Friday July 14, 2023

Today is Friday, July 14 and we are studying what the Bible says about Christian work.

In the morning, I seek the presence of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I pause to rest, quiet my mind, close my eyes and slow my breathing. I breathe in and out, in and out and center myself on the One who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy and Loving God, walk with me on this daily pilgrimage. Show me how to follow in your footsteps, persevere in faithfulness and progress in holiness through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

I lay this day’s upcoming work before God and ask for his blessing with the words of Psalm 90.

May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:16-17

Pause and Pray

The work we are all called to do is the building up of God’s church. In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he expresses an urgency that believers should construct the church with integrity. Paul compares himself to a building contractor who has already laid the foundation and now invites subcontractors to contribute to the overall project. We are all subcontractors and we each have some part to play in the work of the church. I must choose my building materials carefully and approach my work with daily diligence and faithfulness. I give my all for the kingdom of God.

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. 1 Corinthians 3:10-13

The strong foundation of the church is Jesus Christ. He is the mighty Cornerstone and the rock on which the church stands firm. I am called in this generation to build on that foundation. In this scripture, Paul invites me to choose with care how I will build. It is a lifelong project. Am I building something that will stand, something that will last, that will endure the test of time? I consider the work I have already done to build up the body of Christ. I consider the work that I have yet to do. I choose the very best materials for my work, I choose to use ones that are “fireproof.”

Ask: Over the course of my life, what work have I done to build up Christ’s church? What might be left for me to do in my current place of worship?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, give me grace to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ and strengthen the church for the future. Help me choose carefully what and how to build. Help me give my very best for you and build something that is of lasting value. Let my work honor you and bring glory to Jesus Christ. Give me diligence and faithfulness as I endeavor to do your good work. Please bless my church and the contributions of all its members. I read the words from Corinthians again and listen for the message you have for me.

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. 1 Corinthians 3:10-13

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider what God might be revealing about my kingdom work at this age and stage of my pilgrim journey. I evaluate the investment I have made in the past – was I building God’s kingdom with gold or straw? I recall the work I have already done for God and give thanks for the opportunity to serve by building up the church. I ponder the current possibilities I have before me that God might invite me to invest in. Where might I build with silver and precious gems? As I look into the future, I wonder what God might have for me to do. How might I best build on the foundation of Jesus Christ?

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, come and show me the resources I have in my possession. What you have given me is of lasting value. Show me how I can contribute what I have to building up your body the church. Reveal the resources that are like silver, gold and precious gems. Show me what will stand the test of time and help me construct all things in love. Amen.

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:15-16

I leave this time of prayer to build up the body of Christ. I go to invest myself in the good work of God’s kingdom.

Amen