B2B Concert of Prayer – Precious, Honored, & Loved #696

Posted on June 20, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 696

“Precious, Honored, and Loved”

Isaiah 43:3 (ESV) For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior … you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…

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These are the words of God to you and to me. Read them again, slowly, and contemplate their meaning to you.

He is LORD. ‘LORD’ is Jehovah, the existing one. He is beyond time and has always been and always will be. He is the creator of all things and you are precious to Him.

The word ‘precious’ in the original text means to be appraised as valuable and costly. It carries with it the idea of being weighty. Even in our limited understanding we know that when comparing two similar items, the weightier one, the one that is more solid and that has more heft to it is considered the more valuable. We apply this appraisal technique when selecting items from gold jewelry to fruit and vegetables as well as jelly-filled doughnuts. Our salvation came at a heavy price – It cost Jesus His life – It cost God His only Son. We are truly His precious children.

He is your God. He is the only one, true God and He is your God and my God. All the other ‘gods’ of this world are false, empty, lifeless, and powerless creations of man. Only the LORD, Jehovah is the living God and He who is worthy and deserving of all honor and praise chooses to honor us.

It boggles the mind to consider that we are honored in the eyes of God. The word ‘honored’ in the original text also carries with it the idea of being heavy. However this heaviness indicates having the substantive ability to bear up and endure adversity. We are honored in the sight of God because He sees the life of His Son, Jesus in us. He sees the power and strength of His Holy Spirit dwelling in us and upon us.

I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength— Isaiah 49:5

He is your Savior. He is the one who saves us from our sin and its penalty. There is no other way to salvation and eternal life with Him except through Jesus Christ, His Son. God says that He loves us and He demonstrated that love on the cross.

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

God’s Word is truth. Why then do we live in fear and anxiety? Why are we depressed and feel unloved? Why do we worry and fret about the things of this world? Why do we feel powerless in the face of adversity? Why do we feel that there is no hope beyond life in this world? These feelings and emotions are distractions of the devil. He seeks to take your eyes off of God and place them on the false gods of his creation. He wants to drag you down and destroy you.

When these feelings and emotions rise up in you, turn to God and to the truth of His Word and receive His power and strength and rest in the knowledge that you are precious, honored, and loved by Him.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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B2B Concert of Prayer – I Don’t Know How #695

Posted on June 13, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 695

“I Don’t Know How”

Genesis 15:8 (ESV) But he said, “O Lord GOD, how am I to know…

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Have you ever been faced with a seemingly impossible objective to accomplish? There are countless logistical puzzle pieces that must all fall into place as the deadline looms and you wonder how it can possibly be done.

In our reference Scripture, Abraham did not know how he was going to possess the land that the Lord had told him to possess. In this situation, God’s answer to Abraham’s question was simply to make a covenant with him.

On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram … – Genesis 15:18

Throughout history, men and women of God have been faced with seemingly impossible situations that they did not know how to accomplish apart from God.

Moses declared: ‘How then shall Pharaoh listen to me …’ – Exodus 6:12

Gideon asked: ‘Please, Lord, how can I save Israel?’ – Judges 6:15

Mary needed to know: ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’ – Luke 1:34

Noah constructed an ark not knowing how it would be used. Abraham ventured from his father’s land in obedience to the call of God not knowing where he was going. Joshua and the people of Israel obediently followed God’s instructions for marching around Jericho not knowing how this process would accomplish anything beyond being ridiculed.

What path has God called you to follow that appears to be a logistical impossibility to do? How can I get out of debt in this economy of unemployment and underemployment in order to answer your call, Lord? How can I sell my house as quickly as is necessary in these depressed economic times? How can we live on one income in order to home school children or provide full-time care for elderly parents? How can I find a job with a sufficient wage at my age in this economy?

