Category: Rest

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Seeking the King

Here we are almost to Christmas day. How are you doing with maintaining the peace and the joy of the season?

Frankly, the last several days have been hectic, too much to do and not enough hours in the day. I noticed a weariness creeping in. In fact, two days ago I asked the Lord if it was ok to sleep in. I knew He wouldn’t mind. So, I’ve slept until 4:30 and 5:00 respectively. It was good rest.

I wonder if the wise men who came from the East were weary from their travels.

They had no GPS or Rand-McNally Atlas to guide them. They were led by a star. They didn’t come to the stable and find a baby. Their entourage had traveled a great distance, and some believe it could have taken a year or two to arrive.

“ Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the time when Herod was king. After Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. 2 They asked people, “Where is the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw it rise in the sky in the east and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 ERV

These men were on a mission. They came to worship the King.

“After the wise men heard the king, they left. They saw the same star they had seen in the east, and they followed it. The star went before them until it stopped above the place where the child was. 10 They were very happy and excited to see the star.

11 The wise men came to the house where the child was with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened the boxes of gifts they had brought for him. They gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 But God warned the wise men in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they went home to their own country a different way.” Matthew 2:9-12 ERV

Can you imagine how that must have occurred? Mary was home, going about her daily duties. Taking care of the small child, Jesus, possibly preparing a meal for Joseph who would soon be arriving home from work. She hears a commotion out in the street and then a knock at the door. There before her is a caravan and regally dressed men asking about her child.

They entered her home and bowed before her Son, worshipping Him and presenting Him with gifts. It certainly would have caused no small stir in the neighborhood.

Are we as persistent in our search of Jesus as these men from the East? Each day they had one purpose – follow the star. Find the Messiah.

A song was recorded by Sandi Patty in the early 1970’s. The lyrics of the chorus are:

“Come let us worship the King
Jesus the Savior is born
For the Lord will reign over all the earth
Come let us worship the King
Jesus the Savior is born
For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised
Through all the earth
Let us worship the King”

We have this promise from the prophet Jeremiah:

“You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me. ” Jeremiah 29:13 ERV

The best way I know to combat weariness, discouragement and frustration is to search for and worship the King.

“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 ERV

A true sign of a wise man or woman is to search for the King!

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Preparing for the Journey

It’s chilly this morning. I have the heater on, a hot cup of coffee at my side and I’m wrapped in my comfy fleece blanket. It’s a cozy way to start the day.

That being said, my thoughts turned to Mary. I know there are differing opinions on the time of year when Christ was actually born but Mary’s preparation would still be the same. The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was approximately 100 miles. Traveling by foot, aided by a donkey, the trip would have taken several days.

“ So Joseph had to leave Nazareth in Galilee and go to Bethlehem in Judea. Long ago Bethlehem had been King David’s hometown, and Joseph went there because he was from David’s family.

5 Mary was engaged to Joseph and traveled with him to Bethlehem. She was soon going to have a baby,” Luke 2:4-5 CEV

Preparations had to be made before embarking on such a journey. There was bedding to gather and pack, food to prepare, clothing for the baby and personal hygiene items. Much thought had to be put into these preparations.

How many days would they stay? What would be their immediate needs when the baby was born? Where would they sleep? How would they prepare for the customary presentation of a new child to the priests?

So much to consider.

I did just a little Biblical research to see what type of food they might take for the journey. I found this in the Old Testament. It seems these foods were common when traveling.

” …brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen, abundant supplies of flour, cakes of figs and raisins, wine, [olive] oil, oxen, and sheep, for there was joy in Israel.” I Chronicles 12:40 CEV

Bread, raisin cakes, wine, oil and roasted meat. Mary had a lot to do. Was she weary at the end of the day, even hormonal? Did she question if she should even be going on this trip? Did she remember the angel’s words, “You have been chosen by God”? Did she remember the words of the psalmist?

“Our Lord, you keep your word and do everything you say. 14 When someone stumbles or falls, you give a helping hand. 15 Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right,
you provide them with food. 16 By your own hand you satisfy the desires of all who live. 17 Our Lord, everything you do is kind and thoughtful, 18 and you are near to everyone
whose prayers are sincere.” Psalm 145:13-18

Instead of being overwhelmed I believe Mary continued to trust God and take Him at his word. She was carrying the Messiah, the Savior of the world, and God would provide all she needed.

