Tag Archive | Jesus

Matthew 11 – The Unforced Rhythms of Grace

Mar16

Good evening y’all. Today we are looking at Matthew 11.

I am focusing todays blog on verses 28-30.

Be blessed 🙂

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.  Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light”. (Matthew 11:28-30 CEVUS06)

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew11:28 – 30 MSG)

Jesus is inviting us to share in His rest. According to google, rest is defined as “cease work or movement in order to relax, sleep, or recover strength”.

Some of us are so busy; tired and worn out that we can’t even sleep at night. Our brain is in overdrive that it can’t shut down even though we are tired and want to sleep. Jesus is offering us rest that will allow us relax, sleep and recover strength.

To enjoy this rest, we need to spend time with God alone. This reminds me of an apprentice and the master. The apprentice shadows the master; watches everything the master does. He learns the art of the trade. That was the picture I got as I read these verses. The apprentice can’t learn the trade from a distance he/she has to be in close fellowship with the master

It’s the same with us and God. This invitation He has given, we can’t enter or enjoy the rest from a distance. We have to be in close fellowship with Him.

The message version uses words such as “Get away with me”; “walk and work with me”; “keep company with me”. All these statements suggests to me that spending time and having a relationship with God is important.  We have to create time to get away with God; to study His word. That’s the only way we can get refreshed and recover our lives from the hustle and bustle around us.

Even God and Jesus rested from their busy schedule. God rested on the 7th day.

“On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work”. (Genesis 2:2 NLT)

Jesus usually retreated to a solitary place to rest and recuperate from the days work.

“But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer”. (Luke 5:16 NLT)

He understood the need to get refreshed from His source – God. He knew there was a lot of work to be done and He couldn’t afford to burn out.

Let’s  learn from Jesus. It’s very important and crucial that we also find time for solitude. A place where we can meet with God with no distractions whatsoever. It’s in those quiet moments that God reveals his plans to us and fills us with His peace.

The rest is available to everyone and it’s free. Just come as you are. You don’t need to pretend or hide under a facade. Just come and lay it all down. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Take Jesus up on His offer and let Him lead you by the hand into His rest.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, we thank you for today. Thank You for reminding us that Your rest is available to us. Help us to let go and let You take control of those situation that wear us out. Help us to learn the unforced rhythms of grace and lead us into Your rest. Thank You dear Lord. In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.

Thank you for joining today.

Have a blessed evening 🙂

***With God all things are possible***

Matthew 9 – Jesus : the Man of Compassion

Mar12

Good evening Y’all. Today we are looking at Matthew 9

In this chapter we see the Authority and compassion of Jesus displayed.

Be Blessed 🙂

Jesus not only has authority to Heal, cast out demons, still storms but He also his authority to forgive and to raise the dead.

Jesus seeing their faith, was able to perform miracles for them. This tells me that FAITH is key to us receiving our miracles

Hebrews 11: 1 defines faith as:
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” ( NLT)

“What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.” (TLB)

The paralysed man was healed because of his faith

The woman with the issue of blood had faith that if only she touched the hem of his garment she would be healed

“for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed”. (Matthew 9: 21 NLT)

The synagogue leader had faith in Jesus to resurrect his daughter even though she had died.  Let’s look at his words to Jesus.

“As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.” (Matthew 9: 18 TLB)

This is great faith from the synagogue leader. He could have given up on the situation but the man must have heard about the miracles Jesus had been performing and was encouraged because he knew Jesus carried authority. It was a dead situation that others might have given up on but this man refused to give up and believed Jesus could raise his daughter back to life.

Jesus was willing to go over to his house and lay hands on his daughter. When He got there, He was met by many doubters and nay sayers proclaiming the death of the daughter. He couldn’t deal with doubters and naysayers . He had to get rid of them, then He went in to the girl and took her by the hand and she stood up.

“When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up!” (Matthew 9: 23-25 NLT)

Sometimes we too need to get away from the doubters and naysayers around us. We only keep those who are going to encourage our faith in God.

“When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd”.(Matthew 9:36 AMP)

Jesus was filled with compassion when He saw the people. Why? Because the people were distressed, helpless, weary….

Do you find yourself in this category today, be encouraged Jesus is compassionate and will meet you where you are right now. He will turn things around for your good. He cares for you. Let’s keep trusting and holding onto His word and promises.

He is too faithful to fail. Even when we are unfaithful, He remains faithful ( 2 Tim 2:13)

He said heaven and earth will fade away but His word will never fade away ( Matt 24: 35). That means His word can be trusted

He said He will never leave you nor forsake you. Therefore you can confidently say The Lord is my helper, I will not fear (Heb 13: 5b – 6)

He promises to hold you by the hand and help you (Isa 41: 10)

He watches over His word to fulfill it. (Jer 1: 12)

Everything on heaven and earth is subject to His authority ( 1 Chronicles 29: 11, Matt 28: 18)

He is the same yesterday today and forever (Heb 13: 8). If  HE has done it before, He can do it again.

Whatever situation you are going through  today has no choice but to bow to the authority of Jesus. He is sovereign over all.  Be encouraged today 🙂

God is in control …. Hallelujah !!!

Thanks for joining today.

Have a great evening 🙂

***With God all things are possible***