God's Rest

Finding Rest for Your Soul ~ Psalm 62

9:00 AM

Today's Scripture: Psalm 62 & John 10:30 


We often talk about needing to rest, recharging our battery, unwind, get some R&R, or the need for some downtime. There are many ways to describe resting, but I had to wonder if this is truly what David was describing in this psalm when he wrote,

Truly my soul finds rest in God;
    my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I shall never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)

If we read on we discover David is being tormented by others,

How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? (v.3)

And I had to wonder what does our enemy use to torment us these days in an attempt to unsettle our hearts? Perhaps,

  • The rise in crime.
  • Inflation
  • Rumors of wars 
  • Pandemics
  • Social issues
There are plenty of weapons he can use, and we only need to turn on the TV or social media to become bombarded by them all. It's wonderful to get away, to turn off social media, but that is often only a temporary solution. Therefore, I had to wonder if David has a better plan for us here in this psalm. 

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
    for my hope is from him.

He only is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
 On God rests my salvation and my glory;
    my mighty rock, my refuge is God.


Trust in him at all times, O people;
    pour out your heart before him;
    God is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalm 62:5-8)

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. (V.5) 

I wonder, what have you placed your hope in?
  • Your savings?
  • Husband or others?
  • Job?
  • Elected Officials?
I've placed my faith, hope and found comfort in all of these at one time or another in spite of knowing that only God is proven faithful at all times. And each time I’ve been disappointed I had to wonder why my faith rested there instead of with God alone, for no matter how wonderful others are, they are bound to let us down at some point. 

Trust in him at all times, O people. (V.8)

I believe David offers us the key reason His soul could rest despite being tormented by others in verse 8. David placed his trust in God alone. I’ve discovered over the years that when I am wholly looking to and trusting in God, I am now free to minister to others rather than looking and longing for others to minister to me. He meets every need! It is though I am girded up; my armor is on and together the Lord and I can meet the needs of others. 

It’s a wonderful position to be in! I instantly morph from being needy to looking to meet the needs of others and the only thing that change was where I placed my trust! 

 I looked up cross-references to the phase, "trust in Him" and wanted to share a few in hopes these truths will build your faith as it did mine:

  • 1 Chronicles 5:20, They cried out to (God) during battle. He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him.
  • Psalm 28:7, The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.
  • Psalm 37:5, Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.
  • Psalm 40:3, He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.
  • Isaiah 25:9, This is the Lord; we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad.
  • Naham 1:7, The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. 
  • Romans 15:13, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
  • 1 Peter 2:6, The one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.


Let's pray:

Holy Father, our hearts are often heavy with the darkness we see in this world. There is many things our enemy can torment and disquiet our heart with. And we confess that it is not always our first instinct to turn towards you during such times Father. When our hearts are heavy remind us that you are there, always there, to gently nudge us back to your path. O God, may we too say as David did long ago, "my heart rests in God alone." Thank you for the many ways that you provide us. Please continue to comfort and strengthen us and help us to continue to glorify You! May we team up to win this world back to you! In your Holy name we pray, Amen.

Blessings , 

Sue




anxiety

He cares for you! ~ Psalm 55

2:00 PM

 

He cares for you!



Read: Psalm 55 & I Peter5:6-11

What is it that has you so shaken, so anxious?                                                                           

 Is it your constant companion day and night?                   

You just cannot seem to shake it off.                                    

He tells us to cast our cares on Him. When I was a young girl in school we used to have prayer each morning before starting our day, our teacher told us that we need to be honest with God because He already knows everything and wants to hear it from us.  She would tell us to be specific with whatever is bothering us and also in thanking Him. Be honest with Him.



The first place to start is to be humble before Him. As we humble ourselves before Him we acknowledge that He is Lord. In our humbleness we let go of all our pride, those things that keep us from Him and doing what He wants.  We can then give Him all our troubles, anxieties and worries because He truly cares for us.  When we do this He exalts us.  Jesus also invited people to cast their cares on Him: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30).

Jesus calls us to come to Him and cast our cares, burdens on Him. When we do, the promise is that we will find rest for our souls. The assurance is based on who He is. We can come to Him with any of our concerns in prayer, and, while the burden may still exist, our souls will find rest as we trust in Him to help us carry it and to sustain us through the trial.  God does not want us to be weighed down by the difficulties and worries of this life.

