God at Work Devotional

Oaks of Righteousness

Isaiah 61:3 conveys God’s comfort and assurance for those that follow Him.  Let’s breakdown the key components of this verse to learn:

“Beauty instead of ashes”

Beauty attracts and indicates vitality in life as opposed to ashes which represent destruction and death.  

This contrast reminds me of Romans 8:6, which says: “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”   What a difference.  Live for the flesh, including world and self, and you reap death.  In contrast, live for the Spirit and you get the opposite, life. And as a bonus you also get peace!

“Oil of joy instead of mourning”

Oil in the Bible often refers to an anointing of the Holy Spirit.  We read about kings in the Old Testament, like David, being anointed with oil then powerfully overcome with the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13).   This is not just for the old testament.  Jesus anoints us with the Holy Spirit so that His presence and power can lift us from mourning.  We then go forth with joy, which is one component of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

“Garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair”

Feeling down, depressed, frustrated?  Try turning on some worship music.  Listen to it and let it saturate your soul. Start singing some of the words.  I can almost guarantee the atmosphere inside you will change as praise wraps around you like a warm blanket. You will then enter into the courts of the Lord with praise and be clothed with His presence...it’s a powerful transition.

“Oaks of righteousness”

I did some research on oak trees in Israel, like the one pictured above. They are very sturdy and some live for hundreds of years.  Their branches provide shade for those nearby.  Oaks are a representation of what God desires us to be because we are righteous through His Son, Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). We become enduring, strong and can be a shelter for those around us.

“Planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor”

You should feel great about the Lord describing you as an ‘oak of righteousness’, but remember to be humble. You aren't exclusive. You are saved by grace, which is a gift from God, and He desires all those in your life, family and business to likewise be saved.   In all you do, do it to bring glory to God and Him alone.  Have you recently had a promotion or received acknowledgment of a great job that you did on a project?  Give God the glory and watch His blessings multiply.

Tech Update

Drones for Good

Financial Update

July Jobs Report: A Time for Patience and Trust

The latest U.S. employment data from July 2025 delivered a sobering reminder that economic growth rarely follows a straight path. 

Nonfarm payrolls rose by 73,000, less than almost all economists had forecast, while the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2%, matching the median projection.  Most economists had anticipated stronger job creation, with many forecasting additions closer to 150,000-180,000 positions for the month.

This disappointing figure represents a significant slowdown from recent months and has shown little change since April. 

The weak hiring pace has raised concerns about the broader economic trajectory, particularly as long-term unemployment heated up. Average weeks unemployed jumped to 24.1, the highest level since April 2022, while the level of those out of work for more than 27 weeks climbed to 1.82 million, the most since December 2021 and about one-quarter of all the unemployed.

However, there were some bright spots in the report. Employment continued to trend up in health care and in social assistance. 

Additionally, Average hourly earnings were up 0.3%, leaving them 3.9% higher over 12 months – outpacing inflation.  This wage growth provides some relief for working families struggling with cost-of-living pressures.

For the markets, this mixed data creates uncertainty.  Bond markets may view the softer employment numbers as a signal that the Federal Reserve could become more accommodative in its monetary policy stance. 

Stock markets, however, may be concerned about what these numbers signal regarding consumer spending power and overall economic health in the coming quarters.

The broader implications suggest an economy in transition – not necessarily heading toward recession, but certainly cooling from the robust growth seen in previous years. 

In the July survey, positive news was that economists assessed a 33 percent chance of a recession in the next twelve months, down from the 45 percent chance indicated in the April survey.

As believers in the marketplace, times like these remind us that our ultimate security doesn't rest in employment statistics or market performance, but in God's faithful provision.  The prophet Jeremiah faced far more uncertain times when he penned these words of hope: 

Just as God sustained His people through seasons of economic hardship and uncertainty, He continues to work through both prosperity and challenge, to accomplish His purposes.

Whether facing job market turbulence or celebrating economic growth, we're called to remain faithful stewards of the resources and opportunities He places before us, trusting that His plans extend far beyond any single month's employment report.

Share your thoughts in the comments section. We enjoy reading them all:

Health Nuggets

Benefits of Walking

Did you know that most people walk up to 2,500 steps a day? 

According to Dr. Courtney Conley, a physician specializing in feet, adding an additional 500 steps/day can reduce cardiovascular mortality by 7%, and adding an additional 1,000 steps reduces all cause mortality by 15%. 

Walking has huge benefits on your cardio health and bone density, and when walking outside, we get the benefit of the sun which has the natural vitamin D.  We don’t need to be in the gym one hour a day, five days a week.  Wearing a good pair of walking shoes is also very important.

To learn more from Dr. Conley, check out this YouTube video. 

Happy walking!

Note: Health Nuggets are opinions and not medical advice.

Prayer Corner

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We believe God meets our needs, beyond what ‘we ask or image’, through Holy Spirit working in and through us.

We would love to join with you in prayer.

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