"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laben, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28
If you find that Christianity exhausts you, draining you of your energy, then you are practicing religion rather than enjoying a relationship. Jesus said that a relationship with Him woiuld bring rest to your soul. Your walk with the Lord will not make you weary; it will invigorate you, restore your strength, and energize your life.
Hard work or lack of sleep can make you tired. This fatigue can usually be remedied by a good rest. But there is a deeper fatigue that goes beyond physical tiredness. There is an emotional exhaustion that comes from experiencing heavy burdens and draining crises. There is a tiredness deep within your soul that comes from carrying the weight of the needs of others. You can go on a vacation, but your soul will not be restored. This condition can only be rectified by finding rest in Christ.
Some zealous Christians want to do all they can to serve Christ, and they exhaust themselves in the process. It was to these that Jesus extended His invitation to go to Him and learn from Him. Jesus spent most of His earthly ministry surrounded by needy multitudes, can you imagine what that could have been like? He faced relentless opposition, He often prayed throughout the night, and He rarely had any privacy; yet He always received the rest and the strength that came from His Father. It was not that Jesus did not work hard but that He knew the path to spiritual rest. Are you weary? Go to Jesus and let Him give you His rest. His rest will restore your soul as nothing else can.
As we come upon the season of the birth of our Lord, the secular world has us running around doing things. That is exhausting, for the mind and the body and just as importantly the soul. This holiday season, I encourage you to find rest in our Lord. Find a time to just rest in him. If you have to plan it do it. When you have had some time of rest in the Lord, post the comment here so that others can be encouraged by the rest that our Lord has given you.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
The Gift of Encouragement
Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need. - Philippians 2:28
Some people know just what to say and do to encourage others who are going through difficult times. Their words give strength to those who are discouraged and comfort to those who are grieving. These people are sensitive to God's voice. They are welcome visitors when we are in distress, for their presence sustains us.
Scripture testifies of many whom God enables to encourage others. When Moses was overwhelmed by his work, Jethro went to him and encouraged him. Jethro gave Moses wise counsel that eased his strain (Exod. 18:1-27). When Paul was imprisoned far from those who moved him, Epaphroditus risked his health and safety in order to go to Paul and minister to him (Phil 2:25-30). Later, Paul urged Timothy to come and visit him, for Paul found strength and encouragement in Timothy (2 Tim. 4:9 and Phil 2:19-20). Paul asked Timothy to bring Mark also, Mark was the kind of friend Paul needed when he was enduring hardship. Paul also relied on Luke for encouragement. When everyone else was absent or preoccupied, Luke could be found with Paul. Paul experienced trials throughtout his life, but God sustained him by placed godly friends around him who provided support in practical and sacrificial ways.
God wants to develop you into the kind of friend who can strengthen others and bring comfort and encouragement to your family, your friends, your neighbors, and your coworkers.
Are you this person? Do you offer "encouragement" or "advice"? Do the words that you want to use encourage the person that you are speaking to or are they to only build up yourself in the face of the other person? Sometimes our pride gets in the way here and we need to realize that God puts us in situations that are for his good and his will only. God will use you to build up others, but you have to be willing to be "used" by God. Are you ready?
Some people know just what to say and do to encourage others who are going through difficult times. Their words give strength to those who are discouraged and comfort to those who are grieving. These people are sensitive to God's voice. They are welcome visitors when we are in distress, for their presence sustains us.
Scripture testifies of many whom God enables to encourage others. When Moses was overwhelmed by his work, Jethro went to him and encouraged him. Jethro gave Moses wise counsel that eased his strain (Exod. 18:1-27). When Paul was imprisoned far from those who moved him, Epaphroditus risked his health and safety in order to go to Paul and minister to him (Phil 2:25-30). Later, Paul urged Timothy to come and visit him, for Paul found strength and encouragement in Timothy (2 Tim. 4:9 and Phil 2:19-20). Paul asked Timothy to bring Mark also, Mark was the kind of friend Paul needed when he was enduring hardship. Paul also relied on Luke for encouragement. When everyone else was absent or preoccupied, Luke could be found with Paul. Paul experienced trials throughtout his life, but God sustained him by placed godly friends around him who provided support in practical and sacrificial ways.
God wants to develop you into the kind of friend who can strengthen others and bring comfort and encouragement to your family, your friends, your neighbors, and your coworkers.
