A debate broke out between John's disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. So John's disciples came to him and said, "Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. [1] And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us."
John replied, "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven."
[1] See the note in yesterday's What Jesus Did devotional.
—John 3:25-27 NLT
One of the most important questions you will ever answer is this: For whom do you work? No matter what your job or vocation, this is a vital question. Do you work to please yourself? Do you work to please your boss? Do you work to impress your peers or your superiors? Or, do you work to please God? So much of our angst and frustration comes back to this one crucial point: If we are Christians, we work to please God. Whatever our jobs, if we work in ways and with attitudes that are in accordance with God's will, we don't have to be bitter or jealous about someone else getting the attention, even undeserved attention. If God is pleased, our life is a success. So let's ask God to reveal his job for us, and then let's do it with joy and passion.
Father, give me a heart like John the Baptizer. I want to find joy and satisfaction in doing your work for my life. Give me a heart that is satisfied with pleasing you. Give me a heart that doesn't succumb to envy and jealousy when other people get more attention for what they do. When my life is over, dear Father, please help me to have lived in such a way that I can hear your words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."* In the name of Jesus. Amen.
* Matthew 25:21.
Ⓒ 1996-2022 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Continue reading...
John replied, "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven."
[1] See the note in yesterday's What Jesus Did devotional.
—John 3:25-27 NLT
Key Thought
One of the most important questions you will ever answer is this: For whom do you work? No matter what your job or vocation, this is a vital question. Do you work to please yourself? Do you work to please your boss? Do you work to impress your peers or your superiors? Or, do you work to please God? So much of our angst and frustration comes back to this one crucial point: If we are Christians, we work to please God. Whatever our jobs, if we work in ways and with attitudes that are in accordance with God's will, we don't have to be bitter or jealous about someone else getting the attention, even undeserved attention. If God is pleased, our life is a success. So let's ask God to reveal his job for us, and then let's do it with joy and passion.
Today's Prayer
Father, give me a heart like John the Baptizer. I want to find joy and satisfaction in doing your work for my life. Give me a heart that is satisfied with pleasing you. Give me a heart that doesn't succumb to envy and jealousy when other people get more attention for what they do. When my life is over, dear Father, please help me to have lived in such a way that I can hear your words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."* In the name of Jesus. Amen.
* Matthew 25:21.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2022 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Continue reading...
