SundayNovember16,2014|devo4

Imwideawake

GreetingsSeniorsfromOHIO!Somewarmfuzzies/meditativestuffbeforewe talkpractical:on
Friday,ClaretoldmesomethingGodsbeenshowingher,

I used to look at thestoryofRahabandthinkif Godcoulduseher,thenhecan

useme.ButnowIlookatitandrealize,IamRahab.

I wish I had the gutsto wearthattype of raw identity on my sleeve for all to see,thatIama
prostitute loved by the Good Shepherd. Rahabs faith saved her from destruction, forever
being immortalized in the books of Joshua and Hebrews. And as Johnsharedinhissermon,
the good shepherd leads us from the front by thecall ofhisvoiceneverfrombehindwiththe
crack of a whip. John stated thatthatisascenenotofshepherdingbutofsheepbeingdriven
to the slaughter. God doesnt use force, rather he calls with a specificandtimely voice that
hes made knowntous.A.W.TozercallsitPrevenientGraceGodinitiatesandwereplyjust
like a Facebook invite: yes, maybe or decline. Andsoweask ourselvesJohnsquestionfrom
Friday,dowetrustwheretheGoodShepherdisleadingus?

I wonder how Rahab would have responded? Think about it, her profession was tragic
enough and theres so many jerks outtherewhowouldveabusedherasaprostitute,leading
to so much pain and hurt. Wasnt her trust, her faith shattered? Have you everheard Katy
Perrys Wide Awake? I dont know but I feel like it just makes sense to Rahabs life and
maybe all of ours at different points. I can hear her casting aside naivety, crying out for self
preservation...

I wish I knew then| What I know now | Wouldn't dive in |Wouldn'tbowdown|

Gravityhurts|Youmadeitsosweet|'TilIwokeupon|Ontheconcrete

Andagainasshewillsherselfbackupright

I'm wide awake |Notlosinganysleep|Ipickedupeverypiece|Andlandedon

myfeet|I'mwideawake|Neednothingtocompletemyself,no

Such self confidence she soundsprimeforthenextbigthinginherlife.Butstillthere

isthisanxietysubtlyresiding...breedinginside

I'm wide awake | Thunder rumbling | Castles crumbling|I'mwideawake|Iam

trying to hold on | I'm wide awake | God knows that I tried | Seeingthe bright
side|I'mwideawake|I'mnotblindanymore...

Rahabs story is so distinctive because at the appointed time, at the appointed place, faith
knocks atherdoorandshechoosestrustandresponds.Butrealize,she(we)stillneedKatys

song (click here to listen)...weve got to validate the struggle...our empathy must increase.
Because at the appointed time, at the appointed place our choice cannot be flippant as we
honestly choose faith as the antidote for our self preservation. Then we can answer Johns
question...

Indeed...forIamRahab

I love that identity. Iwant that identity. I want to be wide awake, like for real wide awake. To
lose my life for HIS sake...to respond intrusttofaithdespitechallenges,yesevendespitemy
ownabilities/selfsufficiency(ifthatmakessense).amen.

This is a longish devosotakingabreakistotallyfine butI doencourageyoutotakeagander

below at some point this week (itsthe continuation from last weeks topic:90k+worthwhile
hourswegetworkinourlifetimes:)

punbreak

Lets continue from last week and look at why we work...Self preservation (self focus)
becomesacancerincountlessemployment/careerpursuits.Formany Christians,theresvery
little difference between the secular and biblical paradigms of work. Theyre still payingthe
bills, saving for retirement,working for theweekend, andprovidingfortheirfamily.Sure,they
probably tithe and give to missionaries now and then, but isthat theonly difference? Why
do we work? Is it to put food on the table and provide for our families? Is it to give to
missionaries doing the work of God? These are good reasons, but if theyre our ultimate
motivation thenwell never thrive and be fulfilled. How weanswerthis questioninfluences
everythingwedo.

