LET ME SIT RIGHT HERE FOR A WHILE
Of all created comforts, God is the lender; you are the borrower, not the owner. – Rutherford
2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
In times of death, where do you turn? In times of despair, where do you go? When it seems as if no one is listening, where do you go so that someone does? When life is crumbling in pieces around you, do you ever wonder who will put the pieces back together? I often wonder where the unsaved person goes in their times of need. You see, for the Christian, we can go to the Lord wherever we are at, whenever we want, and as often as we need. So, with that kind of access, I, myself, can rejoice in my tribulations! I can sit down and let my Heavenly Father deal with what is going on in my life! Can you?
JUST TIRED
Matthew 11:28, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
The mid-watch, a baby being born, a death in the family; all can bring about some times when we are extremely tired. But what about a lost job, a wayward child, or a very busy schedule? Yes, these are times when exhaustion can set in causing us to lose focus on what God has called us to. We lose our focus on our spouse, our ministry, and other important God given responsibilities.
So, what are we to do? I believe it may have been Vance Havner that originally said; “Come apart, before we come apart.” We must change our schedule in order to get the needed rest we need.
Do you find yourself tired? Wore out by life’s demands? Take some time off. Change your schedule around. Come apart from those things before you come apart having a nervous breakdown. Adjust your priorities in order to be the leader God wants you to be!
RESTING IN JESUS
Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Hebrews 4:9
I remember hearing a secular song, “Working for the Weekend”. Sometimes that is exactly the rut we found ourselves in; working only until the next party on Friday or Saturday night. Bursting our backs Monday through Friday just to make enough money to pay the bills and a six pack was and for some still is the way of life.
I'm glad that on July 12, 1992 there was given a rest to my life! Instead of focusing on the weekends I began to see the wastefulness of it all. Instead of glorying in the creation more than the creator I started to glorify God. Instead of centering life on self I became more concerned about the Saviour. When that transformation took place…….then and only then did I find rest for my weary soul.
Are you tired? Do you find yourself in the rat race of life? Read it again, “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” There is a rest that passes all understanding. You can work your backside off for the Lord and be dead tired but, “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” All around you might be falling apart but, “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” Your Son or Daughter might be going the way of the world but, "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” You may have “lost” your Mom or Dad, Grandma or Grandpa, Son or Daughter or the most important person in your life but, ”There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” Do you have that rest only found in Jesus?
BE RESTED
Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. –Ovid
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Psalm 37:7
Do you ever have those times when you think, “When am I going to get a break?” I do. A few minutes away goes a long way when we are so busy. Taking the kids to soccer practice and games, running to doctor appointments, and yard work keeps our plates full and our bodies wore out. However, when we have those few minutes to rest, they are priceless!
Child of God, if you have been busy doing the Lord’s work and are feeling wore out, exhausted, or overwhelmed, take a rest. Take a break before you break. Come apart from the Work God has called you to before you come apart! When you get that second wind get back in the ring and get back into the battle for the souls God has given you!
GOT REST?
Rest is given through the shed blood of Jesus Christ!
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Hebrews 4:9
Knowing I don’t have to work for my salvation gives me a sense of rest. Knowing all anyone has to do is repent of their sin and trust Jesus as the One who has done everything needed for their salvation brings a heavenly rest that passes all understanding. To some that doesn’t make sense, but it doesn’t change the truth- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Are you still trying to be good enough? Are you still trying to work your way in? Here are two great truths; you’ll never be good enough and you will never work enough to get into Heaven. If you could, then why did Jesus have to die? Friend, trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Him alone brings rest!
GIVE ME A BREAK!
Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. –Ovid
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. Matthew 14:23
My former Pastor had a saying that has stuck with me, “Come apart before you come apart!” You see, everyone needs to have a break from the day to day pressures of life. Whether it is our job, household, financial, or church responsibilities, we need to take a break from them. If we don’t, life can begin to cave in around us until we shrink back in a corner being of no use to our Saviour.
Oh you’re probably thinking about a vacation. Going to the beach to get some, beach therapy or to the mountains for some mountain medicine can provide that much needed rest. There isn’t anything wrong with those things or whatever you do for fun. However, between those vacays, there is something you can do every day. You can follow Jesus’ example and come apart in a season of prayer.
