Where Do We Find Strength

Hard Times May Come, But He’s There With Us Through Them All

2 Corinthians 12:9 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Philippians 4:12-13 

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 

13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Isaiah 40:29 

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

1 Peter 5:10 

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Hebrews 4:16 

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Deuteronomy 31:6 & 8

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16 

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Ravi Zacharias quotes 

God, Truth, Spiritual

Wonder blasts the soul - that is, the spiritual - and the skeleton, the body - the material. Wonder interprets life through the eyes of eternity while enjoying the moment, but never lets the moment's revision exhaust the eternal.

Uplift your Spirit with Scripture

Jeremiah 29:11 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Psalms 27:4 

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Psalms 34:8 

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Proverbs 17:17 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 18:10 

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Isaiah 40:31 

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

John 15:13 

Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 8:28 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:31 

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:38-39 

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 

39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Quote

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles. - Anne Frank

The Characteristics of Sin

Sin is Deceptive

Romans 7:11 

For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.

Titus 3:3 

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

2 Timothy 3:13 

While evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Hebrews 3:13 

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Sin is a shameful act

Proverbs 14:34 

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

Sin is destructive

James 1:15 

Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Sin will expose the sinner

Numbers 32:23 

“But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 

Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

Sin has a penalty

Romans 5:12 

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—

Quotes on Worship 

To worship God in truth is to recognize Him for being who He is, and to recognize ourselves for what we are. -  Brother Lawrence

Just as worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience. If worship does not propel us into greater obedience, it has not been worship. - Richard J. Foster

Son ship

Matthew 5:9 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Matthew 5:45 

That you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Luke 6:35 

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

John 1:12 

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

Romans 8:14 

Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Romans 8:16 

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

Galatians 3:7-9 

7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 

8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 

9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

1 John 3:2 

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

1 John 3:10 

His is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

JESUS

He is the God who can rescue us out of every problem, help us in any difficulty, and empower us for any problem and empower us for any situation.  

Rape

Genesis 34:2 

When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of that area, saw her, he took her and violated her.

2 Samuel 13:20 

Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet now, my sister; he is your brother. Don't take this thing to heart.” And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom's house, a desolate woman.

Laws concerning:

Joshua 22:28-29 

28 “And we said, ‘If they ever say this to us, or to our descendants, we will answer: Look at the replica of the LORD's altar, which our fathers built, not for burnt offerings and sacrifices, but as a witness between us and you.’

29 “Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD and turn away from him today by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings and sacrifices, other than the altar of the LORD our God that stands before his tabernacle.”

Inflicted on captive women:

Isaiah 13:16 

Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses will be looted and their wives ravished.

Jeremiah 13:22 

And if you ask yourself, “Why has this happened to me?”— it is because of your many sins that your skirts have been torn off and your body mistreated.

Lamentations 5:11 

Women have been ravished in Zion, and virgins in the towns of Judah.

Zechariah 14:2 

I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.

JESUS

He is the maker of heaven and earth. 

Prayed - Examples - People Praying

 The Pharisee

Luke 18:11 

The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.

Disciples

Acts 1:24 

Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen

Peter

Acts 9:40 

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.

Cornelius

Acts 10:2 

He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

Acts 10:30 

Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me

Church

Acts 4:31 

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 6:6 

They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

Acts 13:3 

So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 14:23 

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

JESUS

God who planned all things, including the details of our lives; 

My God

Psalms 22:1-3 

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.

3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel.

Evangelism 

"When God is about to give His people the expected good, He pours out a Spirit of prayer, and it is a good sign that He is coming towards them in mercy. Then when you see the expected end approaching, then you shall call upon Me. Note, promises are given not to supersede, but to quicken and encourage prayer: and when deliverance is coming we must by prayer go forth to meet it. When Daniel understood the 70 years were near expiring, then he set his face with more fervency than ever to seek the Lord (Dan. 9:2, 3)." - Matthew Henry

Worship 

1. If we haven’t learned to be worshippers it doesn’t really matter how well we do anything else. Worship changes us or it has not been worship. To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change. Worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience. -  Erwin Lutzer

2. We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the psalms, and that the habit of celebrating the greatness and graciousness of God yields an endless flow of thankfulness, joy, and zeal. -   J.I. Packer

3. Consider Jesus. Know Jesus. Learn what kind of Person it is you say you trust and love and worship. Soak in the shadow of Jesus. Saturate your soul with the ways of Jesus. Watch Him. - Listen to Him. Stand in awe of Him. Let Him overwhelm you with the way He is. -  John Piper

Matthew 16:25 

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

The key to life is letting go of ourselves and welcoming Jesus and his will into our lives. Please don't forget to relinquish your life to the one who gave up his own life for you. You see, he took it back up again, just so that when we lose our life to him, we can have it back forever with him.

