Bible

Fellowship: the core of a local church

on Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Fellowship hall, fellowship time, fellowship church, fellowship app, academic fellowship, fellowship college, right hand of fellowship ….

Just what is Fellowship?

With the help of the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary and Merriam Webster I would define fellowship as:

Joining in membership with a local church
Communion together at the Lord’s Supper
Giving of tithes and offerings
Ministering to the saints
Suffering together

Join in membership with a local church [Hebrews 10:24-25]

First let me qualify that my look at fellowship is only from the view of a church member. With that in mind, I think everyone needs to join a local church to enjoy the fellowship of a church. Thom Rainer outlined very well what it means to be a church member in his great little book I Am A Church Member. Thom says a healthy church member will:

Be a functioning church member

By studying God’s word, praying, eating, serving, sacrificing, giving, sharing, and ministering with other church members.

Seek unity in my church
Not let my church be about my preferences and desires
Pray for my church leaders
Lead my family to be healthy church members
Treasure church membership as a gift

Communion together at the Lord’s Supper [1Corinthians 10:16-17]

To take the Lord’s Supper you need to have professed faith in Jesus. So for those who take the supper together; we are saying to one another that we have accepted the same gift of life eternal through the sacrifice of Jesus, have given our life to the service of Jesus, and are together in observing the sacrifice He made for me.

Giving of tithes and offerings [2Corinthians 9:6-15]

God says we should give generously. The Old Testament gave the guideline 10% of our first fruits (earnings) are to be given back to Him. The New Testament says to be a generous cheerful giver. Does that mean only 10% – no I say 10% is only a starting point. Give to make God pleased, as much and as often as you can.

Ministering to the saints [Hebrews 6:10-12]

Who else in this world will come to the aide of Christians – only other Christians. It is our duty to love and help our fellow brothers and sisters. We need to minister to Christians by listening to them, helping them financially, mentally and spiritually, and praying for them.

We should be ministering not only to the other members in our church, but should be lifting up other churches. There again – who will help a failing church … only another church. We should also be ministering to the missionaries who go and who live to spread the Gospel in places other than their local community.

Suffering together [Philippians 3:7-11]

Are we going to suffer here on earth – you bet. Jesus suffered … why would we avoid such? When we suffer we need fellow Christians surrounding us to listen and guide. When you are the one suffering you know it makes things easier if we have a friend to share the burden with. Our burdens range from being uncomfortable all the way to the point of death.

Where should we come along and share a burden with a friend – whenever you feel led that they need support. I don’t know about you, but the problem I have with that is that I need to be more in tune with God to be able to listen when He says go and suffer with someone.

Part of praying to God is to listen, and by listening I can be directed to go suffer with someone.

Bible Wisdom

This Ain’t Heaven

on Friday, August 1, 2014

Man life sure can be tough some times.

Amen?

Amen (I’ll go ahead and credit you that one).

Just recently I have spoken with friends and relatives who have been through tough times:

cancer, job loss, marital infidelity, death of a loved one, friend whose parent is sick, job cut back, lay off, loss of trust from a friend, family corruption, drugs, alcohol, disease, unwanted pregnancy, heart problems, broken bones, mower won’t start, car wreck, and the list could just go on…

Some people have asked me and I could tell some were thinking it but just did not ask – why does God let bad things happen? Some will even ask – why does God let bad things happen to good people?

I submit there is a simple answer that is hard for some to believe or even accept.

In Genesis 2 God told Adam and Eve to work and watch over the garden of Eden, but not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. In Genesis 3 we see their disobedience and followed the advice of satan by eating the forbidden fruit. And we assume sin entered earth then. But the more difficult question if you think about it is this – where did that serpent come from? How did satan get to the middle of the garden that God made to tempt humans? If satan had not tempted, then maybe humans would not have sinned and we would be in a much better place. Maybe so.

But the fact of the matter, is that God did create all things – even satan himself. Now why on earth would God do that? And even more so why did He allow him here on earth?

I think the answer to many of the questions I have asked here can be answered by three words.

This ain’t Heaven.

In Heaven there is no sin. There is no pain. There is no death! There are no wasps, snakes, hornets or skunks. There are no jobs, and our only desire will be God! Man that is heaven!

