Tag: rest
Resisting temptation by God’s Word
Scripture reading for January 4th: Matthew 4, Psalm 4, Prov. 4 (Reading through the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs one chapter a day, five days each week in 2019–please join me in the trek!)
Key Scriptures: Matthew 4:1-4 “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But He answered, “It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.””
Immediately following Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit lead Him to the wilderness where He fasted for forty days and nights. The devil came to Him at the height of His hunger and suggested He prove His divinity by turning stones into bread. Jesus responded with God’s Word: “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word from the mouth of God.” Jesus made a faith confession to defeat the devil’s temptation and the desire of His own flesh for food. We can do the same!
Faith’s confession: I believe that my life is not sustained by bread alone, but I live by every word God has spoken and rest in His grace. I am God’s child! (Action: Break any addiction today by standing on God’s Word and resisting the devil’s temptation.)
Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Thankful for a secure life!
Scripture reading for June 23rd: Psalms 88-92
Key Scriptures: Psalm 91:9-12 “If you make the Most High your dwelling–even the Lord, who is my refuge–then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
The psalmist knew true security was found in those who made the Lord their refuge. God was able and willing to protect His people from all harm and disaster. His angelic forces were on call for those who looked to God to rescue and deliver, even picking us up in their strong arms!
Rejoicing in our Refuge: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. . . .What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all–how will He not also along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:28, 31-32)
God our Rock of rest!
Scripture reading for June 15th: Psalms 61-65
Key Scriptures: Psalm 62:5-8 “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” Selah
David encouraged himself in the Lord. He had healthy self-talk and healthy God-centered worship! We find him confessing rest in God alone in this psalm (vs 1) and then commanding his soul to find rest in God alone! (vs 5) He declared that God was his only hope of salvation and honor and his refuge! He encouraged all peoples to make God their refuge and cast their cares on Him!
Jesus calls us to rest in 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)
Rejoice that God Carries Us!
Scripture reading for February 16th: Numbers 34-36, Deuteronomy 1-2
Key Scriptures: Deuteronomy 1:29-32 “Then I (Moses) said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as He did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until your reached this place. In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God.”
In Deuteronomy, Moses is recounting the history of the Israelites deliverance from Egypt and God’s dealings with them in their unbelief. God had been patient with them, even though most rebelled. This had cost those 20 years old or more to die in the desert, except for Caleb and Joshua. God had led them through the desert experience and carried them to the door of their inheritance!
Rejoice in the victory of Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ, our ‘Joshua’, carries us into our ‘rest’ and promised inheritance! “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.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
The ‘Distinguishing’ Mark!
Scripture reading for January 26th: Exodus 33-36
Key Scriptures: Exodus 33:12, 14-16 “Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me.”. . .”The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to Him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that You are pleased with me and your people unless You go with us? What else will distinguish me and Your people from all the other people on the face of the earth? ”
Moses knew he needed help in leading God’s rebellious people. He asked the Lord for that help and God promised him that His Presence would go with them. Moses told God that he would not go without Him! Nothing else would so mark Moses and God’s people as set apart from all others!
Overflowing joy: God provides His Presence dwelling within each of His people through the Holy Spirit! “And you were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a Seal, the promised Holy Spirit,” (Ephesians 1:13)
Faith’s eternal vision!
Scripture reading for January 16th: Genesis 46-49
Key Scriptures: Genesis 47:29-31 “When the time drew near for Israel (Jacob) to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried.” “I will do as you say,” he said. “Swear to me,” he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on top of his staff.”
Jacob had lived in Egypt for seventeen years and knew that his departure was coming soon. He called Joseph and gave him instructions for the burial of his bones. He wanted to rest in the land of promise with those of faith who had preceded him in death. When this was assured by Joseph, he worshiped his God as he leaned on his staff!
Cause for rejoicing: God gives us vision concerning eternal life, removing the fear of death from our hearts! His promises are sure! “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.” (Hebrews 11:21-22)
A yoke of rest!