To all of these questions, God would answer: “Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10 God’s covenant with Abraham was sufficient explanation of ‘how’ the impossible would be done. We also have a covenant with God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary through which we can declare: ‘ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.’ – Phil 4:13

Joshua was called to lead the nation of Israel into the Promised Land across the Jordan River which was flowing at flood stage. God showed them how it was to be done only after the priests carrying the ark of God obediently stepped into the water. It is acceptable for us to ask God ‘How?’ Be prepared that His answer may only be a reminder of who He is and of His covenant. Seek His abiding presence always and step out onto the path in obedience to His call. He will level the path or part the waters before you. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and He will take care of the ‘how’ in your life.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Transition Zone #694

Posted on June 6, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER
Pray Week 694
“Transition Zone”

Psalm 23:1-6 (NCV) The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water. He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of his name. Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because you are with me. Your rod and your walking stick comfort me. You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies. You pour oil on my head; you fill my cup to overflowing. Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.
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Life is full of high and low experiences. Sometimes we long for some sense of stability – neither high nor low- just predictable sameness. Yet it seems that when we do have an extended period of stability we find ourselves without peace and worrying about when the ‘other shoe will drop’ and the roller coaster ride to begin again. Many of us expect our lives as Christian believers to be a continual, joyous mountaintop experience. We become disillusioned when we or someone we care about goes through a difficult and protracted valley experience. Jesus was very clear that our Christian walk was not going to be without difficulty.

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:32

Our life on earth is like a transition zone. Through Jesus Christ we have eternal life with the Father and He has a purpose to fulfill in us and through us during our time on earth. As we follow Jesus, our Good Shepherd makes sure we have everything we need. God does not guarantee that we will have everything that our flesh desires and wants. This is the battle that ensues in the transition zone – the war between our flesh and our spirit. One wants all the pleasures of this world and the other desires to follow Christ. The war is won by the one that is fed the most. Do you feed the flesh its every worldly desire or do you deny the flesh and feed your spirit the Word of God? Far too many of us perpetuate the battle through a compromised lifestyle where we feed a little to both.

“…No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” – Luke 16:13

The Lord leads you to times of stability and rest in green pastures and calm water. This is a time of spiritual strengthening and physical rest.

Jesus leads us on right paths. These paths can be difficult and trying. It is on these paths that our faith is deepened and our trust in Him is strengthened. It is on these paths that we learn to rely completely on Him and to seek first what is most important – i.e.: His kingdom and His righteousness. It is on these paths that our life work brings Him glory.

Dark valley experiences are part of our transition zone. Sheep are notoriously skittish and easily frightened animals yet they are comforted by the presence of their Shepherd. We too need to remain close to Jesus, our Good Shepherd so that we can be comforted by His voice and encouraged by His presence and power.

We are all in transition zones – some in places of rest, others on difficult paths and dark valleys. We are all led by the same Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Fix your eyes on Him. Keep your ears attuned to His voice and be ready to obey and follow as He leads and you will enjoy His goodness and mercy. Be encouraged by an eternal perspective with the knowledge that you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Strengthened Hands #693

Posted on May 30, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 693

“Strengthened Hands”

NEH 6:9 (ESV) For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.

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Have you ever given thought to the marvelous wonder of God’s creation our hands are? Indeed, we ourselves are referred to as the ‘work of God’s hands.’ References to ‘hands’ occur over 400 times in the Bible being involved in everything from evil and idol worship to blessing and praising God.

With our upraised hands we give praise to God. Sometimes life circumstances dampen our desire to praise God. We begin to question His love and whether or not He answers prayer. We feel the tendency to withdraw from His church community of believers and find our own way apart from Him. The battle was being lost when Moses’ arms grew tired and he could no longer keep them upraised. Through Aaron and Hur coming alongside and holding up his arms the battle turned and was ultimately won by the Israelites. When you feel you cannot hold upraised hands in praise to God is precisely the time you need to draw nearer to Him and to your family in His church. It is in His presence that your hands will be strengthened to get through your difficult circumstances.

