Monday, September 4, 2023 - EVERY DAY IS LABOR DAY

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Monday, September 4, 2023 - Day 247  - (Today’s Bible readings: Ezekiel 2; Psalm 64; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5)

EVERY DAY IS LABOR DAY

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)

Today is Labor Day, a day that is set aside to celebrate the gift of work and those who labor at it. This is certainly something to celebrate.

In today’s reading, Paul is celebrating those who labor at sharing the love and hope that we find in our Lord Jesus... Love that Jesus commands with these words:

12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:12-13)

The heart of the Christian faith is Jesus’ love for us revealed in His sacrificial death, thereby laying down His life for us. He paid for all of our sins winning eternal life for all and any who repent and believe in Him.

And now we get to live for Him by loving others. And that is why everyday is labor day for the followers of Jesus!

1. Love in Christ is strong and living, 

    Binding faithful hearts in one;

    Love in Christ is true and giving, 

    May His will in us be done.

2. Love is patient and forbearing, 

    Clothed in Christ’s humility,

    Gentle, selfless, kind, and caring, 

    Reaching out in charity.

3. Love in Christ abides forever, 

    Fainting not when ills attend;

    Love, forgiving and forgiven, 

    Shall endure until life’s end.

    (Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #706) 

Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day. And may every day be labor day for you as you share the love of Jesus in all that you do and say!'

Pastor David Paape