
The Christian Working Woman
Religion & Spirituality Podcas
The Christian Working Woman with Mary Lowman exists to encourage, equip and empower workplace Christians in the marketplace.
Location:
United States
Description:
The Christian Working Woman with Mary Lowman exists to encourage, equip and empower workplace Christians in the marketplace.
Language:
English
Contact:
630-462-0552
Episodes
Integrity at Work – 5
2/7/2025
As you are aware, the world around us has lowered its standards of honesty and integrity to the point that lack of integrity has become acceptable behavior in many respects. Yet this lack of integrity is costing American businesses millions of dollars every year, and even non-believers are waking up to the fact that integrity on the job is a bottom-line issue. It certainly is a bottom-line issue with the Lord, and as Christ-followers, we must be so careful not to compromise biblical standards of integrity as workers in today's marketplace. Access to the internet has become a major issue in many organizations. Employees are known to surf the internet, play games during company time, and even watch pornography during work hours. Most companies have rules to govern this issue and have put controls on their system to block certain websites. But, of course, many have learned how to skirt those rules and controls. If you’re thinking using a little company time for personal things is no big deal, I'd warn you you're starting down a dangerous road. Our enemy will find very subtle ways to get us sidetracked and cause us to damage our witness for Jesus Christ. He'll start with something like wasting some company time on personal interests or business, and then when we've lowered our standard a little bit, we're vulnerable to further temptation. Peter wrote: Live such good lives among the pagans that … they may see your good deeds and glorify God … (I Peter 2:12). Remember, it is wrong to use significant company time for your own personal benefit or business. And don't forget, the best way to represent Jesus on your job is to live such a good life among your coworkers that they will see the difference in you and that will bring glory to God. Make sure you're not damaging your testimony for the Lord through lack of attention to these issues of honesty.
Duration:00:03:00
Integrity at Work – 4
2/6/2025
Frequently in the workplace you may run into situations in which you're not sure what is the right thing to do. Here's one such situation. A woman worked in a sales office with a rule that employees could not conduct personal business on company time or using company resources. But she worked with a man who continually broke that rule and spent at least an hour each day on personal calls and taking care of outside business. She knew this was wrong. But was it her responsibility to tell her supervisor, or should she keep quiet? The question gets right to the core of a very common problem in American business today: employee theft. There is a staggering amount of stealing from employers among people who would never consider themselves thieves or dishonest. Certainly, Christians in the marketplace need to set the highest standards of integrity for their own lives in this regard. Most employers understand it is sometimes necessary for employees to make a quick personal call on company time. However, many violate those privileges and use company equipment and time for excessive personal purposes, which could and should be done after-hours and at their own expense. In this situation, the company has established guidelines concerning this, and it is their responsibility to monitor it. Many times, management makes a rule and then fails to enforce it or chooses to ignore it. But it is a management job to enforce rules, and if this person does not report personally to you, it’s not your job to report their infraction of the rules. If you were directly asked or it impacted your ability to do your job, you would, of course, have to be honest. Depending on your relationship with that coworker, you might look for an appropriate opportunity to broach the subject with him. Otherwise, this is management’s job, not yours. Any action to right this wrong could be perceived as "tattling" on coworkers.
Duration:00:03:00
Integrity at Work – 3
2/5/2025
Here's a real-life business issue some of you have faced. You're in sales and your manager has asked you to talk only about the good aspects of your product and ignore, or seriously downplay, the negatives. You feel uncomfortable because this seems so close to lying. What do you do? My career began in sales, so I understand the dilemma. One thing to remember is all products have their strengths and weaknesses. The sales job is to emphasize the benefits of the strengths and overcome the objections to the weaknesses. That is marketing, and done correctly, it is not dishonest. Hopefully you have a product which you believe in and which you can honestly sell as a benefit to your customers. If that is not the case and instead you feel you have an inferior product, which is misleading and/or faulty, then you must decide if you're working for the right company. A prerequisite for a Christian in sales, in my opinion, is to have a product or service that brings benefits to your customers. While your sales pitch does not have to include the negatives, you must be prepared, as a good sales person and more importantly an honest one, to discuss your product deficiencies. If the prospect asks questions that expose those deficiencies, you should be very honest about it. In no way would it be right for you to deny or cover up the weaknesses of your product or service deliberately. Of course, you should be prepared to offset the deficiency with a benefit. This is the skill of selling; it's called "handling objections," and good sales people learn how to do that. But as a Christian, you should never do that at the cost of honesty. If you feel you are being asked to do something dishonest and it bothers your conscience, then you need to act. Romans 14:14 tells us if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. And verse 23 says the person who partakes of something which he thinks is wrong is condemned, because he is not acting in faith. Give it prayer, and if it continues to bother you, God will show you what action to take. Don't go against your conscience. You'll be miserable, and you won't be able to sell very well, either.
