Good morning on this Saturday of the Labor Day weekend. I begin by wishing each of our readers a happy and prosperous Labor Day. Throughout the Bible God highlights the dignity of work. In the first chapters of the book of Genesis, He, Himself, is described as doing the work of creation and then resting from His labor when the work was finished. He commissioned Adam to do the work of naming all of the livestock, birds of the air, and beasts of the field. Literally from day one, God gave Adam responsibilities to complete and Adam labored to do as the Lord had instructed. Work is depicted in the Bible as a blessing. If you don't believe that, talk to a person who has been unemployed for a long time and is unsure about his future and you will find the importance of the security and fulfillment work brings to those who have a job and the chagrin of those who are chronically without one. Of course, there are exceptions, Proverbs warns about some lazy people who refuse to work (Proverbs 19:15, 21:25), and Paul adds that a man who refuses to work should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Note that after Adam and Eve sinned, the ground was cursed (changed for the worse) causing Adam and those who followed to experience hard and more difficult labor because the ground was much more resistant to Adam's effort. Thistles and thorns (weeds) became a hindrance and sweat produced by exertion and hard work was the result of the changes sin created. A few other thoughts about work this Labor Day.

(1) Count having a job as a blessing and be grateful for what you have.

(2) Do your work faithfully and do it as unto the Lord; maintain a good work testimony for Jesus Christ.

(3) Pray for those who are without work and assist them if at all possible with help finding a job and sharing your resources with them to meet their needs.

(4) Remember the hungry and starving people throughout the world who can be saved through your generous support to programs such as Edgewood's F.O.O. D. fund (We have helped provide over 1,000,000 meals world-wide during the last 10 years).

(5) Finally, enjoy the Labor Day holiday with your family and friends. It is another opportunity to do as the Lord instructed to take some time to rest from our labors.

Tomorrow's sermon is entitled, God Will See You Through.

Mel Brown