6 Devotions - One page each Proper English Please

  Page 1 of 6 Background Information Businesses require workers and managers able to think critically, analyze real-world data, and communicate findings from business analyses. In 2005, the American Statistical Association endorsed the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education (GAISE) College Report (College Report, 2010), outlining ways to improve statistical literacy. Descriptive statistics turns data into information, but falls short of a person gaining wisdom. It takes experience and good judgment to show wisdom. Business ethics and accurate reporting come into play. King Solomon asked, “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (I Kings 3:9). There is a difference between the data, information, and knowledge talked about in this course, and ultimately wisdom in using information. Wisdom implies more qualities and work involved. “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” (Daniel 2:21). This passage states there is a difference between knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. One additional aspect of gaining wisdom is having a moral compass and asking God for wisdom in all things. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). Instructions 1. Read the Introduction and Alignment and the Background Information sections above. 2. Answer the following questions. a. What are the differences between data, information, knowledge, and wisdom? b. How can the Lord help you to be wise when you share information? Page 2 of 6 Background Information We are bombarded every day with advertisers claiming their products are better than others. A famous example is “4 out of 5 dentists choose CREST” and fill in the toothpaste name in the blank. We must not take everything found in print or on television as truth. The criteria Darrell Huff used to evaluate statistical statements was the five questions mentioned above. • Who says so? • How does he know? • What's missing? • Did someone change the subject? • Does it make sense? Who says that dentists choose or prefer a certain toothpaste? How was this information obtained? How was sampling done? What population of people are we talking about and what geographic region is being represented? What does it mean for whom? The Bible has much to say about lying, honesty, and integrity. Here are just a few verses about lying: • “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy” (Proverbs 12:22, New King James Version). • “You will destroy those who tell lies. The Lord detests murderers and deceivers” (Psalm 5:6). • “Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness” (Exodus 23:1). There is a difference between information, like statistics, and wisdom. Wisdom is a moral compass to guide us in understanding information, how to use it, and how to report it. It is a question of integrity in reporting. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints” (Proverbs 2:6-8). Instructions 1. Read the devotion above. 2. Answer the following questions. a. How do you discern the truth from people? Identify at least one supporting Bible verse(s) for your opinion. b. Do you agree or disagree with the questions from Darrell Huff as lenses of statistically-determined “truth?” Why or why not? Page 3 of 6 Background Information According to Wesley (2012), average Americans pay $600,000 in interest over their lifetimes. These interest payments are from credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, school loans, etc., which add up over time. One example given is that after 30 years of making payments on a $240,000 mortgage, the homeowner would have paid $580,000 in interest. Just think what opportunities people miss to bless charities with that money. People have some common goals. People want to live with security for their families, to be able to feed and clothe them, and for their children to have better lives. The Bible states that we need to pray for each other (James 5:16, New King James Version) and we should meet to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25). In simple terms, emulate Jesus, who often went to the synagogue (Luke 4:16). Is it the norm to go to church in the United States? Based on polls and direct observations at one point in 2012, a high estimate is that 40% of people attended church the previous weekend (Hartford Institute for Religion Research, 2012). Estimates of how many people pray once a day ranged from 40% to 77% (Pew Research, 2009). In either case, the numbers could and should be higher. We should help all people and guide them to Jesus Christ. This prayer is for every person in the world, that they might know Jesus in a personal way, praise His name, and reserve time for prayer and attending church. It is God's will for Christians to support each other. "So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others" (Romans 12:5). Amen. Instructions 1. Read the devotion above. 