As we face daily struggles, it seems the "battles rage on". There simply seems no end in sight to what we are doing, where we are going, or what we are really trying to do. The weights of our struggles become so heavy we don't know where to turn. For some, the question becomes "Do I just pay bills...till I finally die?"
We try self help books, "turn a new leaf" and start over, take classes on "How to budget", and yet after a while we find ourselves in the same situation we were before...over our heads in debt and no end in sight. It's a common problem suffered by many...and when you add factors like raising children, upkeep of the home, and those seemingly more and more "unexpected expenses" (car breaks down, an accident occurs, or a relative needs financial assistance), we come to a conclusive moment when you say: "Will this ever end?"
Then we turn to God...some wonder why.."He got us in this mess?", others confess every sin in their life they can think of in hope God will get them out of the mess they find themselves in, and yet still others...are simply lost and lose hope of anything ever changing.
I have come to this conclusion about times like this...we can never do enough to gain God's intervention and change our situation...no matter how hard we try or how often we face times like these. Yet, what we can do is...have a change of heart.
In times like these we often bring up the word "rest". We just need a little break from all we are going through...to just get away from it all and get "our heads cleared"...before we go on in the next battles with everyday life.
The word "Rest" is defined as "to cease from work"...with 3 primary objectives: 1) to relax 2) to get refreshed and 3) to recover strength".
The Psalms are full of ideas, incentives, and direction getting proper "rest". I suggest first if you are in one of those "moods" where everything seems so mundane and utterly hopeless...to focus and "drive these thoughts into your hearts".
A Gleaning from Psalm 145:8-14
" You are merciful. You are full of Grace and Compassion. You are not One who angers quickly, yet are quick to show Your love toward us. The Lord is good to all...and His tender Mercies are intertwined...in the routines of our daily lives.
All creation is aware of this, and people who know His character take the time to be grateful for what He does, and offer the sacrifice of "Songs of Praise". Their words speak of the beauty of having You in their lives daily, and proclaim to all the power...the power of Your Very Name! Suddenly, there is a purpose to what we do...no matter how dismal or depressing it seems at the moment. Even those of this world hears about how good You are to those who embrace You!
Your Kingdom is an Eternal One. No one has or ever will overtake Your Kingdom...nor can anyone remove You as our True King. And Your Word...is better than the finest of gold, greater than any sorrow we face in this life. You will do all You can to help those who call to You...and You are always there..."to give a hand" to those "bent beneath their loads" in life. You offer a fresh start...to anyone ready to "quit"."
While it is certainly true we do not escapes the sorrow, the turmoils, and the problems this life brings at times, it is still our hearts that determine the outcome...
So, the question for me is : "What will please God?...that He might help us in times like these?
Going back to the Book of Psalms, I have run across some instructions:
A Gleaning from Psalm 50: 7-15
" Listen...Listen close! I am addressing those who are My people...I have some things I want you to be aware of:
I do not find fault in your ways of worship, the frequent ways you attempt to make sacrifices and try to find ways to please Me.
Yet, giving up "prized possessions" or just doing your best to be good...isn't what I am really after. After all, I have made everything and although being a nice person has it's rewards, learning what pleases Me is far more than that.
I really don't have need of anything...for example, if I were hungry, would it be necessary for
Me to tell you? No, I made everything. Here is what I really want from you:
I am your God...you are right about that...what pleases Me and is a beautiful sacrifice... having a grateful heart, a heart that is thankful and believes in Me, a heart that knows I care for you and am here for your good. Our friendship is drawn closer when You recognize My love for you and how much our friendship means to you. Having a heart full of thanks toward Me as I have for you...has the power to keep Me in your heart as you are in mine. Having Me in your heart enables My Commandments to operate in your daily life...with all its various struggles, and the need to drive out sin that sometimes separate us. It is at this point in life when You pray and ask of me...I am there for you, in those times of trouble. And I will rescue you, and we will draw even closer. I am with you...in the good times...and the bad."
