Happy Labor Day!
This is the day we celebrate workers and their contributions to the economy with parades, picnics, barbecues and doing a bunch of nothing if we choose to. This is the day we rest from our labors, and I’m doing that well! But even as we rest let us not forget that we never rest giving our time to God.

It’s Time to Take Time (AKA Commitment to God)

I give a charge to you
One to drive you toward a coup
A feat to beat the devil
at a game where he’s maimed for years.

He’s slashed our senses
cut our cord connecting us to the master,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

We feel his fire
right here on earth
and seek escape from his flames
but we play the game just how he wants.

Had a rough week at work
So we seek support.
We go to church and hear a word
though we haven’t been in two months
won’t return for two months
because things have been going really well.
We’ve been busy
completing reports and such
not leaving much time for lunch or the Lord.

But then it happens again:
Satan rocks our world
spins us in a twirl
and we remember how we felt two months ago.
So to church we go
to bible study we go
and we keep this flow for a few weeks.
But we’re still weak
can’t seem to keep
God where He needs to be
to provide that relief
that stability we need
to have and live a healthy life.

So I give a charge to you
one to drive you toward a coup
a feat to beat the devil
at a game where he’s maimed for years.

I ask you to tithe to God
10 percent of your time
show Him that you mean “He’s mine.”
Jesus took the time
died on a cruel cross
so I could say “He’s mine.”
So I ask you to make the time
for Jesus.
Let us please Him
show Him that you mean “He’s mine.”
Give 10 percent of your time
to study and pray and praise the Word,
God’s Word.
It’s His Word,
not work
or another word or work
that will help us to be where He wants us to be.

So this is a charge to you,
one to drive you toward a coup.
You will beat the devil at a game where he’s maimed for years
if you commit your time to God.

By Rhonda J. Smith
Copyright March 19, 2001

My One Thousand Gifts List

#211-220
God giving me several angles to write about my dad
Becoming more free in my expression of love to God
Pouring in to Bobbi
Being a “blessing” to Tabitha by “being there” for her
Joshua and Nathaniel being able to play outside
Seeing Nathaniel discover in the outdoors
Eating popcorn
Having family devotions
Joshua finally understanding how to give praise reports
Joshua being excited about keeping a gratitude journal