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Colossians 3:23 - How To Work With All Your Heart.

Colossians 3:23: How To Work With All Your Heart.

Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your 
heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. 

Colossians 3:23 (AMP) Whatever may be your task, work at it 
heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for 
men,  

COMMENTARY PEARL

Be Excellent
   Being excellent simply means that we do the best we can with 
what we have. God is excellent, and He has called us to be excellent 
also. So we should never be satisfied to just do what we have to do in 
order to get by. We should always go the extra mile and do an 
excellent job at whatever we are tasked to do. 
   Mediocrity seems to be normal in society today, but it isn't 
the will of God. If we are going to do a job, we can and should give 
it our best. We can take excellent care of all that we have. We can 
have excellent attitudes, treat people as valuable, and realize that 
we represent God at all times. 
   It is important not only to do the best you can when people 
are watching, but to do so when nobody is watching. God sees all 
that we do and we would be wise to remember that our reward comes 
from Him. 
   Father, I know that You are excellent in all Your ways. Help 
me be an excellent person who brings glory to You. [My Time with 
God by Joyce Meyer] 

COMMENTARY

All Your Heart
   What motivates you to get healthy? It's completely legitimate 
to do it out of love for someone else, such as your spouse or your 
grandkids. It's also legitimate to do it for yourself, so that you feel 
better or are able to participate in activities that require energy and 
focus. Many other motivations are equally valid and lead to numerous 
rewards for pursuing health.  
   God gives you all these incentives to get healthy, but he 
also has one more he would like you to consider. Do it for him. It's 
a great energizer if you decide that all the work of getting 
healthy is ultimately not for anyone but the Lord. That's a motivation 
that can help you move through whatever setbacks come your way. As 
the apostle Paul said, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you 
do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). 
   Pursue your goals with all your heart, and whatever your 
other motivations, do it ultimately for the Lord. [The Daniel Plan 
365-Day Devotional] 

ILLUSTRATION

One Corner At A Time
   Our family cabinet shop can get pretty messy, especially when 
big orders come in. After one particularly big job, the shop was in 
a horrendous mess. I told one of our new employees to start 
cleaning up in preparation for the next job. He looked at me, then he 
looked back at the shop and said, "That will take forever!" 
   Everybody who works in our shop is in recovery. And since he 
was new to the shop and new to recovery, I thought this would be a 
good teaching moment. I replied, Ill tell you what. Start in 
that corner and clean up a 30 x 30-foot area, and when you finish 
that, start on the next one." After two hours, he came into the office 
with a big grin on his face and exclaimed, "All done, Boss!" 
   I told him that the shop is like our lives. We come in with a 
bunch of problems, too many to tackle all at once. We get the job done 
by working on one problem at a time and doing it to the best of our 
ability. 
   Lord, help me not to be overwhelmed by what it will take to 
cleanup my life, but to take one thing at a time and do it in away that 
is pleasing to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily 
Devotional by John & Johnny Baker re Col. 3:23, 24] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

   Before you begin a task - large or small - take time to pray 
about it. By doing so, you acknowledge your need for Me and your trust 
that I will help you. This enables you to go about your work in 
dependence on Me. There are many benefits to this practice. I can guide 
your mind as you think things out and make decisions. Just knowing I 
am involved in what you're doing gives you confidence, reducing 
stress. It's wise to thank Me often for My help and to keep asking Me to 
guide you along the best pathway. 
   Though the Bible instructs you to pray continually, at times 
you ignore this teaching. When you're feeling rushed, you find it 
hard to slow down enough to seek My perspective on the work at hand. 
However, diving in and forging ahead on your own is actually 
counterproductive. When you request My involvement before you begin, I can point 
you in the right direction - saving precious time and energy. I 
delight in helping you with everything, even simple tasks, because you 
are My beloved. (Col. 3:23; Psa. 32:8; 1Th. 5:17; SOS. 6:3) [Jesus 
Always by Sarah Young] 

   Stay ever so close to Me, and you will not deviate from the 
path I have prepared for you. This is the most efficient way to stay 
on track; it is also the most enjoyable way. Men tend to multiply 
duties in their observance of religion. This practice enables them to 
give Me money, time, and work without yielding up to Me what I desire 
the most--their hearts. Rules can be observed mechanically. Once 
they become habitual, they can be followed with minimal effort and 
almost no thought. These habit-forming rules provide a false sense of 
security, lulling the soul into a comatose condition.  
   What I search for in My children is an awakened soul that 
thrills to the Joy of My Presence! I created mankind to glorify Me and 
enjoy Me forever. I provide the Joy; your part is to glorify Me by 
living close to Me. (Deu. 6:5; Col. 3:23; Psa. 16:11) [Jesus Calling by 
Sarah Young] 

   The present moment is the point at which time intersects 
eternity. It is also the place where you can encounter Me - your eternal 
Savior. So keep your thoughts focused on the present as much as you can, 
enjoying My Presence here and now.  
   Invite Me into whatever you are engaged in. Ask Me to help 
you do your work heartily. Working collaboratively with Me lightens 
your load and enables you to be more effective. Share with Me not 
only your work but also your leisure - thanking Me for both. When 
something upsets you, don't let fearful or obsessive thoughts take over 
your mind. Instead, talk with Me about whatever is troubling you. 
Then cast all your anxiety on Me, knowing that I care for you.  
   If you ask, I will open your eyes and awaken your heart so 
you can see more fully all that the present contains. I delight in 
meeting with you in your wide-awake heart! I came into the world so that 
you may have life in abundance - till it overflows. (Col. 3:23; 1Pe. 
5:7; John 10:10) [Jesus Always by Sarah Young] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them 
anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be 
kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest 
anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. 
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. 
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give 
your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. 
It was never between you and them anyway." - Mother Teresa 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20141018-1339.html

http://www.abible.com/index.php