Pressing on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

“The point is simply this: Biblical Christianity knows nothing about compartmentalized living. There are to be no areas of the life where the Lord is not allowed to invade and take charge. In other words, there are to be no spiritual “junk closets” or areas we reserve for ourselves. We are to be His lock, stock, and barrel.”

From “Qualification for the Evaluation of Elders and Deacons,” J. Hampton Keathley III

My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. – Isaiah 53:2

He was humble and lowly in appearance. Yet, this was the King.  Walking plainly, openly among His people.  He was the Warrior showing us the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  And his battle was waged and won on a cross.  His infinite glory veiled.  But when he returns, when he Rides Again…there will be no mistaking his appearance as a warrior.  As the King of Kings to whom every knee shall bow.

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. (‭Revelation‬ ‭19‬:‭11-16‬ NLT)

I am grateful for the ONE…the Warrior Jesus Christ who is bringing us all back….

Out of every one hundred men,
ten shouldn’t even be there,
eighty are just targets,
nine are the real fighters,
and we are lucky to have them,
for they make the battle.
Ah, but the one,
one is a warrior,
and he will bring the others back.

Heraclitus (Circa 500 B.C.)

And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. ~Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬

God created work in the very beginning and said it is good! Then the fall of humanity brought a cursing of the ground by God and a reality that humans would scratch a living from it and by the sweat of their brow have food to eat. Still, God says eating and drinking and enjoying the fruits of our labor are gifts from Him.

As we celebrate Labor Day in the USofA, I pray that we will connect what we have from our work as being gifts from God. We do work hard and God does provide. Thank you for your great gifts God and the ability to work that you gave us.