Provided by Hank Botts

Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. —Colossians 3:23

It’s one of life’s ironies that on Labor Day in the US and Canada, most of the workers get the day off. But that’s for good reason. What better way to reward a hard-working populace than to give the laborers a holiday!

Labor Day seems like a good time to take a closer look at what it takes to offer our employers our best.

1. No matter what our task, it’s our duty to work for God’s glory (Colossians 3:23). In this sense, no job is better than another. Each should result in honor to God.

2. The way we work can earn the respect of those who do not follow Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). A boss shouldn’t have to tell a Christian to use time well or to work hard.

3. Our work is one way to fulfill our dual purpose: to love God and others. Showing love to our co-workers is a good way to show that we love God (Matthew 22:37-40).

4. We must work to provide for those who depend on us. Harsh words of criticism are reserved for those who don’t take care of their family (1 Timothy 5:8).

Having a job can be hard work. Even for those who truly enjoy their jobs, it’s nice to have a Labor Day breather. But until the day comes when our work is over, our task is to make our labor a testimony to God’s glory.

Whatever you are working on,
Engage in it with zest,
Because your work is for the Lord,
And He expects your best. —Sper

"Sister Phoebe"

Romans 16:1-2
"I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church at Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you, for indeed she has been a helper of many and myself also."

The Bible is so sweetly personal when it speaks of people who serve the Lord in His ministry. Just a few reflections today as my heart is moved by the many "servants of the Lord" in Grace Harbor. These bullet points are my initial reactions to some of the words and phrases about Phoebe.

• We ought to do more "commending".
• "Our sister" Phoebe is a sister to many.
• "Servant of the church", shouldn't we all be His servants in His Church?
• "At Cenchrea" infers the church is "a body" and "an organism".
• We ought to be more "receptive", like Him.
• "His worthiness" should affect my manners.
• Always assist helpers.
• Do not hinder "doers", their business of ministry is vital.
• Need to meet the needs of those who help those in need.
• Praise God for servant-helpers.

The early church really appreciated its servant-hearted helpers and so should we. To all of you who serve Him, l commend you and appreciate you for all you do. You are an amazing blessing to His Church and it's people and to me and all Pastors.

In His Service with you,
Pastor Fred 

"Having Peace, Standing In Grace"
 
Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

These verses are a tremendous doctrinal statement about who we are in Christ and how we get there, and being justified by faith is fundamental to the core of our beliefs. But, two phrases are jumping off the page at me today that is the encouragement that l need to hear right now.

First, "we have peace" or simply put "having peace" is what l need to hear today. Jesus bought my peace. High price, but what a blessing. I have peace. I just need to remember that I do. I also have "this grace in which l stand", or, l am "standing in grace". His grace is sufficient, right? I love to think of myself having peace and standing in grace.

As l consider those truths just now, l realize that l am not only gonna be ok, l am gonna flourish, and when l don't, l am still gonna be ok. Why? Because l have this peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ and l have this grace in which l stand. So l can rejoice in hope of the glory of God. What a promise. The doctrine is good and true, but often l need to hear the words of what l believe. Beautiful words. Having peace, standing in grace. We are gonna be ok.

In Him,
Pastor Fred

"A Living Sacrifice" 

Roman's 12:1 "I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

The power and conviction of this verse is as life-altering today as the first time it drove me to my knees. I heard Paul loud and clear as he begged me to be totally committed. To be a living sacrifice seemed like an oxymoron, because sacrifices are usually dead.  So how is a Christian supposed to be living sacrificer? With sacrificial service, or worship, that is reasonable for someone who is genuinely grateful for what they have received from God.  The goal of presenting when self as a living sacrifice is service.

Zacharius, the father of John the Baptist, prayed that "we might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life". That is a beautiful model of what it means to live as a sacrifice to Christ. Dedicated people do not just wear the label, they demonstrate their dedication by going places and doing things and living for the cause of Christ. They act constructively as people committed to fulfilling Christ's plans and purposes in this world. Since He first spoke to me this has been my commitment and still is today. If you are a brother or sister to Paul by faith, what does this verse say to you?

