Tag: weary
Keep your focus!
Scripture reading for March 3rd: Numbers 3-5, Hebrews 12
Hebrews 12:1-4 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him Who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”
Holiness is an important character trait of God’s people. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Jesus Christ is the author and perfector of our faith and His example of perfect obedience, even in the face of hostile opposition, helps all believers to run their race here on earth. We must focus on Jesus and run patiently asking God for grace when we stumble or fall. We must guard our hearts against “roots of bitterness” that will spread evil and sin in the body of Christ. God’s desire is that all believers obtain grace and successfully run their race through enemy opposition and the old sin nature that tries to hinder us. Let’s keep our focus on Jesus all the way to holiness in His presence for eternity!
Hebrews 12:14-15 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; . . “
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfector of my faith. Thank You for Your discipline and grace when I stumble or fall. As You live in me, I am striving for peace with all men and I long for holiness in Your presence forever. Help me to guard against bitterness and anything that would cause defilement in the Church. Jesus Christ is my inspiration and the source of my joy as I run this race with endurance and faith.
Numbers 5:1-3 “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the people of Israel that they put out of the camp everyone who is leprous or has a discharge and everyone who is unclean through contact with the dead. You shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell.”
Rest for our journey!
Scripture reading for January 15th: Matthew 11
Key Scriptures: 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.”
Many religions call for their followers to “work, work, work!” There are rules to keep and rituals to follow in order to please deity. Sometimes followers get tired and weary of all the works and rules and really never know when they have done enough to insure that they please their ‘gods.’
But Jesus did miracles of healing and provision proving who He was and how much God the Father loved people. He only asks His followers to believe on Him and follow. He invites all to come and rest in what He has done for them by paying for their salvation and fully pleasing God the Father by His own complete obedience. He asks His disciples to come to Him and learn about His heart to love and serve by receiving the Holy Spirit. Following Jesus is like rest for weary souls compared to the “work, work, work” of religion. His yoke is easy and His burden was light!
Observation for over-comers: Stay away from the religion of works! Rest in Jesus and learn from His humble and gentle heart of loving service. “My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him.” (Psalm 62:1)
Jesus our Rest!
Scripture reading for January 14th: Matthew 11, Psalm 10:1-8, Proverbs 3:7-10
Jesus centered his early ministry in the region around the Sea of Galilee where there were big crowds of people who gathered to hear Him. Jesus had performed many miracles of healing and deliverance for sick and bound people but many people refused to repent of their sins and believe in Him. Jesus spoke plainly to the crowds about their condition and the coming judgment on their sins if they failed to repent.
“Woe to you Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11:21-24)
Miracles either open a heart to the Lord or harden the heart further when there is no response. They bring knowledge of God’s love and power in a visible form that makes a person more accountable than if they had no personal knowledge. Proud hearts refuse to believe and make excuses for what has happened and bring judgment on themselves in the end. The church of Jesus Christ has been given power to lay hands on the sick and cast out devils as well as to see miracles come from the ministry of the Holy Spirit through His saints. We in the church often feel that this is the answer to all the problems and that great growth would occur if we could just see more miracles. This was not the case with Jesus Christ and His ministry in this part of Israel!
However, for those who will listen and come to Jesus, He promises true rest! “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) Repentance and rest bring true salvation!