Work as service for the Lord
Devotional Steinar Opheim Devotional Steinar Opheim

Work as service for the Lord

God’s blessings are spread as circles in water when we realise that we serve Jesus in everything we do and start working at things with all our hearts.  We are blessed because the understanding that we serve Jesus can bring new joy to our work, even to tasks we dislike.

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God is a Worker
Devotional Praise Mark Devotional Praise Mark

God is a Worker

In the opening verses of Genesis, the bible begins talking about work as soon as it begins talking about anything else, and God leads this by example. The author of the book of Genesis describes God’s creation of the world as work.

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Work, Worship, and Service: A Fresh Perspective on Work
Article Paulo Ribeiro Article Paulo Ribeiro

Work, Worship, and Service: A Fresh Perspective on Work

Avodah (עבודח) is a Hebrew word rich in meaning. It encompasses three fundamental concepts: work, worship, and service. Understanding this word's depth can revolutionise how we view and carry out our daily activities.

For many, work is simply a necessity for survival, a means to make a living. However, by integrating the meanings of avodah, work transcends this limited view, becoming an expression of worship and divine service.

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Seeking Guidance: Apostle Paul and the Mentorship Question
Devotional Steinar Opheim Devotional Steinar Opheim

Seeking Guidance: Apostle Paul and the Mentorship Question

Saul was a well-educated man who hoped to become a vital member of Jewish society. He was zealous and convinced that by persecuting those who believed in Jesus, he was doing God’s work. This was until he met Jesus, and his life was turned upside down. Suddenly, he had to learn new ways of doing things, look at people, and walk alongside those he had formerly been persecuting.

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Igniting Faith: Embracing Mentorship Through the Example of Paul and Timothy
Devotional Praise Mark Devotional Praise Mark

Igniting Faith: Embracing Mentorship Through the Example of Paul and Timothy

Growing up, I was raised to believe that sharing personal problems or victories with others makes us vulnerable. I learned that few people should know how I feel. While this belief holds some truth, it made me less open to meaningful mentoring relationships.

As I grew older and got to know Christ, I discovered that some of my prayers were answered through simple interactions with others. This guidance came as advice, encouragement, support, or simply helping me see things more clearly.

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The Essential Role of Mentoring for Tentmaking
Article Steinar Opheim Article Steinar Opheim

The Essential Role of Mentoring for Tentmaking

Have you ever imagined how great it would be to have someone who can listen to you in a safe and non-judgmental way and also be able to give you advice based on their expertise to help you deal with the challenges in your life? That is exactly what a Mentor can do.

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The Gift of Mentorship: Lessons from Jethro and Moses
Devotional Praise Mark Devotional Praise Mark

The Gift of Mentorship: Lessons from Jethro and Moses

There is a common African proverb that says "If you want to go fast, go alone if you want to go far, go together". Exodus 18:1-27 provides a powerful illustration of mentoring through the relationship between Jethro and Moses. Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, visits Moses and witnesses the immense burden Moses carries as he leads the people of Israel.

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Servant Leadership: Following Jesus’ Example
Devotional Praise Mark Devotional Praise Mark

Servant Leadership: Following Jesus’ Example

In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus turns the world’s concept of greatness on its head. True greatness, He teaches, is found in serving others. Jesus, the Son of God, had every right to demand service from others. Yet, He chose the path of humility and service. His entire life was a testament to this principle.

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No fear in love
Devotional Praise Mark Devotional Praise Mark

No fear in love

After final submission of my master thesis, I felt relieved that the pressure was over, and I now have time to do other things in my life. This releif was short lived because almost immediately I found myself being anxious about the next step to take.

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When we share, God uses our stories to grow the Kingdom
Devotional Elizabeth Strauss Devotional Elizabeth Strauss

When we share, God uses our stories to grow the Kingdom

In Matthew 28:20, we are mandated to go and make disciples of all the nations. How do we do this differently than those who went before us? We need to embody Christ in all our actions so that when people engage with us, they want the magic that lives within us. They need to be hungry for what sets us apart. We get to create moments to share stories that make us relatable. When people relate, they connect; that is where our opportunity lies in building the kingdom. 

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The Connection Between Work, Spirituality, and Environmental Preservation
Article Paulo Ribeiro Article Paulo Ribeiro

The Connection Between Work, Spirituality, and Environmental Preservation

It is interesting to know that the month of June features several significant international environmental celebrations, such as World Environment Day on June 5, World Oceans Day on June 8, and World Rainforest Day on June 22. These occasions gently remind us of the profound connections between work and the environment, echoing themes found in the book of Genesis.

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The Power of Prayer: A Biblical Immigrant's Journey of Faith
Devotional Praise Mark Devotional Praise Mark

The Power of Prayer: A Biblical Immigrant's Journey of Faith

Abraham is well known as the father of faith, mainly because He heard God and obeyed. You see, like few other migrants in the Bible, Abraham’s response to God’s instruction was not borne out of necessity, situation or circumstances, it was on obedience to God’s desires. Abraham demonstrated his faith by quickly leaving his own nation in response to God's promise of a new one, even though he had no idea where or what that new nation would be.

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Lessons Learned and Essential Tips for a Successful Move Abroad
Devotional Steinar Opheim Devotional Steinar Opheim

Lessons Learned and Essential Tips for a Successful Move Abroad

Most of us professionals and businesspeople who have moved cross-culturally have experienced life's challenges in a foreign country. Facing the unknown, developing new habits and building a new network of friends are lessons that help us grow personally and as believers. If we think of life as a school, living in a foreign country can help us achieve a life skill PhD. We can benefit from the lessons learned for the rest of our lives.

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Migrating with Love and Understanding: Following the Example of Jesus
Devotional Paulo Ribeiro Devotional Paulo Ribeiro

Migrating with Love and Understanding: Following the Example of Jesus

My wife and I moved to a country in Southeast Asia for work. In other words, we became foreigners in a land very different from our own. As Westerners, we are learning to live in an Eastern culture. Cuisine, language, traditions, family structure, and social norms differ from ours in many aspects and have led us, to some extent, to a challenging process of adaptation. And even after two years, we continue to learn the nuances of a culture as rich, hospitable, and unique as the one that welcomed us.

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This story of a migrant woman has inspired thousands. Now it is your turn.
Devotional Steinar Opheim Devotional Steinar Opheim

This story of a migrant woman has inspired thousands. Now it is your turn.

A few years ago, I met a West African woman who had a calling to serve Jesus in Central Asia. It had already taken her several years to prepare for the move. Along the way, she was approached by several young men who wanted to marry her. Her first question, in response, was whether they had a calling to serve Jesus in Central Asia. All of them answered no and were, in return, informed that there was no hope of marriage. Finally, seven years after she got the calling, the woman, who remains unmarried, was ready to go.

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Change the way you think and Discover God's Will for Your life
Devotional Elizabeth Strauss Devotional Elizabeth Strauss

Change the way you think and Discover God's Will for Your life

Seeing life through the eyes of an artist is one of those beautiful things only God knew in His original design. Being a very practical mom, having a child who learns through pictures, patterns, and music was complex at the beginning of our homeschool journey.

But I had to change my thoughts about teaching her so she could understand.

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