16 Friday May 2014
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Trying to handle all the worries and stresses in you life shows how little you trusted God with every aspect of your life. 1 Peter 5:7 says, Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. It takes humility to admit you need help. One of the most freeing things you can do is give everything to God and hold onto none of it. God cares for us so much he wants to take the burdens off of us if we just let it go.
15 Thursday May 2014
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I, like most people, will do almost anything to avoid suffering. But as a believer and follower of Christ we should be prepared to do God’s will no matter the consequences. 1 Peter 4:1 says, Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. Sin loses its power over us when we focus on Christ and His will for our lives.
14 Wednesday May 2014
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One of our greatest strengths as believers is the power we have in our lives with God’s presence. 1 Peter 3:15 says, But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. We must always believe in God’s total control of all events in our lives. We cannot be shaken when we allow Him to rule over our thoughts and emotions.
13 Tuesday May 2014
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Everything that I am and everything I have ever accomplished is in direct correlation to Christ’s presence in my life. When I am focused on the things this life has to offer, I am left with temporary satisfaction. But when I focus on Christ and what he has done for me through salvation and loving me, then I am left fully satisfied and with an eternal gift of life. In 1 Peter 2:9, Peter says, But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Because of Christ I have been permanently called out of darkness and into His light. My worth and value comes from Him and nothing else.
12 Monday May 2014
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Today we begin the book of 1 Peter. This letter, written by Peter to scattered Jewish Christians throughout Asia Minor, was meant as an encouragement to Christians suffering persecution everywhere. The main message in todays reading is that everything in this life will eventually fade away and disappear. Quoting from Isaiah 40:6-8, Peter says in 1 Peter 1:24-25, 24 For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you. We must all stop grasping for the temporary things of this world and start focusing our time, energy, and money on the eternal.
11 Sunday May 2014
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Of 2.7 million people who saw a job posting by a Boston agency for a ‘director of operations’ position, just 24 applied. That’s likely because of the brutal requirements.
The website rehtom.net posted the job and paid for ads, hoping to get the right applicant. So what is required from the right applicant. Here’s the entire list:
Must be able to work 135+ hours a week
Ability to work overnight, associate needs pending
Willingness to forgo any breaks
Work mostly standing up and/or bending down
Must be able to lift up to 75 lbs. on a regular basis
Ph.D. in psychology or real-life equivalent
Crisis management skills a must
Ability to manage a minimum of 10-15 projects at one time
Ability to communicate at all levels (basic to advanced)
Ability to improvise
Proficient in handling sticky situations (literally and figuratively)
Ability to coordinate multiple, often conflicting, schedules
Ability to make independent decisions on behalf of others
Ability to work with associates with minimal ability
Ability to work in a chaotic environment
Frequent travel; minivan driving experience a plus
Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach
Flexible when it comes to surprise requests
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in negotiating, counseling and culinary arts
Unlimited patience
Understanding of social media, mobile devices and video games
Understanding of finance
Understanding of medicine
Selflessly driven
Valid driver’s license, CPR certification and Red Cross membership
Ability to wear several hats, professional and domestic
Positive disposition at all times
Those requirements all for a job that pays $0. So who would hire for a such a job? Only one way to find out. Watch their interviews and real-time reactions and, believe us, it’s worth it to watch to the end.
If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please feel free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.
10 Saturday May 2014
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As we finish up the book of Titus, Paul reminds us of the importance of obedience for those in authority over us. We do not have to agree with everything they say, but we must recognize where their authority comes from and obey the final authoritative decisions made by our leaders. In Titus 3:1-2 Paul says, 1 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. The second part of the passage hits home when Paul reminds us to slander no one. We have many examples of poor leaders both past and pesent, but slandering does not fix anything. Being peaceful and showing consideration does more to bring about change than harsh and hurtful words that stir up trouble.
09 Friday May 2014
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In today’s reading, Paul continues his encouragement and teaching of Titus. One of the key verses in this chapter is verse 15, These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Paul is telling Titus it doesn’t matter who he is because his authority does not come from himself. He has all the authority as a believer through the Holy Spirit. If people want to despise us for our beliefs, they are not despising us, but God Himself. Our authority and our value comes from Him.
08 Thursday May 2014
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Today we begin reading the short book of Titus. As with the other books written by Paul, this is a letter and it is addressed to Titus, a greek. Titus was probably a convert through Paul’s ministry and had become Paul’s special envoy to the island of Crete. Titus was sent to Crete to organize and oversee the churches there and this letter told Titus how to do this job. The key verse describing Titus’ role is in verse 5, The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. The unfinished work Paul is referring to is appointing elders and establish correct teaching.
07 Wednesday May 2014
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Paul uses very clear words to describe what we as believers should not and then what we should do in 1 Timothy 6:11, But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. We should first of all flee from the things Paul talks about in the previous verses. He then clearly states what we should be pursuing with some very active verbs. Some people may feel the life of a believer is a passive existence that simply waits on God to act on our behalf. However, God expects us to have an active faith; one that pursues obedience for God with courage and doing what is right. Let us not wait on God to act, but actively seek His will and plan for our lives and our role in the life of others.
Daily Devotion 