YOKE

11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father:
and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11: 27-30
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Our Savior Jesus Christ understands perfectly the burdens of this world. He understands perfectly the burden of sin and the devastation it causes. Sin has the power to destroy what God is creating, His Family, but Christ has already defeated sin. We do not have to carry that burden. He did it fully and completely, for when God does something, we do not have to redo it!

When we think of a yoke, we often think of bondage, servitude, or grueling work that will drive us into the ground. Some may recall the movie in which Samson, blind and bald, struggles to push a huge grindstone, and every step of the way is painful. In reality, however, a yoke is nothing more than a tool to do a job, and as we have seen, a well-designed yoke allows the user to work at maximum capacity and efficiency. Most importantly, our Savior has offered us His yoke. Would any other yoke fit us more perfectly?

Just as two oxen may work together in the yoke, Jesus is also closely working with each of us. We need to picture ourselves sharing the same yoke as Jesus, like a couple of oxen with a load to pull. We should also add to this scene God the Father as the teamster, just as we saw in verse 27 that He has given Christ "all things" needed to get the job done. Jesus is right beside us in the yoke, working diligently to guide us and pull His share of the load to ensure that we finish the job.
What is our reward? Verse 28 says that He will give us rest, "rest for your souls," as verse 29 adds. Jesus' yoke is one of rest, the same rest that is discussed in Hebrews 3-4—the rest of God in His Kingdom!

Then, in verse 30 appears Jesus' heartening proclamation, "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Jesus has already cut the road, so all we have to do is to follow His lead, and we will find rest from all of our burdens.

submitted by: Annie

the Challenge

Reprint from August 7, 2010

The fence around the courtyard of the tabernacle in the wilderness served to include and to exclude.

My son has been learning about different cultures around the world via port cities through his computer history curriculum, and I’ve been helping him. After the study of Hong Kong and then the study of Istanbul including the different religious beliefs prevalent in those areas, he asked me, “When there are so many different beliefs, how are we supposed to know which one is right? Are they all right? How can so many people be wrong?”

“Those are very good questions, Wes,” I said, “I’m glad you asked. You’re paying attention and you’re thinking. I like to see that.” I told him that first of all, if they were all right, then there would have been no need for Jesus to suffer and die for our sins. We would just find any old belief system that we wanted and that would save our souls. I went on to tell him that the best I could offer to him right now regarding why I believe in Jesus was that I have searched the scriptures and the arguments of the world because I want the truth, and what I’ve found is that the others don’t compare to our God. They don’t even come close, and in fact are foolishness in light of God’s Word.

Now, Wes, I’m not saying that I prefer Christianity over the alternatives,” I continued, “I’m saying that the alternatives have proven to be false. You see, the Bible says that there is only one God, and one way to get to Him. That’s through the blood of Jesus.” I went on to say that the Bible has never been proven false, and in fact, the more that man learns about the world around him, the more the Bible is confirmed.

But I did not stop there. I said that as he gets older, I expect something from him. “Don’t just believe this, Wesley, because I told you to believe it. Keep on asking questions. Do your own research. Ask God to show you the truth.” He actually said right then and there, eyes wide open, “God, show me the truth.”

Later that day, while driving my kids around town running my errands, I brought up the conversation again. “Did you know, Wesley, that there is no other belief system in the world that would challenge you to prove it wrong? But I challenge you. None other would dare you to go outside of its realm and compare it to the rest just to see which one is correct. Do you know why?”

“It’s like,” he said, “when Garrett (that’s my 6 year old) cleans his room, and he asks you to check it. He has nothing to hide. But when Clay (that’s my 4 year old) is told to clean his room, he comes out a few minutes later and closes the door because he doesn’t want you to know that it’s still a mess.” My 16 year old daughter and I looked at each other in amazement at hearing the wisdom in this 9 year old boy to be able to communicate so clearly that ‘yes’ he understood what I was saying and showed it by using such a perfect analogy. “That’s right, Wes, I’m not afraid to tell you to check. I know what you’ll find. You’ll find exactly what I’ve found. You’ll also find that others are afraid for you to look inside because when you tell others why you believe so strongly in Jesus.”

A couple of days later, my Bible study director was giving her lecture, and she spoke of the inclusion and the exclusion that the fence provided for the tabernacle. The fence was a testimony that there is no middle ground. He does not tolerate the lukewarm person who walks along the fence unable to decide what to believe and so chooses to believe them all as just many ways of getting to the same place. They can’t all be right. God may patiently wait for them to come down off of the fence, but if they don’t, they have lost their chance, and He will spit them out. Others may wish to believe otherwise, but the truth is that He is not a God of tolerance, but a God of mercy.

