Three Signs That Point To A Need For Rest

The holidays are quickly approaching. Are you dreading another family gathering? Do you get exhausted just thinking about all the planning, preparation, and energy it will take to keep it all from unraveling?

God has a way of "pulling us away" to a place of rest and restoration.  

Sometimes it is by invitation, or by His divine appointment.  Other times it is through His grace and coercion. When the weight of the world is pressing down and a sense of heaviness invades your soul, steal away time to refresh yourself. 

Oftentimes the outdoors will rejuvenate you. Go for a walk, take in nature's wonders, and reflect on your heavenly Father's love and care for you. Steal a few moments to separate yourself from others. Take a short nap, or put on your favorite praise & worship music. Read His Word, delving into the Psalms or the gospel of John which is His love letter to us. Discover God's powerful presence and attributes as you meditate on His Goodness.

Here are three things that can indicate a real need for rest:

1.  Lack of focus 

     ~ You are increasingly unable to think clearly due to fatigue, distraction, or over commitment. You have a difficult time staying on task and often drift away mentally. You can barely put one foot in front of the other to finish a task.

2.  Lack of purpose

     ~ Go back in time and reflect on the early days of your spiritual conversion. Recall that God-given mandate you received from the Lord. Re-evaluate your spiritual gifts and remember the contentment and fulfillment you once enjoyed.

3.  Lack of passion

     ~ Identify what drives you to do what you do. God gives you a divine zeal. He loves to reveal His purpose for your life. Let His Word and Spirit direct your heart and pathway ahead. Remember, His way is easier and less burdensome. 

Scripture is full of examples for the need to rest and be refreshed...

King David often petitioned God in the Psalms to give him courage, strength and rest.  In Psalm 37:7 he tells us "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...". 

The prophet Jeremiah quoted the LORD Himself: "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16)

Jesus spoke to the crowds that were pressing in all around Him and comforted them with these words, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

The apostle Paul tells his Hebrew audience, "For we who have believed do enter that rest... There remains therefore a rest for the people of God." (Hebrews 4:3, 9)

In the book of Revelation, John writes down what the voice from heaven spoke to him: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on...that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." (Revelation 14:13)


Below is a poem I wrote in the spring of 2003. 

  Enter My Rest...

Family and workloads, deadlines and tests,

weary and tired, surely hard pressed;

other's demands and schedules left

weighing on shoulders meant for much less.

Daughter of Mine...enter My Rest.

Steep is the path of life's daily trek -

hard is the road that leads to His best.

Often no thanks or kindness is shown,

only a sharp reply they confess.

Daughter of Mine...enter My Rest.

Lay aside weights and all heaviness,

leaving behind the hurt and the pain.

Let me restore what value is left.

Come...pull away - be free and be blessed.

Daughter of Mine...enter My Rest.

DL McCarragher - April 2003

"Oh, that I had wings like a dove!  For then I would fly away and be at rest."  (Psalm 55:6)

Life comes at us hard and fast... be sure to slow down and refresh your soul.  

A moment of rest can make all the difference to you and those around you. Rest in the Lord today!

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It was written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Three Signs That Point To A Need For Rest

The ABIGAIL SYNDROME - What not to do

Do you feel that if you could just "dump" your husband, everything would be okay?

Not - really... Being unequally yoked in marriage is difficult most days and near impossible other days. Is he the real reason you can't serve God how you'd like to? Suppose you could just go back in time and redo the whole marriage thing. I'm talking about after you became a Christian.  There are many of us that came to faith in Jesus Christ later on in our marriage. If we were honest, many of us would say "YES" to the redo, but that would be erroneous and sinful wouldn't it?

When I became a Christian at 33 yrs. old, I had already been married for seven years. As time went by I began to grow more and more unsettled. I was a new creature in Christ. I had new interests and desires. But God stopped my flawed thinking and convicted me of what I was plotting. I believe God told me I would get a new husband with the same man!

