Asides

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, KJV)

Strange as it seems, some people (no matter how tired, weary, harried, or over-committed) will just not take a break. 

Such folks rise early; retire late; work every weekend; and lose vacation time routinely.  For such persons, work is not a means — but an end; a tyrannical, dead end.  To such persons, Jesus offers a simple, effective, alternative: “Come unto me. . . and I will give you rest.”

Take time to pray.  Take time to listen to the Holy Spirit.  Take time to meditate on His word — and He will give you rest.   – Luther

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“Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.” (Exodus 1:8, KJV)

These 13 words describe how easily life can be transformed from mountaintop to valley; from “can do no wrong” to “can do nothing right”; from the big house to the dog house. 

We do well to remain mindful of how quickly the externals of our life can change; and to grasp lightly our health, wealth, and personal relationships.  Egypt — although gracious and hospitable for a time — was not God’s destination for the Children of Israel; a much better land awaited them. The “new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph” was the catalyst for the beginning of the next phase of God’s plan for the Israelites. 

Changes await all of us, and some changes may not be welcome changes.  Fear not.  A change in circumstance provides the “elbow room” in our lives for the growth that is to come.  

God did not desert the Children of Israel, even in their distress; and God will not desert the disciples of Jesus.  As we are reminded in Romans 8: Nothing shall separate us from the love of God!  – Luther

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“I have chosen you.” (John 15:16a, KJV )

Today, a reminder from Oswald Chambers’ devotional, “My Utmost for His Highest”: “Keep that note of greatness in your creed. It is not that you have got God, but that He has got you.”   – Luther

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