Duration:00:03:00
Integrity at Work – 2
2/4/2025
I thought I'd share a situation another listener is facing, since I imagine there are many of you who have similar questions. This listener's company is very production oriented, and they have strict guidelines about working quickly, taking many calls, handling questions fast, and getting off the phone in order to take more calls. The number and length of their calls are monitored and reported, and much pressure is applied to work very fast. She felt in doing this, she was forced to treat callers somewhat abruptly, not really helping them like she should, and this was quite frustrating to her. But her management was not impressed with her desire to answer each call completely and thoroughly; their only interest seemed to be productivity. I think there are many situations where we feel something is not being managed in the most customer-oriented way and we'd like to do it better, but the guidelines get in our way. What should be a Christian's response? Do it the way we think it should be done, or follow instructions? I think as long as the instructions you're given are not dishonest or illegal, your responsibility is to obey those in authority. After all, management has the right to run the company as they please, even if they choose to run it in the ground. Unfortunately, many companies operate without a real customer orientation. I believe strongly every organization reflects the attitudes and philosophy of the person at the top. And if the person at the top of your company chooses productivity over quality, that's the way it's going to be. Obviously, not only is it symptomatic of a lack of human care and concern, but it also lacks good business sense. Eventually, poor quality and inadequate customer service will ruin a business. As Christians in the marketplace, we should try to treat all people, including customers, with care. Not only is your customer the person who pays your salary, they are also people created and loved by God, individuals who are important. And for those reasons, it's imperative to do your best to give them good service. When that is in conflict with company policy, you should look for opportunities to try to change the system, if possible. But I recognize it isn't always that easy to do. No one said it would be easy, but living for Jesus in the marketplace gives us incredible opportunities to show the world his love and care. So, don't get discouraged; keep praying for guidance and God will give you strength.
Duration:00:03:00
Integrity at Work
2/3/2025
What does it mean to be able to laugh at the days to come? She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come (Proverbs 31:25). For me, it means as I look at my future, I know regardless of what happens to me, my future destiny is secure. I've got eternal life right now because I've accepted Jesus as my Savior. So, regardless of what the days hold for me, I'm not beset with the fears and worries of those who don't know Jesus as their Savior; I can laugh at the days to come. It means I can face an uncertain financial future and laugh at it. I can't be certain I'll have an income next week or next month or next year. But because my safety net is Jesus Christ, I can laugh at that prospect and say, "Never fear! God has promised to supply all my needs. Laugh at the days to come!" As I look at the trouble in the Middle East and see how tenuous things are in this world, I realize it would only take a small spark to put us on the brink of another awful war. And while that certainly isn't a laughing matter, I can laugh at the fear and the oppression of those thoughts, because my God is sovereign, and nothing is going to happen in this world without his purpose being served. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God (Psalm 20:7). You may be facing many uncertainties, and you just don't know what the future will bring. But if your trust is in God—not in people, not in money, not in possessions or position—then you can laugh at the days ahead. Paul put it another way: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6). A great way to avoid anxiety and worry is to laugh at the days ahead—those days are in God's hands, and he is perfectly capable of taking you through whatever they may hold.
Duration:00:03:00
Fran and Jesus on the Job – Convictions Part 1
2/1/2025
For those who aren't familiar with these stories, Fran is a young widow with two school-aged children, who has a job in a marketing organization. We've been following her story since she went back to work after her husband's untimely death, and several years have passed. She has found a good friend where she works, Louise, who is a strong Christian, and their friendship has become very close and supportive. It is a blessing in Fran’s life. She and Louise are account reps with good track records and success. Their hard work and honesty have paid off, and they are respected by their management and coworkers. This Thursday morning Fran is really excited for Louise because she expects Louise will be awarded a big new national account. She's the right person for that account, and their manager, Marilyn, has indicated she recommended her. The final decision is to be made today, so it's been hard for Fran to stay focused. The phone rings just about lunchtime, and it's Andy, a friend in the art department. "Hi, Fran," Andy says, "just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for Louise." "What do you mean, Andy?" Fran asks with a lump in her throat. "Oh, no, you haven't heard! Oh, I'm sorry. Louise didn't get the new account; it went to Lloyd." "Lloyd? Why Lloyd?" Fran asks in bewilderment. "Lloyd isn't nearly as qualified as Louise, and Marilyn told Louise. . ." "I know, I know," Andy says, "nobody knows why Lloyd got it instead of Louise. I just feel so bad for her." "Thanks for letting me know, Andy," Fran says. "I need to find Louise. Talk to you later." She hangs up and dials Louise's number, no answer. Her office is up on the next floor, but she just can't sit still and wait any longer. So, she heads for her office, taking the shortcut up the stairwell. As she's going up, Louise is coming down. "Oh, Louise," Fran says, "I was headed for your office. Andy just told me. . ." "Yeah, can you believe it?” Louise looks at her with a slight grin. "Marilyn told me Lloyd was selected because of his quote 'experience with entertaining large national accounts.'" "What did she mean?" Fran asks. "Oh, I think it's clear; somebody decided I wouldn't be willing to wine and dine this client as they expect to be," Louise replies. "You mean because you're a