USE WHAT YOU HAVE WISELY

 SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

Luke 16:1-13

16 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2 So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ 3 Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ 5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’ 7 Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and make it eighty.’ 8 And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly, for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone they may welcome you into the eternal homes.

10 “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If, then, you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”



I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. (Luke 16:9)



If you are like me, when you encounter this parable, it sounds like Jesus is promoting unethical business practices. Do you relate? However, this parable, like the wisdom literature of the Old Testament and is used to demonstrate a particular point that Jesus is making.

Some writers have suggested that the shrewd manager removes the interest charged on each invoice – or reduces the invoice to a fair price – as Israel had been commanded to not charge each other interest and be fair in their business practices. Thus, the master would not be able to be too severe with the manager as that would disclose too much about his own business methods. I don’t know if this is the case, but it is the shrewdness that Jesus wants us to consider.

We can easily fall into the trap of worshipping (or at least paying too much attention to) money and all the ‘stuff’ it can buy. Jesus is challenging us on this. We cannot serve both God and our ‘stuff’. Jesus suggested a solution, it is for us to be smart or wise and find ways we can use our money and our stuff to help others. Not so that we earn our way into God’s kingdom, but because we are already God’s children we will act in ways of compassion and care toward others.

I believe this story is meant to challenge us to ask ourselves some questions. Are there ways in which we could better use our treasure? How could what you and I have be used to help others and as an outcome or a result gain friends for the gospel?

This is a parable about using what we have wisely.

God, thank you for the many blessings you have given me. Help me, through your Holy Spirit, to be wise and generous with it all. Amen.

 

Public Faith

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 

“To what greater inspiration and counsel can we turn,” she asked, “than to the imperishable truth to be found in this treasure house, the Bible?”

Queen Elizabeth II

I am not a “Royal Watcher, however, Queen Elizabeth II is the Monarch I have grown up with. Singing at the start of Each Elementary school day our National Anthem and "God Save our Queen."  Today, will be her funeral and the world will pay tribute to her, and celebrate her life. Whatever our views happen to be about Monarchy, I have found it interesting and have been deeply moved by the evidence of Queen Elizabeth II’s faith. One of her titles is “Defender of the Faith,” and she did not simply carry this title in name, she was a Christian and she at many times during her reign revealed this spiritual depth, and through it, she was used to give too many the strength and comfort needed at just the proper time.

In her 2016 address, she explained, “Billions of people now follow Christ’s teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives. I am one of them because Christ’s example helps me see the value in doing small things with great love, whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe.”

Today I thought I would post some quotes that Queen Elizabeth II included in speeches over her reign. I think these are a glimpse into her soul and spirit.


“I want to ask you all, whatever your religion may be, to pray for me that day–to pray that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life.” 

 —Six months before her Coronation

“Today we need a special kind of courage. Not the kind needed in battle, but a kind which makes us stand up for everything that we know is right, everything that is true and honest. We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics, so that we can show the world that we are not afraid of the future.” 

 —Annual Christmas broadcast, 1957

“Let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.” 

 —Annual Christmas broadcast, 1991

“For me the teachings of Christ and my own person accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.” 

 —Annual Christmas broadcast, 2000

“Grief is the price we pay for love.” 

 — Condolence message at service of remembrance after 9/11

“At the heart of our faith stand not a preoccupation with our own welfare and comfort but the concepts of service and of sacrifice.” 

 —General Synod Inauguration address, 2010

“For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace…is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, He stretched out His hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none.” 

 —Annual Christmas broadcast, 2014

"We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again." —Televised address on April 5, 2020, after outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic

In 2002 the Queen endured a painful year of personal losses with the deaths of her sister, Princess Margaret, and the Queen Mother. In her annual Christmas address that year, she spoke of how her faith had sustained her.

“I know just how much I rely on my own faith to guide me through the good times and the bad,” she said. “Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God.”

Colossians 3:17

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

FRIDAY PRAYER

 SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

We End our week with Praise. 

