Annie's "What the Bible says about LABOR" Page

Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest"
~Matthew 11:28~

Labor Day will be celebrated on Monday September 6th, 2010
~In both the United States and Canada~

     
Labor Day, the only legal public holiday in September, comes on the first Monday
of the month in Canada and the United States. After Labor Day, most children
return to school.

"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands
the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."
~Ephesians 4:28~

Labor Day, a holiday celebrated in most industrialized nations to honor working men and
women; devised mainly by trade unions and Socialists and first celebrated May 1, 1889,
as sponsored by the Second Socialist International; observed in U.S. on first Monday in
September to reject any identification with Socialists or Communists; legalized by
Congress June 28, 1894; now a general holiday in North America, while Europe still
devotes it to working class.

"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat
which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall
give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."
~John 6:27~

Labor Day is a holiday honoring working people. It is observed as a legal holiday on the
first Monday in September throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Labor
organizations sponsor various celebrations, but for most people it is a day of rest and
recreation. It also has become a symbol of the end of summer. In Australia, Labor Day is
called Eight Hour Day, and it commemorates the successful struggle for a shorter working
day. In Europe, Labor Day is observed on May 1.

"The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth
righteousness [shall be] a sure reward."
~Proverbs 11:18~

Two men have been credited with suggesting a holiday to honor working people in the
United States--Matthew Maguire, a machinist from Paterson, New Jersey, and Peter J.
McGuire, a New York City carpenter who helped found the United Brotherhood of
Carpenters and Joiners. Both men played an important part in staging the first Labor Day
parade in New York City in September 1882. In 1887, Oregon became the first state to
make Labor Day a legal holiday. President Grover Cleveland signed a bill in 1894
making Labor Day a national holiday.

"Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one:
and every man shall receive his own reward
according to his own labour."
~1 Corinthians 3:8~

What does the Bible say about "Labor"?
Well I did a search and didn't find one verse.

Actually I learned that some KJV Bibles have "LABOR" spelt "LABOUR" but it depends
where the book was published. In Canada people spell it "Labour" and it is the same
in the UK. In the U.S. we spell it "LABOR".

BUT in the King James Version it is spelled this way "LABOUR".
And it is found 87 times in the Bible

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know
that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
~1 Corinthians 15:58~

How about "Work"
There were 387 verses with the word "Work" in it.

The Bible tells us how we are to plan our workweek:

"And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on
the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the
seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from
all his work which God created and made."
~Genesis 2:2-3~

Scriptures are so full of wisdom and guidance. From the beginning in Genesis we see that
God created the heavens and the earth. He made all that was in it and on the 7th day
"He rested".

Do you rest on the 7th day? Do you know what the 7th day is? Do you work all week
and then work on your home all weekend? Do you know how to REST?

Where do you place your "work" in the order of importance in your life?

Is it this order?
God First
Spouse Second
Children Third
Your Job Fourth

Is the Lord THE most important thing in your life? Can you really say YES? Can you say,
"Where ever you lead I will follow"? Or is it your work that is your first priority? If we
asked someone who knew you very well, what would they tell us was the MOST important
thing in your life?

Is your JOB or WORK more important then your family? Do you spend more time at work
then with your family? Are you a "workaholic"? How many hours a week do you work?
40 hours? 60 hours? Do you think about work when you are at home? When work calls do
you break promises or plans with your family and leave immediately for the office to
solve the crisis?

Now if you place great importance in something or someone.......how would you express
your feelings? Would you spend time with them? Would they know that they were
important? Would they know you LOVE them because you are faithful, consistent
and available? Who gets the most time in your day? Or your week?

God tells us in the Bible that "The Lord God" is suppose to be the MOST important thing
in our life. This verse in Micah tells ask us what the Lord requires of us: "He hath
showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do
justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." Jesus was asked by the
Pharisees what was most important. He said in Matthew 22:36-40 "Master, which is the
great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and great commandment. And the second is like
unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all
the law and the prophets."

So now we know what is suppose to be the MOST important thing in our life. How does
your life measure up? Do you know how do you learn about the Lord? How do you spend
time with Him? Do you read the Bible? Do you memorize Scriptures? Do you PRAY without
ceasing? Do you have praise and wonder of the world that the Lord created? Do you have
a song in your heart? Do you smile? Are you happy? Do you have a PEACE that passeth
all understanding?

Paul tells us in Philippians 4:13 that "I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth
me." He told us that he had learned to be content with nothing and with plenty. He gave
more then 100% to the Lord. He was CONTENT in all circumstances in his life.
Are you content?

Let's read the verses in Philippians 4:11-13 now: "Not that I speak in respect of want:
for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how
to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed
both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

WOW! I am looking forward to one day meeting Paul in heaven. He trusted the Lord with
a great faith. He was content with the life he had been given. But he lived his faith.
That is what made all the difference.

We are to WORK as UNTO the LORD. Even the mundane can be important if you are
doing what the Lord has CALLED you to do.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every
man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and with fear."
~1 Peter 3:15~

Is there is a difference between you and others? As a Christian, do you do things
differently in your life? Is there JOY in your heart? You don't need to preach a sermon
or force your faith on others. It should be a natural extension of your life and language.
You are really a salesperson for the Lord. Do you use His product or where His uniform?
Do you endorse the product that you are trying to sell? Do other people see a difference
in you? Has anyone ever asked you WHY you are content or happy?

When Jesus walked the earth with His disciples the people were drawn to Him. The
disciples lived their faith. They went from the town as Jesus sent them, they left with
no supplies, no money and nothing more then the clothes that were on their back. They
TRUSTED the Lord to provide for their needs as He promised that He would. And He did.
They did not want for or lack any good thing.