I was reminded of my 9 year old, and I felt confirmed in my heart that he too understood that there is no middle ground. He understood that there must be only one truth. What an exhilarating thrill it is to know that my son is on a quest to know that truth. I trust that God will show it to him in the very way he needs to see it.

"Elijah went before the people and said,

“How long will you waver between two opinions?

If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

But the people said nothing."

1 Kings 18:21

Written by Amie Spruiell

Gardener

Pepost from July 2010

When I moved to my new house, I was pleased to see all the beautiful citrus trees and cacti in our yard, and roses! There were two fairly nice looking rose bushes, trimmed up so they looked like miniature trees with a skinny trunk, one with deep red roses in the front yard, and a delicate yellow one in the back. There had been a third one, which was now just dead branches jutting up out of the dry ground, thorns exposed along the rough, woody branches. I knew the yard needed some work, and I would have to dig out the dead rose bush, but I generally enjoyed working in the yard, pruning, trimming, and tidying up the grounds. Well, one thing led to another, and the plants were neglected. Next thing I knew, the rose bushes were looking very sad. They stopped blooming, even though I had at least made sure the dead blooms were always removed. Then the leaves began withering and turning brown. Upon closer inspection I saw tiny spider webs all over the bushes. Thanks to a very kind neighbor, I learned about a home remedy for spiders on roses and quickly mixed together the ingredients and sprayed the leaves well and waited, hoping I had gotten good advice and had done everything correctly and timely. Each day I stepped outside with anticipation of something positive, but instead was greeted with increasingly brown leaves. I would remove those that were dried up and without hope, striving to help the beleaguered plant. But nothing I did seemed to help. I was beginning to accept the possibility that I would have at least one more thorny rose bush to dig up!

Then the monsoon season arrived.... days upon days of showers, and downpours, and sprinkles, broken up by only a few humid, hot days. And every day I would look at that dying mass of thorny branches and browning leaves with pessimism. But then one day I saw it – little tiny green sprouts everywhere! Almost every branch had new growth bursting through the dried, cracked stems. Within a week there were tiny rose buds, much smaller this time, but just as velvety as before. And another miracle - the one bush that was supposedly dead when we had arrived... even that had sprouted new living branches, straining toward the sun!

God had shown me once again that all my efforts, while perhaps helpful to a situation, are never enough on their own. He has to be involved for the actions to bear fruit. He gives me the ability to be his helper. Then He uses me as his tool. Pruning (cutting back what looks good) and dead-heading (removing what is no longer alive) are needed so that new growth can occur.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful... Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.

Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

John 15: 1-2, 4 NIV

But without the “living water” nothing would come of all this work.

Jesus said (to the Samaritan woman at the well), “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10 NIV

God uses us in other people's lives, but it is He who gives eternal life, through his son, Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Lord, for being my gardener,

and for using me to grow your kingdom.

Amen.

Written by Jan A.

Coming Home

Repost from Thursday, September 30, 2010

 

Today I am remembering the special times that I have spent with family and friends. I love and treasure those times of just being together. It is such a gift to have friendship and love. I always feel as if I am "coming home" from some kind of a journey, which in reality is the truth, for we are always either “setting out” or “returning” in one sense or another.

At these times I feel that I am able to come in and "kick off the dust” and to bask in the warm and comforting presence of the Lord. I can feel the love of those whom God has blessed me with, whether they are friends or family. I love the honesty, frankness and understanding that we are all able to share. I love the wisdom gained in the listening, and the acceptance and understanding that takes place in the sharing.

I love that I am able to be myself, even when I'm not quite sure of who that is. I love the image and direction of Christ I see mirrored back to me when I have lost my way. I love that I am able to find a loving hand to help me up when I've run out of strength. I love the encouragement and truth from the Word of God that settles itself inside of my spirit and makes its way into my heart where it plants hope, forgiveness and more love. I love the sense of fullness and satisfaction that permeates itself on the inside of me, a sense of being in the very presence of God and knowing that I am deeply loved.

To me there is no greater gift than the gift of ones self, for this is the very same gift that Jesus gave to each one of us. There is such great truth in the scripture that states,

“We love because He first loved us”

(1 John 4:19)

As I sit here and contemplate all that this means I can feel the depth and sweetness of this truth as it bears witness in the deepest, most intimate places of my heart and spirit.

As I shut my eyes I can almost feel the gentle but strong embrace of My Heavenly Father. As I settle back I can feel a deep smile of contentment as it outlines itself onto my face. As His peace and gentleness enfold me, I can almost hear Him as He whispers so clearly, “It is good.”

