Jesus, in His earthly ministry, did not talk to us about rest. He talked to us about our mission, our ministry, our witnessing—in short, our work.
MESSAGE BY WARD PIMLEY
IF YOU WERE TO ASK ME to describe a perfect week, or even a day, no doubt I would conjure up a restful spot, probably near the ocean with a bright sun and low humidity, and I would be lounging in a comfortable chair sipping a cool drink.
Oh, sure, there are varieties of that image; for example, a mountainside retreat overlooking a verdant valley, or an early morning with the Bible and a steaming hot cup of coffee, but even those are not much different from the first image.
In all three scenarios, I would be at rest.
Yet, Jesus, in His earthly ministry, did not talk to us about rest. He talked to us about our mission, our ministry, our witnessing—in short, our work.
We are to learn from Him and follow Him:
• Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” — John 5:17 (NLT)
• Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. — Colossians 3:23 (NKJV)
• Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. — Galatians 6:4 (CSB)
Henry Blackaby, in his book Experiencing God (Kindle edition, loc. 1767), put it this way:
“In Scripture, you never find God asking people to dream up what they want to do for Him. He never urges His people to set impressive goals and generate grand visions for Him and His kingdom.”
~WILLING SERVANTS~
IN FACT, IN SCRIPTURE, we find God TELLING people what He wants them to do.
Here’s King David looking for men to step up and pledge their allegiance to the Lord:
• 1 Chronicles 29:5b (NKJV): “Who [then] is willing to consecrate himself this day to the LORD?”
God is always on mission, and His mission is to reconcile a broken world of disobedient humans to Himself—-men and women created in His image for His glory, who in misguided pride, prefer to serve their own desires, not the Creator’s.
In the next verse, God gives us the response He expects:
• 1 Chronicles 29:6 (NKJV): “Then the leaders of the households, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.”
Don’t miss the key words “Gave willingly.” Not only did they give, which was what God wanted them to do, but they gave “willingly” from the heart.
~PRAYER FOR PEACE~
If you want the peace and joy that comes only from giving “willingly” to God’s design for your life, then would you join me in this prayer (or use similar words):
“LORD GOD, I am so lost. I feel an emptiness inside that I know only You can fill. Would You come into my heart and rescue me from myself and the world’s influence on my life. Lord, forgive me for how I’ve rejected You and gone my own way. I am a sinner lost in time, and I claim the promise that is mine when Christ took my sins upon Himself and suffered on the Cross for me. Lord, forgive me and give me new life.” AMEN
If you prayed that prayer (or one similar) and genuinely meant it, then Welcome to the Kingdom of God, your Creator and Sustainer!
From this day on, you are a new creature; the old has been washed away, replaced by the new.
To keep on the straight path, determine to do these things daily:
1) Read Your Bible.
2) Pray To God.
3) Fellowship With Other Believers.
GO TELL SOMEONE WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU!
PRAYER
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU for the gift of life through the shed blood of Your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We lift up those, Lord, who have come to You in trust for their salvation that they may know of Your unending love, Your unqualified forgiveness, and Your beneficial commands. Lord, we honor You, we praise You, we love You, and we worship You. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN
Ward's Words | BY WARD PIMLEY 