But this earth just ain’t Heaven. Do you see? Do you agree? Here on our 3rd rock from our sun we have a lot of things that make us uncomfortable. And they will always be here on earth. We do however, have a comforter here who is the Holy Spirit. He will guide us and help us in our daily walk – while we inhabit this earthly vessel we call a body. But one day this body will expire for all of us.

And when it does – we will all end up in one of two places. Heaven or Hell That choice is ours to make while we are still living and breathing in this earthly vessel.

Adventure Bible Wisdom

Top Five Takeaways from the 2014 Cross Train Sports Camp

on Monday, July 28, 2014

For the past three years, the last week of June has been designated as the week for Cross Train Sports Camp at Gibbs High School in Corryton, TN.

Each night of the week children ages K – 8 are invited to learn more about their sport and hear about the love of Jesus!

Campers are treated to excellent coaching from the top coach of each sport at the high school level for football, basketball, cheerleading, softball, baseball, soccer and volleyball. Head coaches, coaches and players from each of these sports are represented to show these younger kids drills and motivation to reach the next level.

The camp starts each night a 6:30 and ends with a huddle time in the gym where the kids hear about the theme and Bible verse for the week. Each night a speaker will share their experiences with life and Jesus – sometimes they are famous, and sometimes they just want to pour into kids.

I have been a part of the conception and leadership team for the camp each year. For me this camp is so special because of how it was birthed, who it serves, who serves in it, and because I was saved as an 18 year old boy at FCA camp in Maryville, TN. Camp is just special to me.

I love serving the kids and our community through the camp, and want to share five positive takeaways from this year’s camp.

21 Salvations recorded this year. This is the reason we have sports camp – to see children saved. Now did each one of these understand what they were doing – probably not. We are in the process with following up with parents, but even if they did not understand today – they are on the right track in their minds to fully understand what true repentance and salvation looks like.
Praying with warriors. Man we have some awesome prayer warriors show up for Sports Camp, and I love to see God working in their lives. They build me up and give me encouragement.
Loving on children. It is so good just to love on kids who will let you. All too early kids put up their shields like they don’t need anybody, but it is so good to get those who will let you love on them. Some of these kids are love starved, so loving on them in the name of Jesus is so impactful.
Serving with friends. I grew up in this community. I know a lot of people here, and it just blesses my heart to serve our Jesus with friends outside the walls of our church.
Strengthening our community. I don’t know of any other event that will strengthen our family like coming together, serving each other and our God. It builds the community in very deep ways that will pay dividends for years to come in ways we may never even see.

Adventure Bible Positive Attitude Wisdom

Good to Great: look #2 into John Grigsby

on Sunday, March 23, 2014

Good ————— > Great

This is look #2 into some of the things that make me who I am. I want to live a life that is not just good but great. It is a continuation from Look #1 post.

I list here a few more events and seasons that I feel have shaped me wanting my life to be counted as more than just good:

Church – I have held a few positions in the church since I married and started settling down. I have been among other things a youth leader, Sunday School teacher and now a Sunday School director. Here again I found myself seeking out what a great leader in those positions looked like, and try to be even better.

Of course for church (and really everything I do) I have someone I really do want to impress, and that is my Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ. I really do want to do my very best because of what He has done for me and who He is to me. Jesus set a perfect example of how to be a great leader. I cannot be perfect like Him, but my goals are to be more like Jesus every day. And if I can just get closer each and every day then I feel I am trying to be great!

Husband – Knowing what an idea husband looks like seems to be a bit more subjective. I know what my father looked like as a husband – at least from the eyes of a child. I had friends who had good dads, but I only saw those men as a friend of their child. I have seen movies and TV shows that portrayed a husband, but those were only made for viewing entertainment. So where on earth could I find what a great husband should look like? I found the answer in my Bible.

The Bible clearly says that a man should love his wife as Christ loved the church and love her as he loves himself. (Ephesians 5:25-33) This is a serving sacrificial kind of love where you put your spouse before yourself. If you really understand that concept, then you know that I have struggled with meeting that expectation. In the early part of our marriage I really labored with putting her needs ahead of mine. As I learn more about Jesus, I am learning better how to love her – but still fall short. I have made a lot of selfish mistakes, and at times have not treated her like I should have. I am so thankful for her patience and forgiveness.

As a husband I should strive to be a great helper, encourager, lover (physically and sacrificially), leader, listener, provider, fixer, and faithful visionary.

