Work Hard and Do Your Best – Ecclesiastes 9:10

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (MSG)
Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! This is your last and only chance at it, for there’s neither work to do nor thoughts to think in the company of the dead, where you’re most certainly headed.
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“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) where you are going.” -AMPLIFIED

“Beginning well is a momentary thing; finishing well is a lifelong thing.”
~Ravi Zacharias

I presume most of us have probably heard the idiom, “Hard work never killed anyone.”. As a child, if you had hard working parents that taught you to be hard working as well you were especially prone to hear it. The mentality behind that saying is part of the Teacher’s lesson today.

“If a task is worthy of our attention, it is worthy of our best.” ~Jack Hyles

“Whatever you find to do, do it well because where you are going—the grave—there will be no working or thinking or knowing or wisdom.” -(VOICE)

Once again I will remind you of what the Teacher has been teaching us about:
His main theme has been the meaningless of life, but his sub-theme has been the wisdom in learning to enjoy life; for it is a gift from God. Keeping that in mind, today he tells us to consider and keep in mind that whatever we do, we should be doing it enthusiastically and heartily. We should be throwing ourselves into the job, doing it well, and doing it with a good attitude looking to learn all that you can; for there will be no opportunity to learn once you are dead. (Note: Keep in mind, he is focused on the meaningless of life; he has become distracted by death, but he still sees the need of working hard and learning all that he can learn.)

“Whatever you do, do well, for in death, where you are going, there is no working or planning, or knowing, or understanding.” -(TLB)

What the Teacher is telling us was taken one step further by the Apostle Paul. Paul wrote to the slaves in the Colossae church:

“Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord. Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve. For he who does wrong will be punished for his wrongdoing, and [with God] there is no partiality [no special treatment based on a person’s position in life].” -Colossians 3:22-25 (AMP)

Before you think that this passage does not apply to you because you are not somebody’s servant, I remind you that Jesus taught His followers to have the mind of a servant. Jesus told them:

“But Jesus called them together and said, “Among the heathen, kings are tyrants and each minor official lords it over those beneath him. But among you it is quite different. Anyone wanting to be a leader among you must be your servant. And if you want to be right at the top, you must serve like a slave. Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” -Matthew 20:25-28 (TLB)

Paul, writing to Timothy, his young apprentice, wrote about the need to work hard, to do one’s best, and to not be ashamed of doing so. Paul told Timothy:

“Timothy, do everything you can to present yourself to God as a man who is fully genuine, a worker unashamed of your mission, a guide capable of leading others along the correct path defined by the word of truth.” -2 Timothy 2:15 (VOICE)

“It is our best work that God wants, not the dregs of our exhaustion. I think he must prefer quality to quantity.” ~George Macdonald

Paul was not asking anyone to do something that he himself was not willing to do, and if fact was already doing. Writing to the Corinthian church he encouraged them to run the race well; and reminded them that he was doing so himself.

“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.” -1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (MSG)

Before you give up before you have even begun I will remind you that we are able to accomplish anything and everything through the strength that the Good Lord gives us:

“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]” -Philippians 4:13 (AMP)

“I endeavour to stir up all professors of religion here present to do whatsoever their hand findeth to do, to do it now, and with all their might. If Christ Jesus should leave the upper world, and come into the midst of this hall this morning, what answer could you give, if, after showing you His wounded hands and feet, and His rent side, He should put this question, “I have done all this for thee, what hast thou done for Me?” Let me put that question for Him, and in His behalf.” ~Charles Spurgeon

My friend, let us be about the Father’s business, working hard and doing our best. Remember, He will strengthen you and equip you for the race. Your job is to run the race well. Let us remember that whatever our hand finds to do, that we should be doing it with all of our might unto the Lord and not unto men.

“Work as if everything depended upon work and pray as if everything depended upon prayer.” ~William Booth

My Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I am humbled and honored to be your servant. I ask that you will strengthen and equip me for the work that you have for me to do today. Please, Lord, give me the mindset of Jesus, who had a servant’s heart. Help me to run the race well; so that you, Lord, will be glorified in all that I do. You must increase, and I must decrease. I love you, Lord.

What Is My Purpose? – Ecclesiastes 2:17-19

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Ecclesiastes 2:17-19 (NIV)
So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 2:17-19 (MSG)
I hate life. As far as I can see, what happens on earth is a bad business. It’s smoke—and spitting into the wind. And I hated everything I’d accomplished and accumulated on this earth. I can’t take it with me—no, I have to leave it to whoever comes after me. Whether they’re worthy or worthless—and who’s to tell?—they’ll take over the earthly results of my intense thinking and hard work. Smoke.
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“So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun caused me only great sorrow; because all is futility and chasing after the wind. So I hated all the fruit (gain) of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will succeed me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity (futility, self-conceit).” -AMPLIFIED

“If our identity is in our work, rather than Christ, success will go to our heads, and failure will go to our hearts.” ~Timothy Keller

Work, for some people, is the be all and the end all. It is who they are and it gives meaning to their life. In today’s lesson we find the Teacher actually telling us that our jobs do not define who we are, nor do they give our lives meaning.

“So I began to hate life itself because all that is done under the sun is so harsh and difficult. Life—everything about it—is fleeting; it’s like trying to pursue the wind. So I began to hate all the hard work I had done under the sun because I would eventually have to leave it all to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether my heir will be wise or foolish? Still he will inherit all the things for which I worked so hard here under the sun, the things for which I became wise. This, too, is fleeting like trying to catch hold of a breath.” -(VOICE)

Once again we find the Teacher sharing with us his struggle over the meaning of life. In his journey towards enlightenment and the meaning of life he began to have a very pessimistic attitude toward life in general and toward the work he had to accomplish. He tells us that he basically hated life. Life, seemed meaningless; and everything that he was working toward, or for, appeared to be pointless. His reasoning behind this conclusion was because all of his hard work would not benefit him, but the person/persons who would take over after he had died. Who knew what type of person THEY would be, wise man or fool. It could very well be that all the Teacher’s hard work, in the end, would be for naught. This thought made the Teacher very discouraged and upset.

“So now I hate life because it is all so irrational; all is foolishness, chasing the wind. And I am disgusted about this—that I must leave the fruits of all my hard work to others. And who can tell whether my son will be a wise man or a fool? And yet all I have will be given to him—how discouraging!” -(TLB)

What is the point of life anyhow? Is there a reason and purpose for why we are here? Or is this life meaningless, as the Teacher had originally thought? Actually Scripture has much to say about our purpose and our reason for being. Let’s take a look.

1.) The main reason that God created us was to bring Him glory, honor and praise.

“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.” -Revelation 4:11 (AMP)

2.) We were also created in order to have fellowship with God. Take notice, this fellowship should bring us joy.

“What we saw and heard we pass on to you so that you, too, will be connected with us intimately and become family. Our family is united by our connection with the Father and His Son Jesus, the Anointed One; and we write all this because retelling this story fulfills our joy.” -1 John 1:3-4 (VOICE)

3.) We need to remember that God had a purpose and plan for each of our lives.

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” -Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)

4.) Remember that God works through every life and every situation to fulfill His purposes; which may not necessarily be our own.

“We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.” -Romans 8:28 (VOICE)

5.) Finally, trust God; no matter what happens. He has your best interest at heart.

“If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” -Proverbs 3:4-6 (TLB)

“The Bible says that our real problem is that every one of us is building our identity on something besides Jesus.” ~Timothy Keller

My friend, your identity and purpose cannot be found in your work, but only in God. Stop looking to your job for meaning and start digging into the Word to find out who you are in the scheme of things.

“You cannot live your life other than walking in the truth. Your means are as important as your ends.” ~Chuck Coleson

My Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I am understanding more every day that my whole purpose and identity is found only in you. Help me to remember this truth and not go searching for identity in my job, things or others. Lord, I know that you have a plan for my life, and I pray that I will be obedient to that plan. Help me to bring glory and honor and praise to you in the way I live. Help me always to keep the lines of fellowship open between us. I need you, Lord and I know I need to trust that you will work all things out for my good and your glory.

The Vicious Cycle of Life Without God -Ecclesiastes 1:3-7

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Ecclesiastes 1:3-7 (NIV)
What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.