Are you this person? Do you offer "encouragement" or "advice"? Do the words that you want to use encourage the person that you are speaking to or are they to only build up yourself in the face of the other person? Sometimes our pride gets in the way here and we need to realize that God puts us in situations that are for his good and his will only. God will use you to build up others, but you have to be willing to be "used" by God. Are you ready?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Taking Responsibility
Then the man said, "The woman who You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate" - Genesis 3:12
Adam and Eve did everything they could to avoid taking responsibility for their sin. Adam blamed his wife: "She have me of the tree." He even pointed an accusing finger at God, saying it was "the woman, whom YOU gave me." Eve blamed the serpent saying: "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." God ignored their excuses and announced the judgement they would face as consequences for their disobedience.
One of the issues of mankind is that we refuse to take responsibility for our actions. We want to blame others for our problems: our parents did not raise us well (can't see how that could be used - esp, with my kids), our friends let us down; our pastor was not a good enough preacher; our children are rebellious (not true either in my case - they are angels); our employer is not sensitive enough; our spouse is not understanding (again not here!); there is not enough time in the day, you get the point, the excuses are plentiful and easy. Yet forgiveness and restoration cannot happen until we accept full responsibility for our actions.
An obvious indication that we have not genuinely repented is that we make excuses for our sinful behavior. Nowhere in the Scripture does God excuse one person's sin because of someone else's actions. If we make a habit of blaming others for our failures, we will not reach a point of honest repentance. God will hold us accountable for our own actions, not others (2 Cor. 5;10). Strive always to acknowledge and take responsibility for your own sins. It will free you to receive God's forgiveness and to press on to spiritual maturity.
This BLOG is not intended to make you feel sad about past sins, it is actually to allow you to start to understand how to FREE yourself from them. Take responsibility and take them to God. He will forgive and more importantly forget - his GRACE is amazing.
Adam and Eve did everything they could to avoid taking responsibility for their sin. Adam blamed his wife: "She have me of the tree." He even pointed an accusing finger at God, saying it was "the woman, whom YOU gave me." Eve blamed the serpent saying: "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." God ignored their excuses and announced the judgement they would face as consequences for their disobedience.
One of the issues of mankind is that we refuse to take responsibility for our actions. We want to blame others for our problems: our parents did not raise us well (can't see how that could be used - esp, with my kids), our friends let us down; our pastor was not a good enough preacher; our children are rebellious (not true either in my case - they are angels); our employer is not sensitive enough; our spouse is not understanding (again not here!); there is not enough time in the day, you get the point, the excuses are plentiful and easy. Yet forgiveness and restoration cannot happen until we accept full responsibility for our actions.
An obvious indication that we have not genuinely repented is that we make excuses for our sinful behavior. Nowhere in the Scripture does God excuse one person's sin because of someone else's actions. If we make a habit of blaming others for our failures, we will not reach a point of honest repentance. God will hold us accountable for our own actions, not others (2 Cor. 5;10). Strive always to acknowledge and take responsibility for your own sins. It will free you to receive God's forgiveness and to press on to spiritual maturity.
This BLOG is not intended to make you feel sad about past sins, it is actually to allow you to start to understand how to FREE yourself from them. Take responsibility and take them to God. He will forgive and more importantly forget - his GRACE is amazing.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Promises You can Count On
"Blessed is a man who endures trials, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that He has promised to those who love Him." - James 1:12
Throughout the seasons of life, we must all endure life-altering personal losses that leave us breathless. When we do, we may be overwhelmed by fear, by doubt, or by both. Thankfully, God has promised that He will never desert us. And God keeps His promises.
Life is often challenging, but as Christians, we must trust the promises of our Heavenly Father. God loves us, and He will protect us. In times of hardship, He will comfort us; in times of sorrow, He will dry our tears. When we are troubled or weak or sorrowful, God is with us. His love endures, not only for today, but also for all of eternity.
I close with this prayer:
Dear Lord, when I face the inevitable disappointments of life, give me perspective and faith. When I am discouraged, give me the strength to trust Your promises and follow Your will. Then, when I have done my best, Father, let me live with the assurance that You are firmly in control, and that Your love endures forever. In his holy name, Amen.
Live in his presence today, and know that he is with you every step of the way, no matter the situation.
Throughout the seasons of life, we must all endure life-altering personal losses that leave us breathless. When we do, we may be overwhelmed by fear, by doubt, or by both. Thankfully, God has promised that He will never desert us. And God keeps His promises.
Life is often challenging, but as Christians, we must trust the promises of our Heavenly Father. God loves us, and He will protect us. In times of hardship, He will comfort us; in times of sorrow, He will dry our tears. When we are troubled or weak or sorrowful, God is with us. His love endures, not only for today, but also for all of eternity.
