Addressing Replenishment

Addressing Replenishment

Exodus 23: ¹⁰ “Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, ¹¹ but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove. ¹² Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed.

 

¹³ “And in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let it be heard from your mouth.

 

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GOD continued to speak to Moses. This time HE spoke about rest.

 

My Observations:

• When Adam and Eve caused humans to fall, the conditions of the earth changed and now humans would have to work the soil to help food grow.
• When GOD made the garden of Eden, it did not need rest, but when HE cursed the earth, everything outside of the garden needed rest.
• Every seventh year, provide for the poor and let the soil rest and replenish.

 

Replenishment seemed to be the answer to the curse of GOD. Our temporary bodies and the land needs rest to keep producing. In order to have plenty, rest is needed. GOD was gracious when HE cursed the land. HE could have made it not produce anything and ended humanity right after Adam and Eve. BUT GOD desired humanity to flourish. We need the earth to flourish and it needs rest to do so.

 

But then GOD said something strange. “Make no mention of the name of other gods.” I believe that when humans get into a rhythm or work and rest, we can lose sight of GOD. Even worse, we can assign to a god what should be assigned to the one and only true GOD.

 

By stating that a god provided the food, we are not thanking the true GOD for what HE has done. Some humans want their names mentioned daily or even place their pictures or names everywhere to appear godlike.

 

Our temporary bodies need rest and so do the fields. GOD made a way for us to worship HIM while resting. This is grace.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about replenishment?
• Have you ever thought it was good to work yourself into exhaustion?
• How are you intentionally resting so you can be replenished for GOD’s purpose?

Fourth Commandment – Remember the Sabbath

Fourth Commandment – Remember the Sabbath

Exodus 20: ⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

 

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GOD continues HIS commandments with “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD may have given this commandment because HE knew the people would forget to rest.
• GOD went into detail with HIS examples to ensure the people would understand what HE meant by rest.
• GOD does not get tired, but showed an example that HE even rested.

 

From what I gather from the commands given so far is GOD wants to spend time with us. HE did not create us for us to leave HIM alone. HE wants a day of rest that is spent with HIM, HIS creation and HIS people. You worked all week, enjoy one day.

 

GOD does not want us miserable and working seven days will place us in misery. HE did not make the Sabbath as a day to try harder to please HIM. The slave mindset was to make sure Pharaoh got what he wished, no matter the cost. The children of Israel were willing to work seven days a week to make things happen.

 

This attitude of working for results would leave GOD out of the equation of being the provider. A self-made pridefulness would eventually creep in, causing the worker to think more highly of self. GOD wants to be GOD. HE made us with the physical need for rest, but rest is also spiritual. We can reflect on the week and say our work is good because we are mimicking GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the need for everyone to rest?
• Are you trying to keep the Sabbath as a rule?
• Can you hear the love of GOD when HE tells you to rest and enjoy yourself once a week?

A Leader’s Responsibility

A Leader’s Responsibility

Exodus 16: ²⁷ Now it happened that some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, but they found none. ²⁸ And the Lord said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws? ²⁹ See! For the Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.” ³⁰ So the people rested on the seventh day.

 

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Instead of obeying the LORD, some of the people went out on the Sabbath to look for food. GOD spoke to Moses about the disobedient act.

 

My Observations:

• Some of the people disobeyed GOD and went to look for more food than they needed.
• GOD spoke to Moses versus the individuals who disobeyed.
• JESUS got excited when speaking to Moses.

 

I believe this conversation was between the preincarnate JESUS and Moses. “See!” was the word cried out in passion. I believe JESUS was standing right there, showing Moses how disobedient the people were getting. HE spoke to Moses because Moses was the leader.

 

HE was not blaming Moses for what the people were doing, rather HE was implying, “Handle this.” Once Moses talked with the LORD, then the got the people to settled down and rest. GOD means what HE says.

 

Challenge:

• Why did GOD speak to Moses and not the people who disobeyed?
• Have you made an issue between you and GOD by being disobedient about something?
• Are you ready for leadership responsibility that includes GOD holding you accountable for someone else’s actions?

