In Christ - I am promised rest

I am promised "rest"...

Exodus 33:14  The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 

Matthew 11:28-30  "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."  

Hebrews 4:9,10 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

June 20, 2012

When Worry Makes Me Weary

Renee Swope

“As we drove home from a weekend in the mountains, I felt a heavy sense of dread and sadness. Laying my head back on my seat, I told my husband, J.J., "I don't want to go home."

“After talking through my reasons with him, I realized the stress and strain of countless commitments - at home and work - were taking a toll on me. I just wanted to go back to the mountains where I could rest.

“J.J. encouraged me to make a list of everything on my plate and ask God what I needed to cut back. At first I resented his suggestion. It felt like he'd just added one more thing I "needed to do." Yet I knew J.J. was right and eventually I made the list.

“Then I asked God to show me where to make changes. Much to my surprise the changes I sensed Him leading me to make weren't in my schedule - they were in me.

God didn't show me I needed to cut back at work or in ministry. He didn't show me our kids were in too many activities. He didn't lead me to take a sabbatical, although I was kind of hoping He would.

“Instead, I sensed it was worry - not my workload - that was making me weary.

I thought about the months leading up to this point and realized I'd spent almost as much time thinking and worrying about deadlines as I spent working on them. Some days my concerns about commitments and meeting people's expectations had consumed me.

“I had let my mind dwell on the possible outcome of several different decisions - all at the same time - and it left me depleted mentally, emotionally and physically.

“Honestly though, until I stopped and talked to God about it, I didn't recognize my mental mayhem as worry.

“My mind is wired to think a lot so I'd gotten used to the constant flurry of motion in my brain. Yet anxiety had crept in slowly, causing tangles in my thoughts, a tightening in my chest, and tension in my neck. Some days I couldn't stop thinking about ALL I needed to do.

“Instead of going back to the mountains to rest, I sensed God wanted me to find a resting place in His presence right in the middle of my busy life. Through today's key verse from Matthew 11:28, He invited me to come to Him with the worries that were making me weary.

“Do you sense Him inviting you to come to Him today?

“He promises a place to quiet your thoughts in His presence. "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" (Ps. 91:1-2 NIV)

“He offers freedom from the captivity of your concerns when you bring them to Him: "'Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. And I will lead you back from captivity.'" (Jeremiah 29:13-14 NIV)

“Today, instead of letting our worries make us weary, let's respond to God's invitation and come to Him - asking, seeking and finding a resting place for our restless thoughts.

“Dear Lord, when my concerns consume me, help me remember You are there inviting me to come to You and talk about all I'm thinking and doing. Show me if my workload or my worries are making me weary and help me trust You with both. In Jesus' Name, Amen.”

I think THIS is the “Sabbath rest” that the writer of Hebrews is talking about – a rest that transcends a day of the week – and becomes a mind-set that is so focused on the Lord that we are able to cease our restless minds.  It doesn’t come naturally – or easily.  Change is always difficult – and always requires effort – and always takes time to become a new “habit.”  If the Lord is impressing on you the need to make this change – to let Him take your cares and concerns – I pray that you will listen.  I have to admit that there are times when I’M so busy rushing around – doing what I think needs to be done – that I miss out on that rest.  It’s often only when I’m totally worn out that I remember where I should be instead of where I am – in the center of GOD’S will, resting in HIM.  SO – if you’re weary, take time right now to sit quietly with Him.  Then make the changes you need to make so that you can do that every day – no matter what else needs to be done, time with God is always more important – and more beneficial!  Sharon

In Christ - I am created in the image of God by Him

I am created in the image of God by Him...

Genesis 1:26,27  Then God said, "Let us make man in Our image, in Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Psalms 119:73 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn Your commands. 

Psalms 139:13-16 For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,  Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.

September 15, 2010

Defined By God

Shari Braendel

"The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord."  Psalm 45:11 (NIV)

Devotion:

“One word. Flabbergasted.

“That was the emotion I had coursing through my body as I sat at the coffee shop discussing my weight issues with a friend.

“I told her I had recently cut out certain foods from my diet, but was continuing to maintain my "happy weight," that number the scale just seems extremely happy to faithfully report whether I have eaten healthy and exercised that week or not. We had a good laugh as she described how sometimes she locks her scale away so she's not tempted to jump on it every day just to find out if she's still her same "happy" self.

