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"Just A Farmer"
Message
summary:
What is your
work?
Remember,
you're not
"just a
________."
Listen to our message on your audio player.
"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth" (Genesis 1:26).
Our
church is
going through
a series on
Genesis and
Creation.
Yesterday's
message in
part dealt
with our daily
text. God's
command, "let
them have
dominion"
is the first
reference to
human work in
the Bible. A
few verses
later it
states that "God
finished His
work that He
had done"
on the six
days of
creation. God
assigned work
to mankind.
The
pastor made a
point that I
have often
made and
stress in our
workplace
chaplaincy
ministry. He
pointed out to
the
congregation
that it would
frustrate him
to hear the
words, "I'm
just a
farmer", "I'm
just a
plumber" and
so forth. It
seems we do
this because
humans tend to
rate one's
esteem in
their work
description or
job title.
You're
probably not
going to hear
anyone say
"I'm just a
CEO" or "I'm
just a medical
doctor". These
jobs are held
in higher
esteem in our
culture.
But all forms of productive work are of value and necessary in a world God created designating that humans are to work. Think about it, God could have done and continue to do all the work and our existence would be nothing but leisure. Actually there's more than a few who think life works that way!
Farmers are the closest to literally fulfilling the "have dominion" command. The Amplified Bible uses the words "complete authority" for "dominion" and other versions use "rule over". The Common English version says "take charge".
After
the service I
saw Bob, a
friend from
our Sunday
School class.
Alluding to
the sermon I
asked him,
"Are you just
a farmer?" He
chuckled as he
had certainly
heard the
point in the
message. He
operates a
large dairy
farm where the
cows are
milked in a
revolving
carousel (see
photo above).
Bob is
literally
having
dominion "over
the livestock"!
What
is your work?
Remember,
you're not
"just a
________."
Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13.
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, we ask
You to bless
the labor of
our hands and
minds, whether
in offices,
factories,
fields, homes,
or on the
front lines of
service. Grant
us wisdom for
difficult
decisions and
patience in
times of
stress or
frustration.
May our
efforts
produce
meaningful
fruit and
provide
abundantly for
our families
and ourselves.
Would You
remind us that
every honest
job holds
dignity and
value. Protect
our workers
from danger,
injury, and
burn-out, and
provide them
environments
marked by
fairness,
integrity, and
safety we pray
in the name of
Jesus. Amen.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
He is my provider
Covenant protector
All my hope is in the Lord my God
He is my sustainer
Merciful redeemer
All my hope is in the Lord my God
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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, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version and a variety of other versions.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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