 

Made to Rest

Made to Rest

Exodus 16: ²² And so it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. ²³ Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.’ ” ²⁴ So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it. ²⁵ Then Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. ²⁶ Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”

 

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After experiencing the supernatural rotting of their food and seeing the worms, the children of Israel were nervous about following GOD’s commands. On the sixth day of each week they were supposed to gather enough to sit and rest on the seventh day. They obeyed and the food did not rot and worms did not appear.

 

My Observations:

• GOD provided enough food for two days on the sixth day.
• GOD was serious about keeping the Sabbath holy and as a day of rest.
• GOD would withhold food on the seventh day so they should not even try.

 

Rest is important to GOD. HE made humans with limits. The limits require replenishment. I believe GOD wants us to spend time with each other, to talk about GOD and spend time with HIM. This does not mean needing to spend all day in a building, but to be reminded that we need HIM.

 

GOD seems to love spending time with us, but we look for reasons to not spend time with HIM. We go after fame and fortune while depleting our faith. GOD did not provide on the day of rest. HE knew that humans would leave HIM out of their plans. GOD rested on the seventh day as an example to humans to do the same. HE did not need the rest, but humans do. GOD wants us to mimic HIM

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about how HE treated provisions on the sixth day of each week?
• Have you gotten in the habit of not resting?
• Do you intentionally rest to replenish your energy, heal wounds and restore your faith in GOD?

Humans Day 7

Humans Day 7

Genesis 2: Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. ² And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. ³ Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

 

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GOD had created water, light, day, night, outer space, stars, sky, air, vegetation, dry land, minerals, birds, fish, animals, insects, good bacteria and humans. HE said it was “very good.” HE then did something strange. HE took time to purposefully rest. HE set this day apart as special by blessing the day.

 

My Observations:

• GOD, with HIS infinite power, took time to rest.
• GOD deliberately ended HIS work of creation for humans after the sixth rotation of the earth.
• GOD demonstrated to humans that rest is important.

 

Finishing the work was important, but resting seemed just as important to GOD. HE does not sleep or slumber. HE never gets tired and never runs out of energy. But we do. HE made humans with limitations. We need to eat and rest to survive. As important as creating the universe was, GOD saw it fitting to turn it off for a day.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD, who does not need sleep, tell Moses HE rested?
• Have you ever thought that you should work seven days a week?
• Will you consider intentionally resting from all work to take time to listen to GOD for a full day?

Preparing for Rest

 

Preparing for Rest

Hebrews 4: ⁸ If Joshua had given the people the rest that God had promised, God would not have spoken later about another day. ⁹ As it is, however, there still remains for God's people a rest like God's resting on the seventh day. ¹⁰ For those who receive that rest which God promised will rest from their own work, just as God rested from his. ¹¹ Let us, then, do our best to receive that rest, so that no one of us will fail as they did because of their lack of faith.

 

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“There has got to be more to life than this” I thought to myself. I went to work, ran into a bunch of conversations that were exhausting, came back to my apartment and flopped on the couch. “Is this it?” “Am I going to do this the rest of my life?”

 

• I was living to work and working to live.
• I had fallen into a rut and could not see much purpose in what I was doing.
• I worked hard trying to live but I still ran into problems.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, compares the old covenant to the new. He mentions Joshua as a representative to the old covenant. If Joshua provided the rest that GOD promised, then there would be no need for another covenant. BUT GOD spoke of a different rest.

 

My Observations

• JESUS is my refuge in whom I place my trust.
• JESUS is who I can go to when I am not feeling rested.
• JESUS is my Savior and one day I will receive the rest promised to me.

 

After a trial, I feel relieved. I mean, I can breathe out and finally get rest from what I was worried about. This feeling also applies to following JESUS. As difficult as it is to live fore HIM, telling others about HIM and being an example for HIM, one day I will be with HIM to receive rest.

 

No more worries, no more troubles, no more fears, doubts or worries. Pure rest. This rest comes to those who believe that JESUS is the only one who can provide the rest. HE died for the sins of humanity and was raised from the dead. HE went to prepare a place for us so we can rest from the work we do for HIM today. I look forward to this rest and will continue my “work” until then.

