The Perfect Tool

 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

Every worker needs tools of some sort to perform the tasks for his or her job, and hopefully, he or she also has the knowledge to utilize the tools of the trade. For instance, a gem cutter who crafts and creates needs a lot of different tools to do his work. He also needs a comprehensive guide for knowledge about all facets of his work. 

Some of the knowledge a gem cutter needs to possess involves  Cabochon Cutting, Facet Cutting, and Special Lapidary Technique. Three areas of knowledge, not too bad, hunh? Except that Cabochon Cutting alone involves 19 different skill sets that must be mastered. There is SO much that goes into cutting stones to create precious gems, I couldn't begin to do justice in providing a comprehensive list of tools or the knowledge required.

I am sure there must be times when gem cutters wish they had the perfect everything tool - similar to a Scout knife - you know, knife, screwdriver, can opener, scissors, corkscrew, etc. Especially in this day and age where everything we use in life is bigger and better and should be convenient. As a society, we crave convenience. Whatever it is, it has to be faster, super-powered, and ready at a moment's notice. 

However, no matter how or what you slice and dice, if you don't have instruction to operate the tool, it won't matter how many gadgets you've got. By the same token, if you have a lot of instruction, but no hands-on time with the tool to implement what you've learned, that won't work, either. 

Keep in mind, as a Christian, we don't have to have EVERY piece of equipment in our hand to get started. And we don't have to know everything before we begin to put into practice what we are learning. God knows it all but remember, He started us off with two tablets, then came tools and material... a hammer, two boards, a few spikes...

And as a result, the truly perfect everything tool was forged. An instruction manual that doubles as a weapon against the most evil of enemies  - a sword for all seasons. It is the original comprehensive help guide for FAQs. It has the answer for EVERYTHING. It's user-friendly, never crashes, and it never goes offline...  although it does make provision for user re-starts, when necessary. It's The Bible. The Word of God. The Word of Truth - for the worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Prayer:

Father,

         Hebrews 4:12 tell us the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Father, wash us with the water of Your Word so that we may be clean before You and be able to share Your answers with those who have questions. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Before You Go

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8 NLT

Fix your thoughts... "To calculate; plan to implement" is what it really means. 

It's like doing a JSA at work; an acronym for Job Safety Analysis. It's a form that we complete before attempting any task that requires the use of tools or before going into an area that has a risk potential. We take 5 or 10 minutes to assess the possible risks. What could go wrong if we're not paying attention? What are the potential hazards given the work we're about to do? What is the proper preparation and handling of the tools? Will they be used in the correct manner for which they were created - the right tool for the right job? Is the supervisor aware of what we're going to do? To whom will we be accountable for our actions to perform the task(s) according to the guidelines provided for safe execution?

Before we begin our day, we should plan to implement in every life situation what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. We should plan to respond as Christ who chose to forgive before going to the Cross. Who chose to serve and wash the feet of the very one who would betray Him, and the rest who would desert Him before the night was over. Who at all times chose love over every other option available to Him. 

BEFORE you go to work in the morning, take the time to complete your Christian JSA. You know the hazards, the potential risks. Plan to implement love and grace and forgiveness for your co-workers. Yes, even for the I.T. department. Prepare and plan to execute what is true and honorable and right... BEFORE you go in.

Prayer:

Father,
          Help us to learn and implement into our daily choices what Christ modeled before us. Holy Spirit, remind us to fix our thoughts and intentions on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Help us to remember to use the tools You have provided; that our weapons are not carnal because we are not to wrestle with flesh and blood. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

The Perfect Everything Tool +

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

Every worker needs tools of some sort to perform the tasks for his or her job, and hopefully, he or she also has the knowledge to utilize the tools of the trade. For instance, a gem cutter who crafts and creates needs a lot of different tools to do his work. He also needs a comprehensive guide for knowledge about all facets of his work. 

Some of the knowledge a gem cutter needs to possess is about Cabochon Cutting, Facet Cutting, and Special Lapidary Technique. Doesn't sound like too much, does it? However, topics that a gem cutter needs to know about Cabochon Cutting include such things as Sawing, Diamond Saw Blades, Sawing Coolants, Sawing Large Specimens, Grinding Operation, Grinding Wheel Hints, Side Wheel Grinding, Grinding Wheel Bondings, Sanding Operation, Discs and Drums, Belt Sanders, Dopping the Gems, Polishing the Gem, Slow Speed Polishing, Theory of Polishing, Polishing Methods, Cabochon Bezel Angles, and Micron Sizes. That's just concerning Cabochon Cutting - it does not include Facet Cutting's Diamond Laps or Brilliant Cut Gems and the development of the brilliant cut, or the Rose Cut, or Quartz and Beryl Angles. My head is spinning and I haven't even mentioned any particulars concerning Lapidary Techniques. There is SO much that goes into cutting stones to create precious gems, I couldn't begin to do justice in providing a comprehensive list of tools or the knowledge required.

I am sure there must be times when gem cutters wish they had the perfect everything tool - similar to a Scout knife - you know, knife, screwdriver, can opener, scissors, corkscrew, etc. Especially in this day and age where everything we use in life is bigger and better and should be convenient. As a society, we crave convenience. Whatever it is, it has to be faster, super-powered, and ready at a moment's notice. 

However, no matter how or what you slice and dice, if you don't have instruction to operate the tool, it won't matter how many gadgets you've got. By the same token, if you have a lot of instruction, but no hands-on time with the tool to implement what you've learned, that won't work, either. 

Keep in mind, you don't have to have EVERY piece of equipment in your hand to get started. And you don't have to know everything before you begin to put into practice what you are learning. God knows it all but remember, He started us off with two tablets, then came tools and material... a hammer, two boards, a few spikes...

And as a result, the truly perfect everything tool was forged. An instruction manual that doubles as a weapon against the most evil of enemies  - A sword for all seasons. It is the original comprehensive help guide for FAQs. It has the answer for EVERYTHING. It's user-friendly, never crashes, and it never goes offline...  although it does make provision for user re-starts, when necessary. The Bible. The Word of God. The Word of Truth - for the worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Prayer:

Father,

         Hebrews 4:12 tell us the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Father, wash us with the water of Your Word so that we may be clean before You and be able to share the answers with those who have questions. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen