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Rest is one of those things that sounds super simple, but really isn't at all. We're always on the go, and our schedules always seem to fill up without us even noticing. Society does not put a whole lot of emphasis on the value of rest.
But rest does not equal laziness. It's something your body actually craves. If you push yourself too hard for too long, your body literally starts to shut down, and you get sick. The same concept is true in our spiritual lives. If we don't take time to get off the busy highway of life to rest with God, we start to get spiritually dry. We feel run down and empty. Learn to rest by meditating on His Word. Take a break to talk with Him. Unplug for a while and hear what He has to say. Learning to rest is much easier said than done, but it's important for both your physical and spiritual health! Start today! Set aside some time today to rest with God.
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But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. - Hebrews 3:13 Bullying isn't something that only occurs in middle or high school, or online. As long as sin is in the world, prejudice and judgement will try to cloud how we see those around us, and we may be tempted to put others down to make ourselves feel more valuable. But there is a better way. In the midst of this negativity, everyone needs to know the love of God, and that can start with YOU! Encourage your friends. Show kindness to everyone you meet. Generously pay compliments. Don't be stingy with your smiles. This Scripture isn't a general, "be encouraging only when you think you're feeling up to it." Nope. DAILY. EVERY DAY. Don't allow more hearts to be hardened by the lies of a dark and sinful world. Encourage one another! I don't understand the mindset of storm chasers. As soon as I hear thunder or see lightning, I'm buried under a bunch of blankets on the couch pretending that it's still nice and sunny outside.
Storms terrify me because they are so powerful and can be so destructive. But God is much more powerful than any storm. Scripture is full of evidence of how God commanded light, water, wind, and so much more. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:4-9 Paul likes words. And a lot of what he has to say in the Bible can be confusing and hard to read, but I find this section of scripture absolutely straight forward. I've never thought of myself as a fearless person. I've let myself get weighed down by worry, others' opinions, and the fear of the unknown. It's been a lot of "what if's" that have kept me from taking leaps of faith year after year.
But I don't want that to be how I live my life going forward. I can choose the peace of Christ over worldly worry. I can choose to listen to the opinion of God, which is worth way more than the opinions of those around me. I don't have to be afraid of the unknown, because I have this promise: 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. - John 14:27 Take a leap of faith. We can be fearless in Christ! 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 4:31
These three words describe many of the very first Christians. The disciples. Paul. The ones who had experienced Jesus first or even second hand. They were surrounded by religious leaders who thought that the gospel was blasphemous and were throwing these new Christians into prison. These people were BOLD, BRAVE, and COURAGEOUS. Do those words describe you as a Christian? Do you boldly share your faith even when you're surrounded by those who oppose you? Are you brave and courageous, stepping out in faith to where God is calling you? To everyone who is struggling: If you feel that the world is against you, that you have no value, that you are unpretty, that you're unworthy of life--you are loved. You are so loved!
It's not that you aren't praying or trusting enough. Your struggle is valid. Your pain, emptiness and tears are all valid. You're searching but not seeing the truth. And you've let yourself believe the lies Satan has been whispering in your ear. But I want you to know that they are lies. You are loved. You are so loved! You are so valuable. You are worthy of life. YOU ARE SO LOVED! We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. - 1 John 4:16 "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. - 1 Peter 1:3-9 This section of scripture really defines what a relationship with Jesus means for you. Christ died for your sins, and was raised again so that you could receive God's mercy. And when you have faith in Him, He will protect you. You'll still face struggles, but if you endure and remain faithful, you will receive an eternal salvation! Even when you go through dark times, you can rejoice because of the promise of an eternity with God in Heaven! Christ died for your sins to give you this gift. You have a priceless inheritance in Heaven, all because of Jesus! Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25
I love the challenge in this verse. So you call yourself a Christian... but do you walk the walk? I like to picture myself marching immediately behind Christ, trying to stay in step with Him. Playing follow the leader with the greatest leader we will ever have! There will be times when we fall out of step. And even times when we trip and fall flat on our faces. But we have His example of a perfect life in a sinful world as our guide to continue to follow, even when we mess up. If we are in step with The Spirit, people will notice. They'll see you walking the walk. And you can invite them to follow The Leader too! |
Hey friend! I'm Alexa and thanks for visiting!
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