The Gift of Work

Genesis 1:31-2:3 (NKJV)  Then God saw everything He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished.  And on the seventh day God ended His work which he had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.  Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. 

The first Labor Day holiday took place in New York on September 5, 1882,  in recognition of the contributions of the American workers to the prosperity and well-being of the country.  Since then, the first Monday of September is celebrated to honor American workers. 

God created us to work for his purpose and the well-being of our families and others. He is the role model and set the first example through his creation. All work is important in his eyes, as a volunteer, a laborer, an office worker, a peace keeper, running a business and/or taking care of a home and family.   

By his grace we work where he puts us to fulfill his vision, mission and plan.  He is our employer, the one we all work for and to whom we are accountable.  He provides leadership and guidance through the bible and prayer; he helps us to set goals to accomplish his mission and vision; he gives us feedback on our performance and corrects our path when we get off track and he recognizes us for a job well-done.  

Work gives us purpose, without which we flounder and become self-centered in our focus. Ask someone who has been out of work for a long time. The grind of looking for a job, going on interviews and experiencing rejection takes a heavy toll on one’s self-esteem. Being idle for too long makes us vulnerable to Satan’s attack.  Our only defense is to keep moving and keep our eyes on God. 

Ecclesiastes 5:19 (NKJV) As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor, this is the gift of God. 

God’s work is not always easy, but it is a blessed gift of his grace to be treasured.  

Thanks be to God.   

Happy Labor Day!

There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in - that we do it to God, to Christ, and that's why we try to do it as beautifully as possible.

Mother Teresa

We Walk By Faith

Hebrews 11:1-3 (NKJV) 11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

I planted a garden on a beautiful Spring day in April, the day of my sister’s funeral. I had not planned to plant a garden that day, just like I had not planned to say goodbye to my sister Patty so soon. Nonetheless, I spent a good part of the day turning and fertilizing the soil in raised planter boxes, then carefully created the rows to plant the seeds, lightly covering and tamping the dirt.  Finally, using a watering can I gently soaked the soil, careful not to disturb the seeds.  

Three weeks later, as I faithfully watered my garden, I received word of the sudden death of my beloved brother Mikey. This season of Spring which always represented to me new life, growth and hope brought me loss, despair and time in slow motion.  

Through my pain, I prayed and kept vigil tending to my garden and watching the tiny seedlings turn into adult plants filled with blossoms. Soon the blossoms became baby produce clinging tightly to the vine and I continued to nurture them, filled with wonder as each plant flourished.   

For the past two-weeks I have been harvesting large quantities of vegetables from my garden; beets, squash, green bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes and raspberries. I am overwhelmed and grateful for this bounty of perfectly shaped and sweet flavorful produce to enjoy and share with others.

Yesterday, I was so pleased with the results of my labor I decided to take pictures. I sent one via text message to a friend of mine, acknowledging the bountiful harvest from God.

She wrote back, “Abundant fruits are given to those who believe even when you don’t see.” The gift of that simple text was enormous, reminding me that we walk by faith, not by sight. 

2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (NKJV) 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 

Faith is believing without seeing. The fruit of faith is the only proof we need. When I planted the garden, I did so with unquestioning faith that it would grow. When my brother and sister passed way, despite my loss of their physical presence on earth, I know by faith that their spirits are soaring to new heights with our Father.   

Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was and the spirit will return to God who gave it. 

Most times we don’t understand why things happen in our lives, especially tragic events.  Sometimes life just kicks us in the stomach, but through it all God walks with us, comforting and guiding us to a better place. It may take time, but through our faith we will get there. 

When we take our hands off the controls and turn our lives over to Him, walking in faith, he can do amazing things in our lives. Never lose hope, believe with all your heart and watch as the beauty of God’s grace unfolds before your eyes.   

“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.  Saint Augustine.

“Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light” Helen Keller

Have a blessed day as you walk in faith with our Father.  

Praise God

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise him, all creatures here below.
Praise him above, ye heavenly host, 
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen

These beautiful words of praise were written by Thomas Ken in 1674 and is commonly used in worship.  I remember standing next to my mother in church as a child singing these words, but not really considering what they mean. It was just another part of the service, but as an adult I have come to  appreciate this verse as more than mere words, but sweet refrains of worship and praise for our Father.   

Psalm 9:1 

I will praise you, O’ Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all of your marvelous works.

Psalm 79:13

So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever; we will show forth Your praise to all generations.  

The Psalms written by King David are filled with prayers and songs of praise.  The Psalms are uplifting and inspirational.    

Many times however, when I am communing with God, I find that I am usually asking him for something, sometimes thanking him for something, but rarely praising him. In reality, praising God should always be the first thing on my list and not the last. To praise God is to honor and glorify him through our behaviors as well as with our words.

This started me thinking about what are some ways I can demonstrate my praise for God each day.  Here is what I came up with and will focus on going forward: 

• Acknowledge him to all for His beautiful creations and blessed works in each of us.
• Worship him through song, prayer, study and communion with others.
• Start each day with a grateful heart, giving thanks for the glorious dawn.
• Honor him by living each day according to his commandments.
• Walk through each day with hope, faith and joy.    
• Be happy, humble, forthright and gracious to all.
• Talk, but also do the walk. 

How do you praise God? 

I love this YouTube video of the common doxology of praise.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SHl_BmTqfk

Enjoy!  May God Bless You and give you peace. 

Praise be to God!