Category Archives: Rest

Mar25

Our Global Reboot

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“Come away by yourselves to a || SECLUDED|| place and rest a little while” ~ Love, Jesus (Mark 6:31)

Perhaps God is using this world-wide pandemic for a global #reboot. People all over the earth who were ‘continually coming and going’ have halted their busy-ness and find themselves in a ‘secluded place.’ In the stillness of these moments, let’s take time to re-evaluate our priorities and realize what is truly important.

Over the last few weeks, we have had a front row seat to witness healthcare workers, National leaders, state leaders, local leaders, truckers, grocery workers, business leaders, ministers, athletes, celebrities and ordinary citizens come together like never before in history to work for a common goal. We are witnessing God’s command to “love your neighbor as yourself” in action!

When this #pandemic storm passes, let’s never go back to our “old normal.” Let’s use this experience with #covid_19 for a time to reset to a new normal where we eliminate the clutter in our schedules and embrace God’s command to love our neighbors.

“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12: 30 – 31

“We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan.” Romans 8:28

 

Aug18

You’re Invited…

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You’re Invited…

“Come with me

by yourselves

to a quiet place

and get some rest.”

~Jesus

 

Mark 6:31b

 

Imagine going to your mailbox and finding a personal invitation from your best friend to a relaxing, weekend get-away at an off-the-beaten-path location beside a beautiful pristine lake.  Just the thought of that could begin to melt away stress and worries!

Read the words of the divine invitation above from Mark 6:31b, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”  Envision Jesus speaking this invitation directly to you.  Allow these words to penetrate your soul and pause to grasp the full meaning of each phrase.

“Come with me…”

 The Son of God is personally inviting you to join Him for a break from the busyness of your life.  He loves you, and He wants YOU to be with Him!

“…by yourselves…”

 The Savior of the World desires to have a personal relationship with YOU.  He longs for you to spend time alone with Him.  It’s difficult to get to know someone in a crowd.  True friendships are formed through one-on-one interaction, and Jesus is asking you to develop a one-on-one connection with Him.  He wants you all to Himself, without anyone else around…including your cell phone, computer, iPad or any other type of distraction…totally unplugged and disconnected from the outside world.

“…to a quiet place…”

 The Prince of Peace is inviting you to come away from your daily responsibilities and join Him in a quiet place.  There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to carry on a conversation with someone in a loud and distracting environment.  A quiescent place is tranquil and calm and free of disturbances.  It’s a place of peace, and the type of place you can focus solely on your interaction with the Messiah.  In that quiet place you can talk to the Wonderful Counselor and listen as He to speaks to your soul.  You can reverently honor Him and praise His power and majesty.  You can sense His presence and know that He is with you.  In Psalm 46:10a, God tells us to “Be still and know that I am God.”  Jesus’ invitation is encouraging us to come to a quiet place alone with Him so that we can truly know Him.

 “…and get some rest.”

 God knows the importance of rest.  Even the almighty, all-powerful Creator of the Universe, who never sleeps nor slumbers, rested from His work after He created the world and everything in it.  Jesus understands that we get tired and weary from all the demands and burdens of life, and He promises that a relationship with Him will provide rest for our souls.  (Matthew 11:28 – 29):

Dear Child of Mine,
 
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on Religion?  Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  (Matthew 11:28 – 29 MSG)
 
Love, Jesus
 

How will you respond to Jesus’ invitation?  He’s patiently waiting for your R.S.V.P.  Relax in the unforced rhythm of His grace and mercy, and find rest and peace in this life-changing relationship.

 

 

 

Jan14

Divine Rest

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“Come to me,
 
all you who are weary and burdened,
 
and I will give you rest.”
 
Matthew 11: 28

 

Are you tired? Weary? Worn out? Burned out? Struggling?  Burdened?  Are you carrying a heavy load in your life?  Jesus offers a cure for your weariness.   His gentle calling says, “Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28 – 30MSG)

 

Whether you are carrying burdens of guilt or a heavy load of life circumstances, Jesus promises to give you rest.  The type of rest that Jesus promises is love, healing and peace with God, not necessarily the end of all our problems.  God’s divine rest provides a feeling of peace that is beyond human understanding.  Jesus lifts the cares and troubles of everyday life off of our shoulders and bears them for us.  Answer His gentle call and allow Him to bless you with His brand of rest for your soul.

 

 

Truly my soul finds rest in God;
 
My salvation comes from him.
 
Psalm 62:1

 

 

Jun29

Rest Secure

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“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him

for He shields him all day long,

and the one the LORD loves rests between His shoulders.”

Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV

 

We live in a fast paced, action oriented world. There are days when I feel like I am so busy that I can’t even take a moment to “come up for air.” It seems as though there is never enough time in the day to accomplish everything on my plate of responsibilities. Yet God demonstrated for us the importance of rest. When He had finished all the work He had been doing of creating the universe and everything in it, He rested.

 

“For six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them,

But He Rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the LORD blessed the Sabbath and made it holy.”

Exodus 20:11

 

If the Creator of the Universe rested from His work, then it should not surprise us to know that we also need to rest. In fact, rest is so important to God that He commanded His children to set aside one day each week for pure, restorative rest. Not only did God know that we need a day like this each week to revive and rejuvenate our bodies, but He also wanted His children to use it as a day of worship and remembrance. “Above all, keep my Sabbaths, the sign between me and you, generation after generation, to keep the knowledge alive that I am the God who makes you holy…There are six days for work but the seventh day is Sabbath, pure rest, holy to God…Yes, because in six days God made the heavens and the Earth and on the seventh day He stopped and took a long, deep breath.” Exodus 31:12-17 MSG

 

“Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

 

After a period of exertion or labor, rest is a blessing. It is refreshing and rejuvenating, and it is a relief from any type of weariness. As we take time to quiet our bodies and spirits, God desires for us to spend time remembering and focusing on all the amazing things He has done for us.

 

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

 

God can also use this time of repose to speak to us. It is difficult for Him to gain our attention during the hectic activity of your daily life. When you sit still in His presence, you will hear the calming whisper of His voice.

 

“My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

 

When your time of purposeful quiescence is over, you will be revived and renewed, ready to face new challenges and strengthened for your responsibilities. By taking time to periodically observe a day of rest, you will be physically stronger and mentally sharper. You will be better equipped to accomplish your goals and purposes than if you did not take the time to rest.

 

Listen to your Creator in regards to the importance of rest. Your Heavenly Fathers knows what is best for His children.