June 16 Monday Memo

Photo by Laura Jostes

1 Kings 15:25-17:24;  Acts 10: 23-48;  Psalm 134:1-3;  Proverbs 17:9-11

“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”  Proverbs 17::9

“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”  Proverbs 10:12

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly since loves covers a multitude of sins.”  1 Peter 4:8

TO:  All My Children

FROM:  Your Heavenly Father

MESSAGE:  Be sure to remember how your sins were covered over by my Son’s blood on the Cross this week–how the stench of your wrongdoing was totally removed, covered by my love for you.  Spread my love and forgiveness over your neighbor’s sins, your co-worker’s offenses, your spouse’s blunders and your child’s trespasses.  And have a Grace-filled week!  I love you!

Lord God, by your Grace and mercy help me to love those around me, to not be a gossip, to put an end to strife.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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September 2 Labor Love

Photo by Peter Griffin

Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22;  2 Corinthians 6:1-13;  Psalm 46:1-11;  Proverbs 22:15

“I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;  also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil–this is God’s gift to man.”  Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Do you thank God for your work or look for ways to escape it?

Are Mondays happy days or are Fridays?

Where do you find yourself on the work appreciation scale?  1 Love It——-10 Hate It

God has gifted each of us with skills, motivations, and passions for serving.  It is a blessing to be able to earn a living doing what we love to do.

Even if we have a job that may not be the perfect fit, we can joyfully put our “signature” on what we do.

As Christ followers in the workplace, we remember that whatever we do, we do to the glory of God!

Author Jon Acuff has written two books about work that are worth noting on this celebration day in the US–Labor Day.  “Quitter”  and “Start” are both great reads and will challenge you to see work as “God’s gift to man.”  You’ll find inspiration and instruction for getting a job that “matters.”

If you have more happy Fridays than Mondays, take a look at these books.

Lord God, you created us for work.  Thank you for the unique gifts, talents, abilities, and passions you’ve instilled in each of us to perform work that sustains ourselves and our world.  Forgive us for times we grumble and complain about our work.  Enable us to joyfully come to the workplace and bear witness to your work in our lives–the Salvation of our our souls.  We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth.  He makes wars to cease to the ends of the earth;  he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;  he burns the shields with fire.

     ‘Be still and know that I am God.

      I will be exalted among the nations,

      I will be exalted in the earth.'” Psalm 46:8-11

July 23 Soul Source

Photo by Kelly Sikkema

2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19; Romans 8:9-21;  Psalm 18:16-36;  Proverbs 19:26

“You O Lord, keep my lamp burning, my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop;  with my God I can scale a wall.”  Psalm 18:28-29

With my God I can be patient with a co-worker…

   teach my teenager…

       serve the homeless…

           forgive the one who hurt me…

               speak kindly to my spouse…

                     give of my time, talent, and treasure…

“As for God, his way is perfect, the word of the Lord is flawless.  He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.  For who is God besides the Lord?  And who is the Rock except our God?  It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”  Psalm 18:30-32

It is God who gives me patience…

    enables me to forgive…

       opens my heart to generosity…

           fills me with compassion and moves me to serve those in need.

“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;  he enables me to stand on the heights.”  Psalm 18:33

He prepares me for the work He wants me to do…

    He gives me lips to speak His word…

       gives me eyes to see the needs of those around me…

            equips me with skills and abilities…

               gives me motivation and determination…

                    equips me for every good work.

Lord God Heavenly Father, you are the source of all that is truly good and perfect.  You give us light that never ends.  You equip us with all that we need to serve you and do good in this world.  Thank you!!  Forgive us when we fail to look to you as our soul/sole provider;  when we seek our own way and not yours;  when we take credit for our successes rather than humbly acknowledging your goodness and grace in our lives.  May we look to you today–our Rock–our God–our Source and give you our thanks and praise.  In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.