Christian and they know you don't do the ‘party-thing’?" Fran replies. "Louise, that's discrimination. Didn't you protest to Marilyn?" "Look, she feels as badly about it as I do," Louise says, "so I'm not going to hassle her, Fran." "You mean, you're not going to fight this, Louise?” Fran can't believe her ears. "No, I prayed about it, and I have to trust God and let it go," Louise tells her. "But Louise, this is a matter of principle. It's wrong for the company to discriminate against you because of your convictions," Fran says. "You're just letting them get by with inappropriate—and might I add—illegal behavior. It's not right!" "Well, Fran, I have to do what I think is right, and this is one of those 'turn the other cheek' times. I can't prove they've discriminated against me, and even if I could, it would not be a good testimony for me to start demanding my rights," Louise replies. "The company has basically been good to me, Fran, and I just have to deal with this disappointment." "But Louise, not only is this wrong for you, but it’s also wrong for the company," Fran argues. "You're much better at your job than Lloyd is; you'd do a much better job for that client." "Fran," Louise says, "please, don't take this so hard. I really appreciate your concern for me, but I just don't believe this is a matter over which I should raise an issue. The Lord just keeps telling me to let it go, Fran, so that's what I have to do." Tears come to Fran's eyes and start down her cheeks as she stands in the stairwell with Louise. She tries to cover up but Louise notices. More than anything, they are tears of anger because of this unfair thing that has h...
Duration:00:14:28
Finding Balance in Daily Rest Habits – 5
1/31/2025
Presented by Lauren Stibgen Does finding rest in community sound counterintuitive? We have talked about some very individual ways to engage in rest the last few days. After all, sleep and solitude don’t really match up with connection and community! They do help prepare you, however, to find rest in this very special way. We find connection in community. We can also find that Jesus calls us to be in community with him! I have learned having other faithful believers in my midst helps me see how Jesus is my one place for rest. Community connection is a beautiful give and take of carrying each other’s joys and burdens as we are told in Romans 12:15, and it is a reminder of what Jesus tells us in scripture: Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Jesus doesn’t tell us to be alone. He tells us to come to him for rest. Even in the other rest habits of sleep and solitude, we know we are truly never alone. As all of us are called to be Christ’s ambassadors, one of the ways we can do this is by considering the simple words come to me. How are you opening yourself up to the rest habit of being in community? Are you in a small group at church? Do you have a Bible study that you participate in? Maybe you are part of one of our ministry offerings here at The Christian Working Woman. The most important part of being part of any community is being consistent. You cannot reap the benefits of having someone rejoice with you or weep with you if you do not connect consistently. This is one of the things Jesus was so good at. He was always on the ready! And think of all the ways we see him in community with his disciples. They attended a wedding together, they dined together, they celebrated important holidays together, they traveled together. Each and every opportunity was a chance for the disciples to get to know the heart of Jesus more and more. We have focused on small daily habits that can help us find more rest. I know being in community like the disciples isn’t a realistic daily habit most of us can employ, but what about even one person? Do you have a connection in faith that can help you see Jesus? Is it sending an encouraging text to let someone know you are praying for something specific? Perhaps you can bring this person a meal during a stressful season. Even a greeting card can go a long way in making a person feel loved. After all, the greatest commandment is love. In great love, there is great rest.
Duration:00:03:00
Finding Balance in Daily Rest Habits – 4
1/30/2025
Presented by Lauren Stibgen Solitude is the state of being alone or being removed from the hustle and bustle of a day. As we consider daily rest that can help us with work-life balance, I was intrigued by solitude. Simply, this isn’t something I do well, but I know it is a habit that can help draw me closer to God. I know we say we want alone time, especially in the hurried pace of each day and competing priorities, but do we really like solitude? How do we quiet our minds when we do find this time? What could this look like? We can look to our best model of rest once again: Jesus. First, when did Jesus find solitude and where? From Scripture, we know Jesus would often rise up in the morning while it was still dark to head to desolate places like a mountaintop to be in solitude. He knew doing this before the hustle of the day started would mean less interruption. He also knew it wasn’t a matter of just rolling out of bed or resting quietly in bed to find this space. He physically went somewhere else. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went to a solitary place… (Mark 1:35). Yesterday, we talked about the importance of sleep, so maybe rising early isn’t something you feel you can do yet! Getting your sleep habits in order can get you into the holy rest habit of rising early like Jesus to find solitude! If you live somewhere where the weather is good so you can be in nature, that’s amazing! But, for many of us who balance work and children, the solitary place may look a little different. Just like you work on small changes to your sleep habits, how can you adjust in small ways to find solitude in your home space? Is there a nook, or a corner or a comfy chair calling to you? Why did Jesus seek solitude, and what did he do when he was truly alone? He considered important matters and prayed to God. It is also how he dealt with the heavy emotions like the loss of a dear friend or the stress of the multitudes seeking him in need. Does this sound like you? I know as a Christian working woman you have many important matters to consider. You have stress from the day and quite often, you experience things which trouble your soul. If you are not finding moments of holy rest in solitude, how can you commune with the Lord to help discern important decisions or simply tell him your feelings? Can you set that alarm even 15 minutes earlier tomorrow? Let rest be your motivation!
Duration:00:03:00
Finding Balance in Daily Rest Habits – 3
1/29/2025
Presented by Lauren Stibgen We know rest is an important part of our wellbeing and balance. Rest is a command; it is holy, and it improves most everything God cares about for you from your physical and mental health to relationships! So, how are you finding rest in sleep? A quick Google search defines sleep as “a condition of body and mind that typically recurs for several hours each night, in which the eyes are closed, muscles are relaxed, and the activity of the brain is altered.” Sleep is something God created our human bodies to do, and, while we know God rested on the seventh day, we also know God is all present, all knowing, and all mighty! One would say God is always on the job, and he is always on the job so we can depend on him—even for sleep. Jesus was the ultimate example of how important it is to sleep and wholeheartedly depend on God. In Mark 4:37-38 we can picture this. A small boat being tossed to and fro in the waves with its passengers clinging to the sides, and there is Jesus, asleep on a cushion! Is this a picture of your life right now? How much is your boat being tossed to and fro, and is it disrupting the most important rest, sleep? Lack of sleep can deeply hurt your immune system, your emotions, your ability to think and do good work, and it can even lead to increased depression and anxiety! If God created us for good works which he prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10), I would surely say he also created us for sleep! Without this we cannot do his good work! In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves (Psalm 127:2). There are countless readings you can do on good sleep hygiene. I have the pleasure of knowing a functional medicine doctor, Dr. Stacie Stephenson, who talks about the need for preparing your sleep space on a regular basis. Making small changes to your space can make all the difference in winding down for the night. She suggests: a cool, dark space. Make sure you eliminate blue light. You should also try to not engage with your phone or any media (like tv) an hour before bedtime. Taking a warm bath or enjoying an herbal tea can also help you wind down. Don’t be overly ambitious with all these changes at once. Pick one or two small habit changes you can implement.
Duration:00:03:00
Finding Balance in Daily Rest Habits – 2
1/28/2025
Presented by Lauren Stibgen Are you a doom scroller? Did you know all those apps on your phone are uniquely created to keep you scrolling and passing time? If we are honest, we start with one silly animal video or even a news clip and then watch and watch. Before we know it, an hour has passed. And what do we have to show for the scroll? Perhaps it has taken your mind off a hectic day, but has it done more harm than good? Has the viewing caused you to avoid things you should have done? Or maybe it raised your stress levels because you viewed something on social media that hurt your feelings. I am all for a funny video, but often, the great access to digital distractions keeps us from true rest. Research tells us people spend on average about two hours and twenty-five minutes consuming social media per day. This consumption can ultimately take away from rest if we allow it. But what if that device can help you with practices of rest or help bring you closer in relationship with God? With the advent of apps, there are many which focus on prayer, Bible verses, and quiet time in God’s word. You may even be listening to this as a replay on your favorite digital platform, or you may tune in to our Zoom Bible Studies or our Walking Worthy podcast. All of this can be worthy time spent that draws you closer into relationship with God and the body of Christ. If we go back to thinking about rest as holy, we can better frame our digital time. Are the things you are engaging with helping you dedicate yourself to God, serving him in your rest and displaying excellence both morally and spiritually? The well-named doom scroll is not doing any of these things. I would not consider it holy. But perhaps some of the other actions noted above are. Engaging with faith-based content can be good, until it causes you stress or takes away rest. Your device has some tools which can help you to both plan and limit your time spent consuming media—faith based or not. Applying time limits on your favorite apps can be one way to increase your rest daily, limiting the temptation of the scroll. You can even set a passcode so you are not tempted to click “ignore” when your time is up. I know people who hold each other’s passcodes for accountability. Aside from time limits, I also use my phone to remind me to take small moments of quiet reflection during the day or to remind me to pray during the day when I get too busy. It has helped me take more restful time out. I also love peaceful worship music. For example, I love to listen to music and write at the same time. As I prepare to talk to our audience, my phone is playing a constant stream of lovely music in the background. As you can see, a device can both be a help and a hinderance to rest. Ask yourself if the rest you are getting from being on your device is holy and pleasing to God! This is one measure you will not forget! Building good digital habits can help you get closer to Sabbath rest.
