Issue 363
Sometimes you will hear or read grand and complex statements, full of deep theological or denominational significance calling you to some specific course of action. Gatherings, small and large, are convened to address the challenges or debates raging in various arenas.
These statements and gatherings are significant and important, and not to be minimised in any way.
However, most of us are just trying to make it through the day. In this 9th anniversary edition of WORKTALKweekly, may I remind you that these messages exist to help you to deal with the time in between yesterday and tomorrow; they are designed to help you make it through the day. So here are few suggestions for your days this week:
Start well: Every morning there is new mercy available from God. This is just as well because you know what happened yesterday and how you feel in the morning; a good dose of mercy could really help. At the same time, you might like to remember that this day and every day is made by God. Again, just as well that you don’t have to make the day – it is already done.
Feed well: In the brilliant sermon of the carpenter turned rabbi, the preacher invites you to pray for the bread you need for today: not just physical food, but the wisdom, wit, patience and courage to handle all the roller-coaster rides you will join today;jJust as well, since you know how risky each day can be.
Hear well: According to a letter written to some Jewish Christians, you would be wise not to react to anything you hear from God with a hardened heart. The writer prefixes the advice with the word ‘today’. Each day the advice is to stay open to the voice of God.
Carry well: Jesus invites you to take one essential piece of equipment with you everywhere, every day; it is not a mobile phone, laptop, iPad or mp3 player; it is not a Blackberry, notebook or sketchpad – useful though these things may be; the essential item is your cross. This is what WORKTALK and WORKTALKweekly is all about; because carrying your cross daily will involve taking the seven sentences, or 58 words, spoken from the cross into your heart. If you do this, you will find yourself carrying daily prayer, daily trust, daily forgiveness, daily good news, balance, integrity, honesty, reality, spirituality and struggle.
You will also learn to finish well – which brings me to the last suggestion:
Finish your day well: With all that can happen in a day, Paul of Tarsus, who had some crazy days, advised you not to let the sun go down on your anger; just as well, because so many things make you angry every day, that this advice could be a life-saver.
So there are a few reminders for your day; you may have noticed that they are big subjects and I have not gone into them in enough detail; actually I have – for 9 years and 363 editions, 2 books, numerous videos, a DVD pack and a handbook. It takes a lifetimes to figure out how to deal with the ‘in between’ time between yesterday and tomorrow. God has poured out a wealth of wisdom, power and love to help you do this.
Just as well.
Have a good day.
Hebrews 37:15
15 As has just been said:
”Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion.”
Lamentations 3:22-23
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Matthew 6:11
11 Give us today our daily bread.
Ephesians 4:26-27
26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
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Work well
Geoff Shattock
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