Tag: Sunday rest
Sunday rest and reflection: joy and truth!
Dear Friends,
Wow, only one more day of rest in this year! Where has it gone? What a journey through God’s Word we have enjoyed! Only three more letters and we will finish this year’s trip and prepare for another! Our goal has been to find Jesus speaking to us in each book and letter of God’s word. I am amazed at how each time I sit down to read and write, the Holy Spirit opens up some aspect of the passage for me.
This week we have the short letter of 2nd John as our reading. Here are a few Scriptures that speak to me from this short letter. May they minister to your heart as you rest this day.
“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.” 2nd John 3
“It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love. “ 2nd John 4-6
‘Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.” 2nd John 7
“I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.” 2nd John 12
Have a great day of rest–talk to the Lord face to face and be filled with His joy and peace! In His Love, Pastor John
Sunday rest: Hebrews 5-7
Dear Friends,
Greetings on another day of rest. This is the season of Advent. As we prepare our hearts, we are filled with joy anticipating the coming of Jesus Christ. This time He will come with the hosts of heaven and we who believe in Him will be caught up to meet Him in the air! So shall we ever be with the Lord!
Today’s reading to help us finish on time comes from Hebrews 5-7. Here are a few of my favorite scriptures from this section. I hope that they will speak to you of the character and love of Jesus Christ! May they inspire joy on this day of rest.
“No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to Him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And He says in another place, ” You are a Priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:4-6
“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One Who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and , once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him and was designated by God to be High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:7-10
“God did this so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, Who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a High Priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:18-20
“Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:23-25
May the Lord bless your day of rest and reflection with great joy and peace through Jesus Christ! In His Love, Pastor John
Sunday Rest and reflection: The King Eternal!
Dear Friends,
Greetings on another day of rest! We need to begin a new week with God’s people in worship of our great King! We can rest in His love and celebrate His victory! It is a command of Scripture to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together for regular worship, prayer, and sharing of community. May your day be one of worship, rest and soul refreshing!
Today we must also continue reading if we are to finish our trek through the Bible. The passage for today is Paul’s letter to Timothy. Timothy is a young pastor, mentored by Paul, who was then pastoring the church at Ephesus. Paul wrote to him to encourage him and instruct him in basic pastoral leadership. Here are some of my favorite verses from our reading today.
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:15-17
” I urge then, first of all that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men–the testimony given in its proper time.” 1 Timothy 2:1-5
“Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body; was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” 1st Timothy 3:16
May the Lord bless you and keep you this day and each day this coming week!
In His Love, Pastor John
Sunday rest: Blessed givers!
Dear Friends,
Welcome to another day of rest in Christ Jesus! Because of what He was willing to give to us, we can now rest secure in our salvation and live today in freedom from fear of punishment, guilt or shame! What a blessing to know that! Let’s take time today to reflect on this blessing of Jesus Christ and His gift to us!
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’“ Acts 20:35
This quote from the Lord Jesus is a truth that we can live by. Jesus lived to give His life blood for our salvation. He offered His body as a sacrifice for our sins and willingly laid down His life that we might have life. He always considered the needs of others above His own needs and readily gave His time and effort to meet their needs. He taught us that the blessed life is a life that is willing to give! If we give, we will be taken care of and our own needs will be met. What we sow we will reap!
I was talking to a person today who said that he had given away his electric dryer to someone who needed one because the rental house he moved into already had a dryer. When he recently moved here, he needed a dryer and told his wife that the Lord would meet their needs. After three days here, a person brought a dryer by his house and gave it to them! God blesses givers! The person that gave them the dryer will be blessed, too!
As you rest today, thank God for His generous heart towards you and ask Him to show you how you can bless someone by giving today. We are imitating our Lord when we give and His blessing will rest on us!
In His Love, Pastor John
Sunday rest and reflection: Pentecost and power!
Dearly beloved friends,
Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ! Another week is beginning and God’s people gather in buildings, homes, and small groups to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord! We are so blessed to know Him and love Him! From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, Jesus is being praised around the earth in every country and culture.
However, many still do not know Him. Over half the earth’s 8 plus billion people still have not heard of Jesus Christ. Many are lost in false religions and are entering eternity under God’s wrath. His Church is charged with going and telling every one! To do this Jesus and His Father sent the church the Gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives in each one who is saved and has repented of sin. He wants to fill us with “living water” and power to share that “living water” with the lost of the world.
