How Jesus Handled Stress

When He called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Mark 8:34-37)

This doesn't say anything about following after man or man's ways. It says; Follow Me (Jesus).

Jesus came to give us a life of wholeness and fullness. He never run around in a panic. He was able to live at peace. He is our example, so how do we handle stress?

1. Identification: Know who you are. Children of God, His creation.

Jesus knew who He was. He spoke to the people and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won't have to walk in darkness because you will have the light that leads to life" (John 8:12).
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).
Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall never hunger again (John 6:35).

Don't let others tell you who you are!

2. Motivation: Know who your living for. Most people like "stuff." Are you living for self, others, or God?

I of Myself can do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me (John 5:30).
And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him (John 8:29).

We can't be all things to all people. We all have expectations of who or what we are suppose to be. No one can pressure us without our permission. We don't have to live according to pressures and expectations of others.

There are amazing things God wants us to do. He is shaping us to do them.

He has given each of us SHAPE:

S-spiritual gifts
H-heart
A-abilities to perform
P-personalities
E-experiences

We all live for someone or something. Live for the right One.

3. Vocation: Know your calling. We are all called out to live different roles (we can't do it all). We are all unique and special.

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love...(Ephesians 4:1).

What is contributing to your calling? Do that. Use the gifts He has given you. Your personality and your experiences.

4. Concentration: Focus on what matters most. If satan can't get you to be bad, he will keep you busy, blurry, and distracted.

Jesus was focused, knew what He was called to do and did it confidently.

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem...(Luke 9:51).

What we consider important usually doesn't matter for eternal purposes.

5. Meditation: Listen to God. Take the time to be alone with Father God, communicate (talk to) and listen. Give Him quality time.

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place, and there he prayed (Mark 1:35).

So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed (Luke 5:16).

Ask Him if He has anything to say to you, then LISTEN to Him. Don't let worldly things distract you.

6. Collaboration: Join a small group. Life is made for us to be together. We serve a relational God. Jesus modeled it.

Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons (Mark 3:14-15).

Believing you don't need anyone and thinking you can do it alone is selfish human pride.

7. Recreation: Take time to recharge, to rest your body.

And Jesus said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" (Mark 6:31).

He makes me lie dow in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul...(Psalm 23: 2-3).

We need to make time to rest and relax. If we don't, God will make us one way or another.

8. Salvation: Give your life to Jesus Christ.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

What drives your life? What causes you to do what you do? Are you driven by pressures of this world or by purpose, God's purpose? Do you realize your spiritual potential that lies within you?

Don't let the voices of this world drown out the "still small voice" of Jesus.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting ALL your care upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Jesus doesn't want us living a life of pressure and stress. Find rest for your soul. Accept what He has done for you on the Cross.

Believe in Yourself

With the mundane routines of daily life, we sometimes forget how special we truly are. We don't remember our gifts and talents and we believe the lie that we are on this Earth merely existing. What we should do is bring into remembrance what God says about us. He calls us special, unique, original, blessed, inspired, lifted up and the apple of His eye. The Lord sees us much more highly than we sometimes see ourselves and we need to be reminded of how special we really are to Him. No matter the discouragements that come our way, we can learn the lesson, rise up from it and become better than we were before. (Zechariah 2:8) (Jeremiah 29:11)

By learning from the lessons of life, we can use what we've learned to better our life, to remain strong in the midst of other trials and to realize that God will not bring us to a situation unless He already knew that we were strong enough to overcome it. Be encouraged to see how loved you truly are. You are a strong individual who is well able to rise up again, be all that God made you to be and accomplish all that is within your heart. Believe in yourself as God believes in you and you will accomplish great things in this life. (Isaiah 54:17) (Ephesians 6:10)

Our purpose is to add the colors of Heaven to the sometimes grey world around us.

Whether you change sooner or later isn’t important, however. What is important is that you shine today. What matters is that you make this world a better and more loving place now. Let your true colors out. Share a smile. Give a hug. Say a kind word. Feed the hungry. Visit the lonely. Comfort the crying. Care for the hurting. Show others just how much God loves them from the life you lead. Then your soul will glow like the leaves of Heaven.

May this message encourage and challenge your heart to believe in yourself again. See how special you are. Revive the gifts within you to bless your life as well as the lives of those around you.

