Labor of love

On September 4, 2023September 3, 2023 By Naty MatosIn Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

Have you ever thought, how no matter what job you have you’re doing a service onto others?

On a day like this we honor those that are contributing to society. The reality is that there are many ways to provide that contribution. We only think of work or labor as a typical job, but there are many unsung heroes who give time, energy, and effort to our society.

No matter what cog in the machine you play. If you work taking phone calls, lifting boxes in a warehouse, raising children at home, or volunteering your time for others you are providing labor to our society; and with your labor and sacrifice you are bringing value.

As a person of faith, I think every act of labor is an act of worship. If you believe in a higher power, you should consider even the most mundane task to be an offering. It’s hard to see sometimes, but it should feel our hearts with gratitude when we get the opportunity to serve. In one way or another we’re all serving.

The bible tells us on Colossians 3:23 (“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”)

When we look at our labor as a sacrifice of love for those who we serve and those whom we love, the burden gets lighter. We understand that our actions have a higher purpose than the report we’re writing, the food we’re cooking or the floor we’re cleaning.

Today we celebrate the fruits of our labor. The hard work we have been entrusted and the reward beyond finances that a well-done job does to our soul.

Happy Labor Day!

WF: Open Up The Heavens

On March 27, 2015March 14, 2015 By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

This is an amazing worship song. I need this song to be my alarm because it will not only get me out of bed energized but filled of the spirit. After a long hard week of work we need to be refreshed and renewed and what better way than praising God.

How awesome is recognizing that God is almighty, all powerful, all amazing? We are all in need of a showers from heaven of peace, love and just his sweet presence. Enjoy this song and have a great weekend.

heavens

More on serving Romans 12 :4-8

On March 25, 2015March 11, 2015 By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts1 Comment

⁴For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to showmercy, do it cheerfully.

Just as I closed the last post, verses 4-8 talk about being humble into our gifting. Sometimes we have the tendency to forget that not all of us are really created equal. Each of us has a gift and a purpose. We were each given a personality as a tool for our specific mission.

Sometimes in serving we get hung in terms of titles within our ministries. Who’s the greatness leader, the elder, the minister, the main person? Honestly we were not all created for every job. Yes, some positions have more exposure than others, but it doesn’t make it more meaningful. In their immaturity people want to be in the center of a stage or the center of attention and those who are not place there by God will not thrive.

Recognize your gifts and thrive within what God has given you. For example, I have the gift of writing, some administrative gift that comes along with leading. I’ve always been involved in some sort of leadership position; in ministry, school, work, etc. Even when I’ve hid myself away from it, it finds me. That doesn’t make me great or the most important person. I alsohappen to be a big picture person, details tend to elude me. Every day, in all my life scenarios I have countless stories of those with better administrative gifting than mine who take care of those details that I don’t even think about. Those details are just as important and sometimes more than the work I do.

conform On the opposite side of the spectrum, yes I have the opportunity to speak in front of people. It’s not my favorite thing to do, but I know I do it well and its part of my mission. Now, if you ever catch me with a microphone ready to sing, you all have open permission to knock me out of the stage before your ears start bleeding. Both the worship leader and I are in front of people, but we both have very different roles. At the same time, if the person behind the sound system is not there in their gifting, it doesn’t matter because nobody is going to hear us.

Do what you love and what you’re good at. Those gifts and desires were placed in your heart by God to guide you in through your purpose in live. serving

Until next time, be blessed

WF: Hold My Heart

On February 27, 2015February 18, 2015 By Naty MatosIn Worship2 Comments

This song reminds me of many times where we lose faith and question God about his timing. The times in my life where I’ve been in those situations I have to say in hindsight that God was always right. I mean we know he always is, but when we want something to happen or to stop happening we want movement now.

In those darkest places we think God is not listening. We think that there’s something that we need to do to make things happen. We beg, plead and bargain. After the storm we see that God was never late and that his apparent silence had a very valuable reason.

But while we’re in the storm, just like the song says, we need for him to comfort us, to hold us in his hand. We need for him to help us in our disbelief and soothe our impatience. This is a cry out to the loving Father who has promised that through this moments he will carry us through.

