Ideal

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The Ideal Worker

Exodus 36:1

"Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded."

Finding the ideal worker in any walk of life is never an easy task. When you ask employers how hard it is to find the ideal worker, you will find that many of these employers are frustrated in finding someone who is the ideal worker.

When God commanded Moses to build the tabernacle, He gave him a man who was an ideal worker. Bezaleel would be coveted by every employer today if he were alive. There is no doubt in my mind that the tabernacle of the LORD would not have become what it did without Bezaleel. Let me show you several things about this man that made him the ideal worker.

First, he was a wise worker. You will notice in the verse above that the LORD gave Bezaleel wisdom to "...know how to work..." Bezaleel was not careless about his work. He used wisdom to build the instruments of the tabernacle and to accomplish the work in the best possible way. You should strive to be wise as you work. Don't be careless on the job, but be wise in your work habits so you can accomplish more for God and your employer.

Second, he worked well with others. In Exodus 38:22, you will read that Bezaleel worked with a man named Uri. His ability to work with others helped the work to go smoother. There is nothing worse than trying to get people to get along on the job. If you want to be an ideal worker, then you need to learn to work well with others. No, they may not always do things the way you would do them, but they can help you and the one for whom you are working to accomplish the task in a greater way.

Third, he was a willing worker. In Exodus 35:21 you will see that God used him because he was willing. Bezaleel didn't have the attitude that he had to do God's work, but he had the attitude that he was privileged to do God's work. When you get past the "Got to" attitude and get to the "Get to" attitude concerning your work for the LORD and your employment, then you will find that the work you perform will be more enjoyable. When people enjoy what they do, they will produce a better product.

Fourth, he was a self teacher. In the verse above, you can see that Bezaleel never stopped learning. In order to get wisdom in an area, you must be willing to learn about that area. An ideal worker will continue learning about the area in which they work. The reason for this is so that they can do what they are supposed to do in a better way. Never stop learning about what you are supposed to do. Be a self teacher, and motivate yourself to improve your education in the area of your work.

Fifth, he followed instructions. In Exodus 39:21, Bezaleel did everything that the "...LORD commanded Moses." This means that Moses gave Bezaleel the instructions on how to do the work. Bezaleel humbly followed the instructions given to him. Ideal workers are one's who will follow instructions. Don't be one who makes your own rules, but follow the instructions given to you.

Last, he was a finisher. In Exodus 39:43, you will see that the work was finished. Ideal workers finish what they start. Whenever you start a project, be one who finishes it. Don't leave projects unfinished.

Ideal workers are hard to find. Let those with whom you work feel that they have found an ideal worker in you.

Famine

Preparing for the Famine

Genesis 41:29-30

"Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;"

Life is a series of cycles. You will have ups, and you will have downs. You will have prosperity, but you will also have famine. God allowed Pharaoh to have a dream that taught this principle. God showed Pharaoh through his dream that there would be seven years of plenty, and the years of plenty would be followed by seven years of famine. Joseph advised Pharaoh to prepare for the famine by setting aside in the years of plenty. This advice should be followed by all, whether it is a person or a government.

Prosperity will not last forever. One of the mistakes of this present generation is that it doesn't seem to understand that prosperity will end. When you live in times of prosperity, you must realize that it will end someday.

Likewise, famine will not last forever. Just like prosperity will only last for a time, famine will end someday as well. When you are going through tight times, you must not give up, eventually you will see good times again. You must not despair in times of famine for they are only temporal.

Furthermore, prosperity is sent to prepare for the famine. Here is where many people make a mistake. Prosperity is not sent for pure enjoyment, but God sends us prosperity so we can prepare to make it through the times of famine. During times of prosperity you must have the character to set aside. When you are young, learn to set aside for retirement. When times are going well, learn to set aside some finances to make it through the coming years of famine. You must not be one who wastes all your finances thinking that they will always be there. There will come a time when prosperity will end, so you must be sure to use the time of prosperity to prepare yourself for when the time of famine comes.

The bite of famine is only as grievous as prosperity's preparation. Famine is never an enjoyable thing to go through, but you can take the fierceness of its bite away by preparing for it in times of prosperity. When you look at those who prepared for their senior years when they were young, you will notice that they don't struggle as much as those who wasted their years of prosperity. You can either tighten the belt in years of prosperity so you can enjoy the latter years of your life, or you can splurge now and have nothing when the years of famine come.

Finally, preparation and prayer gives provision in the famine. If you will learn to set aside during times of prosperity, you will find that you will have enough to make it through the times of famine. Moreover, you must pray and ask God to give you the wisdom and character to help you to set aside. Ask God when the famine comes to help multiply what you have set aside. God promises to supply all of our need, so ask Him to bless what you have.

If Pharaoh wouldn't have listened to the wise advice of Joseph, then Egypt would not be in existence. Follow the advice of Joseph to set aside in times of prosperity so you can make it through the years of famine.

I'm In Love

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I'm in Love

Genesis 29:18

"And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter."

The love that Jacob had for Rachel was certainly a love to copy. Often when you hear someone say, "I'm in love," you wonder if they truly understand what love is all about. Many times teenagers will think they are in love with someone, but they found out after a few months that the one whom they thought they loved is not the true love of their life. In this love story between Jacob and Rachel, you find some attributes of true love.

First, love works for it's object. Jacob worked fourteen years for the opportunity to marry Rachel, and you don't see him complaining at all about what he had to do. The reason being is because love doesn't expect something for nothing. True love is willing to work and do whatever it takes to please the one whom their love is placed upon.

Second, love serves others and not itself. It is interesting that Jacob was willing to serve others because he loved Rachel. I find that many times people who say they love someone only have their own agenda in mind. True love is never interested in itself and what it gets. In fact, true love is satisfied if it gets nothing, as long as the needs of the one whom it is placed upon has their needs met. The marriage that is filled with love is a marriage where both husband and wife live to meet the needs of each other. They are not selfish, but rather they live to serve the other.

Third, love is willing to wait. Jacob was willing to wait a total of fourteen years to marry Rachel. Love doesn't quit because it doesn't get what it wants immediately. Love will wait for what is right because it doesn't want to hurt the one whom it is placed upon. If a young person truly loves someone, then they will wait for marriage to enjoy the pleasures of marriage. If a person is not willing to wait, then they don't truly love the one whom they say they love.

Fourth, love won't stop when it is spurned. In verse 28, you find that Jacob was deceived by Laban, and yet he still kept loving Rachel. Anytime you love someone, you will find at times that your love will seem to be spurned. However, if you truly love them, then your love won't give up on them. How many times have we spurned God, and yet He still loves us. Yes, love will be spurned, but when it is it won't stop loving.

Finally, love is flexible. Jacob was willing to be flexible for the one whom he loved. When you love someone, you will be flexible in order to get along. I'm not saying you will compromise, but you will be willing to give up your wishes for each other. Love is rigid on truth, but it is flexible on preference.

Christian, these attributes of love will be evident with whomever it is you love. Whether it is a parent/child relationship, pastor/church member relationship, boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, husband/wife relationship, etc., love will always hold these attributes. Work on these areas with the ones you love. You will find that your love will grow as you improve in each of these areas.