…But now, O God, strengthen my hands…to praise you

With our hands we care for the elderly and the young alike. Millions of us in the coming years will have gone from raising children to finding ourselves as caregivers once again for our elderly parents. The financial and emotional strain takes a heavy toll and we need the grace and power of God’s presence to persevere through in fulfilling this ministry.

…But now, O God, strengthen my hands…to care for those in need to your glory.

With our hands we wage war, and bandage the injured. The fight for freedom persists throughout the world. The fight against those who intend to do us harm seems never ending and will continue until the Lord returns for His church.

…But now, O God, strengthen my hands…for battle.

With our hands we perform our daily work, and receive our wages. With these same hands we open them up to bring our tithes and offerings and to give to those in need. It is easy to fall into the trap of gripping the material of this world too tightly. Our trust becomes misplaced and the work and fruit of our hands can become an idol. Pray for the integrity of a heart after God that your hands can not only receive but also hold loosely to the temporal things of this world.

…But now, O God, strengthen my hands…to be a faithful steward of your provision.

With our hands we cast our ballots in the exercise of democracy and freedom. These same hands sign petitions in support of religious freedom and the rights of the oppressed and persecuted. Our hands are a tool under the direction of our heart. We need the integrity of hearts that seek after God for our hands to be tools guided by His Holy Spirit. Our hands must never tire or rest from the work they are called to do in the Lord’s kingdom.

…But now, O God, strengthen my hands…to lift your banner high in this nation.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Scattered #692

Posted on May 23, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 692

“Scattered”

Acts 8:4 (ESV) Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.

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Have you ever planted a fruit bearing plant into a pot yet failed to transplant it into a larger pot as it outgrew the first? Such a root-bound plant will be unable to grow to the maturity level it needs in order to bear the fruit for which it was intended.

Likewise, many of us become root-bound and too comfortable in our life circumstances so much so that we become ineffective in fulfilling our intended purpose in life. While setting down roots can be a good thing and a sign of stability, there can come a time or season in our life where our desire to preserve and maintain our lifestyle circumstances hinders our continued spiritual growth rendering us less effective in bearing fruit for the kingdom of God.

Throughout history, God has uprooted people by His call on their life to fulfill His divine purpose and plan.

Gen 12:-1-4 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you … So Abram went, as the Lord had told him…

Sometimes, God allowed adversity, persecution and trials to be the catalyst that got people moving. We see how the persecution of the early church was such a catalyst that scattered believers throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria where they preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Had they not been scattered, the Gospel would not have spread to these regions in the time that God intended it to be.

Seeds have to be scattered in order to have an abundant harvest.

Are you encountering trials and difficult circumstances in your life that appear to be an uprooting force that you are resisting? Consider the possibility that these trials are a catalyst allowed by God to prepare you to answer His call upon your life. We have all uprooted our families to answer the call of a job promotion or a new job opportunity. Some of us have uprooted to answer the call of duty in service to our country. Why then do we think it so strange that God would also call us to a new duty station?

Eccl 3:1-2 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

God may have planted you for a season where you are now and you have grown where you were planted. Perhaps now God knows that you need a ‘larger pot’ in order to grow into the full spiritual maturity He needs for you to bear fruit for His kingdom. Therefore, He is engineering circumstances such that your inertia, that is your tendency to remain where you are, is overcome and you can begin to move in accordance with His direction and guidance.

