Tag: rest

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study

God Rested

Posted on by

Based on the LGG STUDY, From the Beginning to Forever/w1d1

READ: Genesis 1:1 – 2:3; SOAP: GENESIS 2:1-3

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. 2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.

GENESIS 2:1-3 NET or KJV
God Rested From All His Work

I used to be one of those go, go, go people. Whether playing, shopping, or working, “Don’t stop till you drop” was my motto. However, for the past several years, I have been learning to appreciate the gift of resting from our work. Perhaps it is the aging process and a little less spring in my step/knees, but I also believe/know it has stemmed from the need and growing desire to cease striving. Striving to keep up with others…with expectations of the world, friends, family…with standards…work…home life…neighbors…you name it – keeping up is part of the game in today’s world. Keeping up can be mentally and physically draining.

My online group Journey Through the Word, has just finished a study called, The Meaning and the Method of True Rest, by Michele Morin@Living Out Our Days. In her study, Michele focuses not on the physical rest (though we do need this) but on “soul rest,” as she puts it. She suggests that “If we want to experience true, biblical rest, we have to be intentional about it. We have to make space for it.” (YIKES! – Right?) Thankfully, she warns her readers right up front that the best method of achieving this goal is to trust God “for grace to slaughter our idols of productivity and effectiveness, all the while asking Him for wisdom to know and then to do what’s most important with the energy and ability He provides.”

As God would have it, I was knee deep in “The Meaning and Method of True Rest” when I received my book for this current study, From the Beginning to Forever. You don’t have to know me very well to imagine the smile on my face when I opened day 1 to find the focus passage was about God resting from His work. (His timing and day-to-day involvement never cease to amaze me.) Of course, I was very familiar with the statement of Genesis 2:2 & 3, but as I stated earlier, I was finishing up a study on finding soul rest for myself, so being reminded of God resting from His work made me wonder what it means for God to rest.

Bibleref.com explains it like this: “What does it mean to ‘rest’ from working, for one with the power to create worlds out of nothing with just His command? It is hard to know, but the passage is clear that it was significant to God. Whether for practical, symbolic, or other purposes, we are meant to see this as a meaningful choice on the part of the Creator. This day of rest will become known as the Sabbath, a central point of God’s Law and essential to Israel’s worship of Him. But even now, before sin enters the world, before the Law exists, this day of rest is already meaningful to the Creator.” While we still may not fully understand what it means that “God rested”, verse three goes on to explain that “God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.” He not only rested on the seventh day, but He sets it apart as Holy; or as Bibleref.com goes on to explain, “different from the other six days. Even before sin entered the world, God intended from the very beginning for the seventh day to be a special day dedicated to rest. It is the pattern he set for the world beginning in this verse.”

The More We Know

Order Out of Chaos

While I love the reminder that “God rested from His Work,” I also found myself stopping to soak in and contemplate the refreshing words of Genesis 1:1 -2 …

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2 Now the earth was without shape and empty, (or without form, and void) and darkness was over the surface of the watery deep, but the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

The Hebrew words used here are tōhu and bōhu, translated as “formless” and “void.”According to this text, the earth was empty and literally in chaos.bibleref.com

Genesis 1:1-3

Then God spoke ~ and by His words He spoke boundaries into places where there were none and light into darkness. God spoke and gave shape to formlessness, separated day from night, sky from water, order among life, and life, rule, and purpose where none had existed.

We have likely all been in chaotic situations, where it seems everything or everyone is out of control. I work in a church office, and even there, some days bring unending phone calls and/or a steady flow of people, noise, and myriad distractions, while the daily jobs still have to get done. While a part of me thrives in this atmosphere, I will admit I am ready for or in need of rest when the day is finished and the work is completed. Friends, whether working in an office, in a classroom, at a shopping venue, or at home with the kiddos, the reality is that almost any scenario of places or events can offer up times of chaos. Let’s face it: We live in a world filled with chaos. Thankfully, as we see in today’s word, from the beginning of creation, we know the One who can (and will) bring order from chaos. So take heart, my friends, “With God, disorder and chaos will give way to order and peace,” of this we can be sure.

