...because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
We all go through some sort of discouragement and frustration. At one point or another we are just fed up and want to throw in the towel; we want to give it all up. God knows this and gave us the Sabbath for one just to rest from all these things. We hardly ever obey this and all kinds of frustrations sink in. This affects all areas of life; we may try to separate it but it's impossible because we're the common denominator. We're being taught and encouraged here to stand firm in our faith but it needs to be done obeying God's commands to allow a day of rest with the right perspective and heart.
I feel like I've been a a whirlwind the last month. I haven't taken a Sabbath and I'm feeling drained because, although I feel energized and full of the Spirit serving in ministry and at work, my home isn't strong. God is telling me not to give up and stand firm in my faith, don't allow the devil to inject discouragement. But, I need to do this according to God's commands. I'm disobeying two obvious commands: serving my wife and the Sabbath. I'm not spending enough time with her as she would like; I feel like it's enough but that's not the right heart. It's her perception that needs encouragement and not facts. Along with this is my time of rest. Being productive is great but I need to be productive on my own vessel, my heart and body. As I serve more and more in ministry I understand what rest is all about.
Father God, my Almighty Creator; thank You for crafting me. I sometimes wished that I wasn't so sensitive and analytical all the time; I wish that I could allow painful situations and words to just bounce off me like others. But that's not who I am, that's not who You want me to be. I need to learn how to steward this wonderful gift to be used in kingdom works instead of personal destruction. I know You have a handle, You are in control and I stand firm. In Your precious name Lord Jesus, Amen!
2 Thessalonians 2:13-15
We all go through some sort of discouragement and frustration. At one point or another we are just fed up and want to throw in the towel; we want to give it all up. God knows this and gave us the Sabbath for one just to rest from all these things. We hardly ever obey this and all kinds of frustrations sink in. This affects all areas of life; we may try to separate it but it's impossible because we're the common denominator. We're being taught and encouraged here to stand firm in our faith but it needs to be done obeying God's commands to allow a day of rest with the right perspective and heart.
I feel like I've been a a whirlwind the last month. I haven't taken a Sabbath and I'm feeling drained because, although I feel energized and full of the Spirit serving in ministry and at work, my home isn't strong. God is telling me not to give up and stand firm in my faith, don't allow the devil to inject discouragement. But, I need to do this according to God's commands. I'm disobeying two obvious commands: serving my wife and the Sabbath. I'm not spending enough time with her as she would like; I feel like it's enough but that's not the right heart. It's her perception that needs encouragement and not facts. Along with this is my time of rest. Being productive is great but I need to be productive on my own vessel, my heart and body. As I serve more and more in ministry I understand what rest is all about.
Father God, my Almighty Creator; thank You for crafting me. I sometimes wished that I wasn't so sensitive and analytical all the time; I wish that I could allow painful situations and words to just bounce off me like others. But that's not who I am, that's not who You want me to be. I need to learn how to steward this wonderful gift to be used in kingdom works instead of personal destruction. I know You have a handle, You are in control and I stand firm. In Your precious name Lord Jesus, Amen!
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