Acts 9:26-31

Reference: But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:27 NIV)

Explore: When applying for a new job, most interviewers will ask for a reference. This is someone who knows you and your work ethic well enough to tell a potential future employer what you are like to work with.

It’s very important to choose your referee carefully. They could make or break your job application.

It’s one thing to list your own accomplishments, but when someone else speaks for you it can carry a lot more weight.

Application: It’s always nice to have someone who can back us up and speak for us. Even the great evangelist Saul (before he was Paul) needed an advocate.

Saul had been a part of so much destruction for the Christians in the early church that even after he was converted to follow Jesus, the Christians were still afraid of him. Barnabas came to the apostles and spoke for him, therefore bridging the gap which led to them accepting Saul.

It’s such a great feeling to know that someone believes in us, but maybe we need to speak up for those we believe in too. Let’s not sit back and wait for someone to be our advocate, there’s always someone who needs us to be their support.

Prayer: Lord, help us to look out for others. May we show love and support to those around us, as we never know when our words of encouragement may be exactly what someone needs to hear. Amen.

Who could you stand up for?

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Mark 11:12-26

Reference: On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves (Mark 11:15 NIV)

Explore: We all hold certain stereotypes in our heads when it comes to particular groups of people.

When I hear the word ‘accountant’, I think of a gentleman who is studious and carries pens around in the breast pocket of his shirt; when I hear the word ‘florist’, I think of a lady in a flowing dress who is always humming a tune and has clip in her hair; and when I hear the word ‘boss’, I think of someone in a suit who always sits behind a desk full of papers.

The images that come to mind for me when I hear these certain words show that I have lumped a large group of people into one stereotype. While this image may be true for a small percentage of these people, not every person who holds these titles are exactly the same.

I should know this better than anyone. For ten years I worked for a church as a minister of religion. I was far from the stereotype.

I was female, I didn’t wear long flowing dresses, I had a sense of humour, and I wasn’t over 60. Unfortunately, this is still the stereotype people have of us today.

Throw on top of that hypocritical, homophobic and judgmental and you will forming what our world thinks a Christian’s job description really is.

However, we only have one item on our job description:

* Be like Christ

Application: For us to be like Christ we often have to be more responsible and serious about the life that we lead, but that does not mean that we lose all sense of humour and start wearing floral dresses.  In fact, Mark 11 shows us a different side to Jesus that we often forget.

Jesus loved God so much that when He saw the house of God being used as a market instead of a place of worship, He took retribution into His own hands. He shows us how passionate we should get when we see injustice being done.

Let’s break the mould of a stereotypical Christian and let’s lead the way when it comes to showing undivided love for our God and His people.

Prayer: Lord, a life that follows after Your heart may be filled with challenges, but it comes with the greatest purpose and reward. Amen.

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘Christian’?

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1 Samuel 9:1-27

Reference: v.8 The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have a quarter of a shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take.” (TNIV Bible)

Explore: Every job has a job description. Good employees will have it written down, however, everyone should have a good understanding of what is expected of them.

If you work in IT then it’s highly likely that your job description will involve an ability to work on computers. If you work in a school then it’s expected you will need to interact with students.  If you are a doctor then any patient will hope that you have a good understanding of the body.

There are some obvious items held within certain job descriptions, but often tasks will overlap no matter what career you’re aiming for. Attributes like punctuality, commitment and teachability can be applied to any position and can assist any place of employment.

While it is important to stick to our job descriptions it is also possible that we can go above and beyond what is expected of us. The job description is the bare bones of what is needed, but if we want to stand out to our employer then we need to go beyond the call of duty.

That is fulfilling our job description to the best of our ability and being willing to take it even further to advance the company.

It would be a foolish employer who didn’t recognise a worker who went the extra mile for the company. This is what you would wish for all your employees to do.

Application: Saul’s servant was already fulfilling his job description. He was sent to travel with his master to help him find some donkeys.

Saul had decided it was time to go home. Instead of his servant just staying true to his job description by obeying Saul’s command, he went beyond the call of duty. He offered his very own finances to assist with his master’s task.

Imagine that, giving your own money back to your employer, so that they can complete a task! This servant truly went beyond the call of duty, and we don’t even know his name.

God has given each of us a job description – to love Him and love others. We can do this in small ways, or we can go beyond the call of duty and dedicate our whole lives to our task.

