Unbending

When we think of someone as being “unbending” we think of them in terms of being rigid, set solidly in their own beliefs, unwilling to allow change to come to them. However, when I think of “unbending” I think of how hard it is to get up off the floor after being in the presence of our Lord! (LOL)

Seriously, people, I don’t think it has anything to do with my grey hair (I look in the mirror and don’t seem that much older) but when I stand up after being on my face, well, it’s definitely another story!

C’mon now, when was the last time you were actually on your face before God? I’m not talking about “legalism” that says there is a specific posture for prayer. Not talking about that at all. I’m talking about loving the Lord so very much that you can’t even sit in His presence, you have to get down on your knees and then fall on your face.

There is a reverence to our time with the Lord that comes when we are on the floor. For me, it puts me in a physical remembrance of who I am and Who He Is. It creates an intimacy that goes with me the entire day.

Now if you are truly not physically able to make it onto the floor, create a time of intimacy with Him somehow. You might just put your face down on your knees as you sit on your couch, or cover your head to create that “closet” as they did with prayer shawls back in Jesus’ day. But beloved, I would encourage you to start your day with even just a couple of minutes set aside for Him. Your work will be more productive; your love will go before you; and you’ll bring peace to your job.

You are His and He is yours…and you’ll feel that way the rest of the day.

The Most Powerful Tool

In order for a business to operate effectively, it has to provide its employees with certain things:

• The right tools,
  
• The proper training, and
  
• And policies and procedures that are proven and easy to understand.
  

Being Christian employees we are called to not only do our paid jobs in a certain manner, but we are also called to know how to operate effectively in the spiritual realm.

As Christians, we run into as many problems and issues and difficulties as any other employees; but we know how to apply the right tools to get out of those situations unscathed! And of course the “right tool” is prayer. Actually, prayer is the ONE tool that you can use in absolutely any circumstance at any time and be assured of a reasonable outcome.

Remember the scripture that says, “All things come together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose?” Does that mean we can just stand by and watch people at work do their best to oppress us or lie about us or unjustly accuse us? Of course not! But then again, we’re not called to smack them upside the head either! It’s prayer that has the power.

When you pray, simply state out loud the scriptural solution that God Himself has given you. Say it out loud. The Word is alive and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, but if it stays stuck in your Bible, it won’t do you any good at all. Pray, people!

Learn what the Word tells you about prayer (basically what I just said above…say the scriptures out loud) and then apply it. Prayer is a powerful tool but it takes training to learn how to get really good at it. Find a good prayer group and join it! Learn the Word and do it! Don’t be a hearer of the Word…be a Doer…Pray!

The Best Benefits Package

Being a Christian isn’t all about “don’t do this/don’t do that!” Being a Christian has benefits…seriously! Psalm 103 lists some of the benefits that are in our “benefits package” when we give our lives to the Lord. Here are a few:

• All…repeat…all your iniquities (sins, failures, screw-ups) are forgiven.
  
• All…repeat…all your diseases (sickness, infirmities, weaknesses) are healed.
  
• Your life is redeemed from destruction (no matter how badly you think you've messed it up).
  
• You are crowned with God’s lovingkindness and tender mercies (yes He loves you anyway).
  
• Your mouth is satisfied with good things.
  
• Your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (no need for botox)!
  

Who needs insurance when you’ve got benefits like that!?! The psalm goes on to list a bunch more benefits such as mercy, grace, justice from oppression (even oppression on your job). But the really impressive benefit is the one that says God will not deal with us according to our sins; nor punish us according to our iniquities. It’s time for the Church to really get a handle on this. God is NOT sitting up in heaven with a big stick ready to whack you when you do something wrong. That is a lie that has been perpetuated for too long. (Read 2 Corinthians 5:19 to verify this amazing statement; and people, always verify what you read about the Word.)

So when you bemoan the fact that insurance premiums are going up, that co-pays are going up, and medical service costs are going up, re-read your REAL benefits package!

Speak Life Into Your Year

Well, it’s another year…it’s only the sixth…and I’ve already managed to stumble and practically fall off the Highway to Holiness! Why is it that when we resolve to do something (like walk in the Spirit) that we are almost immediately tested?

We all strive to be “good” people and to present ourselves in as pleasant a light as we can. That typically means displaying the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…you know, the behaviors that let everyone on the job know that you’re a Christian, right?

But those things don’t come to us easily. Just because we’re Christians doesn’t mean we always do what we’re supposed to. I heard someone say that “Christians don’t sin any less than anyone else; they’re just more aware of it!” That really sums it up, doesn’t it?

But the one way to keep the fruit of the Spirit in your life is to “hold fast the word of life” (Philippians 2:10). What that really means is to take control over the things that you say. On the job, we really don’t have a lot of control over a lot of things. But the one thing that we absolutely have control over is the words that come out of our mouths. Do your words build up your co-workers? Do you say things that make people feel better about themselves and about you?

Speak life into your New Year. Your mouth can make a world of difference!