Notes of Faith September 2, 2022
Come to Me, My weary one
Come to Me, My weary one. Find rest in My refreshing Presence. I am always by your side, eager to help you — but sometimes you are forgetful of Me.
You are easily distracted by the demands of other people. Their expectations can be expressed in ways that are harsh or gentle, guilt-inducing or kind. But if these demands are numerous and weighty, they eventually add up to a crushing load.
When you find yourself sinking under heavy burdens, turn to Me for help. Ask Me to lift those weights from your shoulders and carry them for you. Talk with Me about the matters that concern you. Let the Light of My Presence shine on them so you can see the way forward. This same Light soothes and strengthens you as it soaks into the depths of your being.
Open your heart to My healing, holy Presence. Lift up your hands in joyful adoration, letting My blessings flow freely into you. Take time to rest with Me, beloved; relax while I bless you with Peace.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 NLT
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. — Psalm 134:2
The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. — Psalm 29:11
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My presence lovingly awaits you
Stop your incessant worry-planning! Draw your mind back from the future to the present moment, where My Presence lovingly awaits you. Seek My Face with a smile in your heart, knowing that I take delight in you. Talk with Me about all that concerns you and the tasks that are weighing on you. Call out to Me for help as you set priorities according to My will. Then keep returning your focus to Me and to the work at hand. Inviting Me into your activities increases your Joy and helps you to be more effective.
When you need to take a break, remember that I am your resting place. My everlasting arms are always available to support you and hold you close. When you relax in My company — waiting with Me for a time — this demonstrates genuine trust in Me. As you prepare to return to your tasks, make the effort to include Me in your plans. This protects you from worrying; it also helps you stay close to Me, enjoying My Presence.
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” — Luke 12:25-26
When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” — Psalm 27:8 NKJV
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. — Psalm 62:5-6
Excerpted from Jesus Calling for Moms by Sarah Young, copyright Sarah Young.
Matt 11:29-30
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
ESV
Heb 4:7-13
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
ESV
Our Sabbath rest is coming, sooner than some might think. Work hard therefore, until your day of rest. And while working hard, rest in Christ, working His work, yoked together with Him, your burden will be light.
Pastor Dale