“For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife…For how do you know, 

O wife, whether you will save your husband?” (I Corinthians 7: 14, 16)

And now a little background history on Abigail and David:

After King David had commanded several successful military campaigns, he mercifully spared King Saul’s life in a cave in the region of En Gedi. David then journeyed into the wilderness of Paran following Samuel’s death and burial. Samuel had, under God’s direction, chosen and anointed David as the future King of Israel.

By this time David had already taken Saul’s daughter Michal as his wife; a gift from the King to David for a crushing defeat of the Philistines in exchange for his bride’s dowry, as vengeance on the King’s enemies. David and his men were in the wilderness when he heard that a man in Carmel named Nabel, whose sheep were being sheared, might have provisions for him and his young warriors (I Samuel 21-24).

Here is an excerpt from my book  MISSION POSSIBLE - Chapter 4 "The Abigail Syndrome".  Mission Possible is a book for women who are unequally-yoked in marriage. Using God's Word, it offers the reader hope and encouragement, while applying Biblical truths.

The traditional story of Abigail in I Samuel 25 is a familiar one. Abigail was married to Nabal, a man of means who treated her and everyone else like dirt. Though Nabal was descended from Caleb, he shared none of his virtues. When King David heard that her husband Nabal reviled his men, he was ready to kill him and his household. Abigail went out to meet David with humility and gifts. David highly praised Abigail’s courage and advice. Nabal soon died upon hearing what took place after his drunken binge. Abigail became David’s wife when he proposed after learning of Nabal’s fate. Abigail would now reside with the King in a “fairy tale” ending.

Not so fast… Don’t be “caught up” in the Abigail syndrome. I believe God has a New Testament application for those of us who stand in the gap for our unbelieving husbands. Let’s look at what this passage does not represent:

We don’t pray that our husbands will “drop dead” so we can marry a believer as that would not be in God’s perfect will for us. Neither do we hope he’ll die from a heart attack to “pay him back” for his evil ways. God has a better plan. I believe this would be the God honoring scenario for the wife who believes for her husband’s salvation.

Abigail was a woman of good understanding. (I Samuel 25:3). Godly wisdom and understanding promote knowing God’s will. Isaiah 11:2 is a picture of the Holy Spirit for us today: “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon [us], the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” We must be in tune with what God would have us do with regards to our mate. Daily prayer and being in God’sWord helps us to know God’s will.

Interestingly, when David sent his men to ask favor and provision from Nabal, he was indifferent and inquired: “Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse?…Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat … and give it to men when I do not know where they are from?” (I Samuel 25:10-11). Likewise, your husband, just as Nabal, doesn’t know the King yet.

Often times it is difficult to tithe, attend every church service, or be at every Bible study or function because your husband doesn’t see a need for you to participate or share you with God. Be patient. He must see your commitment and desire to be with God’s people and in God’s presence.

Nabal was a self-made man who was very prideful and greedy. Reading Jesus’ parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-20, we see similarities. Nabal was not thankful for anything, nor recognized God’s hand of provision at all. Your husband may be “rich and full of worldly things.” His equating “good things & provision” to GOD are foreign. Only GOD can change his heart and priorities as you pray for his spiritual enlightenment (Ephesians 1:18). Pray for God to woo him by His Spirit into a curiosity and awareness of the things of God.

Unlike King David who planned to wipe out Nabal’s lineage, God has compassion and mercy on our spouses. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). God wills that your spouse join you in “holy union.” The apostle Paul states in I Corinthians 7:14, 16 “for the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife …for how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband?”

When Abigail heard what Nabal had done, she quickly prepared an offering for King David. Our offering brought to our King is a humble heart, a willing & submissive spirit, and unwavering obedience. We intercede on our husband’s behalf by meeting the King of Kings.

King David praised Abigail for her good sense and devotion: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! And blessed is your advice and blessed are you , because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed… unless you had hastened and come to meet me, surely by morning light no males would have been left to Nabal” (I Samuel 25:32-34). David would have wiped out Nabal’s name but it was God’s desire to “promote a Godly lineage.” Abigail’s actions and attitude spared Nabal but Nabal didn’t recognize her sacrifice. Our sacrifice on our spouse’s behalf is unwavering faith and persistent prayers offered up to the Throne of Grace. GOD always takes notice of devotion!

