Category: Rest

Posted on

Time of Resting

It’s been a wonderful weekend. No agenda, no schedule – just enjoy the beauty we saw and each others company.

I hope you know how to relax. The Lord wants that for you!

“I will always look to you, as you stand beside meand protect me from fear. With all my heart, I will celebrate,and I can safely rest.” Psalm 16:8-9 CEV

Jesus took time to rest and if He needed to it is incumbent that we follow His example.

“My child, use common sense and sound judgment! Always keep them in mind. They will help you to live a long and beautiful life. You will walk safely and never stumble; you will rest without a worry and sleep soundly.” Proverbs 3:21-24 CEV

As we travel home I pray that your day is filled with peace and rest.

This is the day God, our Father, has made. Rejoice, relax and be glad in it.

Posted on

Rolled Away

Some mornings I can’t write fast enough to keep up with what the Lord is pouring into my heart.

My simple prayer each morning is “Lord, what do you want me to share?” Then I sit quietly and wait. This morning my heart began to sing a song, complete with hand motions, from my childhood Sunday School days.

“Rolled away, rolled away, rolled away
Every burden on my heart rolled away
Rolled away, rolled away, rolled away
Every burden on my heart rolled away
All my sin had to go, ‘Neath the crimson flow..
Rolled away, rolled away, rolled away
Every burden on my heart rolled away”

This was followed by three thoughts from Scripture. I’ll share each one as briefly as I can and hope you will let the Holy Spirit reveal to you what stones the Father has rolled away for you.

Let’s go to John 11 first. This is where we find the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. He was Jesus’ close friend, he had been dead and buried when Jesus arrived.

Jesus wept. And after He wept, He prayed and took authority over the situation.

“ Jesus then said, ‘I am the one who raises the dead to life! Everyone who has faith in me will live, even if they die. 26 And everyone who lives because of faith in me will never really die. Do you believe this?’

27 ‘Yes, Lord!’ she replied. ‘I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God. You are the one we hoped would come into the world.’” John 11:24-27 CEV

When we believe in Christ we are no longer dead but we have new life; we are born again.

“Then he told the people to roll the stone away. But Martha said, “Lord, you know that Lazarus has been dead four days, and there will be a bad smell.”

40 Jesus replied, “Didn’t I tell you that if you had faith, you would see the glory of God?”

41 After the stone had been rolled aside, Jesus looked up toward heaven and prayed, “Father, I thank you for answering my prayer. 42 I know that you always answer my prayers. But I said this, so the people here would believe you sent me.” John 11:39-42 CEV

Roll away the stone – they did – He prayed and Lazarus came out of the tomb.

“His hands and feet were wrapped with strips of burial cloth, and a cloth covered his face. Jesus then told the people, “Untie him and let him go.” verse 44

Lazarus was wrapped up in grave clothes. He was tied up in his past, in death but the command of God was more than enough to speak new life into his being. Jesus set him free from the past and gave him an eternal relationship. No longer to be bound to sin and the distresses of this life.

Now quickly, let’s go to John 20. We are at another tomb, this one was for Jesus.

“ He bent over and saw the strips of linen cloth lying inside the tomb, but he did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter got there, he went into the tomb and saw the strips of cloth. 7 He also saw the piece of cloth that had been used to cover Jesus’ face. It was rolled up and in a place by itself.” John 20:5-7 CEV

This time God rolled away the stone. This time no one needed to untie the man from the grave clothes. This time the man in the tomb, Jesus, walked out in victory. Death had no hold on him! Jesus had come out of the grave with the keys of life for all who believe.

“Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on. ” I Peter 1:3 CEV

Now, let’s go back to that children’s chorus. “Rolled away, rolled away, rolled away
Every burden on my heart rolled away”. The stone of our tomb has been rolled away and Jesus has called us out to a new life. A life not bound by grave clothes – no, Jesus had us leave them in the tomb, rolled up and laying there.

