Get Up With God
highly caffeinated bible doses to help start your day off right

It’s LOVE WEEK here on GUWG.

Yesterday, we talked about what love is. Today, we’ll talk about WHO love is.

It all starts here . . .

God is love.
(1 John 4:16)

Even though I’ve read that verse hundreds of times, for some reason my lame-o brain needs to be constantly reminded that no matter how bad things may seem, one thing is absolutely certain: GOD LOVES US.

That simple truth explains a lot of things . . .

Why did God create a world that gives him so much grief? Because God is love and love is expressed in relationships (even messy ones).

Why did God give us free will? Love can’t be forced — a true love relationship involves the ability to choose love and to reject it.

Why does God save us? God doesn’t let us wallow in our sin without hope. Because he loves us, he gives us a loving way out: Jesus.

Why does God offer believers eternal life? Because he loves us and wants us to be with him forever.

One final question: Can anything ever separate us from God’s love?

Here’s the answer . . .

Neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers,
neither height, nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us
from the love of God
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:38-39)

GOD IS LOVE

ln honor of Valentine’s Day, it’s LOVE WEEK here on GUWG.

When you get right down to it, the Bible is just one gigantic love-fest. But few words in the English language are as misused and misunderstood as “love.” To help remedy that, each day this week we’ll take a look at love from God’s perspective.

So, what is love? Here’s what the Bible says:

Love is patient,
love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres.

Love never fails.

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)

How important is love? The Bible says that even if you can “fathom all mysteries and knowledge” and “have a faith that can move mountains” but don’t have love, here’s what you’ve got: NOTHING.

In fact, after defining love, the Bible offers this rather striking conclusion:

And now these three remain:
faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
(1 Corinthians 13:13)

We’ll dig a little deeper tomorrow. In the meantime . . .

LOVE GOD’S WAY

Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
(Psalm 1:1-3)

MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD
DAY AND NIGHT

We’ll conclude GOD @ WORK WEEK here on GUWG with a prayer:

DEAR GOD,

We need your help at work. Help us to . . .

always put you first
pray, pray, pray
love, love, love
be humble
be diligent
be honest
be joyful
be gentle
listen more than we talk
spread encouragement
never spread gossip
never grumble
never worry
rest

May we trust you with all our hearts,
never lean on our own understanding
and give you all the glory.

AMEN

It’s GOD @ WORK WEEK here on GUWG, where we’ve been examining what the Bible says about the wonderful world of work.

The following is an updated version of our employee handbook. Print it out. Post it in your cube. Pray through it daily.

GOD’S EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK

God’s the Boss.“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)

Pray, Pray, Pray. “Pray continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Love, Love, Love. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)

Honesty is the Best Policy. “The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.” (Proverbs 11:1) Speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15)

Be Humble. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself.” (Philippians 2:3)

Be Gentle. “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” (Philippians 4:5)

Be Joyful. “Be joyful always.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

Be Diligent. “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” (Proverbs 6:6)

Listen More Than You Talk. “A wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15) “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19)

Spread Encouragement. “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” (Proverbs 12:25) “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24)

Don’t Spread Gossip. “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.” (Proverbs 20:19) “Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.” (Proverbs 26:20)

Don’t Grumble. “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” (Philippians 2:14)

Don’t Worry. “Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.” (Proverbs 3:25-26)

Follow God’s Big 10. Always put God first. Don’t make work an idol. Never misuse God’s name. Take some time off (at least Sundays). Don’t think murderous thoughts about your boss, co-workers or anyone else. Don’t lust after anyone. Don’t steal from the company (that includes pens, paper and post-its). Don’t lie. Don’t covet your co-workers’ jobs, cubicles or anything else. 

Seek God’s Advice and Give Him All the Glory. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5)

WORK GOD’S WAY

It’s GOD @ WORK WEEK here on GUWG, where all week long we’ve been taking an in-depth look at what the Bible says about the wonderful world of work.

Today’s topic: The Ten Commandments @ Work.

Most companies have values statements. They get put on a nice plaque, hung in a conference room and then promptly forgotten. My guess is that if you asked employees to recite ‘em, only a tiny fraction could. And only a tiny fraction of that would actually try to live ‘em out.

Want to see God’s values statement? Check out the timeless truths in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). Do you know ‘em by heart? Do you live ‘em out? If not, you might want to ask yourself this additional question:

Am I really working for God?

How could these commandments — written several thousand years ago before the invention of the cell phone, the computer or even Twitter — possibly apply to today’s world? I humbly suggest that you pray through ‘em yourself and ask God that question.

For what it’s worth, here’s what I came up with . . .

1. Always put God first.
2. Don’t make work an idol.
3. Never misuse God’s name.
4. Take some time off (at least Sundays).
5. Honor your mom and dad (why not call ‘em over your lunch break?).
6. Don’t think murderous thoughts about your boss, co-workers or anyone else.
7. Don’t lust after anyone.
8. Don’t steal from the company (that includes pens, paper and post-its).
9. Don’t lie.
10. Don’t covet your co-workers’ jobs, cubicles or anything else.

It’s GOD @ WORK WEEK here on GUWG, where we’re taking an in-depth look at what the Bible says about the wonderful world of work.

We’ll start today with a question . . .

According to studies conducted by big-brained researchers in the business world, what’s the absolute #1 most important trait a leader must have to be successful?

Here are your choices:

• Charisma
• Intelligence
• Proactivity
• Results-orientation
• Communication skills
• Smooth dance moves
• Coordinating accessories
• Humility

The answer?  It may surprise you, but it’s the one hiding modestly at the end of the list . . . humility.

That may seem 100% counter-intuitive when you picture today’s typical CEO, but it’s true, according to the research team behind the landmark business book Good to Great (and others). Leaders who are truly (1) servant-hearted, (2) able to put others and the organization first and (3) willing to listen with humility to other points of view are the ones that people will follow.

If you really want to model yourself after a great leader, I humbly suggest you follow Jesus.  He said:

If anyone wants to be first,
he must be the very last,
and the servant of all.
(Matthew 9:35b)

The Apostle Paul added:

Your attitude should be the same
as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant.
(Ephesians 2:5-7a)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
(Philippians 2:3)

Let some of the words from the above verses percolate in your heart for a moment. Last, not first. Made himself nothing. Servant. No selfish ambition. Think of others as better.

BE HUMBLE

It’s GOD @ WORK WEEK here at GUWG, where we’re taking an in-depth look at what the Bible says about the wonderful world of work.

Today’s topic: COMMUNICATION. Almost nothing is more important in the workplace. Here’s what the Bible says . . .

Listen More Than You Talk. “A wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15) “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19) Or, as some around me are fond of saying: “God gave you two ears and one mouth — use ‘em accordingly.”

Don’t Grumble. “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” (Philippians 2:14) Click here for a whole week’s worth of anti-grumbling suggestions.

Spread Encouragement. “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” (Proverbs 12:25) “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24)

Don’t Spread Gossip. “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.” (Proverbs 20:19) “Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.” (Proverbs 26:20)

Speak the Truth in Love. Always, always, always tell the truth. And always, always, always do it with love. “Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)

COMMUNICATE GOD’S WAY

It’s GOD @ WORK WEEK here on GUWG, where we’re taking an in-depth look at what God has to say about work.

There’s no better place to start than here . . .

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord, not for men. 
(Colossians 3:23)

This verse comes in handy whenever I’m doing something I don’t particularly like, which is approximately every 3.8 seconds.

All you have to do is: (1) remember whom you’re really working for (hint:  He’s the creator of the universe) and (2) give everything your absolute all.

Handling a crummy project at work that has zero upside and will most likely result in your career going up in flames?  Do it for God with all your heart.

Up at 5:34 a.m. shoveling the driveway in subzero temperatures while the rest of the family is snoozing away in their warm, comfy beds?  Do it for God with all your heart.

Cleaning up after a family reunion you didn’t want to host in the first place in which distant relatives spilled cheese dip, Aunt Ruth’s spam and kidney bean casserole and a variety of other unpleasant substances on your brand new living room carpet?  Do it for God with all your heart.

I’m constantly amazed at what happens when I approach work with this simple little verse in mind and let God take charge. My attitude and the results are always waaaaaay better than I ever could have expected.

The bottom line . . .

GOD’S THE BOSS

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

–St. Francis of Assisi