All Your Ways

Given August 2, 2007
In Proverbs 3:6 it says, "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight". In all your ways...what does that mean? What are your ways? I think my ways are everything I think, say, and do during the day. That's a lot of things!

I acknowledge God during my morning prayer and devotion time and in church, sure, but what about when I go to the grocery store. What about when I'm in a meeting and the boss disagrees, or eating in a restaurant? How about when I'm doing some work around the house and what if I hit my finger with the hammer.....do I honor God then? Uh Oh!

God is looking for a few who will acknowledge Him in everything and, I believe, He's got a wonderful promotion waiting for those who prove to be faithful.

I was mowing the church grass, BY MYSELF, one week, no one showed up to help, and after about three hours, I was getting pretty fed up. I'd see church people pass in their cars, wave, and go on about their business. I was griping to myself, "Yeah, watch them wave. Why don't they get over here and help me!" Whaaa, whaaa, whaaa. At that instant, God spoke in my spirit and said, "Bill, are you mowing this grass for yourself or for Me?" Oh man, the ton of bricks fell! I was instantly reminded of Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Lesson learned! I repented, asked forgiveness, and spent the next hour and a half mowing in joy and peace. Whatever you do, acknowledge God, do it for Him, and He'll direct you.

His Workmanship

Given August 1, 2007
I was driving through town around noon on this day and noticed a worker eating his lunch next to some beautiful stone work. I had seen this stone wall in progress and some similar projects in other parts of town but never knew who was responsible for building them. Now, I saw this guy sitting there and knew these attractive stone facades were his workmanship. I had the feeling God was about to reveal something to me. So I asked, "God, what are you trying to show me here?"

He said, "You've admired these stone walls around town and wondered who's work it was. If you see some shoddy work, you wonder who's responsible for that mess too. Today, you saw the man responsible for the beautiful work and realize his workmanship reflects on him. Bill, you are My workmanship. How you look and act, whether good or bad, reflects on Me.

Wow! "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10". I am God's workmanship and so are you. People are looking, noticing, forming opinions and I want them to say, "Nice work", and God get the credit for what He made. Think about it when you're "on display".