We have had our sins rolled away and we now live in newness of life!

Posted on

Refreshed – The Good Part

You all know how much I love to sit in the morning quiet and spend time with the Father. This morning is no different than the others. But I am finding such a refreshing for my soul.

We had a wonderful 4th weekend. It was filled with friends. We laughed, we talked, we ate, we had some business to take care of, and we just enjoyed the contact with family.

As I came to my morning quiet time today, I am finding the Father here to restore my soul. I’m feeling refreshed, encouraged and energized!

“Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing. 2 He has me lie down in grassy pastures, he leads me by quiet water, 3 he restores my inner person. He guides me in right paths for the sake of his own name.” Psalm 23:1-3 CJB Complete Jewish Bible.

I feel so blessed to know that the Father knows what I need when I need it!

He loved spending time with His friends and ministering to the needs of those who followed Him. Jesus also knew the importance of pulling away and spending time with the Father. It was in those times that He was refreshed.

I think that’s why He told Martha that she was “cumbered about with much serving”. Jesus made himself a servant to all so He knew the responsibility of meeting the needs of others. And like Mary, He knew when it was time to “Choose the good part” and listen to the Father.

“While Jesus and his followers were traveling, he went into a town, and a woman named Martha let him stay at her house. 39 She had a sister named Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him teach. 40 But her sister Martha was busy doing all the work that had to be done. Martha went in and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are getting worried and upset about too many things. 42 Only one thing is important. Mary has made the right choice, and it will never be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 ERV

It seems all too often we get caught up doing too many things and we get upset and anxious, we lose our joy. BUT GOD, wants us to focus on the “one thing” that will restore our soul and bring us peace. He wants us to follow Him to green pastures and feed on His word.

Thank you Father for restoring and refreshing. Thank you for friends and family who fill my home with so much love. Thank you for reminding me to choose the good part!

Posted on

Noises that Go Boom!

Last night was a night of very little sleep. Right before bed, I read a “Breaking Now” news story. Two firefighters were killed, and one was wounded by a sniper! This was in a town we used to call home, Couer d’Alene, Idaho.

I wondered if we knew these men and/or their families. I prayed for them, their families, the other first responders, and the community. It was hard to sleep and when I awaken at 1 p.m. I was prompted to pray more. I ask you to pray for that city and all involved today.

With that being said, this morning I recycled a blog from 8 or 9 years ago. It’s one on driving out the loud noise of fear…

“I was reminded of this experience that I had several years back while we were in Iowa watching the fireworks. It was a nice display – I had a perfect spot from the porch of our RV. But Glory, our Australian Shepherd, was not getting the same enjoyment I was.

As long as she sat in my lap and I was patting her, she was ok. She didn’t realize that there was nothing to harm her and that soon, very soon, it would all be over. Her perspective was skewed but she knew she would be ok because I would protect her.

It made me think of how unfounded my fears have been. Most things are only loud noises when put in perspective with God’s word and His goodness, grace, mercy and power (the true light). In a few short days I will be celebrating my 64th birthday. (Now to be 72.) The years have flown by, and I feel the best is still ahead – the best years with my husband, my children, my friends, and my God!

There’s an old song – The Longer I Serve Him the Sweeter He Grows! Yes, I can say God is always faithful! Always!

Me, on the other hand, I can use some work. So many times, I thought I knew best and had the perfect plan. I got out into a place of loud booming noises that frightened me. I was sure I would be destroyed. I would come back and cuddle in close and I would feel God’s reassuring hand and hear His voice telling me it would be ok, “I’m here”. And yes, it was soon over, and it was ok.

Moses was giving instruction to the Israelites and to Joshua right before they crossed over the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Moses told them that he would not be going with them; he had led them for 40 years and now it was time for someone new to take charge. They were to follow Joshua.

“ Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 30:6-8 KJV

Be of “Good” courage.

Good courage is God based, and it will drive out fear. John wrote in I John 4 that perfect love casts out fear.

