Whatever Your Labor
Do It Unto the Lord!
Blessings as we in the United States celebrate Labor Day this weekend. What started in the late 1800’s to celebrate the trade and labor organizations continues to this day. Our country was established on principles of a work ethic that made us great and made us free. People appreciated having a job and went to work to provide for their families. In tough times there was a ‘hand-up’ to help those truly in need.
Sadly, today we have allowed a ‘hand-out’ mentality to arise that leaves fewer and fewer actually working to give money to many who simply choose not to work at all. Free food via EBT cards, free medical care frequently far above what is available to those actually paying premiums, free social programs for a myriad of issues and the list goes on. Capable people who choose not to work are living far above the quality of life of many working Americans. The capable choosing not to work are living far above our veterans who chose to lay their lives on the line to keep us free.
Do You Project Integrity and Trust?
I have recently had the honor of working closely with numerous trade professionals. They are proud of the work they provide in service to the community. The majority are putting in long hours to bring home a paycheck. When I complemented one of the employees on their honesty and integrity he told me that in his company they were required to take an ‘integrity and trust’ seminar monthly. Integrity and trust were hallmarks of what they expected their people to provide to their customers. How refreshing to hear this!
Whatever you do in your work, do it with integrity. Whether you work outside your home or within, do everything with honesty and consideration of all you encounter. Each thought and action should be unto the Lord. It matters not what other people are doing. What matters is what is in your heart and being expressed in your words and labors. It is always a heart issue in the end. In whatever labors the Lord has positioned you, do it unto Him. Do it well with grace and attention to detail. How well you handle today’s assignment determines your direction for tomorrow.
The Future Relies on You!
As you celebrate Labor Day remember that elections are quickly approaching. Your vote matters! To turn the tide and direction of where we are headed depends on you showing up at the polls. Unfortunately, many choose to stay home believing their vote does not count. Some are so disheartened that they have decided just not to vote anymore.
Our freedoms are being stripped away at a rapid rate. Do not fail to exercise your right and privilege to vote. This is still our United States of America. We were not established as a socialist state but rather as a democracy. Let us honor the traditions that made us free this Labor Day and vote to maintain the vestiges of our freedom this November. God bless you this Labor Day and always!
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” ~Jesus, Matthew 9:37-38
“…the laborer is worthy of his wages…” ~Jesus, Luke 10:7
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve; as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” ~Joshua 24:15
“The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.” ~Proverbs 13:4
“Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” ~Proverbs 16:3
“Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” ~Ephesians 4:28
“Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eye service, as men-pleasers but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is slave or free.” ~Ephesians 6:5-8
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” ~Colossians 3:23
“…that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.” ~1 Thessalonians 4::11
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud or witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”~Hebrews 12:1-2
“One’s integrity can give a person something to rely on when perspective seems to blur, when rules and principles seem to waver, and when faced with a hard choice of right and wrong. A clear conscience is one’s only protection.”~Admiral James B. Stockdale, USN (Ret.), Medal of Honor recipient and senior naval officer in Vietnam POW camps
“The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.” ~U.S. Department of Labor website
A Prayer Request
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country, our diplomatic corps, our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our front-line on the battlefield, let us be their front-line in the spirit. Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives. May the Lord bless them and keep them safe.
Pray for all throughout the world for hedges of protection against radical Muslim extremists and all forms of terrorism. We have long prayed for spiritual victory over radical Islam in Esther’s Warriors Ministry. We now see the reality of this threat come to the forefront in this time in world history. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Please pray for all in authority over us, for the full truth to come forth concerning Benghazi as new hearings will be held. We as Americans and the families of those murdered in Benghazi deserve to be told the truth. Pray that God will open doors to let the truth flow for all of us in this United States of America! The truth shall keep us free.
Pray for peace in Israel. Pray for Iraqi Christians and all throughout the world that face violence and death for their faith.
May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history. We continue to pray for truth to prevail as we saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America and for all of us who call ourselves American. These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk. Fail not in this hour.
Please Join Me in Prayer
Father God, We thank You that You have placed us here in this season. Let us be beacons of light in this darkened world. Guide us to labor unto You. Help us to know that You and You alone are the author and finisher of our faith. Teach us to work with honor and integrity that we may lead others to You. Raise us up to be the laborers in this time when laborers are few. We thank You that You keep Your hand on this United States of America and that we will remain One Nation Under God. Raise us up in fullness ‘for such a time as this.’ We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen.