Jesus said, “One thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). May the Lord give us grace to lay aside earthly busyness for the sake of rest in His presence. Jesus does not need our frenetic busyness to build His kingdom. Rather, He wants to live His life through us to manifest His peace, grace, and fruitful influence. I need to be reminded of this today and I suppose you do, too! Read more here.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5 NIV
How important it is for each of us to know the way into God’s presence. How do we enter in His gates? How do we come into His courts? There’s only one accepted way: We enter His gates with thanksgiving; we enter His courts with praise. It’s as we come to God with thanksgiving and with praise that we have access.
In the book of Isaiah we are told that salvation is like a city with walls and gates, and that every one of the gates is named “Praise.” In other words, there is no way into the presence of God, the place of salvation, except through the gate of praise. There’s no other way that we can have access to God. It’s so important that we realize this.
Sometimes we are tempted to say, “But what do I have to thank God for, what do I have to praise Him for?” The psalmist gives us three reasons.
The Lord is good.
His love endures forever.
His faithfulness continues through all generations.
There are three reasons why we should always praise and thank God. And notice that none of those reasons ever changes with our situation or our circumstance. No matter what the circumstance, those three reasons for praising and thanking God always hold good.
Prayer: Father, we ask that the assembly of your faithful ones will praise you with music, celebrate their Maker, and exalt your name in song at all times! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Blaise Pascal was a brilliant seventeenth-century intellectual. He made significant contributions in the fields of science and mathematics. He established the groundwork of the development of mechanical calculators and modern hydraulic operations.
As a young man, it is said that Pascal had a profound encounter with Jesus Christ. This life-changing experience motivated him to refocus his study from science and math to theology.
As a result, Pascal wrote a remarkable prayer that can help us when face the tasks of life. Pascal prayed, “Lord, help me to do great things as though they were little, since I do them with Your power; and little things as though they were great, since I do them in Your name.”
Pascal’s supplication is quite scriptural. Paul said, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13) and admonishes us: “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Pascal echoes these words to depend on God for His power and to view every act as important, since it will reflect on the glory of God.
Remember the next time you face a task that seems too big for you, that God is your strength. And whenever you encounter a seemingly insignificant task, determine to do with the excellence to the glory of God.
Prayer: “Lord, let me honor You in all my ways, whether the task be large or small. Let me remember that You are the One who gives me the strength to carry out the task and may I always give You the glory because You are my strength and my all in all.”
Before you fire up the grill one last time for the summer on this Labor Day, here is Chuck Colson describing the dignity of work.
Work embraced as a calling expresses the glory of God, and it’s part of—very literally—following Jesus. Through our work God provides for us and for our families, contributes to the common good, and also gives us a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. He has given us work as the way to fulfill His mandate to us … to take dominion over the world he has created.
Chuck also went on to point out that in the pagan world, manual labor was seen as just for the lower classes. But Christianity saw it differently—work was understood to be edifying, part of being made in God’s image, something we could and should do to God’s glory.
So please, have a good day off. And then head back to the construction site, to the office, to school, wherever, refreshed and ready to work as unto the Lord.
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Help
The Father sends the Advocate as His representative—that is, the Holy Spirit. He will teach me everything and will remind me of everything in His Word. (adapted from John 14:26)
Father, thank you for giving us Your Spirit. Fill us afresh as we begin this year. We rely on You, Holy Spirit, to recall things back to our minds. Enable us to learn and soak up knowledge that draws us closer to You. Be our mouthpiece as we speak to others. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to You. Help us to grow closer to you and each other. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Wisdom
If I need wisdom, I will ask my generous God. He will give it to me. He will not rebuke me for asking. (adapted from James 1:5)
Thank you, Lord, that when we need wisdom, all we have to do is ask. You are ready and willing to pour out Your wisdom for those who seek You. Help us to walk in Your wisdom as we navigate school this year. Let us not just be hearers of Your Word, but doers of Your Word. Let the light of Your Word shine brightly through us, so that others may see You in us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Trust
I will trust in the Lord with all my heart and not depend on my own understanding. I will seek His will in all I do, and He will show me which path to take. adapted from Proverbs 3:5-6
Lord, we walk into this year completely dependent upon You. When we begin to lean on our own understanding, remind us that Your ways far surpass ours. Thank you in advance for showing us the right paths and leading us in the way we should go. We don’t know what this year has in store, but You do. We trust in Your ability to care for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Confidence
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NLT
Thank you, Lord, that You go before us. You have prepared the way for us, giving us the strength to accomplish everything You’ve assigned us to do. When a concept is hard we will push through. If we feel like we are failing, we will trust in Your ability to help us win. Our confidence is in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Fruits of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (adapted from Galatians 5:22-23)
Lord, thank you that You have given us everything we need to succeed in life. Father, fill me and my children with Your Spirit, producing fruit that never spoils. Help us to love unconditionally, be filled with joy overflowing, remain peaceful and patient, be kind to others, walk in goodness, faithfulness and gentleness and maintain self-control. Continue to develop these things in us as we journey through this new year. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Contentment
I will not love money, but be satisfied with what I have. God has said He will never fail me or abandon me. (adapted from Hebrews 13:5)
Father, thank you that You always provide for us. Teach us to be satisfied in You. Caution us when we begin to compare who we are or what we have to others. Let us not become envious or jealous of those around us. It’s easy for us to fall into the trap of wanting what others have. Show us what is right for us. Help us to be content with what we have, knowing that You have given us exactly what we need. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