Prayer: Lord, sometimes I find it challenging to love certain people and I often find myself ‘cutting corners’ and justifying my behaviour. Help me to go beyond the call of duty that You have set, knowing that by loving others I am, in turn, loving You. Amen.

How can you go beyond the call of duty today?

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Isaiah 58:1-14

Reference: v.7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (TNIV Bible)

Explore: I recently sat down with a young man who was unemployed. He was not seeking a job from me, but the topic of his unemployment came up in conversation.

After he mentioned how much he wanted a job, I asked him what kind of job he would like to have. He thought something within the trade field would be good. When I asked him to be a little more specific he struggled to nail one thing down (pardon the pun!).

It seems he had worked for a short time in retail but got bored, he’d worked as a plumber but did not get along with another colleague, and he’d helped out as a labourer but had no interest in getting an apprenticeship so ended up being passed up for another worker. While his work history was varied, each job was very short lived.

It became clear to me that if this young man really wanted a good job then he needed to apply himself a little more. I question whether he really wanted a job or just wanted an easy life where money would grow on trees for him.

Application: We would all love the easy road, but it’s not often the best passage for us to take. It’s the same with our faith.

We all want God’s blessing and favour, but do we know how to truly receive it?

Isaiah 58 gives us clear instruction of what truly brings God’s joy into our lives and it’s not just through singing, fasting and attending church. In fact, God is very clear about what things truly bring His delight into our lives.

1. Help those who are being treated unjustly,
2. Free the oppressed,
3. Assist the heavy burdened,
4. Share with the hungry,
5. Give to the poor,
6. Clothe the naked,
7. Support your family.

These are the things that bring the glory of God into our lives. If you do these you will feel closer to God than any other time in your life!

And the book of Isaiah is not the only one to highlight that these are the ways of God. It’s all throughout scripture.

We spend so much time focusing our worship upon singing, tithing, church and words, and yet, the ultimate worship is helping those in need.

Prayer: Lord, we know that You delight in our praise and worship, but may we not put aside how active we can be in our worship by helping others. Open our eyes to see those in need today. Amen.

When was the last time you worshipped God by helping someone in need?

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Job 19:1-29

Reference:  v.25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. (TNIV Bible)

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Job 35:1-16

Reference:  v.14a How much less, then, will he listen when you say that you do not see him (TNIV Bible)

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Job 23:1-17

Reference:  v.12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. (TNIV Bible)

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Job 12:1-25

Reference:  v.24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he makes them wander in a trackless waste. (TNIV Bible)

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Job 42:1-17

Reference:  v.12a The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. (TNIV Bible)

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Job 2:1-13

Reference:  v.13  Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. (NIV Bible)

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Job 36:1-33

Reference:  v.24  Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song. (NIV Bible)

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Exodus 35:1-35

Reference: v.21 …and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. (TNIV Bible)

Explore: Completing the landscaping at the front of our house was a HUGE job. When we began my husband and I had no idea what we were getting ourselves in for.

We had a skilled friend give us a hand to get started, and by the end of the week a number of my family members came along to give us a hand. Really the majority of the work was just pure manual labour. You didn’t need to be that skilled to help out, you just had to be willing.

On the one hand, we had our skilled landscaping friend and my garden-loving mother assisting. On the other hand, we had my father who was unwell and my garden-hating sister helping too.

And yet, due to everyone’s willingness, we were able to complete the job a day earlier than expected.

Application: When we get involved in God’s work I think He is more interested in our willingness than our skill.

That’s not to say that skill is not important. It’s helpful if we work in the area in which we have some skill, and yet often our willingness to get in and help out can be just as important.

There are many jobs in building the Kingdom of God that everyone can contribute to, it’s just a matter of each person rolling up their sleeves and being willing to be a part of the process.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the skills that you give to us. Help us to see the jobs that need doing in our faith communities, so that we can step up to lend a hand. Amen.

What are some tasks you can be involved in to build God’s kingdom and His faith communities?

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When the waiter came to take my plate away I asked him to compliment the chef on such a fabulous dish.

