I read a news article where a man in America says church belongs in church not at work. Well that got me thinking. When did we become a secular nation where church and faith are no longer at the forefront of our national character? Where did it become shameful to be a good God fearing person in this country?
I fully believe when you are at work you do the very best job you can as part of your Christian testimony, When you are on the clock then you do what is in your employer's best interest. this does not mean you check your faith, It does not mean you stop representing Christ. It means that you live your life as an example of Christ, as a testimony at work, at home, at the store, at the garage, at the gym. etc.
It is not a coat you put on to wear to church. It is not a scarf to wear only when the season demands. It is a way of life. It is a joy we have. It is a privilege we have. It is an obligation to our God to be the best representative that we can be.
We all know the story of Daniel in the Lion's den and how he prayed openly to God though it might cost him his life. However, this wasn't the only time that Daniel made a stand. He did the same when he was a young man. A stranger in a strange land. He made a stand to be pure before God rather than to follow the ways of those who had rule over him. He did not break the law, but stood up for his convictions.
Daniel 1:3-17KJV
3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel took a stand, him and his friends stayed pure to their way of life and to their God. The meat offered to them was either first offered to idols or, more probably, it was not fixed according to the Jewish dietary laws.
In either case Daniel wasn't going to eat it. He didn't get self-righteous, he made a proposition to the eunuchs who were watching over the Hebrew children. Daniel had them test their theory, prove their God and see if it wasn't right.
Daniel was a man of God in captivity! He stood for what he believed no matter the cost! Trust me in his situation he had a lot more to lose than most of us today. He could have lost his head at the king's whim. Yet he never wavered, he always showed a strong faith in his work ethic, in his personal testimony, and even in his eating habits.
Daniel stood for God at all times, period. God blessed him and rewarded him for it.
We, today's christian, can not be bothered to be a testimony by going to church. What would the majority of today's Christians have done in this instance? I am almost ashamed to think of our actions in the same situation based on the track record of the world today.
God is always there for us.
How can we do less for Him? He gave us His very best. Yet we repeatedly give to Him out of our convenience, out of our extra. Not our last dollar, not our only hour of me time.
"when in Rome do as the Romans do." Don't you believe it. At all times you should do what will glorify and honor your God. What will add to your testimony not take away from it.
Not too long ago there was a "WWJD" question going on here in America. What would Jesus do? Ask yourself what Jesus would do. Would He go to the bar? Would He stay home from His beloved church because He was busy? Would He not witness despite the possible costs?
I would ask you to think about your testimony, to see if it is a shining example or a tarnished shield.
Keep your faith active and apparent at all times. Wear your testimony as a badge of honor.
I fully believe when you are at work you do the very best job you can as part of your Christian testimony, When you are on the clock then you do what is in your employer's best interest. this does not mean you check your faith, It does not mean you stop representing Christ. It means that you live your life as an example of Christ, as a testimony at work, at home, at the store, at the garage, at the gym. etc.
It is not a coat you put on to wear to church. It is not a scarf to wear only when the season demands. It is a way of life. It is a joy we have. It is a privilege we have. It is an obligation to our God to be the best representative that we can be.
We all know the story of Daniel in the Lion's den and how he prayed openly to God though it might cost him his life. However, this wasn't the only time that Daniel made a stand. He did the same when he was a young man. A stranger in a strange land. He made a stand to be pure before God rather than to follow the ways of those who had rule over him. He did not break the law, but stood up for his convictions.
Daniel 1:3-17KJV
3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel took a stand, him and his friends stayed pure to their way of life and to their God. The meat offered to them was either first offered to idols or, more probably, it was not fixed according to the Jewish dietary laws.
In either case Daniel wasn't going to eat it. He didn't get self-righteous, he made a proposition to the eunuchs who were watching over the Hebrew children. Daniel had them test their theory, prove their God and see if it wasn't right.
Daniel was a man of God in captivity! He stood for what he believed no matter the cost! Trust me in his situation he had a lot more to lose than most of us today. He could have lost his head at the king's whim. Yet he never wavered, he always showed a strong faith in his work ethic, in his personal testimony, and even in his eating habits.
Daniel stood for God at all times, period. God blessed him and rewarded him for it.
We, today's christian, can not be bothered to be a testimony by going to church. What would the majority of today's Christians have done in this instance? I am almost ashamed to think of our actions in the same situation based on the track record of the world today.
God is always there for us.
How can we do less for Him? He gave us His very best. Yet we repeatedly give to Him out of our convenience, out of our extra. Not our last dollar, not our only hour of me time.
"when in Rome do as the Romans do." Don't you believe it. At all times you should do what will glorify and honor your God. What will add to your testimony not take away from it.
Not too long ago there was a "WWJD" question going on here in America. What would Jesus do? Ask yourself what Jesus would do. Would He go to the bar? Would He stay home from His beloved church because He was busy? Would He not witness despite the possible costs?
I would ask you to think about your testimony, to see if it is a shining example or a tarnished shield.
Keep your faith active and apparent at all times. Wear your testimony as a badge of honor.
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