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July 8th -21st
Give it your best shot!
Matthew 6:1 Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be applauded.
Did you know that your ability to think is your most precious resource? Your ability to decide, plan and take action determines everything that happens to you. You are the one who has control over your thoughts and reactions. So why do we let others' actions and ways of doing business determine how we are going to react and do business? Think about these questions.... Do you work harder when your boss is around? Do you take it a little easier when you know your supervisor is on vacation? Do you worship louder and with more passion when the pastor is looking or when you know eyes are on you? Do you walk in gray areas when you know no one from church or the office will see you or ever find out?
If you answered yes to any of these questions you are not alone. It is a natural tendency to work harder when the boss is around. It's natural to try to impress those who we respect. We are supposed to give our very best to God each and every day aren't we? Someone from church may not see what gray area you are walking in but our Heavenly Father does. Why not give everything we do our best shot? Why not try to impress our Lord? When you take full control over your thinking, you entire world can change.
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about Samuel. (See 1 Samuel 3.) When Samuel was three years old, his mother dropped him off at the temple to learn all there is to learn about temple duties. He grew up in the temple under the leadership of Eli. His mother hand picked his mentor. Now Eli was very well respected in Israel. He was a priest; he was a Levite (which means he had a very good heritage); he was also a judge in Israel for over 40 years. People looked up to him. But we also learn through the Scriptures (see 1 Samuel 2) that Eli was allowing and tolerating sin. He was not living a righteous life. So when Samuel and Eli were in the temple together why do you think that God spoke to this child rather than this man that everyone looked up to? Sin! My friends' sin can provoke God to withhold His blessings. Samuel's entire focus was on worshipping God. His lifestyle exemplified his love and worship for Jesus despite the example Eli, his teacher, was to Him.
When I do wrong, when I am walking in gray areas, God lets me know. I feel uneasy, restless and anxious. It's almost like God is saying to me, "Kathleen...you know better than to do that or to think that." We need to feed ourselves daily with God's word. We need to surround ourselves and fuel ourselves with things that are good. You have heard the saying "garbage in, garbage out."
Do your best every day and watch God move in your life. Be an example of integrity, loyalty and hard work to those around you. Concentrate on impressing God with your lifestyle instead of your boss and God will see to it that your boss notices.
Lord, forgive me for not giving all that I do my very best. Help me to be the example that you have called me to be. Help me to work to the best of my ability no matter what the circumstances and no matter what the people around me are doing. I love you Lord. Amen.
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