Jesus Gives Rest
Today's Scripture
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest, relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne." - Matthew 11:28-30 AMP
Thoughts for Today
Many pursuits can lead to hurry sickness. Owning a business or pursuing a career. Being involved in ministry. Focusing on a hobby or developing a talent. Volunteering at church or for community service. Caring for an aging parent or a loved one who is ill. The list is endless. All these are good things to do - unless we allow them to overwhelm us and control our lives. Then the busyness can take our focus off God and spending time with Him. Or put us in a constant state of stress, resulting in emotional and physical turmoil. Or interfere with our relationships with family and others we care about. Or all the above.
The causes of busyness may vary. The results may vary. But the answer is always the same: Jesus.
Jesus knows we will have challenges to overcome. He knows we may allow ourselves to get so busy we do harm to ourselves - and even others. He understands . . . but this is not His plan for us. In today's scripture, He invites us to come to Him . . . He will give us rest.
Consider this …
Are you tired of the constant hurry? Do you feel heavy-laden and overburdened? Jesus says, "Come." He will give you rest. He will ease and relieve the stress and refresh you. He promises that by coming to Him, you will find rest, relief, ease, refreshment, recreation, and blessed quiet! If you are willing to do things His way, to follow Him, and to depend on His strength, He will take away the painful pressure and replace it with comfort and pleasantness.
You may feel that you have to do the things you are doing. There is no way out of the stress. But Jesus says there is; through Him. If you are willing to focus on Him first, He will show you the way. He will help you make choices. He will give you the strength to do the things He calls you to do. And He will take away the stress and replace it with peace.
Father, I need your help. I am so busy I don't even have time to think. Jesus, I come to You for rest. Please take away the stress and replace it with Your peace. Please show me what you want me to do . . . and give me the strength to accomplish it. In Your name …
These thoughts were drawn from …Authentic Living in an Artificial World by Dr. Mike Chapman. This 45-minute group study gives understanding about what it means to be real. The facilitator's guide includes reproducible group member study sheets and an audio CD designed to help facilitators prepare for each session. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a study for individuals or couples.
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