1 John 2:16 New International Version (NIV)
16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
We are going to be doing a six week teaching on KBOE 104.9 F.M on Sunday mornings from 8:30-9:00 a.m. This teaching, Pick Your Poison, will be dealing with addictions. We will be talking drugs, alcohol, sex, obesity, smoking, work addiction, and internet addictions. This will not be one of those feel good teaching series, but it will be life changing. The Holy Spirit has placed this on my heart and has called me to do this series.
One that I struggle with is work addiction. Working is a good thing, and do not misunderstand me here. Work is important. As a matter of fact, the Bible is loaded with Scripture about working hard. For instance, Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human matters.”
I failed in the latter part of the verse. I struggle with working for human matter or more simply man’s approval. I am working through the empty space in my heart of only needing God’s approval and not man’s approval. So, I tend to lean toward man’s approval. Then is would work all the more.
When you work for man’s approval and work more than is necessary and over work, there are unpleasant consequences. There are failed relationships that come from over working. Family suffers from the absence. Now, work is a good thing when it is directed toward the approval of the Lord. Practice allowing yourself to work for the Lord’s approval and to have healthy boundaries with work, if this is a problem area for you, as well. I continue to this day to practice more healthy boundaries when it comes to work, and I am a work in progress as I learn to work for the Lord and give myself rest.
Men, we take nothing with us to the grave. We came from the dirt, and we will return to the dirt. Those in Christ will rise from the grave and receive an eternal reward for his or her ‘Work’.
Work to build the Kingdom of the Lord. Work for Jesus.
Strength and Courage
Michael