“As a result of this conversation I realized that if I am not careful I can easily allow the scale, or the mirror, to become a compass that shifts my focus and points me in the wrong direction. It seems illogical, yet at times I look to this digital device, or this earthly reflection to gauge my emotional status and essentially define me.

“The Bible tells us that the God of the universe is enthralled with our beauty. Seriously? Yes, indeed! He thinks we are amazing and wonderful. Unfortunately, more often than not, we look in the mirror and only see our flaws; hair that's just a mite too frizzy; a tummy that's a bit too fluffy; and thighs that have a few too many dimples on them. My friend Renee likes to call her cellulite ‘the fingerprints of God.’ One time I shared that with a group of women, and one of them said, ‘Well then He must have REALLY big hands!’

“So, what would life look like if we accepted God workmanship? Can you imagine how different we would feel about ourselves if we glanced in the mirror and told God ‘thank You for making me so wonderfully’? If you listen closely, I bet you would hear Him respond, ‘All beautiful, you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you’ (Song of Solomon 4:7, NIV).

“No matter your size or shape, the number on your clothes tag or your scale, you are beautiful! Let's embrace that we are fine just the way we are because if God says so, then it's true!

“Dear God, thank You for making me the way I am. Please help me to have more confidence. I will practice defining myself through Your eyes and not my own. I am grateful, and humbled to be Your beautiful daughter, and I can feel Your approving gaze upon me. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

This could not have been a more perfect time to be reminded of this myself.  My clothes are fitting just a bit snug – and I know I’ve put on some of the weight I lost two years ago.  The enemy would just LOVE to keep me fixated on that “failure” – but I KNOW the truth, and the truth is that my value has NOTHING to do with how my clothes fit – or a number on a scale.  My value – my worth – is ALL about who I am “in Christ” – and NO ONE – especially not the enemy of my soul – is going to steal that truth away from me! Now way – no how!  This hasn’t always been true – sadly, for too many years of my life I let the mirror tell me what I was worth – to the point where I didn’t want to look in a mirror – ever.  I’m SO glad God got me over that – and He can get YOU over that, too!  Emerse yourself in the Word – let the truth of who you are “in Him” define you – NOT how you feel – how much you weigh – or any other measure that the world would use to stamp their value on you!  Don’t let them hang a bargain basement tag on your soul, sweet Believer!  You are HIS – and HE’S in LOVE with YOU!  Just the way you are!  Hallelujah!  Sharon

In Christ - I am a Friend of God

"You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me." John 15:14, 15

Joni and Friends Daily Devotional

November 18, 2010

“I love the way that Jesus was such close friends with John. Their friendship was intimate and powerful, close and sweet. While on earth, they were inseparable. John was the only man who stayed by the cross.

“I also love the way that Jesus was such close friends with Mary, sister of Martha. He deferred to her. Lavished accolades on her. He even memorialized her when she wiped His feet with her tears.

“When I look at these warm and intimate friendships, my heart fills with praise that Jesus was... a man. A man of flesh-and-blood reality. His heart felt the sting of sympathy. His eyes glowed with tenderness. His arms embraced. His lips smiled. His hands touched. Jesus was male!

“Jesus invited us to relate to Him as the Son of Man. And because He is fully man, we can relate to Jesus with affection and love. It would be hard to trust God if He were only Prime Mover, First Cause, or Source of All with no respect to gender. It would be impossible to love a Lord who is only some vague, hazy theological concept.

“The essence of Christianity is knowing Jesus Christ the Lord as Priest and King, Head and Husband, Shepherd and Life-giver. He is the cornerstone of the church; that is, His body and bride and building. Knowing the Son of Man in all these respects has a relational and affectional dimension - yes, we can love God, and yes, we can love a Man.

“Thank You that, as the Son of Man, You understand every human passion, You feel every hurt, and You sympathize with every tear. O, Jesus, may Your favor of friendship rest upon me.”