Prayerfully seek discernment from the Holy Spirit such that you can recognize God’s scattering force in the midst of your trials. Wherever God plants you, take root, grow, and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the example of your life of obedience and service to Him.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Bad Mouth #691

Posted on May 16, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 691

“Bad Mouth”

Nehemiah 4:1-3 (ESV) Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!”
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The terms: smack talk, trash talk, bad-mouthing, all mean pretty much the same thing. It is a testimony about our society when you can find ‘A Beginner’s Guide to Smack Talk’ published on the internet. Rude, crude and obscene is described as one of the easiest and most common styles because ‘…you’ve probably been doing it since 3rd grade’. While it is a seemingly innocent thing to play around ‘talking smack’ in real or fantasy sports leagues, it is totally another matter when this practice becomes a habit that carries over into family, business, and social relationships. The fact of the matter is that bad mouthing accomplishes exactly what it is intended to do: destroy the confidence and self-esteem of another. God’s Word is clear: Our speech is to build up and not tear down. Note the negative impact potential of bad-mouthing:

Family and Marriage Relationships: In far too many marriages there exists competition between spouses for superiority. One trash talks the other in order to make themselves appear greater or better in the eyes of their friends, acquaintances, and sadly, even in front of their children. This type of verbal abuse is like a cancer that eats away and destroys the fabric that holds family and marriage relationships together. Our homes need to be a safe place where the Spirit of the Lord is present and His peace provides rest from the evil of the world. Husbands and Dads: It is your responsibility to take a leadership role in the sanctification of your homes through your example of prayer and obedience to the Word of God.

Col 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt…

Work and Social Relationships: Sales are lost when the competition is trash talked rather than selling your product or service on its own value and merit. Conflict on the job or in your neighborhood ensues when what you said about so-and-so gets back to them, embellished and underscored by gossip. Note in our reference Scripture how Sanballat made sure to talk smack in front of many others. Note also how Tobiah picked up on it and chimed in his own bad mouthing. This snow-balling effect creates a ‘hostile environment’ where the thought of returning to the workplace can literally make some people who have been the target of verbal abuse physically ill. Jobs are justifiably lost by those who initiate and perpetuate trash talk in the work place. Sadly, jobs are also lost by those who simply can no longer tolerate working in a hostile environment.

Eccl 10:20 Even in your thought, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.

Jesus exhorts us as recorded in Matt 5:33 to ‘Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.’ May the Holy Spirit make you aware of the effect of your words before they are spoken. May you be obedient to the ‘check’ of the Holy Spirit. May all your words ‘reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching’ spoken in the love of Jesus Christ.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Let Us Go From Here #690

Posted on May 9, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 690

“Let Us Go From Here”

John 14:31 (ESV)… Rise, let us go from here.
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Have you ever been so distraught that someone close to you had to exhort you to ‘pull yourself together’? Perhaps circumstances have fractured your world as you had planned and dreamed it to be. Maybe your career, fame, health, or fortune has come crashing down like a house of cards. Perhaps you have lost someone that you loved very much. Regardless of the trigger event, you are left empty and unsure if you can go on. You feel overwhelmed by your present circumstances and in spite of all your past organizational skills and abilities you struggle to muster the will and remain at a loss as to how to even begin to ‘pull yourself together’.

What would Jesus say to you?

RISE. The original Greek word used here stems from a root word that conveys the idea of collecting one’s faculties. Jesus is issuing a present, imperative tense command: ‘Pull yourself together’. Note that this word means to arouse or cause to rise. The exhortation of the world leaves you to fend for yourself. The command of Jesus comes with divine power. Jesus does not command us to get ourselves together without empowering us by His Holy Spirit to do so.

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life…

LET US GO: Jesus will not command you to pull yourself together without a reason and purpose for you to fulfill. Regardless of how fractured and useless you feel at the moment, you never ceased to be loved and valued by God as His child. You have a purpose in His Kingdom. This primary verb is of the subjunctive tense which conveys the mood of possibility and potentiality.

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Note also the ‘us’ in the translation phrase. Jesus is taking the lead. He not only empowers you with His strength to pull yourself together, He will then lead you into new possibilities and new potential as you rise up and follow Him.

Psalm 31:3 For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;

FROM HERE: Where is ‘here’ for you? Do you define your current reality by your past hurts and disappointments? Will you forever remain victimized by your past? It is time to ‘cross the Jordan’ and
go to the other side. It is time to move on from here; however it is defined for you. It is time to leave addictive and destructive behavior patterns behind. It is time to leave the baggage and chains of past hurts and failures behind.