Here is a song that we must learn to sing. 

Let's go celebrating, dancing,

and praising God in this Day! 

I really hope this tune swirls in your mind all day. 

Here is a Psalm that we can pray today.

Let Us Pray.

Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14

Alleluia!

Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise the Lord in the heights
Praise the Lord, all his angels;
Praise the Lord, all his hosts.

Rulers of the earth and all peoples,
Sovereigns and all judges of the earth,
Young men and maidens as well,
The old and the young together.
Let them praise the name of the Lord,

For God’s name alone is exalted,
Whose splendor rises above heaven and earth.
The Lord exalts the strength of the people,
And is the praise of all the faithful
The praise of the children of Israel,
Of the people to whom our God is close.

Alleluia! AMEN

THURSDAY PRAYER

 SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Here is a promise

for our day 

from our Creator God.

Malachi 4:2

“But for you who worship my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his rays. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

What an awesome image for this new day. What a promise that is given to us. God's presence sends us out into a new day like a calf let out to pasture and released from the stall. Have you every witnessed that? 

You may not feel "free, leaping with Joy" at this moment. That is why I include this prayer for us.

Let Us Pray.

God, I don't know who or what will cross my path today. But I do know that You are my Rock and my Fortress. You are my Shield and my Strong Tower. You are my guide, lead me today by your still waters. Help me to anchor myself to You today.

Teach me how to stand strong in You and choose only Your way today.

Help me walk by Your truth and not my feelings.

Help me to embrace anything that comes my way as an opportunity to see You at work and as an opportunity to point others to You.

Thank You for you love and the promise that nothing can ever take that love away from me! Even if today I fall short, You whisper Your unconditional love deep into my soul and remind me that Your mercies are new every morning. That truly amazes me, Lord. Every Morning!! A Fresh Start. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

WEDNESDAY PRAYER

 SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

Today let us pray the words of what I suggest is a very personal prayer between us and God. This Psalm has a closeness and intimacy about it that reveals a deep spiritual connection with the Creator. Today make them your prayer. Once again I invite you to read the words slowly and let the petitions of Psalm 63 sink into your heart and mind.

Let Us Pray.

Psalm 63:1-8


You, God, are my God,

I earnestly seek you;

I thirst for you,

My whole being longs for you,

In a dry and parched land

Where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary

And beheld your power and your glory.

Because your love is better than life,

My lips will glorify you.

I will praise you as long as I live,

And in your name I will lift up my hands.

I will be fully satisfied with the richest of foods;

With singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On my bed, I remember you;

I think of you through the watches of the night.

Because you are my help,

I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I cling to you;

Your right hand upholds me.

TUESDAY PRAYER

 SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

For today's prayer I want to invite us to pray for your neighborhood. The prayers below are samples but use your own words to pray for the area where you live. I have said this before, and I believe this wholeheartedly, God has a purpose for placing you where you live, so let's pray for our neighborhoods today.

Let Us Pray.


1. Pray for Families. 

Heavenly Father, we ask for your presence in families in our neighborhood. We pray for strength and understanding between the marriages in our neighborhood. We ask for loving, strong bonds between the children, teenagers, adults, and grandparents. We pray that each branch of the family would demonstrate love for one another.

2. Pray for Relationships between neighbors. 

God, we ask for healthy, thriving relationships between neighbors. We pray different cultures will be able to understand and care for one another in our neighborhood. We pray that the diversity of your people will be celebrated by all neighbors, just as you affirm and love each one of us.

3. Pray for Schools. 

Father, we pray for the teachers and local principals who devote their days to shepherding our students.  We ask for guidance and patience for the volunteers as they serve our neighborhood schools. We pray that our schools will be a safe, positive community for our students.

4. Pray for local Churches. 

God, we pray for guidance for our local pastors as they nurture Your congregation and seek to serve those around them. We pray congregations would welcome neighbors with open arms. We hope for residents to find a place to experience community with the body of Christ as they grow spiritually.

