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

Today let’s hone in on labouring purposefully.

Today’s scripture, 2 Corinthians 5:6-9 (KJV) says…
[6] Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: [7] (for we walk by faith, not by sight:) [8] we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. [9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

Consider…
Oxford Languages defines the verb labour, to work hard; make great effort.

Applying that definition to today’s verse 9, means we should work hard or make great effort to be accepted by the Lord. This makes me think of Romans 12:2 (ERV), which says…
[2] Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.

The Apostle Paul is telling us that we must LET God transform our thoughts so that we can know what to do to please Him.

Think of it this way, if someone wanted to do something to please you, would you rather they guess or ask what you want or need from them? That’s all God is saying, don’t try to guess what pleases Me, let Me tell you.

The main way God tells us what He wants is through His word. That is why 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) tells us to…
[15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

And Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
instructs us to…
[8] Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

We have to know what God wants in order to do it, which requires us to study His…
Biblical
Instructions
Before
Leaving
Earth

…therefore work hard, make good effort to study God’s word.

In His word we read Proverbs 23:4 (KJV) which advises us to…
[4] Labour not to be rich: Cease from thine own wisdom.

And instead follow Jesus’ wisdom Matthew 6:33 (ERV), when He said…
[33] What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.

…therefore work hard, make good effort to prioritize seeking God’s Kingdom and righteousness above everything else.

Doing that means pursuing God by faith, because Hebrews 11:6 (ERV) points out…
[6] Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.

…therefore work hard, make good effort to look for God wholeheartedly as encouraged in Jeremiah 29:13

For example, have you ever read Hebrews 13:15-16 (ERV) which tells us that sharing what we have with others pleases God VERY MUCH? Read it for yourself…
[15] So through Jesus we should never stop offering our sacrifice to God. That sacrifice is our praise, coming from lips that speak his name. [16] And don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with others, because sacrifices like these are very pleasing to God.

…therefore work hard, make good effort to bless others as you have been blessed.

The last example of doing what God wants, is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ERV), which exhorts…
[16] Always be full of joy. [17] Never stop praying. [18] Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.

…therefore work hard, make good effort to…

• Rejoice always
• Pray unceasingly
• Thank Him for everything

…as Marvin Sapp says

I thank You for it all
The good, bad, the ugly, great and small
The times of victory, and when I fall
I’m so grateful that I’m still standing tall
I thank You for my tears
The pain helped me overcome my fears
You’ve been good to me down throughout the years
It’s a miracle that I’m still standing here
All that I am is because of all that You brought me through
And everything I survived, it’s all because of You
I thank You for it all

I can’t close without emphasizing what God wants most, our love. I know this because Jesus said that loving God is the greatest commandment. But the love Jesus described is an all encompassing love. Read His words in Matthew 22:37-38 (ERV)…
[37] “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and most important command.

…therefore work hard, make good effort to love God with all of yourself!

Today’s Song is…
My Life, My Love, My All

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)