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Monday,
September 05, 2005
"The Blessing of Labor"
"The Blessing of Labor"
"Man goes out to his work, to his labor
until evening" (Psalm 104:23).
Many consider labor a dirty five letter word, a necessary evil just to get by in life. So many seem to avoid it at all costs. I recently visited some friends at a local manufacturing plant. One of the workers showed me a part she was working on and explained that it would be going into a piece of medical equipment. I shared with her that my Mom was in the hospital (at the time) and using this very type of equipment. I urged her to see the value of her work as a blessing to others in need. I encourage you all to do the same.
I find it interesting that the picture of man in the daily Scripture portion is at work. God has ordained work into His created order. God said "Six days shalt thou work." Solomon said, "The sleep of a laborer is sweet" and Paul wrote, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men." In the book of Revelation we read of a future time when the faithful, "will rest from their labor."
However this time of rest is not for the present. The created order requires labor on the part of mankind. Sure the divine "why" behind devastating events like the hurricane is a mystery to us but consider the scores of diligent people working so hard in the aftermath.
Today I urge you to view your labor as an act of obedience to God and as a means of fulfilling His plan for your life. I believe we honor God when we see labor as a blessing!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's prayer: Jesus, we are thankful today for the ability to work. Thank you for the physical blessings we enjoy daily such as our speech, our hearing, our hands, our feet, our fives senses, and the coordination of all our faculties. Thank you for a sound mind that enables us to do the work that you intended. Use us daily in the workplace to be a blessing to our co-workers and employers. Remind us that we do our work as unto You, rather than for men. Help us not to harbor bad attitudes or to bring down those who work around us. But rather enable us to be shining lights in the hallways of darkness. May we have a consistent uplifting testimony for Jesus Christ! For our brothers and sisters who are unable to work due to an impaired physical condition may they find assurance by the words that Christ gave to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." May we not abandon these dear folks, but rather bring support and encouragement to those who live with these physical limitations. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Update on Mom: She was discharged from the hospital on Saturday and is now back home with us. Medically it was no longer necessary for her to remain hospitalized. She is extremely weak, doesn't eat, and is in a very confused state of mental awareness which is a major challenge. We are hopeful that this will soon change but we'll take it one day at a time. Last Friday I had a number of helpful emails from others who have or are dealing with similar situations with elderly parents. Thank you.
Many consider labor a dirty five letter word, a necessary evil just to get by in life. So many seem to avoid it at all costs. I recently visited some friends at a local manufacturing plant. One of the workers showed me a part she was working on and explained that it would be going into a piece of medical equipment. I shared with her that my Mom was in the hospital (at the time) and using this very type of equipment. I urged her to see the value of her work as a blessing to others in need. I encourage you all to do the same.
I find it interesting that the picture of man in the daily Scripture portion is at work. God has ordained work into His created order. God said "Six days shalt thou work." Solomon said, "The sleep of a laborer is sweet" and Paul wrote, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men." In the book of Revelation we read of a future time when the faithful, "will rest from their labor."
However this time of rest is not for the present. The created order requires labor on the part of mankind. Sure the divine "why" behind devastating events like the hurricane is a mystery to us but consider the scores of diligent people working so hard in the aftermath.
Today I urge you to view your labor as an act of obedience to God and as a means of fulfilling His plan for your life. I believe we honor God when we see labor as a blessing!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's prayer: Jesus, we are thankful today for the ability to work. Thank you for the physical blessings we enjoy daily such as our speech, our hearing, our hands, our feet, our fives senses, and the coordination of all our faculties. Thank you for a sound mind that enables us to do the work that you intended. Use us daily in the workplace to be a blessing to our co-workers and employers. Remind us that we do our work as unto You, rather than for men. Help us not to harbor bad attitudes or to bring down those who work around us. But rather enable us to be shining lights in the hallways of darkness. May we have a consistent uplifting testimony for Jesus Christ! For our brothers and sisters who are unable to work due to an impaired physical condition may they find assurance by the words that Christ gave to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." May we not abandon these dear folks, but rather bring support and encouragement to those who live with these physical limitations. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Update on Mom: She was discharged from the hospital on Saturday and is now back home with us. Medically it was no longer necessary for her to remain hospitalized. She is extremely weak, doesn't eat, and is in a very confused state of mental awareness which is a major challenge. We are hopeful that this will soon change but we'll take it one day at a time. Last Friday I had a number of helpful emails from others who have or are dealing with similar situations with elderly parents. Thank you.
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
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created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I
have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My
mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to
prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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