Illustration:
And the record for the world’s shortest job is…
“I got hired for a corporate job. I had my first day and it seemed to be going well and then I, and the rest of my department, got called in for a surprise meeting.
Turns out we were all getting laid off.
Yep. I got laid off on my first day. That HAS to be a new record, right?“
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Let's talk a little about life. Life is hard.
-We stumble and we get up.
-We heal then we move on with the Lord at our side.
Most of us have scars from living. Some are deep and hard to get over and some aren't very deep.
Most people have some sort of scars
• Every scar is a memory, revealing an unfortunate accident, a random act of stupidity, or some kind of injustice. Maybe you were trying to imitate Evil Knievel on plywood ramp,
• Maybe you had a brother and a neighbor like I had who threw rocks at vultures thinking they could hit them but instead the rock hit right on top of their head. That explains his scars in life.
• Maybe there are scars that are less visible and yet run much deeper, the result of a deep wounded-ness of the soul. Scars remind us that life isn’t fair and can be painful. Every time we look at a scar or feel it, we remember a story. Scars come from all things in life.
Monday is Labor Day.
--For some its a day off and for others its a long day with hopefully time and a half.
--For most of us, now or at one time,
--we spend more time at work than we do or did with our families at home.
Today I want to use God’s Word to talk about our Work life and our other life away from work.
--Maybe it will deal with our future.
--Our plans that succeeds and
--our plans that are so hard we want to give up.
--Maybe even failures we have had in life.
1. Let's remember that what we do for work or plan for work should fit us. If we know IT specialists make a lot of money and the work is in a controlled atmosphere that means two good things. But what will make us happy. Maybe a heavy equipment repair person. Their training isn’t a two week course. And it will be outside work. Some people prefer outside work.
--And it's possible that both can make about the same amount of money.
--So many people get stuck in jobs they hate.
--No matter what you do, you are using the gifts that the Lord gave you.
Colossians 3:23-24
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
2. Here’s something for those of us that have or had jobs we just didn't like or maybe hate.
Philippians 2:14-15
"Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."
3. In life we are challenged in so many ways.
-*-At work and at home and with friends.
--Sometimes we feel like we lost something that we should have had.
--We didn't get it because the boss had favorites or at home someone got something you wanted so bad.
--Our friends can be a real challenge at times.
--The things they do or say and the things they don't do can cause us pain. But remember: Do not give up! Perseverance is key.
Galatians 6:9
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
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I want to run through some Scripture that could be about work and or about life.
Here we go. Listen up and hold on:
Isaiah 55:9
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
--We will never understand God completely but we can understand ourselves within the relationship we have with God. He wants us happy so let's help him out as much as we can in every endeavor we are challenged to accomplish.
Proverbs 14:23
"In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty."
--Move on, start doing and get with it.
Proverbs 6:6-8
Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
--Be a self started. It’s OK to ask advice but you take the bull by the horns and get going.
Proverbs 24:27
Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.
--Have a plan. It's that simple.
Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:3
"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."
--We make plans and get started on them. But the Lord gives us the reward.
1 Corinthians 10:31
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
--People will judge God by the way we are and live.
BUT MOST OF ALL REMEMBER:
Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