The first example of a husband I knew in my life was of course my dad. Dad has shown devotion and love to my mom by giving of himself to her. He doesn’t want to go to some of the places she wants to go and see sometimes, but he goes because he loves her. I have seen them argue and disagree before, but dad has set a great example for me by keeping his vows to my humble mom for close to 50 years now.

Archie Johnson taught me through his actions how to be a humble husband and father. He allowed me to go on vacations with their family growing up, and he always treated me just like I was one of his own.

Dad – I love our children so much and I really wanted to be the best dad to them that walked the earth! However; I know I have fell short many times. I have fed my personal wants and desires over theirs at times. I have let my anger take control of my mouth and actions at times. But I really do want to be the best dad I can possibly be.

A great dad I think provides guidance, discipline, encouragement, is a helper, a listener, a teacher and an example. I have wanted them to see me committed to being a great example for them. They were able to see me graduate from college at the age of 31. They have seen me win awards from work. They have seen me have fun on vacations and while coaching ball teams. They have seen me serve as a leader in our church and at school. I really have tried to live my life as a great example for them.

A few years ago I expressed my desire for our family be known as giving, loving, passionate Christian family. We even created a family crest to visualize these characteristics. If we are known by these qualities, then I feel I have been successful as a dad.

There is none like You, O Lord ; You are great, and great is Your name in might. Jeremiah 10:6

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. John 14:12

Adventure Bible Positive Attitude Wisdom

Who I am – my personal testimony

on Friday, February 21, 2014

Recently one Sunday morning at church I was asked by a friend to give my testimony that night during our evening service. I am always glad to share the assurance I have in Jesus and how God is working in my life, so of course I agreed. I also had a few other things on my mind that I wanted to share with the church, so I asked our pastor what direction I should go with my talk. He said to just tell why you are the way you are. Well I think I know what he meant, but it really got me to thinking how I got to be the way I am. Those who know me know that I am a bit different. But then again – so is everybody else I know!

So how did I get to be the way I am? The accounts that follow will provide some insight…

I was raised in a Christian home, and my family was in church on a regular basis. I grew up in a Methodist church, went through the Confirmation class at 12 years old, and at the end of the class we prayed to receive Christ into our hearts. Was I saved at that time – I am not certain. But I do know that when I was 18 years old I went to FCA Camp in Maryville, TN and I knew God was working in my heart that weekend. I also knew I could not give a certain answer of where I would go if I was to die that day of May 5th of 1984. Through the message given by Rev. Jerry Upton, the Holy Spirit convicted me that I did not have a personal relationship with Jesus, and I responded by coming forward during one of the services and knelt down at the altar to asked Jesus into my heart. I knew then in my heart for certain that I had: repented of my sins, told Jesus I believed He died on a cross and was raised on the third day as a sacrifice to cover my sins, I asked Him to save me, and told Jesus I would follow Him with my life.

I have in no way lived a perfect or sinless life since then, but know in my heart that I can always ask God for forgiveness and it is granted. And I know that because that night I received salvation, and by the assurance in His Word, that I will be forgiven of things I do (sin) that disappoint Him.

Now it was not long after I accepted Jesus into my heart that I realized satan was really tempting me in a lot of different ways that I had not experienced before. I went to college and the US Army facing attacks from satan, and I hate to say it but he won a lot of those battles. I remember carrying my little green Gideon Bible in my cargo pants every day I was in the Army uniform, but I did not make reading it a part of my daily life. I was a worldly Christian giving way to Jesus and the world at the same time. So of course I experienced failures and disappointments as I tried to follow Jesus.

My wife was the catalyst to bring me to a closer walk with Jesus. I knew in my heart that Jesus connected us for her to be my mate and to bring me closer to Him. I saw in her something I wanted more of in my life – an active growing personal relationship with Jesus. I am delighted to say that since our wedding I have been on a slow path of growing closer to Him!

As I grow older my faith increases through the trials I continually face and how I am able to handle them. You have to know that satan will not leave you alone if you are trying to live for Jesus. I am slowly becoming more obedient to Jesus by daily denying satan and the attacks he sends. I am not always successful, but slowly getting better as I grow in my faith. I know I will never live a sinless life until I leave this body in the grave and enter into my eternal home in Heaven!