Copyright © Deborah McCarragher and God Mission Possible, 2009-2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this Blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Deborah McCarragher and/or God Mission Possible with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. All guest content remains the property of the appropriate author - any reproduction is strictly prohibited without their prior written approval.

How would God have you treat your spouse? What would He have you do to honor your vows before God - even though your husband isn't a Christian yet?  Share with me your experiences in marriage that might mirror that of Abigail's petition before the king.

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

The ABIGAIL SYNDROME - What not to do

Christ's Death, Burial and Resurrection

In the hymn “Christ Arose”, Robert Lowry expresses the hope conveyed during this Easter season in the rousing chorus as it explodes with joy:

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,

  And He lives forever with His saints to reign,

  He arose!  He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Our Lord Jesus left the confines of this earth and stepped into the heavenly realm on Resurrection Sunday, three days after dying on a wooden cross for humanity’s sins on Mount Calvary.  This is precisely why Christians celebrate the Easter Season. 

We know from Scripture that Jesus made several appearances after His resurrection, but what significance does this event hold for you and me today? 

John Chapter 20 records Jesus’ resurrection on the first day of the week, that being Sunday. Mary Magdalene had come to the tomb early, while it was still cloaked in darkness.  She saw that the stone in front of the tomb had been rolled away.  Upon hearing her report, Peter and John ran to the tomb and discovered “the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself” (vs. 7).  After they departed, Mary stood outside weeping, peering inside the tomb.  She conversed with two angels and explained that someone had taken away the body [of her Lord] and turning, she saw a man she perceived to be the gardener.  Jesus lovingly and compassionately spoke to her, “Mary!”  He assured her that He was; “ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.” 

In Luke 24:13-32, we have the account of Christ appearing on the road to Emmaus.  Two followers of Jesus were traveling and conversing about all of the events of the past few days concerning Jesus of Nazareth.  Unbeknown to them, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.  They told Him all of the hopes and dreams of many in Jerusalem who thought the prophet would accomplish in order to redeem their beloved Israel.  They even mentioned it had been three days since it happened, and that certain women had discovered His tomb empty.  Then in verses 25-26 Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!  Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”

Later, in Luke 24:33-48, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of His disciples as they gathered in Jerusalem to pray saying, “Peace to you.”  He showed them that He is flesh, not spirit, and proceeded to instruct them about His fulfilling what was written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Himself.  Even those who doubted His appearing finally proclaimed who He was.  Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!”   

Now turn to John chapter 21.  Jesus appears to seven of the disciples after a long night of fishing.  They caught nothing.  But in the morning, Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”  After an answer of “No”, He then said, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”   The disciples dragged the net, full of large fish to the shore, and after eating breakfast they knew it was Him, though they were afraid to question Him.  Then in chapter 21:15-23 we witness the personal conversation between Jesus and Peter.  Jesus is tenderly restoring Peter to Himself by asking Peter three times if he loved Him.  Jesus tells him, “Feed My lambs”, “Tend My sheep”, and “Feed My sheep”.   Jesus is preparing Peter for the work ahead as leader of the church after He has departed.   Then He tells Peter to set his sight on Him and “Follow Me.”  Peter asks about the other disciple, and Jesus tells him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?  You follow Me.” 

So what do we glean from the Lord’s visitations to His followers after He was raised?  How do we apply those same lessons and revelations to our lives?  We discover that we experience the very same things as did the earliest disciples.   Jesus is still:
  
Giving a gentle touch and reassurance, as He did with Mary at the tomb;

Expounding truth and wisdom to us, like He did on the road to Emmaus 
Stilling fear and uneasiness, as He did for the disciples in the upper room;

Blessing and bestowing a commission to us, as He did for his followers;

Providing for and encouraging His children, as He did for His disciples; 
Restoring and leading you and me, as He did for one of His dearest disciples.

Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection gives us reason for celebration as we rejoice in the Lamb’s blood, marvel at the Father’s acceptance, and glory in our eternal salvation secured by Heaven’s cherished and earth’s gift from above…

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

http://www.godmissionpossible.com/

You can visit Faithful Bloggers at  http://faithfulbloggers.com/

Christ's Death, Burial and Resurrection

What does the Risen Christ mean to you?