I close with this prayer:
Dear Lord, when I face the inevitable disappointments of life, give me perspective and faith. When I am discouraged, give me the strength to trust Your promises and follow Your will. Then, when I have done my best, Father, let me live with the assurance that You are firmly in control, and that Your love endures forever. In his holy name, Amen.
Live in his presence today, and know that he is with you every step of the way, no matter the situation.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Crouching at the Door
"If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." - Genesis 4:7
When temptation enters our hearts and minds, we either deal with it and gain mastery over it, or it eventually leads us to sinful actions. The time between the initial temptation and the chosen response is critical. Much hangs in the balance.
Cain knew that God was displeased with him, but pleased with Abel. Feelings of jealous anger crept into Cain's heart, and thoughts of murder pervaded his mind. As Cain considered what to do, God's Word came to him. God warned him that sin was waiting at the door of his life, looking for an opportunity to enter. Now was not the time to treat temptation lightly, not the time to assume sin would never cause any harm. Now was the time to master the sin and renounce it before it overcame him. Tragically, Cain did not master his sin; sin overtook him and destroyed his life.
Temptations come at unexpected moments. Sinful thoughts may cross your mind. Selfish feelings may begin to invade your heart. The promptings of the Holy Spirit will warn you that God is not pleased with the direction your thoughts and feelings are taking you. At that moment of conviction, you must master the sin that crouches at the door of you life. Sin destroys. Sin brings death. Sin is not something to toy with or take lightly. God's Word to you is the same warning He gave to Cain: master the sin at the door of your life before it brings its inevitable and disastrous consequences. Heed his caution, and you will avoid unnecessary hardship for yourself and others.
What is God warning you about today? Whom has God choosen to use to warn you today? Listen to his Word and his servants as they give you signs through out your day.
When temptation enters our hearts and minds, we either deal with it and gain mastery over it, or it eventually leads us to sinful actions. The time between the initial temptation and the chosen response is critical. Much hangs in the balance.
Cain knew that God was displeased with him, but pleased with Abel. Feelings of jealous anger crept into Cain's heart, and thoughts of murder pervaded his mind. As Cain considered what to do, God's Word came to him. God warned him that sin was waiting at the door of his life, looking for an opportunity to enter. Now was not the time to treat temptation lightly, not the time to assume sin would never cause any harm. Now was the time to master the sin and renounce it before it overcame him. Tragically, Cain did not master his sin; sin overtook him and destroyed his life.
Temptations come at unexpected moments. Sinful thoughts may cross your mind. Selfish feelings may begin to invade your heart. The promptings of the Holy Spirit will warn you that God is not pleased with the direction your thoughts and feelings are taking you. At that moment of conviction, you must master the sin that crouches at the door of you life. Sin destroys. Sin brings death. Sin is not something to toy with or take lightly. God's Word to you is the same warning He gave to Cain: master the sin at the door of your life before it brings its inevitable and disastrous consequences. Heed his caution, and you will avoid unnecessary hardship for yourself and others.
What is God warning you about today? Whom has God choosen to use to warn you today? Listen to his Word and his servants as they give you signs through out your day.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sitting at Jesus' Feet
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." - Luke 10:40
Martha loved Jesus dearly and would have done anything for Him. Her struggle came in being still! Martha spent so much time serving Jesus that she had no time to enjoy His company or to get to know Him better. The harder Martha worked, the more frustrated she became with her sister Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet while Martha scurried around the house to make sure everything was in perfect order for Jesus. Martha's service, though it started out with gladness, deteriorated into resentment and envy.
It is good to want to serve Christ as an expression of love for what He has done for you. Yet when your activity consumes your time and energies so that you have no time for Him, you have become too busy! You may think, as Martha did, that if you don't do the work, it won't get done. That may be true, but Jesus taught that your highest priority must be your relationship with Him. If anything destracts you from that relationship, that activity is not from God. God will not ask you to do something that hinders your relationship with Christ. At times, serving God and carrying out His mission is the best way to know and experience God. At other times, it is more important to sit quietly at His feet and listen to what He is saying. We are not called to continually sit at the feet of Jesus; otherwise our service for Him would cease. Neither are we called to serve Him constantly, without taking time to find restoration in His presence. Have you been serving God so diligently that you have not had time to spend with Him?