5. Pray for Safety and Peace. 

God, you are our Prince of Peace, we ask for your presence in the streets and homes of our community. We pray for local law enforcement, for their safety and wisdom and compassion in all circumstances. We pray your comfort for those who have experienced violence, and we ask your protection for all our neighbors.

MONDAY PRAYER

 SEPTEMBER 12, 2022

Praying Together

This week in our Daily Devotions we are going to post some prayers that we can pray together as a follower of Jesus and as a Community of Jesus.

I want to invite us to pray the words slowly, don't rush through, and see if there is a phrase or request that you really take notice of, that leaps off the screen at you. 

Take a few moments to reflect on why these particular words caught your attention. 

 
Let's Pray

Dear God, at the start of this day and week, help us to recognize you above all else. Enlighten the eyes of our heart that we might see you, and notice how you're at work through our lives. 

Give us wisdom to make the best choices, fill us with a desire to seek after you more than anything else in this world. Let your Spirit and power breathe in us, through us, again, fresh and new. 

Thank you that you are greater than anything we may face in our day. Thank you that your presence goes with us, and that your joy is never dependent on our circumstances, but it is our true and lasting strength, no matter what we're up against. 

We ask that your peace lead us, that it would guard our hearts and minds in you. We ask for your grace to cover our lives this day. 

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

PRIESTS EVERYWHERE

 SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

1 Peter 2:4-10

4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”

8 and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Leviticus 9:1-7

9 On the eighth day Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel. 2 He said to Aaron, “Take a bull calf for your sin offering and a ram for your burnt offering, both without defect, and present them before the Lord. 3 Then say to the Israelites: ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering, a calf and a lamb—both a year old and without defect—for a burnt offering, 4 and an ox and a ram for a fellowship offering to sacrifice before the Lord, together with a grain offering mixed with olive oil. For today the Lord will appear to you.’”

5 They took the things Moses commanded to the front of the tent of meeting, and the entire assembly came near and stood before the Lord. 6 Then Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.”

7 Moses said to Aaron, “Come to the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and the people; sacrifice the offering that is for the people and make atonement for them, as the Lord has commanded.”

Leviticus 9:22-24

22 Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down.

23 Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 24 Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.

1 Kings 8:1-11

8 Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David. 2 All the Israelites came together to King Solomon at the time of the festival in the month of Ethanim, the seventh month.

3 When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark, 4 and they brought up the ark of the Lord and the tent of meeting and all the sacred furnishings in it. The priests and Levites carried them up, 5 and King Solomon and the entire assembly of Israel that had gathered about him were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and cattle that they could not be recorded or counted.

6 The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim. 7 The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its carrying poles. 8 These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are still there today. 9 There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.

10 When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. 11 And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple.

1 Peter 2:9, says that we are a royal priesthood. Have you embraced the truth that you, we as Jesus followers are priests! Together, we are a kingdom of priests!!

What does it mean to be a kingdom of priests? God’s plan for His people and the institution of the priesthood helps us understand this better.
Here is what we know about the role of a priest from Leviticus:

A Priest:

1. Puts God on display
2. Helps people navigate their life according to God’s promises
3. Intercedes on behalf of others
4. Distributes resources to those in need

That is beautiful don’t you think? I want to invite us all today to see ourselves as women and men and children who are carrying out these tasks! You are called, you are chosen, you are a royal priesthood!

· Put God on display today in your life, in your home, and at work.
· Point people to Jesus, by your loving care and compassion toward them.
· Pray for one another, bearing each others’ burdens.
· Show hospitality and kindness through generosity to those in need.

Ours is an overwhelming and great calling. It is a privilege to reflect the life and love of Jesus to our neighbors and our world.

How will we live out your priestly position today?

How will you put God on display?

 

FOLLOW, I Will Follow You

 SEPTEMBER 8, 2022

Numbers 9:15-23

15 On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. 16 That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. 18 At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. 19 When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s order and did not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.

