Week Fifty, 2025

“We must do the work of Him who has sent me, as long as it is day. For night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4).

Your work matters. The first person who said to be “filled with the Spirit” in the Bible was not a pastor, but a craftsman and artist of wood and stone (Exodus 31:2–5). Don’t minimize your daily work in the marketplace—it is nothing less than a holy calling. Your work—your position—is your platform.

In the New Testament…

Of the 132 public appearances that Jesus made, 122 were in the marketplace.

Of the 52 parables that Jesus told, 45 had a workplace context.

Of the 40 miracles in the Book of Acts, 39 were in the marketplace.

Work, in its different forms, is mentioned more than 800 times in the Bible—more than all the words used to express worship, music, praise, and singing combined.

No matter where or what it is, your work is a holy calling. Treat it as such. Do not minimize your daily work; it is nothing less than a holy calling.

God has you right where He wants you—right now!

Remember: Jesus was a carpenter for most of His adult life.

You were created to be like Christ.

Ask yourself the question: “Are you being transformed by the truth?”

Do What You Say You’re Going To Do

You were shaped for serving God.

You were also shaped to serve others; be a servant leader.

Ask yourself: “Are you playing marbles with the diamonds God has given you?”

Live What You Say You Believe

Live what you say you believe. Live out loud—let Christ be seen in all you say and do.

“Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23–24).

—Marty Stubblefield

Sometimes True Stories

We have all been there. Walking through life feeling unseen. Unknown. Feeling all alone. Going through day after day burdened, and no one seems to care. Facing difficult times, dark valleys stretching out before us with no end in sight, and the anxious uncertainty greeting us in the morning of each new day. Many of those around us feel the same.

But then we remember that God inspired David to write this promise for him and us: “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me” (Psalm 23:4 NLT).

And God poked Isaiah to share: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV).

And Matthew recorded Jesus’ last words to His disciples before He ascended to be with the Father: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 ESV).

And if we don’t have those verses of God’s Word seared in our memories yet, or have a Bible close at hand, God sends you and me a sunrise or a sunset, maybe blows a breeze through our hair, or arranges a call from a friend.

All to remind you, and to remind me that—we will never walk alone.

God is there. God sees us. God cares. God loves us. Always and forever.

But Jesus also shares this with us: “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16 ESV).

We are the light of the world. You and me. It is not a suggestion, but a fact from Christ’s own mouth.

We are to be the light of God to others: caring for them, reaching out to them, lifting them, helping them, sacrificing for them, and loving them.

So, they too will never walk alone. —Scott Whitaker

Quotes You Can Use

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. —Leo Tolstoy

Good and evil increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. —C.S. Lewis

Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy. —C.S. Lewis

Of all the bad men, religious bad men are the worst. —C.S. Lewis

We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the presence of God. He walks everywhere incognito. —C.S. Lewis

Live a life that encourages others in their faith and mission. —Edgar Aponte

Application Points:

Encourage others by being an example

Encourage others through your evangelism

Encourage others through your faithfulness

Encourage others with the Word of God

Encourage others through your generosity

Encourage others through prayer

Our lives are not to be lived to impress or please others, but to please God and Him alone.

Time, talents, and treasure will someday pass away because everything on earth is temporary.

Everything matters to God. We often think that God is only interested in the big things in our lives, but He is interested in the small things as well; so, do all things to the glory of God.

We live in a world where we are externally driven rather than internally called.

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