Wayworn (Matthew 11:25-30)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “wayworn.”  Have you ever had one of those mornings where you just did not want to get out of bed?  You know… you wake up and your sheets are just the right temperature, and your pillow has never felt so good.  I can think of a few times in my life where I have been that tired.  But, I realized that I had to, and still have to, keep going.  I could only imagine what Jesus and his followers experienced in that crazy three years of intense ministry.  At one point, Jesus knew that he needed to give a word of encouragement to some who felt like they were dragging a bit.

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~Matt. 11:28-30

My question is: what are the cares in your life that might need to be presented to the Lord?  Sometimes we get so caught up in the stuff that needs to get done that we forget this gentle command from Jesus.  My prayer is that you bring everything to him.  It doesn’t matter whether it is something big, or small.  Our Savior is great and compassionate, and wants to give you rest.  The next time you find yourself tired, weary, and wayworn, allow yourself to step back and rest in God’s love.

Praying for you,

MO

Recover (Hosea 6:1-3)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “recover.”  Sometimes we take life so hard that we forget to slowdown.  Much of downtime has been taken out of life because of all of the craziness. The funny thing is that without recovery, we are not going to be much good to anyone. God’s peeps knew something about recovery. It always seemed they were doing something dumb that would cause God to bring correction.

“Come, let us return to the LORD…”

~Hos. 6:1

Then JC came along and saved God’s peeps… literally. This common theme in the Bible calls for a Savior to get us out of the messes we like to create. And, just like we can recover from our binge eating on Thanksgiving, so can we do the same in our relationship with God. My question is: do you believe that God can restore you? There is nothing the God cannot change in your life. He wants to intervene. My prayer is that you ask him to show his saving grace in his relationship with you. As you recover this weekend, or whenever you make time, remember God is always ready for us to change our hearts to him.

Praying for you,

mo

Rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

Good morning all,

The word of day is “rest.” Awww, such an unfamiliar one for many of you already this year. With school, jobs, family, friends and the like… well, when do you actually find time to yourself. Did you know that this is the only place in the whole New Testament that JC himself gives this specific invitation? Wow. Can you imagine being there to hear him say that… I’d be like, “Sign me up for some rest, yo!!!” Check it out:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

~Matt. 11:28-30

I mean, if you want it – here it is. God wants you to draw near and rest in his loving arms. God knows when you need rest. And get this; he wants you to take advantage of it. My question is: What are you doing to rest, both from work and to understand God’s promises and love? My prayer for you today is that you take some time to yourself and rest in God’s love.

Praying for you,

mo

Shadow (Psalm 57:1-11)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “shadow.” Today it seems this word is associated with more negative stuff than positive. In the old days though it was something that comforted God’s peeps. The psalmist in this passage is reminded of God’s trustworthiness in this life…

“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.”

Ps. 57:1

What a great reminder that God is always here for us. My question is: when is the last time you found real refuge in the Lord? Life can get pretty crazy and messed up at times. We deal with work, school, family, relationships, and a bunch of other stuff we do not always understand. My prayer for today is that when each of you face these times you would rest in God until the calamities pass; sometimes that is easier said than done... but it is possible. The psalmist did… cry out for God and you will be answered.

Praying for you,

mo