Rest for the Weary...Psalm 46

 

 

REST.

 

It is a four letter word most of us don't do enough.

 

We live in a world that is constantly running faster, reaching higher and skipping forward.

 

We barely have time to sleep a few hours a night let alone truly take time to rest.

 

But God did.

 

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. ³ Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Genesis 2:2-3

 

God not only rested after He completed His work - but He blessed the time of rest.

 

Part of being human is that we are weak. We can't sustain seventeen hour days, seven days a week and expect to be successful - or even coherent. Work is an extremely important part of being human and feeling fulfilled - but our work is only as good as the energy we have to give to it.

 

If we are constantly running - constantly filling our minds with activities and action - we will be unable to slow down and experience God.

 

In Psalm 46, God tells us to "Be still and know that I am God."

When we are running - not just physically but mentally too with TV, games, books, videos, etc. - we miss the subtly of God's presence in our lives. We run so fast that we are unable to hear His message or truly experience His love for us.

 

We need rest to restore us.

 

We need rest to give us strength for the next day.

 

But we also need rest to heal us - both physically and spiritually.

 

By resting - being still - we have the time to settle our thoughts and really begin to focus on God and to recognize that He is in charge.

 

Because it doesn't matter how fast we run - God will always be in charge. And He will ALWAYS be our salvation.

 

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

 

Sleep well.

Good rest restores the body and the soul.

The best rest is found in the arms of the God Who loves you.

Take a moment to be still and know Him.

 

Scripture

Psalm 46

 

Quote

“Perhaps love is like a resting place, A shelter from the storm, It exists to give you comfort, It is there to keep you warm, And in those times of trouble, When you are most alone, The memory of love will bring you home”

John Denver

 

 

 



Are You A Lost Boy (or Girl)? Jeremiah 29:10-14

 

“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me."

“Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree

Jeremiah 29:13-14 (The Message)

 

Some days I feel pretty lost.

Do you ever feel a little lost - like you're not sure which direction you are supposed to go?

Do you ever feel like you are in a boat - in the middle of the ocean - and you don't have an paddle?

 

Feelings of being lost, discouraged and uncertain about the future are part of being human. These feelings can come on gradually and rise to a peak of paralyzing fear or they can rush at you suddenly due to unforeseen circumstances. Regardless of how one becomes lost - the end results are pretty much the same. Hopelessness, defeated-ness and becoming a Lost Boy (or Girl) - just like in Peter Pan.

 

The Lost Boys are the orphans in Peter Pan's crew in Never Land.

They are little boys who never grow up because they do not know which way to grow.

They are discouraged and alone, but yet unable and unwilling to move from their hideaway in Never Land.

They stopped looking for their families. They stopped seeking the love of their fathers and mothers. They chose to make a home in a land far away from who they really are meant to be.

 

We can become like the Lost Boys.

We can wallow in our discouragement, uncertainty and bad decisions.

We can allow that wallow to deepen and grow until we stop seeking out Our Father and the love He has for each of us - a love that has inspired an unique plan for each of our lives.

 

I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)

 

Being lost isn't sinful. It is a part of life.

Staying lost is a choice. A choice that will dampen the plan God has for you.

 

When those feelings of being lost and uncertain seem to overwhelm you - seek comfort in the Lord.

When the anxiety and fear of your life consume you - seek refuge in the Lord.

When life's burdens seem to be too great for you to carry - seek help from the Lord.

 

When you seek God with all your heart - YOU WILL FIND HIM.

He promises.

 

He will never forsake you.

He will always be with you.

Even when you are lost.

Even if you become a Lost Boy - He will still be there waiting for you to seek Him.

 

I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity."

Jeremiah 29:13

 

He will always be there - even for the most Lost of Lost Boys and Girls.

Just turn around....He is right there waiting for you.

 

Scripture

Jeremiah29:10-14

 

Quote

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Question

 

When do you feel most lost? How can you ask God to help you during those times?

Letting Go...Luke 5:33-39

 

 

 

Out with the old and in with the new.

 

So often we want to hang on to things of our past - old mementos, clothes that no longer fit, toys we no longer play with - but why? The memories attached to the old things are stored inside of us. The attachment to the old stuff hampers us from moving forward into a new day - it does not allow the room to take in new things - to create new memories.

 

Our pasts help to create who we are today. The people, places and things we have experienced help to shape how we view the future and how we view the today.

But...
(Have you noticed in life there seems to always be a but...)
As new creations in Christ - set apart by a choice to surrender our lives to Jesus and his grace - our old lives need to be shed so that we can fully embrace our new lives in Christ.

If you continue to fall into the old habits of the past - bad habits that draw you away from allowing Christ to create a brand new version of you - you are just patching up your old life - holding on to the old junk - without allowing Christ the chance to transform you.

Jesus taught this very lesson in Luke chapter 5:
No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old.

Think about all that great new stuff you received for Christmas....
Would you want someone taking an old sweatshirt and sewing a piece of it on to a brand new sweater?
Or how about a new iPod? Would you want someone to try and shove a cassette tape into your iPod?
No - you wouldn't want anyone to 'ruin' your new stuff with your old junk.

The same holds true when we accept Jesus's offer of salvation. We need to let go of our old lives and step into our new ones. The more we try and cling to the things in our past while trying to simultaneously embrace the blessings of Christ we will find our puzzle pieces really don't fit together.

What are you holding onto that is keeping you from fully embracing the joy, grace and peace of Jesus?
What can you release from your grasp so that you can allow Jesus to envelope you in his love?

Only you can answer what is holding you back.
Only you can decide what junk remains in your life.
And only you can decide how to let it go.


Scripture
Luke 5:33-39

Quote
Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go.
Herman Hesse

Question
How can you let go today?