CEASE STRIVING - BE MORE LIKE JESUS - LET HIM TRANSFORM YOU!

 Today, is my SABBATH. I love these days. Over the past couple of weeks my Sabbath days have not been about rest. I have been busy. That is not what they are designed for. BUT TODAY, that is not the case. I really got up late today even though I woke up early. I was able to read and relax before I got up. The coffee was going early and I spent time in God's word. REST, that is the WORD from the LORD today. 

I have been so transformed from my early years of being a husband and dad. I was so focused on work, work, work. Now I am unhappy when work, even the great work of the church, interferes or lessens my day of rest. Over the years I recognize my need for weekly rest. Sometimes that rest needs to take place in the middle of each day. I know, your first thought is to take a nap. But, a nap might be physically restful, I am also looking for mental and spiritual time of rest. I am looking for time to rest in the arms of Jesus. That kind of rest is very different than just taking a nap. read what I saw today in 2 Corinthians:

"... And the Lord -- who is the Spirit -- makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image." (2 Corinthians 3:18b, NLT)

The more and more I change and am transformed by Jesus, the more I realize my need for rest. Jesus rested often and certainly we all know about God resting on the SEVENTH DAY of creation. I have changed so much and that is NOT something I can claim. I might be doing it, but I am only capable of taking time away because of GOD working on me. 

Psalm 46 speaks to this need for rest:

"Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress." (Psalm 46:10-11, NLT)

"BE STILL" or as the NASB says, "CEASE STRIVING." I need to sit in the Lord's presence, cease striving to accomplish stuff, to check a box, but instead be more like Christ. Be more like GOD, you are being transformed and it is not because of what you are doing. You are being transformed because of what CHRIST IS DOING THROUGH YOU!

THANK YOU LORD! Thank you for the work of transformation you are doing in me. I see the results and I love it. Thank you for helping me to rest like you. Thank you for the silence and peace I feel when I stop striving to accomplish, even though those things are also good. I praise your Name Lord Jesus. AMEN!

CEASE STRIVING - BE MORE LIKE JESUS - LET HIM TRANSFORM YOU!

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If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!