Is this you today? Let us pray for you. You can indicate your prayer request in the comments or send them privately to therisingmuse at gmail dot com

It’s a pleasure to worship with you.

Happy Worship Friday! (WF)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry6udsW9leA

Five Foods

On February 23, 2015February 17, 2015 By Naty MatosIn Articles, Inspirational Thoughts1 Comment

WordPress has these daily prompts that help bloggers come up with topics to blog about. Sometimes they fit my audience and I use their prompts, sometimes I don’t. One of the prompts for last week was: “You’ve being exiled to a private island, and your captors will only supply you with five foods. What do you pick?”

To me that’s a one sentence answer: Steak, shrimp, pico de gallo, fried plantains and something to wash it up. But it got me thinking on this verse where Jesus said :”It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Matthew 4:4

What are the five spiritual foods that we need, not only on a deserted island, but every day of our lives?

Prayer– In order to fill our lives with the presence of the Lord we need to pray. Think about any relationship in your life. If you don’t talk to that person, you don’t get to know them, you don’t get to spend time with them. Prayer is the way to communicate with God.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

It’s obvious that God wanted us to pray.

Read the Word of God– To live under God’s will we need to know exactly how to live this gift of live that we were given. I hear people all the time saying that they don’t know what God wants from them. Here’s the thing, God gave us a manual on how he sees things, expects things. In this book he portraits who he is, how he feels about us and what live he wants for us to live and how to do it. The book is called The Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All scripture given by inspiration of God, and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

Joshua 1:8 – This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success

Worship– When we worship the Lord we place ourselves in his presence. We were created for worship. I don’t know about you, but nothing fills my heart of joy and peace like entering in a place of worship with the Lord.

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
John 4:23-24

Fellowhip– God didn’t create us to be an island. There’s a lot of us and it is for us to fellowship with one another. We are to love each other, encourage each other, pray for each other and help each other. By this I’m not talking about acts of charity, I’m talking about everyday life. Yes, the insane obnoxious coworker/neighbor, the teenager with an attitude, the messy spouse, the rude client/customer service person and the prideful acquaintance.

John 17:23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may knowthat you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Love-The two most important commandments we have to comply with are related to love. First, love God our Lord with ALL our hearts and then love others as we love ourselves. Everything is born out of love. Practicing love everyday in everything we do will nourish our lives.

Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

I leave you with this banquet. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Until then,

Be blessed.

WF: There will be a day

On February 20, 2015February 18, 2015 By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

It’s been a while since we’ve been able to enjoy a Worship Friday (WF) I hope that I can get back in the groove and worship together with all my readers. I chose Friday because there’s no better way to enjoy the end of a laborious week than to praising God for all he’s gotten us through, for all those accomplishments and because we potentially get the opportunity to rest.

worship

I think this song encompasses that feeling in a larger scale. There’s going to be a day where we will be in front of Jesus. When that day comes, there will be no pain, no suffering, no diseases. Until that day of complete freedom comes we can definitely rest in the arm of The Lord just by being in his presence.

Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8gkDiTvloc

WF: Overcomer

On October 17, 2014October 10, 2014 By Naty MatosIn Worship2 Comments

I read this devotional by Joyce Meyers and I wanted to share it in its entirety and I think it goes perfect with our worship song for today.

More Than Conquerors

As Christians, we often hear people quote Romans 8:37, which says we are more than conquerors. For years, I have pondered what being “more than a conqueror” actually means.

I’m sure other people have different interpretations, but I have come to the conclusion that being “more than a conqueror” means you have such confidence that no matter what comes up in your life, you know that through Christ you can handle it. You know before you are ever faced with a problem that you’re going to have victory over it. You believe you can do whatever you need to do in life. Therefore, you don’t dread things, you don’t fear the unknown, and you don’t live in anxiety about what’s going to happen. It doesn’t really matter what the specifics of each situation are, you know you will be victorious through Christ.

Power Thought: I am more than a conqueror through Christ.