In the hymn “Christ Arose”, Robert Lowry expresses the hope conveyed during this Easter season in the rousing chorus as it explodes with joy:

Up from the grave He arose,  With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;  He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever with His saints to reign, He arose! He arose!  Hallelujah! Christ arose!

  Our Lord Jesus left the confines of this earth and stepped into the heavenly realm on Resurrection Sunday, three days after dying on a wooden cross for humanity’s sins on Mount Calvary. This is what Christians celebrate during the Easter Season. But what significance does this event hold for you and me today? We know Jesus appeared to many people after His resurrection. A look at scripture can better frame our thoughts about it.

In the gospel of John, Chapter 11, Jesus is speaking with Martha. They have been talking about her brother Lazarus, who died four days earlier. Jesus is preparing her for the miracle He is about to do concerning her brother. Martha conveyed to Him that if He has only been there sooner, Lazarus might not have died. She then states that she indeed believes that he will be raised in the last day. But Jesus will reveal to her His deity. He states in verse 25, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John Chapter 20 records Jesus’ resurrection on the first day of the week, that being Sunday. Mary Magdalene had come to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone in front of the tomb had been removed. Upon hearing her report, Peter and John ran to the tomb and discovered “the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.” (vs. 7) After they departed, Mary stood outside weeping, peering inside the tomb. She conversed with two angels and explained that someone had taken away the body [of her Lord] and turning, she saw a man she perceived to be the gardener. Jesus lovingly and compassionately spoke to her, “Mary!”  He assured her that He was “ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”

In Luke 24:13-32, we have the account of Christ appearing on the road to Emmaus. Two followers of Jesus were traveling and conversing about all of the events of the past few days concerning Jesus of Nazareth. Unbeknownst to them, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. They told Him all of the hopes and dreams of many in Jerusalem who thought the prophet would accomplish in order to redeem Israel. They even mentioned it had been three days since it happened, and that certain women had discovered His tomb empty. Then in verses 25-26 Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”

Then in Luke 24:33-48, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of His disciples as they gathered in Jerusalem to pray saying, “Peace to you.” He showed them that He is flesh, not spirit, and proceeds to instruct them about His fulfilling what was written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Himself. Even those who doubted His appearing finally proclaimed who He was. Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!”

Matthew 28:18-20 tells us that Jesus came to the disciples in Galilee, to the mountain which He had appointed for them, and said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” In Luke 24:49-52 Jesus said, “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Jesus lifted up His hands and blessed His disciples, departed from them, and was carried up into heaven.

In John chapter 21 Jesus appears to seven of the disciples after a long night of fishing. They caught nothing. But in the morning, Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” After an answer of “No”, He then said, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” The disciples dragged the net, full of large fish to the shore, and after eating breakfast they knew it was Him, though they were afraid to question Him. Then in chapter 21:15-23 we witness the personal conversation between Jesus and Peter. Jesus is tenderly restoring Peter to Himself by asking Peter three times if he loved Him. Jesus tells him, “Feed My lambs”, “Tend My sheep”, and “Feed My sheep”. Jesus is preparing Peter for the work ahead as leader of the church after He has departed. Then He tells Peter to set his sight on Him and “Follow Me.” Peter asks about the other disciple, and Jesus tells him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

So what do we glean from the Lord’s visitations to His followers after He was raised? How do we apply those same lessons and revelations to our lives? We discover that we experience the very same things.
Jesus is still:

Giving a gentle touch and reassurance,

    as He did with Mary at the tomb;

Expounding truth and wisdom to us,

    like He did on the road to Emmaus;

Stilling fear and uneasiness,

    as He did for the disciples in the upper room;

Blessing and bestowing a commission to us,

    as He did for his followers;

Providing for and encouraging His children,

    as He did for His disciples;

Restoring and leading you and me,

    as He did for one of His dearest disciples.

That is what Christ does for us through His resurrection power and love…

What does the Risen Christ mean to you?