Our God is a God of order, who does all things well. “God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). With God, disorder and chaos give way to order and peace.

Gotquestions.org

For more insight on today’s journey, visit:

Do you know the God who spoke order into chaos? Do you know Jesus, His Son, who died that you might live? I would love to share them with you. Please click on ‘Know These Truths” and let me introduce you to them so that we can share in this hope together. 🦋

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Rest For Your Souls

Posted on by

Do you ever feel so tired (body, mind, and soul) that you can’t think, pray, or function well? Are you carrying burdens, perhaps not just your own but those of others, that are causing you to miss out on the fullness of life that Jesus came to bring? If so, don’t lose hope! Jesus, the lover of our souls, invites us to come to Him, and He will give us rest. While Jesus is not referring necessarily to physical rest here – the Spiritual rest that He gives brings rest to body, mind, and soul, – as we lean into His teaching and realize just how humble and gentle He is1 To experience the promise of this rest, Jesus lists three actions we need to take:

  • Come … I will give you rest.
  • Take … My yoke upon you.
  • Let Me …Teach you.

-All of which means “giving Jesus control and letting Him direct our efforts.” This may not sound easy or be easy for those of us who like to be in control, but trust me when I say the benefits of “His rest” far outweigh the difficulty of letting go. When we rest in Him, we will know an awareness of His presence, unspeakable joys, freedom from the past, peace, strength, love, hope, gentleness, and so much more.

Praying the Word Back to God

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. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matt 11:28-30

Jesus, I come to You, out of the heaviness and weariness of life’s burdens, and seek Your promised rest. I am so grateful that You have taken my heavy yoke of sin and shame upon Yourself, and in exchange, I take Your yoke upon me – committing myself to You and Your authority, knowing You are gentle and humble at heart. Help me to yield control daily, letting direct my efforts in all things. Help me to learn from You and to live and love like You in all I do and say. – Amen!

A Song of Response

These words from an old hymn, “Out Of My Bondage, Sorrow, and Night,” came flooding my mind as I was writing my prayer. You may not be familiar with the tune, but I encourage you to read each word. I believe you will find the words paint such a beautiful picture of the rest we receive for our souls when we come to Jesus … when we take His Yoke upon us and learn from Him … when we realize how gentle and humble of heart He is … and we find ourselves delighting in His rest for our souls. I particularly love verse three; what about you?

The More We Know
Verse 1

Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
  Jesus, I come! Jesus, I come!
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
    Jesus, I come to Thee!
Out of my sickness into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
    Jesus, I come to Thee!

Verse 3

Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
  Jesus, I come! Jesus, I come!
Into Thy blessed will to abide,
    Jesus, I come to Thee!
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
    Jesus, I come to Thee!

Verse 2

Out of my shameful failure and loss,
  Jesus, I come! Jesus, I come!
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
    Jesus, I come to Thee!
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storm and into Thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
    Jesus, I come to Thee!

Verse 4

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
  Jesus, I come! Jesus, I come!
Into the joy and pleasure, Thine own,
    Jesus, I come to Thee!
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the flock Thy love doth enfold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
    Jesus, I come to Thee!

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Love, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, Some of My Favorite Things

Finding Rest in God

Posted on by

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

~Saint Augustine

How true these words of Saint Augustine are. They certainly ring true in my heart and mind. Raised in a Christian home, taken three times weekly to church, and saved at a young age, I really do not know a time when I didn’t know of God, who He was, and what He had done—though I do confess knowing more of Jesus than of God. – I knew God created the world, split the Red Sea, gave the ten commandments to Moses, and loved the world so much that He sent His Son to save whosoever believed in Him. What I didn’t understand until much later in life was that He made us for Himself.1 It was much later in life that I learned that He created, desired, and sought out His people because He wanted to have a relationship with them.