I am amazed and humbled by the way God has used me over the years. I have enjoyed serving Him in many leadership roles such as a youth minister and Sunday School director. He has molded me through the daily trials as a leader, husband and father. I have been fortunate to lead individuals to receive Jesus as their Savior in Guatemala, during camps and Bible Schools, even by phone with my cousin in Ohio.

Jesus has led me on so many adventures, and they all started with a single step of obedience of saying yes – I will follow You and I will go where You send!

Adventure Bible Wisdom

Free Book: 90-Day devotion

on Friday, February 7, 2014

I was fortunate to be asked to participate as a contributing author of a new Bible devotional book called All Time Verses: 90-Day Scripture Journey by the student ministers at First Baptist Woodstock. I submitted two devotions for the project.

Since this is the first time I have been included in a book publication I wanted to celebrate by giving a copy away to one my blog readers. So I thought I would have a little contest.

I will select one person to receive a free book who #1_will read the devotion and #2_tells me the most unique place they will read this devotion. (yes – points added for creativity)

Simply fill out the information below to be considered. You do not have to be a follower of my blog, but will be entered by submitting the form from this page. Only one entry per person. I will not give or sale your information to anyone – just using it as a reference.

Contest begins NOW and will end at noon on Sunday, February 16th. You must be a valid reader of the English language and the declared winner will need to provide a physical mailing address upon request.

Congratulations!

Terri Brooks is the winner of the free book contest! Terri said she would read the devotion the first thing in the morning in her sun room.

You can find out more about Terri at http://facebook.com/theimprintdoctor

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest.

If you would like to buy your own personal copy of the book it is available on Amazon at All Time Verses: 90-Day Scripture Journey

Bible Wisdom

How to find a “10” for a wife: 10 qualities of a good potential wife

on Monday, January 13, 2014

I had the opportunity to talk about dating and potential wives with my son and a man I consider a real good friend last week. In preparation to talk with them I determined a list of qualities to look for in a potential wife. We agreed this is a pretty good list of qualities a man should look for in a potential wife.

I believe if the girl you are dating and intend to marry encompasses these qualities, then you are on the right track.

1. She shares your beliefs

She should understand the Biblical role of a husband and a wife and be willing to fulfill.

Your potential wife should have the same beliefs you have. Now, you may think you can do some missionary dating, and turn that situation around so she will believe everything you do. You’re probably going to be very disappointed with some bad side effects. You need to understand your core beliefs first, then be sure she shares them with you. If you don’t have the same core beliefs….you will be unequally yoked – not a good scenario for either person.

2. She loves you unconditionally

If she’s trying to change you to be another person, it’s time to move on. Your future wife should love you just as you are. There are certain core characteristics that must be avoided, and you should identify those before you become too involved in a relationship.

3. She is trustworthy

Can you trust her with her time, money, secrets, and most importantly – your heart.

If you have trust issues in your relationship then I feel you are not ready to move forward with any commitment. Trust can be destroyed and built back, but you both should be in agreement with how trustworthy you feel with each other. Also, once trust has been broken it takes a long time to restore. You may trust each other, but in the back of the mind the offense will linger.

4. She has ambition

Does she set goals? Does she work hard?

She should have strength in character and carry herself with confidence. She should be a hard worker just like you. That doesn’t mean having a job is a requirement. I know women who are a stay-at-home wife with kids, and they work just as hard as some people with careers.

5. She is selfless

She should have a servant heart and giving of her time, talents and treasures

She should care about others. Look at the way she treats her family and her friends. If she’s not close with her family, and doesn’t have any good friends, that’s not a good sign. Watch how they treat a waiter/waitress – that tells you a lot about how somebody treats people down deep in their heart. Does she care about causes? Does she volunteer? Does she give change to the needy or buy them a meal? These are important characteristics to consider.

6. She is attractive

In your eyes, she should be downright attractive – I mean put together! Personality plays into attractiveness as well. Just remember, “charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting.” She should be beautiful down to her soul because that kind of beauty lasts forever. Physical beauty will change with time.

7. She is wise

Wisdom means to have good knowledge, and then to know what to do with it.

She should be wise, smart, and give you good advice. Her woman’s intuition should be strong. I look to my wife all the time for advice. She is financially smarter than me, and helps guide me where I am weak.

