Purposefully Employed
Rev. J. Loren Russell
I Corinthians 58-50:51 NKJV
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord..”
When we think of someone being purposefully employed, we think of them occupying a nine-to-five and being paid for their work-related activity. Some people are skilled at what they do, gifted with a particular ability. Others are trained for the job they were hired to do. Whether they are gifted or trained, if they are working, they are both considered to be purposely employed.
Working for a living gives us a sense of pride and accomplishment. When people are purposely employed, they have a sense of pride because they know that they can and are providing for their families. Being purposely employed means that you have a regular work schedule and are receiving a regular income for the work performed. You can be employed by someone, a company, or self-employed, but when you are
purposely employed, the assumption is that you are not getting by, you are doing well enough to provide for your needs and the needs of your family with enough disposable income left over to do things you like to do; investing, vacations, recreation, etc.
Beloved, every gift that is given by the Spirit of God is for the edification of the people and the glorification of God. My prayer is that you have been chosen by God, filled with the Holy Spirit, and gifted for purposeful employment as ambassadors in His service. To be clear, every spiritual gift is given for your employment, not just your enjoyment!
If you have received a gift from the Holy Spirit, consider yourself to be purposefully employed.
Be blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is the Clergy Officiant at the Evangelical Church of God and associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church, both in the Bronx. He is the President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096). He writes this column and produces and host’s “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to Friend, Like, and Share the column and the channel. Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.Purposefully Employed
Rev. J. Loren Russell
I Corinthians 58-50:51 NKJV
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord..”
When we think of someone being purposefully employed, we think of them occupying a nine-to-five and being paid for their work-related activity. Some people are skilled at what they do, gifted with a particular ability. Others are trained for the job they were hired to do. Whether they are gifted or trained, if they are working, they are both considered to be purposely employed.
Working for a living gives us a sense of pride and accomplishment. When people are purposely employed, they have a sense of pride because they know that they can and are providing for their families. Being purposely employed means that you have a regular work schedule and are receiving a regular income for the work performed. You can be employed by someone, a company, or self-employed, but when you are
purposely employed, the assumption is that you are not getting by, you are doing well enough to provide for your needs and the needs of your family with enough disposable income left over to do things you like to do; investing, vacations, recreation, etc.
Beloved, every gift that is given by the Spirit of God is for the edification of the people and the glorification of God. My prayer is that you have been chosen by God, filled with the Holy Spirit, and gifted for purposeful employment as ambassadors in His service. To be clear, every spiritual gift is given for your employment, not just your enjoyment!
If you have received a gift from the Holy Spirit, consider yourself to be purposefully employed.
Be blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is the Clergy Officiant at the Evangelical Church of God and associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church, both in the Bronx. He is the President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096). He writes this column and produces and host’s “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to Friend, Like, and Share the column and the channel. Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.