Jesus is commanding you to ‘Rise!’ in His power and strength. You only need to reach out to Him in obedience. He will give you the ability to pull yourself together. Now follow Him away from the ‘here and now of despair’ and go where He leads you into a renewed purpose and hope.

Rom 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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B2B Concert of Prayer – He Stayed Two Days #689

Posted on May 2, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 689

“He Stayed Two Days”

John 11:5 (ESV) Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

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Because Jesus loves – He stayed two days longer.

It must have been difficult for Jesus to allow Lazarus to die from his illness. He could have healed Lazarus with merely a thought or a spoken word. He did not have to travel to where Lazarus was to do so. Difficult or not, Jesus was obedient to His Father’s will. Jesus spoke the following relative to Lazarus’ illness:

“It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” – John 11:4

Are you going through difficult and challenging circumstances? Have you cried out to the Lord to come and rescue you and it seems that He is not showing up any time soon? Don’t give up. Remain steadfast in your faith and trust in God. His seeming delay is for your good and for His glory just as it was for Lazarus, Martha, and Mary as well as all those who witnessed Lazarus’ resurrection from the dead.

Because He loves – He traveled to Judea again.

“Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” – John 11:8

Jesus will go boldly into danger to rescue you. He went to the cross so that you may have eternal life with the Father through Him. Your present troubles and difficulties are only for a season. Seek Him and His righteousness first – His help is on the way.

Because He loves – Jesus wept.

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled … Jesus wept. – John 11:33-35

God may seem distant right now as your difficulties persist. But know this: He is an ever present help and He has always been actively working on your behalf for your best and for His glory. He is a compassionate God and is deeply moved by your heaviness of heart.

Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. – Romans 8:34

Because He loves – You may have to wait and endure for a season.

May you remain courageous and steadfast in your faith as you wait upon God’s deliverance and provision for you. May you find peace and refuge in His abiding presence even as the storms of life rage around about you.

I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge … – Psalm 18:1-2

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Press In #688

Posted on April 25, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 688

“Press In”

Mark 5:21-34 (ESV) … And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” …
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A word we do not often hear or use is ‘hypocenter’. With respect to earthquake activity we commonly refer to the epicenter of the quake whereas the hypocenter is the actual focal point from which the energy was first released. The hypocenter focal point is below the epicenter on the surface. Another term for hypocenter is ‘ground zero’ which is used to refer to the center of energy release from an atomic explosion.

If you take a bird’s eye view of the scene recorded by Mark in our reference Scripture, you see Jesus at the hypocenter of activity. Almost in concentric circles we see His disciples immediately surrounding Him. Surrounding His disciples is layer upon layer of people – the crowd that thronged and jostled and pushed as they walked along. Note the following characteristics of the circles of relationship to Jesus:

Disciples – Closest to Jesus. Acted to protect Him from the crowd and from being bothered by little children. They were curiously committed to their perception of His cause. They had religion. When Jesus was taken to be crucified they scattered. They went from fellowship to falling away because of fear of the authorities. Are you a ‘card carrying’ church member? Are you active in various ministry efforts in your church? These are all well and good but ask yourself if your relationship is with a church and its causes or with Jesus Christ? Is your faith only a religious veneer that is easily damaged by the abrasion of life?

Crowd – Some close and some at the distant fringes of the throng. Many were there to see signs and wonders. Still others were there because they were seeking to fill a void in their hearts that they could not quite explain but they dared not get too close. Many of these went from singing ‘Hosanna’ upon Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to crying out ‘Crucify Him’ and ‘Give us Barabbas’. Are you in a church fringe circle? Are you a church ‘skimmer’ – attending several, yet remaining on the fringes reluctant to make a commitment and plug in solidly to the Body of Christ?