Duration:00:03:00
Finding Balance in Daily Rest Habits
1/27/2025
Presented by Lauren Stibgen Why do we desire rest? What are the benefits of rest? And what do you consider rest? Is it physical? Mental? Or is it both. The years seem to roll by quickly, and with a new calendar comes new intentions that can often sputter out just as quickly as they came to mind. I want to consider rest, and how critical it is to this elusive work-life balance we often strive for. We desire rest because it is how God created us—in his image—Imago Dei. Our God is a working God. We see this intentionality in scripture from the beginning. God gave us the first look at rest on the seventh day of creation after he had made everything—the heavens and earth and all created things. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done (Genesis 2: 1-3). Not only is rest one of the ways we are like God in his image but rest itself is holy. Holy. How is this word defined? Dedicated and consecrated to God, sacred, devoted to the service of God, morally and spiritually excellent. From this, we learn in rest we: dedicate ourselves to God, serve him in our rest, and display excellence both morally and spiritually! This makes me want to rest! Although I know the ultimate model of this rest is truly the commanded Sabbath, making small habit changes each and every day can help bring you one step closer to learning how to find this seemingly elusive rest. After all, the benefits to you both physically and mentally are significant. Leadership articles for work are wrought with commentary about rest. In fact, one Forbes business article states, “Rest is a fundamental part of success…” Benefits include improved mental health, boosted creativity, increased productivity, well-being, reduced stress, improved mood, and strengthened relationships. I know God is in the business of all these things! He wants us to be healthy. He wants us to create like he did and does, and he most definitely wants our relationships with those closest to us to be strong. Even if business tells us rest will bring success, our God says, remember, you are made in my image. Seek my ways, for they are best.
Duration:00:03:00
How Balanced is Your Life
1/25/2025
Presented by Lauren Stibgen Picture for me the wheel on a bicycle. In the center you have a hub. From the hub you have many spokes that connect to the outer circle of the wheel to make it round and keep it round. These spoke form pie-slice sections in the wheel to create stability. All these parts work together to move the bicycle down the road smoothly. Now, I want you to picture what happens when you remove the hub. Suddenly, all those spokes have no connection and the structure just fails. Or maybe the hub is there but you have a few spokes that are shorter than the others. Your wheel becomes very wobbly, and you simply fall flat. That bicycle is going nowhere fast! And hopefully none of this happened while you were cruising down the road quickly! You might be thinking, what in the world does any of this have to do with Jesus or our walk. Well, let me repaint this wheel for you. At the center of your wheel is Jesus. He is our hub that holds all the spokes together. The spokes represent different areas of our life, that if left unattended consistently, become out of shape or have different levels of “fullness” to create a perfect rounded life. The visual is meant to help you find a balance while remembering that Jesus must be in the center of all areas to have true success! And here’s a news flash: I have been using this exercise for over 8 years, and my wheel has never been perfectly round. However, came into better shape when I took my relationship with Jesus out of the spokes and made him the hub! Let’s consider this hub. How do we evaluate our walk with Jesus? What are some of the commandments and spiritual disciplines we are called to keep that help ensure we have a hub for our wheel? I consider these the elements of abiding. John 15:4-5 exhorts, Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus is very clear. He is the vine (or hub), and my life is made up of these branches (or spokes). If I am not abiding in him, I simply can’t do anything. I could nurture my branches and water them and try everything I know how to do, but if I am severed from the vine, none of my efforts will ever bear fruit! So, how do we abide? Here are a few practices and some Scripture that point to the goodness of each. First, simply be in God’s Word. You cannot expect a fully abiding relationship with Jesus if you never read your Bible and study it in a deeper way. Every time I read a book of the Bible again, I receive a new revelation that is perfect for me in that time. It is like God knows what I need, when I need it! Imagine that! Just like a vine that provides perfect nourishment for the branch, God is nourishing me with his Word in the most perfect way. If I am not reading, he is not feeding! Deuteronomy 8:3 states that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes out of the mouth of the Lord. In John 6:35 Jesus further clarifies, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” Another practice of abiding is prayer. Are you taking time to talk to God? Or do your days hurry frenetically, filled with stress? If you are on social media, I know you have seen the quote, “Have you prayed about it more than you’ve talked about it”? If I am honest, there are many times I find myself steeped in idle talk with others rather than praying to God about a problem. As we discover the spokes of our wheel, we’ll see why this is problematic. Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). There are countless verses about prayer, but this one is critical for our balanced life.
Duration:00:14:28
It’s Not My Job! – 5
1/24/2025
As I was reading John 7 recently, I saw again how God is not impressed with the same things that impress us. In this chapter, the Pharisees were trying to get rid of Jesus. They sent the temple guards to arrest him. But instead of arresting Jesus, the guards started listening to him. They'd never heard anyone like Jesus before, and they were captivated. Later when they went back to the chief priests and Pharisees without Jesus, they were confronted. Why didn't you bring him in? asked the Pharisees. They answered, No one ever spoke the way this man does. You mean he has deceived you also? the Pharisees retorted. Has any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them. The Pharisees pointed out none of the religious leaders and educated clergy had believed in Jesus, so therefore he couldn't be for real. Jesus had no diplomas hanging on the wall, no titles after his name. He didn't associate with the recognized leaders of his day. Just because the mob was impressed with Jesus didn't mean anything to the Pharisees because they saw the common person as uneducated, and their views were therefore not important. Just like us, the Pharisees judged people by earthly measures: What family did you come from? What school did you go to? What positions have you held? Jesus didn't measure up in any of those categories, so the Pharisees rejected him. Today we all tend to be impressed with achievements, titles, and positions. But remember, earthly credentials are meaningless to God. Throughout the ages God has used people who look unusable to us. It doesn't mean we shouldn't try to learn and grow and achieve. It just means we must constantly remind ourselves that our achievements and credentials don't carry any weight with God. One thing impresses God: a heart that desires to know and love him above all else. I'm thankful God isn't impressed with earthly credentials, because that means everyone, including me, can please God regardless of what the world thinks of us.
