Whatever Your Labor
Do It Unto The Lord!
As we celebrate Labor Day this week in the United States of America may you be blessed to share it with family and friends. Labor Day ushers in the end of summer activities and the return to school for many across our land. Pray for the safety of our teachers, students, and everyone in school support roles.
Established in 1894 as a Federal holiday, Labor Day is to honor the economic and social achievements and contributions of American workers to the strength, well-being and prosperity of America. A strong work ethic and a fair wage for a day’s work lie deep in the fabric of our country. Work provides a healthy self-esteem, food and shelter for one’s family and statistically overall better health.
The Times They Are A-Changin!
We stand at this time in our history in a very precarious place. Personal responsibility is being rapidly pushed aside in favor of a socialistic view that government can supply all our needs through entitlement programs. Those who simply do not want to work because they can have far greater income from government programs than from applying themselves to work for wages, are not the people this country was founded by or for. Of course, there are times of crisis when help is needed. However, emergency assistance should never morph into a way of life as it has for many.
A ‘hand-up’ in tough times is one thing. 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 cell phones, 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 lay their lives on the line to keep us free.
Rise Up ‘For Such a Time as This!’
‘We the people’ are paying in so many ways for this erosion of our values. ‘We the people’ must turn the tide back to the values of a day’s work for a day’s pay. Whatever you do in your work, do it with integrity. Whether you work outside your home or within, do everything with honesty and consideration for 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.
If you are laboring under worldly concepts and conditions, now is the time to shift your perspective to Kingdom. The time is very short. You are here ‘for such a time as this!’ Many have yet to hear the Gospel. If you are a believer you are here to work the harvest. Jesus said that the laborers are few. Be one of His laborers! Labor unto the Lord!
Do You Have A Prayer Strategy?
So far this Labor Day weekend, the movie War Room has reached the number one position at the box office! This Christian film has risen swiftly in the ratings from number two on its opening weekend. Although some critics are voicing negative dialogue I have seen other news casters overwhelmed as they describe the impact this movie has had on them and their prayer life. The effects of this movie have been amazing. One little six year old boy did not come down for school at the usual time the Monday after seeing the movie. When his mom went to find him he had been turning the corner of his room into his prayer closet and posting his prayers. If you have not seen it yet, go. It is a family movie for all ages. This is truly a movie ‘for such a time as this! In a war room, strategy is developed for victory. How is your prayer strategy? Do you have a Kingdom prayer strategy?
It Is Never Too Late!
If you have not yet made the decision to accept Jesus into your heart, do it now. Do not wait another minute. Speak to Him from your heart (for it is always a heart issue). Tell Him you have fallen short in your life. Sincerely apologize for your sins, ask Him to cleanse you and come into your heart and into your life. From this moment forward let His Spirit guide you along the narrow road that leads to everlasting life.
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
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” ~Jesus, Matthew 11:28
“…the laborer is worthy of his wages…” ~Jesus, Luke 10:7
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of god, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” ~1Peter 2:9-10
“You are Lord and You are mighty and You are merciful. Raise up all who would call upon Your name. Raise up those that love You and seek You and trust You. Lord, we need an army of believers that would stand on Your Word above all else. Raise up warriors, Lord, who will fight on their knees; who will worship You with their whole hearts, Lord. Lord, call us to battle that we may proclaim the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Raise them up, Lord. Raise them up!” ~Miss Clara, War Room the Movie
“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 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. God bless all our diplomatic and military personnel and their families. May the Lord keep them safe.
Pray for all throughout the world for hedges of protection against radical Islamic extremists and all forms of terrorism. Pray for Christians who face violence and death for their faith. 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. As Iranians and Islamic extremists are shouting ‘Death to America,’ let us speak life, hope and a return to God in America!
Please pray for all in authority over us, for the full truth to come forth concerning Benghazi. May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. The lives lost in Benghazi, the continuing targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service, Operation Fast and Furious, the Department of Justice targeting journalists phone records, the National Security Agency overstepping its legal authority are hardly “phony scandals.” We continue to pray for truth to prevail in each of these situations. Pray for the families who have lost loved ones, for those relentlessly targeted and for all of us who are proud to call ourselves American.
May we may arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history. These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk with the Lord, saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America. Fail not in this hour.
Pray for peace in Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
This week marks the anniversary of 9/11/01. Pray extra hedges of protection around America. Pray for all the families and loved ones who lost those dear to them on that horrific day.
Please Join Me In Prayer
Father God, we thank You for the ultimate price that Jesus paid to set us free. Thank you, Lord, for choosing me to labor for You. Grace me to hear Your guidance for my life. Keep me from the draw of empty worldly activity and bring me ever closer to You. Use me to bring Your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Place deep in our hearts the love of God and love of country that has guided this Nation from its inception. Place deep in our hearts Your compassion for our fellow men and women. Lead us to pray without ceasing for our brothers and sisters who suffer at the hands of Islamic terrorists. Open the eyes of our leaders to arise in this season to defend the very belief in You upon which our Nation is founded. Thank You for keeping Your hand on America. We humbly pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen.