Hebrews 6:13-15 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, ¹⁴ saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”^{[a] 15} And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

I have been really struggling at work.  It is not just the work load right now, yet is is high.  It is the emotional atmosphere.  Because of cuts in the state of Kansas mental health budget, we had to redo the incentive pay structure which went over like a lead balloon and then there was another cut.  When I do supervision with my staff some of them start crying.  They know it was not me, but their lives are financially affected.  Looming is still more uncertainty.  Some of my staff are leaving which makes more work for everyone else and I can't hire.  Less than a month ago, the state bulletin came out with the second cut and I had just hired 2 new staff and changed the job description of another staff and I feel personally responsible.  This only scratches the surface.  We are completely overhauling the treatment modality from each therapist using their own specialized therapy to incorporating a Trauma Systems Therapy and all new paperwork.  More change!  Also some have used our company Short Term Disability policy and I am fighting with HR on how they calculated the staff salary.  My Overland Park office has to move locations in a month and my Wyandotte County office has no 3 desks for 5 staff.  When we look for positives we are clouded by all the negative.

I was moved to this division last July.  I thought by now, things would be better and calmed down but the change has been constant and the pay cuts unexpected.  I just can't emotionally remove myself from their pain and I fear it may get much worse. 

Once a long, long time ago, I remember I was in more more pain than this.  I remember finding a button on the floor of my living room when I thought I couldn't take any more pain. It looked just like the picture above with the rainbow and said God keeps His Promises. I clung to the promise of God.  Lord, I pray for each of my 25 staff.  Right now the future seems scary for them, but God has a perfect answer for each one of them including me.  Help me to wait patiently like Abraham and know that you keep Your promises.   

Time of Need

Hebrews 4:14-16  ¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Dear Lord, I come to you today through Jesus my high priest.  The only way I am able to come to You is because Jesus became the propitiation for my sin. His death, his blood, was shed for me so I can approach the throne of grace.  Lord, I pray for mercy and for Your grace in my time of need.  I need wisdom and your help with my anxiety at work.  I am overwhelmed and overloaded.  Please show me the path You want me to take. 

Slavery

Philemon 1:12  I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. ¹³ I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. ¹⁴ But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. ¹⁵ Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— ¹⁶ no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

How did the Bible handle slavery?  Apparently, the Book of Philemon was used by both Pro-Slavery and Anti-Slavery advocates.  Onesimus was a slave of the man Philemon.  Paul says "no longer as a slave" but in the ancient world, Onesimus has to be sent back instead of just writing a letter and stating to free him. 

Political, social, economic injustice have always been issues of concern for Christians.  The true campaign is  for the hearts of men.  Paul's mission was not to erradicate salvery, but to erradicate us being slaves to sin and accepting Christ as our Lord and Master. Once we are obedient to Christ, our love for others will make all men brothers and bring the social justice to a broken world. 

In the picture above, this American Scuplture went on tour in America and was was seen by over 100,000 people between 1847-1848 .It was also the American centerpiece exhibit at the 1851 World's Fair in the Crystal Palace in London. Notice the cross at the lower left below her chains.    

Be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient..

Titus 3:1-2  Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ² to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

Growing up in Catholic school, the nuns told us we were to "obey the laws of the land."  As  a teenager I distinctly remember under peer pressure being asked to smoke pot. Sitting with a group of new kids I had just met with my boyfriend Steve, Kevin leaned over and whispered to him if I would smoke pot.  Immediately I heard in my mind,  "we are to obey the laws of the land."  It wasn't because of being a good citizen, it was because of God.  But....peer pressure got the best of me.  Oh how a conscience can become seared.  Honestly, this "pot" was probably some Kansas ditchweed because I didn't feel anything.  I felt guilty but my 14 year old mind started rationalizing.  Here was my conversation....."Well, my dad and all our neighbors drink booze and they act really studpid and booze is legal, this isn't like that at all. This is just a social thing. This is a bad law."   

Well anyway, I laughed out loud when I saw the picture of the little guy getting a ticket. I hope he follows Titus 3 better than I did.    

Fulfill your ministry

2 Timothy 4:5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

What is "MY" ministry or ministries?  If I am part of the body of Christ, am I a finger or a toe?  One thing for sure, no matter what part of the body I am, I am needed.  A person can get along without parts of the body, but it works better if all parts are present and doing their intended job. 

When I googled images for the word MINISTRY, there were graphics for so many types, Men's Ministry, Women's Ministry, Youth Ministry, Children's Ministry, Family Ministry, Outreach Ministry, Music Ministry, Media Ministry, Sports Ministry, Racing Ministry....I think whatever we can do, we can find a way to do what Paul states to fulfill your ministry.    See a few of the graphics I found below.

I WILL FAN INTO FLAME

2 Timothy 1:2-7 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. ⁴ Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

 ⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

This spoke to me on my action on being a Christ follower.  God gave me the Holy Spirit just like on Pentecost as seen as a tounge of fire.  I got a portion or a talent.  It is up to me when the master returns to show him with the One Talent of the Holy Spirit that I increased it.  I didn't hid it, I increased it in my life and in the live of those perishing around me.  God, Bless me with your Holy Spirit and wisdom not to be timid but to have Power, Love and Self Discipline.    

Prayer for our Country

I Timothy 2: 1-5 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Each day I pray for our president and his family, the upcoming elections, our Senate, our House of Representatives, our Supreme Court, judges throughout our land, state leaders, county leaders, city, town and community leaders and our men and women in the military.  I pray for revival in America that we seek God's wisdom in our country.  I will add in that each leader comes to a knowledge of the truth!!