Is Ambition Unbiblical?

Every man has a competitive nature, and Christian men are no different.

But as we strive to fulfill our ambitions, are we doing something that’s contrary to God’s law? Is ambition, especially in our career, unbiblical?

Jesus addressed the dilemma Christian men face today:

“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13 NIV).

His warning sounds pretty clear. We may not despise God because of our job, but it’s dangerously easy to grow cold toward Him.

Let’s face facts. Everything costs money, from the necessities of life to the luxuries we all enjoy, and we get that money by working for it. Typically, the harder you work or the more hours you put in, the more money you make.

If you have children, you want to provide them with everything you can, from dental braces to a college education. In between are toys, clothing, computers, electronic gadgets, vacations, and everything else that makes life more enjoyable.

Along the way, if we excel at what we do, we get promoted, gain an impressive title, and earn respect by being someone important. And yet if we’re not extremely careful, our career can crowd God right out of our life.

It’s no coincidence that most of the men who are actively involved in their church are retired. When they were working, they were either at work during the day or resting at home in the evening so they’d have enough energy to get up the next morning and do it all again.

So where do we draw the line with our ambition? Must we choose between God and money? Can’t we have both?

All God, All the Time

If you’re a Christian, you never truly separate God and work. Just because you’re on the clock doesn’t mean you can’t pray, praise and worship God throughout the day. This kind of constant communication should be secret because its purpose is not to impress others. It’s to acknowledge that God is the true master in your life, not your job.

The man who remembers God throughout the work day is not only more productive, but he also enjoys his work more since he puts it into an eternal context. Serving coworkers and customers becomes not a nuisance but rather a privilege.

Certainly God’s laws should govern our conduct at work as well. If your job requires that you consistently violate biblical principles of honesty and fairness, it’s time to look for a new place to work. How seriously you take that obligation shows who is truly your master.

Your job should not consume so much of your time that you’re unable to attend church services. In the 35 years that my father worked rotating shifts in a glass bottle factory (days, afternoons, nights), he always went to church on Sunday, even if he had to go early in the morning after working all night.

Heavenly Things Now

Material goods can be seductive—a flashy car, large house, even exotic vacations—but if we covet those status symbols, it’s a warning signal that we’re serving money instead of God.

We need to spend more time on our spiritual growth than on the growth of our investment portfolio. Our relationship with Jesus Christ should come before our relationship with our stock broker.

Regular Bible study brings God’s timeless truths into your life in the here and now. Business fads come and go, but this source of wisdom is always reliable. A power lunch with the wealthiest executive in the world pales in comparison to personal guidance from the Creator of the Universe, found in his Word.

If, as Christian men, we have our priorities straight, we’ll be able to earn a good living while living a good life. In today’s uncertain economy, it’s rare to work at one company until your retirement, but as a believer, you’re guaranteed a place with Christ for all eternity. That truth alone should put things into the proper perspective.

Choosing the Right Kind of Ambition

There’s an old saying that no man on his deathbed ever regretted not spending more time at work. We’ll take none of our status symbols or money with us into heaven. We will take our character, our kindness to others, and our love for our Savior.

The most thrilling challenge for Christian men is not to become CEO of a multinational corporation, but to let God conform us to the likeness of His Son. This is the ambition worth pursuing. This is the service with the greatest rewards.

When we choose to serve God ahead of money, we may find that the Lord blesses us with material wealth as well, but even if He doesn’t, we have still chosen the better part that cannot be taken away from us.

In his book Success God’s Way, Charles Stanley says, “In good times and bad times, on mediocre days and exhilarating days, in periods of joy and periods of heavy toil, our stance before the Lord must be, ‘Heavenly Father, you’re in charge. I have no success other than what You help me achieve. I trust You to order my steps.’”

4 Reasons Not to Worry

I’ve spent an awful lot of time in my life worrying. I’ve worried about grades in school, job interviews, approaching deadlines and shrinking budgets. I’ve worried about bills and expenses, rising gas prices, insurance costs and endless taxes. I’ve even worried about having my home in perfect condition for “company,” and within seconds of their arrival, the house is turned upside down and no one even notices.

I’ve worried about first impressions, political correctness, identity theft and contagious infections. In spite of all the worrying, I’m still alive and well, and all my bills are paid.

Over the span of my lifetime, worrying accounts for hours and hours of invaluable time that I’ll never get back. So, I have decided that I’d like to spend my time more wisely and more enjoyably. If you’re not convinced yet to give up your worrying, here are four biblical reasons not to worry.

1. Worrying Accomplishes Absolutely Nothing.I don’t know about you, but I don’t have any time to waste these days. And worrying is a waste of very precious time. Worrying won’t help you solve a problem or bring about a solution, so why waste your time and energy on it?
   Matthew 6:27-29
   Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

    

2. Worrying is Not Good for You.Worrying is destructive to us in many ways. It becomes a mental burden that can even cause us to grow physically sick.
   Proverbs 12:25
   Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. 

    

3. Worrying is the Opposite of Trusting God.The energy that we spend worrying can be put to much better use in prayer. Here’s a little formula to remember: Worry replaced by Prayer equals Trust.
   Matthew 6:30
   And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?  

