Our current series is entitled, “CHOOSE JOY.” We understand that “The Confidence of Joy” is found in Christ alone. With this confidence, we can “Defend our Joy” regardless of the circumstances. When we have confident Joy, we can then have “Joy in our Relationships.” Today we will focus on “Joy at Home.” We will discover that this is possible, only when we follow proper priorities.

DILBERT’S LAWS OF WORK

Scott Adams, cartoonist, and writer of the satirical “Dilbert,” gives us a humorous but all to familiar view of an out of balance career:

1. If you can’t get your work done in the first 24 hours, work nights.
2. Don’t be irreplaceable, if you can’t be replaced, you can’t be promoted.
3. You can go anywhere you want if you look serious and carry a clipboard.
4. If at first, you don’t succeed, try again. Then quit.
5. Keep your boss’s boss off your boss’s back.
6. Everything can be filed under “miscellaneous.”
7. It doesn’t matter what you do, it only matters what you say you’ve done.
8. To err is human, to forgive is not our policy.
9. People who go to conferences are the ones who shouldn’t.
10. If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.
11. Important letters that contain no errors will develop errors in the mail.
12. When you don’t know what to do, walk fast and look worried.
13. Following the rules will not get the job done.
14. Getting the job done is no excuse for not following the rules.
15. No matter how much you do, you never do enough.

• In the midst of all of his teaching about how believers are to relate to one another in the church, Paul; prioritizes Timothy’s leadership as a pastor: If anyone doesn’t provide for his own home, the apostle declares, he cannot expect to provide for the church with any integrity. (1 Tim 5:8)
• 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Dr. John C. Maxwell writes from, “The Maxwell Leadership Bible,” that Leadership starts at home. If it doesn’t work at home, don’t export it! Leaders especially, must heed this warning. Leadership works best when prioritized as follows: I am first a PERSON, second a PARTNER, third a PARENT and finally a PROVIDER.

I AM FIRST A PERSON.

I must begin with my own relationship with God.

PORTRAITS OF A LEADER: 2 Timothy 2:2-26
Paul was a master at using metaphors to illustrate what a leader should look like. Right after he encourages Timothy to be strong (2 Timothy 2:1), he gives him seven snapshots of what he meant.

• 1. A Teacher (vs. 2) – A leader is reproductive.
• 2. A Soldier (vs. 3, 4) – A leader is to be loyal.
• 3. An Athlete (vs. 5) – A leader is to be disciplined.
• 4. A Farmer (vs. 6,7) – A leader is to be a hard worker.
• 5. A Worker (vs. 15,19) – A leader is to be diligent.
• 6. A Vessel (vs. 20-22) – A leader is to be pure.
• 7. A Servant (vs. 23-26) – A leader is to be submissive.

2) I AM A PARTNER.

I must prioritize my relationship with my spouse.

In the excellent relationship blueprint, “The Five Love Languages,” Gary Chapman details how to express heartfelt commitment to your mate:

• 1) WORDS OF AFFIRMATION: You tell me you love me with words
• 2) QUALITY TIME: You want to spend time with me
• 3) RECEIVING GIFTS: You like to give me tokens and presents
• 4) ACTS OF SERVICE: You do the thoughtful things for me
• 5) PHYSICAL TOUCH: You want to hold my hand and hug me

THE IMPACT – Understanding the 5 love languages and learning to speak the primary love language of your spouse may radically affect his or her behavior.

LEARN TO SPEAK THE LOVE LANGUAGE OF YOUR SPOUSE!

3) THIRD, I AM A PARENT.

I must prioritize my relationship with my children.

• Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

In Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Old Testament, the classic commentator explains of Proverbs 22:6:

• Train them as soldiers, who are taught to handle their arms, keep rank, and observe the word of command.
• Train them up, not in the way they would go but in the way they should go
• Train up a child according as he is capable (as some take it), with a gentle hand, as nurses feed children, little and often, Deu. 6:7.
• When they grow up, when they grow old, it is to be hoped, they will not depart from it.
• Good impressions made upon them then will abide upon them all their days.
• Ordinarily, the vessel retains the savor with which it was first seasoned.

SIGNS YOUR CHILD IS IN PURSUIT OF GOD

In his book, “Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens,” Paul David Tripp gives us 5 tips to show us as parents that our children are pursuing God:

• 1) There will be an independent life of personal worship and devotion.
• 2) There will be a desire for corporate worship and instruction.
• 3) A teenager who has a heart for God will also pursue fellowship with the body of Christ.
• 4) The teenager who has a heart for God will be relaxed and open to discussions about spiritual things.
• 5) Teenagers who have a heart for God will approach decision-making from a Biblical perspective.

STRATEGIES FOR ENCOURAGING A HEART FOR GOD

Paul David Tripp continues his excellent principle of parenthood by giving us seven strategies for encouraging our children’s heart towards God:

• 1) Make family worship a priority and make it engaging
• 2) Look for opportunities to point your family to God.
• 3) Be positive and Christ-centered in your use of scripture.
• 4) Be willing to use yourself as an example of the forgiving, enabling, and delivering Grace of Christ.
• 5) Be willing to ask for forgiveness, accountability, and prayer.
• 6) Be a model of prayer without ceasing.
• 7) Be an example of hunger for God.

4) I AM A PROVIDER. 

I must prioritize my relationship with my career.

The fictional and humorous “Coronary and Ulcer Club“ lists the following rules for members…

• 1) Your job comes first. Forget everything else.
• 2) Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are fine times to be working at the office. There will be nobody else there to bother you.
• 3) Always have your briefcase with you when not at your desk. This provides an opportunity to review completely all the troubles and worries of the day.
• 4) Never say “no” to a request. Always say “yes.”
• 5) Accept all invitations to meetings, banquets, committees, etc.

Of course, this is a surefire formula to lose yourself, your spouse and your children. It is important to work and to even succeed in our careers, but we must keep our vocation in its proper place.

Burnout is not the result of too much activity. It is the result of the wrong kind of activity. John A. Stroman, God’s Downward Mobility 

ORDER MY STEPS IN YOUR WORD

Order my steps in Your Word, Dear Lord
Lead me, guide me every day
Send Your anointing, Father, I pray
Order my steps in Your Word, YES
Order my steps in Your Word

Write on my tongue, let my words edify
Let the words of my mouth
be acceptable in Thy sight
Take charge of my thoughts both day and night
Order my steps in Your Word, YES
Order my steps in Your Word

Order my steps in Your Word
Order my tongue in Your Word
Wash my heart in Your Word
Guide my feet in Your Word
Show me how to walk in Your Word
Show me how to talk in Your Word

Provide me a brand new song to sing
Show me how to let Your praises ring
In Your Word, in Your Word, YES
Order my steps in Your Word, YES
Order my steps in Your Word