So then, my brothers, ⌊you are⌋ dearly loved and longed for — my joy and crown. In this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise — dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:1, 4-9 HCSB)
I am thankful for the gift of peace. It is a gift that I do not deserve. But God has graciously given it to me. Because He loves me and for that reason alone. He longs for me. What amazing words. The God who created the universe longs for me. And for you. And we are so undeserving. Yet so blessed.
What good things to dwell on. To let my troubled mind rest on. To take a break from my struggles, fears, and pains and think on the lovely things of God. Won't you join me.
But because the Lord loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from the place of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know that Yahweh your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commands. (Deuteronomy 7:8, 9 HCSB)
Blessings.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
A place of rest
He had said to them: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen. Then the word of the Lord came to them: “Law after law, law after law, line after line, line after line, a little here, a little there,” so they go stumbling backward, to be broken, trapped, and captured. (Isaiah 28:12, 13 HCSB)
Have you ever stumbled and felt captured? Maybe by bad choices. Maybe by thoughts of failure. Maybe by just the stresses of life. Maybe by the expectations of others around you.
God gave us His word as a place of refuge. A place to seek Him and learn the freedom of the life He has given us. God wants us to grow to know and love Him more and more all the time. He never intended for the Word to become a burden for us to carry. It was a gift to release our heavy burden. A refuge to seek in the storm.
So many people believe Gods Word is simply a list of dos and don'ts. But they are believing a lie. God gives us His Word to free us from bad choices. He gives us His Word to show us how to live a successful life. A life that is surrounded with peace and joy. A life that can stand firm in the storms. A life of certainty and of trust.
Therefore the Lord God said: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable. (Isaiah 28:16 HCSB)
What a promise. A tested stone. It has been tested for generation after generation and found faithful.
Won't you give your heavy burdens over to The Lord today. He is faithful. He will give you peace and a sure foundation. Share your heavy burdens with Him today. He wants you to.
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 HCSB).
Blessings
Have you ever stumbled and felt captured? Maybe by bad choices. Maybe by thoughts of failure. Maybe by just the stresses of life. Maybe by the expectations of others around you.
God gave us His word as a place of refuge. A place to seek Him and learn the freedom of the life He has given us. God wants us to grow to know and love Him more and more all the time. He never intended for the Word to become a burden for us to carry. It was a gift to release our heavy burden. A refuge to seek in the storm.
So many people believe Gods Word is simply a list of dos and don'ts. But they are believing a lie. God gives us His Word to free us from bad choices. He gives us His Word to show us how to live a successful life. A life that is surrounded with peace and joy. A life that can stand firm in the storms. A life of certainty and of trust.
Therefore the Lord God said: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable. (Isaiah 28:16 HCSB)
What a promise. A tested stone. It has been tested for generation after generation and found faithful.
Won't you give your heavy burdens over to The Lord today. He is faithful. He will give you peace and a sure foundation. Share your heavy burdens with Him today. He wants you to.
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 HCSB).
Blessings
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