August 31, 2003
HOLY SPIRIT BLESS US
1 Cor 15: 58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Your labor in not in vain.
This is the day that the Lord our God intend for us to listen to His message and also an opportunity to be with the Skaggs for a baby shower.
We welcome you once again in our fellowship. Let’s enjoy being together worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ in spirit and in truth.
“Doing nothing is about the most tiresome work in the world because you cannot stop and rest.” – Epigram
Labor day is considered as an important holiday for many Americans simply because it’s considered as a long weekend vacation, starting Friday night until Monday evening.
But how many of those people who anticipated this long weekend vacation really found the true joy that they are looking for. It’s but normal in this rich country that people spent hundreds of dollars just to find happiness- going out in the amusement centers, parks & recreation centers, party, beaches & since it’s the last day of summer it’s quite important to enjoy the day.
We all need and deserve rest in our daily routine and labor. Congratulations to all people who strives the best for their company such as Bro. Steven. His commitment to his work gained favor on his part, together with sis. Renee that at their young age, they already owned a beautiful and brand new house with a new Ford car. What a blessing from the Lord!
They accumulated that because he is working and I believe working hard for his family, their future especially that they are growing in number soonest Alex will be born.
I presume all of us here know the secret of working with commitment and dedication because that is exactly what God wants us to do.
The Lord God worked when He created everything including human beings.
I do not buy the idea and it’s not biblical that man came from the apes or animals. It’s an insult to the God who created human beings. And I myself although I am not handsome as you are but still I believed I was created in the image of God and I did not originate from the animals.
Genesis 1: 26, 27 …so God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
We are so special! We are the masterpiece of God’s creation and He loves you and me.
He works and fulfilled something especial when He created us, but something along the way occurred that because of Mans disobedience, working with pain is now essential in fulfilling our dreams.
The disobedience of Adam & Eve caused pain and resulted in heavy labor.
Genesis 3:17 b “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil (work or labor) you shall eat of it all the days of your life.”
The root cause of complex work is disobedience just like what happened to Adam and Eve.
Any job or work as long as it is decent is alright with me. Even though you are serving as janitor or Vice President it doesn’t matter as long as we are living with right conviction and motivation.
But sometimes we heard from our old folks saying to their children that if only they have listened to their parent’s advise they would never experience hardship in earning a living.
Like in the Philippines our parents favorite remarks, “ayaw mong mag-aral sige kalis boy ang hahantungan mo.”
Kalis boys are responsible for filling the trucks with sugar cane using manual labor. From the field where it was harvested they will carry bundles of sugar cane on their shoulders and walk to the truck using a wooden ladder.
For me, I believed God has a purpose why sometimes there are people who are just working in a so called blue color job.
If all gentlemen are working as engineers or the ladies as teachers or we all work in offices, who will be responsible for collecting our garbage? or who will maintain the cleanliness in our surroundings? Who will assist us in Wal-mart? Who will serve our food in Smokey Bones?
Who will take care of those little things for us?
In human perspective, people judge others by what kind of work she or he work with.
Sometimes if we are in a certain gatherings one of the usual topic is about work and position.
How can a garbage collector integrate himself in the discussion of business minded people? It’s hard because they have different interest & educational attainment I believe so because a CPA would not opt to be collecting garbage, what do you think?
It’s but natural perhaps in human understanding that the different kind of jobs people have creates walls, divisions or classes.
I haven’t witness yet but I am looking for a situation wherein the president of the company & the janitors in his company are eating together and exchanging jokes in one table regularly. One or two times maybe, but on a regular basis, I don’t know.
What an atmosphere if such will become a reality. But surely there is a reality that all people can enjoy…
The homeless, the downhearted, the uneducated, the janitors, the yard boys can enjoy eating with not only the CEO & President of a certain company but we can have the privilege of dining together with the the King of Kings & Lord of Lords that is Jesus Christ.
For it to happen, there is but a very simple requirement. Young and old, rich and poor, white & with colors etc, what we need to do for us to enjoy the blessings to eat with the Lord is to accept Him and allow Him to become the Lord of our life and Saviour of our souls.
He can do that any moment you open your heart to Jesus and invite Him to come into your life.
This world is a picture of divisiveness, clusters and classes. But in Christ Jesus ALL are equal & one.
Galatians 3: 28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Meaning to say, we cannot impress Jesus Christ by who we are according to man’s standard but what is important and relevant is who we are in Jesus Christ’s standard. Do we pass or not?
I cannot present my diplomas the moment I meet the Lord in heaven, those are just a piece of papers.
We cannot also present file of promotion documents and say, Lord, every six months I got promoted and here’s the commendation done given by the CEO of our company.
We cannot do that. What the Lord Jesus Christ will ask us is how well did we live our life here on earth.
Mica 6: 8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
God requires us to do justly, whether we are the boss or not we need to be fair always. Our love must be coupled with mercy not personal interest or lustful desires. We must also walk with humbleness before God and man, because we cannot hide anything from God. Everything lies open before God and it is to Him that we must all give an account of ourselves.
To those who are working just a piece of thought, enjoy your work and dream high. Set aside grudges and don’t expect too much especially for an additional salary. Just do your best and be yourself increase in pay will come as an added blessing in the right time. Do not compare your self to others because it will destroy your eagerness will eat you up soon. But always accept challenges and changes that will help you grow and prove that you are the co-laborers of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Please bear in mind that your labor is not in vain. Show others that you are a unique person even in the work place and do not compromise the truth. Always remember that God gave you that job and He has a special plan and purpose for you wherever you are. Put your dependence unto God and have thankful heart and give glory to His Name.
(ill) As a teenager, Wallace Johnson was fired by a sawmill operator. Today, as a founder of Holiday Inns, he is a multimillionaire and called “the innkeeper of America.”
Johnson started his business empire in 1939 with a borrowed $250. Since then he has helped provide jobs for 110,000 people. He is known nationwide for his Christian activities & stewardship as a Baptist layman.
“I am totally dependent on God for help in everything I do,” he declares.
“Otherwise, I honestly believe it would start to fall apart in months.”
The secret of success in our work and career is our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Amen.