Duration:00:03:00
It’s Not My Job! – 4
1/23/2025
Everybody needs encouragement and help at times, don't they? As I read 2 Corinthians 7, I realized even the great Apostle Paul had his bad times when he needed other people. For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within (2 Corinthians 7:5). Doesn't that describe the way you feel at times? Conflicts without fears within? But this is the spiritual giant, Paul, and it surprises us to realize he would have these feelings. We just need to remember that positions of prominence or responsibility do not isolate anyone from being human. Paul was tired and fearful. He needed help. Where did his help come from? He goes on to say, But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus (2 Corinthians 7:6). He needed a friend at his side to comfort him, and so Titus came along. We could say to Paul, “But wasn't it enough to have the Lord there?” And Paul would respond, “The Lord was there in the person of Titus. He comforted me by sending Titus.” Yes indeed, that's how the Body of Christ should function. God wants to use us in each other's lives as messengers of comfort and encouragement, to pick up each other at those weary and frightened moments of our lives. God has given us each other for that purpose. Paul goes on to say he was comforted by the good report Titus brought to him of the concern for his welfare by his friends in Corinth. Paul needed to know they cared, they hadn't forgotten him, and they still loved him. How often do we miss these opportunities to be God's comfort in the lives of others? How often do we need to be by a friend's side when they're experiencing dark days? Or send a message to them—by text or snail mail or on the phone—just to say, I care. Hallmark Cards has coined the phrase, "When you care enough to send the very best.” When we as Christians care enough about each other, we can send our very best, which is the comfort of God pouring through us to those who need it. Is there someone in your life today that needs a Titus? Ask God to show you and allow him to use you as his agent of comfort and encouragement.
Duration:00:03:00
It’s Not My Job! – 3
1/22/2025
It's highly likely the burnout you and I experience, the frazzled nerves and frayed edges, are a result of taking on jobs God never intended for us, trying to be superwomen or supermen, thinking we can be all things to all people, never saying, “It's not my job.” And amid all those urgent voices, you and I have shortchanged what is important: the Word of God and prayer. You cannot allow others—no matter how well intentioned—to cause you to try to be or do what you're not supposed to be or do. You may disappoint them, but if you're going to be effective for God, you have to avoid the tendency to try to be all things to all people. It doesn't mean a life of ease with no pressures. I'm sure the hours will sometimes still be long, and exhaustion will still be a part of your life. But the more you submerge yourself into God's Word, the less frantic you’ll be, the more you'll know what God wants you to do and what he doesn't, the more peaceful and calm you can be as you face your heavy schedule. In his booklet, The Tyranny of the Urgent, Charles Hummel has a suggestion, which I think is excellent. He suggests in addition to that daily time of getting to know God, you set aside one hour a week for spiritual inventory, to evaluate what's happened over the past week and plan for the week ahead. To make certain your to-do list has the important things at the top.[1] To help you and me in that process, I've written a simple guideline to use for that spiritual inventory. If you are serious about getting your priorities in line, about spending time getting to know God, about weeding out the unimportant things on your list of priorities and putting God's Word and prayer at the top of your list, then you may find this guide for a weekly spiritual inventory helpful. You’ll find it here. I hope many of you will consider using this each week. I believe it will be a great help in getting you out of crisis mode and into a more God-centered lifestyle. --- [1] Hummel, C. E. (1967). The Tyranny of the Urgent. Downers Grove, IL; Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.
Duration:00:03:00
It’s Not My Job! – 2
1/21/2025
Jesus could say at the end of his short earthly life, “I have finished the work which you gave me to do.” But I wonder how many of us will be able to say that. Are you doing what God has given you to do, or are you distracted and burned-out by trying to do urgent things that are not truly important? Though Jesus did much during his short earthly life, he didn't do everything everybody wanted him to do. He didn't heal all the sick, he didn't reach everyone. When so much was left undone, how could Jesus say he had finished his work? In his pamphlet, The Tyranny of the Urgent, Charles Hummel puts it so well, “Here is the secret of Jesus' life and work for God: He prayerfully waited for his Father's instructions and for the strength to follow them. Jesus...discerned the Father's will day by day in a life of prayer. By this means he warded off the urgent and accomplished the important.”[1] If you want to be free from burnout, free from being victimized by the loud voices of urgency that often surround you, you must remember what Jesus told us: If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free (John 8:31-32). A life of prayer and a life of daily abiding in the Word of God is our key. How easy it is to let these truly important things be shoved aside by all those urgent voices. Urgent things usually have deadlines and time frames, while important things may not. Therefore, it's quite easy to do the urgent things, but leave the important things undone. Could it be you need to find balance in your life by making the main thing the main thing and not allowing those urgent voices to dictate your schedule? And at the top of your important list should be the commitment to spend substantial time in your pursuit of knowing the living God. --- [1] Hummel, C. E. (1967). The Tyranny of the Urgent. Downers Grove, IL; Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.
