Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

This week’s word is Labor, starting with today’s focus, which worthwhile labor.

Today’s scripture, 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NASB1995), exhorts…
[58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Consider…
Per Wikipedia, Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday of September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements in the United States.

Today as Americans celebrate the contributions of the laborers that were integral to building the nation, the Holy Spirit is inspiring me to recognize and encourage my fellow laborers engaged in building the Kingdom of God.

From time to time some of my brothers and sisters-in-Christ share our challenges we face in trying to do the good things that God created and pre-planned for us to do (Ephesians 2:10 https://bible.com/bible/100/eph.2.10.NASB1995). Said another way, sometimes being a Christian can seem futile and fruitless.

I remember hearing my mom praying for the salvation of all her children and loved ones regularly, while I was growing up. And now, I find myself praying the same prayer for my children and loved ones. My actual prayer is that all those near and dear to me will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. That they would draw nigh to God as He reveals Himself to them.

However, despite that being a prayer that I believe aligns with God’s will, I don’t always see and hear the spiritually transformed minds of these people that I love so dearly. Yet, I am reminded that my job is to inspire, not inspect.

Which brings me to the encouragement portion of today’s post.

Galatians 6:9-10 (NASB1995) encourages…
[9] Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. [10] So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

God promises we will reap, if we do not grow weary. I witnessed this first hand with my mom. You see, my mother lived to see my siblings and I accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It didn’t all happen on the same day or in the same way, but her steadfast prayers and witness produced the harvest she longed to see.

I encourage you to let my mom’s testimony inspire you to remain steadfast in your prayer, witness and faith.

My mom’s prayer for salvation is only one example of a good thing. There are also those of us trying to be good…

• Employees
• Spouses
• Friends
• Neighbors
• Church members
• Christians

In a word, we try to live Jesus’ credo from Matthew 5:16 (NASB1995), which says…
[16] Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Many of us try to bring glory to God with our lives, but let’s be honest it’s overwhelming at times. The daunting tasks of fulfilling Jesus’ mandate in Luke 6:35-36 (NLT), which says…
[35] “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. [36] You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Notice Jesus tells us to do what seems impossible. But remember, He also said in Luke 18:27 (NASB1995)…
[27] “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”

Speaking of impossible, I think one of the most impossible things we encounter is God’s expectation for us to forgive others like He forgave us. Ephesians 4:32 (NASB1995) says…
[32] Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

The Holy Spirit didn’t stop there with the forgiveness expectation, He took me to
Matthew 18:21-22 (NASB1995) which says…
[21] Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” [22] Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Now Jesus wasn’t telling Peter to get an abacus and keep count of forgiveness, He was emphasizing, we need to be steadfast in forgiving.

I could go on and on with examples of where God wants us to be steadfast, but
Jesus said it best in Matthew 5:16 (ERV) when He said…
[16] In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

Jesus tells us to be steady and reliable lights that show others the way, Himself, to our Heavenly Father!

God has a future harvest for our present sowing. He wants us to keep doing everything unto Him and trust that He sees and will reward our steadfastness in serving Him.

I like the way my wife tweaked our Pastor’s exhortation yesterday. He said,
“Christ should be the center of most of what we say”…she added that “Christ must be the center of all we do!”

So on this Labor Day, my fellow laborer in Christ…
be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Today’s Song is…
Be Ye Steadfast

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)