Friends are so important in our lives, aren’t they?  Knowing that someone else “has your back” – or that you have someone you can turn to with ANYTHING makes it easier to face the difficulties and challenges of life.  Choosing friends can be a challenge for some of us – we’ve been hurt – we’ve been betrayed – we’ve been the subject of gossip amongst the very people we would call “friend.”  It hurts – and our natural tendency is to withdraw and put up a protective barrier between ourselves and anyone else who might hurt us.  The sad thing, though, when we do this is that we rob ourselves of experiencing the wonderful benefits of connecting with someone else!  And – it can keep us from connecting with our very BEST Friend – Jesus!  When we project onto Him our fears about getting too close, we miss out on the sweet communion that is ours “in Him.”  All we’re left with then is religion - and a cold, empty feeling in our heart.  If you’ve put up that wall, my prayer for you is that you’ll take steps towards the One who will NEVER hurt you – the One who died for you – the One who is longing to be in an intimate relationship with you – the One who is your Forever Friend!  Sharon

In Christ - I am Jesus' Little Lamb

John 10:7-16 Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Psalm 79:13 So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, Will give You thanks forever; We will show forth Your praise to all generations.

Psalms 100:3 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

A New Kind of Hero
by Max Lucado

I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep as the Father knows me. ~ John 10:14-15

“BEHOLD A HERO of the west: the cowboy.

“A thousand head of cattle pass behind him. A thousand miles of trail lie before him. A thousand women would love to hold him. But none do. None will. He lives to drive cattle, and he drives cattle to live. He is honest in poker and quick with a gun. Hard riding. Slow talking. His best friend is his horse, and his strength is his grit.

“He needs no one. He is a cowboy. The American hero.

“Behold a hero in the Bible: the shepherd.

“On the surface he appears similar to the cowboy. He, too, is rugged. He sleeps where the jackals howl and works where the wolves prowl. Never off duty. Always alert. Like the cowboy, he makes his roof the stars and the pasture his home.  But that is where the similarities end.

“The shepherd loves his sheep. It's not that the cowboy doesn't appreciate the cow; it's just that he doesn't know the animal. He doesn't even want to. Have you ever seen a picture of a cowboy caressing a cow? Have you ever seen a shepherd caring for a sheep? Why the difference?

“Simple. The cowboy leads the cow to slaughter. The shepherd leads the sheep to be shorn. The cowboy wants the meat of the cow. The shepherd wants the wool of the sheep. And so they treat the animals differently.

“The cowboy drives the cattle. The shepherd leads the sheep.

“A herd has a dozen cowboys. A flock has one shepherd.

“The cowboy wrestles, brands, herds, and ropes. The shepherd leads, guides, feeds, and anoints.

“The cowboy knows the name of the trail hands. The shepherd knows the name of the sheep.

“The cowboy whoops and hollers at the cows. The shepherd calls each sheep by name.

“Aren't we glad Christ didn't call Himself the Good Cowboy? But some do perceive God that way. A hard-faced, square-jawed ranch- hand from heaven who drives His church against its will to places it doesn't want to go.

“But that's a wrong image. Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd. The Shepherd who knows His sheep by name and lays down His life for them. The Shepherd who protects, provides, and possesses His sheep. The Bible is replete with this picture of God.

Eighty percent of Jesus' listeners made their living off of the land. Many were shepherds. They lived on the mesa with the sheep. No flock ever grazed without a shepherd, and no shepherd was ever off duty. When sheep wandered, the shepherd found them. When they fell, he carried them. When they were hurt, he healed them.

“Sheep aren't smart. They tend to wander into running creeks for water, then their wool grows heavy and they drown. They need a shepherd to lead them to "calm water" (Ps. 23:2). They have no natural defense—no claws, no horns, no fangs. They are helpless. Sheep need a shepherd with a "rod and ... walking stick" (Ps. 23:4) to protect them. They have no sense of direction. They need someone to lead them "on paths that are right" (Ps. 23:3).

“So do we. We, too, tend to be swept away by waters we should have avoided. We have no defense against the evil lion who prowls about seeking who he might devour. We, too, get lost. "We all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way" (Isa. 53:6).

“We need a shepherd. We don't need a cowboy to herd us; we need a shepherd to care for us and to guide us.

“He's not a cowboy, and we aren't cattle. He doesn't brand us, and we're not on the way to the market. He guides, feeds, and anoints. And Word has it that He won't quit until we reach the homeland.”