In Him by mercy as always,
Pastor Fred 

"Comfort From Sorrow" 

"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more. " Psalm 71:20-21 

I have recently gone through (still going through) a time of sorrow because of the passing of my Dad. This passage and in fact the whole of Psalm 71 has helped me put things into perspective. I have run the gambit of emotions from anger to bitterness to depths if despair. Seeing my Mom's anguish has amplified this. Then I feel guilty for being angry and bitter.

The phrase "made me see" (KJV says "showed me") literally means allowing me to see or experience. He allows us to go through sorrow at times, and shows no condemnation for experiencing anger or bitterness. Rather He restores us, brings us up and comforts us.

I am hoping this comforts you as much as it has me.

Resting in Him
Angie Wahl

"Who Do You Serve?"

Matthew6:24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other."

One evening a wise old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people. 
He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is evil, it is anger, envy,  jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, lies, pride, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, superiority, and ego.

The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a moment and then asked his grandfather which one wins? The wise old Cherokee grandfather simply replied,  "The one you feed." 

Food for thought. 
In Him,
Pastor Fred 

"Overcoming Worry" 

Matthew 6:25  "Therefore l say to you, do not worry about your life..."

Three times, in verses 25,31, and 34 of Matthew 6 Jesus tells us not to worry. Jesus gets us. He really does know the minds and hearts of humans. We struggle with our worries. Even when we know He is all-knowing, all-powerful and ever-present. Here are 5 reasons we should not worry from one of my study bibles.

1. Worry is inconsistent. (6:25) lf we can trust Jesus To provide us with our life, can we not also trust Him with our daily needs?

2. Worry is irrational.  (6:26) Since our Lord cares for the birds, will He not also care for us, since we are more valuable than birds?

3. Worry is ineffective. (6:27)  Who among us can add one cubit (the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger) to our stature by worrying?

4.  Worry is illogical. (6:28-30)  If God can clothe the lilies of the field can He not also clothe us?

5. Worry is irreligious. 6:31-32) When we worry, we act just like those who do not know God, in this case "the Gentiles".

 To avoid worrying, we need a system of priorities;  "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness". (6:33) We also need a strategic program; "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things."(6:34)

Good stuff. Worry is inconsistent, irrational, ineffective, illogical and irreligious. So.... why worry? God has got us. He has got you, and He has got me. He's got the whole world in His hands.

Trusting Him with you,
Pastor Fred 

"Judging" 

Matthew 7: 1-5 "Judge not that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me remove the speck from your eye." And look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First, remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

This both convicts us and makes us defensive. Too many times we judge in the name of trying to be helpful. We also try to be helpful by fixing people. Neither is helpful or effective. By the way, for me to figure out whether l am being judgemental or not it works best for me to try to be honest about my motives. Uhoh,  more conviction and defensiveness coming. Not easy to admit that when we try to help, we would actually like to make a point, or teach a lesson, or straighten somebody out, or even cause trouble. Each of us must answer to God when it comes to judging. Our best tact would be to deal with our own issues before God and let others do the same. Forgive me if l am meddling or causing any angst. I have enough planks that l certainly do not need to touch yours or even your specks for that matter.     

With His grace,
Pastor Fred 

"Trust In Him" Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus " So what do we need to do? We need to trust Him, to yield to Him. We can only do what we can do and He'll take care of the rest. Does He have the power, the resources, the wisdom, the plan and the ability to meet my needs and the needs of others? Of course He does. God knows the when, the where, the why and the how... So just show up. Do your part... Then let go... And let Him takes care of the rest. What do you need today? Can He supply it? Will you receive it? Glory to God in Christ Jesus, Pastor Fred

"Lord, Open Our Minds"
 
Luke 24:45-47

"Then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and He said to them, thus it is written that the Christ will suffer and rise again from the dead on the third day and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations beginning from Jerusalem." 

Oh LORD, that our minds would indeed be opened to understand the Scriptures. The Old Testament has prophesied that Christ would suffer for sin, and rise again conquering death so that we could be forgiven, know salvation and then proclaim the gospel of the good news. The good news that God has reconciled us to Himself through the sacrificial atonement of His Son.

