Matthew 11:28-30 by Seth Dunn

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Rush hour traffic in Atlanta is heavy and wearying to say the least.  Every weekday morning and afternoon scores of drivers get behind the wheels of their cars, alone, and clog the Atlanta interstates in an effort to get to and from work. As they slowly make their ways towards their destinations drivers find different ways to pass the time: some listen to the radio, some smoke, some put on make-up. All of them wait. On the days when it rains or a wreck occurs, they wait even longer.

There is a respite for some. In certain parts of Atlanta, HOV (High Occupancy Vehicles) lanes are relatively traffic-free, even during rush hour. Traffic in these lanes moves at a much faster and less frustrating pace.  There is a price to pay for this convenience, however.  Only vehicles with two or more riders are allowed in the HOV lanes.  Thus, to use the HOV lane, one must give up his autonomy.  A passenger in a car riding in the HOV lane cannot choose when to speed up and when to slow down, what programming to listen to on the radio, or when he can light up a cigarette.  He must defer to the driver. However, the burden of the driver in the HOV is light compared to the alternative.

When we let Jesus lead us to our destination, we are unburdened by the heavy yoke of the world and given rest in Him.

Lord give us rest in you from the weariness of the world.

The Forecast for the Future by Katie Kilgore

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

I don’t know about you, but I sure love to know the places, the forecast, the people for which I am headed, for the near future and especially the distant future.  However, we don’t always have the insight to know exactly where we are headed.

I began a new journey about 4 ½ years ago working in a law office.  First, I am not the “sit on my duff” type of worker.  Second, I had never worked in an office other than working for myself as a Realtor.  Third, my grandmother kept referring to me as a “secretary,” which I despised!  I find nothing wrong with secretarial types, it was just not what I preferred to be called.  However, my family needed to eat, my husband had just lost his job and we had to close my dream business in a down-spiraling economy.  We had a 2 ½ year old son and we had to provide for him somehow.  So, a job offer came my way, and I snatched it up, secretary or not, whatever hat I needed to wear.  God knew exactly what He was doing.

I still wonder at times why I am where I am.  But, it’s the little affirmations that the Lord gives to me that allow me a small understanding of His plans for my life.  Just last week, I had the opportunity to speak with an old friend.  I did not know where life had taken her over the past few years, not really anyway, I only knew the good things that she posted on Facebook.  She overheard a conversation that I was having about my job and took that as a chance to open-up with me about the path she had been traveling.  She had to file bankruptcy, the dreaded “B” word and also found herself without a home from foreclosure.  She heard me discussing that I am a legal assistant who works bankruptcy cases and that I find joy in being able to encourage those walking down this dark and lonely path.  I was given the opportunity to listen, cry, hug, and encourage my dear friend at a moment that I was least expecting.  Wow!  The Lord sure did know the plans He had in store for me as a “secretary” and I am so thankful the He does.

Now, I am embarking on another new journey, parenthood for the 2^nd time.  What plan does the Lord have in store for this part of my life?  If only I knew….but, I am trusting that His plans will prove to be “a hope and a future” for my family that only He can ordain.  I can’t wait experience the forecast.

Lord, help me to rest in the fact that YOU know the plans that you have in store for my future.  Whether I know them fully or not, you are in control.  I am thankful for your provisions and your affirmations.

Amen

John 14:13-14 by Brandi Peters

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. -John 14:13-14 

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” -Matthew 21:21-22 

I’m tired of the “Name it and claim it” gospel. This label is used loosely as it is really no gospel at all. The first time I heard “You would be healed if you had enough faith” was one time too many. The truth is one’s state of health or wealth is not a measure of his devotion to Christ. If it were, every celebrity in Hollywood would be a Christian superstar. 

We misconstrue Jesus’ intent when we read these as blanket promises. He didn’t mean anything we ask at all. He meant anything we ask in His name that aligns with His will, not anything we ask even in His name for our own sake. 

Now, why does it please Him to heal some and not others? I wish I could answer that. I wrestle with it in my own life and the lives of those closest to me. We have asked something good with right motive. We have sought Him with pure heart. Still, the healing does not come. The condition persists. Sometimes, it worsens. 

This is the point where this “gospel” falls short. If we were truly healed from all infirmity because of Christ and our power as Christians, we would not suffer the ultimate infirmity in death. But Christ never promised physical healing in this life. In fact, He makes perfectly clear that the Father “sends rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45).” He is sovereign and has the big picture in mind. He does not delight in our suffering or wish it upon us, but He will continue to use us if we draw near to Him. He will weave a tapestry from the tangled and broken strands of our lives. We have to trust, even in the darkest of nights, that He is good, just, and still in control. 

Lord, we need You. Every day. You tell us Your power is made perfect in weakness. Well, weakness we have. Shine in the midst of us and give us strength to remember who You are, the God that will dry all tears and right all wrongs when it is time. Thank you that as Your children we have that promise to look forward to. Comfort us in our struggles. Allow us to feel Your presence that we may persevere for Your namesake. Amen.

No Man is an Island by Patrick Fuller

And the Reubenites and the Gadites gave the altar this name: A Witness Between Us—that the Lord is God. -Joshua 22:34

Every person is built for community.  This reality is even deeper in Christianity.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote that the goal of all Christian community is that “they meet one another as bringers of the message of salvation.”  A situation for bringing that message can be seen in Joshua chapter 22.  The Eastern tribes of Israel built an altar to the Lord God as a memorial, but the Western tribes suspecting idolatry went up to war against them.  They accused the Eastern tribes of rebellion in a “how could you” sort of way, but were met with a good reason for building the altar.  In the end they agreed that all was well, and no one was punished.  But we can see that in our day of age this kind of rebuke is often not taken as seriously as the Israelites did.  If your brother in Christ was slipping into some sort of sin would you be willing to “make war” against him?  Would you be willing though to call them out gently and with all respectfulness?  For that is what we are called to do in Christian community.  We are to help each other follow and remind each other of Christ and his glorious salvation.

Father you are majestic in holiness.  Thank you for teaching us to live together in peace through your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.