Scripture:
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God\’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
Hebrews 4:9-11— NIV
Encouragement:
I\’ll rest when I\’m dead. Have you ever said that? Have you ever heard anyone else say that about rest?
Busy people often work especially hard the week before a vacation, tying up loose ends so they can relax. Students usually have final exams right before semester beaks. When we know rest is coming, we put extra effort into finishing our work.
Christians love the work God has given them, doing it with passion and enthusiasm, putting all their strength and care into it.
But, Christians love God\’s promise of heavens rest even more and look forward to God\’s rest with great joy. We do not need to wait to enjoy God\’s rest and peace; we can have it daily, now!
Our daily rest in the Lord will not end with death but will become an eternal rest in the place that Christ is preparing for us ( John 14:1-4).
God has given us all the same amount of time each week. He has also given us all the same gift. Sabbath rest.
How much of that time do you spend resting? Sabbath rest is a meaningful gift that God has given to each of us to help us govern our lives. The Bible says that God created everything in six days, and on the seventh day, He rested. Then He gave us rest.
What a gift we have but rarely use. Taking time to pull back from life is a good thing. Taking time to pull back from work and everyday busyness is a needed thing. Try not to fill all seven days with activity and chores. Rest.
This gift of rest is about recharging your batteries, refreshing your soul, and reflecting on the good things of life with friends and family. Take a nap. Listen for His voice. Be with your children and those you love. Open your gift of rest. Reflect on love and all the good things in your life.
Today, renew your effort to work hard for God. Relish the thought. Rest is coming.
Pray:
Lord, thank you for rest. Thank you for the value of rest today. Help me to love those around me in this time and to recognize the gifts in them. Let me pull aside and rest with you and be refreshed to go on again and do great things with you. In Jesus\’ name, Amen.
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Linking Up this week with Inspire Me Monday Remember Me Monday Tell His Story InstaEncouragements Let\’s Have Coffee Recharge Wednesday Tune In Thursday Grace At Home Grace & Truth And Friendship Friday
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Thanks for your insightful words! I love the Sabbath and it is my day of rest. It is so wonderful to have a day to rest in God.
Thank you so much. Indeed it really is wonderful to have a day to rest in God.
Yes love this!!! Rest is so important!!! Good word
Thanks for the sweet reminder here to rest with our friends and family on the Sabbath. I tend to try to squeeze in chores, and today I don’t think I have any! I will try to really sit and be with the family guests that we’re having over for Father’s Day. Cheers with my cup of tea to you this morning! I love your animated cover photo of the steaming cup of coffee and Jesus!
Jennifer, graceglimmers, FMF buddy!
Thank you bunches. Cheers with my cup of coffee to you my friend. Blessings.
I am absolutely guilty of being super-busy immediately before a vacation. I’m so busy tearing around, trying to get everything ready and all loose ends tied up. Then, I’m exhausted when I head out to travel for the vacay. It really doesn’t make sense.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
I do the same thing Carol.
You’re speaking my language here, Paula! I have so much to learn!
I thought of you when I was writing this as I recalled a piece you did a while back on rest. Blessings friend.
Sabbath rest – just rest in general! – is such a precious gift from God. I’m still working on working hard when it’s time to work and fully resting when it’s time to rest.
Visiting from IMM#18
I hear you on this Kim.
Some years ago I found the end of isaiah 58 that talks about delighting in the Sabbath. That did much to change my view of a day of rest. I love having that day now, plus taking little mini-rests through the week.
It’s a toss up if I rest on the Sabbath, I know I should. However, having fibromyalgia sometimes I have several days of rest throughout the week.
Sometimes it feels like such a battle to make ourselves rest. Crazy, isn’t it? Thanks for this reminder to take our God-inspired rest time so that we can pick up our work again with lighter hearts when the time is right.
You’re right sometimes it sure is a battle to make ourselves rest.
‘There remains’
Those two words have always comforted me with their solid legacy …
Me too Linda.
You write: “When we know rest is coming, we put extra effort into finishing our work” – so true. I wonder how much better we would work during the week if we actually took that rest! Refreshing encouragement, Paula, to take advantage of what God has provided for us!
I’m glad you were encouraged Maryleigh. You’re right, sometimes it’s hard to actually take that rest.
It’s funny I would read this today as I am busily preparing to be out of the office for a few days!
Resting is something I don’t do well and I am working on getting better. LOL – Working on Resting!
I don’t do well at it either. Unless I’m forced into it from a fibromyalgia flare. I need to work at this too my friend.
Rest is my word for the year. Thank you for these thoughts.
I remember now, it is your WOTY. You’re welcome my friend.
Love your words, Paula, and the Sabbath rest God provides for us! I fought against rest for years, never realizing it was a glorious gift!
I still need reminders from Him to rest. It truly is a glorious gift indeed.
Be still & know I am God is one of my go to verses to cling too – especially when I need to slow down & rest
It’s one of my go to verses too. Thank you for visiting friend.
He not only catches our worries, but replaces them with positive promises. I love that I can bring my worries to Him. Rest in Him. And Be still.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
Amen Elizabeth.
The Gift of Rest is a much needed reminder this week – thank you!
I’m so glad God incoporated rest into our lives. We don’t have to feel guilty when we take rests, beause He knew we’d need them.
(I thought I commented earlier in the week, but I don’t see it.)
Yes you did comment. Thank you again.
Rest really is a gift we need to open daily and enter into it with a full heart, Paula!
Honestly, this topic seems to be popping up almost everywhere I turn. Maybe the Lord is trying to say something to me! 🙂
Thank you for this. In such an insanely busy world, this is much needed.
Hi Dee, it’s been popping up a lot lately for me too. You’re so very welcome.
Paula, this is such a needed message. Rest is biblical, yet we often try to make excuses for not seeking rest for our physical bodies or understanding the importance of soul rest. David tells us in Psalm 23 that the Lord makes us lie down in green pastures. We are stubborn like sheep. May the Lord of the Sabbath help us rest in Him.
Yes we indeed are stubborn like sheep aren’t we? I make excuses to, unless I’m in a fibromyalgia flare and I hear him loud and clear.
Thank you for your encouraging words. Beauiful …
Thank you so much Donna.
As a child I used to go to sleep in God – resting in God is paradise