I think "Rest" begins...when we take the time to acknowledge Him...and to give credit where credit is due...that is...to Him!
We try self help books, "turn a new leaf" and start over, take classes on "How to budget", and yet after a while we find ourselves in the same situation we were before...over our heads in debt and no end in sight. It's a common problem suffered by many...and when you add factors like raising children, upkeep of the home, and those seemingly more and more "unexpected expenses" (car breaks down, an accident occurs, or a relative needs financial assistance), we come to a conclusive moment when you say: "Will this ever end?"
Then we turn to God...some wonder why.."He got us in this mess?", others confess every sin in their life they can think of in hope God will get them out of the mess they find themselves in, and yet still others...are simply lost and lose hope of anything ever changing.
I have come to this conclusion about times like this...we can never do enough to gain God's intervention and change our situation...no matter how hard we try or how often we face times like these. Yet, what we can do is...have a change of heart.
In times like these we often bring up the word "rest". We just need a little break from all we are going through...to just get away from it all and get "our heads cleared"...before we go on in the next battles with everyday life.
The word "Rest" is defined as "to cease from work"...with 3 primary objectives: 1) to relax 2) to get refreshed and 3) to recover strength".
The Psalms are full of ideas, incentives, and direction getting proper "rest". I suggest first if you are in one of those "moods" where everything seems so mundane and utterly hopeless...to focus and "drive these thoughts into your hearts".
A Gleaning from Psalm 145:8-14
" You are merciful. You are full of Grace and Compassion. You are not One who angers quickly, yet are quick to show Your love toward us. The Lord is good to all...and His tender Mercies are intertwined...in the routines of our daily lives.
All creation is aware of this, and people who know His character take the time to be grateful for what He does, and offer the sacrifice of "Songs of Praise". Their words speak of the beauty of having You in their lives daily, and proclaim to all the power...the power of Your Very Name! Suddenly, there is a purpose to what we do...no matter how dismal or depressing it seems at the moment. Even those of this world hears about how good You are to those who embrace You!
Your Kingdom is an Eternal One. No one has or ever will overtake Your Kingdom...nor can anyone remove You as our True King. And Your Word...is better than the finest of gold, greater than any sorrow we face in this life. You will do all You can to help those who call to You...and You are always there..."to give a hand" to those "bent beneath their loads" in life. You offer a fresh start...to anyone ready to "quit"."
While it is certainly true we do not escapes the sorrow, the turmoils, and the problems this life brings at times, it is still our hearts that determine the outcome...
So, the question for me is : "What will please God?...that He might help us in times like these?
Going back to the Book of Psalms, I have run across some instructions:
A Gleaning from Psalm 50: 7-15
" Listen...Listen close! I am addressing those who are My people...I have some things I want you to be aware of:
I do not find fault in your ways of worship, the frequent ways you attempt to make sacrifices and try to find ways to please Me.
Yet, giving up "prized possessions" or just doing your best to be good...isn't what I am really after. After all, I have made everything and although being a nice person has it's rewards, learning what pleases Me is far more than that.
I really don't have need of anything...for example, if I were hungry, would it be necessary for
Me to tell you? No, I made everything. Here is what I really want from you:
I am your God...you are right about that...what pleases Me and is a beautiful sacrifice... having a grateful heart, a heart that is thankful and believes in Me, a heart that knows I care for you and am here for your good. Our friendship is drawn closer when You recognize My love for you and how much our friendship means to you. Having a heart full of thanks toward Me as I have for you...has the power to keep Me in your heart as you are in mine. Having Me in your heart enables My Commandments to operate in your daily life...with all its various struggles, and the need to drive out sin that sometimes separate us. It is at this point in life when You pray and ask of me...I am there for you, in those times of trouble. And I will rescue you, and we will draw even closer. I am with you...in the good times...and the bad."
I think "Rest" begins...when we take the time to acknowledge Him...and to give credit where credit is due...that is...to Him!
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