rest in Him... not in work...

What has a man for all the toil and striving of heart

with which he toils beneath the sun?

For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation.

Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 ESV

Work... when we work for ourselves...

it's toil and strife... sorrow and vexation...

I listen to a loved one...

successful in business...

but vexed... full of complaints...

his heart not at rest...

Working solely for self...

leaves one restless...

no matter how much you make...

no matter how well you do what you do...

it's all vanity...

I listen with sorrow...

wonder at the way he works to fill the void...

and pray he'll begin to work for Him...

view the world from an eternal perspective...

finding rest in work... and life...

Jesus says... Take my yoke upon you... learn from me...

and you will find rest for your soul...

Soul rest is what we seek...

and it's only found in working for Him...

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.

Colossians 3:23 ESV

rest in Him... Genesis 8:1-4...

But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock

that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth,

and the waters subsided. The fountains of the deep and the windows

of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained,

and the waters receded from the earth continually. At the end of 150 days

the waters had abated, and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day

of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.

Genesis 8:1-4 ESV

Noah... he worked for years... building the ark...

worked tirelessly... at what God called Him to do...

until it was complete...

The animals and Noah's family entered the ark...

his part complete... and now... he rested...

God shut the doors...

the water burst forth from the ground...

and poured down from the skies...

Forty days... forty nights...

All the while... Noah rested...

in the work he had done for God...

All the while... Noah rested...

caring for the animals God entrusted to Him...

All the while... Noah rested...

trusting God where he had no control...

Noah rested...

he rested in the work he did...

he rested in the call God put on his life...

he rested in God... for the outcome...

When God calls us to work...

we work until its complete...

then we rest in the work...

rest in what God has in store...

rest in Him... for the outcome...

wait on Him... Titus 2:11-14...

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions,

and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God

and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us

from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own

possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2:11-14 ESV

God's grace... Jesus...

appeared to bring salvation for ALL people...

only not all receive it...

God's grace... Jesus...

trains us...

to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions...

to live self-controlled... upright... godly lives...

now... in this present age...

not in the time to come...

This is the way we wait for our hope... Jesus... to appear...

It may sound like a lot...

the training...

the waiting...

the denying of self...

NOW...

until you consider...

He gave Himself...

on the cross...

for our redemption...

He paid a high price...

a painful... excruciating... death...

to purify us... for Himself...

to make us His own possession...

people zealous... for good works...

just like Him...

Is it really too much to ask...?

to renounce the flesh...?

all those things that lead to death...?

and wait for Him...? 

NOW...?

zealous... fervent... eager... for good works...?

Just this evening...

before writing...

I found myself wimping out....

tired... fleshly... 

not zealous... eager... or fervent...

about finishing up the good works...

He has for me today...

I found myself forgetting...

the first love...

the love and wonder...

of Him finding any use for me at all...

and now in this season...

where He's finding so much use for me...

I can't do it without Him...

I'm whining...

instead of rejoicing...

looking for ways out...

instead of eagerness to serve...

Pathetic...

that's what I am today...

But by His grace...

His mercy...

I remember...

the wonder...

of serving Him...

His faithfulness to provide...

what's needed to complete...

to finish what He's started...

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:12 ESV

Lord... forgive me for my lack of zeal...

fill me afresh with the wonder You can find any use for me...

restore joy... provide a willing spirit...

You have done so much for me... and I've so little time...

to do for You...

I choose to wait on You... as You call me to...

Amen...

wait on Him... Isaiah 64:4...

From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear,

no eye has seen a God besides you,

who acts for those who wait for him.

Isaiah 64:4 ESV

When we wait on Him...
He acts... works...
on our behalf...

Do you need any better reason than that...?

Father God... teach me to wait for You...

I so want You to work wonders in my life...

1500...

1500... affirmation of His call to write these posts six days a week...

Today... the fifteen-hundredth post...
I remember the one-thousandth...
I couldn't believe it...
wondered how many more could there be...

Even this evening... I thought there were no words to write...
and even though I'd been watching the number rise...
I'd forgotten today... was the day...

1500... I don't persevere this long in my flesh...
only by His grace... His Spirit... His inspiration... His strength...
do I continue on... and... on... without feeling overwhelmed...

