Recognition

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Job 31:4 Doesn’t God See?

Does He not see my ways, and count my steps? Job 31:4

Often workers do not want their bosses to see them or know what they are doing, especially if they are guilty of not really doing the job or slacking on it. Other workers wonder if their boss ever sees them, because they are doing everything right and don’t appear to get the recognition, they feel that they deserve. Or they feel that they are being punished for someone else’s mistake. During these times lots of questions are often asked.

Job asks the question of whether God sees his ways or count his steps. He then lists of many different things that if he had done them, he would be guilty.

Any time that a person begins to go through a difficult time, there are a lot of questions that begin to rise up and be asked. The longer and harder the difficult times last, the more that questioning occurs. People always want to know why things are happening in a bad way as they are.

Believers are no different in this area. Often there is a deceptive concept believed that once a person becomes a believer, that everything will go smoothly and that there will never be any problems. God will take care of the person and bless the person richly with no challenges.

With this type of thinking, as soon as there are great difficulties, people begin to wonder if God sees them or recognizes all the good things that they have done. One must remember that all the good things a person does, does not make him a good person in God’s eyes. Only repentance and belief in Jesus, the righteousness of Jesus makes the person ‘good’.

Instead of questioning God, one must trust that God knows what He is doing, knowing that there will be difficult times in life and that God sees and knows all.

You will have times of great difficulties, filled with problems. Do not lose faith in God. As you are going through those times, God is watching. He knows exactly what is going on and is in control. It may have nothing to do with what you have done or not done in life, but it may be a time of testing to prove your faith in Him.

Hold fast to what God has promised you and don’t question God but watch Him work through the difficulties.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will see God’s hand at work in your life; that you will trust God is watching what you are going through; that you will know that God only gives you what you need; and that you will grow closer to God during times of testing.

Photo: Bernd Dittrich under Unsplash

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Exodus 5:2 Acknowledging God’s Authority

Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.” Exodus 5:2

All around the world in every location, from small businesses to nations, there are people of various levels of authority. Most often the majority of people in a given area know who those in position of authority are and are willing to obey them.

Occasionally there are some people who do not know who is in position of authority. They question the person and will refuse to obey.

Moses had gone to Pharaoh with God’s demand to let the Israelites go. Pharaoh rejected him saying that he did not know who God is.

People are quick to question the authority of a person. They want to know who the person is and if he really has the authority to order them to do something. Some will even challenge the one in authority just to see what he will do if they do not obey, even though they know he is in position of authority.

The world does not know who God is and so they will not acknowledge nor obey Him. Believers do know who He is but will often not obey Him. They challenge His authority and position, often thinking that they know better.

This can occur because God is out of sight and out of mind. Yet, God is there and does see all things.

Instead of questioning God and His authority, the true believer will immediately obey no matter what the command is, easy or difficult. He will realize that God is the One who can kill the body and the soul for all eternity, rather than just some cosmic unknown entity out there somewhere.

As a believer God should be the highest and most important authority in your life. Just as you are willing to obey your boss at work or some policeman, be even more willing to obey God.

Unlike those in authority in this world, God knows what is best for you and has complete control of all things. Do not be like Pharaoh and ignore God’s commands to you but be obedient in all ways acknowledging His authority and position.

When you choose to obey God, you will not have to be struck and punished for rejection as Pharaoh was but will know the blessings of God in your life.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will acknowledge who God is and His authority; that you will obey God’s commands to you; and that you will trust God’s leading in your life.

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Hebrews 6:10 God Will Not Forget

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10

It is a very common desire for a person to recognized for the work that he has done. Many people have quit many different jobs, because their hard work was overlooked by the managers.

There are many who do good works out of love and care for others, but quit because of no acknowledgement of their work. Others do the good works, just to look good and get the recognition.

The author states that God does not forget one’s work and love, and will not be unjust about it.

It can be very difficult for a person who sacrifices of his personal time to help others, only to never get a thank you or any other type of recognition. When this occurs, there is a feeling of worthlessness and ungratefulness.

Many in the church do many different types of works of love behind the scenes. Very often they are never thanked and it appears as if God does not see them. Over time they get weary of doing good works and often quit.