Ecclesiastes 1:3-7 (MSG)
What’s there to show for a lifetime of work, a lifetime of working your fingers to the bone? One generation goes its way, the next one arrives, but nothing changes—it’s business as usual for old planet earth. The sun comes up and the sun goes down, then does it again, and again—the same old round. The wind blows south, the wind blows north. Around and around and around it blows, blowing this way, then that—the whirling, erratic wind. All the rivers flow into the sea, but the sea never fills up. The rivers keep flowing to the same old place, and then start all over and do it again.
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“What advantage does man have from all his work which he does under the sun (while earthbound)? One generation goes and another generation comes, but the earth remains forever. Also, the sun rises and the sun sets; and hurries to the place where it rises again. The wind blows toward the south, then circles toward the north; the wind circles and swirls endlessly, and on its circular course the wind returns. All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again.” -AMPLIFIED

“Ecclesiastes expresses the view of the natural man whose interests are focused on vanishing pleasures and empty satisfactions. The natural man is not aware that all the answers to life are found in God. The natural man grovels in the earth and seeks and finds that which is futile and temporary while the spiritual man soars on wings of eagles (Is 40:31) and seeks and finds righteousness and God’s incomparable and everlasting blessings and companionship.” ~AMPLIFIED footnote

The Teacher takes the time now to elaborate on his theme of the fact that mankind’s life appears to be without purpose and or benefit. He implies that life is just a vicious circle. He in fact implies that life is quite pointless and meaningless. As we progress through this book we will learn that without God as an intricate part of our life it is indeed meaningless.

“Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil – it has no point.”
~Billy Graham

“What good does it do anyone to work so hard again and again, sun up to sundown? All his labor to gain but a little? One generation comes, another goes; but the earth continues to remain. The sun rises and the sun sets, laboring to come up quickly to its place again and again. The wind in its travels blows toward the south, then swings back around to the north. Back and forth, returning in its circuit again and again. All rivers flow to the sea, but the sea is never full. To the place where the rivers flow, there the water returns to flow once again.” -(VOICE)

The Teacher conveys to us in this passage that all of our work, our toiling, is pointless. Why you may ask? Because our world is a constant repetitive cycle. Things happen in a constant revolution of circle. The sun comes up and the sun goes down. People are born, live and die, come and go, and yet the earth continues on. The wind blows back and forth, but no one knows where it actually goes. Water flows from river to sea, but neither ever seem to fill up; for the water evaporates back into the sky to fall as rain and the cycle starts all over again.

“For what does a man get for all his hard work? Generations come and go, but it makes no difference. The sun rises and sets and hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south and north, here and there, twisting back and forth, getting nowhere.* The rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full, and the water returns again to the rivers and flows again to the sea…” (TLB)

The Teacher, at this point, is focused on the hopelessness of life. In fact, as we dig further into this book we will find the Teacher use the expression “under the sun” 29 more times. His point being that man labors under the hot, burning sun for no reason. Take note of what he tells us:

“Then I considered all which my hands had done and labored to do, and behold, all was vanity and chasing after the wind and there was no profit (nothing of lasting value) under the sun.” -Ecclesiastes 2:11 (AMP)

“What exactly do people get out of all their work and all the stresses they put themselves through here under the sun?” -Ecclesiastes 2:22 (VOICE)

“When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to see the activities [of mankind] that take place upon the earth—how some men seem to sleep neither day nor night—and I saw all the work of God, I concluded that man cannot discover the work that is done under the sun. Even though man may labor in seeking, he will not discover; and [more than that], though a wise man thinks and claims he knows, he will not be able to find it out.” -Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 (AMP)

The Teacher is sharing with us all of his contemplation and soul-searching. He leaves nothing out; for his desire is that we learn from his own experiences.

Jesus cautioned His followers with these words:

“For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world [with all its pleasures], and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul and eternal life [in God’s kingdom]? For whoever is ashamed [here and now] of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” -Mark 8:36-38 (AMP)

“Without God there is for mankind no purpose, no goal, no hope, only a wavering future, an eternal dread of every darkness.” ~Jean Paul

My friend, life is fleeting and at times may seem pointless to us. Without God it is indeed hopeless. We were created for a purpose; to have fellowship with and relationship with the Creator of the Universe. When we willingly choose to leave God out of the equation we are lost; our life becomes pointless. The Teacher will eventually bring forth this lesson learned.

“Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.” ~Rick Warren

My Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I am lost without you. I do not want to be caught up in the pointlessness or hopelessness of life. I realize it is you, Lord that gives life meaning. You give hope and purpose to living. Help me to keep my relationship with you current and meaningful. Help me to make my relationship with you top priority. Lord, without you I am nothing.

The Wife of Noble Character: Part 2 -Proverbs 31:13-15

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Proverbs 31:13-15 (NIV)
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.

Proverbs 31:13-15 (MSG)
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.
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“She looks for wool and flax and works with willing hands in delight. She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure]; she brings her [household’s] food from far away. She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and assigns tasks to her maids.” -AMPLIFIED

“I believe in the me God made and in the me God can make. I believe he made me on purpose and didn’t make any mistakes when it came to my creation. I believe he is doing a good work in me, and in you. And that though I am flawed, God is loving me and refining me and reminding me that God in me is where I can place my trust. And that is the place where I find my courage.” ~Annie F. Downs

We continue to delve into Lemuel’s wisdom of the character of a noble woman. We will find in today’s verses that this woman was skilled, industrious, enterprising and hard-working.

“Delight attends her work and guides her fingers as she selects the finest wool and flax for spinning. She moves through the market like merchant ships that dock here and there in distant ports, finally arriving home with food she’s carried from afar. She rises from bed early, in the still of night, carefully preparing food for her family and providing a portion to her servants.” -(VOICE)

Lemuel immediately points out to us that the noble woman delights in her work. She enjoys it and takes pleasure in it; which indicates that she was going about her business with the right attitude.

This noble woman was skilled with her hands, working with wool and flax. This means that at some point in her life she had to sit and learn from another. She diligently studied her and accepted help; becoming proficient and accomplished in her practice. This takes patience and perseverance.

This noble woman learned also to be enterprising in her shopping and trading. She would go to the marketplace and look for the best deals; bringing home delicacies from afar. If we look further along in this passage we will note this attribute referred to again:

“She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.” -(NIV)

Finally, in today’s passage we see that the noble woman is hard-working, diligent in her duties and never a waste-er of time. She is up before dawn cooking breakfast for her family and paying out the plans for those who work for her. She would never be considered a sluggard.

“She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She buys imported foods brought by ship from distant ports. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plans the day’s work for her servant girls.” -(TLB)

This noble woman is the epitome of Lady Wisdom; whom Solomon taught us about.
Wisdom is responsible, compassionate, generous, and caring. She is attentive to detail and a woman of integrity. She is cooperative and has a positive attitude. She is understanding and respectful. And the list goes on and on.

We all know that life at times our lives are stressful, trying and seemingly unfair, but that does not give us leave to quit doing our best. God wants us to press on; keep working for His glory. Paul told us:

“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” -Galatians 6:9-10 (MSG)

“Don’t quit, and don’t give up. The reward is just around the corner. And in times of doubt or times of joy, listen for that still, small voice. Know that God has been there from the beginning-and he will be there until . . . The End.” ~Joanna Gaines

My friend, God has a purpose and a plan for each and every woman. He has called them to be women of godly wisdom; working toward furthering His Kingdom. He is even interested in how you handle the small things in this life. Never let anyone look down on you for caring for your family.  That family is the gift that God has given you and they are your responsibility. Go about caring for them to the best of your ability.

“There will never be another woman who owns the look, the personality, and the experience that you do. Those ingredients make up the recipe that defines who you are, and it’s your gift from the Lord – own it.” Candace Cameron

My Prayer:
Lord, pour your blessings out upon the godly woman in my life. Those who have chosen to do things your way. Those who have touched others’ lives in a positive manner in order to further your Kingdom. Help me to encourage those women and remind them that their lives are a living testament to the goodness of You, Lord. Remind me to pray for those women and also to encourage them when life becomes stressful. Lord, be glorified in our homes, our families and our lives.

