“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.” – Matthew 11:28-30 Yesterday I shared about the beautiful throne room scene I received where I was able to lay my burdens down and receive rest from deep weariness just as today’s passage mentions. But the next words speak of taking on His yoke and learning from Him which sound like work. If what he promises us is rest, why does he tell…

Why, my soul, are you downcast?    Why so disturbed within me?Put your hope in God,    for I will yet praise him,    my Savior and my God. – Psalm 42:11 Several months ago I was led to purchase a new bible study called, When Strivings Cease, by Ruth Chou Simons. I received it during a very busy season at work and decided to begin the study when things slowed down a bit. Little did I know that I would be living out just about everything the study taught about striving and the result was deep soul weariness. I was burnt out, tired, frustrated, disappointed and hurting all because I was striving to obtain the…

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23 Jesus told us that He is the Good Shepherd and that His sheep know His voice and…

Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.  So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.  ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’  “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.  But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.  But when this son of yours…

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.…

 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.  The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” – John 10:11-15 Recently I found myself thinking about the success of others, financial security, retirement plans,…

 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.  I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:7-10 For many shepherds, the sheepfold (where sheep slept overnight) was attached to their home. So, to enter the sheepfold was to come home. As “the Gate” Jesus made it perfectly clear that He is the only means…

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12 To follow Jesus means to belive in and trust Him, which leads to, as Jesus himself said, light and life. The light shows us what we could not see and guides our every step. Our part is to follow Him, to submit ourselves to His guidance, and respond to His direction. As the seasons are changing we are starting to see that it stays lighter longer with each passing day. What a joy and hopeful reminder that spring is…