You've Earned It

I love that my children work hard for what they want to achieve. They don't expect successes to just land on them ... they earn them. Anton will receive an award on April 20 for Most Outstanding Student in the Hospitality, Sports & Tourism Management School at Troy University. It is quite an honor and he is wholly deserving. We pray his education and acknowledgements will help bring his career dreams to fruition and know he will work his hardest make that happen.

We are equally proud of Kayla and her diligent efforts at school in locking down exactly what she wants to do and giving her all to achieve it. We love bragging on Rob when we see what he has accomplished as executive chef at The Blue Rooster, enjoying a delicious meal he has prepared (or drooling over one we get to see pictures of) and appearing relaxed and confident in television appearances. And we are so proud of Ayla who achieved a bachelor's degree in just three years, then a master's to make her dreams of working in the culinary industry a success. How could we not be in praise and worship of the Father for the people you are and progress you've made?! Glory to Him.

While doing my devotion the other morning, I came upon this verse in Deuteronomy 8:18, "It is God who gives you the ability to produce wealth." Our Father has gifted us individually to do what we do. When people have discovered their talents and put them to good use, it is so satisfying. When Moses wrote Deuteronomy to the Israelites wanted them remember Who to praise when they achieved job successes. To God be the glory.

We pray that all four of you will be vastly successful in your careers. In the movie Flashdance, the love interest, Nick Hurley, in the movie says to Alex Owens, the main character, "When you give up your dream, you die." So reach for the dreams you've set for yourself. We know you will work hard at whatever you do because we've seen your track record thus far. While wealth would certainly be an added blessing, it is our hope especially, that you will be content with whatever you have in whatever circumstances you find yourselves (Phil. 4:11). And remember to always thank your Father in heaven for those successes. For it is in Him that "we live and move and have our being" (Acts. 17:28).

Discussion: What are your talents? Dreams? What is success to you?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the abilities You have given us to care for one another in our jobs. We pray, Lord, for your blessings on both couples and their careers and that You will be glorified in it all. In Jesus, Amen.

Building On The Foundation

The other day in Bible study we were examining the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus found in Luke 16. The story tells about a beggar man named Lazarus who laid by the gate of a wealthy man, who lived in luxury. This beggar man was hungry and injured. Soon both men died. The beggar went to Paradise where he rested with Abraham and the rich man went to Hell. An amazing conversation ensues between the rich man and Father Abraham, which you should read about. But it was a question your Daddy asked about the destination of both men that got me thinking. Daddy asked, "Why did they end up where they were?" Obviously the answer isn't because one was rich and the other poor. Only God knows the hearts of both men and can judge those destinations, but it seemed pretty obvious what the rich fellow didn't do. Here was a poor, hungry, injured man laying outside his front door every single day, and he just walked on by. You never hear about him offering in any way to help this man. He didn't care. Here he was with all these blessings from the Lord and ignored one of God's children. His reward? Eternal agony.

We discussed in our study that our job as disciples is to reach the lost. We are to share the Word, most certainly, but we are also to share His mercy, love, compassion and caring. As He does for us, so we must do for others. Our financial successes are not given to us for frivolous purposes. They are given to us for His glory. It seems the rich man didn't get it until it was too late.

We have no idea how the Father will bless you both. Will you live in luxury? Will you live paycheck-to-paycheck? Will you live comfortably? That is for the future to determine. But this we can assure you ... you are called to care regardless. It is our prayer that you will not step over the lost ones. That you will see the sick, hurting, lonely, hungry, homeless and persecuted and reach out to them in anyway you can. Yet not even just those, but the ones nearest you who may have even tinier needs. Let your hearts be moved, be empathetic, to the world around you. Pray God opens your eyes to see the hurt around you and inspires you in whatever ways you can offer help.

God tells us in Malachi 3:2 that God is like a refiner's fire. He will look at all we do in this world and reward us accordingly. If you believe in the Christ, you are saved. But what reward you receive is based on the good you do on Earth. What kinds of good? The very things mentioned in the previous paragraph. 1 Cor. 3:11-15 says, "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames." 

We aren't worried about your destination. We fully intend on spending eternity with you both. Our prayer is that you will have a heap of gold, silver and costly stones sitting there atop your foundation so the Lord can say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). And we'll celebrate with you.

Discussion: Where do you see the hurting in your area? What are ways you can help? Do you think you need to seek out the lost or just keep your eyes open for them?

Prayer: Lord, help us remember that all good things come from you. We pray you open our eyes to the hurting around us and enable us to be Your Light in the midst of them. Thank you for Jesus and His teachings. In His name we pray, Amen.