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So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58
If you have ever had a puppy that you were training, you know the value of ‘treats’. Your dog will most likely do anything if a treat is involved!
The same is true for children. Teachers and parents alike will tell you that something as simple as a sticker will elicit proper responses to your requests.
We never really outgrow the need for recognition. Employers know the value of recognizing those who work for them, and their customers. Recognition, in its various forms instills value. Recognition builds a fire in those recognized to excel. Recognition gives us a feeling of belonging. Recognition boosts morale.
The opposite is also true. When we don’t get recognition for our efforts discouragement, frustration and the lack of desire to excel can happen. Lack of recognition is a real morale killer in the workplace, the family and any other relationship.
It’s easy to feel like nothing you do is making a difference when it seems no one is noticing. You may feel like people aren’t responding to your message. The work you do today needs to be redone tomorrow. With all the time and effort you put into a project, it seems like no one notices.
Always remember this. God sees you. He sees your efforts. He feels your intentions. He comforts you in your defeats and high fives you in the victories. Press on. Do what he leads you to do. Don’t be discouraged by the response you get from people, be encouraged by the one who has gifted you to do what you do.
When Paul writes this verse in 1 Corinthians, he isn’t about ministry, or service organizations. Elsewhere Paul writes, ‘do everything for the glory of the Lord’. He makes no distinction between washing dishes and laundry and saving someone’s life. The importance of what you are doing isn’t dependent on the recognition of fickle humans God has gifted you for excellence. Stay strong. Press on. Endure the struggle and celebrate the victories when/if they come.
Always remember. God sees you and appreciates you.
He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. John 15:2
Sometimes we read scripture with a glass-half-full philosophy. For example, John 15 is one of the most intimate passages in all of the gospels. In Jesus final hours, he shares with his disciples his love. “I’m the vine.” “I call you friends” “I love you, love as you’ve seen me love time and again”.
Read through this passage with the glass-FULL (or overflowing) philosophy. Read it with the theme of unconditional love and mercy and grace.
Ironically, some get caught up in the ‘pruning’, the ‘cutting away’, the ‘casting in the fire.’ What if we look at this passage in positive, loving, graceful eyes. This cutting isn’t an act of anger or punishment, but an act of love.
The Father, the master gardener knows exactly what we need to rise above the muck and mire of life. The Master Gardener knows which things to take away so we can flourish. The Master Gardener wants his vines to be healthy, vibrant, effective. Healthy branches can fight off disease better. Healthy branches are able to receive all the benefits of a vine that continually sends vital nutrients into it.
Pruning? Yes, it will happen. Cutting away? Yes, it may seem painful to us at the time. Draw closer to Christ and His teaching, ask Him to help you abide in Him. Let ‘Him who began this good work in you complete it.’ Remember that everything the Master Gardener does in his vineyard is for our good. Trust the Master Gardener to care for you. He knows exactly what you need in this hour of struggle.
We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 1 Thessalonians 1:4
There are few things we can know for sure. We watch the weather forecast in hopes of ‘knowing’ what the weather will be like, and sometimes the meteorologists are actually right!
You may read the business section to see how your IRA or retirement account is doing. You may study prophecy to see what is going to happen in the future. The reality is, there just aren’t many guarantees in life!
Some of us lament over the past. Some are dissatisfied with today. Some are full of anxiety over tomorrow. Sometimes it’s refreshing to focus on the things we know. Especially since the things we know will carry us through the unknown.
Sometimes the things we know get lost in the distractions of the things we aren’t sure about or are fearful. So here is your reminder for today. It’s set in stone. It’s as secure as a mountain. It’s withstood the storms of time. It’s weathered every attack throughout history. Ready?
God chose you. He didn’t choose you for your looks, your spotless past, your strength, your financial stability or your ability to be of any value to him at all! He chose you because he loves you with a love you can never return, never be worthy of and never run from. You are loved. Live in the strength of that truth!
I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:4
Two of the most powerful words in language are ‘Thank You’. You learned it as a kid. Always say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. That’s the way life works. Sometimes it’s easy to say thank you. When someone opens a door for you, lets you in to traffic, offers you a cold drink on a hot day, ‘thank you’s’ are in order.
But what about those other times. Do you say thank you to the rude store clerk. Do you say thank you to the person who cuts you off in traffic? Do you say thank you to the person who, once again, is critical of you or how you do your job? ‘Of course not’ you say, right?
But Jesus would. So would the Apostle Paul. Paul wrote a very difficult letter to one of the churches he planted. The church in the city of Corinth started strong in grace, mercy, love and generosity. But sin and conflict broke out and in concern for his spiritual children, Paul was forced to write a letter to this group of struggling ‘Christ followers.’
It’s interesting that at the very beginning of this difficult letter, Paul expresses his appreciation for them. He didn’t appreciate them because they were people of character. He didn’t appreciate them for the way they held to God’s word. He didn’t appreciate them because of their high moral standards. Those things weren’t praiseworthy to First Church – Corinth.
Yet Paul appreciated them because of the grace they found in Jesus. There will always be people who annoy us. There will always be people who ridicule us or don’t meet our expectations. There will never be people who are outside of the reach of God’s grace. Appreciation of others doesn’t mean we agree with them, it simply means we value them because Jesus values them.
Who do you need to show value to today? Showing appreciation to others is a great way to show the grace Jesus offers everyone.
“…may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Hebrews 13:21
We like to be in control. Adam and Eve chose the fruit so they could be like God (control). Throughout history mankind has sought to be in control through politics, financial gain, racial and gender identity and docile influence.
Jesus has a different way. He provides the power. He provides the strength. But in order to access His great power he asks for control.
We like to think we can control our health, our relationships, even the climate and environment. Yet His Word makes it clear all life is under His control.
It’s His power not mine. He does the equipping not me. He is in control not science. He gives true comfort not the fickle comfort of culture.
When we give up control we see His glory not mine. And when He is glorified we find value and power.
One more strange dichotomy of the Christian life: to gain power and value give up control to Jesus.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 