I think of His call... to let Him teach... lead...

"... Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:29-20 ESV

When we do what He calls us to...
when we do it with Him...

it gets done... without stress... without burnout...

So if you find yourself burned out in ministry...

maybe you're not serving with Him...

or maybe you're doing what you want to do...

and not what He's called you... created you... to do...

I encourage you today...

find what He's calling you to do...

know His joy...

know His peace...

know His rest...

even in the work...

daily... daily... work...

Amen...

[Note... with each milestone... 1000... 1500... I wonder just how much longer this will continue... with new ministry popping up... I wonder just how far I can stretch... but as long as He calls... presses... provides words to write here... I will... but only by His grace...]

flickering epiphany...

After a day of wrest over rest...
followed by a day of finding no rest in work...
this morning... a flickering epiphany...

The work is not about finishing...
the work is about being with You...!

The rest is not about not working...
the rest is about being with You...!

To be where You are...
to be where You call me to Your side...
this is a life of prayer...

Shabbat Shalom...
in rest...
in work...
in living...
in dying...

I've been missing the connection with You...
in the work... and in the rest...

I don't know how I got so skewed...
with work... and rest... and being with You...
but thank You... Lord... for times to remember...
and getting back next to You....

"... Take m yoke upon you, and learn from me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest

for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

---Jesus

Matthew 11:29-30 ESV

seeing Him at work...

In several places... I see Him at work...
teaching me... through others...
seeing His Word made flesh...

Grateful for the lessons...
no words to really express the spiritual truths I've seen...

Light... in the darkness...

Working all things... for good...

Members of the body at work... healing... comforting...

"My Father is working until now, and I am working."

John 5:17 ESV

Where have you seen Him working today...?

heart of sabbath keeping...

After a discussion in Bible study today... and a passage in the current treadmill read... I more clearly see the heart of Sabbath keeping...

Centuries earlier, God handed down the Law to the Jews (by way of Moses). The fourth commandment stated, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy" (Exodus 20:8).

---John Eldridge, Free to Live: The Utter Relief of Holiness

Sabbath is about rest... resting in God... recognizing there is nothing we can do to earn His grace or His salvation...

Righteousness... holiness... is seeing ourselves as truly dependent on Him...

Sabbath...
putting down our work for His...
taking a whole day to rest wholly in Him...

He alone makes us holy...

What the Jews did to Sabbath... was make it work... not trusting in Him but in themselves and their ability to keep it holy...

Extra rules... no regard for relationship...

seeing healing as sinful "work" on the Sabbath...

no mercy... for those suffering...

In practicing Sabbath today... how often do we do the same thing...? working hard toward holiness rather than resting in Him for His complete work on the cross...?

Take a Sabbath today... tomorrow... or even a few hours...

rest in Him for all you need...

remember... you can't work hard enough to save yourself...

He's already done it all... 

"You shall be holy, for I am holy."

1Peter 1:16 ESV

you're invited...

I read it on the treadmill this week...

God is not an undefined sort of energy or function in place somewhere waiting for us to show up with the right technique or the correct password to swing him into action. He is already active, enormously and incessantly active, creating and saving, healing and blessing, forgiving and judging. He was active in this way as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit long before we showed up on the scene, and he has clearly made it known that he wants us in on what he is doing. He invites our participation.

---Eugene H. Peterson, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places

God is working all the time...

As Believers we are called to participate with Him... be involved in what He's doing... at home... work... school... church... community... wherever...

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me,

let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ..."

Matthew 16:24 ESV

"... Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. ..."

Matthew 11:29 ESV

The read made me wonder... ask... Am I participating in Your work...?

And today... from two different sources... I believe I received a... Yes...

but I wish I could see Him at work more clearly...

know my role more confidently...

Sometimes this faith thing... it's a bit of a mystery...

What about you...? do you see Him at work where you are...?

Do you look for signs of what He's doing...?

Are you participating in His work...? or doing your own...?

What does it look like to participate with Him...?

preparing a heart...

Preparation of a heart for Him... requires work...

Sow for yourselves righteousness;

reap steadfast love;

break up your fallow ground,

for it is time to seek the Lord,

that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

Hosea 10:12 ESV

Sow... righteousness...

reap... love...

break up... hard ground...

it's time...

so He may come...