No Excuses for Being Lazy-Proverbs 26:13

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Proverbs 26:13 (NIV)
A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”

Proverbs 26:13 (MSG)
Loafers say, “It’s dangerous out there! Tigers are prowling the streets!” and then pull the covers back over their heads.
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“The lazy person [who is self-indulgent and relies on lame excuses] says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square [and if I go outside to work I will be killed]!” -AMPLIFIED

“Laziness may appear attractive but work gives satisfaction.” ~Anne Frank

We now find the proverbs shifting in their theme over the next few verses. Instead of the fool, the focus is now the sluggard or lazy person.

This proverb is almost identical to the one found in Proverbs 22:13. There we find Solomon telling us:

“The lazy man is full of excuses. “I can’t go to work!” he says. “If I go outside, I might meet a lion in the street and be killed!”” -(TLB)

“Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.” ~George Washington Carver

“A lazy person says, “There’s a lion in the road! A lion in the streets! Another good reason to stay in today.” -(VOICE)

Solomon tells us in this proverb that the lazy person will give any excuse plausible to get out of work and hunker down under the blankets for a little more sleep. He can even be known to make up impossible scenarios or excuses to get out of work.

“The slothful man hates everything that requires care and labor. But it is foolish to frighten ourselves from real duties by fancied difficulties.” ~Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible

“The lazy man won’t go out and work. “There might be a lion outside!” he says.” -(TLB)

Laziness can, in fact, become the norm for people, if allowed to go unchecked. Mind you, there is nothing wrong with taking a much deserved rest. But making excuses to get out of work is plain and simple, wrong.

Solomon actually used the lowly ant as a teaching tool for the lazy person. He shared these observations about the ant:

“You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before you get out of bed? A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next? Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, poverty your permanent houseguest!” -Proverbs 6:6-11 (MSG)

Learn a lesson from the ant! Solomon tell us in Proverbs 30:24-25 that though they are small they are truly wise.

Elsewhere in the Proverbs we find Solomon telling us that the lazy will soon become poor and the sluggard brings shame to his family.

“A slack hand produces nothing but poverty, but an industrious hand soon takes hold of riches. A wise son stores up for the winter months while it is still summer, but a shameful son lies around even during the harvest.” -Proverbs 10:4-5 (VOICE)

There is a tendency for those who have made the choice to lay around and do nothing to end up in a whole lot of trouble. This is because we were are wired to be productive. When we sit idle our minds tend to be open to temptation and suggestions of mischief. Consider this proverb from Solomon:

“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.” -Proverbs 16:27 (TLB)

Peter, one of Jesus’ close friends warned us in his first letter of being on our guard, prepared, because our Enemy is out there looking for his next victim. Do NOT let it be you.

“Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.” -1 Peter 5:8 (AMP)

Jesus encouraged His followers to work while they could.

“All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, for there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end.” -John 9:4 (TLB)

The Apostle Paul spoke to the Thessalonian church about NOT falling into a spirit of laziness. He had some sharp words of reproof for those who felt that they need not work.

“Now here is a command, dear brothers, given in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ by his authority: Stay away from any Christian who spends his days in laziness and does not follow the ideal of hard work we set up for you. For you well know that you ought to follow our example: you never saw us loafing; we never accepted food from anyone without buying it; we worked hard day and night for the money we needed to live on, in order that we would not be a burden to any of you. It wasn’t that we didn’t have the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to show you firsthand how you should work for your living. Even while we were still there with you, we gave you this rule: “He who does not work shall not eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are living in laziness, refusing to work, and wasting your time in gossiping. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we appeal to such people—we command them—to quiet down, get to work, and earn their own living.”                                -2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 (TLB)

“Many say they can’t get God’s guidance, when they really mean they wish He would show them an easier way.” ~Winkie Pratney

My friend, do not let laziness become your lifestyle. Work while you can. No excuses! God will reward you for your faithfulness.

“For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as we did when we first became Christians, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.”
-Hebrews 3:14 (TLB)

“This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and doing your own work, just as we told you before.”
~Paul (1 Thessalonians 4:11 TLB)

My Prayer:
Father God, help me not to fall into that spirit of laziness. My desire is to be working diligently until you call me home. There have been times when I have had the wrong attitude. I have made excuses. I figured someone else could do the job. I sat back and did nothing. Forgive me, Lord. Help me to remember to keep on keeping on; doing the work that you have prepared for me to do before the foundations of the Earth.