   Philippians 4:6-7
   Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

    

4. Worrying Puts Your Focus in the Wrong Direction.When we keep our eyes focused on God, we remember his love for us and we realize we truly have nothing to worry about. God has a wonderful plan for our lives, and part of that plan includes taking care of us. Even in the difficult times, when it seems like God doesn’t care, we can put our trust in the Lord and focus on his kingdom. God will take care of our every need.
   Matthew 6:25
   That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 

   Matthew 6:31-33
   So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 

   1 Peter 5:7
   Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

The Divine Shepherd

A Psalm of David.
¹The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
²   He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;^*
3   he restores my soul.^*
He leads me in right paths^*
   for his name’s sake.

⁴Even though I walk through the darkest valley,^*
   I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff—
   they comfort me.

⁵You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
⁶Surely^* goodness and mercy^* shall follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
   my whole life long.^*

Nothing Is Impossible With God

Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38).

If God wants something done, can it be done? In other words, if God has a goal for your life, can it be blocked, or is its fulfillment uncertain or impossible?

I am personally convinced that no goal God has for my life is impossible or uncertain, nor can it be blocked. Imagine God saying, “I’ve called you into existence, I’ve made you My child, and I have something for you to do. I know you won’t be able to do it, but give it your best shot.” That’s ludicrous! It’s like saying to your child, “I want to you to mow the lawn. Unfortunately, the lawn is full of rocks, the mower doesn’t work, and there’s no gas. But give it your best shot.” Even secular scholars say that issuing a command that cannot be obeyed will undermine authority.

God had a staggering goal for a little maiden named Mary. An angel told her that she would bear a son while still a virgin, and that her son would be the Savior of the world. When she inquired about this seemingly impossible feat, the angel simply said, “Nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).

You wouldn’t give your child a task he couldn’t complete, and God doesn’t assign to you goals you can’t achieve. His goals for you are possible, certain and achievable. When God’s will for us appears impossible, let’s say with Mary: “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

Imagine the overwhelming assignment that confronted Mary. She was to have a baby without being with a man. She was to raise the child who would save the world. The entire course of history would be altered, and the eternal destiny of believers would be changed. The fact that you are celebrating Christmas today is proof that Mary’s child Jesus was indeed the world-changing Son of God.

Despite the staggering nature of the task announced by the angel, Mary gave herself to accomplish God’s will. God is still looking for a few bondslaves who will dare to believe that nothing is impossible with God.

Lord, I yield to You as Your bondslave. I choose to believe that whatever You want me to do I can do.

Action

“Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action”

Dreams

Your only mine when i dream. when i wake i wanna scream. your not mine i ‘m all alone. i
can only text you on myphone. do dreams lie or they true-i hope so because babes i want u!

If dreams weren’t dreams & dreams came true i wouldn’t be here id b wiv
you. distance is one thing that keeps us apart. but you ‘ll always remain in my heart!

Y do we close our eyes when we sleepc- when we dream, when we kiss? this is
because the most precious thing in the world is unseen. when i close my eyes i see you!

Dream a dream tonight as you sleep. smile a smile tomorrow that you may keep. may
all of your dreams and wishes come true because i could`not find a better friend like you!

Somewhere, someone dreams of your smile & finds your presence in life so
worthwhile. so when your lonely, remember It ‘s true that someone, somewhere, is
thinking  of you

mothers day

There is a gift that gold cannot buy a blessing dats rare & true. Thats the
gift of a wonderful mum, and that lovely mum is you!

Baby only for you, Would I touch your poo, Let you wee, All over me, I’ll pick your
nose & kiss your toes, Clean your bum, Because I’m your mum

If I had a flower for each time I thought of My Mother, I could walk in my
garden forever.

The recipe of motherhood: 1 cup of sharing. 2 cups of caring. 3 cups of
forgiveness & hugs. Mix all of these together to the best MUM

If there was a day for everything you have given to me as a mother,
it would be Mother’s Day every day.

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs… since the
payment is pure love.

A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother
the longest.

Warning

Children playing outside cars can cause accidents.  but adults playing inside
cars can cause children by accident!

Boys should tell their trousers that it ‘s rude to point

be careful when a guy tells you that he loves you from the bottom of his heart. for
this may mean that there is still enough space for another girl on top

Be friendly to your children as they are the ones that decide where you live
when your are old.

When you finally find the perfect guy you think to yourself why isn’t he taken?

boys ‘re like mascara, they run on the first sign of emotion

while wing for the right person to come- play & have fun with the wrong one. but be
careful with who you play with because that person may be the right one all along

If you fool me once shame on you. If you fool me twice shame on me.

Guys are like roses- watch out for the pricks

I Could Use a Little Money

Dear Father,

School is really great. I am making lots of friends and studying very hard. With all my stuff, I simply can’t think of anything I need, so if you would like, you can just send me a card, as I would love to hear from you.

Love,
Your son.

After receiving his son’s letter, the father immediately replies by sending a letter back.

Dear Son,

I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.

Love,
Dad

History paper research on the Internet

Man: “How’s your history paper coming?”

Woman: “Well, my history professor suggested that I use the Internet for research, and it’s been very helpful.

Man: “Really?”

Woman: “Yes! I’ve already located 17 people who sell them!”