When we are secure in God’s love for us, knowing that He will never leave us or abandon us, we will be strong with “good” courage even in the face of fierce battles and opponents that are big as giants.

Look at what Moses says in verse 8; He WILL be with thee, He WILL NOT fail or forsake thee, fear NOT!

I don’t know what loud noises you are facing today but when you are letting the Lord lead you can have “good courage”, and you’ll hear His voice telling you He’s there and you can trust Him to protect.

Let the light in your eyes be the light of His glorious presence and then there will be no reason to fear!

Posted on

A Burning Candle

Good Morning. It’s Monday. Are you ready to start a new week?

We’ve all heard the expression “burning the candle at both ends”. This is not a healthy situation. Working all day, rushing home to complete unfinished projects, grabbing a bite to eat, out the door for another activity in your appointment book. This is not how God intended for us to live.

I want to speak to you this morning on rest, re-charging, re-energizing. We all get busy and tend to burn the candle at both ends but what do we do to rest?

Do we veg out and watch TV or maybe relax with a yoga class or have a glass of wine? Maybe we think that resting is going to bed earlier and getting more sleep – whatever you think will bring rest, does it really?

Let me add to you what God’s word has to say.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 KJV “

Waiting on the Lord – waiting on God will renew our strength. It will give us rest. Jesus was a prime example of this. He would minister all day and night and then he would send the disciples away and He would go to a place to pray – He would wait on the Father. After leaving these places of waiting, Jesus would go about ministering to folks, rested and renewed.

“Jesus healed many of those who had different kinds of sicknesses. He also forced many demons out of people. But he would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was.

35 The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where he could be alone and pray. 36 Later, Simon and his friends went to look for Jesus. 37 They found him and said, “Everyone is looking for you!”

38 Jesus answered, “We should go to another place. We can go to other towns around here, and I can tell God’s message to those people too. That is why I came.” Mark 1:34-38 ERV

Resting is not something to be ashamed of. Afterall, God rested on the seventh day. If there was anyone who didn’t require rest, it was God. He rested to be an example to us. He knew we would have a tendency to overdo.

“Rest in the Lord and be willing to wait for Him. Do not trouble yourself when all goes well with the one who carries out his sinful plans. 8 Stop being angry. Turn away from fighting. Do not trouble yourself. It leads only to wrong-doing.” Psalm 37:7-8 NLV

We are instructed to be light to the world. We’re no earthly good if we burn out!

If you are feeling tired today – worn out, exhausted, take time to WAIT on the Lord. He will renew your strength!!

Posted on

The Sound of Silence

A bit hard to wake up this morning, so I sit here quietly sipping my coffee and praising my Lord for the many loving ways He reminds me of His presence.

The silence is a wonderful reminder of His love; no sirens, no bombs, no screaming, no storms (internal or external). The occasional clang of the wind chime as it moves to a gentle, soft breeze is the only sound this morning and the cooing of the dove.

My heart is still and listening. It’s at times like these that I am again reminded to…

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.” Psalm 46:10-11 NJKV

What will this day have in store? That I don’t know. However, I do know that I choose to exalt the Lord God – He is with me!

Posted on

Living Water

Years ago, we lived in the panhandle of Idaho. We had one particular summer that was very dry. The catch ponds were drying up and the springs were only a trickle.

One afternoon the dogs put us on alert and when we looked out our windows, this is what we saw. A cow moose and her twins had wandered into our yard in search of water. Our sprinklers were running, and they provided the much-needed water. After they drank their fill, they rested in the shade of the tall pines. At first, she was very cautious, looking about after every sip and then as her calves rested quietly, she found rest herself.

Are you thirsty for God? Thirsty enough to “search” outside your comfort zone? To be willing to leave the familiar way of doing things and to find the answers you need in God’s word?

