"Therefore since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did but the message they heard was of no value to them because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest just as God has said, 'So I declared an oath in my anger, they shall never enter my rest.' And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words, 'And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.' And again in the passage above he says, 'They shall never enter my rest.' It still remains that some that will enter that rest and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them but did not go in, because of their disobedience. Therefore God again set a certain day calling it TODAY when a long time later he spoke through David as was said before, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.' For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains then a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work just as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience." Hebrews 1: 1-11 NIV
What a passage of scripture! When I was in high school I remember reading a book by Gordon McDonald, "Ordering Your Private World". He also wrote, "Restoring Your Spiritual Passion". In his books he emphasizes the NEED for Sabbath-Rest.
I know it is important that we gather with other Christians to worship on our "given Sabbath" day. We sing praises to God, hear the word of God, and fellowship with other believers. That is VERY important. For many of us that "given Sabbath" day is NOT a day of rest. There are many reasons that it is not a day of resting in Jesus.
Sabbath-rest is also a deliberate acceptance of personal rest and tranquility within the individual life. Sabbath means a rest that brings peace to the private world. We often take days of leisure but the choices we make on such days are not to focus on resting in Jesus. Our leisure is usually made up of some sort of activity....which we also need. Family time or time with friends is also important. We do not rest because our work is done, we rest because God commanded it and created us to have need for it.
We need to truly develop a Sabbath-rest time. A time to rest and refresh in Jesus. There are many ways to have this rest time and it may be different each time depending on your needs. I encourage you to set aside your needed Sabbath-rest period. It may be on the day you worship at church, but you need to set aside a given personal time weekly to truly be with your Savior. Please challenge yourself in learning more about Sabbath-rest. (I don't mean daily quiet times, I am talking about TRUE Sabbath-rest)
When we are fully rested in Jesus, we will have that renewal that only He can give.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Weariness
Do you ever simply feel weary?
Weary: physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion, strain, etc.; fatigued; tired: weary eyes; a weary brain.
Often I believe weariness is combined with lack of sleep, poor eating, stressful situations, or a loss. Lately I have been going over that "check-list". I am getting more sleep than I did last year at this time. I am eating better than I have in a while. I have had no loss. Am I simply weary over stressful situations? You bet!!!
Weariness. Isn't that something Jesus promised to take care of? "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) It is important for us to learn to "let go". I realize this is easier said than done.
Our minds can become so overloaded with even every day stresses...simple stresses. Or we allow stress of any kind to permeate our inner most thoughts. Yes, I mean permeate...to pass into or through every part of,to become diffused; penetrate.
When that happens...we break down. We feel totally out of control mentally and emotionally. Sometimes we become depressed. Most often we let loose and fountains of tears begin to flow. Tears help for a while. When that all-out exhausting crying is over...what then? Choices: look to Jesus or retreat into yourself. We know what retreating inward can do. I won't elaborate.
Looking to Jesus...We begin to pour our heart out to the One who loves us most! Sometimes we may not have the words, so it is then that we need to ask Jesus to speak to someone to pray for us. Earnestly plead with Him. It is important to REST in Jesus. Simply remain quiet in His loving embrace. Allow yourself to take the time to feel His hug. Let Him hold you! It took you a while to get to the place of feeling weary, so give the time to feel His peace. Quiet your heart...your innermost being. Listen to Him. Look to His word.
The weariness may dissipate or it may take time. Whatever the case, from here on remember to take daily time to turn your cares over to your Friend Jesus. Take the time. Discover the time of day that is best for you to be alone with your Best Friend. Maybe even make a cup of tea or coffee in which to sit, relax, and quietly confide in Jesus. Rest assured in Him.
Weary: physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion, strain, etc.; fatigued; tired: weary eyes; a weary brain.
Often I believe weariness is combined with lack of sleep, poor eating, stressful situations, or a loss. Lately I have been going over that "check-list". I am getting more sleep than I did last year at this time. I am eating better than I have in a while. I have had no loss. Am I simply weary over stressful situations? You bet!!!
Weariness. Isn't that something Jesus promised to take care of? "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) It is important for us to learn to "let go". I realize this is easier said than done.
Our minds can become so overloaded with even every day stresses...simple stresses. Or we allow stress of any kind to permeate our inner most thoughts. Yes, I mean permeate...to pass into or through every part of,to become diffused; penetrate.
When that happens...we break down. We feel totally out of control mentally and emotionally. Sometimes we become depressed. Most often we let loose and fountains of tears begin to flow. Tears help for a while. When that all-out exhausting crying is over...what then? Choices: look to Jesus or retreat into yourself. We know what retreating inward can do. I won't elaborate.
