Piecework

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9 NLT

When I worked construction, I loved piecework jobs. For those of you who may not know, piecework is paid by the amount done instead of by the time spent doing it. Once the price was agreed upon, we could work as much or as little as we wanted. I could work hard and learn the best skills, knock the job out in two days and have the rest of the week off. Or I could work at a slower, less frenetic pace, and still get paid... when I got the job completed. Usually, there was a timeline; some sort of deadline by when it had to be finished.

Sometimes, we had unlimited units of work. We could get paid for ALL we got done - no matter how much, as long as it was done correctly. That was a serious pay off because I like to work... Well, actually, I like to get paid, but thankfully, I understand that I must work to get paid.

There are days - even now - I wish I still worked piecework. And today, as I was wishing it again, I realized that I do; it's just a different kind of peace. The price has already been agreed on - His life for mine - and then mine for His. And if I will work for it, using the best skills He's given me, there will be a SERIOUS payoff! Oh! And one more thing - there is a deadline - and it's looming large.

Prayer:

Father,

         Help us to see the work You have laid before us - work to usher in Your peace - work that must be done before YOU return. Thank you for the price You paid, and for allowing us to see the timeline for its completion. Help us to accomplish all the peace work that is available for us to do by Your mercy and grace! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Gathering

A happy heart is good medicine, but low spirits sap one’s strength.
Proverbs 17:22 CJB (Complete Jewish Bible)

The enemy of our soul would like nothing better than to divide and conquer us. It's what he does best. We get busy, this practice, that practice, this deadline, that deadline, and always what are the first things to go? Church and family time. Yet the writer of Hebrews tells us in 10:24-25 (CJB), "And let us keep paying attention to one another, in order to spur each other on to love and good deeds, not neglecting our own congregational meetings, as some have made a practice of doing, but, rather, encouraging each other. And let us do this all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Are you part of a small group or Life Group within your church? Oh, how we grow when we are accountable to others. We cannot afford to stop gathering together - to encourage one another, to exhort each other to keep following the Lord with our WHOLE hearts, not just as an afterthought or quick-fix therapy. We cannot afford to stop gathering together - to reinforce the ties that bind us together and to God. We cannot afford to stop gathering together - our burdens are lighter when shared, and our joys are multiplied! 

We are stronger together than we are apart. The joy of the Lord is our Strength. Come, let us gather together and celebrate the Lord!

Prayer:

Father,
           You are so good to give us hearts for each other and to love us and give us laughter. Father, we are so grateful to You for family and friends who make us laugh - who love us and encourage us and strengthen us through the tough times! Bless them, Father, this we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen