Rest Awhile

"And on the seventh day,
God rested". Genesis 2:2.

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31.

We can all try to fit a few more hectic minutes into our day. We could phone one more client. Do one more load of washing. Complete one more form or send one more email. Go one more place to do one more thing. And we can all say one more yes to just one more person.There is no end to how busy we can be or how much more we could take on.

However, there needs to be balance. We are always hearing from nutritionists about how we need to have a balanced diet. 

To have good mental, physical and spiritual health - we must also balance work and rest. Just as it takes discipline to eat the right foods so it takes discipline to make time for solitude.  

How can we have peace in our lives if we do not take time to rest the body and soul?

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time."- John Lubbock.

While good works are a witness of the Christian faith, we must not get bogged down doing these to the detriment of our health :-

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:9.

We are not super-beings. Even God rested. (See Genesis 2:2; Hebrews 4:4).

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest in your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28.29.


Jenteelability.     http:/devotionalchristiancafe.blogspot.com

Shadows

The Collin's dictionary defines the word shadow as:
1) a dark image or shape cast on a surface by the inception of light rays by an opaque body.
2) an area of relative darkness.

During certain times of the day, my shadow may lengthen or shorten.

I have always been fascinated by the images that shadows cast. Perhaps that is why I find shadow puppets (both professional shadow puppets and those made by shaping your hands) so enthralling.

Artists, Motion Picture Directors and Photographers continually use the presence of light and shadow to enhance an object, or create atmosphere and mood.

Without shadow, images would appear two dimensional.

Artists often find that adding light and dark tones to their canvas, brings certain shapes into the foreground. The landscape or portrait, no longer appears flat.

During different seasons of our lives, we will experience times when only  the shadows seem present but not the light. Days even weeks may seem flat and barren.
These times in our life will feel miserable but God allows these occasions to form depth into our character and to bring His goodness, grace and mercy into the foreground.

"How priceless is your unfailing love. Both the high and low, among men - find refuge in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 36:7.


Shadows not only create depth, but also provide protection from the sun.When this happens, the terminology shifts from shadow to shade.

Just like a mother hen protects her chicks from under her wings, so too does the Lord.

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are His everlasting arms". Deuteronomy 33:27a.


Turn the shadows of your life into shade by going to the Heavenly Father. Rest under the protection and security of his everlasting arms. 


Jenteelability.     http:/devotionalchristiancafe.blogspot.com

Was blind but now I see.

Jesus said, "...I have come into the world so the blind will see...".
John 9:39a.


Australia's largest bird of prey is the Wedge-tailed eagle. They have a wedge -shaped tail and are a dark blackish brown in colour. Females weigh over 4kg and are larger than males which weigh about 3.5 - 4kg. The wing span of a Wedge-tailed eagle is approximately 2.5m from tip to tip.These eagles reach heights of about 2000m and soar and glide on thermals. There is nothing more spectacular than seeing one of these amazing creatures take flight and soar in the sky.
Eagles have excellent eyesight and their sharpness is at least 4 times better than a human with perfect vision. Wedge-tailed Eagles see the whole country beneath them while at the same time  focusing on a single stream of what is ahead of them. They see two ways at the same time. This helps keep their prey in focus as they fly.
References: www.eaglesflyinghigh.com;  www.fauna.com.au; Wikipedia.


"If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit'. Matthew15:14b.
A blind person relies on his guide dog to give him direction when he walks. His canine friend sees for him.
And that's the way with our spiritual sight. Relying on other people to lead us when they may be blind or have a speck in their eye, no matter how together they may seem (for no one is perfect), is no substitute for our guide who is the Holy Spirit who has above perfect vision.We need to keep our focus on Jesus and let the Holy Spirit be our spiritual eyes.

We keep our eyes in good health by getting them tested and getting glasses, contacts or surgery if  need be.
We constantly go to the optometrist for check ups and spectacle lens renewal.
In the same way, we must keep our spiritual eyesight in check by reading the scriptures and meeting with other Christians to make sure that our perspective is in line with God and that our minds are being renewed.

