Monday - September 5, 2016

Woodlawn Family Bible Study
MONDAY

BIBLE READING:  Psalm 118:24

 Today is Labor Day.  Doesn’t it seem strange to you that the one day that is named for “work” is a day that everyone is off “work”?  It seems that it would be more fitting to call it just “Monday” and we all take off work every Monday, because …it is Monday! Nevertheless, Labor Day is always the first Monday in September.  It was a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It serves as a yearly “tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country” (US Department of Labor).   

 Ever since the first Labor Day almost 130 years ago, there is still some question as to who should get the official credit for its observance.  Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic. 

 Others believe that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold." To me it really doesn’t matter who came up with the idea, I will enjoy my day off regardless.  Mr. McGuire’s statement does intrigue me, though.  I understand what he means by “grandeur” in the sense of all of the work that the American working class has achieved. The word “grandeur” means “a great and impressive quality.” 

 In no way do I mean to be disrespectful to America’s hard working citizens, but what of all the “grandeur” that God created from nothing? Sure, as human beings we are very gifted and  talented, but we can’t allow ourselves to forget that God created us from dust. Wouldn’t it be great if we had a day set aside that honor all of the work that God “delved and carved” out of nothing? Wait! We already do:  It is called "Every Day!" “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

 Application: Spend some time today in admiring the wonders of God’s creation and discuss it with someone you love.

 Prayer Request

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday - October 4, 2016

Woodlawn Family Bible Study TUESDAY BIBLE READING:    Genesis 32:22-32 Do you want to be blessed? That sounds like a rhetorical question, doesn’t it? Who doesn’t want to be blessed? I guess it really depends on your definition of “blessed.” Many people desire blessings that will make them wealthy or, perhaps, material goods. However, being blessed is not limited to those physical things. In fact, sometimes we can be blessed in the most unusual ways. For instance, in Genesis 32:26, we find Jacob wrestling with what we often call an angel. Within the story, Jacob is overtaking the angel and holding him down; refusing to let go until the angel gives him a blessing. The angel obliges Jacob, but not in the way he might have imagined. The angel changed his name from “Jacob” to “Israel,” but he also did something else. He put Jacob’s hip joint out of socket, causing him much pain and difficulty walking. In part, his blessing had to do with him walking with a limp. How is tha...
Read more

Resolutions: Draw closer to God through study of His word

BIBLE READING: John 14.7 Spend time alone with God’s Word.  Besides the spiritual growth we will gain from study, we will also come to know Him better.  Reading His word brings us in touch with Him.  Jesus tells us in John 14:7 – “If you had known Me, you would have known my Father also.”   Just studying the life of Jesus will help us to know God better.   In seeking God’s help, we can draw closer to Him through prayer, meditation, nature, and study.   “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:2  I Tim.4:13,15 - “Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine… meditate on these things; give yourself wholly to them.”   Regardless of our circumstances we can rely on God’s unchanging character.  God is good. God loves me. God is with me. God knows my problems. God cares. Romans 8:31(b) tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Make a resolution to slo...
Read more

“Examples”

BIBLE READING: Mark 13- Luke 1 DISCUSSION                                                                                   This past week we have read of some great examples in the bible.   We read in Mark 13 about us being ready and being prepared for when Jesus returns.   We need to all stay awake!   In Mark 14 we read of one action having such an impact.   How this woman gave her very best to Jesus because of her love for Him.   In Mark 15 we read of Pontius Pilate and his desire to keep his power.   He loved his power and did not want to give it up even if that meant sending an inno...
Read more