March 11, 2023

THE WORKMAN

© 1999 AMKCH

The workman who wishes to do his work well, must first acquire, then keep sharpened, his tools. In my tool shop, I have several different tools used for my various crafts. If I did not keep the blades sharp or the brushes clean, the projects I make would not be of quality workmanship.

Eccl 10:10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet (sharpen) the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

We are given certain things to do at our jobs… but if we don’t know how, nor have the proper tools to do them, can we accomplish what we are to do… effectively and efficiently? Not hardly.

Mechanics take care of and repair vehicles, and other equipment, Chefs have to know recipes clearly if they are to keep their customers coming back. Nurses MUST absolutely know how to care for their patients. The list goes on… Each one of these persons must have had some kind of training as to the how to’s of their job.

The same goes for our daily lives… Do we know how to care for ourselves? Doctors (should) take care of and heal the sick; It is not only learning the how to’s of USING the equipment, but also how to take care of that equipment so that it will last a long time, and that it will work properly and efficiently each time it is used.

This is what Solomon and Paul are teaching us that we must do also… First and foremost, we must learn HOW to use what God has given us… Faith…

….. according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. Rom 12:3 b

Then we must learn… What it is that our job calls for… how we are to apply it (faith) in our lives…

2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15

Then we must learn to use and sharpen our tool, (Faith)… by studying God’s Word and continual prayer, and keeping alert against the rust and dings and dents and misalignment’s that the enemy hasatan (the evil one) would dare throw at us… We have to take continual care of what God has put us in charge of… our physical tool… the body… and the mind.

For example, one cannot use a butter knife to carve a sharp clear groove into a piece of wood. We must use a special gouge or whittling tool for that purpose. Nor can we use a drill bit to butter a slice of bread. That is what butter knives are for.

1 Cor 6: 16 What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? 1 Cor 6:19

If we mistreat our bodies, or allow foreign substances to get into it, we may end up very sick… and “knocking on deaths door”… This is not the original intended use for this God given tool…

Jesus tells us in John 14:12 Verily (truly), verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12

How can we do these Greater Works, unless we know what they are… and How to accomplish them? Simple… by studying God’s Word and finding out exactly WHAT Jesus did, and HOW He accomplished them… and what tools He used: faith, hope and love.

What I am getting at here, Beloved, is that we need to study and prepare ourselves to use ALL the sharpened tools (manifestations of the Holy Spirit, along with faith) that God gave us… keeping them ready and prepared at all times… against any and all attacks that the enemy would throw at us.

I hope this has been a blessing to you.

Keep your wicks trimmed and your lamps filled with oil! The KING is coming!!!