Promise for Today - Fed Up? Give Up!

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

Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV)

Are you feeling overloaded? You may be trying to control things too much. We all do it, sometimes without even realizing it. We subconsciously act as if it all depends on us. We think we have to hold everything together. We think we have to make everything happen.

The greater your need to control things, the more overloaded, stressed, and empty you’re going to feel in life. You need to learn to give up control!

When you come to Jesus because you’re running on empty, your next step of obedience is this: “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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV).

When you get fed up, it’s time to give up control.

A yoke is not the middle of an egg (that’s a yolk). It’s the wooden frame you put over two animals so they can pull a piece of farm equipment together. The purpose of a yoke is to lighten the load, not to make it heavier. Sharing a yoke means sharing the load you’re carrying.

When you already feel like you’re carrying a heavy load, taking on Jesus’ yoke may sound like more of a burden. It’s actually the opposite—because when you’re not yoked to Jesus, you carry the burden alone, and you might move too fast and end up in a ditch.

But if you’re yoked to him, he shares the burden of the load with you, keeps your pace exactly where it needs to be, and helps you to stay on the right path.

Put simply, a yoke makes the load lighter, and it keeps you from getting in trouble. Galatians 5:25 says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (NIV).

You keep in step with God’s Spirit by being yoked to Jesus—partnering with him and letting him set the pace. Jesus was never in a hurry, and you won’t be either when you’re connected to him.

Talk It Over

Why do you think God doesn’t just take your burden away completely every time you come to him and ask for help?

What kind of pace do you want to have in your life? What kind of pace would bring health and rest?

Look again at Matthew 11:29-30. What does Jesus want you to do after you take on his yoke? How can you do that?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer: (from the Prayer Room)

Father,

          We confess that we have been trying to sort things out in our own lives for far too long, rather than handing over the reins of our lives to You. Lord, we know we cannot carry all our worries and anxieties in our own strength, and we are ready to cast them all upon You. Please forgive us for being self‑dependent instead of God‑dependent. Carry us now in Your loving arms, and help us to abide in You, trusting that Your grace is sufficient. Lead our steps according to Your perfect will, and fill our hearts with peace as we release the need to control every outcome. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen

Who's Following Whom?

[Jesus speaking] Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
John 12:26 NLT

Not too long ago, I had the privilege of having a heart-to-heart conversation with a non-believer who really did not have a clue who God is in all His glory and majesty. He believed “good” people should get to go to heaven simply for being good to others. I told him that would be nice, but that’s not how it worked.

I explained to him the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ – by confessing our sin, then believing that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, accepting His sacrifice on the cross for our sin, and finally to confess with our mouths and believe in our heart that Jesus is Lord and God raised Him from the dead. My friend didn’t like that because he knew people who were always kind to others and gave to charities and helped others, but they didn’t believe in Jesus. He thought they should get to go to heaven. I was praying in my heart during the whole “defense” of what he believed, asking for the right words to say in response… and following is the analogy I believe God provided.

I explained, "I have a very good job. My boss lines out what I’m to do and if I expect a paycheck – what I believe is my just reward for doing what’s expected of me – then I do what I’m supposed to do. And if I don’t, I can also expect to lose my paycheck. You see, it’s not my company, so I can’t make up the rules to suit my likes and dislikes, to be what I want them or don't want them to be. I have to follow the rules established by the authority to be able to reap the benefits of being employed."

"Who do you think created heaven?"

"Who do you think it belongs to?" 

"Who do you think is the Boss there?"

To all three questions, he replied unequivocally, “God.”

So I asked him, "If God created heaven, and heaven belongs to Him, and God is the boss there, then He makes the rules, and His rule book clearly states that the only way to heaven is through Jesus. There is no other way in."

My friend had never thought of God in that capacity. He thought of Him as a kind of good luck deity that would follow us around, and be at our beck and call, blessing us when we did something good. However, neither God nor His Son said they would follow us. Jesus DID say They would be with us always, but that’s because He first said, "Follow Me."

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for our rebellion when we want to lead You and want You to follow and bless what we want. We are so wrong. Lord, we choose to follow You. Give us a clear understanding of who You are in Your fullness and help us to walk in Your steps. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Obey AND Follow

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Hebrews 12:1-3 NKJV

Anyone can believe - Scripture tells us even the demons believe and tremble - but not everyone will FOLLOW Christ as He follows God's leading. The way is hard, but the Word says He makes our crooked ways straight. 