WF: Move

On May 17, 2013May 16, 2013 By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

I don’t know about you, but this has been one hectic week. I’m not sure if the moon is in the wrong spot but the experience has been in the category from one of my favorite comedians Bill Engvall, “ Here’s your sign”.

Just to give you some of the highlights

I have a new neighbor. I believe it’s just a lady as I haven’t seen any males going into the apartment. I was awakened by bear sounding noises. Someone snores and it’s quite loud.
I was to produce pictures of an event that had not happened.
I was questioned about why I had not called someone who had not given me their number.
I had an appointment that was cancelled after I had arrived and waited for 30 minutes.
*Drumroll* The one that takes the cake. My mother was prescribed a medication that clearly states in the instructions for it not to be prescribed to a person with a condition that she has. (No worries, she’s fine. We will not be going back to that doctor anytime soon)

To all of this, all I have to say is Thank God it’s Friday. In terms of this song, I love the energy it brings and it talks about how to keep moving in this crazy world. So join me in a dance of Praise and Worship for the one who gets us through our brightest days and the dealings of not so bright situations.

Philippians 4:12-13

“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Happy Friday

WF: Worship Friday

In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates

I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham

Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames

WF: Me Without You

On November 30, 2012November 30, 2012 By Naty MatosIn Worship1 Comment

I have to start by saying I love the music of Toby Mac. His songs have spunk and at the same time are so deep.

November was quite a challenging month for me. I was trying to do way too many things at once. I was determined to participate on NaNoWriMo. I was determined to finish my new book, “Season’s Greetings from Amelia”. I was also determined to go to the gym four times a week, all after 8 hours of work, a semi part time job and ministry responsibilities.

One morning, stressed out ( I wonder why?) I was driving and this song came on the radio. Where would I be without you God? Trying to do what I can’t do. Trying to build my kingdom instead of yours. So I stopped, I remember that it was a Saturday afternoon and I chose to do nothing the next day. I had already gone to church service Saturday night and I was having me a date with Jesus.

I didn’t work out, I didn’t write, I didn’t clean that Sunday. All I did was focus on what God needed to tell me. I needed to know what he wanted me to do. I focused on my novella and was able to finish it. The workout thing, I’m not saying that God told me not to do it, let’s say I just skipped it, but I did go for a few walks. I focused on my worship time and in reading more of the Word of God.

Guess what? I was able to do it all, (well except going to the gym, but I still know that was me) The novella launches tomorrow and if I’m diligent I will finish my 50k words before midnight tonight.

Oh God, where would I be without you?

WF: Worship Friday

So join me in worshiping the Lord and enjoy my new novella “Season’s Greetings for Amelia” for just 0.99 cents.

Happy Friday!

Daisy has the perfect life, beautiful children and a wonderful husband. And Christmas is right around the corner. Tis the season to be jolly… Or is it?

Daisy’s life is flipped upside down by strange letters that are sent to her by her best friend, Amelia. And as her life continues to quickly spiral out of control, she realizes that something BIG is about to happen. Can she put aside her confusion, hurt, and anger in order to solve a mystery that may have a horrific ending????

Can Daisy’s life ever return to normal regardless to whether she does or doesn’t?

WF: Eye of the Tiger + God will make a way

On November 2, 2012November 2, 2012 By Naty MatosIn WorshipLeave a comment

I know it must be weird to you that I chose Eye of the Tiger for this Worship Friday, here’s why? Today is Day 2 of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) The goal is to write a novel of over 50k words in just this month. This makes me feel like Rocky when he was training to defeat the Russian on Rocky IV. Although this is not the training but my actual Russian is here (my word count), I hear this song inside my head as I need to push through my sleep, tiredness and lack of muse to achieve my word count. So enjoy the Eye of the Tiger… (with a few Rocky scenes)

But I would not leave you without a song that brings glory to the real owner of my muse. So here’s a worship song to praise the King of Kings and Lord of Lords that will also energize me through this race. Because even when I have no time or no energy or no ideas, God will will make a way. He always does.

Happy Friday!