Written by Beverley A. Napier

I Just Need a Break

Devotional for Thursday, August 4, 2011


Reprint from Thursday, September 22, 2010

Honestly, I am looking for some peace and quiet, lack of conflict, minimal challenges, reduced demands, understanding and relief. Relief from fatigue, from a sense of just getting by, that no matter what I do, it’s not enough; with every completed day, there is a mountain of items just waiting in the wings. Does anyone understand how I feel?

If I had just poured that sentence out to me, with a gentle voice, over a lovingly brewed cup of tea, I would, quoting Jesus, say, “Peace, be still.” You’re mind is full and anxious about many things. God has not forgotten about you. He loves you with an unending love. Seek first His purposes and plans and righteousness. His grace is sufficient for you. God will see you through everything in your life. He is willing to be your strength. You can depend on Him.

Commit everything you do to the Lord.

Trust him, and he will help you.

He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,

and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
Be still in the presence of the Lord,

and wait patiently for him to act.

Don’t worry about evil people who prosper

or fret about their wicked schemes.

Stop being angry!

Turn from your rage!

Do not lose your temper—

it only leads to harm.

For the wicked will be destroyed,

but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.

Psalm 37:5-9 (NLT)

Dear Lord, I thank You that Your mercy is new every morning. I humble myself and ask You to please forgive me for trying to do everything in my own strength, in my own way, with my own wisdom. I give up. Please forgive me for being angry so often! Search my heart and cleanse me of every sin, both known and hidden. Help me to trust You and rely on You every moment of every day. Please give me a thirst for more of You. Thank You for the purifying power of Your Word. In Jesus name, Amen.

Prayed by Mary M. Wilkins: May 14, 2007
(and many times before and since).

"In Him We Live And Move"

Devotional for Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Every day is a new day and a new opportunity to be used for the Lord. We serve a living God!


Scripture tells us

"In Him we live and move and have our being."

Acts 17:28A

As we awaken each day, we can allow Him to give us a fresh infilling of His Holy Spirit. If we will but let Him, the Lord will orchestrate our day and use us in ways we never dreamed possible. As we are yielded to the Lord, and have our ears to his lips, the Lord will guide us and speak to our hearts. As we say to the Lord "Here I am Lord, use me," the Lord will do just that!

We serve a God on the move! He is never boring or dull, but a God that is powerful and mighty and awesome! The Lord flows through us, as we are surrendered to him. We are His hands and His feet, His ambassadors and His spokesman.


What a joy to know that our lifes are one big adventure and glorious journey, as we are immersed in His love and His Spirit.


I choose to live my life every day on this earth for Jesus Christ; making a difference for His Kingdom!


Written by Sandy B.

He Is Holy

Devotional for Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Wherefore

gird up the loins

of your mind, be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be

brought unto you

 at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

But as he which hath called you

is holy,

so be ye holy in all

manner of conversation;

                                                                                     Because it is written,

                                                                                    Be ye holy; for I am holy.

                                                                           Peter 1: 13-16

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The apostle Peter provides the practical implications of this wonderful hope. Hope can go to work for us and do wonders. God's calling and purpose are certainly wonderful, but He does not intend that they set us off on a daydream. Peter is declaring a call to arms: "Pull yourself together!" "Roll up your sleeves!" "Give hard thought and wrestle with the practical implications of salvation."

Remember that the church is the community where God's truth is taken seriously, and His mind is being formed in its members. To paraphrase and expand, Peter is saying, "Look, brothers, we should not be superficial about this. Keep cool. Do not be impetuous. Avoid excesses. Live a plain life. Work hard, but set your hope in God's grace, not in your own willpower.

"Remember always that your obedience is to a gracious Person, not to a coldly calculating judge or to society. Holiness is not sanctimoniousness. It is being separated for a special purpose by special instructions and discipline. We have been called to perform a unique purpose. We have been called to glorify God by our lives as a witness to all who observe, and at the same time being prepared for His Kingdom. God wants us to have a passionate love for goodness, so in your mind give Him a unique place.

"Do not fear the enemy, as we would Christ. Use your hope to think about Him, His power, justice, wisdom, goodness, truth, omnipotence, and omniscience. Remember always that He has wisdom without error, power without limit, love without hatred. Our hope is in One who is great in every respect. Quit thinking of God in fleshly terms. He is not a limited man nor even a superman. He is GOD! He is with us, and so who can permanently harm us? Concentrate on being completely devoted to Him, and if we do this, we have every reason to hope. God is not a man that He should lie. His promises are sure."

submitted by: Annie