Sow righteousness... do what's right...

Break up the hard places in your heart... those attitudes... thoughts... emotions... keeping you from doing right...

pride...

resentment...

bitterness...

This is hard work...

painful work...

identifying sin...

acknowledging sin...

Break up your fallow ground,

and sow not among thorns.

Jeremiah 4:4 ESV

Break up... hard hearts...
sow not... among thorns...

Don't we know...? it's foolish to plant among thorns...? briers...?
Do we really need this instruction...?

When it comes to a spiritual planting... Jesus names those thorns...

"... As for what was sown among thorns,

this is the one who hears the word,

but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches

choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. ..."

Matthew 13:22 ESV

Cares... worries... these are thorny places needing removal...

But in addition to worries... riches... choke out growth...

too much stuff...

too much to do...

too many distractions...

How often do we try to plant His Word...? in our brier filled hearts...?

Our world is full of worries... and riches...
both interfering in our relationship with Him...
One says... He doesn't care...
The other... He's not enough...

Planting His Word... is only fruitful... if we take time and energy... to prepare our hearts...

Ask Him... to show you the thorny patches... and hard places... in your heart...

It will be hard... painful... but well worth the work...

Lord... show me... where the thorns grow wild in my heart...

reveal the hard ground... that needs breaking...

bless me... with the strength... and desire... 

to prepare my heart... for more of You...

preparation...

Preparation...

The new word for the week... in the Advent Study...

preparation... noun... 1:  the action or process of making something ready for use or service or of getting ready for some occasion, test, or duty 2: a state of being prepared: readiness 3: a preparatory act or measure 4: something that is prepared specifically: a medicinal substance made ready for use

Not one of my favorite words...

Preparation...

A word I associate with work... usually unpleasant...

But when asked...

When and how has preparation been significant in your relationship with God?

---Pamela C. Hawkins, Behold!

I see a place where I truly enjoy preparation...

The ministry He's called me to...
leading prayer...
teaching...
requires preparation...

The preparation... however... is time with Him... in His Word... in His presence...

Preparation is fun... when you do it with someone you love...

Preparation for ministry... leads me deeper into relationship with Him... encourages me to prepare spiritually... to stay connected to Him...

This evening's benediction... spoke to my heart...

A voice cries out in the wilderness:

"Prepare the way for the Lord:

soften your hearts;

heighten your hopes;

forge a way where there seems no way;

for Christ is coming to make all things new.

O people of God, prepare the way of the Lord!"

Amen

Yes... this prep I long to do...
make the way... for Him...
who is coming to make all things new...

Preparation...

A word I'll have to reconsider my feelings about...

trusting Him... when He says...

Trusting Him... when He says...

"...Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you,

and I will give you rest. ...

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28, 30 ESV

Keep me under Your yoke... Lord...

keep me under Your yoke...

thankful... for His working...

After a full day of working... weariness begins to set in...

Approaching Him for the evening offering... I appreciate that He is my rest... calls me to rest... in Him...

But as grateful as I am for His rest... I am thankful... for His working...

"My Father is working until now, and I am working." ---Jesus

John 5:17 ESV

Knowing He never tires... 

He does not faint or grow weary...

Isaiah 40:28 ESV

fills me with praise... for His working...

Especially for His work in me... working He will not leave left undone... as I did today...

And I am sure of this, 

that he who began a good work in you 

will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6 ESV

My own weariness... and need for rest... increase my wonder of His constant working...

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;

for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8 ESV

Finding rest in Him... because He is working...

glimpses...

glimpse noun... 1 archaic: glimmer 2: a fleeting view or look

---Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (11th Ed.)

Glimpses... I've had some lately... of Him at work...

Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work 

to this very day, and I, too, am working."

John 5:17

Glimpses... of Him speaking... healing... guiding... teaching... through His Word...

He sent out his word and healed them...

Psalm 107:20 ESV

Glimpses... where hope glimmers...

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles

the glorious riches of this mystery, which is

Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27

Glimpses... of His grace... mercy... love... forgiveness...

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father

and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son,

will be with us in truth and love.

2John 3

Glimpses... seen with eyes enlightened...

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened

in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,

the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints...

