God Rested

Rest and Restore your mind and body.

Gen. 2:2

Creation was completed in six days.  God rested on the seventh day. He blessed the seventh day and made it holy. 

 Several years ago Christians recognized Sunday as a holy day. Some religions observed Saturday as a holy day. That is not true now. We can shop, eat and seek recreation on any day of the week.

Our world is hurry, hurry. We expect instant information on our phones and instant service for food. Every day is filled with work, worry and seldom any rest.  Studies show that most of us do not get enough sleep. We need rest. We need to come away from our work filled life and refresh body and soul.

Jesus sought rest when he learned John the Baptist had been killed (Matt. 14:13).  After His baptism, the Spirit took Jesus into the wilderness (Mark 1:9-12).  There he was alone to pray and prepare himself for his upcoming mission.  Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray before he was arrested and crucified (Mark 26:36-38).

Rest and restoration of the body and soul may come in different forms for different people.  While one might find relaxation fishing or boating, another may enjoy slowing down to read or engage in hobbies.  A walk in nature reminds us of God’s blessings.  Always remember to pray as you relax and seek God’s will for yourself and your family.  Turn away from the bustle of the world and rest your mind and body.

  

In The Beginning

            I have challenged myself to read the Bible through this year.  I will not make it all the way through because I keep stopping to research and ponder. It is not enough to just read, one must think about what is written and why it is written.

            So where to begin?  Begin in the beginning, of course. In the New Testament Jesus says Moses wrote the books of Law.  (John 1:17, John 7:19).  The Books of Law are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.  So we accept these books as truth because they are God inspired.  God told Moses what to write. They are history, instruction and a guide to how to live. The Books of Law were given to the Jewish people.  They are included in modern Christian Bibles as well.  The Book of Exodus contains the Ten Commandments.  These rules are the basis for the law in our country and in other countries today. 

            We do not understand the rituals and rules God gave the Jews.  They were given as a way for people to worship and follow God.  Evangelical Christians today follow the New Testament way to worship.  Jesus’ teaches us to accept Him, learn about Him and follow his teaching.  Jesus spoke about the Ten Commandments and added to them.

            Written when people believed in many gods, Moses wrote about one supreme God.  An all-powerful God who created the earth and everything in it.  This all powerful God created man and then he created a woman to be a companion to man. 

            We cannot explain the existence of God.  He is without beginning and without end. He was when time began and continues forever. The Holy Spirit was with Him.  Job 33:4 says “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty give me life.”  Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” John 10:30.

            God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit form the Trinity. They were there when the “earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep.” Genesis 1:2.  Therefore, the stage is set for God’s creation.   

The True Spirit of Christmas

Christmas is just a week away. Have you got the Christmas Spirit yet? The Spirit of Christmas is not rushing around decorating, buying, and partying. My friend calls that stressmus. We all do stressmas.


I hope by now you have time to slow down and experience the true Spirit of Christmas. It is a child snuggling in your lap, while you read the Christmas story. It is a family decorating the Christmas tree together. It is Christmas carols and giving.

The True Spirit of Christmas is about the baby born on this day who came to earth. It is about angels who sang at his birth and shepherds who worshiped Him in the barn where he lay.

Take time to experience Jesus and what he gave to us by coming to earth on that Christmas Day and have a Joyful Christmas.