"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Ecclesiastes 9:10, By Joy Wie-Addo

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

Ecclesiastes 9:10

By Joy Wie-Addo

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do," refers to works that are possible. There are many things which our heart findeth to do which we never shall do. It is well it is in our heart; but if we would be eminently useful, we must not be content with forming schemes in our heart, and talking of them; we must practically carry out "whatsoever our hand findeth to do." One good deed is more worth than a thousand brilliant theories. Let us not wait for large opportunities, or for a different kind of work, but do just the things we "find to do" day by day. We have no other time in which to live. The past is gone; the future has not arrived; we never shall have any time but time present. Then do not wait until your experience has ripened into maturity before you attempt to serve God. Endeavour now to bring forth fruit. Serve God now, but be careful as to the way in which you perform what you find to do--"do it with thy might." Do it promptly; do not fritter away your life in thinking of what you intend to do to-morrow as if that could recompense for the idleness of to-day. No man ever served God by doing things to-morrow. If we honour Christ and are blessed, it is by the things which we do to-day. Whatever you do for Christ throw your whole soul into it. Do not give Christ a little slurred labour, done as a matter of course now and then; but when you do serve Him, do it with heart, and soul, and strength.
But where is the might of a Christian? It is not in himself, for he is perfect weakness. His might lieth in the Lord of Hosts. Then let us seek His help; let us proceed with prayer and faith, and when we have done what our "hand findeth to do," let us wait upon the Lord for His blessing. What we do thus will be well done, and will not fail in its effect.

Work for God, People Notice, By Hillary-Beth

Work for God, People Notice

By Hillary-Beth Koenig

You're sitting in class and the teacher gives out an assignment. Maybe you groan (at least inside) and ask yourself why you have to do this pointless paper. I'm going to tell you now, though, it isn't pointless. You may say, "But you don't even know the subject!" That's right, I don't, but there is more than just a grade at stake for those of us who follow Christ, no matter what task we are given.

There are many ways you can "work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters," as Colossians 3:23 says. For one thing, your attitude about work is called to change just by your reading that one verse! When you're working for God, you can't complain and fuss or pout. If you're the only one not complaining, you'll be noticed, and that gives you the opportunity to give God the glory! Is it worth joining in and complaining about a task when you can, instead, shine for Jesus by putting your pride aside?

Philippians 2:14-16 "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, 'children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.' Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life."

Also, your work ethic is important. A work ethic is the standard to which you do your work, and the manner in which you accomplish it - if you have a good work ethic, your motivation to do your best drives you to complete tasks on time, to produce quality results, and to put true effort into what you take on. You're not trying to be a teacher's pet by doing your best - you're trying to please your Creator, who's given you the abilities to succeed.

Another way you can shine is to make sure you are honest in all manners. This is especially hard for some students. It's easy to copy someone else's math problems when you "didn't have time" to do all of your homework because you were studying for another class's tests; easy, and wrong. It's easy to read something online or in a book, and seeing it is worded just so perfectly, copy that into your paper, and "just not say" it's someone else's words; easy and wrong. It's hard to do the right thing, but it's worth it.

From your thoughts to your actions to your words, you will have many opportunities every day to shine for the Lord. Will you choose to do the right thing, or will you choose the easy way out?