Work from the heart for your real Master, for God….
(Col. 3:23 MSG)
Today, work it! Be the best employee at your place of work! Give new meaning to “work ethic.” Make it obvious to your co-workers that you live by a different standard. Let the quality and quantity of your work be excellent and superior. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God!
The rest of the passage in Colossians says this, “Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being Christian doesn’t cover up bad work.” (Col. 3:22-25, MSG)
No slacking today! The Lord doesn’t want us to use the title “Christian” as an excuse for bad work. That would be a pretty pathetic testimony wouldn’t it? Your boss says, “Hey, why are you getting to work late every day? Why do you take twice as long to get the same amount of work done as everyone else? Why do you take a long lunch and leave three minutes early?” You respond, “Um…well, I’m a Christian and I was praying…and…I just like to praise God…and the Lord knows my heart…wanna come to church this Sunday?” What response do you think you’ll hear? How about, “You’re fired!”
If we are going to call ourselves Christian and let everyone know that Jesus is the Lord of our lives; then let’s represent Him well on the job. Work hard! Don’t complain. Don’t diss the boss. Don’t take an extra ten minutes on your lunch hour. Go the extra mile. Don’t steal paper, pens and sticky notes. Be so excellent and efficient that Jesus is seen in you! Make your boss want to hire ten other Christians just like you. And, if your boss or supervisor never notices all your extra effort, no worries, God’s watching and He’ll reward you.
Today, at home, at school or at work…do your best! Work from the heart for your real Master.
Prayer: Father, I want to represent the Name of Christ well. I want to work hard, with excellence and diligence as a God-pleaser. I won’t just work hard when the boss is watching; I will work hard when You are the only one watching. May my work and words honor You today! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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As a young couple, fresh out of Bible School with Two daughters and a third child on the way, Jeff and Beth Jones felt God's call to pioneer Valley Family Church in 1991 with a vision to make an eternal difference in Southwest Michigan. As a husband and wife team, they have always led together as visionary pastors and have shared the pulpit as Bible teachers. They are passionate about building the local church in greater Kalamazoo and the global church around the world.
Their message has always been focused on the basics of the Bible and has remained consistent since VFC's beginning. Throughout VFC's history, the goal of their teaching has been to help people live an abundant life through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and through faith in God's Word. In short, it's our mission statement: we exist to help people become devoted followers of Jesus who get the Bible basics, live the life and do the stuff.
Jeff and Beth have four kids and four grandchildren. Meghan is married to Brodie Hock. Annie is married to Zack Spangler. Luke is married to Kelsey Jones. Eric is married to Alexa Jones. All of their kids and in-laws have served with them in the church for many years and each sense their own unique calling to ministry.