JESUS

He is worthy of all our praises, honor and worship.

“Old” Things in Scripture

Time

Jeremiah 2:20 

“Long ago you broke off your yoke and tore off your bonds; you said, ‘I will not serve you!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every spreading tree you lay down as a prostitute.

Matthew 5:21 

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’

Matthew 5:27 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’

Matthew 5:33 

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’

Paths

Jeremiah 6:16 

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Rotten rags

Jeremiah 38:11 

So Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went to a room under the treasury in the palace. He took some old rags and worn-out clothes from there and let them down with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern.

Hatred

Ezekiel 25:15 

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘Because the Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with malice in their hearts, and with ancient hostility sought to destroy Judah,
Estates

Ezekiel 36:11 

I will increase the number of men and animals upon you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

JESUS

He knows every nerve in our body. This is the God who has saved us and forgiven us of our sins. 

Loosing

Marriage bonds

1 Corinthians 7:27 

Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife.

Satanic powers

1 John 3:8 

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.
Animals

Mark 11:2-4 

2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 

3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it,
Earth from bondage and the curse

2 Peter 3:10-13 

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives

12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 

13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

Romans 8:21 

That the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Men by God’s power

Matthew 16:19 

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 18:18 

“I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

JESUS

Our God is huge!  He is mighty! He is everywhere and knows everything! 

Jesus Parables

Matthew 13:10-17 

10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

11 He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 

12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 

13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

15 For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 

17 For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

Luke 18:9-14 

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 

10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 

11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 

12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 18:1-8 

1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 

2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 

3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 

5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 

7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 

8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

JESUS

According to the scriptures, the Devil is small enough to fit under our feet and God is big enough to fill both heaven and earth.

Say It!

All too often we take for granted the ones we love. Perhaps we get caught up in the day-to-day process of living and working, and we neglect to share our true inner feelings. "She knows I love her," we tell ourselves. But we never tell our spouse.

Maybe you grew up in a family where positive, loving feelings were never expressed in words, so you don't know what to say. Perhaps you're afraid you'll say the wrong thing or that if you try to express your feelings you won't be able to control them. That's okay, even if you cry.

An advertisement reads, "Say it with flowers!" Maybe that's how you tell that special someone of your love. Or perhaps you say it with a well-chosen card. My wife loves dark chocolates, so I often give her candy and a card on special occasions. She appreciates these tokens of love, but I've learned over the years not to let the card or the gift do all the work of saying what I really feel inside. I also need to say the words, "I love you."

Everyone needs to hear words of love. In the Song of Solomon, the lovers frequently used endearing terms when speaking to each other.

Today, tell that special person "I love you," not just with candy or flowers but with words.  
Friends, life is too short, we don’t know about our tomorrow, please don’t delay in saying these words.

When was the last time you said "I love you" to a special person in your life? Think of a quality you appreciate in that person and tell him or her about it.

A word of love can make a world of difference.

JESUS

He is the mighty one of Israel. 

Helping Other Christians

Matthew 5:13-16

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 10:37-42

37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

40 “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.

41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward.

42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”

Luke 3:10-14

10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

11 John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.”

12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

13 “Don't collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

Galatians 6:10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

…..

Jesus loves you.

Gideon’s Army

Judges 7:7  

The LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place.”

Gideon’s army of three hundred men consisted of:

. Those who manifested courage

. Those who were alert under pressure

. Those who were willing to follow instructions

Thoughts

~ Father, strip away from me whatever is blocking people's view of You in my life. - Tim Walter

~Without God, we have the ability to manufacture character, but it's counterfeit and cheap.  We can produce love, but it's conditional; happiness, but it's temporary; peace, but it's circumstantial. -  Jeff Kinley

~ It is from out of the depths of our humility that the height of our destiny looks grandest.  Let me truly feel that in myself I am nothing, and at once, through every inlet of my soul. God comes in, and is everyone in me. - William Mountford

Daily Thoughts

. Own up to your sin--you can’t hide it from God anyway!

. Christ’s love creates unity in the midst of diversity.

. When others’ treatment of you gets you down, look up to Jesus.

. Let your faith overcome your fear, and God will turn your worry into worship.

. A despairing world needs caring Christians.

. Pain will either turn us against God or draw us to Him.

. People know true faith stories when they hear them.

. Keep your eyes on God; He never takes His eyes off you.

Faith Quotes

J. Hudson Taylor – Written to his wife during one difficult time in the work of the China Inland Mission, “We have twenty-five cents – and all the promises of God!”

