Dear brothers and sisters,

Yes, you are chosen to rest. God knew that we would need a day to decompress from the pressures of our world this week. I am reminded that, now I am telling my age, when the stores were closed on Sundays. Families went to worship together and then rested the remainder of the day. In preparation for the coming work week and school, we might even take a Sunday afternoon nap...think of that! Living in America in itself keeps us busy with this and that, stuff and such. Life will always keep us running from one thing to another! We have to choose to live as God's chosen children and follow His example to rest on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2). Today, I choose too.

There are a few scriptures we can turn to as we gather here today. When we find our reserves spent, this is a call to come away for a time. Psalm 37:7 says, "Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass."

This takes on a whole new meaning to me since I am now retired. I recall the tossing and turning of a night before Monday's work. I would process what I needed to do, try to analyze how to catch up and even imagine the worst case senarios. I realized most times too late, that I could have presented these thoughts before the Lord and trusted in His ability to bring good things to pass. All my strength didn't have to be sapped before I even began a new week. Don't let the enemy run you ragged! Resting in the Lord requires being still before Him. Waiting patiently and leaning on Him with all my weighty thoughts and burdens. This takes all the worry out of life!

Psalm 116:7 says, "Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you." Such a small verse with an incredibly large message. Do you see it? Return. Rest. Count all your blessings. This too is worship! The Lord is delighted when we come to Him for rest. Rest for our mind. For our soul. For all our cares. And, to remember what He has done.

Now, just because we are chosen doesn't mean we choose His ways all the time does it? This is a choice on our part. Example of Jeremiah 6:16 which says, "Thus says the Lord; Stand by the roads and look; and ask for the eternal paths, where the good, old way is; then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it!" Well, did you find yourself in this? I have. In todays fast age of electronics and fast food and order on line services, we can forget the old ways. When things were simplier. I believe that this is why reading the Word of God, we can be taken back to that simple rest. With our eyes on the Lord walking on the road that leads to eternal abundance.

Jesus spoke in Matthew 11:28-29..."Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls." Everyone of those descriptive words can be ours if only we would come to Jesus to fill all our needs.

Do you have problems at work? Troubled relationships at home? Anxieties about the news reports? Worry over your future? If only we would trust these words and take the necessary steps to find rest. Matthew 11:30 goes on to say, "For my yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne." For any who have owned oxen, you will understand this.

Wouldn't it be a great witness to show up the next day with peace? We represent Christ in our walk. This isn't always about what we say, but more about our countenance. That first impresson which goes before speaking. Mine is easily read. If I haven't spent time with the Lord early in the day anything might go wrong and set me off kilter. But, when I have been at the feet of Jesus, the pain or concerns stay in their right place. Then all glory will be to the Lord as I remember to count my blessings. Look at Psalm 103:1-5 today in your time of quiet. It is wonderful!

We have come to this place again where we take a day off from Heartstrings. Although, my mind is always writing! So, rest now and we will return on Monday as the Lord wills. Be encouraged, built up in your most holy faith as you live Chosen To Rest. You are in my prayers, Patricia. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Abundance is...time for rest