Greeting Beloved Saints and Friends:

Happy Labor Day on September 2!  "Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country." (From U.S. Department of Labor: http://www.dol.gov/laborday/history.htm)  This public holiday started more than 100 years ago. 

An Awesome Testimony of My Labor for The Lord:

About three weeks ago, I started working for a full time job as a chemical engineer and on the side, I still continue my ministry for the Lord.  Both jobs are for the glory of God.  I am grateful to God that He has provided me with much grace, my energy and strength to do well for all my works.  For ministry, I now work more on overseeing churches, ministries, and pastors and also those who are out of order or immoral.   I enjoy everything I do because the Lord is good and is with me. He has directed my path.  Though I drive a long distance to work but I use the time to worship and pray and listen to Christian music and preaching.  That is how I recuperate and regain my strength everyday.  I thank God for having a good boss who doesn't play politics and allows us to have flexible work hours.  I prayed with my other intercessors before I was hired and the good size project finally came to my employer at the time I was ready to work.  I knew this company is my place of employment from the beginning based on the perfect peace in me.  It is truly God's will because of these positive evidences and other unspoken ones. This job is tailor-made for me because it is exactly what I want and foresee. 

Others suggested me to find a job locally, near my home but God closed all the other doors (my prayer request was to close all doors if they are not of God's will).  God answered in his timing.  I enjoyed the ocean and I told my good friend a year ago that I want to be nearby the water and it came true.  God basically granted the desire of my heart for I delight in Him always (Psalm 37:4).  Please make sure you put God first wherever you are, in the workplace or at home.  Having prayer meeting or Bible studies and let God dwells among you; God will bless you and that place.  One recent testimony from a Christian brother who knows the owner of a restaurant business said to me that the owner prayed with his workers and outreached to his customers by preaching Jesus and many customers came to this restaurant and they have been doing so well, above and beyond, when others are not.  The link I sent to you a few months ago revealed similar situations from different Chinese Christian business owners who expressed positive gains in their businesses after morning prayers.  I have found that is true also in my work life. 

A week before last Thursday, I had another miracle.  I went to buy a Carne Asada taco with a cost of $2.18 in a fast food Mexican restaurant after work and I took out all the changes from my little pocket of my purse and I counted them and it is exactly $2.18, no more and no less!  The cashier and I were amazed and I told her that God always shows miracles to me and now I like to share the gospel to you and make sure you all trust God and pray for this restaurant together.  She responded positively. Thank to those who prayed for me and my ministry.  Appreciated so much!  Please pray for the earthly and heavenly success of my new employer and those who have blessed me according to Genesis 12:3, "Bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you".  Thanks! 

God expects us to work diligently whether we work for a regular job or God's ministry: 

Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:9 said "For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God." 

Also in 1 Corinthians 9:14-19: "Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.  But I have used none of these things...or if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!  For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel." 

2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 "For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us."  

1 Corinthians 15:10, 58:  "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.  "...Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.  

Philippians 2:16 "...holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain."  

Psalm 127:1 "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain."   

The above verses summarized that we must let God involved in everything we do for our harvests. 

From the following Scriptures, you will find that both Jesus was a carpenter and Paul was a tentmaker; they both held a regular job while they had their ministries:  

Acts 18: 1-4 "After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.  So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.  And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks." 

Matthew 18: 1-6 "Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not  the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching."

I am not going to judge those pastors or ministers who don't have a regular job because some are called for a full time ministry due to much work for the Lord and it is impossible for them to have a full time regular job.  I should say that God calls each one differently and it has to be God's will for each individual.

From the above two Scriptures, please do your best to enter the Spiritual Rest through Jesus Christ as well as Physical Rest on Saturdays; a day of rest for all human races according to Deuteronomy 5:12-14 and Exodus 20:  "Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the your God commanded you.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD of your God."  Genesis 2:2,3, Hebrews 4:4-11 and Acts also shared that God rested on the seventh day and Joshua, the Jews, and also Jesus' disciples in the 1st century church kept it.  So much more we, human beings, need to take a day off to rest.  Cease from all forms of work if it is possible.   The Seventh Day, Saturday (Shabbat in Hebrew and Sabado in Spanish) is the ordained Day of Rest from God since the end of creation. The only reason we break the Sabbath is the mercy of God.   

On Sabbath, it is acceptable for us to do God's ministries and good deeds such as helping, praying, and healing those who are in need or in emergency.  Some argued that it is sufficient for Jesus to give us Sabbath (physical) rest; I answered them, "if that is the case, do you still need to go to bed at night or rest after your work?   Interesting how people love to justify their own views and abolish God's laws which are for our benefits.  Sabbath was established for men, you and I.  I believe one of the reasons why some people are sick today is that they neglect their physical rest or a day of rest as ordained by God.  Some actually shared with me that their sicknesses came from overworking.  God knows everything of your life why you can or cannot keep the Sabbath.  It is between you and God.   However, I recommend you: Act your faith today!  Go to www.sabbathtruth.com for further information.  Additional supporting Scriptures are Exodus 23:12, Deuteronomy 5:12, Acts 13:14, 44, 16:13, Isaiah 56:2; 58:13,14; 66.   

I pray that the Lord blesses the work of your hands and you would find joy from your work "...his soul should enjoy good in his labor...For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight." (Ecclesiastes 2:24, 26) and He would "...gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant..." (Deuteronomy 8:18) for you honor our Lord!  Happy True Labor Days! 

In His Everlasting Promises,

Esther, servant of Jesus Christ