Holy Spirit revealed this short devotional message, as I was on Christmas break from work. Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, God is still there. God is not the God of chaos but of peace. When we need to stop and 'rest', God is there. He is the "I am" for whatever we need. At the Christmas season, people get burdened down and weary very quickly and don't know what to do. Some get overwhelmed with emotion and it can lead to meltdowns or breakdowns if they let it get too far, and sometimes even worse. The cost of items at Christmas time for presents, dinners, family outings, travel expenses, accommodation costs, food costs, etc and the family dynamics/relationships can lead to even more times of chaos and unrest. At times like these when we let stress get its foot in our 'door', we can call on the name of the Lord and He will save us. I am so thankful that our God is there at the mention of His name.
Sometimes, however, I find that when I rest, I am more tired. When I have a nap in the middle of the afternoon for example, I am then awake later in the night, and have trouble falling asleep, so I end up going to sleep later than desired. But, we must remember that 'rest' is good for our bodies physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually. Even God rested. (Day 7 of creation) It says in the Bible that God gives His beloved rest (Psalm 127:2), and that God never sleeps (Psalm 121:4). So we can leave all our problems in His hands, and He's got everything in control.
As Christmas 'vacation' is coming to a close, and a New Year is close at hand... (less than 24 hours and we will be in 2017 - Lord willing of course) take this time to make a commitment to God, to grow in relationship with Him. End the old year, and start the New Year with a BANG. "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT) Ask God to forgive you of your sin, and take a step in the right direction. I pray that you will make this important decision to let Him be Lord of your life. Then you can lay all your worries at the feet of Jesus and 'rest in Him'. It's NOT religion its a relationship.
In Exodus 33:14 it says, "The Lord replied, 'I will personally go with you, _______________ and I will give you rest --- everything will be fine for you." The space actually contains the name of Moses in the NLT version, so I took his name out so that you can declare this verse and put your own name in! It's just another promise from the Bible that you can claim and declare in your own life.
"Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!' Psalm 55:6 NLT
Be blessed to be a blessing,
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