Ephesians 1:18

Thank You... Lord... for the blessing of glimpses... into Your work...

Note... a fresh Quote du Jour was added today... have a look at Jeremiah's Menu...

resigned to the mystery... that is Him...

The gift of the artist doesn't only rest in the hands that sculpt but in the eyes that see. Seeing the not-yet in the midst of the now is a perspective the artist has to carry. And so we ought to pray not only for skill but for sight.

---Emily P Freeman, A Million Little Ways

Jesus... the ultimate Artist... Creator...
He saw all... before it was...
Even now... in the midst of the middle...
the brokenness... the rubble...
He sees... clearly... what will be...

This is a mystery to me...
the mystery of Him I wish I had...
certainty... vision... of things unseen...

Resting in the unseen work of Him... is work... the work He calls us to...

This is the work (service) that God asks of you:

that you believe in the One Whom He has sent

[that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in 

His Messenger].

John 6:29 Amp

Matthew quoted Jesus as saying...

"Let your light shine before men in such a way

that they may see your good works, 

and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ..."

Matthew 5:16 NASB

And Paul told the Ephesians...

For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus for good works...

Ephesians 2:10 NASB

This work... is the work of faith... sure of what we hope for... certain of what is still unseen... this is the work that glorifies the Father... the work we were created for... trusting in... relying on... cleaving to... His Son...

Embrace the mysterious, invisible work of Christ even when it seems like nothing is happening.

 ---Emily P Freeman, A Million Little Ways

Today... I resign myself to the Mystery... that is Him...
His vision...
His plan...
His promise...

Lord... I ask for the blessing of vision... to see the unseen... as You... I ask for the blessing of faith... that I might fully rest... in the work You're about... in me... and in others... I trust You... as the One who sees... and knows... Amen...

taking the next step... with fear and trembling...

OK... here I am... at the end of a new... that leads to next steps...

The putting out into deep water... has brought me to this place... where steps are taken... with fear... and trembling...

I don't even know what words to use... so here it goes...

I've published a book...
and its available...
for purchase...

The Heart of Bethlehem

A Twenty-five Day Journey of Faith

for the Christmas Season

An e-book... so it's only available digitally... that can be found at...
WestBow Press...
and other sellers of books electronic...
Amazon...
GoogleBooks...
and hopefully more to come... before Thanksgiving...

Humbly... I come before you with this announcement... feeling vulnerable... exposed... and a little nauseated...

And I wonder... Why...?

This is not a process that has been taken lightly... and has been a very long time in the making...

But to be here... in this place... with a self-published book... wondering what I was thinking... all the inspiration... the surety... of His guidance... and direction... seems to have been wiped clean from my memory...

So here... I find myself... in a position... where self-promotion... is necessary... to let others know... what He means to me... and how... they might know Him too...

The Heart of Bethlehem... a book of devotionals... December 1 through Christmas Day...

Scriptures to look up and read... walk the reader through the Nativity story...

Prayer to begin... and end... with thoughts to share in between... questions to consider...

Geared for both Believers... and those who don't...

Perhaps you will consider it... for yourself... your family... or as a gift to share with others...

At this point... there is time to review... and consider if it is worthwhile... to share with those who don't know Him... and why He came... as a babe...

And if you feel so moved... I invite you to write a review... on Amazon... or wherever...

I've already used more words... than I thought I would in making this announcement at this table of faith... but you who come here... you know many of my struggles... and my heart for Him...

All day... I've been contemplating... exactly how this would come out... and the only two words... that came to mind were... fear and trembling...

Looking for the verse... that uses these words... I discovered... they came right before another verse I often lean on... when in doubt...

...work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 

for it is God who is at work in you, 

both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

2 Philippians 2:12-13 NASB

Whatever will moved me to work for this to happen... by faith I'm believing it is Him at work in me... and pray that it pleases Him...

From you... I would also ask for prayer... as I venture out to let others know... that I would have words... wisdom... and an attitude centered on pouring this out... for Him... with thanksgiving...


[Related fare...
in the Word
embracing... hard...
a day of new... and unknown...]

encouragement... in waiting...

Today... I've seen evidence of the Holy Spirit at work...

Ensuring a sister's presence at my table to study...

Provision of inspiration...