 

Challenge

• What work is the writer referring to?
• Have you ever wanted some rest but could not find it?
• Will you place your trust in JESUS so HE will give you what HE promised, namely rest from being weary?

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?

Rest

Rest

2 Thessalonians 1: From Paul, Silas, and Timothy—

To the people of the church in Thessalonica, who belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

 

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Thinking of the many problems life had thrown at me, I laid awake at night. Knowing I had to go to work made me more anxious as I saw the hours tick away. “Maybe if I do some work” was my thought to get whatever was bugging me off my mind. I found myself working almost twenty four hours a day.

 

• I could not rest.
• I could not stop thinking about the many problems I faced.
• I could not solve or resolve any of the problems, so rest seemed elusive.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy begin another letter to the Thessalonians with a miniature prayer. They knew times were difficult. They wished for all who belong to GOD our Father and the LORD JESUS CHRIST to be given grace and peace.

 

My Observations

• Life can be difficult, BUT GOD wants me to have peace which only comes from HIM.
• My sins may cause me to lose sleep, BUT GOD wants me to know HIS grace is sufficient.
• Worry, rage, doubt and disillusion may appear all around me, BUT GOD wants me to accept HIS grace and peace.

 

Knowing I am forgiven and that my troubles are temporary gives me grace and peace. I mean, I can confess my sins directly to GOD the FATHER because I believe JESUS died and rose for my sins. JESUS volunteered to die as a human because HE created them in the first place. HIS resurrection gives me the ability to be forgiven.

 

The HOLY SPIRIT was given to me as my Comforter. HE lives inside me and pleads on my behalf due to the many sins I commit. HE convicts me once, then guides me to peace versus harassment over the sin I commit over and over. I am glad GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT are one and agree to give me grace and peace.

 

Challenge

• Why do the writers start with this miniature prayer?
• Have you ever lost sleep because of life’s circumstances?
• Will you give all of your circumstances to GOD who is willing to forgive you and give you grace and peace today?

Too Busy to Think

Psalm 63: ⁶ On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night.
⁷ Because you are my help,
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ I cling to you;
    your right hand upholds me.

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Sitting in a hotel room I hung up the phone from my wake up call. I had no idea what city I was in. Sounds like amnesia or craziness doesn’t it? This particular week was a heavy travel week and I had been in three cities in as many days and I had more to visit. The schedule started early and ended late. This was my group I carted around the nation and I was in charge of the trip. “I better get my thoughts together to manage this day!” I thought to myself.

• Sometimes I get extremely busy.
• Sometimes I take on a lot of work.
• Sometimes I have a pile of thoughts racing a mile a minute.

“Too busy to think” is a phrase I use when I am doing so much that I have no down time. I mean I can’t sit and process because my schedule will not allow time. I get so busy that I don’t have time to think of GOD. I don’t even have a thought if HE would mind or not if I didn’t acknowledge HIM or the things HE is doing for me. BUT GOD wants different.

• GOD wants me to spend time with HIM each and every day in order to listen to HIS direction.
• GOD wants me to “Seek HIS kingdom first” each day in order to keep my focus on what truly matters.
• GOD wants me to quiet down each day because the roaring sounds of life may cause me to worry.

GOD knows this world is full of turmoil and HE cares for me deeply. HE is the one who cursed the earth and knows exactly what I will go through. HE knows the barrage of sin coupled with blind ambition will cause me to forget HIM. HE simply wants me to slow down each day to acknowledge HIS presence. HE wants me to hear what HE has to say no matter how strange the request. Strange being HE may want me to do something that aligns with HIS word that I am too busy for.

GOD wants my time. HE even made an entire day for me to rest and it seems difficult to simply sit still and take a timeout. GOD wants me to hear HIM so I can get inside HIS shelter.

• Are you running fast?
• Are you extremely busy?
• Have you asked yourself “How is this furthering GOD’s kingdom” lately, whatever ‘this” is?
• Will you take time today to ask GOD to take your worries of “this” day away from you and stop looking at the future, which GOD owns?

Being Restored

Job 42: ¹⁰ After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. 

