Does Your Work Matter?

Does Your Work Matter?
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

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. Colossians 3:23-24

This Scripture is packed with significance regarding your work. Here are five things to consider…

1. “Whatever you do…” From God’s point of view, whatever it is that you are doing is significant. God does not want any of us to struggle with insignificance. Your name may appear at the bottom of a work flow chart, or you may be at the low end of the pay scale, but that has nothing to do with significance. What you do, however big or small, is an assignment from the Lord and that makes it significant.

2. “Do it heartily…” The attitude in which you do your work is important to God. God is saying, “Put your heart into the work I’ve given you to do.” God wants you to approach your work whole-heartedly, with thankfulness and not complaint. Having the right attitude can make all the difference in your day.

3. “As to the Lord and not to men…”  There is a huge trap that awaits you when you do your work to please people instead of God. When people don’t give you the recognition you are seeking, you can easily get discouraged with your work. Trying to please people can also create striving within you and rob you of your joy. God’s way to freedom and joy is for you do your work as unto Him.

4. “From the Lord you will receive the reward…” Getting a pay check is a great reward for your work, but the reward you will receive from the Lord is far greater. Pay checks will help you with your temporal needs, but your eternal rewards will far outshine and outlast them all.

5. “For you serve the Lord Christ…” You work at a business but you don’t work for a business.

You work for the Lord. He is your real boss. Your highest purpose at work each day is to please Him, to bring a smile to His face, and to have Him say over your life “I am well pleased.” At the end of the day, that is what really matters.

#fallcolors #devotional #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow 

©2024 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Angela Strunk. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

My Morning Prayer: Jesus in the Center

My Morning Prayer: Jesus in the Center
Don Lessin and Marina Bromley

Jesus in the Center
-Don Lessin, for Meeting in the Meadow
 
Jesus is the Way. He is not only the Way to God, but He is the Way into all that God has for us. He is the Way into our devotions, to our Bible reading, to our prayer life, to our ministry, and to all that we do for Him. In reality, we do not do our work for Him, but He does His work through us. With Jesus in the center of our being, we are no longer victims of our expectations, circumstances, and the things we can’t control. We discover that it’s okay if people don’t meet our expectations, because Jesus is our expectation. Schedules may be good, but they don’t produce life within us because Jesus is our life.

For me to live is Christ [His life in me] (Philippians 1:21 AMPC).

My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Hello Lord, God. Thank You for waking me this morning! May my body rise to serve You in every way today. Help me to remember that You alone are the center of my being, and I am no longer a victim of my expectations, circumstances, and the things I can’t control. Remind me that YOU alone are my expectation, Jesus. I know that people will let me down—they are only human! I need to keep my focus on You as my greatest expectation, for Jesus, You are my life! Help me to abide in You as You work Your will in me and through me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

#morningprayer #meetinginthemeadow #roylessin #JesusintheCenter #donlessin

©2024 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. This excerpt first appeared in the booklet Abba Cry by Don Lessin.  Photo by Lydia Nast. Prayer by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

Timely Tidbits of Truth 40

Timely Tidbits of Truth 40
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

The hands of Jesus—held the children, healed broken bodies, washed the feet of the disciples, embraced sinners, took up a rugged cross, were pierced through with nails, and were extended in blessing after the resurrection.
 
He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up his hands, and blessed them (Luke 24:50 KJV).
 
Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands... (John 20:27 MSG).

#timelytidbitsoftruth #devotional #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2024 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

Answered Prayer

Answered Prayer
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Each of us should carry a thankful heart for every “yes” we receive from God as an answer to prayer. We can also be thankful He doesn’t say “yes” to prayers that are not in agreement with His will—prayers that are based on our wisdom and not on His; that would bring leanness to our souls; that would put us in the wrong place; that would make us ineffective; that would bring us into wrong relationships; that would cause our hearts to cool; that would keep us from His highest and rob us of His best.

...

I know not by what methods rare,
But this I know, God answers prayer.
I know He gives His pledged word
Which tells me prayer is always heard,
And will be answered soon or late,
Though often it is hard to wait.
I know not if the blessing sought
Will come in just the way I thought;
I leave my prayer with Him alone,
Whose will is wiser than my own,
Assured that He will grant my quest,
Or send an answer far more blest.
-Unknown

And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us (1 John 5:14 AMP).

#answeredprayer #meetinginthemeadow #devotional #roylessin

©2024 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

My Morning Prayer: God Has Promised, Part 3

My Morning Prayer: God Has Promised, Part 3
-Roy Lessin and Marina Bromley

God Has Promised, Part 3
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Trust the heart of the Promise Giver: We will not have the confidence we need to pray unless we trust in the character of the One who has spoken the promises. Often people who make promises to us also tell us to trust them. They may be sincere in their request, but even the best intentions are flawed by human weakness, forgetfulness, and limited resources.

There are no flaws in God’s character and no empty words in His promises. We can be thankful that as we ask for our daily bread, we do not call upon a God with human weaknesses or limitations, but upon the One who loves us with a perfect love and has promised to supply all our needs from His glorious riches that have been given to us in Jesus Christ.

God is not a man that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19 AMPC).

My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Lord, I am weary. The turmoil in the world wears me down and distracts me from keeping my eyes on You. People who are in places of authority and attention make promises to us and tell us to trust them. Because of their human weakness, forgetfulness, and limited resources, I can't trust them to follow through! Only You are perfect, and can be trusted. You alone are dependable! Capture my gaze and help me to keep my eyes upon You and Your perfect love. Help me to remember that You will supply all of my needs from Your glorious riches. No matter what is going on in my life, my neighborhood, my city, this world, You are ALWAYS in control. You are never surprised or caught off guard. You have a purpose for all things, and sometimes it's just for me to draw closer to You. Give me courage to trust You in these hard seasons. I know that You love me and care for me. In Jesus's name, amen.

#mymorningprayer #meetinginthemeadow #roylessin #devotional #godhaspromised 

©2024 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Prayer and photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.