From A Gentle Thunder Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1995) Max Lucado

Don’t you just love Max Lucado?  He’s got such a way with words – I can almost hear the lambs bleating in the background, and see the Shepherd tending to each need.  SIGH.  That’s how I want to imagine Jesus – intimately involved in my life – leading me personally – tending to me when I’m hurt – carrying me when I just don’t have the strength to go on.  I can have that experience every day – if I let Him into my life moment by moment – or I can do it in my own strength and get overwhelmed.  I’ve done that – too many times – but my Shepherd is SO gracious and SO willing to rescue me (from myself) every time!  I’m learning to listen, and to take His direction and allow Him to lead me beside those still waters.  If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, take a break with the Shepherd – He will refresh you like no other!  Sharon

In Christ - I am the Bride of Christ

I am the Bride of Christ...

Jeremiah  3:14-15"Return, O backsliding children," says the LORD; "for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” 

Revelation 19:7-9 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " 

Joni and Friends Daily Devotional

June 14, 2010

Show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.  Song of Songs 2:14

“These are words of a God in love. God thinks my soul is beautiful when I praise Him! It makes me want to praise Him in word and with singing all the more. "Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful... Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful" (Ps. 33:1; 147:1 NKJ).

“Little wonder I can hardly wait to see His face. Like any bride-in-waiting, I find it hard to rest comfortably in a relationship when I cannot see the face of the one I adore. When it comes to brides and bridegrooms, full intimacy comes between a man and woman face-to-face. And when the Bible speaks of longing for God, it speaks in terms of wanting to see His face. The psalmist pleads with God, "Make your face shine upon us" (Ps. 80:3) and "Do not hide your face from me" (Ps. 27:9). Ultimately, "In righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness" (Ps. 17:15). To hold the gaze of God is to find love, acceptance, and satisfaction.

“Our longing to see the face of God is a longing, whether we know it or not, to see our sins exposed and to be cleansed. This is what brides-in-waiting do: "His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear" (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)" (Rev. 19:7-8). Your wedding gift to your Savior is your earthly obedience, the evidence of your love. Dressed in righteousness, you will see the face of God! Make your praise beautiful today -- He thinks it's lovely!”

I was a bride once.  Over 30 years ago I stood at the altar with the man I loved and pledged to be his wife until death.  Sadly I didn’t keep my promise, and just two years later I was in a divorce court facing a judge saying that I could no longer stay married to this man – this man who had once been the love of my life.  I came to regret that decision – and offered this man a reconciliation (although I have to admit that my heart wasn’t in it – it was purely a step of faith and obedience).  He wanted nothing to do with me – and who could blame him?

During the two years of wondering WAY off God’s path my heavenly wedding clothes were ruined – they were filthy and I felt absolutely no hope of ever getting them clean again.  For awhile I gave up – and believed the lie of the enemy that it was too late for me, so why not just continue wallowing in the mud? 

Off and on I heard the Savior’s call – He hadn’t walked away from me – He was still calling my name, seeking me out.  When I finally stopped long enough to listen I realized that HE was offering ME a reconciliation!  I COULD be clean again!  I COULD start over!  All He was asking me to do was get out of the muck and mire and start walking towards Him.  I’m ETERNALLY glad that I listened!  With each step towards Jesus, my heavenly wedding clothes became whiter and whiter!  I know that there are still some stains here and there – but I also know that Jesus doesn’t see them!  He sees me as His beautiful, radiant Bride – the love of His life!  As long as I keep my eyes on Him I know I’m going to be OK – MORE than OK!  Sharon

In Christ - I am God's workmanship

I am God's workmanship...

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Daily World by Pastor Jack Graham - January 21, 2010

“Men are often told to “get in touch with their feminine side” in order to be more integrated and sensitive human beings. But what we really need… men and women alike… is to get in touch with our spiritual side! And Simon Peter is a great example.

“When Jesus first encountered Simon Peter, he was rough and unrefined. But in this chunk of human granite the Master Sculptor saw the world-changing potential within him. He saw a great preacher, a writer of Scripture, and the leader of the church!

“Don’t you wonder what Jesus sees in you? He’s looking at you right now, looking beyond the barrenness of a blank canvas or a piece of granite to see the promise… the artistry that His own hand can fashion in your life! Jesus sees what you will do for His kingdom when you yield yourself to His hand…His words…His ways.