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” 

“All things were created by him and for him.” 

Revelation 4:11 / Colossians 1:16 

From the beginning to the end of Scripture, we read how God made Himself known to His people, how He cared for them, taught them, led them, loved them, and poured out His grace, forgiving them of all their sins. However, until I understood this and removed myself from the hamster wheel of trying to please and trust God in my own strength, I was indeed – restless. The restlessness came from always striving to please Him, and when I failed, there was the unending feat of trying to make it up to Him. “Saved by grace” is not just a winsome phrase but a never-ending characteristic of God and of His love in action. It is a love meant to change us from the inside-out, to make us new creations in Christ🦋 – so that we can live and walk in fellowship with God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  • Rest in His love … for there is no greater love than giving your own son to die for the sins of the world.
    • For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. John 3:16-17
  • Rest in His Grace … grace that is greater than all our sin
    • 20 Now the law came in so that the transgression may increase, but where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more, 21 so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 5:20-21
  • Rest in His Strength … the strength that raised Him from death to life.
    • I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Eph. 1:19-20
  • Rest in His promises … for has He not kept all of His promises to this day?
    • For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. 2 Cor. 1:20
  • Rest in His Greatness … knowing that He alone has the power and words of eternal life.
    • “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:68

Friends, “‘To whom shall we go?’ wasn’t written by John as a question of despair—it’s a declaration of devotion. Once you’ve tasted living water, nothing else satisfies. Once you’ve heard the voice that awakens your soul, all others fade. The deepest worship may simply be this: staying when it would be easier to walk away.2“

Prayer of Response To God’s Word

Father, what a blessing it was the day I began to understand that You created me for Your pleasure. I wasn’t just one of many that You created – I am known by You, created to be loved by You and to love You. I was created with a purpose and am meant to be dependent on You – and called to find rest in You. Oh, what a good good Creator and Father You are. Remind me daily to cease striving and find rest in You alone. – To You be the glory and honor, amen 💜

The More We Know
https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Love, Quiet Time

The Love that Makes it Happen

Posted on by

God’s love for us passes knowledge; it is vast and complete, and yet He urges us to lean into its impossible dimensions and to rest there.

Michele Morin / Living Our Days / August 9, 2018

One of the prayers I learned to pray for women in my life years ago, specifically those who have been/are in my life-groups, is found at the center of this nugget of gold I’m sharing today, borrowed from the archive of Living Our Days. The prayer comes from the pen of the Apostle Paul and is found in chapter three of Ephesians. – I pray it for all who come upon this post and read the words within – that you may understand that God’s love for us not only passes knowledge; but that it is vast and complete. May you learn to lean into its impossible dimensions and find rest there.

My Prayer for You  
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-19

The following blog was originally posted on August 9, 2018

Big Pizza Love and the Recipe that Makes it Happen

Posted in Bible study, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Honoring the Sabbath

Posted on by

based on an LGG Study, From Broken to Restored / w6d2

Scripture: Nehemiah 13:15-22; Mark 2:23-28 / SOAP: Mark 2:27-28

Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath. 28 For this reason the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

Mark 2:27-28

From time to time I like to share tidbits from the LGG Journals because I think their Devotions are one of the greatest assets. However, today, I am sharing the entire devotion – A) Because I believe it has much to offer in helping us to understand the importance of the Sabbath, both then and now … and B) because, I want you to see the value of having the journals they offer with each study. You can check out their availability and options at https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg/bible-studies/

What’s the Deal With the Sabbath?

The spiritual rebuilding of God’s people did not happen overnight. In fact, the final sections of Nehemiah cover several decades, showing the ways Nehemiah and the leaders continually corrected the people when they strayed from the law. Just as they repeatedly intermarried with foreign nations, the people also fell into habits of not honoring the Sabbath.