Duration:00:03:00
It’s Not My Job!
1/20/2025
I saw something in Scripture that just made my day. Why? Because it said to me it's okay to say, "That's not my job.” If you constantly struggle with priorities and feel as though you are being pulled apart by demands and responsibilities, this could be great news for you, too. One of the things I taught in my business seminars is you should never say, "It's not my job." But would you believe Jesus said that once? It's in Luke 12:13 and 14. In this passage, a man asked Jesus to be a judge, and Jesus said, Who appointed me an arbiter between you and your brother? In essence, he said, “That's not my job.” I can imagine this man figured Jesus was the right person to settle this argument between him and his brother. As they say, “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.” But Jesus told him he was not called, nor did he intend to become an earthly judge in human affairs. I'm sure he was not unkind about it, but he certainly was direct. In Mark 1:35-38 we see another example of a time when Jesus disappointed people. The whole town had gathered to hear him and be healed, and his disciples were most anxious for him to come and please this crowd. But Jesus decided he needed to go elsewhere, undoubtedly disappointing the crowd. You see, Jesus spent much time in prayer with his Father, and he knew his priorities very well. Jesus did not avoid these people because he was tired or because he did not care. No, he often gave of himself tirelessly, going without food and rest in order to minister to the many who came to him for help. He was frequently exhausted, but he was never feverish, never frazzled, never burned-out. Why? Because he knew what he was called to do, he knew what God's priorities were for him, and that's what he did, leaving other things undone. Sometimes people thought he should do other things, but he knew what was important and what wasn't. Burnout doesn't come from doing God's will; burnout is a result of not appropriately separating the urgent from the important, and this is one lesson I have to learn and re-learn. The irony of self-righteousness is it not only blinds us to our sin, but it also prevents us from loving others as Jesus commands. When you and I remember that we fall short of God’s perfect standard, we will be less inclined to point the finger when people around us do too. How might you be acting in hyper-critical, superior, or fault-finding ways toward others? Rather than being self-righteous, let’s remember we all fall short and live in light of the righteousness that is ours because of our faith in Christ. When we live this way, we display unity and draw others to Jesus.
Duration:00:03:00
Are You Too Busy?
1/18/2025
I much prefer to be busy. Having nothing interesting or important to do is not where I want to be, and I find a full schedule forces me to be efficient, to manage my time more carefully, and therefore to get more accomplished. Frankly, I would be miserable if I were not busy. God designed us to be busy. Jesus was busy; the disciples were busy. They were no doubt stressed out at times. I don’t believe you’ll ever meet or know anyone whom you admire who is not a busy person. But I want to take a look at the downside of busyness; the potential bondage of busyness; the traps that are ready to swallow us if we don’t know how to set boundaries on busyness. As I see it—at least for myself—busyness issues come down to six questions we need to ask ourselves: Am I busy for the right reasons? This will cause you to look at what you’re doing and make sure you are doing what God wants you to do. It will cause you to examine your priorities. It should cause you to pray more about your activities and where you’re expending your time and energy. Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. God has a to-do list for you, and you will be busy when you know and do God’s will. For sure, God doesn’t approve of laziness or sitting on the sidelines and letting everyone else do the work. He wants us to be busy—but busy doing the right things, the things he has prepared in advance for each of us to do. If you’re busy just to achieve some personal success, or to prove something, or because you need to win the approval of someone else, then you’re busy for the wrong reasons. That kind of busyness will lead to burnout and stress, and it will never give the satisfaction you’re looking for. So, question number one is: Are you busy for the right reasons? Has busyness become my identity? We live in a world that honors busyness, that judges people based on how busy they are, and it is very easy to get caught up in this busy cycle as a sense of who we are. Since I tend to over-schedule at times and setting boundaries on my own busyness continues to be a challenge, I often do a self-check and make sure my self-worth is not based on my busyness. For me, that means offering up to God all I’m doing and once again acknowledging I am not my own, my schedule is not my own. My heavenly Father has a perfect right to change my schedule, to slow me down, to put me in another place with a totally different agenda. If you frequently talk about how busy you are and you’re uncomfortable or feel guilty when you have a free moment to yourself, it could be you’ve allowed busyness to become your identity, your sense of well-being, and that is not a good place to be. Do I take pride in my busyness? Have you noticed how some people play one-upmanship about how busy they are? They seem to be in competition to win the prize as the busiest pers Some years ago, God began to reveal to me that I actually could be addicted to busyness, and I did take pride in it. People would make comments about my busyness, and I would take them as compliments. But then I began to see that being recognized for being busy was not necessarily a good thing. Did I really want that kind of image, so that people just thought of me as busy? So, I began to pray about this tendency, and I became intentional about not talking about how busy I was. Now, honestly, I cringe if anyone says something about how busy I am. Number one, I’m not that much busier than anyone else, but more importantly, that’s not how I want to be seen. In fact, I worked at changing my attitude toward my busyness. Instead of thinking of all I had to do and giving a litany of my to-do list, as a point of pride and/or a complaint, I began to say, “Aren’t you blessed to have a lot to do today? Wouldn’t you be miserable if you had nothing of value to do today?
