Promise Offered

 

Promise Offered

Hebrews 4: Now, God has offered us the promise that we may receive that rest he spoke about. Let us take care, then, that none of you will be found to have failed to receive that promised rest. ² For we have heard the Good News, just as they did. They heard the message, but it did them no good, because when they heard it, they did not accept it with faith. ³ We who believe, then, do receive that rest which God promised. It is just as he said,

“I was angry and made a solemn promise:
    ‘They will never enter the land where I would have given them rest!’”
He said this even though his work had been finished from the time he created the world.

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Facing turmoil caused me to lay awake at night. Trouble here and trouble there made my mind continue to spin a web of unresolved questions. I wanted to get some rest, but couldn’t. In fact, just looking at the clock in the middle of the night, made me more anxious that I needed rest to survive the day.

 

• I was exhausted.
• I was worried and could not find rest.
• I figured that I was on my own and “I” had to come up with the solution, but could not.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, mentions “promised rest” from GOD. The ancestors refused to believe GOD and did not receive HIS “promised rest.” The writer warns everyone to believe in the Goon News about JESUS, so we can receive this “promised rest.”

 

My Observations

• Trying to control life makes me lose rest.
• GOD wants me to give HIM control so I can get some rest.
• Scary moments must be given to GOD so HE can provide the right solution.

 

“Come unto me all you that are heavy laden and I will give you rest” is the promise given to me. But sometimes I don’t believe it is that easy.  I try to give “it” to GOD, but then I peek to see if HE has fixed the situation to my liking and in my time. When I don’t see the results I was looking for, I jump in with “my” plan, possibly tearing up other people with my actions. BUT GOD has another way.

 

JESUS wants me to have rest. HE wants me to have peace that is beyond understanding. As scary as life is, GOD is in control of every situation. Belief in HIM providing rest in this life and the next raises my hope. I am glad GOD has all my scary situations.

 

Challenge

• What rest is the writer speaking about?
• Have you ever worried so much that you could not get any sleep?
• Will you place your trust in the LORD today so HE can give you rest in all situations?

Glue of Peace

Glue of Peace

Ephesians 4: ³ Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as there is one hope to which God has called you. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ there is one God and Father of all people, who is Lord of all, works through all, and is in all.

 

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Seeking to “win”, we met as a team. One group was doing things different than the way we expected. We met to counter what they were doing and came up with a plan. None of us slept well when that plan failed. We were tired of the battle.

 

• I thought “I” could be right as long as I was on the winning side.
• I figured something was “wrong” with them because a group of us saw things a certain way.
• I was ready to “fight” and lost sleep because I was trying to do my part to control other people.

 

Paul urges everyone to “preserve the unity” which is given by the HOLY SPIRIT. He then explains what that looks like, just in case people were seeking a relative truth. He points to the only winning side, namely to follow CHRIST.

 

• There is one body and one SPIRIT and one hope that GOD has called me to.
• There is one LORD, one faith and one baptism to which I base my life.
• There is one GOD and FATHER of all people who is LORD of all, works through all and is in all, even a sinner like me.

 

Peace is what the HOLY SPIRIT uses to bind all of us together. I mean, when I am at peace, problems seem smaller, aches seem to go away faster and the future seems brighter. But when I feel discontent, people are a problem, circumstances seem to linger forever, I lose sleep and aches and pains nag at me.

 

Discontent seems to be the enemy of peace. This can breed in me the feeling that I need to fight or control or “lose.” BUT GOD wants me bound together with HIS family. HE knows how messy my life can be and wants me to have peace anyway so I can be unified with other messy people. I am glad GOD gives me “one” path

 

Challenge

• What “unity” is the writer speaking of?
• Have you ever looked at other people as being the cause of your problems?
• What accountability is GOD calling you to?
• Will you take “blame” or “discontent” or “rage” from your first actions and replace it with “unity” by means of “peace” from the HOLY SPIRIT today?

Equipped with peace

Equipped with peace

John 20: ¹⁹ Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

²¹ So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” ²² And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

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Unsettled, I could not sleep. There were so many thing I had to worry about, I could not find rest. I mean, what am I to do about declining health, waning wealth, increased pressure and broken relationships? All attempts for me to “fix” them satisfactorily for all involved have failed.

• There have been many times when I have worried.
• There have been many times when I have been filled with fear about the future.
• There have been many times when I could not see any solution to the situations because there were too many.

Hidden from the Jews, the disciples did not know what to do next. JESUS, who performed all kinds of miracles, was dead in their minds. How can they protect themselves? JESUS appeared in the locked room and gave them some things that they needed.

• JESUS shows me HE cares for me by seeking me daily.
• JESUS gave me the HOLY SPIRIT so I do not have to rely on my own power.
• JESUS sends me out with a purpose to forgive those HE has forgiven.

Forgiveness brings peace. This can only come from the HOLY SPIRIT who reminds me about what JESUS did for me. I mean, if I am enraged or filled with fear or lost, the HOLY SPIRIT calms me down by saying “Peace to you.” This peace is actually equipment I can use versus something that is fleeting.

When I use peace as a tool, I can allow the situation to play itself out, knowing GOD has the best outcome already taken care of. The outcome may not be the one “I” choose, but I have noticed GOD’s choices are always the best choices. I receive HIS peace today.

• Are you losing sleep?
• Are you worried about the future?
• Will you stop dwelling in GOD’s realm, namely the future and focus on the present where HE gives you peace through the HOLY SPIRIT?