Post by mommadee48 on Jan 30, 2023 12:35:31 GMT -5
OUR DAILY BREAD: READ:(MATTHEW 11;28-30, and PSALM 1).
FINDING REST IN JESUS and A REFRESHING OASIS;
The restless soul is never satisfied with wealth and success. A deceased country music icon could testify to this truth.
Jesus invites all those who have become weary from toiling in sin and its consequences to come to Him personally: "Come to me," He says. When we receive salvation in Jesus, He will take the burdens from us and "give [us] rest" then to learn from Him how to live the abundant life He provides (JOHN 10:10). Taking on the yoke of Jesus' discipleship results in our finding "rest for [our] souls (MATTHEW 11:29).
When we come to Jesus, He doesn't abbreviate our accountability to God. He gives peace to our restless souls by providing us a new and less burdensome way to live in Him. He gives us the words in MATTHEW 11: 28-29 are among the most comforting, in the Gospels. The thought of finding deep, soul-rest in Him is, certainly appealing in our turbulent times. The chapter opens (vv. 1-6) with John the Baptist seeking confirmation that he'd rightly identified Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus affirms John's previous confidence before telling the audience of the unique greatness John had displayed (vv.7-19). This leads into Jesus' offer of rest---perhaps the very kind of rest that John needed as he followed events from prison. Christ's recognition of our personal fragility---even in one as profound as John---seems to be behind His powerful offer of true rest.
Submitting ourselves to His wisdom will keep our foundations embedded in Him; we won't be "like chaff that the wind blows away" (v. 4). When we ponder what God has given to us in the Bible, we gain nourishment that can lead to our bearing fruit that lasts.
Blessed is the one who does not walk in the step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in of the Lord, and who meditates on his law, day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither---whatever they do prosper.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked to destruction.
Psalm 1 introduces the reader to the whole book of Psalms. It sets up the theme of God's instruction ("law" or "torah". v.21), and it anticipates the twofold path before those who read or hear the Psalms: choose faithfulness to God and find life or choose wickedness and find judgment.
When we read the Psalms, we join believers in God throughout the ages in ascribing to Him glory, expressing our trust and doubts, and clinging to His promise that He'll save His people.
PRAY: Jesus, let my restless soul find peace and rest in you alone. You've given me the gift of Your words in the Bible. Help me to treasure them with gratitude and wonder. Thank you, Father Jehovah, Thank you.
NOTE: Let me ask you this: In what ways do you feel weary and burdened right now?
What's it like to experience the promised "rest" Jesus offers?
How does the Bible provide a foundation for the way you live?
Finally, what can help you to meditate on Scripter throughout the day?
These questions are for you; think and ponder about.
God Bless.
A WORD FROM DR. STANLEY: DO YOU CONSIDEER YOURSELF a patient person?
Accepting God's timing is a challenge for most of us at some point---whether in regard to our own life of His plan for others. There's no room for an independent spirit in His kingdom, but if you wait, pray, and obey Him no matter what, you'll be awed by what God does. "Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary" (ISIAH 409;31). Let this be a month of hope as you seek God's direction and blessing. His plans are perfect, and His strength is infinitely greater than yours. I pray you'll start each day by looking to your heavenly Father and trusting in His faithfulness.
FINDING REST IN JESUS and A REFRESHING OASIS;
The restless soul is never satisfied with wealth and success. A deceased country music icon could testify to this truth.
Jesus invites all those who have become weary from toiling in sin and its consequences to come to Him personally: "Come to me," He says. When we receive salvation in Jesus, He will take the burdens from us and "give [us] rest" then to learn from Him how to live the abundant life He provides (JOHN 10:10). Taking on the yoke of Jesus' discipleship results in our finding "rest for [our] souls (MATTHEW 11:29).
When we come to Jesus, He doesn't abbreviate our accountability to God. He gives peace to our restless souls by providing us a new and less burdensome way to live in Him. He gives us the words in MATTHEW 11: 28-29 are among the most comforting, in the Gospels. The thought of finding deep, soul-rest in Him is, certainly appealing in our turbulent times. The chapter opens (vv. 1-6) with John the Baptist seeking confirmation that he'd rightly identified Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus affirms John's previous confidence before telling the audience of the unique greatness John had displayed (vv.7-19). This leads into Jesus' offer of rest---perhaps the very kind of rest that John needed as he followed events from prison. Christ's recognition of our personal fragility---even in one as profound as John---seems to be behind His powerful offer of true rest.
Submitting ourselves to His wisdom will keep our foundations embedded in Him; we won't be "like chaff that the wind blows away" (v. 4). When we ponder what God has given to us in the Bible, we gain nourishment that can lead to our bearing fruit that lasts.
Blessed is the one who does not walk in the step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in of the Lord, and who meditates on his law, day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither---whatever they do prosper.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked to destruction.
Psalm 1 introduces the reader to the whole book of Psalms. It sets up the theme of God's instruction ("law" or "torah". v.21), and it anticipates the twofold path before those who read or hear the Psalms: choose faithfulness to God and find life or choose wickedness and find judgment.
When we read the Psalms, we join believers in God throughout the ages in ascribing to Him glory, expressing our trust and doubts, and clinging to His promise that He'll save His people.
PRAY: Jesus, let my restless soul find peace and rest in you alone. You've given me the gift of Your words in the Bible. Help me to treasure them with gratitude and wonder. Thank you, Father Jehovah, Thank you.
NOTE: Let me ask you this: In what ways do you feel weary and burdened right now?
What's it like to experience the promised "rest" Jesus offers?
How does the Bible provide a foundation for the way you live?
Finally, what can help you to meditate on Scripter throughout the day?
These questions are for you; think and ponder about.
God Bless.
A WORD FROM DR. STANLEY: DO YOU CONSIDEER YOURSELF a patient person?
Accepting God's timing is a challenge for most of us at some point---whether in regard to our own life of His plan for others. There's no room for an independent spirit in His kingdom, but if you wait, pray, and obey Him no matter what, you'll be awed by what God does. "Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary" (ISIAH 409;31). Let this be a month of hope as you seek God's direction and blessing. His plans are perfect, and His strength is infinitely greater than yours. I pray you'll start each day by looking to your heavenly Father and trusting in His faithfulness.