Duration:00:14:28
Creating Unity in Community – 5
1/17/2025
Presented by Lisa Bishop I want to examine something essential for our spiritual lives and for fostering unity in our Christian community, and that’s abiding in Jesus. Jesus himself gave us a key to unity in the body of Christ when he invited us to abide in him. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me (John 15:4). When we abide in Jesus we remain, we dwell, we stay connected to him. It’s not just about having a fleeting connection with Jesus. It’s about staying deeply rooted in him—having a continual, ongoing relationship where his presence and love permeate every part of our lives. Unity in the community of believers flows from our connection to Jesus. In John 15:5, Jesus declares, I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5). When we are rooted in Jesus, we are drawn together in a shared experience of his love, grace, and truth. Think about it. If every individual Christian is abiding in Jesus, then we are all being shaped and transformed by him. We are being aligned with his heart, his will, and his purpose. This is the foundation of unity. When we stay close to Jesus, we’re not just growing individually; we’re growing together as one body in him. When we abide in Jesus, we are spiritually nourished and empowered to live lives that reflect his character—lives marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). As you and I bear spiritual fruit, we contribute to the overall health and unity of the body of Christ that reflects the power of God. In any community, there inevitably will be challenges and differences. But when we abide in Jesus, he gives us the grace to overcome division. His love and his truth unite us even in conflict. Unity in the body of Christ is not something we can manufacture on our own. It’s not about our efforts to get along with or to work things out in our own strength. True unity comes when we, as individuals and as a community, abide in him. How are you abiding in Jesus? Spending time in God’s word and prayer are ways we stay connected and grow. And remember that prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue. Create space for God to speak into your circumstances and relationships and to transform your life. When we take time to simply be still, practice gratitude, and praise him for who he is, we develop a stronger connection and sense of his presence. When we abide in Jesus, we not only benefit but his love binds us together in perfect unity.
Duration:00:03:00
Creating Unity in Community – 4
1/16/2025
Presented by Lisa Bishop We’ve been examining ways we can foster unity in community. When the Bible calls us to be of one mind, unified in Christ, it does not mean we will always see eye to eye. But there are attitudes and behaviors we are called to display as we work toward a spirit of unity. Yesterday we talked about how to respond when we feel wronged. Rather than retaliate, pay people back with a blessing. That behavior in and of itself will show the world around us a better way and put the glory of God on display. Today I want to dive in a little deeper and talk about another essential aspect of seeking unity in community, and that is forgiveness. In any community, especially one as diverse as the body of Christ, conflicts will arise. Differences in opinions, misunderstandings, and hurts will inevitably occur. But forgiveness is the glue that keeps unity intact. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13). Forgiveness is at the very heart of the gospel. Think about it—our sin against God is far greater than any offense we might face from another person. And yet, God, in his infinite mercy, sent his son, Jesus, to die for us while we were still his enemies. The forgiveness we offer is not based on whether others deserve it, but solely because Christ has forgiven us, even though we didn’t deserve it. When we forgive others, we mirror the heart of God, we release others from the debt we feel they owe us, extend the grace God has shown us, and we open the door for reconciliation and restoration. Forgiveness is the means by which we break down walls of division and build bridges of peace. As a follower of Jesus, forgiveness is not an option, it is to be a regular practice in our lives. Are there people with whom you were once in community but perhaps you experienced a riff and the falling out caused you to fall away from the friendship? If there is anyone in your life you may be harboring unforgiveness toward, can I encourage you to take the first step in making amends? You know forgiveness is God’s idea, and it is a very big deal to him. If you are harboring any hurt or resentment, give it to God and ask him to help you get your heart in a posture of forgiveness. Extend the proverbial olive branch and do your part to clear up any division in your relationships. The enemy loves discord but as believers, we can’t afford to have divisions among us. We need each other. Remember, the body of Christ is not made up of perfect people; it is made up of redeemed sinners like you and me who are bound together by the love of Jesus. And when we forgive one another, we strengthen that bond.
Duration:00:03:00