April 2021 Week 4
Monday April 26
Laborers are Few
Scripture: Matthew 9: 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
This week gives thought to Labor Day that is celebrated in China May 1 of each year to recognize the hard work put in each day by millions of worker. This day is also set aside in various other countries. The day is usually celebrated by the majority of individuals not working on this day. However there are some people who must work. They are what are considered essential workers such as police, medical staff, transportation workers to name just a few. There are others in restaurants, supermarkets and similar businesses who work as well. There is much to be done and we cannot take a day off.
Thought for the day: John 9:4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
Tuesday April 27
What kind of worker are you?
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
In the early days of the industrial revolution, workman were often responsible for the construction of an entire item unlike today where the items are usually pieced together by many different workers so much so that is very difficult to determine which worker is responsible for the finished product if there is a flaw. In the early days workers would initial or sign their work because they were proud of the finished product. I even remember when their were inspection tags with the inspector’s name that demonstrated the quality of the product. This practice has become that of brands with many called signature brands to try and market the product as being of good quality.
Thought of the day: Are you willing to put your signature on your finished product?
Wednesday April 28
Decisions Decisions Decisions
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15, NKJV)
Life is often said to be a series of decisions and as such we must have a measuring stick by which to measure our decisions. For many the measuring stick is our core values. Core values are defined as those ideas or beliefs that are fundamental to our existence and which we have made a definitive decisions that they are of utmost importance to us and helps to define us. When used properly core values can serve as a directional light to keep us on the right path and can also be used to lead us to the right path when we have gone astray. Core values when set are not to be moved to justify our actions. There are no buts or ifs when core values are used properly. It becomes a clear choice that enables us to live the life that we have decided is important to us.
Thought for the day: What is your most important unchanging core value?
Thursday
A Mans word is his bond
Proverbs 12: 22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy
Lying is one of the first sins recorded in the Bible as the Serpent told Eve that she would not die if she ate fruit from the forbidden tree. It has since become a fully acceptable art form with lying taking many different forms. This includes manufactures making false claims to sell their products, politicians telling untruths about their opponents or their accomplishments and students claiming authorship for someone else’s work. It is so commonplace now that we now expect lies and are trained to discern between truth and lies. We find lies everywhere. We must be careful that we do not follow this accepted trend and treat honesty as gold. It is said that trust takes years to earn and can be lost in seconds. (Tupac).
Thought for the day: There is no such thing as a little white lie. A lie is a lie.
Friday April 30
A Change Is Going to Come
When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.—Acts 3:9-10
Change is inevitable for without change is death. Every January 1st we make numerous resolutions on how we are going to change. For many January 2nd is the last day for the change. In reality change can be much more difficult then just making a resolution to change. For true change to occur there must be real commitment to form new habits. In-order to lose weight one must change not just eating habits but grocery shopping habits and physical exercising. Not trying to find the closest parking spot to the front door but one that adds additional steps. Not waiting on the elevator to go to the second floor. With a change in habits, someone will soon ask what happened and you can smile and say change in habits can make a world of difference.
Thought for the day: Little changes will make a big difference.