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¹² The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 

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Pondering Job’s calamity I learned a lot about GOD and myself. Job was trying to do what was right all his life. His faith was tested in extreme measures all in one day by losing his family, wealth and health. These are things that I and many I know hold dearly to their hearts. Quite honestly it looked like GOD was the bad guy in the story, but it was Satan who asked to do all of this to Job after GOD said “consider my servant Job.”

Here is what I learned:

• GOD sees every faithful action I do and wants me to do it for HIM no matter what condition I’m in.
• GOD knows I’m a sinner and I cannot fool HIM so I should stop trying to be righteous and start trusting in HIM.
• GOD’s ways are not my ways so I should not try to make HIM follow my ways rather learn how to follow HIM.
• GOD allows calamity in my life and others but HE always has a marvelous plan that we are not always privy to in this life.
• GOD is always in my corner even when it looks disastrous.

Job had to hang in through some incredibly rough times. He had no one around him who could help him through a GOD ordained issue. He had no way to stop the calamity and had practically given up. He wished he wasn’t born. BUT GOD restored him.

I did ponder a question. “Why did people have to die?” and all I could get from this slice of history is GOD has that in HIS control. HE holds life and death in HIS hands and “everything under heaven is HIS.” HE owns humans, wealth and health. Satan wants me to look at GOD as the problem when he is the one who seeks to devour me.

My focus should always remain on faith in GOD, trust in HIS love and hope in HIS deliverance.

• Do you think your righteousness is saving you from calamity?
• Do you trust in yourself more than you trust in GOD’s love for you?
• Will you stop trying to maneuver GOD and flow down HIS rushing river?
• Can you ask GOD to show you HIS plan for you this day and this day alone?

Periods of Rest

1 Chronicles 23: ²⁵ For David had said, “Since the Lord, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever, ²⁶ the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.” 

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With the crowd getting larger, it seemed like this place needed more organization. I implemented some software that would keep track of tithes, offerings and money for the building. Each Sunday I would park myself in the office and half way listen to the sermon on a speaker in the office.

Questions about administration soon led me to take work from the church home. I was the head of the deacons, head of the trustees, head of administration and headed towards going nuts. Is this what GOD had in mind?

• Sometimes I get overloaded.
• Sometimes I feel overwhelmed.
• Sometimes I work to the point of exhaustion.

Volunteering is a wonderful thing but sometimes the volunteer activity needs to be scaled back to have moment of rest. GOD wants me to focus on HIM when HE calls me, but HE loves me so much that HE wants me to have rest.

• GOD said to me “Come unto me all ye who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
• GOD said to me “I lead you beside still waters.”
• GOD said to me “Stand still and watch the power of the LORD.”

When I find myself trying too hard to please GOD it usually stems from fear or worry or doubt that HE is with me. It also means I really, really want something that GOD may have said “No” or “Wait” to. Don’t get me wrong… GOD wants me to be persistent an persevere in the battle of life, BUT HE also wants me to have periods of rest.

GOD cares for me so HE wants me to take a moment for myself so I will not get burnt out!

• Are you working hard to please GOD?
• Do you think HE is not pleased with you for some reason?
• Can you stop thinking HE is a hard task master and allow yourself to take a break once in a while?
• Can you look at service to the LORD as smaller periods of work AND rest?

HE never fails

Joshua 21: ⁴³ So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. ⁴⁴ The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. ⁴⁵ Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

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Looking back on several times in which I have cried out to GOD, I realize HE has always been there for me. Through robberies, violence, abandonment, slander and prejudice, GOD was right there protecting me. Personally I don’t see why HE does what HE does.

• GOD keeps HIS promises to me even when I sin.
• GOD keeps HIS promises to me even when I don’t trust HIM.
• GOD keeps HIS promises to me even when I blame HIM for the mess I got myself in.

I can’t pinpoint an individual situation that would illustrate a lesson I’ve learned about trusting GOD. All I know is GOD brought me through some very difficult times which leads me to trust HIM more. I mean, at some point I have to grow up and truly trust HIM.

• GOD said to me “I will bless you.”
• GOD said to me “I have a plan for you to prosper, not to harm you.”
• GOD says to me “I will give you hope.”