Many Pentecostals seem caught up with emotional experience of God and speaking in tongues and even the gifts of the Spirit. They go from meeting to meeting craving more of God’s presence and desiring to see miracles. This is all well and good, but misses the mark! God gave the Holy Spirit to equip us to be His witnesses to the lost world. Jesus commanded His disciples to go and He promises us that the signs and miracles will follow us as we are out doing the work of ministry and reaching the lost! We must leave the meeting empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit to reach our lost friends and family.
Listening to God’s directing voice helps us know when to talk and when to be quiet and pray. We must pray in the power of the Holy Spirit for then we pray according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-28) We build ourselves up in our faith as we pray in the Spirit. (Jude 20) No one can come to Christ unless drawn by the Father so we desperately need the Spirit for evangelism. (John 8:44, 16:8-11) The Holy Spirit gives us boldness to speak and act in the face of persecution. God has empowered His Church!
As you attend church this Lord’s day, pray that the place where you meet will be shaken by God! Ask the Lord to fill you again with the Holy Spirit! Go into the week to fulfill God’s command to reach the lost!
In His Love, Pastor John
Sunday Rest: Jesus Lifted Up!
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ! Welcome to another day of rest in His finished work of redemption! It is at the cross that we find our rest with God and can enter into relationship with Him. The cross of Christ draws our attention and draws us Him.
In John 3, Jesus had an encounter with a prominent teacher of the Jews, Nicodemus. He came to Jesus by night to ask Him some questions. Nicodemus recognized that Jesus was a teacher sent from God and noted the miracles that He had done. Jesus told Nicodemus that no one could see the kingdom of God unless they were born again! (John 3:3) Nicodemus had trouble grasping how this might take place. He was thinking about natural birth and growth when Jesus told him about the Spirit bringing the second birth. Nicodemus asked him how this could take place and Jesus answered him with one of the most famous verses in the Bible. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:14-16
Jesus used an incident in the life of Moses where the people were dying from a plague of poisonous snakes. Moses had prayed and God showed him what to do. He was to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole and lift it up in the center of the camp. Any Israelite who was bitten could look at the bronze serpent in faith, believing that God would heal him and receive that healing. (Numbers 21:1-8) Jesus presented Himself as the One Who would be lifted up and all who looked at Him and believed, would be saved from the universal bite of the ancient serpent, Satan.
God’s great love for us motivated Him to send His Son to be lifted up for us! Jesus, Who knew no sin, was made sin for us that we might be saved. All who would believe on Him would be born again by the Holy Spirit. They would receive the gift of God’s heavenly Breath or Wind! What amazing truth comes as we contemplate the lifting up of the Son of Man!
Now God has lifted Him to the highest place! He is risen from the dead and ascended into heaven! He is praying and interceding for us today! We who believe are seated with Him and will enjoy eternal life!
In His Love, Pastor John
Sunday rest and reflection: “He is risen!”
Dear Friends of Jesus,
Greetings again in His Wonderful Name! Jesus Christ is alive! He is risen from the dead! What a glorious theme from the Gospels! That is the best of the good news for all who believe in Jesus. Our Savior is not dead, but is living now and alive forever more.
Matthew recorded this event in the last chapter of his Gospel. At dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. While they were there, a violent earthquake shook the garden where the tomb was. The guards sent by Pilate to guard the body and secure the tomb shook and fell to the ground as dead men! A shining angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled away the stone to reveal an empty tomb.
“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified. He is not here, He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, “He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.” Matthew 28:5-7
Jesus was seen and touched by all the disciples on various occasions over 40 days. He was seen by over 500 people at one time. (1st Corinthians 15:6-8) His resurrection so moved the disciples that they were willing to die, rather than deny Him! His resurrection is celebrated each Sunday by Christians who know and love Him and gather to remember, learn, and prepare for His coming again!
Have a great day of worship, prayer, and preparation with God’s family, the Church! He is risen! He is risen indeed!
In His Love, Pastor John
Sunday rest: Priorities!
Dear friends,
Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, Lord and King!