God asked Abraham to leave his family and his homeland. Ruth left all and followed after Naomi to a new land where God blessed her with a husband and a child that put her in the line of descendants of Christ. Peter left his fishing nets to follow Christ. Paul gave up his prestige as a Pharisee to seek Jesus and His word.

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:1-2

When we seek God, we will find Him and we will find that He gives us so much more than we ever dreamed possible.

“Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me. 14 I will let you find me.” This message is from the LORD.” Jeremiah 29:12-13

Jesus ministered to a multitude at the temple during the Festival of Tents. The religious leaders were so bothered by His teaching that they sent the temple police to arrest Him.

” On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, “If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! 38  Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.” 39 Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone that had faith in him. The Spirit had not yet been given to anyone, since Jesus had not yet been given his full glory.” John 7:37-39 CEV

God has been misrepresented for years. Everything from “God’s going to get you for that” or that He will send lightning bolts from heaven, you better watch out.

God is loving, kind and gracious and when we seek Him we will find that to be true. He put all of our punishment and judgement on Jesus so that we could have a wonderful relationship with Him.

“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people.” II Corinthians 5:17-19.

Someone needs to know today that God isn’t mad at you!

He loves you and if you seek Him, you will find Him waiting with arms of love open wide. Seek for Him like that momma moose sought out the life-giving water – you will find all you need in Him.

Posted on

Stuck in a Pit

Our thoughts this morning come from Psalm 40. As I was reading it the words jumped off the page.

“I called to the Lord, and he heard me. He heard my cries. 2 He lifted me out of the grave. He lifted me from that muddy place. He picked me up, put me on solid ground, and kept my feet from slipping. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see what he did and worship him. They will put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3 ERV

He lifted me from a muddy pit and put me on solid ground!

I don’t know if you’ve ever been stuck, I mean really, really stuck. There’s almost a sense of hopelessness and despair. When will help come – will I ever be rescued?

That’s the desperation in the heart of David as he wrote this Psalm. I called and He heard me and He lifted me out and put my feet on solid ground and kept me from slipping!

We were stuck in a snowdrift once on the side of a mountain. We were in our Excursion, we had gone out to cut a Christmas tree. We started to back down a side road so we could turn around and we were stuck. Even with four-wheel drive we would make twelve inches of progress and slide back six inches. It was scary and both physically and emotionally exhausting. We were sliding closer and closer to the edge of the mountain.

When I read those words “kept my feet from slipping”, I can relate. Even now as I am relating this to you my heartbeat has increased, and my breathing has gotten deeper. And I just exhaled a big sigh of relief.

My example is of being physically stuck but there have also been times when I was emotionally stuck. Desperate and depressed. The Lord’s loving-kindness pulled me out of those times too. He reassured me that no matter what I would face in life I would never be alone. He would walk through every step with me and He would rescue me when I slipped.

“So I said, ‘Here I am, ready to do what was written about me in the book. 8 My God, I am happy to do whatever you want. I never stop thinking about your teachings.’ 9 I told the good news of victory to the people in the great assembly. And, Lord, you know that I will never stop telling that good news. 10 I told about the good things you did. I did not hide these things in my heart. I spoke of how you can be trusted to save us. I did not hide your love and loyalty from those in the great assembly. 11 Lord, do not hide your mercy from me. Let your love and loyalty always protect me. ” Psalm 40:6-11 ERV

This is the reason I share with you every morning. “I told about the good things You did”! If the Lord could reach me with His love and mercy, and He did, He can and will reach out to each one of you!

Our heavenly Father doesn’t want us stuck in a pit. He is willing to lift us up and set our feet in a place where we won’t slip! Amen.

(read all of Psalm 40 – you’ll be blessed)

Posted on

Good Full Life

My mind drifted this morning, gently drifted. My first thoughts were of the Father’s loving protection through the night. Thankful for peaceful sleep. And as I sat quietly, in my chair, I imagined the green pastures and still waters that our Good Shepherd leads us too.