God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and able to handle all our cares. As a humble person, you can cast all your cares on Him because you know He cares for you.

Secondly, we need to be thankful!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7



We can live a life without anxiety, worries and cares of this world.  We just need to bring them to Him and bring them with thanksgiving.  We know that He cares for us and we know that all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  When we do, we can experience that peace that passes all understanding.  It is a matter of trusting, believing and leaving it all with Him.  When we are tempted to go back to those worries etc., we know that we already gave it to Him and we can trust Him with it all.

Do you tell the Lord the deep desires of your heart? 

Have you given Him all your anxieties, the things that worry you and keep you up at night and consume your day as well?

Prayer:

Father, we praise You for Your words of truth that we can hide in our hearts that we might not sin against You.  You sent Your Son Jesus to die on the cross to take away all our sin, grief and sorrow.  We have eternal life in Him!  Help us as we tend to worry about so many things, to leave it at the cross of Jesus, who took them upon Himself. Help us to know that you work all things together for our good and to grow us in faith in You.  

Lyn




burdens

Scripture Saturday~I will give you rest...

12:00 AM

Saturday, September 1, 2018



Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is Matthew 11:28...

 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (NLT)

 Have a blessed and precious day and week everyone!

Labor

In Him we find Rest and Comfort (Psalm 127-130)

10:23 PM


Recently I had to leave my family in order to take care of my momma who was hospitalized in my hometown. She lives by herself and in the emergency she was facing, she had to be taken to the hospital by some friends of ours, who live close to her and have the keys to her house, since all her family live in other states. She was very ill and we did not know if she would make it!
My momma has always lived on her own and for many years she ran her affairs trusting on her own wisdom and her strength! Oh and of course she also trusted God, but not the way she does NOW!!
Last time momma was hospitalized she became stressed because we needed to find someone to care for her house against burglary. She was always saying it took her a lifetime of work to build it and furnish it, and was not leaving it for the burglars! But, not on this occasion!  I was amazed at how her Faith and Trust in God has grown!
To most of us the verses of Psalm 127 are so familiar we might even know them by heart. But do we really put these truths into practice?
As soon as the day begins we find ourselves busy “building” a life: a career, a family, a business and it is all hard labor! 
“Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain.” (127:1)

We focus on our strength and wisdom to run our affairs, but great part of our labor is in vain if we do not acknowledge God’s favor and wisdom over our lives and of our families’.
“It is vain for you to rise early,
To retire late,
To eat the bread of anxious labors—
For He gives [blessings] to His beloved even in his sleep.” (127:2. Emphasis mine)



Yes, if we trust our lives, families and possessions unto His care, we will be delivered from stress and sleepless nights, and will be able to count our blessings in Him (127:3-5).
How could this be? Because He loves us! We are His precious children! We must not base our identity and our security on our own resources, but on WHO we are in Christ! (Eph. 1:4,7,11-14; Col. 1:27)
“Some are so eager upon the world, that they are continually full of care, which makes their comforts bitter, and their lives a burden. All this is to get money; but all in vain, except God prosper them: while those who love the Lord, using due diligence in their lawful callings, and casting all their care upon him, have needful success, without uneasiness or vexation. Our care must be to keep ourselves in the love of God; then we may be easy, whether we have little or much of this world. But we must use the proper means very diligently.” (M. Henry)
Jesus invites us to:
 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me[following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.” (Mat.11:28-30)
Mom was released from the hospital with a new opportunity of life and a renewed faith! She confessed she has learned to live “one day at a time” according to God’s Purpose and Perfect Plans for her life!
What about you? “What are your plans for today? What about the next year, or even five years? Ask God to be the builder of your plans both today and the future. Thank him today for making you part of his crew.” (iWorship Bible)
Blessings!
Mari



Creator

SoulSearching Sunday ~ He is So Good!

12:00 AM

Sunday, May 6, 2018


Week Eighteen

Welcome!  We pray that you have all had a precious time worshipping the Lord this morning!  Below you will find some thought provoking questions that will provide you a starting point to your journal writing to complete this week.  We hope that you will find this time soul satisfying!