“You and I are His workmanship. Jesus is working on us. We may not be there yet. Others may not see our potential, but I assure you, Jesus does!

“You can be like Simon Peter. Trust yourself to the hand of Christ Jesus and let Him reveal the glorious potential of your life transformed by His love.

“JESUS SEES WHAT YOU WILL DO FOR HIS KINGDOM WHEN YOU YIELD YOURSELF TO HIS HAND.”

“BUT – what if I walk away from Him?”  “What if I turn my back and give up on what He’s been creating in my life?  Is it too late for me?”  Those are questions I’ve asked – and I have to tell you with CONFIDENCE that the answer is NO – He hasn’t given up on you and it’s not too late to let Him create something beautiful out of your life!  When I came to this realization – that I could come back to God and He could still use me – it was revolutionary!  It’s one thing to believe a “great sinner” who never knew the Lord could be used by Him – but someone who knew Him – walked with Him – served in His name – that’s another story, right?  WRONG!  When I really “got” that truth it changed everything!  I know that God’s perfect will wasn’t what happened in my life – and I’ll never know what He would have done in creating His masterpiece had I chosen obedience instead of rebellion – but I DO know that what He is creating now is JUST as beautiful and JUST as valuable – and I’m choosing to rest in that! 

In Christ - I am an ambassador for Christ

I am an ambassador for Christ...

II Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 

Daily Word - Jack Graham

August 30, 2011

“If you look back over the history of the United States, whenever the U.S. was in a tense situation with another country, the President would almost always send an ambassador to try and make peace with the other country. Sometimes it would be a close advisor or the Secretary of State, but someone had to go and represent the interests of the country.

“Now, it is absolutely imperative if the President is going to send representatives to Iraq or any other nation of the world, especially when there is a great amount of tension, that he choose the right ambassador. That ambassador must best represent our nation’s interests when it comes to bringing reconciliation between the U.S. and its enemy.

“When the Bible speaks in today’s passage about you and I being ambassadors, it means we carry the authority of God when we seek to bring reconciliation in the world. We’re God’s representatives living in enemy-occupied territory. So Jesus gives you and me the privilege of helping make peace with the world on God’s behalf by sharing the news of what Christ did on the cross.

“We have a tremendous responsibility to represent our President (God) to the world. So as you live your life, remember who you represent and your mission to bring His peace to those who are far from Him.

“THE BIBLE SAYS THAT IN CHRIST, YOU REPRESENT GOD ON EARTH AS HIS AMBASSADOR. SO AS YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE, REMEMBER WHO YOU REPRESENT AND THE WORK YOU SHOULD BE ABOUT!”

Over the years I’ve acquired a wardrobe of pro-life/biblically themed t-shirts, and I wear them often.  Some of them get more reaction than others – and I’m often surprised by comments people make because I’ve forgotten what’s on the back of my shirt.  AND – because I’ve been in ministry for so long, and have spoken at so many churches in the County and met so many people, I’m often approached by someone who’s met me or remembers me from somewhere.  Both scenarios make me think about how I’ve been acting – have I been a good representative for the Lord – or have people seen my flesh in action?  I remember walking into a 7/11 several years ago – it was in a part of town I rarely go to – but I was thirsty and wanted something to drink, so I stopped in and picked up a diet Dr. Pepper.  When I walked up to the cash register, the guy behind the counter greeted me by name.  It was kind of freaky!  I remember thinking at the time that it was a really good thing I wasn’t in there buying beer or cigarettes, hoping no one would recognize me in an out-of-the-way neighborhood store!  I’m really careful, now, about where I go – what I buy – and how I act – because people are watching, and I’m a representative of Jesus!  I want to be sure that I accurately and correctly reflect Him everywhere I go.  That means there are places I can’t go – things I can’t buy – and I have to be mindful and aware of who I’m representing every time I walk out my front door.  Being an “ambassador” – whether it’s for the United States – or the Lord – is a full time responsibility.  It’s every day, all day – not 9-5, Monday – Friday.  Ambassadors are called upon at all hours of the day and night – and they better be prepared to handle whatever situation comes their way.  Something to think about the next time YOU walk out YOUR front door!  Sharon

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