I am there. One of His many sheep, finding rest and comfort under the Shepherd’s supervision. As I look around the pasture I see familiar faces; you too have come to find rest from life’s weariness and distractions.

Don’t be in a hurry. Rest, be restored. Be still and know that the Lord God Almighty has brought you here to rest.

I love the way the Bible intertwines its teachings. David said the Lord is my shepherd and hundreds of years later the Lord said I am the Good Shepherd.

“I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.

10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully. 11  I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.” John 10:9-11 CEV

Life to the fullest!

That’s impossible to do without Christ. That’s why He came.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 ERV

This verse was spoken by Jesus. He was teaching that some would come who didn’t care for the sheep at all. Some would come with a motive of self-interest and would come to steal, kill and destroy.

But, Jesus said he came to give us life and life to the fullest. Jesus was so committed to us having life in Him that He was willing to give up His life for us.

Look at this Old Testament verse:

“But he was being punished for what we did. He was crushed because of our guilt. He took the punishment we deserved, and this brought us peace. We were healed because of his pain. 6 We had all wandered away like sheep. We had gone our own way. And yet the Lord put all our guilt on him.

7 He was treated badly, but he never protested. He said nothing, like a lamb being led away to be killed. He was like a sheep that makes no sound as its wool is being cut off. He never opened his mouth to defend himself. 8 He was taken away by force and judged unfairly. The people of his time did not even notice that he was killed. But he was put to death for the sins of his people.” Isaiah 53:5-8 ERV

The Shepherd died to give life to His sheep.

He died to provide forgiveness of sin; He was beaten to bring us healing; He took on our mental anguish to bring us peace. He never opened His mouth to defend Himself. He died so we could live!

We are only a few weeks away from celebrating Easter, resurrection Sunday but before we could rejoice in the resurrection, we have to recognize the crucifixion. We have to see the Shepherd die; an innocent Savior dying for our sins.

Look what He took to the cross. Are we living with guilt, worry, addiction, illness, sin? Have we let the enemy steal and destroy?

Today, hear the words of the Good Shepherd. I am come to give you life; life to the full, life forevermore!

Posted on

Why Not?

It’s been a particularly interesting week, and it’s only Wednesday. Here we are at the end of February, two months of this year have passed. Sometimes the idea of quitting, whatever it is that you’re doing, seems tempting.

Why not?

I was talking to the Lord about that very thing this morning. Do you want to know what He said?

“…those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” Galatians 6:8-10 NLT

Don’t give up! Keep doing good – there’s a time of harvest coming.

I remember the days when we were farming alfalfa. Here in Arizona we got about 10 cuttings of alfalfa a year. That’s a lot of hay and all the baling needed to be done at night when the air was cooler and we had the right amount of moisture.

Toward the end of summer I would be so tired, I just wanted to get one full night’s sleep. Dave did too. But there was no time…there was the irrigating, swathing, raking, baling and repeat.

I found it very reassuring that the Lord knew about farming. “At just the right time we will reap a harvest”. So sure enough, we’d keep going and then we would see the harvest.

We learned to lean into God in our weariest of days.

“Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31 NLT

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 NLT

The Lord invites us to rest. In fact, He commands it. It is one of the Ten Commandments.

“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the Lord’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live.” Leviticus 23:3 NLT

We’re more productive when we rest. We’re healthier when we rest. I’m going to circle back to Psalm 23. We have been looking at it all month and it’s an appropriate Scripture for today’s blog as well.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength…” Psalm 23:1-3 NLT

Maybe you feel like you’ve been in a battle or maybe it just seems like you’ve been farming night and day. The battle, or the work, might be physical, financial, relational and you need a rest. We all do.

Even Jesus would separate Himself from the crowds and the work of ministry to go to a solitary place and pray. He would find those green pastures in time spent with His Father in prayer.

Follow Jesus’ advice. Come to me all who are weary and find rest.

Come rest but don’t quit!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress