Dec 18 2021

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

In a busy world, it can be challenging to remember the last time we experienced rest. People wear a busy schedule as a badge of honor because often we find our value in what we do.

In this afternoon's verse from the book of Matthew, we read the opposite. Jesus says to come to Him when we are tired and burdened, and we will find rest. The type of rest God offers to us is not only for our body but also our spirit.

Our relationship with God and our spiritual health often suffer the most when we are busiest. Unfortunately, whatever is putting the most pressure on our schedule typically gets the most attention. God will not compete for our time. Instead, He waits for us to come to Him to find what we need, and He always knows what that is.

If we choose to allow God to help us in our busy lives, we will find a more peaceful way of living. We may even weed out the activities in our schedule that keep us from finding a healthy balance. We should resist the tendency to feel guilty when we choose to take care of ourselves.

Our first priority should always be God. When we put Him first, he will then help us prioritize our lives. He can provide rest for our soul and a clear focus on what is essential in our lives.

Everyone has different levels of what we can handle. It is much better to ask God to control our lives than to come to Him after we are burned out and exhausted. Our rest begins when we simply turn to God.

Heavenly Father, there are times when I am tired, even exhausted. My flesh can only handle so much before I feel like I can't handle it anymore. Thank you for providing rest before I even realize I need it. Thank you for calming my spirit when I feel overwhelmed. Help me to prioritize everything I do around my relationship with you. Let me not feel guilty when I choose a slower and more peaceful pace of life. Remove anything from my schedule that is keeping me from living a peaceful life. In Jesus' name, amen.

Dec 17 2021

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. :

No one likes to be told what to do. This attitude typically begins when we are toddlers and carries into our teenage and adult years. Our human instinct is to do our own thing, even if it isn't the right thing to do.

In this afternoon's verse in Proverbs, King Solomon offers wisdom that can spare us the heartache of doing what we want instead of listening to God. He is saying that if we love instruction (learning the right things to do), then we can also love wisdom (growing more disciplined in God's ways). But if we hate being criticized, we are foolish.

Not unlike a toddler who throws a temper tantrum when being told no, we are throwing our own tantrum when we refuse God's correction in our life. We can plug our ears and stomp our feet, or we can submit to God and learn from Him. Poor behavior shows that growth needs to take place in our relationship with God. When we stubbornly hold onto what we think is right, it keeps us from becoming more like Jesus.

But how wonderful it feels when we know we have pleased God! Although it's not necessarily a great feeling when we are disciplined, we must realize that God disciplines those whom He loves.

The longer we serve God, the more we should submit to His authority in our lives. When He instructs us, we should have a desire to listen and obey. The internal struggle of doing our own thing or following God can only be won when we submit to His power in our lives.

Dear Lord, I invite your discipline into my life. It may not always be pleasant, but I know it's necessary to grow closer to you. Teach me how to live for you. Show me your ways and lead me down your path of righteousness. I surrender my thoughts and actions to you. Surround me with those who encourage me to listen for your voice. Thank you for loving me enough to correct me when it is needed. I willingly give my thoughts to you. Let my witness speak to others and encourage them to follow you. In Jesus' name, amen.


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