Eddie Zepeda - “Faith is doing God’s will when you don’t feel like it.”

Facts about the Holy Spirit

Strengthens inner man:

Ephesians 3:16

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Gives life:

2 Corinthians 3:6

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

He is received by faith, and not by works:

Galatians 2:1-5

1 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also.

2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.

3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.

4 This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.

5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.

Galatians 2:14

When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

Is the source of hope:

Galatians 5:5

But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.

Imparts character of God:

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

He will reprove the world:

John 16:7-11

7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:

9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me;

10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;

11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

David’s Understanding About God

 Psalms 138:1-3 

1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.

2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

3 When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.

Psalms 138:7-8

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.

8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.

Faithful God in fulfilling His Promises:

Psalms 115:4-7 

4 But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.

5 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see;

6 they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell;

7 they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

Psalms 132:11 

The LORD swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: “One of your own descendants I will place on your throne—

Lamentations 3:22-23

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Faithful God in answering our prayers:

Psalms 65:2 

O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come.

Isaiah 59:1-2 

1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.

2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Psalms 51:3 

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

Psalms 51:7 

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalms 143:6 

I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

Come to Me

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30


Key verse – 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”.

It becomes children to be grateful. When we come to God as a Father, we must remember that he is Lord of heaven and earth, which obliges us to come to him with reverence as to the sovereign Lord of all; yet with confidence, as one able to defend us from evil, and to supply us with all good. Our blessed Lord added a remarkable declaration, that the Father had delivered into his hands all power, authority, and judgment. We are indebted to Christ for all the revelation we have of God the Father's will and love, ever since Adam sinned. Our Savior has invited all that labor and are heavy-laden, to come unto him. In some senses all men are so. Worldly men burden themselves with fruitless cares for wealth and honors; the gay and the sensual labor in pursuit of pleasures; the slave of Satan and his own lusts, is the merest drudge on earth. Those who labor to establish their own righteousness also labor in vain. 

The convinced sinner is heavy-laden with guilt and terror; and the tempted and afflicted believer has labors and burdens. Christ invites all to come to him for rest to their souls. He alone gives this invitation; men come to him, when, feeling their guilt and misery, and believing his love and power to help, they seek him in fervent prayer. Thus, it is the duty and interest of weary and heavy-laden sinners, to come to Jesus Christ. 

This is the gospel call; whoever will, let him come. All who thus come will receive rest as Christ's gift, and obtain peace and comfort in their hearts. But in coming to him they must take his yoke, and submit to his authority. They must learn of him all things, as to their comfort and obedience. He accepts the willing servant, however imperfect the services. Here we may find rest for our souls and here only. Nor need we fear his yoke. 

His commandments are holy, just, and good. It requires self-denial, and exposes to difficulties, but this is abundantly repaid, even in this world, by inward peace and joy. It is a yoke that is lined with love. So powerful are the assistances he gives us, so suitable the encouragements, and so strong the consolations to be found in the way of duty, that we may truly say, it is a yoke of pleasantness. 

The way of duty is the way of rest. The truths Christ teaches are such as we may venture our souls upon. Such is the Redeemer's mercy; and why should the laboring and burdened sinner seek for rest from any other quarter? Let us come to him daily, for deliverance from wrath and guilt, from sin and Satan, from all our cares, fears, and sorrows. But forced obedience, far from being easy and light, is a heavy burden. In vain do we draw near to Jesus with our lips, while the heart is far from him. Then come to Jesus to find rest for your souls.

Be Still

Psalms 46:10  

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

. To enter our will in God’s will

. To seek God above all else

. To be open to divine persuasion

Psalms 119:105 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

So often, those of us who have received the blessings of faith and the guidelines of the Word of God don't fully appreciate them. Can you imagine what it is like to try to define ones worth, clarify ones values, and establish ones sense of purpose without a standard of truth? Imagine what it would be like to be lost without a map and without a compass? Remember what it was like to wake up in an unfamiliar place as a child in the pitch black darkness totally disoriented? We don't have to worry about that now, do we? God's Word — both Scripture and his Son — light our dark paths and show us the way home!

Daily Thoughts

. The light that shines farthest shines brightest at home.

. Those who have their hearts fixed on heaven will hold loosely the things of earth.

. The Lord uses small tools to perform large tasks.

. God always provides what He promises.

. The way of obedience is the way of blessing.

. Staying close to godly friends helps us to stay close to God.

. Are we living for our own pleasure, or living to please our heavenly Father?

. Leave your sorrows with Jesus, the “Man of Sorrows”.

Fear 

Deuteronomy 5:29  

Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

Deuteronomy 6:2  

so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.