Matthew 4:19

19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”


Isn’t this reading from the book of Numbers a powerful and gripping passage? In the wilderness, God was teaching His people to follow. To follow Him. We find this invitation to follow our Creator as a foundational stone to our relationship with God. When we consider our purpose as God’s people, one of our first responses is to say “yes” to following Him. I have come to understand and firmly believe that it is in following God obediently that we can truly live out our God designed and intended purpose.

Listen to Numbers 9:22-23, “22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.”

This Numbers passage reminds me of the teaching in our Matthew’s Gospel readings today. Matthew 4:19 says, “And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” . Follow Me. Follow Me, learn from Me and I will give you rest for your souls.

When you review the Bible’s story it is not difficult to see that from the very beginning, God was preparing and teaching, the New Testament word would is discipling, His people how to belong to Him and to be led by Him. Follow me and I will train you. I will train you to love Me, to love others, to serve Me, to serve others, to hear Me, and to know Me. This invitation to follow is for us individually, and as a community of faith in our villages, towns and cities, and as part of the universal worshippers of God in all places in our world.

How are we doing at listening for the Lord’s leading in our lives?

What is God’s training for you in this season?

Please hear this, that wherever God is leading you, it is for you to grow and develop so that you and me, will reflect more of His image in our character and live out of a more established sense of our purpose in God’s great plan.

PRAYER

God, I choose to follow You today. Help me not to miss the move of Your Spirit so I may follow well and carry out Your purpose in my life. Amen

THE ONE ANOTHERS

 SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

John 13:34-35

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

 
1 Peter 2:17

17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

 
Acts 2:42-47

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

We need one another. In fact, the phrase “one another” is used 412 times in the New International Version of the bible. Listen to some of the “one anothers” from Scripture:

love one another,

encourage one another,

forgive one another,

serve one another,

confess to one another,

bless one another,

honor one another . . .

you get the point I am guessing.

One of realities of the Bible story is that early community of Jesus understood the strength of one another. This new faith family that had been empowered by the Holy Spirit, lived and acted as a new community, and the Lord blessed them. They gathered together daily, ate meals together, worshipped together, and cared for the practical needs of one another. This is what Jesus intended for His Faith Communities.

Would you agree that quite often the flurry of activity in our lives makes it difficult to connect with our “one anothers”? Let us acknowledge that the teaching of the Bible insists that we were never meant to do life alone, rather we were created to be in community. 

PRAYER

Jesus, who are my “one anothers”? Help me find connection and community where You have planted me. Help me to develop deep roots so that I can bear much fruit that brings Praise and honor to you. Amen

A WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

 SEPTEMBER 6, 2022

Psalm 68:6

6 God sets the lonely in families,
he leads out the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Deuteronomy 14:27-29

27 And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own.

28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

Deuteronomy 24:18-22

18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.

19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 22 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.



“God sets the lonely in families . . . “(Psalm 68:6)

Isn’t that a beautiful promise?

To the one today who is lonely or who feels abandoned and neglected, to the one who is widowed or feels isolated and overlooked, God has not forgotten you. The Bible tells us that God sees you, God loves you, God hears you and God has already made provision for your care. How? Through His people. Throughout the Scripture story, a recurring command is to care for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. As we read in Deuteronomy above, God was very clear about how to care for these and that doing so would result in great blessing. On the flip side, to not care for these would be a transgression.

It is to be noted that the culture of the Bible was a “we” culture, they were communal and valued hospitality. Admittedly, this is not necessarily what we see reflected in our own culture. We are an “I” culture; we prize independence and personal freedoms. Quite often our families are separated by geography, and we as we have said many times over the last little while, we can easily live in neighborhoods and never know our neighbors, or perhaps even see them!

Our readings today raise the question, how can we live out the command to care for “the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow,” etc. ? I suggest with intention and invitation. For example, Is there someone you know who could use an invitation to your table? Our Table? Who do you know today that needs to be “included” or cared for? However, you answer these questions, it will require intentionality on your part to move toward them.

Today I invite you to remember that God sets the lonely in families and He wants to use us to be that family.