GOD knows the turmoil I will face on this earth. HE is the one who cursed it so HE knows I will have battles. BUT GOD wants me to rest. HE desires that I have peace. HE cherishes my relationship with HIM so HE keeps HIS promises with me.

• Do you know GOD has a wonderful plan for you?
• Can you believe HE wants you to prosper in HIS way and in HIS time?
• Won’t you look back on your life and remember the many times HE brought you through trouble?
• Can’t you trust HIM a little more today?

A place of rest

Joshua 19: ⁴⁹ When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them, ⁵⁰ as the Lord had commanded. They gave him the town he asked for—Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he built up the town and settled there.

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Job number three got off to a rocky start. My boss was a jerk and I wasn’t enjoying the work. Will I ever find the perfect job?  I took a leadership class and the one statement that still sticks out in my mind is “Make the place where you are at the best place and it will become the best place.”

When I finally stopped complaining, the job became the best job of my career. I found my place.

• When I think I’m in the wrong place I can’t get past the problems that arise.
• When I fester over how terrible I’m being treated I can’t see what’s right.
• When I critique every action in a place, I can’t contribute to making things right.

It seems like I get extremely restless when I think I’m in the wrong place. I dream up what it would be like if I were somewhere else and that gives me no rest. In fact my mind goes to war with my surroundings and I quickly fill my mouth with complaints. BUT GOD wants something different.

• GOD keeps HIS promises and takes me into the Promised Land in spite of me.
• GOD allows me to see HE is the one I should be looking at rather than the place I’m in.
• GOD leads me to a place of rest once I put my mind on HIM rather than looking at the place.

When I am nervous, scared, anxious, worried, doubtful, depressed, or lonely GOD says, “Come unto ME with your tired, heavy laden heart and I will give you rest. Take MY yoke upon you and learn of ME for I am meek and lowly at heart and you will find rest unto your soul. For MY yoke is easy burden is light.

• Are you in a place of turmoil?
• Do you think it is your attitude rather than the place?
• Can you seek GOD for rest instead of trying to rest in the place you are in?
• Won’t you give GOD your burden and let HIM carry your problems?

When the noise is too noisy

Deuteronomy 27: ⁹ Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Be silent, Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the Lord your God. ¹⁰ Obey the Lord your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today.”

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With one eye open I peered at the clock and to my dismay it was 4:37 in the morning. I had a very large project due and since I was awake I got up and thought about it.  That led to other thoughts. I realized I had gone to bed without doing voicemail.

As my brain slipped back into consciousness I remembered all of the people I had to contact for that day. By 5:00AM I was fully awake. I worked until 10:00PM. Oh, and I forgot to do voicemail again!

• Noisy situations keep me awake.
• Noisy circumstances bring on many thoughts that I lose sleep over trying to resolve.
• Noisy environments make me lose my concentration and it seems like I can’t focus.

There are many things that can cause noise in my life. People bring me problems. Material things break or are lost or stolen. Someone gets sick or feisty or demanding.  All of these things add to the noise and when the noise is too noisy, I want to go in the corner and ball up like a child.

• “Be silent” is what GOD wants me to be so I can hear HIM.
• “Stand still” is what GOD says to me when I’m running too fast.
• “Have rest” is what GOD is giving me when I lay awake worried about ‘insert situation.’

The most powerful and high GOD tends not to yell at me. In fact HE speaks in a very soft, calming, inaudible voice. When life is rushing at me too fast, GOD says “Quiet down and listen to ME. The situation is close to MY heart and I love you.”

• Do you have a lot on your mind?
• Does it seem like you are getting confused trying to figure out what to do next?
• Can you take a moment to quiet yourself sown to listen to GOD?
• Won’t you let GOD tell you what to do next instead of worrying about it?

I need rest!

Leviticus 23: ³ “‘There are six days when you can work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath. You must rest on it. Come together on that sacred day. You must not do any work on it. No matter where you live, it is a Sabbath day in my honor.

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Lately I have realized I have been working absolutely too much. After driving and pushing and trying, I realize I am tired! Does GOD want me this tired? NO!

• When I am trying too hard I do not rest.
• When I am not trusting I do not rest.
• When I am working instead of worshipping I do not rest.