Prayer gives us that much needed break from our day to day pressures. It will improve our health! It helps control pain, depression, stress, and a many more life threatening issues we face. So, do yourself a favor and come apart for a season of prayer today!
THE END OF A GOOD THING—VACATION
Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. –Ovid
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. Genesis 2:3
Now we all know God did not need to rest after He created everything in the first six days of time. What He was doing was setting an example for you and I that we needed to rest. We need a time away to clear our thoughts, getting our focus back on the things that are important; our relationship with our Saviour, our sweet heart, and the Saviour’s calling on our life.
What a blessing it is to get a way for a while but what an opportunity to get busy doing what He has called us to! Yes, even on a Monday after vacation we can get excited in sharing the Good News of the Gospel to a lost and dying world!
JUST FIVE MORE MINUTES
You can rest tomorrow, for there is work to be done today!
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. Psalm 116:7
Monday is here again. The alarm clock’s snooze button has been hit at least three times if not more. One eye is glued shut and it doesn’t want to cooperate. Your face is almost a permanent part of the pillow. You question, Do I get up or do I call in sick? Do I roll over and say, “Forget it!” Or do I get up, get ready, and go on in to work?
Child of God, we only have one answer; Just do it. No, don’t roll back over! Get up and go on in. The Lord will sustain you just like He has ever since you began to work. What He did last Monday, He can do again today. So, take that shower, put on that uniform, do your devotions, pray, eat a good breakfast, and head on in. God, may just give you someone that needs to hear the Good News today! Are you ready for it? You can rest tomorrow, for there is work to b e done today!
GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH!
Church— a sanctuary for the weary soul.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
The days are long, the nights are longer. You have hit the rock bottom in a world that just doesn’t care. Where do you turn? Where do you go? You go to the ever abiding Solid Rock—Jesus! Take your weary soul to church this morning and get the rest you are looking for. Quit trying everything else and go to the only place where you will find help—church!
I’M ALL ALONE… ARE YOU SURE?
When you have accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace; God is awake. -Hugo
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5
I’ve been like the prophet Elijah when he said, “I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” When life’s joys are stolen from us by the thief of the night we find ourselves battling depression. We feel alone, helpless, and hopeless.
But Child of God be prepared for those times. They come to each one of us. They come when we don’t trust the Lord in times of trials and temptation. They come when we aren’t familiar with His promises. Promises such as, He will never leave us nor forsake us, He makes a way of escape during temptations, and trials increase our faith as we “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
No matter what you are going through Child of God—you’re not alone! The Saviour is with you no matter where you are! Call out to Him! Trust Him! Lean on Him! Rest in Him!
DO YOU WANT A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP INSTEAD OF NIGHTMARES?
A sleeping pill will never take the place of a clear conscience. –Cantor
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
I’m not sure about you but there have been times in my life that I couldn’t get much sleep. There was such a burden about a situation it consumed my thought life. Waking up in the middle of the night with those very thoughts on my mind became almost an every night event. They affected me physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Sometimes the problem was conscience sin I had committed, at other times it was the sin of not trusting the Lord while in a difficult circumstance. Over the course of those times I have found, time and time again, the best place for me to be was on my knees. On my knees praying for forgiveness, on my knees begging for God to intervene, on my knees asking God to move mountains that only He could move.
Child of God, be reminded of this awesome truth this morning, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
With God’s mercy comes one of the best night’s sleep a man, woman, boy, or girl can have!
For too much rest itself becomes a pain. –Homer
Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. Psalm 104:23
I am glad for vacations but at the same time I am also glad to be getting back into some type of routine. No defined rise and shine time. No defined time to get to bed. No defined time to be anywhere. It is dangerous for us to have too much idle time on our hands. It makes us weak and our defenses are let down so much so that we are easy targets for the enemy. Child of God, be strong and of good courage! Do not let your guard down! Be Alert! Our adversary is seeking who he may devour….will it be you? Don’t let him become a pain in your life by not being where God wants you to be!