Make note in our reference scripture of all the people who followed and touched Jesus, only one person was changed by that touch. This was the one person of whom Jesus asked ‘Who touched Me?’ all the while He was being virtually mauled by the crowd. Jesus recognized the woman’s touch because it was a faith touch.

Recognize that it is possible to be in Jesus’ presence, even to touch Him, and yet receive nothing from Him. How many times have we gone to church in body, while our minds and spirits were elsewhere, planning a fishing trip, or mulling over some engineering or work related problem, etc.? Perhaps we have a sin issue in our life that we stubbornly refuse to let go of. So there we stand in Jesus’ presence, at a distance, watching and rationalizing that our presence there is enough.

Contrast the crowd with the totally abandoned and vulnerable woman who, with singularity of purpose, pressed forward in faith toward Jesus expecting to be healed. If you hunger and thirst spiritually, let go of all that hinders – repent of any sin issues and be vulnerable before God and with total abandonment reach out and touch Him. Press in to the hypocenter where Jesus is … Be the one in the crowd of whom Jesus asks ‘Who touched me?’

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Cathedral Builders #687

Posted on April 18, 2010 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 687

“Cathedral Builders”

Colossians 3:22 (ESV) Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 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.

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A story is told about three laborers in a rock quarry that all performed the same work for the same supervisor. All three were asked by a visitor to describe their job. The first laborer responded, “I break rocks”. The second laborer responded, “I break rocks for lousy wages and for an evil boss who is always on my case to do better”. The third laborer responded, “I am building a cathedral for the Glory of God”

The story illustrates three very different perspectives and work ethics from coworkers in the same work environment. These types of work ethics are very much evident in our workplaces today.

RENTERS – The first type of attitude we have is the worker who does their job, and no more. They are there for the paycheck and will do what they are told. They rent their job position and will not contribute extra efforts, ideas, or work beyond their assigned task. This person will walk past the trash on the floor and not bother to pick it up because it is not their assigned job to do so. In our rock quarry example, this worker ‘breaks rocks’ for a living.

DESTROYERS – This worker is a Renter with a bad attitude. They do what they are told but with constant complaining and grumbling. In their mind they are not paid enough and the quality of their work is poor because they believe they are undervalued. These people are a constant drain on the morale of others and are a negative force and influence in the work environment.

CATHEDRAL BUILDERS – These are workers who are career-minded and have an ‘ownership’ instead of a ‘renters’ attitude. They see the big picture and are eager to earn the right to advance in their role and responsibilities by doing every assigned task to the best of their ability no matter how menial. These are the workers who eagerly contribute ideas to make things better and willingly do more than they are asked to do.

As professed Christians, we must never be seen as Renters or Destroyers in the work environment. God expects us to obey our employers with sincerity and not with lip service. Our obedience is to stem from our reverence for our Lord, Jesus. Our work is never to be done half-heartedly and with poor quality. We are to be ‘cathedral builders’, not just ‘rock breakers’. We are to perform our work as if we are working for Jesus.

It is not easy maintaining a Cathedral Builder attitude. Your co-workers will persecute you and ridicule you as a ‘kiss-up’. It will be easier to ‘fit in’ if you succumb to the Renter or Destroyer culture. Also, those in authority over you may feel threatened by your attitude and improvement ideas. They may seek to squelch your career-mindedness and force you to be a Renter which is easier for them to manage and less threatening.

Dead fish flow downstream with the current. It takes a revolutionary, dogged, determined attitude to go against the flow and swim against the current. You must resist the pressure to be reduced to the lowest common denominator attitude in the company. Remember, it is the Lord Christ that you are serving. You are a light bearer in a dark world – don’t let the wet blankets of darkness douse your light.

The key that breaks the chains that hold your coworkers in bondage is prayer. Pray for the company. Pray for those in authority over you. Pray for your coworkers. Start a lunchtime prayer group at work. Change may not be immediate but it will come in the Lord’s perfect time. Persevere in prayer and do not lose heart. Be a cathedral builder to the Glory of God.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God

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