Orange Moon Thursday, August 20, 2026 "Joys and Jobs"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

(For Frances, the inspiration and example)

    

“Joys and Jobs”

    

      

      One letter separates the words “joy” and “job.”  The former means something far more than happiness in Biblical terms, but rather a deeply settled assurance of the heart through the presence and working of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The latter applies not only to the workplace, but to any task we necessarily perform in order to survive and thrive in this present world.  Both are completely related to one another.

     “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).

   In a generation ever seeking entertainment, God’s joy in Christ lies primarily in the fulfillment of the tasks and responsibilities of life.  Certainly, we may and even should enjoy our proper leisures and pastimes.  Scripture calls us to rejoice in our Lord always (Philippians 4:4).  However, God made us to be doers of that which produces true benefit, requiring diligence and applied effort.  True joy known in God - “heartily” - lies in the realization the fulfillment of our hearts ever lies in first doing that which needs to be done, rather than that which we desire to do.  In fact, fulfillment of responsibility is actually that which the believer’s heart most desires as God works therein “both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

   Thus, “joy” and “job” defined rightly in terms of Scripture must be viewed as inseparable companions.  “The sweat of thy face” required to function in this present world, along with whatever challenging sacrifices must be made to fulfill our tasks, offers the deepest experience of God’s presence, working, and contentment of spirit (Genesis 3:19).  In proper mode and measure, amusements have their place.  We may enjoy them as gifts of God.  Of far more import and impact, however, are the tasks at hand that have so much potential to become the satisfaction of our hearts.  Yes, our truest experience of joy lies in our jobs, and our jobs offer joys in Christ entertainments can never provide.

“Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only.”

(James 1:22)

“Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

(I Corinthians 1:31)

Weekly Memory Verse

    Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”(Philippians 1:6).

    

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Orange Moon Wednesday, August 19, 2026 "Our Prevailing Expectation"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

    

“Our Prevailing Expectation”

    

      

      "My expectation is from Him” (Psalm 62:5).

    What is our prevailing expectation?  We all necessarily look to the future, preparing ourselves and making our plans for things to come.  “A man’s heart deviseth his way” declared Solomon (Proverbs 16:9).  As we anticipate and organize in earthly terms, however, we do well to remember the conclusion of Solomon’s statement above: “but the Lord directeth his steps.”  Regardless of how accurately we end up being in expecting and implementing things to come, God and His working will have been the primary reality of all.  We will not see most of what He did in fulfilling His purpose in our lives.  Indeed, our looking back may be no clearer than was our looking forward.  However, the tomorrows and yesterdays of believers all teem with the living, vital, and active presence of the God who “worketh all things after the counsel of His own will” (Ephesians 1:11).  Both planning and remembering thus call us to see by faith our Lord’s heart and hand as the prevailing reality that enables us to see tomorrow and yesterday clearly and rationally.  “To be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

    This day looms with much of earthly things to come, things for which we must anticipate and plan.  Amid all, an inviolable promise abides: “I will be with thee” (Isaiah 43:2).  Moreover, God will be actively with us, accomplishing far more of His gracious intentions for our lives than we can imagine.  We will see relatively little of the “wonders without number” He performs (Job 9:10).  We nevertheless make our plans for the day with the prevailing expectation of the living and true God serving as the truest reality of all…  “My expectation is from Him."

"As You Go"

     

I wait for you, My child, wherever you may go.

I'll be there when you arrive,

I'll be with you as you go.

We live our life together, you venture not alone.

Our hearts made one forever,

united in My Son.

I wait for you, My child, I'll be with you as you go.

I made you for such grace, to be My Spirit's home.

Oh, look into My face,

and with assurance know

that we'll always be together,  you'll never be alone.

We'll be as one forever,

each other's love to know.

I wait for you, My child, I'll be with you as you go.

Forever beckons to us, as does this day, this hour.

My Spirit's peace imparts the presence and the power

for you to journey with Me, in darkness or in light.

I am in your heart forever,

and in this day, this night.

I wait for you, My child,  I'll be with you as you ago…

I'll be with you as you go.

“The hope of the righteous shall be gladness.”

(Proverbs 10:28)

Weekly Memory Verse

    Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”(Philippians 1:6).

    

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