PRAYER

Father, enlarge my heart’s capacity to love others. Help me today to see who needs Your care through me. Help me to be a family to . . . (who did you think about above?)

 

Heigh-Ho! Heigh-Ho! ......

SEPTEMBER 5, 2022

 

Genesis 1:1-2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Genesis 2:15

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it"

Exodus 20:9

9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.


Happy Labor Day!!


For many, Labor Day signals the end of summer. But what evolved into just another long weekend began as a massive working class demonstration in the streets of Toronto for better working conditions for laborers. The push by the Printers Union for shorter workdays, 9 hours instead of the 12 hours they worked, became a driving force that awakened Governments to the need to recognize the contribution of Canadian laborers. So, in Parliament on July 23, 1894, Labor Day became a National holiday. It was a big victory and was a great day to recognize workers.

Today, labor Day signals the end of summer, the last long weekend before the September returns to “normal”. Loading up the BBQ as family and friends gather has become what Labor Day is all about. Of course, Windsor does still have the Labor Day Parade on this day which has its roots way back in history.

I believe Labor Day is a good day to pause, even if you do not get Labor Day off, and reflect that through our work God brings into the world food and drink, products and services, knowledge and beauty, organizations and communities, growth and health, and praise and glory to himself. Our work is meant to serve God’s purposes. It is largely in and through our work that we make a contribution to the common good, find meaning in our daily lives, as well as leave a footprint of influence in the world. I call us back to a few months ago, when we talked about saying a little prayer that I think seems appropriate to start our workday “Surely God is in this place. Help me Notice.”

"We are created in the image of God, and he modeled for us a way of life that makes sense for how we are created. Here's how to experience God’s rhythm of life he said: work, be creative, use your imagination, throw yourself into it, whether you are washing dishes, reading to your kids and running a household, or trading stocks, reading corporate reports, and running a business. …At the end of each day, stop. Take a rest, eat a good meal, get enough sleep, and refresh yourself. Take time to think about your day, to notice where God was in it and where you were blessed, and to say, "It's good." Then go back at it the next day. 

And take a Sabbath every week. And say, "It's really good." Spend a whole day just pausing, just reflecting on how really good the Creator is, and the value of our partnership with God in our work.

You see, work isn't something added on to the biblical story. It comes right at the start. In the beginning, God worked.


PRAYER

Thank you, God, for graciously revealing yourself to us in Scripture. The first thing you show us about yourself is that you are the God who created all things. You are a God who worked, and who is working still. May you work in and through my life today. Help me to see all of my work this day, and every day, as an imitation of your creativity. Amen.

CHARACTER MATTERS

 SEPTEMBER 02, 2022

Psalm 86:1-13

1 Hear me, Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
for I put my trust in you.

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths,
from the realm of the dead.

1 Samuel 2:2

2 “There is no one holy like the Lord;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.

Isaiah 46:9-10

9 Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.
10 I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please.’

Revelation 4:8-11

8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”


To know God is to know and trust His character. Who is He? Through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit reveals to us the heart of God in the most beautiful of words and ways. In our reading today, we learn that God hears us, protects us, and brings mercy and joy. He is forgiving, good, and abounding in love. He is holy, holy, holy and there is none like Him. Pause for a moment and praise Him for who He is; who you know Him to be in your own life.

Consider who He is through the revelation of His story in the biblical narrative and worship Him.

He is Creator, Redeemer, Restorer, Rebuilder. He is the Passover Lamb, Deliverer, and Atoning Sacrifice. He is Prophet, Priest, and King. He is Sovereign, Shepherd, Burden Bearer, Waymaker, Miracle worker, Promise Keeper, and Rebuilder of walls. He is God with us and for us. He is the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Resurrection. He is Faithful, Just, Pure, Good, and Righteous. He is the Light of the World and the Bread of Life. He is your Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There is none like You, Lord!

Continue in worship of Him by declaring who is He or who you need Him to be in your life right now. His beauty and power are limitless.