Our text for today encourages us to look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He did not tell us, "Go get started. Run the race. Let Me know how you do." No, He wrote the story and He'll finish it. Our job is to follow and be obedient. Not fix it on our own, not finish on our own, nor flounder along the way. 

We are to obey and follow. Not question, not quit, nor quake in fear at what we cannot possibly do without God's help. Obey and follow. Follow in His footsteps. He goes before us and makes the crooked path straight. Our job is to trust, obey and follow.

He finishes. We will finish with Him. We will win because He has already won.

Prayer:

Father,

        Teach us to trust and obey and to follow You instead of trying to lead You all over our wilderness-in-the-making. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Following the Plan

For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
Romans 1:11-12 NLT

So many people ask, "Why am I here?" "What is my purpose?" Obviously, there is not one standard answer to that question. However, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, and you don't know the answer, please be assured you are following the One who DOES know. God has a plan for everything. He's had it before the foundation of the world and there's a reason for all of it.

There have been times I've asked God, "What's the reason for this?" especially when it's not obvious to me why I am where I am in certain situations. BUT, Proverbs tells us, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. And while I may not have been able to see why I was in a certain place or situation, once I move down the path, continuing to trust Him, following in His footsteps, I am able to look back and see clearly why I was there.

Generally, it's one of four reasons.

1. Organizational structure

For example, Nehemiah was the king's cup-bearer, that was his job, but God had another plan - for Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The story is a fascinating tale of favor with God and with King Xerxes, about a cup-bearer with tremendous organizational skills.

2. Financial aid

As much as people HATE to talk about the M-word in church, some things just take money to accomplish. I'm not talking about grand cathedrals, etc, (although if that's what God called you to build, do it). I'm talking about supplying the needs of the Body and those who spread the Good News and that often takes practical application, such as paying the bills for electricity and running water. 

3. Divine Order 

Sometimes you get somewhere because you've been-there-done-that and you can help by instructing others in how it's done or at least encouraging them in the process.

4. Obedience
Simply living your life in obedience to follow God no matter the circumstances. What a powerful testimony and encouragement that is to those within your sphere of influence.

Yes, God has a plan for everything. So, while you may not be able to see what you are supposed to be doing in a certain place or situation at this moment in time, continue to follow His footsteps. HE knows where you are and why you are there and He is trustworthy.

Prayer:

Father,
           Oh, the comfort in knowing that You lead us and we can follow, safe and secure, because You never leave us or forsake us. Father, help us to know this Truth deep in our hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Unfailing Love (reprint by request)

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.
Psalm 139:7-10 NKJV

Can you lead and guide someone to a place you've never been? Or on a trail you've never walked? How likely are you to allow someone to lead you who doesn't know the dangerous terrain? Can you help anyone through with confidence and conviction in something you've never experienced? Can you watch over your family, friends or children no matter where they are or where you are? Of course not. Don't fret. It just means WE are not God. Often, when we can't do something, we have no concept of how and when and so we try to fit our finite mind around an infinite God. We can't do it.

But the Good News is - God CAN! And WILL And DOES!!! He is I AM. He is All in All. He is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient. He can see it all and be everywhere at once, even when we can't see Him. And He's always leading and guiding us on His path laid especially for us. He has the Master plan and there is no place we can go where He hasn't gone before us. He knows the way because He IS the Way.

Sometimes we feel as though we've been abandoned on a very troublesome journey. But the Truth is that will never happen. We get in trouble when we forget to let Him lead. His Word tells us in Psalm 32:7-10, For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control. Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord."

Unfailing love... Lead on, Father.

Prayer:

Father,
           Your ways are not our ways. Your thoughts are not our thoughts and yet You invite us to come up higher - to follow Your lead. And the Truth is no matter where we are, You will lead us up, out, over... no matter the direction needed. You well know it. Lead on, Father. Walk slow enough that we don't lose sight of You. Lord, but don't let us dawdle. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* In God's Way

“As I began to speak,” Peter continued, “the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning. Then I thought of the Lord’s words when he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?”
Acts 11:15-17 NLT

Two chapters prior to this passage, we read, Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. Saul of Tarsus asked for and received letters requesting cooperation to arrest any followers of the Way he found in Damascus. 

Saul was both a descendant of Abraham and a Roman citizen. His education of the law was under the tutelage of Rabbi Gamaliel who was a leader in the Jewish Sanhedrin. He had all kinds of "bragging rights". Saul was also a Pharisee - he knew the law and that was the zeal that drove him to persecute Christians. They weren't following God the same way he had been taught, so he was on his way to arrest and bring back to Jerusalem in chains anyone who followed Jesus. The story of Saul's Damascus Road conversion adventure to becoming the apostle Paul is a favorite of many.