God is not like man in forgetting or ignoring what a person does, but sees it and does not ever forget it. He is often setting up the stage, behind the scene, to honor the person in a greater way than man would ever honor him. If nothing else, God will honor that person for his works when he steps into heaven for eternity.

Instead of getting tired and giving up on doing good works, the believer must trust in God and keep doing what God has given him to do. God is watching and will reward at the right time.

You may be one who is doing good works and showing love to others who do not appear to recognize what you are doing. As you do these things, you are being just like Jesus was, doing good works without always being recognized.

Do not grow weary and give up doing what God has laid out before you. He will reward you in right time, in the best way possible. God will also give you strength and His favor to continue to do the work He has given you to do.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will do any good work God has given you to do; that you will love others as God loves them; that you will trust God for your reward in His timing; and that you will never quit doing what God desires of you.

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1 Timothy 5:25 All Deeds Will Be Revealed

In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. 1 Timothy 5:25

When a person does something good, he often expects to be recognized for what he did. Very often, in order to ensure recognition. the person will stand up and announce what he did to everyone else.

Celebrities will have reporters taking a ton of pictures and broadcast it across the news as to what they did. Others will post it everywhere on social media sites promoting themselves. The world wants to make sure everyone knows what they did.

As Paul is talking about helping others out and meeting their needs, he states that good deeds are seen by others. He also points out that some, not so obvious deeds, will not remain hidden forever but will be seen.

It is common for many people to do some good deed and expect to get some recognition. When the recognition does not come, many will get discouraged and angry and stop doing the good deeds. Many will feel as if no one cares about what they did and that their work was worthless if no one recognizes it.

Reality is that God sees all good deeds, no matter how hidden they are. Every good deed will eventually be revealed. Whether it is the person serving meals to the homeless openly on the streets or it is the person cleaning the toilets in the night at the church, their deeds will be seen.

No one should get discouraged or give up when it appears as though their deeds are not being seen. The moment one stops the good deeds, someone will notice and something will fall apart.

As every believer keeps doing good deeds with his abilities, everyone is built up and God is able to pour out more blessings.

You may have some good deed that you do that no one seems to know about. It may feel discouraging to keep doing it, but keep on doing that deed. God is watching and seeing that deed be done and will reveal it to the world in its proper time.

Just as God is always working behind the scenes to bless you and meet your needs, do the same for others. Do not worry about recognition, knowing that God recognizes it and will reward you in the proper time.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will do the good deeds God has set before you to do; that you will look to God for your reward; and that you will do all that you do because of the love of God for you and for others.

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John 20:16 Knowing When He Calls You

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). John 20:16

In today’s society most people have a cell phone. One of the advantages of a cell phone is that when someone calls the phone can usually identify who is calling. This helps when one cannot see the person calling.

Hearing a person call in person is much easier to identify who is calling. Although in a large crowd, some will not always recognize the voice of a friend calling, unless it is a close friend that is well known.

After Jesus rose from the dead and before everyone knew about it, He had met up with Mary. At first she did not recognize Him until He called her name, then she knew who He was.

Couples who have been married for many years have learned to recognize each other’s voice, even in a large crowd. This is just like mother’s who can recognize their child’s cry in a room full of little children all calling at the same time.

The only reason people can recognize the other’s call is because they have spent time with the person and know that person very well. They know the voice of those who are close to them.

Believers who have spent time in prayer and communication with God will recognize His voice when He speaks. This is something that does not happen over night, but over a long period of time of a building of the relationship.

One should strive to build his relationship with God so closely that he knows as much as possible about God and will always recognize His voice. God is willing and ready to speak, but His people need to know His voice and be listening for it.

As a believer you should desire to be led by God in every area of your life. In order for this to occur, you must be able to recognize God’s voice when He is calling you.

He will call you to tell you what to do next, guiding every step and action. There will be times when He will also call you to stop you from an action.

Throughout your life there will be many other voices calling to you to lead you into sin. Listen for God’s voice and follow what He says. It is the best path for you.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will know God’s voice when He calls; that you will be listening to hear God speak; and that you will obey what God is telling you.