"And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse
the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide
neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two
coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat."
~Matthew 10:7-10~

The first time I ever met a "REAL Christian" that actually LIVED what they believed it
was pretty amazing. They were not just SAYING what people needed to do they actually
lived it. They read their Bible. They had family devotionals. They prayed with a sincere
heart of gratitude. I am not talking about Pastors or Missionaries. Just 'Regular
Christians'. Which I guess is in itself an oxymoron. As Christians we are not regular
or average. We are a peculiar people. We are a treasure. We are called. We are chosen.
We are loved.

You are a walking billboard for the Lord and for your faith. You many be the only BIBLE
someone ever sees. Many people don't ever enter a church, unless it is for a funeral or a
wedding. You are either the BEST or WORST walking advertisement for your faith. How
are your sales going? What is you quota? Have you shared your faith with anyone this
week? Have you prayed WITH and FOR others today? Have you encouraged someone in the
Lord this month? When was the last time you set a side a time to seek the Lord in prayer
and Bible study? Do you read your Bible once a week? Maybe 3 times? Have you memorized
any Bible verses? If someone asked you "How to become a Christian?" what would you say?
Do you know the Bible verses that show a person how to be born again? If someone was
dying and you have 5 minutes but no Bible could you lead them to the Lord?

We are living in an amazing time. Israel is a nation. The first Jubilee year since they
became a nation has just happened. We are seeing prophecy being fulfilled every day. We
are living in the End Times. If the rapture happened in the next 5 minutes would you
know for sure that you would be going when you heard the trumpet blow?

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me,
to give every man according as his work shall be."
~Revelation 22:12~

Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow is a NEW opportunity for you to start fresh and begin
your walk with the Lord with a clean slate. There is not one PERFECT Christian. Only
FORGIVEN Christians. We can come to the Lord each day and ask Him to forgive us for
our past and our actions of that day. Then He will hear you and forgive you. He takes our
sins and they are forgotten. They are as far as the east is from the west. The Blood that
Jesus shed on the cross for you and for me is the ONLY way we are forgiven. He was the
perfect lamb. The only sacrifice needed. God loved us each so much that He gave His
ONLY son. A blood sacrifice. He would have done it if you were the only person on the
earth. He loves you THAT MUCH. It is time for you to share that love with others.
It is time for you to walk with the Lord and trust Him with your life and your JOB.

Jesus said ..."Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye
shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
~Matthew 11:28-30~

"And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to
every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear:"
~1 Peter 1:17~

"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope
in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;"
~1 Thessalonians 1:3~

The Bible uses the same word in the King James Version for "LABOUR"
it can be work or the pains of childbirth.

"And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and
Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. And it came to pass, when she was in hard
labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also."
~Genesis 35:16-17~

"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:
except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh [but] in vain."
~Psalm 127:1~

Does it seem like the clock will never move and the hours drag by for you 8 hour work day?

Fortunately not every one hates their job or dreads going there each morning. If you are
blessed to have a "job" that is something you LOVE to do then it doesn't feel like work at
all. God does give us Talents and Gifts to use for His Glory and His purpose. Some people
know their gift right away. Then there are others who don't know what they are
"suppose to do" until they are 40 or older.

Don't spend your whole life in a job you feel unappreciated in. Don't stay in one that
you really dislike. You don't need to dread going to work every day.

Never run ahead of the Lord. Wait for His perfect timing. Listen to His still small voice.
Pray for a divine appointment. God will bring you to the right place or bring the right
people to you. Remember that "His ways are not our ways. Neither are His thoughts
our thoughts".

God's TIMING is indeed PERFECT. He is never late. God is faithful and trust worthy.

"What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and loose his very own soul."
Your earthly "things" and "possessions" can't go with you to Heaven.

What does matter to you? Is it your JOB or your SALARY or your POSSESSIONS?

"For where your treasure is there your heart will be also". What is the "treasure" of your
life? What we spend the most TIME on or with is the most important thing to us.
Whether we will admit it or not. Do you spend more time with your family or your
co-workers? If you asked your child what was the most important thing in your life
what would they say? Your EXAMPLE is more important then your WORDS.

What will be important at the end of your life? What a shame it would be if you worked
all your life to make money to take care of yourself and your family and yet you had been
unhappy all your life. Is that the legacy you want to leave your children?
Do you want them to walk in your foot steps?

If you died tomorrow could you say this?

"I did the best I could. I followed the path that the Lord laid before me and I
completed my calling and task. I know that I have done what the Lord
called me to do and I can die with no regrets."

If you can't say these things then maybe it is time to reassess and reevaluate your life.
God only promises us today. We don't know what will happen tomorrow. Go to the Lord in
prayer. Seek His face. Tell him what is on your heart. He knows all the mistakes that you
have made in your life. He sees all the consequences for your choices and actions. BUT
remember that God's love is UNCONDITIONAL. He doesn't measure you by your mistakes
or your accomplishments. He has saved you by GRACE alone. Not on your works or merit.
It is time for you to move beyond just saying that you are a Christian. Ask the Lord to
forgive you for not trusting Him. Tell Him that it is hard for you to let go of the control
of your life. Tell Him anything and everything. He will listen and He will love you
in spite of it all. He just wants to hear you call His name. Trust Him.

NOW you can say "Lord direct my steps and my paths and lead me in the way you would
have me go." Trust in the Lord and lean not unto your own understanding. Listen for that
still small voice. God is calling you back to Him. He loves you and will NEVER leave
you or forsake you.

"Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall
be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any
man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If
any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he
himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
~1 Corinthians 3:13-15~

"Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast
thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches."
~Psalm 104:23-24~

Here are two identical verses about LABOUR:

1. "Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:"
~Exodus 20:9~

2. "Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:"
~Deut 5:13~

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FREE Labor Day Card!!!!! Labor Day is Monday September 6th, 2010

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