As I reflect on what God is saying through this time, I feel that He is gently reminding us of our priorities. Haggai, the last minor prophet we looked at this week, delivered a message from God about priorities. (Haggai 1:7-8) People are God’s priority, and He wants us to seek the lost. (Luke 19:10) Building His temple brings Him honor and He delights in each new ‘living stone’ that is added. We must be careful to assess our own lives and even our own church priorities. Are we spending more time on ourselves than on God’s priorities? Does it seem like we have a purse with holes in it? Are our crops ‘short’ because God is wanting to get our attention? Could it be that He is hindering our efforts because our priorities are misplaced?
God’s people listened and obeyed Haggai. (Haggai 1:12) The people feared the Lord and heeded the Word from Him. God then stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, the governor, and he and the people of God began to work again on the house of the Lord! God declared that He would be with them and would bless them as they again worked. This looks like the standard ‘formula’ for revival in action!
“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land or send a plague among My people, if My people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2nd Chronicles 7:13-14
As God’s people, let’s be about the Lord’s business. Let’s seek to humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. He promises forgiveness and blessing! Have a great week of right priorities! Jesus is coming soon! The Glory of this temple will be greater than the former!
In His Love, Pastor John
Sunday rest–Spirit outpouring!
Dear Friends,
Another day of rest begins to remind us of the finished work of our Savior, Jesus Christ! We can truly rest from any effort on our part to try and save ourselves. We can put away religion, sacrifices, penance, and extravagant offerings as possible ways of paying God back or purchasing freedom. The debt of sin is canceled! Simply asking Him in faith for mercy has brought the remedy as a gift! (Romans 6:23) Putting our trust in Jesus Christ is sufficient and it is finished! (Romans 10:9-10) What a blessing!
As I reflect back on this week’s reading, the book of Joel comes easily to mind. We had one day to read this and reflect on it and it is so rich in revelation and truth. God’s desire has been to bless His people and make them a blessing to the entire world. He would do this by living in their midst and placing a covering of His glory over them. He would provide for them and be their source of real food and living water. He would clothe them in the finest of garments and they would reside in the land of milk and honey. He would drive out all of their enemies and His presence would mark them as His chosen people.
However, sin had so devastated mankind and God’s people, that they lived far below their God-given potential. His people lost His glory in their midst and fell into idolatry, under the curse brought on by their sins. The locust plague of Joel’s day was used as a type of the coming ‘day of the Lord’. The remedy for this plague was found in rending of hearts, not clothes. Broken hearts make good vessels for God to pour His Spirit into! The Holy Spirit heals and binds up wounds. He brings the Word of God to our inner man and faith arises to live in victory! Signs and wonders begin to follow the preaching and living of God’s Word. Prophesy flows from the presence of the Holy Spirit. We see the plans and purposes of God and are able to take faith-actions that save us and those around us.
We desperately need an outpouring of God’s Spirit on our church and land! Consider this book of Joel and let the Spirit prompt you to take the proper actions. Ask for an outpouring into hearts prepared by brokenness! God is faithful! In His Love, Pastor John
Sunday rest: “I Will”
Dear friends,
Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd of His sheep! I am sure glad that I am one of His sheep! I want for nothing today because of His bountiful provisions in the green pastures and beside the still waters. I am comforted by His rod and staff protecting and guiding me. He is leading me and I fear no evil because of His watchful care. I can rest and enjoy safe pasture!
As I think back on this week’s reading in Ezekiel, I think about a passage that I wanted to write about but didn’t. Ezekiel 34 was a message to the shepherds of Israel who have been mistreating the flocks. In this passage, God stated that He would remove these shepherds. Then, in a series of “I Will” promises, He stated how He would shepherd the flock that belonged to Him! God would search for His lost sheep! He would rescue them and bring them out of the nations. He would pasture them on the choice mountain fields of Israel. He, Himself, would tend to their wounds and bind them up. He was going to place over them ‘One Shepherd’, from the house of David, Who would truly care for them and He would live among them forever!
What a vision and Word from the Lord! All His promises are “Yes!” and “Amen!”. He has already fulfilled this promise to those who have received Jesus Christ as their Good Shepherd. He’s now about His business of rounding up the lost sheep and bringing them into the fold. He is binding up their wounds and leading them to the green pastures and still waters! Take time on this day of rest to thank your Good Shepherd for His wonderful care. Sit under one of His under shepherds and spend time with His people in worship and adoration, preparing for the glorious fulfilment of these wonderful promises! Jesus is coming soon! In Eager Anticipation, Pastor John