8. She makes you a better man

Your potential wife should elevate you to new heights. She should inspire you to make yourself better so you can serve her. You can get a good idea from your friends and family. What do they say about you when you are around her?

9. She is modest

She should be modest in her dress, conduct and words. I don’t want my wife advertising what others can’t buy. It is good for a woman to believe her private body parts are to be seen only by her husband.

10. She gets along with your family and friends

She shouldn’t be critical of the people who you love and have been trusted by you. She should be a good fit with the people in your life, and approved by your family – mostly your mom and dad. Marriage is a joining of two totally different lives that existed prior to your meeting, but will become one after you two join them.

Reference:

I would be interested in hearing if you agree or have different ideas. Shoot them to me if you please to john@johndgrigsby.com.

Bible Wisdom

Mary pondered these things in her heart: the art of pondering

on Monday, December 23, 2013

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Luke 2:7-20 (NASB)

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is that part in verse 19 where it said that Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.

What did it mean for her to ponder in her heart?

Ponder means to consider. It means to take what you know, and consider what might be.

So what do you think Mary may have pondered in her heart?

I think she pondered the fact that God had spoke to her and that she would no doubt hear Him again. God had been silent in the Bible for 400 years until the arrival of Jesus. So the God of the universe had spoke to Mary, gave her a baby, and now these shepherds were witnesses to the authenticity. I think she just pondered what would be next. Where would these events take her life next? Who else would come to visit the baby and how did they know of Him? Would there be a different way of raising this God child? She had no idea what would be next, but I think her mind would race with expectations.

I think she pondered on the fact that the birth of our Savior was real. The witness of the shepherds certainly provided a much needed witness. She had no doubt heard the reading of the scripture about the promise of the Savior. She had to have known He would come, but now realizing that those promises were fulfilled in her. If those parts of the scripture were now confirmed, how much more of the scripture she knew must have totally new meaning. It was not just tradition and religion, but now it was real! He was REAL!

I also think she certainly pondered on what the future of Jesus would hold. With what she knew from the scripture, she knew what was told to her by the angel, and she also knew what had happened with Elizabeth and Zacharia’s son John. She knew that His life would be much different than any of the other children she knew. Would they someday live in a different lifestyle? What would God do with Him? What exactly would become of this son of hers? What would be required of him?

What a wonder as Mary pondered and treasured all those things in her heart.

May this Christmas allow you the time to ponder what wonder Jesus holds for your your life!

Bible Wisdom

Christmas lessons from the shepherds

on Monday, December 16, 2013

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Luke 2:7-20 (NASB)

The Shepherds

During Christmas time I like to read the story given to us in the Gospel of Luke. He tells of the story giving a highlight to the shepherds who were watching over their flock at night. We are not told how many there were, but I picture three to five shepherds of sheep.

I noticed the shepherds did three things during this event that I believe would do us all well to follow.

First we see that when the angel appeared they were afraid. Can you blame them?!? Here are these shepherds doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing when an angel appears with the glory of the Lord shining, and of course they have never seen this their life! I can imagine how they probably wanted to run for their lives. But the angel spoke and said to not be afraid – good news was to follow. What a tense moment they had to have experienced as they decided in their minds to stay still and listen to the angel.

We see next that the shepherds did in fact stay still and listen to what the angel had to say. These are startled shepherds and I am sure that the details of what was being said had to be hard for them to remember in their state of uncertainty. I think the angel waited long enough for them to gain composure and listen intently. We are not told, but I have my thoughts.

Then after the angel had told them the good news of the Savior’s birth, they were obedient. They got up and went in search of this baby in Bethlehem. Notice they did not get their affairs in order, but the went just as they were told.

Two lessons from the Shepherds

I think there are two lesson we can learn from the actions of these untrained shepherds.

We all become afraid at times. Some people do not like to admit this emotion, but we all have times we fear for our health, finances, death, family or future. Some people fear these kind of situations on a constant unhealthy basis and some of us just fear them quietly in our heads. I think the key is to recognize the emotion and determine it’s source.

Then like the shepherds we should take these fears and let the glory of the Lord shine on them. For us that simply would look like committing it to prayer. Ask God just what I need to do with this fear. Is there truth in the sources of the emotion?