When we are overwhelmed, anxious because of all that needs to be done, worried about the unknown, we can trust the Lord. “Everything you do is kind and thoughtful”.

Preparing for this journey called life – not knowing what the days ahead hold, we can have confidence to know that Immanuel, God with us, has not left us to travel the road alone!

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Swept Clean

This morning when I got up and looked around the house, I stopped to be thankful for my mother. I so appreciated the qualities of tidiness and organization that were a natural part of her life and that she passed those qualities on to me.

“ But everything should be done in a way that is right and orderly.” I Corinthians 14:40 ERV

He uses the word everything and every place I have researched the word everything means everything. Cluttered minds, thoughts or actions that can be a detriment to us hearing God. Too many distractions are stressful and rob our peace.

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

It’s hard to “be still” with a 1000 things on your mind. It’s important that we have our thoughts line up with God’s so that we can make wise and godly decisions. God’s purpose in creating the earth was to make order out of chaos. In the beginning the earth was without form and void but God spoke the worlds into existence with His words and brought order and beauty.

“Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.” Romans 12:2 ERV

We need to let His Word bring order and beauty to our lives as well.

The word “perfect” in that verse jumped out at me and reminded me of another verse that focuses on perfect peace.

“You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NLV

Still your mind. Take on God’s way of thinking. It will sweep out the clutter and lead you to perfect peace.

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A Light in the Dark

Have you ever been somewhere when it was completely dark? Without light we become uncertain, even, afraid.

But once there is a tiny flicker of light, we begin to have hope and as the light gets brighter confidence comes and peace comes with it. God’s first recorded action was creating light.

No one has a life with no dark moments. For some those moments may be serious, life-threatening illness, for others they may be an emotional depression or a catastrophic accident.

If you are in that place of darkness, I pray that these verses I share with you today will serve as the light of hope that you need.

“When the Lord Saves You from Death

1 I love you, Lord! You answered my prayers.
2 You paid attention to me, and so I will pray to you as long as I live.
3 Death attacked from all sides, and I was captured by its painful chains. But when I was really hurting, 4 I prayed and said, “Lord, please don’t let me die!”

5 You are kind, Lord, so good and merciful. 6 You protect ordinary people, and when I was helpless, you saved me 7 and treated me so kindly that I don’t need to worry anymore.

8 You, Lord, have saved my life from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. 9 Now I will walk at your side in this land of the living. 10 I was faithful to you when I was suffering, 11 though in my confusion I said, ‘I can’t trust anyone!’

12 What must I give you, Lord, for being so good to me? 13 I will pour out an offering of wine to you, and I will pray in your name because you have saved me. 14 I will keep my promise to you when your people meet. 15 You are deeply concerned when one of your loyal people
faces death.

16 I worship you, Lord, just as my mother did, and you have rescued me from the chains of death. 17 I will offer you a sacrifice to show how grateful I am, and I will pray. 18 I will keep my promise to you when your people 19 gather at your temple in Jerusalem. Shout praises to the Lord!” Psalm 116 CEV

Jesus knows how dark moments and situations can overwhelm us. He ministered to people in their darkest hours.

“Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, ‘I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12 CEV

Join with me and the writer of this psalm and shout a praise to the Lord for being your light in the darkness.

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Why Worry

Let me tell you about my morning.

I heard the coffeemaker beep that it was done; I was still in bed. I got up and came to the living room as is my custom, was going to pour a cup of coffee and have my prayer time. Instead, I laid down on the couch for a while longer – prayed and dozed off.

Now it’s over an hour later and I got up, grabbed my first cup of coffee and had a little twinge of guilt over resting so long. A little worried that the blog was getting out so late.

That’s when the Lord gently quieted my heart, and I read what I was intended to share with you. So here are Jesus’ words to all of us today.

“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

27-29 “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”

34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:25-34 MSG

Don’t worry. Don’t get worked up.

Our Father’s got this. Put Him in charge of everything that concerns us. He can handle it. Just look at the wildflowers and the birds – He takes care of them, and He’ll certainly take care of us!

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A Few Days Away

Dave and I are on a short vacation. It seems a little silly to be retired and take a vacation but we do like going on adventures. We spent a day with dear friends, enjoying their fellowship and talking about the many things we have seen the Lord do in both of our marriages and families.

Yesterday afternoon we arrived in one of our favorite Arizona towns, Prescott. As kids, Dave and I both came here nearly every summer for Bible Camp.

