Come Unto Me, I Will Give You Rest

I Will Give You Rest

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)

This setting is calling out to us to come and sit for a while.  It says to take a rest; be still, learn and reflect. In these times of great busyness, this is a lost practice.  In this world of stress, distractions and many troubles, we can lose sight of God and the peace we can have in Him. He wants to know us, and for us to know Him. Many things get in the way. We don’t make the time we need to build that relationship.  It takes time to get to know Him and His word to us.   He desires for us to have a relationship with Him. God wants to ease our burdens. We must give them to Him, and He will give us rest.  Let us learn to stop, be still and listen.

Furthermore, Matthew 11:29-30 (NKJV), speaks to us still more:

“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.”

As I think about how being still and spending time with the Lord is quickly becoming a missing practice, this old hymn came to mind. Sadly, hymns have become a lost entity as well.  Really listen to the words in the hymn William Longstaff wrote.  We are inspired to “Be holy, for I am holy” as said in 1 Peter 1:16(NKJV)

                        Hymn Lyrics:

 Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;                                   Find  rest in Him always, and feed on His Word.       Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,      Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushing on; Much time spend in secret, with Jesus alone.               By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;                                          Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

 Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;                                    And run not before Him, whatever betide.                                       In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,                                          And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Let us be sure to come to Jesus and take time to be holy.  The picture bids us to, “Come Sit Awhile.”

Hymn “Take Time To Be Holy” Written by William Longstaff, 1882. Public Domain

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He Is Our Covering

God Is Our Covering

 “He spread a cloud for a covering, And fire to give light in the night.”        Psalm 105:39(NKJV)

 The picture featured, illustrates this scripture very well. It shows the cloud, as the covering.  The sun, with the red glow, portrays the fire. Psalm 105:39 tells us how God was there for the Israelite’s all through their exodus and journey in the wilderness.  God led them out, but didn’t desert them, even though the Israelite’s complained like He had. That is not true, He supported them all along the way.  They weren’t living a luxurious lifestyle, but their needs were being met in miraculous ways. Some thought it would be better to go back to Egypt.  Had they already forgotten why they cried out to be delivered? They were living under harsh bondage.  God is loving and caring.

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13: 5-6(NKJV)

We really can’t say too much about the Israelite’s and how they behaved, because we must honestly look at our own lives to see we have fallen into the same attitudes. We, who have the Holy Spirit as our helper, cannot even walk as we should. We grumble and complain. We are not content, as it tells us in the verse in Hebrews. God does care for us and is there for us through everything.  He hasn’t deserted us either! His word teaches and guides us. 

 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

This scripture says a lot.  Simply put, it tells us that God doesn’t change. He gave us the Bible, His word; Holy Spirit inspired, for us to have and live by.  It is His Story from creation (Genesis) to His coming again (Revelation). It has the beginning, the fall of man, His plan to redeem us, guides to life, many promises, the end; basically, everything we need to live by.  God was with the Israelite’s as they wandered along their pilgrimage, and He is also with us as we travel on ours. May we at no time forget that He is our God, He is our helper, and He will not at any time leave us nor forsake us.  God does not change; He will always be there for us.  God is our covering.

Every Good And Perfect Gift Is From Above

Every Good And Perfect Gift Is From God Above

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”    (James 1:17) NKJV

Reflecting on God’s word, in James 1:17, we are reminded that every good and perfect gift is from the Father of lights.  As I contemplate this photo, I can sense these words come alive.  I can feel His warmth, as God sends His love and light down on us, illuminating our way.  Let us ponder this verse throughout the day, knowing that our Father desires to bless us with every good thing.  Let His light radiate for all to see. God is love!  He is always with you.