What Does Jesus Call Us To Do?

There is much confusion about what Jesus is asking of people. People say one thing and another, but few look at what Jesus himself said.

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28, NIV.

COME
If Jesus had a catch-phrase it would be the word, "Come." Over and over he says to persons and groups, Come to me..." His life was an open invitation to all. This invitation is to come to a person, Jesus, not a series of rules and regulations.  We come to the Man of Galilee not a creed or system of philosophy. Many find this to be difficult, because it is a relationship and relationships take work, unlike a cold impersonal set of rules to live by.

ALL
Christ invites all to come, all who are weary and burdened. No matter who we are, what we have done, or have experienced, Jesus welcomes us. No one is too bad or too wicked; there is not exception clause, he says all may come.

REST
Jesus offers something no one else ever does, or can, and if they did it would be insane. He offers rest. He says, "I will give you rest," this is a strange use of the word rest.  We would say, "Take some rest or get some rest;" but Jesus is saying something new and different here- he is the source of rest.

Christ offers the end of the struggle with guilt, victory over pain, and the finish of shame. If we rest in a chair it is temporary but Jesus offers a new, unending, and fully complete rest because in his next sentence, recorded in verse 29, he defines it as rest for your souls, this has to be a deeper, more complete, and more fulfilling rest than any other we could ever find.

WHAT AN OFFER
If we are weary of the struggle of our pain and burden he invites us to bring it to him. If we are tired of trying to solve our problems, and if the burdens of our hearts are too heavy to bear then Jesus is calling each of us. No matter what guilt, or shame, or pain we carry he says, "Come."

(c)Adron Dozat

Where To Find Hope In A Bad Situation

What help and comfort is there for someone in a bad situation?

"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore." Psalm 125:1-2, NIV.

A REMINDER
Some things we hear over and over and though they are old and simplistic they are still true. We need reminders to be practical in our faith. Not just to start our day or week with a little prayer and go on without another thought about God; that would be a good beginning but a poor ending.

TRUST
We are saved by trusting the Lord, but we need to "trust in the Lord" must as a daily or moment by moment faith. As we go through our day we must bring God along. Every day is full of situations, problems, thoughts, feelings, people, and things that challenge us. We must not rely on our own ideas or the ability to solve them. Sometimes a quick prayer as an expression of faith in God is all it takes. Other times it is more complicated and takes seeking Our Lord out in prayer, searching the scriptures, meditation, and counsel with godly friends.

• We need to pray often and tell God we are trusting him and tell him the reasons why.
• We need to remember Bible verses that have promises and pray to claim them.
• When we are trusting in ourselves we must repent and tell God, and renew our trust in God.
• We need to stop running back and forth, both physically, and mentally, and rest in Him.

AN ENCOURAGEMENT
It is encouraging that "The Lord surrounds his people." As we go through difficult situations we can know the Lord went ahead, he is beside us, and he is covering our backs. We can trust him and then drop our guard because he is our guard on every side. We may feel all alone like no one understands, no one knows our pain and worry; but he was there first, he is next to us with his hand on our shoulders, and he is behind cleaning up the mess. He surrounds us and the enemies can circle all day long but they won't find a crack to get in.

A HOPE
He surrounds us both "now and forevermore." There will never be a time when God does not surround us. We may feel like he has left- but these feelings are not the fact. When trials come we need to pray and claim this truth, "He is surrounding me." We could look at those trials and say, "Do your worst- God has me covered!"

© Adron 1/13/13

Some Fatherly Advice- Victory. Proverbs 21:31

How can you succeed when you face conflict?

We face many battles, some of which we can anticipate, like when we know a report is due or a test is coming. Some battles come without warning, like a debate in the lunchroom. The Bible points to the attitude that leads to success.

"The horse is made ready for the day of battle but victory rest with the Lord.” Proverbs 21:31. NIV.

REST
This verse makes two points. First, though victory may “rest with the lord” you must do all that you need to do to be “ready.” Preparing a horse for battle took a lot; it had to be properly shod with iron shoes, equipped with a harness, saddles, and even armor that fit securely. A warhorse had years of training for speed and strength, and to follow the commands of the rider. Much time and expense were spent getting a horse ready for battle, so we must not neglect the hard work.

Rest is not a battle word or a concept consistent with conflict. You rest after the battle, but here victory is associated with rest; as if it is done, finished, and waiting. Imagine victory resting in the palm of God’s outstretched hand, and He is extending that hand to you. Victory is waiting for you to take it, but we must receive it by faith.

VICTORY
The second and greater point is that “victory rests with the lord.” You do everything you can to be ready, but you know it is God who gives victory. He is the one who inspires the professor to give a good grade. He is the one who causes the judges to rule you the winner of the contest. He is the one who brings the audience to give a standing ovation. God invented “Victory.” It is His possession, and He gives victory to whom He will.

These truths call for practical faith. Since victory “Rest with the Lord,” we must acknowledge Him and His Victory. Here are some suggestions:

      Pray each time you start your study time, open your book, or begin a project. (Simply, like saying grace at dinner, it need not be complicated.)
      Pray before you train, practice skills, or prepare for a task.
      Thank God in advance for the victory He has in store for you.
      When you turn in a project or give a performance, tell God you accept His will for the results.
      When you receive the results, acknowledge God’s provision, both to God in prayer and verbally to others.

We must be like the soldier who has their horse trained and equipped, always ready for battle; we need to study, practice, and work diligently. The Day of Battle can be the hour of victory if it is prepared for with many moments of Faith.


My Prayer for Victory
Father, God of all Power and Lord of Victory,
I look to You on this chasm edge of battle’s dread.
I have made all the preparation that I ever can,
Even that readiness has been by Your potency.
I surrender to You, and go forward in Your name.
I ask You to grant success for success rest with You.
Win or louse, good or ill- I accept what You provide;
Knowing my good is ever what Your love desires.
I give You thanks now though I have not seen the results.
I know I will give thanks soon in joyous celebration.

To learn more about finding God in your life, follow this link: Salvation.

(c) Adron 4/22/10

Where is The Perfect Place For A Tired Soul? Psalm 91:1-2

We all long for that ideal home where our very hearts find satisfaction and are at rest. This verse points the way.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord,' He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" Psalm 91:1-2, NIV. 

DWELL
To dwell somewhere is to stay there for good, not just a visit. Many live with God on Sundays, but live away from God when they go out the door on Monday. This verse reminds us to dwell continually with God. God made us so we may enjoy a relationship with him, so we will find true satisfaction only by remaining in our permanent home with God.

SHELTER
We think of a shelter as a nice home with indoor plumbing, central heating, TVs and microwave ovens; but the shelter of the Most High was anything but that. Both the Tabernacle and the Temple in Old Testament days were places of service, even work! It was the place where the priest ministered, sometimes giving judgments, counsel, leading worship, teaching, making sacrifices, preparing atonement, sanctifying the people of God, and more than I can mention here. To dwell in the shelter of the Most High is a place of service. God designed us to serve Him as part of a relationship with Him.

REST
The good news is that we "will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." This is a promise. The Bible teaches rest as a principle. Everyone serving God, in big or little things, could claim this promise. This rest is not like sitting on a sofa in front of the TV and eating sweets, but it is comfort within our souls and peace in our hearts. It is to stop struggling.

THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY
God the Absolute Almighty faced the foe for us and we are hidden behind Him. What a safe place the Shadow of the Almighty is! Many times God commands rest, the result of this rest should be to reflect on The Almighty and that should lead to worship.

When we dwell with God and serve Him we are not only fulfilling His purpose for us but we will find we know Him better.

(c)Adron Dozat