It’s one of the most historic places in Arizona since it was the first territorial capitol. Today we’ll spend the day going to museums, sitting in the courthouse square and maybe even do a little shopping.

Doesn’t sound very spiritual does it? Maybe not, but it is completely Scriptural.

“He restores my strength. He leads me on right paths to show that he is good.” Psalm 23:3 ERV

A time of restoring – a time of refreshing.

It’s so great to be able to sit or walk or ride with Dave, making life plans and just laughing together. Our hearts are so filled with gratitude for all the Lord has done for us and in us. We know how blessed we are to have had over 50 years together and still be each other’s best friends and biggest cheerleaders.

Thank you for not grumbling because this morning’s time of sharing is a little late. I slept in.

“When I go to bed, I sleep in peace, because, Lord, you keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8 ERV

Be grateful for each day that the Lord gives you and if He has given you someone to enjoy it with, be doubly grateful.

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be happy today! Psalm 118:24 ERV

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Too Much Hurry

Did you experience any divine interruptions yesterday? Were you able to experience them with a heart of gratitude?

Often times those interruptions leave us feeling that we now need to work longer and harder. That is not God’s intention at all. He is showing us a better way, a way to trust and rest in Him. He wants us to surrender our load and cares over to Him.

There was a time that I felt there just weren’t enough hours in the day. I honestly prayed, “Lord, I would really like to have a couple extra hours in each day”. His answer was loud and clear, “No, if I gave you more hours you would just fill them with more work, you need to rest and trust Me”.

Even good things can be done with the wrong motive. We think that we have to be “doing” things for God so that He will be pleased with us. And that mindset is more destructive to us than the physical labor that we put in.

“Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us…8 But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:6-8 ERV

Before we could do or even had a desire to do anything for God, Christ died for us. His unconditional love made provision for us when we were unable to do anything to save ourselves. And His love is still unconditional toward us once we accept Him as our Saviour.

If we are living a life of “doing” things for God to earn His favor, we don’t understand grace. There is nothing we can do to get God to love us more and there is nothing we can do that would cause God to love us less. His love comes to us by GRACE! Does that mean we just go out and do whatever we want because we know that God will always love us? To coin a phrase from the Apostle Paul, God forbid!

Our lives should reflect the gratitude and love we feel for the great sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf, but it shouldn’t be done trying to earn it. There is nothing that we can do to earn God’s love.

“But God is rich in mercy, and he loved us very much. 5 We were spiritually dead because of all we had done against him. But he gave us new life together with Christ. (You have been saved by God’s grace.) 6 Yes, it is because we are a part of Christ Jesus that God raised us from death and seated us together with him in the heavenly places. 7 God did this so that his kindness to us who belong to Christ Jesus would clearly show for all time to come the amazing richness of his grace.” Ephesians 2:4-7 ERV

Take a break today…stop hurrying through life, stop working to be good enough for God. Our efforts will never accomplish that. Instead take time to rest and enjoy God’s grace and let love flow from your heart to His!

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Sounds of Refreshing

What sounds wake you up in the night? For me it was the sound of distant thunder. About 2 hours ago, it was slightly muffled, and I knew it was far away but there it was. Hopefully, the promise of rain.

All around us there has been rain but here in our little community we’ve had very little. As I listened the thunder seemed to be coming closer and then the patter of rain drops on the roof. At first, I stayed in bed thinking it was but a brief shower. To my pleasant surprise it wasn’t. It’s a gentle shower, not a pelting deluge, that has continued for well over an hour.

I walked out on the patio and just stood there taking it all in. There is something so soothing about the smell of rain in the desert. The dry earth welcoming the moisture; the sage brush, palo verde, mesquite, saguaro and the ocotillo exhale their dryness and welcome the refreshing.

Oh, the refreshing! The welcomed refreshing.

“When your land was thirsty, you sent showers to refresh it.” Psalm 68:9 CEV

“Thirsty deserts will be glad; barren lands will celebrate and blossom with flowers. 2 Deserts will bloom everywhere and sing joyful songs. They will be as majestic as Mount Lebanon, as glorious as Mount Carmel or Sharon Valley. Everyone will see the wonderful splendor of the Lord our God.” Isaiah 35:1-2 CEV

But rain isn’t just for the dry ground or the barren desert. The Lord promises a refreshing for our souls.

