Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
Mark 12:30
12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.
The Lord requires the physical strength, and you can reveal your love for Him by the right use of your physical powers, doing the very work which needs to be done. There is no respect of persons with God.... {TMK 333.2}
There is science in the humblest kind of work, and if all would thus regard it, they would see nobility in labor. Heart and soul are to be put into work of any kind; then there is cheerfulness and efficiency. In agricultural and mechanical occupations, men may give evidence to God that they appreciate His gift in the physical powers, and the mental faculties as well. Let the educated ability be employed devising improved methods of work. This is just what the Lord wants. There is honor in any class of work that is essential to be done.... {TMK 333.3}
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength” (Mark 12:30). God desires the love that is expressed in heart service, in soul service, in the service of the physical powers. We are not to be dwarfed in any kind of service for God. Whatever He has lent us is to be used intelligently for Him.... There is need of intelligence and educated ability to devise the best methods in farming, in building, and in every other department, that the worker may not labor in vain.... {TMK 333.4}
It is the duty of every worker not merely to give his strength but his mind and intellect to that which he undertakes to do.... You can choose to become stereotyped in a wrong course of action because you have not the determination to take yourselves in hand and reform, or you may cultivate your powers to do the very best kind of service, and then you will find yourselves in demand anywhere and everywhere. You will be appreciated for all that you are worth. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).28 {TMK 333.5}
Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work. God has gifted us with the mind, body, and spirit to carry out all the work He has given us to do. There is nobility in labor. As God said through Solomon, whatever we do, do it with all our might. The work of the Lord is plenty. When we do God’s work, we demonstrate our love for each other and for God. There are many areas in the world where the gospel has yet to be preached. Even so, there is work right in our own vineyard. Our communities and neighbors need heavenly manna from on High. People right in our own backyards live in darkness and we are to bring them the light they so desperately need. Our own brothers and sisters need to hear what the spirit says unto God’s people. This is our duty to carry out and fulfill. There is honor in any class of work that is essential to be done. We are to love God with our entire being. The Bible says that if we love God, we are to keep His
commandments. God will honor those who honor Him. So whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Our kind and gracious heavenly Father,
We come to the foot of Your throne in thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. We thank You for blessing us with this day and every day You give us to commune with each other and with You. Thank You for the love You give us. We in turn express our deepest and sincerest love to You in heaven. We thank You for the work given for us to do. We are thankful for all the gifts and talents You provide us to carry out the plan of salvation and in doing the very work that needs to be done. Thank You also for the work we do to sustain our families and us. For giving us, the ability to earn our wages that provides for all our needs. We pray that we are able to put all our heart and soul into the work we do of any kind with cheerfulness and efficiency. Help us to use our minds and bodies to improve our results. Help us to not labor in vain. We pray for all our brothers and sisters to do their very best work and not to be complacent in spirit or in doing Your service. We all have a part to do and been blessed with particular skills and talents to honor Your name. As Solomon stated, whatever we do, to do it with all our might. We pray for the strength and courage, wisdom, understanding, and discernment to do just that. There is honor in any work that is essential to be done, and we pray to do our part. We pray for the continued privilege and opportunity to express our love for each other and for You. We pray to reach people all over the world, but also those who are right in our own backyards. We pray to bring them all the everlasting gospel and what the spirit says unto the churches. To You be all the Glory, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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