Why on earth did God create work?
Many people think that work is a punishment. God intended it to be a blessing.
Even as children, we may begin to see work as a penalty. If we have done something wrong, our parents may force us to do extra chores. Other experiences and stories may lead us to the same conclusion. In some countries, work for the community can replace time in prison. And we know from wartime that prisoners of war are often forced to work.
But such stories distract us from God's purpose for work. The Bible shows a variety of facets related to work. Taken together, they display how God intended work to be a blessing. Many books have been written on this subject in the last twenty years. This article will highlight only a few essential points. Let us begin the journey.
Five questions that can help you re-discover the purpose of your work
We know you are busy. This article, however, will take you less than ten minutes to read, and it can help you rediscover the purpose of your work.
Starting a new year can be both joyful and overwhelming. The new year is filled with untapped opportunities, yet it is also replete with challenges. Furthermore, the turn of a year reminds us of life's fragility. The years pass swiftly, and this speed seems to increase as we grow older. Regardless of whether we succeed in our endeavours, nagging questions often surface as the years go by. What is the purpose of it all?
Giving Tuesday: Give a life-changing course
“My life won't be the same after taking GO Equipped. My outlook on work has changed, and I have gained a new understanding of how to serve God with my entire life, including my career,” says Kuku F. Lloyd.
Ministering Grace and Love at Work
Corrie ten Boom’s story of forgiveness is one of the most remarkable examples of ministering grace and love. After enduring the horrors of Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she lost her sister Betsie, Corrie dedicated her life to sharing God’s message of forgiveness.
The Power of Active Listening
Recently, in prayer, I was reminded of my own stubbornness, much like a toddler wanting to do things my way, only to later wonder why I struggle to hear God. This led me to see that I approach interactions with people similarly—focusing on my own agenda instead of truly listening. It is a humbling realization that challenges me to communicate more thoughtfully as a Christian professional.
Reflecting Christ’s Love and Truth in Everyday Conversations
In today’s world, the idea of “truth” can feel like a moving target. People often talk about “my truth” as if it changes based on personal feelings, opinions, or the latest news. However, for the Christian, there is only one absolute truth: God’s Word. God is truth, and His declarations are eternally true. Effective communication requires us to be mindful of what we say, with a commitment to uphold this absolute truth.
Work as service for the Lord
God’s blessings are spread as circles in water when we realise that we serve Jesus in everything we do and start working at things with all our hearts. We are blessed because the understanding that we serve Jesus can bring new joy to our work, even to tasks we dislike.
Seeking Guidance: Apostle Paul and the Mentorship Question
Saul was a well-educated man who hoped to become a vital member of Jewish society. He was zealous and convinced that by persecuting those who believed in Jesus, he was doing God’s work. This was until he met Jesus, and his life was turned upside down. Suddenly, he had to learn new ways of doing things, look at people, and walk alongside those he had formerly been persecuting.
The Essential Role of Mentoring for Tentmaking
Have you ever imagined how great it would be to have someone who can listen to you in a safe and non-judgmental way and also be able to give you advice based on their expertise to help you deal with the challenges in your life? That is exactly what a Mentor can do.
Lessons Learned and Essential Tips for a Successful Move Abroad
Most of us professionals and businesspeople who have moved cross-culturally have experienced life's challenges in a foreign country. Facing the unknown, developing new habits and building a new network of friends are lessons that help us grow personally and as believers. If we think of life as a school, living in a foreign country can help us achieve a life skill PhD. We can benefit from the lessons learned for the rest of our lives.
This story of a migrant woman has inspired thousands. Now it is your turn.
A few years ago, I met a West African woman who had a calling to serve Jesus in Central Asia. It had already taken her several years to prepare for the move. Along the way, she was approached by several young men who wanted to marry her. Her first question, in response, was whether they had a calling to serve Jesus in Central Asia. All of them answered no and were, in return, informed that there was no hope of marriage. Finally, seven years after she got the calling, the woman, who remains unmarried, was ready to go.
Let Jesus redeem your work
At Easter, Jesus also redeemed our work, allowing us again to experience how God intended it to be. From the beginning, our designer wanted us to serve him by cultivating the earth and working and caring for the garden he had planted and placed us within (Gen 2:8 and 15). The calling is the same to us today. The society we live in is the garden God has called us to work and take care of.
How a noble deed could become a burden when we do it alone
Paul writes that intentionally supporting and encouraging others in their faith leads to love and good works in their lives, but he also warns us not to give up on the habit of meeting for worship.
How fellowships can help you stay on track
For many of us, work meetings can feel unproductive and boring. Unless the meetings are prepared well, our discussions quickly get off track. Then, our focus may start drifting, and as the debate goes on, it becomes tempting to check emails or answer a few social media messages to catch up.
The Unique Love of Parents for Their Children
We have been looking at the four types of Love in this month, so far we have talked about two - Philia and Eros. This week we will be looking at the third type of Love in the series - Storge.
Does God have anything to do with Valentine's Day?
The coming week Valentine’s Day will be observed in many nations around the world. The day is named after one or several Christian martyrs with the name Valentine. Now it is, however, celebrated as a day of romance.
Four types of love that can change your life and bring joy to your workplace
Valentine’s day puts love at the center of February. Love is, however, much more than the romance we celebrate at the feast of Saint Valentine. Why not use February to learn how love in different forms can change your life and bring joy to your work?
In ancient Greek there are at least seven words for love. Let us focus on four of them and how they can impact our lives.
SMART goals for people of faith
Many of us use SMART-goals both privately and at work. The SMART model can help us specify our goals and make good plans for how to reach them. The model does, however, contain some challenges for people of faith. Let us quickly look at the SMART-goals from a faith perspective.
Slim and fit when Jesus comes back
A survey done in one Western nation some time ago concluded that three things were on top of people’s wish lists for the coming year. The respondents wanted to exercise more, lose weight, and eat healthier. The survey did not distinguish between Christians and others. Most l ikely the goals were not very different for those who want to follow Jesus.
Implications of Jesus coming
We hope you have had a wonderful celebration of Jesus coming! Two days ago, we finished our series of advent devotions focusing on different professions in the Christmas story recorded in the gospel of Luke. Regardless of their social position or professions, the Jesus-followers whom we meet in the New Testament collaborated to make known the Savior who was born.