Our reading this week was Job 38 - Psalm 24:10...

 1. How much of a role does silence play in your life of prayer and worship? The spirit disciplines of silence and solitude are rarely practiced in the modern, Western church. Be honest with God about whatever is confusing or distressing in your life, and then be silent. Listen for His voice.

 “Then Job replied to the LORD, ‘I am nothing-how could I ever find the answers? I will put  my hand over my mouth in silence. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.’” (Job 40:3-5)

 2.  On the next clear night, spend time under God’s canopy, journaling, praying, and enjoying His glorious creation. Praise the Creator that He knows you personally and has crowed you with glory and honor.

 “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers,…what are mortals that You should think of us?" (Psalm 8:3-4)

 3. C.S. Lewis said, “The most valuable thing the Psalms do for me is to express the same delight in God which made David dance.” What words from the psalmist can you borrow to express your delight in God?

 “I will sing to the LORD because He has been so good to me.” (Psalm 13:6)

 4. Where do you seek rest and peace? How has God led you to “peaceful streams”? Thank God for His refreshment.
“He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.” (Psalm 23:2)




Genesis

A Loving Invitation {Genesis 31:1-36:43}

10:30 PM



For so many years Jacob was a “supplanter” , someone who would always have his way. He became a successful man like many we would actually know, but he lacked of something no money could buy: the Peace of God.  Jacob was about to meet his brother and the angels of God appeared to Jacob, to encourage him with the assurance of the Divine protection, (32:1-2). This encouraged him to carefully plan meeting his brother… his enemy, but still he was consumed by fear! (32:2-8). Would this meeting be peaceful?

Jacob then prays with thankful acknowledgment of undeserved favors; he humbly confessed his unworthiness, his fears and distress!  He was finally seeking God with all his being! He was confessing with faith God’s promises to him: “ 12 And You [Lord] said, ‘I will certainly make you prosper and make your descendants as [numerous as] the sand of the sea, which is too great to be counted.’”   (32:9-12) For a while this prayer seemed to calm him a bit, then he continued to plan the meeting with Esau by sending  a great present to him: “… For he said [to himself], “I will try to appease him with the gift that is going ahead of me. Then afterward I will see him; perhaps he will accept and forgive me.” 21 So the gift [of the herds of livestock] went on ahead of him, and he himself spent that night back in the camp.” (32:13-21) Then he sends his wives, children and servants ahead of him and is left alone.

 “A great while before day, Jacob being alone, more fully spread his fears before God in prayer. While thus employed, One in the likeness of a man wrestled with him. When the spirit helpeth our infirmities, and our earnest and vast desires can scarcely find words to utter them, and we still mean more than we can express, then prayer is indeed wrestling with God. However tried or discouraged, we shall prevail; and prevailing with Him in prayer, we shall prevail against all enemies that strive with us. Nothing requires more vigor and unceasing exertion than wrestling. It is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer. Those who would have the blessing of Christ, must resolve to take no denial. The fervent prayer is the effectual prayer. “  M. Henry

Jacob was blessed, and His name was changed from, Jacob =“supplanter” to Israel= “a prince with God”

Jacob gives a new name to the place. He calls it Peniel, “the face of God, “because there he had seen the appearance of God, and obtained the favor of God! (32:30-31)

What about you? Are you anxious about a particular situation in your life? Are you feeling distressed, weary? Let me remind you of a loving invitation from our Heavenly Father to you:

1 Chronicles 16:11 (AMP)
10 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.11 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence].

Psalm 27:8 (AMP)
8 When You said, “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You,“Your face, O Lord, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].”

Amos 5:4(AMP )4 For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel,
“Seek Me [search diligently for Me and regard Me as more essential than food] so that you may live.

Jesus said:  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].” (Matt. 11:28)
We must remember: “If God is for us, who is against us?” If He is for us, we have the victory! 

Neither human nor demonic opposition can thwart the purposes of our sovereign God (Romans 8:31-39). Let us Praise Him as we wait on that which God has promised to do! Let us take a lesson from Jacob and hold fast to the One who has promised to never let us go!

Blessings!
Mari



Hebrews

Let Us...{Hebrews 4}

9:00 PM

It’s evident, as we read through the Book of Hebrews, that the author’s reason for writing is because he feared his Christian readers were wavering in their faith in Christ. Perhaps their faith was growing cold, or perhaps the cares of this world, or the traditions they once followed were pulling their attention away from their newly found faith they professed. (Do you know anyone like that today?)
His goal was to demonstrate that Jesus was far better than the faith they once lived out before, and in light of what has all come about because of all Jesus had done, the author gives his readers three specific exhortations in this chapter,  each begin with “let us…”.

Let us...enter His rest...
_Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. Hebrews 4:1
_Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:11
Did you notice that both these verses explains that we can actually fail to enter into the benefits that God has provided for us? This is exactly what happened to many of the Israelites. Even though God brought them out with a strong hand, they were not confident in God’s love for them, nor His provision, and because of their disobedience and unbelief, the children of Israel did not enter into the rest that God had promised them. Therefore today, like them, we’re called to be diligent to enter into God’s rest.

We also need to remember that the author is writing to Christians, therefore there is another rest for all believers that some may never receive. When we first trusted Christ as Savior we received our “salvation rest”, but as children of God we are called into an “abiding rest", – a “submissive rest”. We’re not to drift through our Christian walk in a carnal way, but rather we are to trust God and enter into His rest, by resisting temptation, trusting His truth, obeying His word, and submitting to the Holy Spirit. In other words the rest the author mentions here is a rest from our own efforts or works, and surrendering and becoming totally dependent upon our Lord Jesus Christ. We’re being called to remain in Him, to abide in Him, to rest in Him, to submit to Him – to depend utterly and entirely upon Him. Then,

Let us...hold fast...
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Hebrews 4:12-14

Holding fast to our faith is crucial because the sin that hardens most is unbelief. Israel hardened their hearts “in the rebellion . . . in the wilderness” (Hebrews 3:8). This happened during Israel’s time of testing, when trials had come upon them. During those times, God’s promises seemed to fail them. And when it seemed the Lord was no longer answering their cries, they grumbled, complained and began to follow their own way .
The same can happen to Christians in this generation,and those who were once zealous for the things of God can hardened their hearts towards God. People who once walked faithfully with the Lord, believed His Word, based their lives on biblical truth, and were totally on fire for Jesus, were faced with a crisis, and when they cried out to God in their time of need, no answer came on their time schedule,or in the manner they thought it should. Can you relate?
Others may have been led away by their relationship with ungodly friends. But God’s grace is still available to them, His mercy is still available, but over time their sin has hardened them.

Therefore the author exhorts us to hold fast to our faith no matter what! Trust God and His word when tough times and trials come and “if you will hear His voice, do not harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7). But rather,

Let us...come boldly to the throne of grace...
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.-Hebrews 4:15-16

The author next pleads with us to draw near to God through the complete and finished work of Jesus. He knows that the proof that we have confidence in God and have entered into His rest is demonstrated in how we respond to Him. When we don’t fully trust Him, we're distant. When we do trust Him, we’ll draw nearer. I believe the author has already anticipated that there will be those that, due to their own shame and guilt, will refuse to trust YHWH and draw near to Him even though every obstacle has been removed, and every provision made for every need. Therefore, regardless of how we’re feeling, we’re commanded to draw near, for Jesus has made a way to Almighty God.

When I think of these passages I always remember a story someone told me long ago about this little girl who wanted more than anything else to ride a new ride that had just opened at Disneyland, but by the time she had reached the ride a huge line had already formed, and she feared she’d never get in. Suddenly, just as she turned to walk away, a man came up and took her by the hand and began walking her to the ride's entrance, and just as they were about to cross the threshold to the ride, another man in line called out, “Hey, who do you think you are, Walt Disney!?”

To which the man turned around and replied, “As a matter of fact I am!” and the two continued through the door.

This is what Jesus does for us! He is able to take our hand and bring us right into God’s presence into the Holy of Holies. I pray you’ll remember this the next time you feel unworthy or inadequate to come before Him! Jesus has already paved the way; take His hand and let Him lead you through the entrance.