation?

Just maybe we are not putting Christ first in our lives?

To follow Jesus is to put Him first, to put him in that very centre part of our lives, and too often, we don’t really give Jesus that spot.

This is not to say we don’t love Him or we don’t honour Him, but it’s just that we often put other things first i.e relationships, career plans, money, our basic primary needs. It is often those things that occupy our hearts! Mat 6:21 Your heart will be where your treasure is.

Ecc 2:24-26 GW There is nothing better for people to do than to eat, drink, and find satisfaction in their work. I saw that even this comes from the hand of God. (25) Who can eat or enjoy themselves without God? (26) God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to anyone who pleases him.....

Holy Spirit, You are the Spirit of Truth. Remind us to live, work, to do what we do for Jesus Christ. Lead us to live Jesus Christ as our first priority in life. Thank you Lord GOD, for knowing that You will then give us joy; joy in spirit, joy in work, joy in life. In Jesus name we pray this. Amen

Wednesday 3 March 2010

Professional Inspirations #2 - Manage pressure with Jesus

Psa 25:4-5 Make your ways known to me, O LORD, and teach me your paths. (5) Lead me in your truth and teach me because you are God, my savior. I wait all day long for you.

MANAGE THE PRESSURE TOGETHER WITH JESUS

Rom 8:31 What can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Probably the most effective technique to get a handle on the stress in is to turn to Jesus. God designed you and me in a way that our spirit, mind and body would react together in a marvellous way when we feel tense and anxious and “heavy” and set our heart and mind on Jesus.

How do we “Come to Jesus?”

Pray, listen to inspirational music. Sit or walk quietly and listen for His voice. Cry out to Him in desperation. Read His Word, the Bible. Get on your knees and pour out your heart to Him.
Do this, and Jesus promises that He will give us rest.

Mat 11:28-30 GW "Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. (29) Place my yoke over your shoulders, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble. Then you will find rest for yourselves (30) because my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Lord Jesus, I pray for Your voice to fill our souls. I pray Jesus, to make us aware of You, every minute of every day. We honor and praise you Father GOD, we love you Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit we ask your continued guidance in us. Amen

Have a GREAT day!!!

Monday 1 March 2010

Professional inspirations #1 - Are you happy in your work?

Psa 25:4-5 Make your ways known to me, O LORD, and teach me your paths. (5) Lead me in your truth and teach me because you are God, my savior. I wait all day long for you.

ARE YOU HAPPY IN YOUR WORK?

I have heard many a times the following words; " If I could have my life over again, I will definitely have been doing a much more satisfying job" , I believe I myself had these thoughts once or twice in my lifetime. In fact, I have switched jobs more than once just for that purpose.

Sometimes we find work to be repetitive, boring, a must do? At times we are pressurized into unrealistic goals and due dates?

Am I? are You? are we happy in our work?

Maybe, just maybe, we should just take the time to see the big picture?

Col 1:16 He (Jesus Christ) created all things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. Whether they are kings or lords, rulers or powers- everything has been created through him and for him.

It is for certain a privilege to be employed and we should acknowledge that all we are and all we have, has been received by the Lord.

Thank Him through prayer, ask Him through the Holy Spirit to lead your thoughts, to supply you with what you need, do not just pray what you want.

Do that every day and allow the Holy Spirit to make you aware of the holy calling you have been given.

Work then, through the power of the Lord, to His honour, as if you are working for the Lord himself e.g. do not just be a breadwinner! Col 3:23 Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as though you were working for your real master (Jesus) and not merely for humans.

For certain then, one after the other happy and exciting working day, week, month will follow.

Lord, I want to undertake everything I do,
as if I am doing it for You,
through Your power, and to honour You.
Amen


Bless you, in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, our Saviour.

Professional inspirations invite

Jesus to his disciples;
(Joh 16:32-33) The time is coming, and is already here, when all of you will be scattered. Each of you will go your own way and leave me all alone. Yet, I'm not all alone, because the Father is with me. (33) I've told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you'll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world."


Directed at his disciples but also applicable to each of us? Is it not that we are in Jesus and Jesus is in us?
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Each of us want to be successful. Being successful is not just about status and money, but also about giving honour to GOD for having income, security , success & status.


I have found a suite of inspirations as how to work but also be focused on the GOD's grace and influence in our professional life.