Scripture reading for October 8th: Matthew 8-11
“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
This portion of Matthew is one I have preached on often and love to return to on a regular basis. It seems that I have a tendency to love to work and take on lots of projects. It is like I have a subtle need to find my worth in what I do or how much I can do. This is hard to admit and even harder to detect the true motives. I must remember that my work earns me nothing because salvation is all grace!
In the time of Jesus, a rabbi was a master teacher whose disciples were training to be like their teacher. When a student was fully trained, he would be like his teacher and could also become a rabbi himself. (Luke 6:40) It was an honor to follow a rabbi and only the brightest and best were usually asked. However, Jesus the “Rabbi”, went among the common people and called those who appeared to be the unqualified. Jesus looked at the heart and took those who were willing to leave all and follow!
The ‘yoke’ of the rabbi was his authority and his teachings. A disciple would learn to follow the master so closely that it is said that the dust of the rabbi was on their clothes. Jesus asked followers to come under His authority received from His Father. (Matthew 11:27) Sickness departed at His word! (Matthew 8:2-3) Demons in people left at His command! (Matthew 8:28-34) Sins were forgiven and a paralytic healed. (Matthew 9:1-8) A dead girl was raised to life at His word! (Matthew 9:23-25) Blind men received their sight at His touch. (Matthew 9:27-31) At His command, the disciples were sent out and miracles were done through their hands! (Matthew 10:1-8)
Following Jesus requires a complete surrender to Him. His ‘yoke’ of authority is easy and His ‘burden’ light. He has all authority and has given authority to us to do His work! We are promised even greater works because He has gone to the Father! (John 14:12-13) Are you under Jesus Christ and His yoke?
Sunday Message: For the Journey–rest!
Scripture reading for June 24th: Hebrews 3-4, Matthew 11:28-30
Dear Friends,
Today is a day of rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ! God’s people gather on the first day of the week to rest in Him, worship the Father, and rejoice in His goodness! If you need a place to gather, consider Good Shepherd Church at 3031 Bittel Road at 10:30! We would love to have you join us to lift up Jesus Christ!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
Scriptures for Sunday January 22nd!
Scripture reading for Sunday, January 22nd: Matthew 5:1-16, 11:28-30
Meekness is not weakness, but power under control! God’s Son Jesus was meek and humble and yet was the most powerful man who ever lived. He had tremendous self-control and focus on God’s will. Jesus calls us as His disciples to learn from Him how to wield the power He has given us. May God work in us what is pleasing in His sight! In His Love, Pastor John
God Is Faithful!
Scripture reading for March 8th: Joshua 18-21
Some of the reading in today’s passages seems to be boring. It is the details of how Joshua divided the land for the tribes of Israel. Each tribe had fought faithfully and waited patiently for the completion of the long war to conquer the promised land. God gave them each a definite inheritance, chosen by lot. (Joshua 18:10) The inheritance established them in a land of their own with rest from war! Read today with an eye for the distant future and God’s sure promises!
“So the Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” Joshua 21:43-45
The land of Israel belongs to them by divine promise. This is being debated today by nations who are trying to divide the land and make a Palestinian state. God’s promises are true, however, and the land will ultimately belong to them forever. (Deuteronomy 1:8) (Joshua 18:3) God brought Israel back to her land in 1947 and she will ultimately possess this land.
God gives rest to His people. Jesus Christ called to the Jews first to come unto Him for rest for their souls. (Matthew 11:28-30) Sin and guilt are heavy burdens on men. Jesus came to save those who were lost and burdened. The real rest is found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! The best is yet to come!
Just as every enemy of the Israelites was defeated, Jesus has gone before us and defeated our last enemy, death. We are victorious through Jesus Christ! (1st Corinthians 15:54-57) He faced death and took the keys of death and hell from our arch-enemy, Satan! (Revelation 1:18) Jesus is alive forevermore and lives to pray for us until we come home to Father’s house!
Every promise of God is “yes” and “amen” in Christ Jesus, our heavenly Joshua. We will surely get our full inheritance and enjoy His presence forever and ever! Praise the Lord! (2nd Corinthians 1:18-22)