Which have you found yourself doing more of? Are you a Martha or a Mary? I can tell you that I am a Martha through and through. I find myself always finding something to do and not being able to sit quietly with my Lord. I cannot understand those that can sit quietly with our Lord and have Mary "envy" or have I labeled it Mary "lazy". The priorities that I set in place are at times more like Martha's and I cannot understand the priorities of the Mary's of the world. I should know, I married a "Mary". There are times that I do not agree with her priorities and cannot understand, but as you think about the plan of our Lord. What is more important, a clean house, a meal at 6 pm, etc, etc, - you know the drill or making a prayer shawl for someone, or holding a child while they sleep, or playing cars with a grandson, or engaging in a conversation with an elderly loved one? I encourage you to think about your stance in all of this, are you a Martha or a Mary? Are you serving him or actually serving your own priorities? Are you making others in your requests serve our Lord or you? Listen to your heart as the Holy Spirit directs your answers.
Martha loved Jesus dearly and would have done anything for Him. Her struggle came in being still! Martha spent so much time serving Jesus that she had no time to enjoy His company or to get to know Him better. The harder Martha worked, the more frustrated she became with her sister Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet while Martha scurried around the house to make sure everything was in perfect order for Jesus. Martha's service, though it started out with gladness, deteriorated into resentment and envy.
It is good to want to serve Christ as an expression of love for what He has done for you. Yet when your activity consumes your time and energies so that you have no time for Him, you have become too busy! You may think, as Martha did, that if you don't do the work, it won't get done. That may be true, but Jesus taught that your highest priority must be your relationship with Him. If anything destracts you from that relationship, that activity is not from God. God will not ask you to do something that hinders your relationship with Christ. At times, serving God and carrying out His mission is the best way to know and experience God. At other times, it is more important to sit quietly at His feet and listen to what He is saying. We are not called to continually sit at the feet of Jesus; otherwise our service for Him would cease. Neither are we called to serve Him constantly, without taking time to find restoration in His presence. Have you been serving God so diligently that you have not had time to spend with Him?
Which have you found yourself doing more of? Are you a Martha or a Mary? I can tell you that I am a Martha through and through. I find myself always finding something to do and not being able to sit quietly with my Lord. I cannot understand those that can sit quietly with our Lord and have Mary "envy" or have I labeled it Mary "lazy". The priorities that I set in place are at times more like Martha's and I cannot understand the priorities of the Mary's of the world. I should know, I married a "Mary". There are times that I do not agree with her priorities and cannot understand, but as you think about the plan of our Lord. What is more important, a clean house, a meal at 6 pm, etc, etc, - you know the drill or making a prayer shawl for someone, or holding a child while they sleep, or playing cars with a grandson, or engaging in a conversation with an elderly loved one? I encourage you to think about your stance in all of this, are you a Martha or a Mary? Are you serving him or actually serving your own priorities? Are you making others in your requests serve our Lord or you? Listen to your heart as the Holy Spirit directs your answers.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Judge Not
"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." - Luke 6:37
There is a significant difference between judgement and discernment. God sees people's hearts and knows their motives (Prov. 16:2). Only God can accurately judge those who deserve punishment. Ultimately, Christ will sit in judgement upon us all in the day of judgement (2 Cor 5:10). Our problem is that we like to sit in the judgement seat and pronounce condemnation upon those whom we think have sinned! Scripture commands us not to judge or condemn others, for we cannot be judgemental and redemptive at the same time. It is difficult to pray sincerely for someone while we are judging them. Scripture reminds us that God will treat us with the same grace and severity with which we treat others (Luke 6:38)
You will be helpful to others only if you see them as God does. If you have been judgemental of others, ask forgiveness and pledge yourself to let God use you as His minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5;18)
This day consider this, can I honestly pray for someone and their spiritual health while I judge them? Clear your heart of judgement if you REALLY want to pray for that person.
There is a significant difference between judgement and discernment. God sees people's hearts and knows their motives (Prov. 16:2). Only God can accurately judge those who deserve punishment. Ultimately, Christ will sit in judgement upon us all in the day of judgement (2 Cor 5:10). Our problem is that we like to sit in the judgement seat and pronounce condemnation upon those whom we think have sinned! Scripture commands us not to judge or condemn others, for we cannot be judgemental and redemptive at the same time. It is difficult to pray sincerely for someone while we are judging them. Scripture reminds us that God will treat us with the same grace and severity with which we treat others (Luke 6:38)
You will be helpful to others only if you see them as God does. If you have been judgemental of others, ask forgiveness and pledge yourself to let God use you as His minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5;18)
This day consider this, can I honestly pray for someone and their spiritual health while I judge them? Clear your heart of judgement if you REALLY want to pray for that person.
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