The Sabbath Rest

"And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done." Genesis 2:2

God ordered things so that we would have time to rest from our labors. The Sabbath was given to us for this day of rest. Today is the Sabbath. Tomorrow, Sunday, is a very busy day for me. Today, I hope that I can spend at least most of the day resting in the presence of God. We all need to rest at times. Our Father in heaven loves us enough to command it.

I normally need only a few hours a day or to be able to actually rest on the Sabbath to be rejuvenated. I don't need long vacations to rest. Vacations are nice; but, don't be misled. Vacations can be very busy times. In fact, mine are usually so busy that there is rarely time to even write my morning blog, which I find to be very restful for me as it is actually a part of my morning devotionals. And, then... what happens when you get back to work? Overload! Lots of work to catch up on.

I don't mind vacations all that much. But, I have to be honest. I prefer to spend my time off in the backyard of my home. I spend an awful lot of time running around during any given normal day. When I have time to rest, I want to rest. I want to relax. I don't want to fight the traffic or the crowds. I want to spend quiet, less hectic time with family and friends. I want to spend time with Jesus. I can never get enough quiet time with him. I him we can find real rest, rest that will refresh both your body and soul.

"Come to me,⁾ all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28).

 God's Peace - Pr. J

Like An Old Bear...

Like An Old Bear

There is a time and a season for everything under the sun. (Eccl 3:1)

Tis the season... Tis the season for me to want to sleep a lot. When winter rolls around, I start thinking and acting like a bear. My mind and body keep telling me to "go to sleep." I do not want to go outside when the sun is not shining. No matter how early the sun might set, I want to sleep. I just want to hibernate. I need the light to live a fruitful life.

But, life goes on and there is no sense in sleeping our days away. Our hours are most valuable. We only get so many in this lifetime and then they are gone. They are like the pennies found on the ground. Some would walk by them thinking them worthless. Yet, others might collect them and amass a small fortune. Every minute of our lives is valuable. They add up to hours and days and years. They add up to a life-time. Grasp those minutes and hours and do not fetter them away.   

Fortunately, I have enough to do, deadlines to keep, to keep me awake during most of the day. I still get up early; but, I lie down to rest much earlier every evening or I can get a little ornery, just like an old bear.                                                                                                        

We need our rest; but, not so much as a bear needs his. We have been given life, so let us live it and not squander it away.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Couldn't help but post two photos this morning as bears are one of my favorite of God's creatures.

The Light Is Jesus The Christ!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 NIV

The light shines in the darkness.  We are nearing the end of the secular calendar year even as we have already begun a new church year.  The church year begins with Advent, the time we prepare for the celebration of the light to come into the world. That light is God incarnate.  That light is Jesus the Christ.

Those who walk in the light know that no matter what happens; God is with them.  Almighty God, through whom all things were made, has a good purpose for those who love Him.  We shall not fear no matter how dark the valley of the shadow of death might be, for we see and we know the light that has come into the world.  The darkness can never overcome that light.  The world may pass away, but the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, shall never pass away.

Scripture tells us, the Word tells us, that no one may know the when the world will pass away. We cannot know the day or the hours.  Even though, we might see the signs and know that the time is coming, no one can know their last day in advance.  But, as for Christians, for those who follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, seeking the Kingdom of God, this is not a worry.  This is the day of celebration we wait for with hopeful anticipation. This will not be a dark day.  It will be a day filled with the glorious light of Christ and we will rejoice when we see God face to face, when we see Him with our own eyes and not the eyes of another!

Do not fret.  Christ has come, ushering in His Kingdom.  Christ is present.  Christ will come again bringing His Kingdom in all its fullness, in all its glory!  This is good news for all who believe!

May the light of Christ shine in and through you no matter how dark the days may become.  May the peace of the LORD, Jesus Christ, be with you during this Advent and Christmas season.

Pr. J.