Psalm 103:1-5 “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

Making the Most of Your Mind

Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (any false idea that controls your mind such as fear, guilt, envy, impatience). We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

• Don’t believe everything you think. “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) There are things that come to our mind that’s just not true. We have an amazing ability to lie to ourselves. Our brain tells our eyes what to see. It’s important what we put into our minds.

• Guard your mind against garbage. “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” (Proverbs 15:14) Good food gives good results-bad foods give toxins with bad results. Whatever you resist persists. Focus on good. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil.) “I will not look at anything wicked. I hate those who turn against you, they will not be found near me.” (Psalm 101:3) (Philippians 4:6-8)

• Never let up on learning. “Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.” (Proverbs 18:15) Become a questioner…ask questions! “Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.” (Proverbs 10:14) Even a broken clock is right twice a day… ”Those who get wisdom do themselves a favor, and those who love learning will succeed.” (Proverbs 19:8)

• Renew your mind daily with God’s Word. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you.” (Isaiah 26:3) We need daily encouragement with the Word of God.

• Let God stretch your imagination. “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17) “Now glory be to God, who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think (infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes). May He be given glory forever and ever through endless ages because of His master plan of salvation for the church through Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1Peter 1:13) You have to have a dream, a vision! God will always give us what we need to accomplish His purpose.

How can You Know Your Destiny?

How Can We Know Our Destiny?
The story of Esther

First we must recognize the gift that God has given us to use. “Hegai was very impressed with Esther and treated her kindly. He quickly ordered a special menu for her and provided her with beauty treatments. He also assigned her seven maids specially chosen from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem” (Esther 2:9) “And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her” (Esther 2:15b). “And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti” (Esther 2:17)

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

What has God given you to use for good?

We must identify the needs that stir our heart. “When Queen Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, she was deeply distressed” (Esther 4:4a).

What needs do you see around you that disturb you?

We must take the time to hear God’s call on our life. Mordecai sent this reply to Esther. Don’t think for a moment that because your in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14).

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same” (Esther 4:15-16a).

When will you take time to listen?

We must make a faith commitment. “And then, though it is against the law, I will go see the king. If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16b).

What faith commitments will you make?

THE (SCIENTIFIC) DEATH OF JESUS

May His love embrace your heart. May His eternal light guide your path. May his sacrifice strengthen your soul.

At the age of 33, Jesus was condemned to the death...

At the time crucifixion was the "worst" death. Only the worst criminals were condemned to be crucified. Yet it was even more dreadful for Jesus, unlike other criminals condemned to death by crucifixion Jesus was to be nailed to the cross by His hands and feet.

Each nail was 6 to 8 inches long. The nails were driven into His wrist. Not into His palms as is commonly portrayed. There's a tendon in the wrist that extends to the shoulder. The Roman guards knew that when the nails were being hammered into the wrist that tendon would tear and break, forcing Jesus to use His back muscles to support himself so that He could breathe.

Both of His feet were nailed together. Thus He was forced to support Himself on the single nail that impaled His feet to the cross. Jesus could not support himself with His legs because of the pain so He was forced to alternate between arching His back then using his legs just to continue to breathe. Imagine the struggle, the pain, the
suffering, the courage. Jesus endured this reality for over 3 hours. Yes, over 3 hours!

Can you imagine this kind of suffering? A few minutes before He died, Jesus stopped bleeding. He was simply pouring water from his wounds. From common images we see wounds to His hands and feet and even the spear wound to His side...But do we realize His wounds were actually made in his body. A hammer driving large nails through the wrist, the feet overlapped and an even large nail hammered through the arches, then a Roman guard piercing His side with a spear. But before the nails and the spear Jesus was whipped and beaten. The whipping was so severe that it tore the
flesh from His body. The beating so horrific that His face was torn and his beard ripped from His face. The crown of thorns cut deeply into His scalp. Most men
would not have survived this torture.

He had no more blood to bleed out, only water poured from His wounds.

The human adult body contains about 3.5 liters (just less than a gallon) of blood.
Jesus poured all 3.5 liters of his blood; He had three nails hammered into His members; a crown of thorns on His head and, beyond that, a Roman soldier who stabbed a spear into His chest...

All these without mentioning the humiliation He suffered after carrying His own
cross for almost 2 kilometers, while the crowd spat in his face and threw stones (the cross was almost 30 kg of weight, only for its higher part, where His hands were
nailed).

Jesus had to endure this experience, to open the Gates of Heaven, so that you can have free access to God. So that your sins could be "washed" away. All of them, with no exception!

Don't ignore this situation. JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOU!