However, as Peter points out in our text for today, how often do we judge another simply because they don't do something the same as we do? They don't do it our way... but then, are we sure our way is God's way?

I wonder how often I have been IN God's way instead of following His way...

Prayer:

Father,
          Forgive us, O God, when we get in Your way rather than follow in Your way. Open our eyes, Lord, to clearly see You and follow You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Places, Please

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33 NKJV

It's human nature - we want to be first. Be the first to own this or that, first across the finish line, first to solve the puzzle. First in line to eat. I'm almost convinced that we don't care what, as long as we're in First Place. And yet, that's totally opposite of how we are instructed to live our lives. 

We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness... We are to prefer others before ourselves (Romans 12:10).  We are to follow. To follow, by definition, is to NOT be first.

In John 12:26 (NKJV), [Jesus speaking] If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. 

Let's take our places, please. Who, me first? No, thank You... I'll follow You.

Prayer:

Father, 

          We want to follow You and serve You. We like the place You have carved out for us. Help us to see Your footsteps in front of us so that we don't miss a step and wind up in the wrong place. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Follow Me +

[Jesus speaking] Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

John 12:26 NLT

Not too long ago, I had the privilege of having a heart-to-heart conversation with a non-believer who really did not have a clue who God is in all His glory and majesty. He believed “good” people should get to go to heaven simply for being good to others. I told him that would be nice, but that’s not how it worked. 

I explained to him the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ – by confessing our sin, then believing that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, accepting His sacrifice on the cross for our sin, and finally to confess with our mouths and believe in our heart that Jesus is Lord and God raised Him from the dead. My friend didn’t like that because he knew people who were always kind to others and gave to charities and helped others, but they didn’t believe in Jesus. He thought they should get to go to heaven. I was praying in my heart during the whole “defense” of what he believed, asking for the right words to say in response… and this is the analogy God provided.

I have a very good job. My boss lines out what I’m to do and if I expect a paycheck – what I believe is my just reward for doing what’s expected of me – then I do what I’m supposed to do. And if I don’t, I can also expect to lose my paycheck. You see, it’s not my company, so I can’t make up the rules to suit my likes and dislikes, to be what I want them or don't want them to be. I have to follow the rules established by the authority to be able to reap the benefits of being employed.

Who do you think created heaven? Who do you think it belongs to? Who do you think is the Boss there?  

To all three questions, he replied unequivocally, “God.” 

So I asked him, If God created heaven, and heaven belongs to Him, and God is the boss there, then He makes the rules, and His rule book clearly states that the only way to heaven is through Jesus. There is no other way in.

My friend had never thought of God in that capacity. He thought of Him as a kind of good luck deity that would follow US around, and be at our beck and call, blessing us when we did something good. However, neither God nor His Son said they would follow US. Jesus DID say they would be with us always, but that’s because He first said, Follow Me.

Prayer:

Father,

          We are so wrong. Forgive us for our rebellion when we want to lead You and want You to follow and bless what we want. Lord, we choose to follow You. Give us a clear understanding of who You are in Your fullness and help us to walk in Your steps. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

* Giving the Lead

He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

Psalm 25:9-10 NLT

I know the saying we're most familiar with is "Taking the Lead." However, God does not do things the same way the world does. 

According to our Promise for Today, He leads us in doing right, teaching us His way, when we give up our rights and put ourselves into submission to Him and to His ways. How can we do that? We must have wisdom from above.

James 3:13-18 NLT tells us that True wisdom comes from God. Read with me, If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. 

I don't know about you, but I sure could use a harvest of righteousness. We harvest the fruit of what we plant. I have to plant the right seeds. I can't plant anger and/or seeds of bitterness and then expect a harvest of righteousness. I want the right crop. In order to do that, I need the right seed, the right field and the right path to follow. The key is to realize that I can only follow when I give up the lead. Psalm 25, verse 8 reads, The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. Have we given Him the lead?

Prayer:

Father,

          According to Your Word in Psalm 25, we pray, Show us the right path, O Lord; point out the road for us to follow. Lead us by Your truth and teach us, for You are the God who saves us. All day long we put our hope in You. Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and unfailing love, which You have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of our youth. Remember us in the light of Your unfailing love, for You are merciful, O Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen