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Your Turn To Earn
by Bill McMurtrey
I wholeheartedly believe that our work has dignity and is a tool God uses to develop us. Many years ago, I lived in my truck in a church parking lot, piecing together jobs, focus, and a desire to find work that would enable me to add value to this world, particularly to the lives of the people crossing my path.
From the time I started working, I have been shaped and grown. At my first job, I was an errand boy/gopher at a trucking company. Each of my jobs has played a role in developing who I am today. In particular, my time in the Army stressed the discipline of keeping a schedule and being on time.
Work is an act of devotion…yes, it most certainly is. I work in the financial markets as a stock/options trader. As I grew in my faith and became self-employed, I began integrating my beliefs and faith with my workplace systems, actions, and relationships. I am lucky to represent my faith and talk about its role in my life throughout all of my work interactions. As God leads me in living and working as a good earner and a good steward, I’ve been able to help others and follow the nudges of God to add value to this world and the people he’s sent my way.
How is God using your work to shape you and help you grow? Where has God placed you to add value to the world? Who are the people he has sent your way?
The Book of Acts Reading Plan:
This Fall-Winter we will be diving into the Book of Acts. For context, check out these brief videos on the major themes in Acts from our friends at The Bible Project.
[Monday, August 12]
Acts 2:42-47
Can you picture a community like the one described here? How might it come together in our time? Write in your own words a description of this community. In v43 it mentions a deep sense of awe coming over them. Awe is “an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration or fear. What do you think they were experiencing when they felt awe?
[Tuesday, August 13]
Acts 3:1-10
The miracle that happens here is quite incredible! We see in this passage that God is on the move, and miracles can happen anywhere. Peter performs this miracle by calling on the name of Jesus, so nobody witnessing this moment would be confused. Where do you need God to move in your life?
[Wednesday, August 14]
Acts 3:11-26
The people were amazed, but Peter and John make it clear: “It wasn’t us…it was Jesus!” Peter gives them a little history lesson, reminding them that God was working then, and is continuing to work today in and through his people. They go on to share that a time is coming when God will restore all things. A time of refreshment and renewal is coming. As you read these verses, what encouragement can you take with you? What questions can you ponder with a friend?
[Thursday, August 15]
Acts 4:1-22
In this section, Peter and John are called before a council of religious leaders and confronted for what they believed were false teachings. Peter doubles down, filled with the confidence and presence of the Holy Spirit, and declares again that these teachings are those of Jesus, who God has made the cornerstone, the way to salvation. Which phrase in this passage is inspiring to you? Have you ever had an experience with God that you cannot stop talking about, sharing with others?
[Friday, August 16]
Acts 4:23-31
Peter and John, freed, returned to the other Jesus followers, leading in prayer. They called on God, declaring his power and sovereignty over all creation with great boldness. How would you declare boldly who God is, and what he has done for you? To whom can you share that declaration of your faith? With the confidence of the Spirit, may you have opportunity to share this very week.
If you’re interested in learning more about baptism at Heartland, contact us HERE.
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE.
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get the free YouVersion Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
The Bible App For Kids YouVersion partnered with OneHope to develop the Bible App for Kids, designing it specifically to engage children with Bible stories on an age-appropriate level. The Bible App for Kids is a free app for Android, Apple, and Kindle devices, available in over 60 languages.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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