Accept the reality, the truth that JESUS IS THE ONLY SALVATION FOR THE WORLD.

God has plans for you, show all your friends what He experienced to save you. Now think on this! May God bless your life!

"Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before My Father in heaven; but whosoever denies Me before others, I also will deny before My Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33).

I love God. He is my source of life and my Savior. He keeps me alive day and night.
Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Have a Happy easter and may God richly bless you!

Blessed or Stressed - Your Choice

Blessed is the man who listens to Me, watching DAILY at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors (Proverbs 8:34).

God promises to bless our life if we "meet with Him DAILY." A necessary component to having an intimate relationship with Him.

God promises to bless our life if we study and obey His Word. We will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers (Psalm 1:1-3).

"But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it" (James 1:25).

God promises to bless our life if we tithe our income. Ouch!
He wants what our money represents - our heart. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it" (Malachi 3:10)

Tithe if you love Jesus, any one can honk a horn...

God promises to bless our life if we help others with their needs.
"He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor" (Proverbs 22:9).
Good people bless and build up their city, but the wicked can destroy it with their words" (Proverbs 11:11).

God promises to bless our life if we share the Good News!
"I pray you be active in sharing your faith, so that you will fully understand every blessing we have in Christ" (Philemon 1:6)
"The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work" (1 Corinthians 3:8).

God promises to bless our life if we participate in fellowship. God uses His people. Don't do life alone!
"I'm eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other" (Romans 1:12).

"Now that you know these things, God will bess you for doing them" (John 13:7).

We all need room for growth. At first it feels funny, but it is worth it! Walk in His ways, experience God's fulfillment of His promises in your life. All His promises are YES and AMEN.

Processing Your Destiny

God's destiny for your life is good, not disasterous.

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans of peace and not of evil, plans to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11)

See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil. In that I command you this day to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes and His judgments that you may live and multiply, and the Lord your God shall bless you in the land which you go to possess....I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing, therefore choose life, that both you and your desendants may live (Deuteronomy 30:15-20).

Will you follow God's plan or your plan in life? Life or death? Blessing or cursing?

How do you possess your destiny?

You must prepare a plan. Like the old saying goes, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."
Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keeps the law, happy is he (Proverbs 29:18).

You'll never experience your destiny if your stuck on the past ~ it's gone, move on!

What do you need to let go of? Don't allow that to become the focus of your life. Get ready to receive from God (Joshua 1:1-11).

When you make a plan, you usually achieve it. What would you like to see happen in your life, your marriage, your finances, your spirituality? Where would you like to see your life go?
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3).

You must build your life completely on God's Word, not just the foundation.
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing (Psalm 34:10)

You must courageously step out in faith. God will show up faithfully.
You will experience battles and blessings. The battles are to hel you grow in your character. Smith Wigglesworth said, "Great faith only comes through great trials."

No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will never fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous...(Joshua 1:5-6).

What Jordon River/obstacle do you need to overcome? If God tells you to do something, step out in faith.

Have I not commanded you to do this? So be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).

Fear will stop you from starting, discouragment will keep you from going forward.

God keeps His promises. Step out in faith.

When You Don't "Feel" Like Trusting

Trust in Him at all times, ye people, pour out your heart before Him, God is a refuge for us (Psalm 62:8)

Remember that trust is not an emotion, trust is a choice. Trust God even in the midst of those "feelings."

Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me (John 14:1)

Choose to trust God even when you don't feel like.

Set your heart on God's love. Sometimes we "feel" like we don't deserve to be loved, but there's NOTHING that can keep us from God's love.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the bread and length, depth, and height His love really is (Ephesians 3:17-18).

Set your mind on that which will last. Fix your eyes on the unseen things, the reality of the reward.

If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1).

What we "feel" isn't always real. Set your mind, not on your feelings.

Don't face it alone! Human nature resists reaching out and sharing our feelings and emotions with others.

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

We all need someone to help support us when we have those feelings. We can't live life the way God wants us to by ourselves. Together we are strong.

When should you trust?

Trust when you are worried...With the way our world is heading we worry about many things, loss of job, loss of home, medical issues, marriage problems, wayward children and many other things happening in our lives.

Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace that passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

Trust when you are afraid...

Moses said unto the people, Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show to you today, for the Egyptians who you have seen today, you shall see them again no more forever (Exodus 14:13).

The Egyptians died when God parted the Red Sea. Be willing to take steps of faith, God will show up in miraculous ways!

Trust when you are stubborn, hard headed, stiff necked...

Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost says, Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness (Hebrews 3:7-8).

Don't listen to the words of man, but listen to God and respond. Listen to godly advice. Humble yourself, God loves you. Trust Him.

Trust when you are worn out, exhausted...

Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

Evidently our way doesn't work. We make a mess of things. We must go to God. Trust Him, and He will give us rest.

He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).

Trusting God Through Trouble

Trust, what does it mean?

A firm belief or confidence in the honest, integrity, reliability, and justice of another person or thing, faith, reliance...Confidence in a purchaser's intention or future ability to pay for goods...Trustworthiness, loyalty...To commit (to a person's care), entrust (to a person)...To expect confidently, hope.

* To allow someone to do something without fearing the outcome. Delegate, allow help from others.
In God I have put my trust, I will not be afraid, what can man do to me? (Psalm 56:11)

Don't keep trying to find a way out of your troubles. Trust Jesus! Let Him do what He wants to do, in His way and His time. Trust Him, don't fear Him.

* To run into a shelter or hiding place, to seek refuge.
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You, and in the shadow of Your wing I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by (Psalm 57:1).

We feel sheltered in our soul in the presence of God.

* To lean the weigth of your soul on the reliability, integrity, and friendship of another person.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

What are you leaning on? Lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus.

* To take someone at their word. Take God at His Word.
Your Word is truth (John 17:17)

You trust God, But...do you trust Him with your finances? Your crumbling marriage? Your wayward child?

Trust, it will change the way you view things. God makes everything beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We don't see the whole picture, but God does.

A new perspective.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed (2 Corinthains 4:8-9).

Which side of the comma are you living?

For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

How do you really trust God?

1) Feed on His Word. It's fertilizer to help you grow. It's the water, bread, milk, and meat of our lives.
2) Pray for the reign of the Holy Spirit in your life.
3) Pull the weeds of worry, un-forgiveness, bitterness, envy, etc.
4)Guard against the bugs of poor choices, bad habits, unhealthy relationships, negative behaviors, etc.
5) Prepare for a harvest. Don't give up on the process God is taking you through.

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Lean the ladder of your soul upon God, trust Him. Get in His Word.

Trusting God in Life's Changes

Change can be a very good thing. Change is inevitable. Nothing stays the same (Genesis 8:22). There is no growth without change. Some of the greatest things we learn come from pain and difficult times.

How can we allow God to help us grow though change?

Look for God in the change. Don't run from change, seek God. "You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).

Ask for wisdom. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).

Listen for God's whisper. "Now a word was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a whisper of it" (Job 1:12). Be still so you can hear that gentle whisper of God.

Don't ask why, but what. What do you want to show me? What do you want me to learn and do?

Every situation is an education. Don't be a victim, be a victor. Don't be a whiner, be a winner. Grow closer to the character of God. "...we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character hope" (Romans 5:3-4).

Why does life have to be so hard? God wants to change us and we resist change.

Do you resist growth God wants to bring in your life?

Focus on what never changes.

God's love. "The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love" (Jeremiah 31:3).

God's Word. "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8).

God's plans. "The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations" (Psalm 33:11).

Don't face change alone. "Two are better than one, because they have good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up...Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand them. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiasted 4:9-10, 12). Accept help from others, don't withdraw and get away. Pride goes before a fall. Grow together.

You need to become a promise person. There are over 7000 promise God wants us to experience. "...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).

Tell God that you will trust Him no matter what! "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job13:15). Hold everything God gives you with an open hand. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.

The pain we go through is not for nothing ~ God is refining our character, making us in His image.

Not my will, but Your will be done Father.

Experience His Rest

View your journey with the Lord as through you were going on a cruise. He wants us to enjoy our journey and to experience continual renewal as we travel. So, we need regular times of replenishment to be strengthened for the different ports to which He leads us. Our journey will extend for a time, not just a season.

It is important that we learn how to experience, along the way, the rest that only God can provide.

Psalm 23:1-3 provides a lovely picture of the rest that God makes possible, even in the midst of busy and hectic lives:

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul, He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

I seen a T-shirt in a catalog that said, "I am woman. I am invincible. I am tired." I'm sure there are many other women who join me in feeling the need to experienc the Lord's rest while we continue on His journey.

From the beginning of creation, God has been concerned about rest fro His children. It is so important that He instituted it in His Law as one of the Ten Commandments: "Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God" (Exodus 20:8-10).

