My son-in-law likes to watch car races - where they go round and round and round and round. To me one of the most facinating parts of the race is when they come in for "pitstops." It's an amazing how, in such a short manner of time, that they can change the tires and refuel it in less 13 seconds. As the last bolt is put in the driver has his foot to pedal and racing off again. There are some lessons in here for us today.
“For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield, but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard. “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed. (Exodus 23:10-12 ESV)
Did you notice the phrase at the end of v. 12 - that you "may be refreshed."
One of the hardest places in my life to get a "hold" of is the idea of Sabbath rest. Yes, I'm better at doing that now but often it has come as result of burning out and being forced to stop and rest in a place of Sabbath.
Even God created the earth in six days and then rested. We should give one day out of seven as a rest day so that you may on a WEEKLY BASIS be refreshed.
Even God created the earth in six days and then rested. We should give one day out of seven as a rest day so that you may on a WEEKLY BASIS be refreshed.
The story is told of two lumberjacks named CRAZYSWING and BUZZSAW who had the tiring job of clearing a field of trees. The contract called for them to be paid per tree. CRAZYSWING wanted the day to be profitable, so he grunted and sweated, swinging the axe relentlessly. BUZZSAW, on the other hand, seemed to be working about half as fast. He even took a rest and sat off to the side for a few minutes. CRAZYSWING kept chopping away until every muscle and tendon in his body was screaming. At the end of the day, CRAZYSWING was terribly sore, but BUZZSAW was smiling and telling jokes. Amazingly, BUZZSAW had cut down more trees! CRAZYSWING said, "I noticed you sitting while I worked without a break. How’d you outwork me?" BUZZSAW smiled. "Did you notice I was sharpening my axe while I was sitting?"
It is true - one day of rest per seven will refresh and sharpen you physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Give it a rest. Give your life a Sabbath rest one day in seven so that you may on a WEEKLY BASIS be refreshed.
If we want to be fruitful in our work we also need to be restored through a WEEKLY Sabbath rest.
Give it a rest. Give your life a Sabbath rest one day in seven so that you may on a WEEKLY BASIS be refreshed.
Hebrew scholar, Dr. Ken Way states that a study of the Hebrew word "Shabbat" reveals a number of important theological truths:
Hebrew scholar, Dr. Ken Way states that a study of the Hebrew word "Shabbat" reveals a number of important theological truths:
- Sabbath reveals God’s love and care for his people. The Sabbath commands were given from God’s heart of love for us.
- Sabbath reveals God’s design in creation. People, animals, and land require rest in order to thrive and prosper.
- Sabbath reveals that humans are made in God’s image. People are instructed to rest because God himself rested.
- Sabbath reveals the human need for LIMITS. People have a tendency to overwork themselves.
- Sabbath reveals the human need for self-discipline and structure (good time management and the ability to say ENOUGH).
- Sabbath reveals the human tendency to marginalize God by not resting and accepting his CREATION order for our lives.
- Sabbath reveals that rest can be an act of worship as we submit our schedule’s to God’s wisdom. As work is dedicated to God’s glory, so should rest.
So give it a rest. Give your life a rest one day in seven so that you may on a WEEKLY BASIS be refreshed and express in a very practical way your trust in God’s wisdom and provisions.
Our disregard for the Sabbath rest can reflect an attitude of mistrust toward God. What are we saying about God when we live overextended, busy lives and ignore his Sabbath rest? Maybe our self-esteem is built upon busyness and overwork instead of our relationship with Christ Jesus? Could our overwork be an indication of a lack of trust in God to provide for our needs?
Give it a rest. Give your life a Sabbath rest one day in seven so that you may on a WEEKLY BASIS be refreshed.
Just before she lost her battle with cancer Erma Bombeck wrote:
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER:
· I would have talked less and listened more.
· I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
· I would have eaten the popcorn in the ’good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when
Our disregard for the Sabbath rest can reflect an attitude of mistrust toward God. What are we saying about God when we live overextended, busy lives and ignore his Sabbath rest? Maybe our self-esteem is built upon busyness and overwork instead of our relationship with Christ Jesus? Could our overwork be an indication of a lack of trust in God to provide for our needs?
Give it a rest. Give your life a Sabbath rest one day in seven so that you may on a WEEKLY BASIS be refreshed.
Just before she lost her battle with cancer Erma Bombeck wrote:
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER:
· I would have talked less and listened more.
· I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
· I would have eaten the popcorn in the ’good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when
someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
· I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
· I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just
· I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
· I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just
been teased and sprayed.
· I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
· I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
· I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
- I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
- I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding
· I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
· I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
· I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
- I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
- I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding
pattern if I weren’t there for the day.- I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil or was
guaranteed to last a lifetime.
- Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized
- Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized
that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
- When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for
- When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for
dinner."
- There would have been more "I love yous".. more "I’m sorrys"...but mostly, given another shot at
- There would have been more "I love yous".. more "I’m sorrys"...but mostly, given another shot at
life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it... live it...and never give it back.
Why is it that it takes something like cancer to impress upon us how precious and wonderful life is?
A weekly Sabbath rest can do this for you and me. As we take the time to slow down, and calm down, and bow down to our Lord’s creation design and wisdom for our lives, the Lord can impress upon our hearts what is really important in life.
He will do this if we slow down and calm down and worship him and listen for his Holy Spirit to speak to us through His inspired word, the Bible.
Slow down, and calm down in Sabbath rest, and bow down in worship so the Lord can impress upon your heart what is really important in your life.
Without a Sabbath rest then one week runs into another week and soon the weeks run into months and soon we find ourselves just existing from one job or chore to another with little perspective, joy and worship.
The bad news is that by nature we think that we can outwork God. "Maybe God took a day off but I certainly don’t need one!" we boast.
But the Good News is that Christ has not only freed us from the Old Testament’s covenant regulations, Jesus can also freed us from our own foolishness and insecurities and enable us to trust in our Heavenly Father’s plan and provisions.
So give it a rest.
Why is it that it takes something like cancer to impress upon us how precious and wonderful life is?
A weekly Sabbath rest can do this for you and me. As we take the time to slow down, and calm down, and bow down to our Lord’s creation design and wisdom for our lives, the Lord can impress upon our hearts what is really important in life.
He will do this if we slow down and calm down and worship him and listen for his Holy Spirit to speak to us through His inspired word, the Bible.
Slow down, and calm down in Sabbath rest, and bow down in worship so the Lord can impress upon your heart what is really important in your life.
Without a Sabbath rest then one week runs into another week and soon the weeks run into months and soon we find ourselves just existing from one job or chore to another with little perspective, joy and worship.
The bad news is that by nature we think that we can outwork God. "Maybe God took a day off but I certainly don’t need one!" we boast.
But the Good News is that Christ has not only freed us from the Old Testament’s covenant regulations, Jesus can also freed us from our own foolishness and insecurities and enable us to trust in our Heavenly Father’s plan and provisions.
So give it a rest.
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