When we understand what He has done for us, we are compelled to share it with others. How could we know eternal peace and keep it to ourselves? How can the redeemed not say so? Ask Him to open your mind to the truth, so you can proclaim it to others. God desires relationship with us through His Son. This is the good news. This is the Great news this is the Best news. This is our story. This is His Story. This is History. This is the truth. This is The Greatest Story Ever Told. This is our story. Share it from here to everywhere. We can be reconciled to God through Jesus, The Christ.

In Him,
Pastor Fred

"Loved" 
Roman's 8:39 "... neither height nor depth or anything else created can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus."

Comforting to know. Today l want to share with you a quote from Paul Washer that illustrated this Biblical truth. 

"I have given God countless reasons not to love me, None of them has been strong enough to change Him." 

God loves me and you. Therefore l am comforted and encouraged,
Pastor Fred 

"The Past"

Isaiah 43:18 "Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past."

I read a quote today from a good friend that reminded me of this Biblical truth. We are not talking about fond memories here. This is not about joyfully reminiscing. This is about dwelling on past mistakes, hurts, and trouble. We are admonished in His Word several times to put the past behind us,  where it belongs. So here is the quote, which speaks on more than one level. 

"Don't stumble over something behind you."

That is so convicting. My first reaction to it was to think... "When l do l am usually going backward." 

Onward and upward,
Pastor Fred

"Wisdom" 

Proverbs 13:20
“He who walks with wise men will be wise…”

So true. This is why we must read His Word. It is His written word. He is wisest, so we walk in His wisdom. Those who know His Word are wise. Walk with those who walk with Him. That is wise. Go to places where wisdom from His word is shared; Bible Studies, His Church, Christian Radio, Television and Movies, Christian Social Media, Christian Printed Materials, etc…

The accumulation of wisdom can offset the flood of foolishness into our lives. Foolish negative, hateful words will destroy what God is building. I only shared half the verse by the way. This truth stands on its own. I will share now the second half of Proverbs 13:20…But, the companion of fools will be destroyed. We choose! Wisdom begetting wisdom or foolishness leading to destruction.


Lord, give me the strength to choose wisely today.

In Him,
Pastor Fred

 “Too Hard”

Jeremiah 32:27
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?”

In this moment I am prepared to answer this question. The answer is no. Nothing is too hard for God. He is the LORD. Master of the Universe. The Most High.

The endless list of what is not too hard for Him includes…
My sin
My attitude
My faithlessness
My foolishness
My heart
My head
My laziness
My rebelliousness

What I think is so hard I should surrender to Him, the God of all flesh, for nothing is too hard for Him.


Now that wasn’t so hard, was it? Actually, it felt very liberating.

In Him,
Pastor Fred

"When Thirsty"

Judges 15:18-19 "Then Samson became very thirsty, so he cried out to the Lord and said, 'You have given this great deliverance by the hand of your servant, and now shall I die of thirst and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?' So God split the hollow place that is in Lehi, and water came out, and he drank, and his spirit returned, and he revived. Therefore Samson called it's name En Hakkore, which is in Lehi to this day."

En Hakkore means "Spring of the Caller" in Hebrew. My friend in ministry, Cheryl Ford, shared this about this passage.

"After a fierce battle with the Philistines, Samson feared he might die of thirst. He called out to God for water and God opened a spring of water and it revived him. Let's come to our own El Hakkore and call out,  "Lord we are thirsty! Only You can come and restore our souls. Come and open Your Spirit's spring of pure and living water. Let it revive us and give us strength for the challenges ahead."  

I say Amen!
Pastor Fred

 
"FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM AND ONE ANOTHER"
1John 1:5-7
"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanses us from all sin."

The Word, which is clear, needs no commentary. The Spirit gives understanding to His Truth.  Today l encourage you to reread this passage and receive His encouragement, admonition, and direction as He reveals it to you. May you abide in Him and He in you, by His Word.   

In Him,
Pastor Fred