Work Or Vocation Lesson 5 Series

Yesterday: My work is determined by past decisions.

Tomorrow: My future goals give me energy.

Today counts: I can change the ordinary into the extraordinary.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:23-24).

1. Your life’s work is a choice that determines who you are, what you accomplish and what influences you leave behind.

a. To be all you can become and accomplish.

b. To use all your talents and gifts profitably.

c. To use all your time wisely.

d. To grow and enjoy what you do.

e. To be a success.

2. You will never be a success in your life’s work unless you make a commitment to excellence. You don’t have the power to be successful until you make a life-choice to excel in all things. (You cannot manage what you don’t have).

WRONG DECISIONS ABOUT WORK

? God will give me success if I just pray properly.

? You wait for a job to find you.

? You hate to work.

? You do only what they tell you to do.

? You don’t make your job a reflection of your character.

3. We choose the type of life we have by the way we spend our time.

? Yesterday: Everything you now do and the way you do it is the result of past experiences.

? Tomorrow: what you want to be gives you hope and energy.

? Today counts: your future is what you are making of it now. To improve your life to what you want it to be, change your priorities.

4. You cannot alter time, but you can change priorities. “My times are in thy hand” (Ps. 31:15).

a. Time is money and time is life. Wasted time is wasting your life. “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12).

b. Everyone has 1,440 minutes a day, you cannot get more time, but you can get more from time.

c. Time management is life-management; it has nothing to do with the clock. You cannot save time, you only use it properly.

d. Don’t waste your life doing second and third things first. Live with purpose.

e. “Time is the most valuable coin in your life . . . be careful that you do not let other people spend it for you” –Carl Sandburg

f. If you don’t choose how you will use your time, someone else will.

THREE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR JOB

? What do I have to do?

? What do I want to do?

? What will give me the greatest reward?

5. Apply the Praeto (Vilfredo) Priority. He said 20% of a stores’ inventory produces 80% of its profit.

a. Play to your strengths (do first what you do best).

FINDING YOUR DOMINANT TALENTS/GIFTS

? Trial and error, nothing teaches you like success.

? Ask others your talent.

? Fulfillment, how do you feel about it?

b. Do first in each day what is important.

A STEEL INDUSTRIALISTS KEY TO SUCCESS

? Make a list of your six most crucial jobs.

? Put them in order of importance.

? Work on them in order.

? Without a system you will take too long and you will omit something important.

c. Start now, because today counts!

d. Shun problem people; gravitate to potential people (unless you are in the business of fixing people).

e. Do everything possible until you are 40 years old (to learn), then focus on what you do best (to accomplish).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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