A Passion for Service and Excellence

God is Gracious

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15

Since creation, God has given us work to do. Knowing that God created work should shed new light on our approach to the work week.  And, if we focus on this truth, it is possible that even the most difficult aspects of work can become a passion.   

Are you passionate about your work?  Do you strive for 110 percent or is complacency lurking in you?  With the new year underway, take a look at what is being asked of you today and think of how God has been gracious to you.  As He changes your heart and mind, you will have the ability to transform an undesirable or mundane task into one full of joy and excellence.  Passion comes from the heart, a heart humbled by the knowledge of God’s grace and mercy.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, Colossians 3:23

Because God is gracious, He can transform our hearts and enable us to serve passionately.

 

New Year's Resolutions

God is Faithful

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  2 Corinthians 5:17

The New Year is about new beginnings, new hopes, new dreams, and sometimes new direction.  It is about setting goals, changing habits, improving character.  In our own strength, we often fail, even after our best efforts.  But when we lean on God to help change us from the inside out, we can experience success in transforming the big and small things in our lives.

Through the Holy Spirit, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, all things are possible for those who believe.  Remember, God is always at work, renewing our minds and refining our character – it is just that sometimes we don’t recognize Him or embrace His efforts.  The bible tells us to have faith and trust God with everything. When we let go of our hurts, our struggles, and our desires to be in control, God will transform our hearts and perfect our character.  What would you like to leave behind as you start the New Year and are you willing to trust God to help?

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

Because God is faithful, we can experience a changed life.

 

Happy New Year!

The Most Important Gift of All

God is Gracious

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

The birth of Jesus Christ is the most significant event in the history of mankind, splitting history into BC and AD.  His birth represents a new beginning and hope for our future.  Jesus came to forgive us and free us from our sin.  And in doing so, He made the way for our eternal salvation. 

This year, let us look past the pile of packages, Santa and his sleigh, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman to see the true meaning of Christmas -- celebrating the birth of Jesus.  When we focus on God’s precious gift to all people, His Son Jesus, we can experience heavenly peace, unconditional love, and complete joy without exchanging a single store-bought gift.  Throughout this Christmas season, may we keep our focus on Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  Merry Christmas!

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2: 10-11

Because God is Gracious, He gave us His beloved Son Jesus.

 

Thanksgiving

God is Ever Present

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.  Psalm 69:30

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday – a time for reflection and for spending time with friends and family, a time to give thanks for all the blessings we have in our life. Too often though, the holiday brings busyness, preoccupation with year-end expectations and demands, concerns over family dynamics, anxiety and stress.  We sometimes find ourselves without a moment of peace and look forward to getting back to our usual routine. 

With Thanksgiving now behind us, how about taking this moment to consider all that we are thankful for? Not only little things but the big things as well --we live in a free country, we are the richest nation in the world, we are highly educated…We also have a God who loves us, oh how He loves us!  His grace and mercy are always there for us to receive when we turn to Him.  In fact, each day can be full of thanksgiving as our Heavenly Father pours out His blessings on us, His beloved children.

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 1 Timothy 4:4

Because God is Ever Present, everyday is a day of thanksgiving.

 

Let It All Go

God is Faithful

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Mark 10:21(NIV)

With foreclosure and bankruptcy at unprecedented levels, more of us than we’d like are being told to “let it all go.”  But what would it look like if you consciously made the decision to give up control of everything? To turn over not only what you hold dear, but also your fears, anxiety, anger, and grief….

You may ask “why would I give up what I cling to so tightly” and “how would I begin to let it all go”?….The answer is anchored in “Trust”.  God sent his Son Jesus to pay your debts so that you can live your life to the fullest through a relationship with Him.  You will experience an abundant life full of unconditional love and acceptance, peace, hope, and joy, once you chose to trust in Christ.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  John 10:10(NKJ)

Because God is faithful, we receive God’s blessings in abundance as we trust in Him. 

 

The Greatest Gift

God is All Knowing

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.   Psalm 139: 1-5

God knows us completely – this makes Him omniscience or “all-knowing”.  He knows every word and deed – good and bad – and yet he loves us and invites us into a relationship with Him.  He does not condemn; he does not judge; he accepts us unconditionally.  He guides us through every trial.  He knows and loves us completely.  Isn’t it amazing to know God knows it all – from the biggest issues in our life down to even the smallest of details?  And, that He yearns for us to know Him.

What are you waiting for?  Why not let God come into your life?  Why not accept the greatest gift ever given? - a relationship with God Himself!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

 2 Corinthians 9:15

Because God is all knowing, he gives us the gift to know Him personally.

Out of Control

God is All Powerful

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,   “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

We are taught to be in control -- to take control of our lives and our circumstances.  The recent flooding and torrential rains, the not too long ago drought, and an economy that does not seem to cooperate with our hopes and dreams for an abundant life….  What an eye opener when we understand who really is in control – an all powerful God who has the whole world in His hands!  And with this revelation come hope and a sense of freedom.  We don’t have to fix everything.  We can trust God, who is good and who has a plan for us. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

Because God is all powerful, we can trust that He is in control of all the circumstances in our life.