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Jeremiah 29 (The Message)

11This is God's Word on the subject: "As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. ¹²"When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen.

Maybe in the current economy you have lost your job or haven't been able to get a raise or promotion.  I have learned that when the time is right, every time and on time God always shows up and takes care of His people, just as He always has.  Are you listening for His promise?  Are you reading His word?  Are you spending time with Him every day?  God will listen and He will keep His promises to you..  "When you come and pray..."    God Bless you as you listen today.   Don

Proverbs 29:8  (The Message)

" A gang of cynics can upset a whole city; a group of sages can calm everyone down."

You have probably seen it many times at work and in your family... when one or two people begin to complain and have a bad attitude it spreads like a wild fire. But if you approach work and life with an attitude of grace and mercy, it calms all those around you.  Go ahead and try it for a week and see if it doesn't work.... 

Genesis 4:2-7 (The Message)

2 Then she had another baby, Abel. Abel was a herdsman and Cain a farmer. 3-5 Time passed. Cain brought an offering to God from the produce of his farm. Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat. God liked Abel and his offering, but Cain and his offering didn't get his approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk.

 6-7 God spoke to Cain: "Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won't you be accepted? And if you don't do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it's out to get you, you've got to master it."

When we get to the point where we lose our temper and have a "tantrum" we give room for the devil to begin to get a foot hold in our life.  From a bad attitude, comes bad thoughts, from bad thoughts comes bad actions.  Sin is always waiting close by to get into our life in some shape.  When we can control our attitude we go a long way to closing the door to sin and Satan in our life.  Even if you don't feel like it....try a new attitude at work and with your family. You will be surprised at what happens!  

1 Corinthians 14:33 (New International Version)

Romans 5:8 (The Message)

How often do we do something at work for the "boss" when we are not required to?  How often do we go the extra mile knowing we will get nothing out of it?   When God sent His son Jesus to die for us, we were of no use to Him whatsoever, but He did it anyway.  Do the best you can for your employer or employees with no regard for what is in it for you.   God will make sure you are rewarded.  Do it because that is what Jesus would do if He had your job....

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." — Maya Angelou

Proverbs 22:29 (The Message)

Proverbs 17:9 (The Message)

Psalm 37:30-31 (New International Version)

1 Timothy 6:11-12 (The Message)

Exodus 20:9-11 (NIV)

9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Since the beginning of time, God knew that we needed a day of rest, even he rested for one day.  More than ever before families and individuals need to make a real effort to rest.  To set aside a day to renew their mind, body and spirit.  To have a day where God can talk to them and they can talk to him.  Get your family together and ask them what they think a day of rest would look like.  I promise you will not regret it.   God Bless,  Don and Karen

Proverbs 12:14 (New International Version)

Exodus 31:1-5 (The Message)

Bezalel and Oholiab

 1-5 God spoke to Moses: "See what I've done; I've personally chosen Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur of the tribe of Judah. I've filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him skill and know-how and expertise in every kind of craft to create designs and work in gold, silver, and bronze; to cut and set gemstones; to carve wood—he's an all-around craftsman.

The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongues, miraculously gave Bezaleel and Aholiab the skill that was wanting. The honour which comes from God, is always attended with a work to be done; to be employed for God is high honour. Those whom God calls to any service, he will find or make fit for it. The Lord gives different gifts to different persons; let each mind his proper work, diligently remembering that whatever wisdom any one possesses, the Lord put it in the heart, to do his commandments. (Matthew Henry's Commentary)

God always equips his people who are faithful to what ever it is he calls them to do at that moment.  Let God use and equip you today.  God Bless.  Don and Karen

Nehemiah 7:2 (New International Version)

Ecclesiastes 11:6 (New International Version)

The truth of the matter is.......we don't know which will succeed, this or that or both.  The Holy Spirit and God are not only concerned about your spiritual health and well being they are concerned about you as a person, and financially and mentally.  God wants you to be happy and prosper.  He gives us ideas, leads us to try new things, to step out in faith.  Don't be afraid, listen to Him and watch and see what happens.  The most exciting things that have ever happened in my life, happened because I listened to the Holy Spirit and stepped out in faith.  It's not a miracle if you and I can do it!  God Bless,    Don and Karen

Deuteronomy 24:14-15 (New International Version)

Proverbs 14:23 (The Message)

Psalm 119:33-40 (The Message)

33-40 God, teach me lessons for living
      so I can stay the course.
   Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
      my whole life one long, obedient response.
   Guide me down the road of your commandments;
      I love traveling this freeway!
   Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
      and not for piling up loot.
   Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
      invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
   Affirm your promises to me—
      promises made to all who fear you.
   Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
      but what you say is always so good.
   See how hungry I am for your counsel;
      preserve my life through your righteous ways!

I believe if we watch real close, even when we mess up God still uses the mess up to teach us lessons.  Lessons for living on this earth.  God knows the things that go on at your work every day and that will go on next week, next year.  He puts lessons in our path so that we can deal with "life" the way He would have us.  In a way that gives Him glory, in a way that He will be proud that we are His children.  Accept His counsel, His promises, let Him divert your eyes from toys and trinkets watch Him deflect your critics, accept His insight and just do what He tells you in His word.  Things will get a lot better at your job and in your life and home.  Let the first thing you do every day be talk to your Father, read His instruction for the day and spend some time with Him...It will be a better day!   God Bless,   Don and Karen

Ecclesiastes 10:20 (NIV)

20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts,  or curse the rich in your bedroom,  because a bird of the air may carry your words,  and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

Probably don't even need to say anything about this one......But our words have a way of staying alive and coming back to us.     God Bless............Be Good!   Don and Karen