Pearls of Wisdom

Who’s the Boss

August 1, 2016 by pearlsofwisdom Leave a Comment

Photo Courtesy of surpriseideas.org

According to Reference.com, the average person spends almost 40% of their waking hours at work each week. That is a significant amount of time for which we are accountable for our actions.

Colossians 3:23 states ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men’. That means our life at work is a testimony to our co-workers and others that are around us. Our words and actions should reflect a Christ-like behavior and everything we do on the job should be done with honor and respect. We may not like the job we’re doing or the additional duties assigned. However, we perform those tasks to the best of our ability to please God. We should arrive on time, not engage in office gossip or spend the day surfing the internet (unless that is your job).

There is an order of authority with God, and we must respect those who have been placed in authority over us. That can be very challenging if you don’t care for the person in authority. Since God instructs us to pray for our leaders, that includes the person in authority over you. God could respond in one of several ways:

God may touch or change your boss’s heart;
God could touch or change your heart;
God could show you something about your boss that changes your feelings towards them
God could provide you favor with your boss
God could remove your boss from authority over you

Regardless, until God removes you from under your boss’s authority, God is holding you accountable for your work ethic and the relationships you have with co-workers and those in leadership.

If you are the boss, then God is expecting you to treat your staff with respect and to do what is right and fair. That includes paying your employees a fair wage for the work they perform (Colossians 4:1).

Remember that people are watching you and your actions will speak to others about your values and commitment to pleasing God.

Sunrise Sunday – Woman at the Well

July 30, 2016 by pearlsofwisdom 2 Comments

Photo courtesy of Sunrise – Iytimg.com

A few weeks ago, my pastor delivered a sermon on John 4:4-30. This is the passage where Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman at the well. During that time, the Samaritans were regarded by the Jews as ‘low life’. A Jew would never be seen talking to a Samaritan. Rather than traveling through Samaria, the Jews would take the long way around to get to their destination to avoid encountering any Samaritans. So, for Jesus to go through Samaria and have an encounter with a Samaritan was considered scandalous.

Jesus met a Samaritan woman at the well who had come to draw water. Jesus not only engaged the woman in conversation, but proceeded to tell her about her adulterous lifestyle. He explained that He could provide her ‘living water’ so she would never thirst again. During the course of the conversation, he revealed that He was the Messiah.

There are some important observations about this story that provide insight into Jesus’ character.

Jesus knew everything about her sullied lifestyle, but continued to engage with her;
Jesus didn’t care that she led a sinful life. He offered her the same love –‘living water’ that was being offered to the Jews and all that chose to follow Him;
The Samaritan woman wasn’t offended by the things Jesus said about her. Instead, she remained open to what He had to offer her;
In her excitement, she left her water jug at the well and left to tell the towns people about her encounter with Jesus;

We all have a story, and none of us have led a perfect life. Jesus knows every nook and cranny of our life, and in spite of that, He still loves us. He is not here to condemn us; only to forgive us. We need to be open to receive his forgiveness, love and blessings. Once you’re able to do this, you’ll no longer need that water jug. Jesus will provide for your every need.

What are you holding onto and what is stopping you from reaching out to Him?

Perfectly Imperfect Children

July 29, 2016 by pearlsofwisdom Leave a Comment

Photo Courtesy of thestir.cafemom.com

There is a very popular psychologist and bestselling author by the name of Dr. Kevin Leman. Dr. Leman has written a book and videotape series titled Have a New Kid by Friday, in which he provides wonderful tips and easy techniques on changing children’s behavior. In one of his videotapes, Dr. Leman provides an interpretation of Proverbs 22:6 (AMP), “ Train up a child in the way he should go (and in keeping with his individual gift or bent) and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Dr. Leman explains that parents aren’t the ones deciding how a child is to be raised. The way ‘he should go’ is determined by God through the spiritual gifts He has bestowed on the child.

I started thinking about the number of parents that have experienced disappointments by the life choices their children have made. Maybe your child didn’t finish college, or chose a different career path from what was expected. Your child may have fallen into trouble along the way or could be struggling with an addiction. None of these actions caught God by surprise. In fact, He may have orchestrated some of these decisions or allowed your child to go through these experiences for a greater purpose.

As parents, we have to remember that God is in control. Our children may not choose the path we deem as right, but what they choose may be right for them. No matter what decisions they make, God can still accomplish His will and purpose through them. As parents, God wants us to extend them grace, as He has to us, and provide them with unconditional love.

Gone Too Soon

July 22, 2016 by pearlsofwisdom Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy of luckypennylayne.com

The Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida was another senseless tragedy that our nation is struggling to understand. Like the killings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut and the shootings of church goers in Charleston, South Carolina, these are all tragedies at the hand of one lone gunman that should not be occurring in a civilized, God fearing nation. Whether the victims are children, African Americans or members of the LGBTQ community, the results are the same….

How Clear Is Your Vision?

July 22, 2016 by pearlsofwisdom 1 Comment

Photo courtesy of pixabay.com

I recently attended a leadership conference where the speaker was discussing the importance of clarity versus Integrity. He said people value integrity but follow clarity. He went on to say that people with clarity have the greatest power of influence….

Enjoy the Season!

July 19, 2016 by pearlsofwisdom Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy of anotherpartofme.com

Recently, I was out for a walk and was struck with the beauty of the blue sky, smell of fresh cut grass, and the cool refreshing air. I thought about how much I enjoyed spring but then quickly started anticipating summer and my upcoming beach vacation. I had to chuckle to myself about how quickly I was ready to rush through spring without taking time to enjoy the mild temperatures and blooming flowers….

July 18, 2016 by pearlsofwisdom Leave a Comment

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Old people have wisdom, but God has wisdom and power. Old people have insight. God has insight and power. – Job 12:13

As a woman who recently entered her ‘third act’ in life, I’ve noticed over the years, the change in how woman are regarded. As a young woman in the seventies, women were revered – actually cherished, by men. This was evidenced by the lyrics of some of the most popular songs at that time. …

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