Rest is very important to the LORD.  He mentions rest many times because it is a sign of trust. When I lose my trust in GOD’s plan I lose sleep over it and try very hard to make up the inefficiencies that I may have dreamt up. This causes me to work around the clock forgoing any rest I may need.

• GOD says I can have six day to work and that should be enough.
• GOD says I should give HIM an entire day to rest which shows my trust in HIM.
• GOD says I should rest no matter where I am.

Resting is in GOD’s honor.  It is a form of worship.  It seems like sitting around would be worship but it is. HE will communicate to me when I slow down, sit and listen to HIM. HE wants me to rest!

• Are you working too hard?
• Do you need to take a moment off?
• Won’t you stop for a day and give GOD the rest type of worship?

GOD understands

Leviticus 10: ¹⁷ “Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in a place that is near the Holy Room? The offering is very holy. It was given to you to take the people’s guilt away. It paid for their sin in the sight of the Lord. ¹⁸ The blood of the offering wasn’t taken into the Holy Room. So you should have eaten the goat in a place that is near the Holy Room. That’s what I commanded.”

¹⁹ Aaron replied to Moses, “Today the people sacrificed their sin offering to the Lord. They also sacrificed their burnt offerings to him. But a terrible thing has happened to me. Two of my sons have died. Would the Lord have been pleased if I had eaten the sin offering today?” ²⁰ When Moses heard that, he was satisfied.

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Working “too hard” for the LORD becomes a problem as well. The joy of servant-hood quickly turns into complaints when I work too hard. GOD wants me to be joyful when I serve and understand when I need a “short” break so I can be refreshed to serve again.

Is it time to do something else?

Exodus 36: ⁶ Then Moses gave an order. A message was sent through the whole camp. It said, “No man or woman should make anything else and offer it for the holy tent.” And so the people were kept from bringing more offerings. ⁷ There was already more than enough to do all of the work.

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Sitting in the church office I listened to the sermon on the speaker as I plowed through the books. Later I made sure all of the offerings had been entered into the accounting system.  I then scheduled meetings to discuss the crumbling infrastructure, new parking lot, meetings with the city and hiring a new construction company.

At home, I documented new ways to do outreach, ordered items and toiled over a list of problems that seemed a mile long. I was exhausted! Good thing I was working for the LORD right? Maybe not.

• Sometimes my service is not based on GOD, rather I’m doing busy work.
• Sometimes my service is not based on GOD, rather it’s bathed in achievements to receive accolades.
• Sometimes my service is not based on GOD, rather it’s laced with complaints that other people are not pulling their load and “I’m” doing all the work!

Burn out is common in those who serve in churches and I was a casualty. No one else was stepping up and the corporate motto I learned was “failure is not an option” so I plowed ahead. BUT GOD has another thought.

• GOD says “come unto ME all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
• GOD says “take MY yoke upon you and learn of ME for I am meek and lowly at heart.”
• GOD says “and you shall find rest unto your soul for MY yoke is easy and MY burden is light.”

I’m not saying I will be on vacation the rest of my days, but I will say I will do something controversial and that is pace myself. As badly as I want everyone around me to be saved, I will speak to those GOD delivers to me and I will serve at work, when driving and at the building we call “church.” 

Instead of looking at one portion of my life as GODS’ I will give HIM my entire life, sin included. I can actually give myself permission to say, I have done enough or given enough or prayed enough so I won’t experience burn out and end up in a worse place which is not doing it at all. I must keep in mind though, I am doing this to keep going!

• Are you working hard for GOD?
• Does it feel like you are serving and getting exhausted?
• Is GOD saying “it’s time for you to change ministries?”
• Can you get some “rest” so you can keep going for the long haul?

Are you getting enough rest?

Exodus 31: ¹⁶ “‘The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath. They must celebrate it for all time to come. It will be a covenant that lasts forever. ¹⁷ It will be the sign of the covenant I have made between me and the people of Israel forever.

“‘I made the heavens and the earth in six days. But on the seventh day I did not work. I rested.’”

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My “to do” list has grown substantially and I notice that I find myself working seven days a week. Technology makes it very easy to stay busy because people seem to have access to me twenty four hours a day. I say to myself, “It’s only one e-mail”, then I find ninety minutes have passed. Should I rest?