The word Sabbath means "rest." This is a day to remember the Lord and to honor Him. It's a day for taking a break from work and enjoying a time of refreshment. In the rhythm of our lives, we need one day out of seven to STOP, BE STILL, WORSHIP, and be RENEWED spiritually and physically.

As much as possible, Sunday is a day for me to rest. Going to church and worship, have a relaxing day resting and reading. It's a great way to get ready for tackling another six days.

Resting one day a week is not a legalism to appease God, but a gift from Him for our benefit. It pleases Him when we accept and enjoy it as He intended.

What does a restful Sunday look like?

Jesus says, "Come to me , all who are weary and heavey laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest fro your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

How can we turn down an invitation like that? To trade in a heavy burden for a light load?

To be taught by the Master Teacher who is humble and meek is a high privilege. To be yoked to our Lord and Savior is a supreme honor! Living the way this relationship offers is refreshing. It's quiet and calm. It's comforting and restoring. It's restful because the Prince of Peace is in the yoke with us.

Are you experiencing the benefits of being yoked with the Lord?

Do you ever experience the Lord's rest in the midst of your busyness?

When our service is the will of God, we have His power to do what He gives us to do. We experience His refreshment in the process of our work that is done for Him.

"Rest in the Lord and wait paitently for Him" (Psalm 37:7). The Lord wants us to trust Him with ALL our hearts, and part of that trust is resting and waiting for His timing. I'm the epitome of impatience. I'm still in the learning process :-)

Joseph had to learn to rest many years as a slave and prisoner.
David who wrote about rest and wait, had to wait years to become king.
Abraham and Sarah waited twenty-five years for the birth of Isaac.
Esther learned to wait overnight before telling her husband about the decree that would destroy the Jews.

God has a time schedule, and He uses what we call delays to produce patience and trust in us, and to accomplish His purposes in establishing His kingdom.

Rest, refreshment, and renewal are healing words. God wants to make them a reality in your life. He Himself will provide everything you need, particularly rest and strength for your daily walk. Receive the freedom He offers you from having to worry about what lies ahead.

Green meadows and peaceful streams are part of your journey. Wear His yoke so that you allow Him to lead you there.

Waiting-A Difficult Life Lesson

When the world ~ or your own heart, tells you to run ahead, God may be telling you to "wait."

Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way...(Psalm 37:7)

This kind of waiting doesn't imply idleness or apathy, but a determined stillness. A quiet, expectant, steadfast, and diligent activity that takes place until we receive further instruction.

When we wait for God's clear direction, we keep in step with Him.

As we wait, we place complete trust in Him whether we see results or not. We don't become anxious because we know that God has a divine purpose for telling us to wait.

When we do wait for His clear direction, we are staying in step with Him. He uses the wait time to prepare us for His will, to strengthen our faith, and to shift our motives. Waiting is essential in living a Christian life, walking in obedience, and receiving His blessing.

The truths God teaches us are invaluable and practical because they affect our character development, choices and lifestyle. Their influence reaches way beyond our earthly lifetimes all the way to eternity.

Psalm 27:14 says; "Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, Wait, I say, on the Lord." This verse calls for an active choice to be at rest, resting in God and His timing. It's an internal stillness of spirit that stays with you throughout the day.

Waiting is really tough when a situation is stressful or a decision has to be made now. But remember, God has plans for us, and there are instances when He will stop us in our tracks until we do some "internal housecleaning."

The Lord has places to take us, and He knows what baggage needs to be left behind. He is the Master of time and sovereignly works all the specifics of His grand design for humanity. No amount of prayer and fasting will move His hand until He is ready.

Sometimes His delays are to increase our faith. If He instantaneously gave us everything we wanted, we would never learn to walk by faith. When we only have a promise from the Scriptures with no visible evidence to rely on, then our faith is put to the test. Will we believe Him or our circumstances?

When your eyes can't see the evidence, trust what you know is true. Just because we can't see anything happening doesn't mean the Lord is uninvolved (2 Chronicles 16:9).

He promises to hear and answer those who wait patiently for Him and establish their steps (Psalm 40:1), and increased strength (Isaiah 40:31). He promises to strengthen the one who remains still and quiet before Him, actively listening for His still small voice.

I don't know what you are waiting for, but I do know that if you believe what God tells you in His Word and patiently rest in His chioce and timing for your situation, you will experience a new spirit of joy and confidence.

Believe His promises, rest confidently in what He says. For His thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways His ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways higher than your ways and His thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).