As Christians, we need to encourage others to see too! ... And with love and compassion in our hearts, lead them to Jesus Christ.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
  That saved a wretch like me....
  I once was lost but now am found,
  Was blind, but now, I see."- John Newton.


Jenteelability.     http:/devotionalchristiancafe.blogspot.com

Deceit and Defeat in the jungle. (Putting on the armor of God).

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering." 1 Peter 5:6,9.


As I sit and work around the campfire in the jungle of life, there are a couple of lions called Defeat and Deceit prowling around the outskirts. They are waiting for a moment of  weakness, weariness or inattentiveness from their prey...that's me!
As they circle the campsite their snarls almost take on human form, suggesting to me that "you can't do it" and "give up". They try to tire me with these persuasions and then they will pounce.
I can hear their tummies rumble as their dribble falls from their jaws.

Luckily, my two friends Wisdom and Faithfulness are with me. In their travels, they have seen the likes of these two beasts before. They know what to do. They tell me how to put on the armor of God for protection.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes...so that when the day of evil comes, you may stand your ground...stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breast plate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition, take up the shield of faith...the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God." Parts of Ephesians 6;11-17. [Please refer to Bible for the whole verse].

Wisdom and Faithfulness tell me that I will be okay as long as I stay near the campfire (the Holy Spirit) over night. They tell me that the lions will be gone in the morning. They tell me to think positive as this will help cast out fear. Think of things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and anything that is excellent and praise worthy, they say. (Refer to Philipians 4:8).


Wisdom and Faithfulness were right. By morning, the lions had gone but they still have the smell of my scent on their nostrils. They will be back ... but now I know how to handle them.

And so my friend that is how it is with the devil, prowling around us. He looks for every opportunity to devour us. The good news is that Christ has already overcome him. All we need to do is not be defeated or deceived but instead put on the armor of God and keep our focus on Jesus.

REMEMBER: "Yet amid all these things, we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him (Christ Jesus) who loved us". Romans 8:37.


Jenteelability.     http:/devotionalchristiancafe.blogspot.com

Friendships

I've been particularly blessed of late as various friends have been there for me. They have encouraged me through various words, their generosity, their time, their knowledge, their hugs, smile or just a simple text to my mobile.

Sometimes, I feel uplifted for no particular reason and I know a friend is anonymously praying for me.

"To find a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24b) is a very special thing.

In John 15:13, the Bible says-

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Jesus laid down his life for us.

What a loyal and faithful friend! Bestowing on us grace and mercy when we did not (and do not) deserve it. Definitely, a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

But friendship should not be one-sided.

Do we just call on friends at the point of need? Hopefully not! We enjoy their company. We like to be with them. The more time we invest in a friend, the more the friendship deepens and grows.

Why not stop now and spend some time with Jesus? Tell him about your day, your feelings and your dreams. In return, contemplate God's words and thoughts as you read the Bible with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Have a giggle together! Hang out like best friends do!

[For more encouragement, read John 15:1-17].


Jenteelability.     http:/devotionalchristiancafe.blogspot.com

Trust and Obey

God is my solid rock! 

After 11 years of  having the same job, I have resigned. The reason being that I was burning the candle at both ends and it started to affect my physical, mental and spiritual health. God allowed me to resign and in many ways encouraged me to do so, indicating to me that other doors will open and that he has newer pathways for me. 

But once you "pull the plug" (so to speak) and the financial flow is down the drain with no visible tap to replenish, that is when trust comes in...as well as faith and hope. Suddenly, you are not financially secure and really must be dependent upon God to provide and take care of you while you wait for other work or direction. 

It is easy to trust God when we are in control or when we "feel" secure in what we have but when it is taken away or not there anymore, we must trust in God's promises...scriptural facts rather than our feelings. This is the way we should live even when things seem "secure", for God is the alpha and the omega: our solid rock.


As I learn to take one day at a time, God reminds me:-


"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:6,7.


"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16b.


Perhaps, there is some area that you need to hand over to God today...be it finance, work, family or personal. Hand it over to God now and practice the art of trusting.


Jenteelability.     http:/devotionalchristiancafe.blogspot.com