Nehemiah corrected the people and even set up guards to ensure that the Sabbath would be honored the way God intended. Nehemiah’s intent in doing this was to guard the people against falling into the sin of despising the Sabbath, one of the factors that led to their idolatry and exile in previous generations. Nehemiah set out to help the people walk in God’s commands and not fall into a sinful pattern. His heart was to honor God and preserve his people like he had done since he first began rebuilding the wall.

Over time, the laws around the Sabbath became more rigid . The religious leaders set up extra guidelines and rules to ensure that no one came close to breaking the Sabbath laws, or any laws for that matter. The problem was that their hearts were not in the right place. They lost sight of what was truly important: honoring God and trusting Him to provide even though they took a day of rest. Instead, they made very rigid rules, feeling self-righteous for keeping them and condemning those who didn’t.

Jesus showed us a different way. He showed the religious leaders and His followers the true intent of the law: to provide a time of rest and celebration for God’s people. The healing He did on the Sabbath led to rest and celebration. The Sabbath was created to provide rest for God’s people so they would remember that He alone sustains them.

Today, we can honor God by keeping the Sabbath. While we are not bound to the Sabbath law the same way the Jews were, taking a day to cease work and celebrate God’s goodness is an important practice for Christians. We stop working, showing our trust in God and His ability and willingness to provide for us. We celebrate His goodness, stopping to remember His constant faithfulness. May we be people of faith, who stop to rest in God’s power and ability and celebrate His goodness.

Make it Personal – Reflection

What are your perceptions of the Sabbath? Do you currently practice Sabbath rest? Why or why not?

Going Further

What does it mean that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath?

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Everlasting Covenant – Week 2 The Sabbath

Posted on by
Three more days on the memory challenge! Here’s a jumps tarter for this verse: Ask yourself, how are we to love the Lord our God

Today’s Scripture: Exodus 31:12-17; Mark 2:23-3:6 (S.O.A.P. Mark 2:27-28)

Instructions for the Sabbath

The Lord then gave these instructions to Moses: 13 “Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. 14 You must keep the Sabbath day, for it is a holy day for you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. 15 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. 16 The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day by observing it from generation to generation. This is a covenant obligation for all time. 17 It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.’”

A Discussion about the Sabbath

One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. 24 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?”

25 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 26 He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.”

27 Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. 2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

3 Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” 4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.

5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! 6 At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.

LGG Blog
Mark 2:27 Reference
Mark 2:28 Reference
Posted in Prayer Starters

Why we need to Recharge

Posted on by

For me this was another perfect starter for the days we are living through. Does anyone remember the song from the 70s called “Pass it on”? “It only takes a spark to get a fire 🔥 going and soon all those around will warm up to its glowing – that’s how it is with Gods love – once you’ve experienced it … you want to pass it on…” can you imagine what would happen if we lived these words of Paul?! How we would be affected and how we would affect the world (believers and non-believers) around us? 🙌 praying for our batteries to be recharged and sparks to fly 🙏😁


Prayer starter by Criswell Freeman – Smith freeman publishing (Prayers to Start Your Day)

Posted in God is good

THE GREATER GIFT

Posted on by

Father, You are good 💜 You heard my simple but heartfelt prayer for uninterrupted sleep and You gave it. Even when I stirred in the early morning hours You lulled me back to sleep – and I praise You! In Your great and mysterious sovereignty – the Scripture reading this morning was from Psalm 116, which says: “Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” Yes, in the night You gave me the restful sleep I desperately sought – but the greater gift of Your goodness, as the Psalmist goes on to describe is this –

You have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling that I may walk before You in the land of the living -Psalm 116: 8-9

And as the Psalmist – “I trusted in You when I said, many times over, I am greatly afflicted,” and so also I say with him – “What shall I return to the LORD for all His goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on Your name – O LORD.”

Your praise and goodness will continually be in my heart and on my tongue. My lips will glorify Your great name forever and forever – Amen!

Me, from the inside-out