‘Tis The Season To Enter God’s Rest

by Jon Walker
The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional

“…There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest ….” (Hebrews 4:8b-11 NIV)

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

God invites us to enter the rest of his healing grace, trusting in his power and purpose for our lives. We rest in our Father’s arms, knowing he goes before and goes behind, knowing that his plans for us are good and not evil. (Jeremiah 29:11)

We enter this “let go and let God” rest through faith, where we cease to work and live independently of God (“… anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work …”).

Instead, we’re to focus our efforts toward entering this Sabbath-trust in God, a restful certainty that God’s got a handle on it all, and that he’s got our best interests in mind.

One writer illustrates this point by telling the story of a man walking down a dusty rural road on a hot, humid day. The man is loaded down with a heavy backpack and carries a duffle bag in each hand. A pick-up truck comes along, and the driver offers the man a ride, telling him to hop in the back.

The driver heads down the road, but when he looks in the rear-view mirror he sees that his new passenger is standing in the bed of the truck – still holding both duffle bags, still wearing the backpack.

The thing is: We stand in the truck of faith, still carrying our burdens, thinking they are independent of the ride we’re taking. Perhaps we think God can carry us, but not our burdens, that we have to keep bearing them ourselves.

What does this mean?

1. Rest in God – Rest in God’s power and grace, and work toward confidence (faith) that he is looking out for your best interests. “I believe; Lord, help my unbelief.”
2. Rest requires dependence – If you’re working independently of God, then you’re not at rest in God. Possible signs that you’re working independently: worry, a need to control, a crammed-full schedule.
3. Our Father’s heart encourages rest – Next time you feel overwhelmed by life, settle in a chair and “be still and know that he is God.” Give him your burdens – your backpack and duffels.
4. Faith leads to rest – Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29, NIV)
   

© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.

Jesus is Better than Santa

Jesus is Better than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."
Santa's little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season.
May The Lord Bless You This Christmas And In The Year Ahead

Love in Christ

Ps: Thanks to my friend Dewi who sent me this. True... Christmas is about Jesus not Santa :)

The Lowly Baby Jesus

by Jon Walker
The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional

Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. (Philippians 2:6-7, NLT)

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Humility is such a slippery slope. The more conscious you are of being humble, the less likely you are to remain humble. It’s like the old joke about the humble man who received an award for his ever-present humility. The problem was, once he stepped forward to receive the award, they had to take it away from him. Ha!

The thing is this: Most of us approach humility in one of two ways.

1. The first approach is consciously acting as if we are humble; we create a false humility by trying to imitate what we think humility looks like.
2. The second approach is to assume we’re not worthy, that we’re some how second class.

Neither of these approaches reflects authentic biblical humility. The biblical approach to humility means you understand exactly who you are – but more importantly – you understand exactly whose you are, and that God has placed you where he wants you, for such a time as this.

In this way, your humility is not attached to your self-esteem.

In other words, rather than trying to think less of yourself, think more of God. You begin to agree with his view of you and that you are totally dependent upon him.
From this emerges a Christ-like humility. You’re no longer burdened by having to know all the answers or be in control of everything.

What does this mean?

1. Dependence requires humility – You will succeed in your purpose because of who God is, not because of who you are. God loves you and wants you to succeed; he will support you in your mission for him, not because you pretend toward perfection, but because he knows you can’t succeed without him.
2. Humility leads to purpose – As you move toward dependence (a biblical humility) on God, he gives you his strength for any task before you – to take the steps of faith required to complete your purpose. For such a time as this, God created you, prepared you, and called you to share the Good News.
3. Christ-like humility – Look at the picture of humility Jesus presents in Philippians 2. Ask God to show you what needs to change in your life in order for you to fit into this picture of humility. Where is there false humility? Or where do you believe you are, in a sense, worthless, that you are not fearfully and wonderfully made by God? “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.”
   

© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.