Job 42:1-17

Reference: v.12a The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. (TNIV Bible)

Explore: A little while ago I went to an Italian restaurant and ordered a lamb risotto.  I had never had it before so was curious as to how it would taste.  I hadn’t eaten much that day and so by the time the meal arrived I was really quite hungry.  The first mouthful I had was amazing.  All the ingredients complimented each other beautifully and the flavour was sensational.  I ate as much as my stomach could bear and when the waiter came to take my plate away I asked him to compliment the chef on such a fabulous dish.  A few weeks later I started craving that lamb risotto again.  I wanted a taste sensation and so I headed to that same restaurant with some friends, raving about the meals, and I ordered the exact same dish.  I waited with anticipation for the best risotto in the world to be placed before me and when it finally was I almost quivered with delight.  I took my first mouthful, waiting for all the sensational flavours to wash over my tastebuds… only to feel sorely disappointed.  The dish wasn’t a disaster but it was by no means the fabulous dish I had built it up to be.  I then realised the difference.  The first time I had tasted the lamb risotto I was really hungry and noticed the flavours in great detail.  Whereas the next time I visited the restaurant I had eaten plenty throughout the day and so was not really that hungry at all.

Application: No one likes to go through difficult times however when we do it really makes us appreciate the good time.  Job had gone through a time of terrible suffering and yet when he had endured the hardship he felt even more blessed than he was before.  To a lesser extent, when I had gone without food for a period of time it made me appreciate my food more once it had arrived.  When we go through times of suffering and pain it is not that God delights in our sorrow but it really allows us to notice and appreciate the blessings He does give to us when we have endured the hard times.  Job had been blessed by God before the hardship but I can guarantee that he appreciated what he had so much more after going through the time of trial.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for all the blessings you give to us.  We never deserve your favour but may we be truly thankful for it.  Amen.

How has God blessed you?

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Job 42:1-17

Reference:  v.12a The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. (TNIV Bible)

Explore:  A little while ago I went to an Italian restaurant and ordered a lamb risotto.  I had never had it before so was curious as to how it would taste.  I hadn't eaten much that day and so by the time the meal arrived I was really quite hungry.  The first mouthful I had was amazing.  All the ingredients complimented each other beautifully and the flavour was sensational.  I ate as much as my stomach could bear and when the waiter came to take my plate away I asked him to compliment the chef on such a fabulous dish.  A few weeks later I started craving that lamb risotto again.  I wanted a taste sensation and so I headed to that same restaurant with some friends, raving about the meals, and I ordered the exact same dish.  I waited with anticipation for the best risotto in the world to be placed before me and when it finally was I almost quivered with delight.  I took my first mouthful, waiting for all the sensational flavours to wash over my tastebuds… only to feel sorely disappointed.  The dish wasn't a disaster but it was by no means the fabulous dish I had built it up to be.  I then realised the difference.  The first time I had tasted the lamb risotto I was really hungry and noticed the flavours in great detail.  Whereas the next time I visited the restaurant I had eaten plenty throughout the day and so was not really that hungry at all.  

Application:  No one likes to go through difficult times however when we do it really makes us appreciate the good time.  Job had gone through a time of terrible suffering and yet when he had endured the hardship he felt even more blessed than he was before.  To a lesser extent, when I had gone without food for a period of time it made me appreciate my food more once it had arrived.  When we go through times of suffering and pain it is not that God delights in our sorrow but it really allows us to notice and appreciate the blessings He does give to us when we have endured the hard times.  Job had been blessed by God before the hardship but I can guarantee that he appreciated what he had so much more after going through the time of trial.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for all the blessings you give to us.  We never deserve your favour but may we be truly thankful for it.  Amen.

How has God blessed you?

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Job 41:1-34

Reference:  v.8 If you lay a hand on it, you will remember the struggle and never do it again! (TNIV Bible)

Explore:  I was at a concert a little while ago and heard the band Compliments of Gus perform.  During their set they played their song The Tide Will Always Win, but before doing so lead singer Justin Michael explained its meaning.  He said that when he looked at the waves crashing against a cliff face it seemed that the mountain loomed largely over the sea and yet over time he knew that the waves would gradually chip away at the cliff face.  No matter how big the mountain was, the tide would always win.  Compliments of Gus wrote this song as a parallel to what happens in our own lives.  We often come across mountains in our own lives that seem insurmountable – stressful job, ill-health, relationship issues.  However, no matter how big the issues may be God is always greater that the problems.

Application:  God explains how great he is to Job by talking about some mighty beasts that roam the earth.  While they seem fierce and powerful we are reminded that God is so much greater.  Sometimes we forget how powerful God is.  We see the things before us and feel that they are insurmountable, but we have a mighty God who will always win.

Prayer:  Lord, forgive us when we make our problems big and you small.  Amen.

What seems insurmountable in your life?

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