I want to say thank you. Thank you for being a church that realizes the importance of sabbath. I was able to get away last week with my family to Tennessee. Yes, it was homecoming for Johnson; yes, our yearly shopping trip for clothes, and yes, there was a trip to the Nascar Speed Park for go-carts. But through all the fun, the get-away had a bigger importance.
REST—Hebrews 4. Darryl just spoke about this and it was a nice send off to my trip. The importance here is to know that in all our toil, work, effort and stress—God is the one who blesses. Even more so, for someone like me, I need the reminder that Jesus said to Peter, “… I will build my church,” (Matthew 16:18). Jesus is the one who builds. We work and should work hard, but Jesus is the one who builds. And if we let Him build, look at this promise, “...and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18)
I am going to do something out of my comfort zone. I am going to list what God put upon my heart during my sabbath break with my family:
*Wake up and pray; God, what do YOU want me to do today? Then, do it!
*Listen to the breaking of my heart.
*Dwell with (abide with God)
*Write more
*Rest more - slow down
*Ask Kingdom velocity questions
*Focus on Jesus
*Stop whining and start working
*Be the most encouraging person on the planet
*Work out - physically and spiritually
* Determine my retirement date
I know that if you spend time with God and pull away from the busy, He is eager to speak to you. We are so distracted. So my encouragement is this...STOP. Take the time for your own soul care before you parent, volunteer, minister, or attempt to carry the banner of Jesus Christ. After all, Jesus builds His church...Not you!