I'm Tired, Are You?

God is All Powerful

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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." Mathew 11:28-30

Anyone tired?  …tired physically, mentally, tired of waiting for circumstances to change…  When life is tough, we can become so worn out that we are immobilized.  Where do you turn?  Modern medicine offers solutions; bad habits can keep us propped up for only so long. 

Look up and lean on our eternal God.  This is where you can be reenergized and restored.  Exchange your ways for God’s ways.  God’s promise for everlasting life through his son Jesus Christ offers peace and hope.  It isn’t in the what and when of our circumstances, but rather in the who.  Who is the focus of your life?

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:28-31

 

Because God is all powerful, we can rely on the Lord’s strength.

 

Satisfaction Guaranteed

God is Eternal

 

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless!  Everything is meaningless.”  Ecclesiastes 1:2

Are you still searching for that something that will finally bring you permanent happiness?   You may find a temporary contentment or satisfaction based on your current circumstance; however it does not last – it wasn’t designed to.  There is no peace without Jesus.  “Stop chasing the wind” as Solomon said, “for it is all meaningless”.  Free yourself from the pursuit of approval, money, and power.   True joy comes from the Holy Spirit.  St. Augustine said, “The heart will not rest until it rests in Christ.”  Ask Christ into your life and he will give you a perfect, everlasting peace.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5: 22-23

Because God is Eternal, we can be complete.

Wise Choices

God is Wisdom

The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. 1 Kings 10:24

Solomon was a great leader, the third King of Israel.  He was also known as the wisest man to have ever lived.  He placed his trust in God, but over time he became disobedient and took matters into his own hands. At times of testing, it was evident that his own wisdom didn’t lead him into right choices. As a result, Solomon lost everything -- his wealth, power, peace, and security. 

How many of us know the right thing to do, and yet fall short in our actions?    Temptations to do things our way, to control the situation, to take shortcuts or follow the crowd… these short sided decisions get in the way of allowing Godly wisdom to prevail. 

When building a career, business, marriage, or family, it is not enough to get off to a good start.  We must remain faithful to God to the end, always yielding our selfish desires to make wise choices.

And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.  2 Thessalonians 3:13

Because God is Wisdom, we can know and do what is right.

 

Teamwork Requires Forgiveness

 

God is Love

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  Colossians 3:13

We all know that teamwork requires each player to do his or her part.  When someone lets you down, how do you respond? Do you hold a grudge, complain, or get even?  Why is it so hard to forgive?  To remember that we too have sinned and fallen short and that our Heavenly Father has paid the price for our transgressions is very powerful.  If you can reflect on the kindness and grace our Lord gives when we do not deserve it, forgiving others is possible.

Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.  Luke 11:4

Because God is Love, we can forgive others.

Fear Not

God is Faithful

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Matthew 6:27

Many of us are worried.  Worried about the economy, our jobs, our bills, our children, our parents, our health…the list goes on.  God never intended for us to worry.  Genuine concern for a matter moves you to action, but worry has ill effects.  Do not let your heart and mind be consumed by fear.  Learn to focus on what God has called important and trust him to provide.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:33-34

Because God is Faithful, we need not worry.

Nothing is Impossible

God is Faithful

“If you can?” said Jesus.  “Everything is possible for him who believes.”  Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"  Mark 9:23-24

Feeling down?  Like nothing is possible within this current economic climate?  Don’t lose hope.  Jesus’ words suggest it requires more than our own efforts to obtain results, that it requires faith.  Jesus demonstrates what is possible if we place our trust in Christ -- because nothing is too difficult for God.  As we face challenges and trials, trust Christ to strengthen you and give you peace for what lays ahead.  With Jesus as the source of our strength and hope, we can believe and trust in our Heavenly Father to provide all that we need.    

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

Because God is Faithful, we can trust that all our needs will be met.