1. Weremadetowork:ConsiderGenesis1:1through2:12:15
a. EvenbeforetheFall,AdamandEveworked.
b. GodsentangelstoperformtasksforHim.
c. Workisrelatedtoournature
i.
Godcoulddoworkhimself(hedoesntneedustoproduce)
ii.
yetGodinHisdivinewisdomchoosestocreateustowork
iii.
God knows theres a value in work beyond just accomplishing a
task

iv.

God knows that creation finds satisfaction when it fulfills its

original design and purpose. Gods creation ultimately finds
esteem and purpose in serving Him. Okay, so working leads to
fulfillmentbybringingusintoharmonywithournature.
2. ComponentsofWork
a. turningpotentialintoproduction
i.
Whether youre a baker, carpenter, farmer, homemaker,
scientist, or doctor, in the end, all labor attains the same goal.
Not only do we work because we were created to, but through
our work we become creators ourselves by bringing order to
chaosandturningpotentialintoproduction.
b. Motivation
i.
2 Thes. 3:10 For even when we were with you, we would give
you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not
eat.
1. but this is only part of the picture, not the long term
purposeifwewanttofindtruefulfillment.
2. Sowhatsourmotivation?readfollowingverses:
ii.
Col 3:17 2224 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do
everything in the name of theLord Jesus, giving thanks to God
the Father through him. Bondservants, obey in everything those
who are your earthly masters, not by way of eyeservice, as
peoplepleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for theLordandnot formen,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as
yourreward.YouareservingtheLordChrist.
iii.
Eph 6:58 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear
and trembling, with a sincere heart,as you would Christ, not by
the way of eyeservice, aspeoplepleasers,butasbondservants
of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, renderingservice
with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that
whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the
Lord,whetherheisabondservantorisfree.
iv.
What is thedangerinviewingourmotivationassoIcanprovide
for my familyorsoIcangivetothosedoingtherealworkofthe
Lord,likemissionaries?
1. This subtle lie often influences wellmeaning Christians
who then begin to measuretheirvaluetotheKingdomby
what they can produce and how much they can give
financially. If this was true then men like Paul, John
the Baptist, and even Jesus would be viewed as
giganticfailures!
c. DontCompartmentalize!

i.

Based on the verses we read, what do you think is wrong with

the following statement? Ijust workto pay the bills, butwhereI
am spiritually fulfilled is when Im . . . teaching Sunday School /
going on mission trips / helping with the church youth group /
servingasanusher
ii.
The Bible tells us that whatever we do, whether were serving
hamburgers or serving Communion, were to do it all unto the
Lordasanactofworship.
1. Howdoesthataffectourqualityoflife?
iii.
When we start to differentiate in our lives between the secular
and spiritual, then work loses its value andonlychurchactivities
have any worth. This is bad news considering most of our lives
are spent on the former! Remember the examples of men like
Daniel andJoseph who accomplished mighty thingsforGod,
specifically because they worked secular jobs, not in spite
ofthem.
d. Meditate: At times, we are all tempted to be motivated by things other
than working for the Lord. What are some things that you specifically
mightbetemptedormotivatedby?

Man may be our taskmaster, but Godis whoweworkfor.Itdoesntmatterifwereinfulltime

ministry or working at WalMart, we have the same Boss. God never differentiates! We will
see that this truth can have aprofound impact on our attitudes and responses to everything
wedo.

Summary|
1. We were made to work and secular employment will providecontinuousopportunities
toworkforGodifourmotivationisfocusedonworshippingHimwithour9to5lives
2. Remember not to differentiate betweenthesecularandspiritualaspectsofourlives.If
wedo,worklosesitsvalueandonlychurchactivitieshaveanyworth.

EngagetheDiscussionTopics|
Considerjournalingorponderingsections2b:ivand2d.fromaboveinred.

Imwideawake...forreals:)
~YourSeniorYear