“I will bless the thirsty land by sending streams of water; I will bless your descendants by giving them my Spirit. 4 They will spring up like grass or like willow trees near flowing streams.” Isaiah 44:3-4 CEV

“Let’s do our best to know the Lord. His coming is as certain as the morning sun;
he will refresh us like rain renewing the earth in the springtime.” Hosea 6:3 CEV

“The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.” Zephaniah 3:17 CEV

“You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water,
3 and you refresh my life.” Psalm 23:2-3 CEV

There’s only a few light sprinkles falling now but the earth is refreshed. Let me share one more verse of refreshing with you.

“Rain and snow fall from the sky. But they don’t return without watering the earth that produces seeds to plant and grain to eat. 11 That’s how it is with my words. They don’t return to me without doing everything I send them to do.” Isaiah 55:10-11 CEV

God’s word is like the rain that showers the earth bringing new life and refreshing. If you are thirsty, if you are dry, look to God’s word and soak in the rain of His Spirit.

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Complete Peace

Yesterday a part of our praise was given to this song. It’s one of my very favorites. It has ministered to my heart since the first time I heard it. I fell asleep last night and woke this morning with my heart flooded with this song. It’s for you, each and every one of you.

I SPEAK JESUS

I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus

I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Till every dark addiction starts to break
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom
I speak Jesus

Cause Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire

I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety
To every soul held captive by depression
I speak Jesus

Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like the fire

Shout Jesus from the mountains
Jesus in the streets
Jesus in the darkness over every enemy
Jesus for my family
I speak the holy name
Jesus

Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire

I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus

Now, let’s see how this applies to us in our daily lives.

Jesus said: “Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. 29 Follow My teachings and learn from Me. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 NLV

Peter said: “This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected; he has become the cornerstone! 12 Salvation can be found in no one else. Throughout the whole world, no other name has been given among humans through which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12 CEB

“Peter said, ‘I don’t have any money, but I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise up and walk!’” Acts 3:6 CEB

Paul said: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11 CEV

It was in the name of the Lord that Daniel was kept from destruction in the lions’ den. It was His trust in the Father’s protection that allowed Jesus to sleep during a storm that was swamping their boat. It was faith in the name of Jesus that caused the crippled man to walk and blind eyes to open.

It is the power in the name of Jesus that brings forgiveness and salvation to all who believe; peace that bypasses our understanding and rest to the weary.

“I just want to speak the name of Jesus Over every heart and every mind Cause I know there is peace within Your presence I speak Jesus”. Complete Peace!

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The Night’s Watch

Dave and I watch a couple of YouTube channels where the people are fulltime sailing families. They have different size sailing vessels, different ages of their children and sail in different waters but some things are the same.

They all need to provision before long crossings, the care they give their vessels and their Navionics, guidance systems, are all similar. The other thing, that is crucial, are the night watches.

Someone needs to be at the helm making sure they stay on course. They watch the weather for unexpected storms and the keep watch on the radar for ships that may be approaching. If the pass too closely it could cause problems for both vessels and it could mean there is danger of piracy.

Night watch is an important part of their safety.

The same holds true for us as Christians. The night watch is an important part of our safety.

Last night I felt I was on night-watch. Awake at 12:30, 2:30 and then finally up at 4:30. Each time I found myself praying over different situations and people I know.

“On my bed I remember You. I think of You through the hours of the night. 7 For You have been my help. And I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings. 8 My soul holds on to You. Your right hand holds me up.” Psalm 63:6-8 NLV

Through the hours of the night – at times when things can seem their worst, the one standing watch can sing for joy, in the shadow of His wings.

Isn’t that what Paul and Silas did after having been beaten? It was in the darkness of night that the Apostle Paul received an encouraging word from the Lord while in a storm at sea. The disciples were adrift in a storm when Jesus came walking on the water and said, “Peace, be still”.

And of course, there were the shepherds watching their flocks by night.

“In the same country there were shepherds in the fields. They were watching their flocks of sheep at night. 9 The angel of the Lord came to them. The shining-greatness of the Lord shone around them. They were very much afraid. 10 The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. See! I bring you good news of great joy which is for all people.'” Luke 2:8-10 NLV

“Don’t be afraid – I have good news”!

Do you feel like your alone on a night watch? Everyone else is able to rest but you’re awake and agitated. Storms are upsetting your boat, things are getting too close for comfort.

Follow King David’s example: remember the Lord, think about His help, and sing for joy! Your night watch will bring you peace.

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