Once we consult and hear from God, then we need to follow the example of these shepherds and take action. Take positive action just as God lays out for you. Don’t add your thoughts to it, but be obedient to the Lord.

I think if we follow these two steps from a time of fear, then we also would be blessed by our actions. The shepherds were blessed beyond measure by being a witness to Mary about the message they heard from the angel about the baby Jesus. Then they were one of the first on this planet to lay eyes on God who had come in the form of a human to be it’s Savior! Wow – how they were blessed!

Bible Positive Attitude Wisdom

The Rest We All Need

on Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Genesis 2:1-3

I read this scripture again a few weeks ago and realized something significant – God rested. Wow! The creator of our universe, who is without boundaries or limitations rested. Why on earth would God do that?

I think he rested to provide an example for us to follow in our lives. We have to rest or our body will shut down on its own. Sometimes we think there is no time for rest because there is so much to do. Or does that just happen to me?

I’ll admit, I have so much to do at times that I really feel rest is a waste of time. It doesn’t get me anywhere. It just lets me, well ……. wind down – recharge – refocus. Oh yeah … rest.

I need rest in my life for no other reason that to refocus at times. I get so wound up with the things in my life I think must be accomplished. I also am a bit of a perfectionist at times. I think some things I do have to be absolutely finished and completely right before I can stop or let it go. Now sometimes that is a good thing of course, but sometimes it just drives me to the end of my physical and mental usefulness.

Three kinds of rest we need

Daily

I don’t know about you, but my body needs 7.5 to 8 hours of sleep every day. It would be awesome if I could keep a consistent rhythm of getting that much sleep every day, but I usually don’t. And when I get behind on a good night sleep it seems to affect me in a lot of ways. I find it hard at times to just quit what I am doing and go to bed – I have so much more to do! But what I make up in productive activity … I lose in rest. My body will suffer as a result. So only when I get wise do I lay things down and get a good nights rest.

Weekly

Here is the Biblical example we are given – to take a weekly rest. Some call it a Sabbath day, the Lord’s day or even the day of rest. For my family it is Sunday. That is the day we set aside to rest from work and worship our Savior. I will do everything I can to keep this day set aside and not work. I don’t like to do business on this day if I can help it. I also like to spend Sundays visiting with family. We usually eat lunch with family members on Sunday and it is so good to recharge those relationships during those times. I also like to get in a good Sunday afternoon nap. For me that nap gives my body that extra rest that I missed during the week. It also gives me peace knowing all is well with my family that I can check out for an hour or so to just rest.

Yearly

One of the best ways we rest is with a good vacation.

Think about the best vacation you have ever had. Was it a fun vacation? Was it a restful vacation? Usually the two are not the same. During the season of our lives when we have young kids – rest is the furthest thing from a vacation. However, I have felt the releasing of tension from work and my hustle/bustle life. I may not have rested in the sense I would like, but my mind let go long enough to recalibrate the priorities in life. Like spending time with family.

So for six days God worked. I hope I showed you last week that work is actually a good thing. Then God rested. So let’s think about a couple of things. God cannot be a part of anything evil. So if God is in rest, then it must be a wonderful thing. Notice that God blessed and sanctified the seventh day. What God did was declare the seventh day good and set apart. Since work was also good, God gave a separate time and weight to resting.

For me God speaks to me and says that I need that same time of rest. I need a break from work to let my mind and body separate the activities. Both work and rest are good and they both are something we all need.

Note to reader: I finished this blog one night and thought I had it complete. I went to bed and after resting had some more insight to this topic. So I included it this morning before posting. The overnight rest gave me a more clear picture to describe rest. I hope this topic is as beneficial to you as it has been for me.

Bible

Join in membership with a local church [Hebrews 10:24-25]

Communion together at the Lord’s Supper [1Corinthians 10:16-17]

Giving of tithes and offerings [2Corinthians 9:6-15]

Ministering to the saints [Hebrews 6:10-12]

Suffering together [Philippians 3:7-11]

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Good ————— > Great

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Trending Products

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1. She shares your beliefs

2. She loves you unconditionally

3. She is trustworthy

4. She has ambition

5. She is selfless

6. She is attractive

7. She is wise

8. She makes you a better man

9. She is modest

10. She gets along with your family and friends

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The Shepherds

Two lessons from the Shepherds

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Three kinds of rest we need

Daily

Weekly

Yearly

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