Fleshing out a ministry through the Body... multiple members required to reveal the plan...

I didn't realize at the time... but seeing Him at work... evidence of His presence... His activity... encourages me in the waiting... for the fulfillment... of desires stirred...

Encouraged to wait... in anticipation... for more...

Ah, Lord God!

It is you who have made the heavens and the earth

by your great power and by your outstretched arm!

Nothing is too hard for you.

Jeremiah 32:17 ESV

a Word for the weary...

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

as working for the Lord, not for men.

Colossians 3:23

A Word for the day... one sent to a son... growing weary of work... emailed as encouragement... early this morning...

Only I didn't know... it was a Word for me too... one I received a glimpse of this afternoon... in the flesh... lived it... for a moment...

The third day... of hosting showers... for youth on mission...

The third day... of cleaning showers... and bathrooms after...

The third day... the middle of a week... of showers... the halfway... where weariness... creeps in...

Crouched down... cleaning the second shower floor... a heart on the verge of a grumble... the Word... it comes...

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

as working for the Lord, not for men.

And then it came into view... these youth... and their leader... these seven... they have worked for others... who needed help... giving up summer vacation... paying to work... for others who will NEVER be able to return... or repay... what has been done for them... sharing the gospel... along the way...

These... they are... the hands and feet... of Jesus... the Lord...!

The load lightened... joy returned...

I am working for the LORD... not men... cleaning up after Jesus... His Body... a privilege... a blessing... to serve... Him...

Lord... continue to open my eyes... to how I work for You... in every situation or circumstance... that I might work with all my heart... for You...

shabbat shalom

Shabbat shalom... Hebrew for... sabbath peace...

The Creator... He created with a regular sabbath... a rest... in mind...

For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth,

the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day.

Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Exodus 20:11

It is in the rest... we find peace... shabbat shalom... the re-creating... of our connection with God... our trust in His work in our lives...

"The Sabbath was made for man,

not man for the Sabbath. ..." ---Jesus

Mark 2:27

The Sabbath... initiated to serve man... for his well-being... and peace...

Man was not created to serve the Sabbath... tradition... turned... legalistic... drains the life... right out of life...

A loved one... struggling... crying out...

 I just don't care... 

A sure sign... of one in need... of rest...

Too much work... a 24/7 striving... empties and hardens... 

Six days... you shall labor... and work...

but the seventh day... is a rest... a resting in God...

Trusting the One... who never sleeps...

He will not let your foot slip ---

he who watches over you will not slumber...

Psalm 121:3

...with every step you take...

Trusting the One... who always works... 

Jesus said to them, 

My Father is always at his work to this very day,

and I, too, am working."

John 5:17

...to work for your good...

Are you striving... to follow Him... in all you do...?

Are you becoming weary... tired...?

Are you reaching the point of... I... just... don't... care...?

Perhaps it's time... for a rest... a day of your choosing... a regular rest... Choose a day... if not weekly... at least monthly... to stop your work... and rest in His...

It is a Way... to follow... that re-creates... re-enforces... our trust... in... Him...

Without a rest... we have no peace...

[Consider sharing your experience with shabbat shalom. Add a comment, let us know what kind of rest brings you peace... re-creates... your connection with Him...]

more thoughts... on faith that works...

Previous thoughts... on faith that works... need to be fleshed out... clarified...

Faith that works is NOT busy-ness... it is not doing whatever you think you should do... what feels good to you... I heard it as a reminder on the radio yesterday...

Oh, how many of us Christians feel that we in the flesh can do something that will please God! Many believers who never find out otherwise become as busy as termites and are having about the same effect in many of our churches.     ---J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible

The works of the flesh... they destroy the church... eat away at it like termites... our own understanding and reason so skewed by sin... that what we do... believing it to be good... is not...

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags...

Isaiah 64:6

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.

Romans 7:18

ESV 

Faith that works... listens first... listens to God... not only the written Scripture... but the Living Word... the personal word He speaks... regarding your life... time... relationships...

Here is where we build relationship with God... through Christ... via the Holy Spirit... listening and learning His voice...

Walking the walk of faith... begins by listening...

Consequently, faith comes from hearing, 

and hearing through the word of Christ.

Romans 10:17

ESV

...and when His Word comes... ACT...