• Sometimes I think I should answer the phone all the time.
• Sometimes I think I need to take care of business so it doesn’t pile up.
• Sometimes I think the world will shatter if I don’t get these few things done.

I now see that a little turns into a lot quickly.  I do a “little” work and suddenly I am doing a lot. Meanwhile, rest eludes me. What should I do?

• GOD says I need to take some time to rest on purpose.
• GOD says I need to concentrate on HIM for a while.
• GOD says I need rest because even HE took the time and HE never sleeps.

Working all the time is a product of low faith on my part. I need to trust that GOD is in control of that day and commune with HIM to hear how I should conduct myself during the upcoming week.

• Are you working all the time?
• Do you find yourself dragging and tired?
• Can you take a day to worship GOD in rest?

Even GOD rested

Genesis 2: ² By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

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Three O’clock in the morning and I was wide awake.  I may as well do some more work I thought to myself.  I am awake anyway. I finished answering some e-mail messages and went back to bed for a couple of hours. The next day the same thing happened and the next and the next.

Soon a week had passed and I never stopped working. Day and night I persisted. I was getting exhausted and I had not communicated with the LORD very much.

• When I get caught up with work I sometimes forget to rest.
• When I get focused on accomplishing what I want I sometimes lose focus on what is around me.
• When I get my mind wrapped around achieving my goals I sometimes forget GOD has a purpose for me.

GOD made me for HIS purpose and I forget that quite often.  I get a desire in my mind and when GOD says “No” I don’t just accept it.  I keep persisting until I get my way or at least I think I will get my way.  Soon I find myself losing sleep and working harder than ever only to come back to GOD and asking HIS favor. Is there a better way? YES!

• GOD wants me to rest instead of persist.
• GOD wants me to let things go instead of holding onto them tightly.
• GOD wants me to take some time to focus on HIM rather than worrying, doubting and fearing.

When I stop for a moment and give GOD some time HE blesses me thoroughly with peace. I can’t understand where it comes from but HE gives it to me and I can think clearly. Now I actually look forward to my time with HIM.  HE calms me down and suggests next steps through my prayer and reading of HIS words.

The best thing for my worries, fears and doubt is to stand still and know GOD’s power.

• Are you worried about something?
• Are you working hard to keep your stuff?
• Have you tried stopping and sitting still for a moment so you can hear GOD?
• Won’t you increase your time with HIM so HE can communicate with you?

Peace

John 14: ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

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Talking too much escorted me to detention once. Climbing on a factory and being forced to jump into a tree as the only means to get down left bruises. Smashing a brick to the ground enabled me to get seven stitches in my finger. I can still see the scar.

• Reflecting on my past sins can really get me down.
• Reliving my past over and over can cause me to get stuck.
• Reviewing what I could have done better only makes me more anxious.

Stupid decisions seem to precede me when the choice of sin is involved. I mean if you ask me whether I would choose GOD’s way or my way, I’m going to choose my way which always leads to the wrong way. Once I find myself in trouble and without “peace” then I come running to GOD asking HIM to fix things.

• JESUS says “I allowed people to murder me on purpose to save you from eternal death.”
• JESUS says “I sent you an Advocate who is the Comforter so you will never have to be worried.”
• JESUS says “I love you so much that I only want what’s best for you, so I give you the HOLY SPIRIT to remind you of MY words.”

So many stupid decisions which led to my sin have caused me to get in a world of trouble. Some of the consequences of my past sins took decades to surface. My past along with my present caused me to worry about my future. GOD says “the past, present and future are MINE.” “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

In other words, GOD says “I got this one.” “Don’t you waste any time worrying, because I am stronger than any person, bigger than any situation, and more powerful than any plot against you.” “In fact no one can thwart MY great plans I have for you if you believe in ME.” That gives me peace!

• Are your past sins catching up with you?
• Are you busy blaming others and not focused on strengthening your own faith?
• Won’t you put your trust in GOD and expect great things from HIM?
• Will you give GOD your worries and accept HIS peace by saying “I accept whatever YOU give me in this situation LORD?”