2. Answer the following questions. a. How can a spiritual life aid you in ethical behavior at work? b. Do ethics come from your worldview? Why or why not? Page 4 of 6 Background Information In this world of turmoil and strife, there is not much you can be confident about, but you can be confident that the Lord is with you. The Bible says, “So we say with confidence, the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6, New King James Version). We can be certain to live an abundant life with the Lord first in our thoughts and actions. In quality control, we measure a process and when we see a trend towards being out of control, we adjust the process or introduce something positive into the process to produce good results again. How do we measure success in our lives? Is it through our homes, the type of car we drive, or other material wealth? Or, do we measure success in terms of loving relationships with other people and our Lord, Jesus Christ? Living a quality life means different things to people. When the topic is the quality of our spiritual lives, the Holy Spirit is what allows us to stay on course. The Bible says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). What else does the Bible say about quality of life and getting our lives in control? “A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 28:20). Instructions 1. Read the devotion above. 2. Answer the following questions. a. Find an article no more than two years old that talks about success in life and provide a critique of it. Include a link to the article. b. What are good measurements of success in life? Page 5 of 6 Background Information Jesus Christ performed many miracles during his ministry. It took many wonders for people to believe in Him as the Messiah. Only after repeatedly testing Jesus did his disciples finally believe that He was the Messiah. People did not believe their own eyes and ears. Think about how many miracles Jesus performed – healing a leper, turning water into wine, walking on water, calming the seas, feeding thousands with a few loaves and fishes, healing the blind so they could see, and raising the dead. How much proof did people require to believe in Jesus? We must operate on faith alone since we do not have Jesus here with us today in person, performing miracles. Suffering can make us question God. One reason is that our schedules are not God’s schedules. Today, we desire immediate feedback and we expect immediate results, being disappointed with anything less. The prophet Habakkuk asked God why violence and destruction were all around him (see Habakkuk: 1:2-3, New King James Version). The answer to Habakkuk was that “the righteous person will live by his faithfulness” (Habakkuk: 2:4). May our prayer be that God’s will be done . . . that even though we cannot understand why different tests in our lives occur, that we ultimately gain humility, a deeper intimacy with God, and increase our testimony of the Lord. As we strive to be more like Jesus, God gives us instruction. The prayer is that we are open to receive it, even though suffering may be a part of the equation. In all things, we give God the glory. Amen. Instructions 1. Read the devotion above. 2. Answer the following questions. a. Name some trials our nation has faced in the last two decades. b. What are some Bible verses that would pertain to those situations? Page 6 of 6 Background Information Numerical data can be analyzed using statistics, but what about other kinds of relationships? We have family relationships, business relationships, and spiritual relationships. Physical and tangible relationships might be easier to understand than the spiritual ones. Physical and spiritual relationships have a factor in common. We enter into relationships by saying “I do” at the altar for marriage, signing a contract, or deciding to have children. It takes action. It is much the same with the spiritual relationship that we have with our Lord and Savior. God is our Father and we honor Him. We decide to repent and ask for forgiveness to be born again. We take action to become saved and enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, our only path to Heaven from this earth. Once saved, we nurture our spiritual relationship by reading the Bible, joining the church, becoming part of a ministry, and prayer. Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees about which commandment was the greatest (see Matthew 22:36). Jesus told the Pharisees: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37, New King James Version) Jesus went on to say in verse 38, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” If relationships with the Lord and other people are this important, then we must reflect on how we spend our time on building relationships. The Ten Commandments also support what Jesus Christ said about loving the Lord and loving people. Loving the Lord is captured in the four commandments which say: have no other God before me, no carved images to worship, do not take the Lord's name in vain, and observe the Sabbath (see Exodus 20:3-8). Loving people can be found in the other six commandments: honor thy father and mother, no killing, no adultery, no stealing from others, no bearing false witness, and no coveting what other people have (Exodus 20:12-17). In this time of social networking, it is our spiritual network of Christians and our relationships with our church and our Lord that are critical. Think about how much time you spend at social networking sites or on a smartphone typing messages. May our prayer be that people would spend an equal amount of time praying, reading the Bible, and giving their time for the benefit of others compared to messaging, posting on websites that count friends, or interacting with social networking followers. Instructions 1. Read the devotion above. 2. Answer the following questions. a. How much time do you spend at social networking sites or messaging? b. What are some steps people can take to build their spiritual network?