Looking to Jesus...We begin to pour our heart out to the One who loves us most! Sometimes we may not have the words, so it is then that we need to ask Jesus to speak to someone to pray for us. Earnestly plead with Him. It is important to REST in Jesus. Simply remain quiet in His loving embrace. Allow yourself to take the time to feel His hug. Let Him hold you! It took you a while to get to the place of feeling weary, so give the time to feel His peace. Quiet your heart...your innermost being. Listen to Him. Look to His word.
The weariness may dissipate or it may take time. Whatever the case, from here on remember to take daily time to turn your cares over to your Friend Jesus. Take the time. Discover the time of day that is best for you to be alone with your Best Friend. Maybe even make a cup of tea or coffee in which to sit, relax, and quietly confide in Jesus. Rest assured in Him.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Political talk...briefly
Normally, I am not one to talk politics here, but in recent days I am becoming more inclined to believe that things need to be shared here and please feel free to leave comments.
I don't tell people who to vote for. If they want to know who I will vote for, I will let them know or they can simply look at my yard signs or the back of my van(smile). I simply talk issues. I have always known that voting is a privilege and I don't understand why some choose not to vote when in some countries that isn't even an option...to vote. I know it is too late to register if you haven't already.
This election, as all elections, is crucial. I say all elections are crucial because each president we have had has left a mark in history...good, bad, or ugly. History cannot be changed and we can only learn from it. It's amazing that more people, politicians included, don't take a lesson from the most awesome history book...the Old Testament of the Bible. That's for another writing. (smile)
I agree that we need to vote our conscience. My conscience tells me to vote for the candidate who loves life...and does not support partial birth abortion. I want to vote for a candidate who does NOT say that abortion is above his pay grade. My choice supports life no matter what! We may as well live in the old days of Rome if we choose to to kill innocent babies.
We need to be (if we haven't been already) in prayer for this election. We need to fight the spiritual warfare that is out there. People seem to forget that there is another world aside from the Earth that we live on. There are angels and demons and they are at war. We need to be on our knees! My challenge to you is to select a time of day EVERY day...as much time as you can....to pray! Pray the power of Jesus over this election. Pray that His will be done! Pray hard!!!
I believe that the power of darkness can be defeated if Christians keep the faith.(please know that I equate no candidate with darkness) Maybe you need to first pray that you have faith. Take care of that then (smile). Pray and keep praying! If God's will is to set certain events into place to speed His return then so be it! Pray for Christians everywhere to be strong in Him and to stand firm.
There is so much scripture that is coming to mind right now for me to use. I am sure God will lead you to the appropriate passages as you commit to praying daily for the election. I will leave you with...Pray without ceasing!
God bless and keep you strong in Him!
I don't tell people who to vote for. If they want to know who I will vote for, I will let them know or they can simply look at my yard signs or the back of my van(smile). I simply talk issues. I have always known that voting is a privilege and I don't understand why some choose not to vote when in some countries that isn't even an option...to vote. I know it is too late to register if you haven't already.
This election, as all elections, is crucial. I say all elections are crucial because each president we have had has left a mark in history...good, bad, or ugly. History cannot be changed and we can only learn from it. It's amazing that more people, politicians included, don't take a lesson from the most awesome history book...the Old Testament of the Bible. That's for another writing. (smile)
I agree that we need to vote our conscience. My conscience tells me to vote for the candidate who loves life...and does not support partial birth abortion. I want to vote for a candidate who does NOT say that abortion is above his pay grade. My choice supports life no matter what! We may as well live in the old days of Rome if we choose to to kill innocent babies.
We need to be (if we haven't been already) in prayer for this election. We need to fight the spiritual warfare that is out there. People seem to forget that there is another world aside from the Earth that we live on. There are angels and demons and they are at war. We need to be on our knees! My challenge to you is to select a time of day EVERY day...as much time as you can....to pray! Pray the power of Jesus over this election. Pray that His will be done! Pray hard!!!
I believe that the power of darkness can be defeated if Christians keep the faith.(please know that I equate no candidate with darkness) Maybe you need to first pray that you have faith. Take care of that then (smile). Pray and keep praying! If God's will is to set certain events into place to speed His return then so be it! Pray for Christians everywhere to be strong in Him and to stand firm.
There is so much scripture that is coming to mind right now for me to use. I am sure God will lead you to the appropriate passages as you commit to praying daily for the election. I will leave you with...Pray without ceasing!
God bless and keep you strong in Him!
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