WorshipFULLWednesday...O For Grace by Brady Toops

" God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins."

~Ephesians 1:5-7

As you lay your head down tonight on your pillow, rest knowing you have a heavenly Father who cares about your every breath, your every tear, your every heart beat.  He is your strength.  He is your help.  He is so rich in kindness and grace.  He is your answer.  

RESToration

Book. Cup of coffee. Sweatpants. Cozied-up on a couch. It's amazing how the simple things in life can comfort and calm us, and it's amazing how complicated we can make life.  God calls us to simplicity.  He calls us to rest.

Rest is a wonderful gift He has given us.  It restores our health, and it restores us to Him.  Rest is as essential to our Christian walk of faith as flavored creamer is to my cup of coffee.  It isn't sweet unless it is added.

One day a week. One out of seven. Twenty-four hours out of 168.  Our heavenly Father is calling us to be at rest with Him.  He invites us.  He requires it of us with intentions of providing peace for our own survival.  God cares for us so much that He desires our lives to be full of peace, which would mean to be full of Him. 

Isn't it incredible that we have no difficulty filling our lives with everything else?  We busy ourselves with noise, with appointments, with work, with "to-do's", with deadlines, with people, with endless errands; and yet, we have difficulty slowing down, taking time to be still, to rest.  A saying that has always stuck with me is, "If Satan can't make you bad, he'll make you busy."  Why?  Because even Satan knows the healing power of peace and restoration.  He doesn't want you to experience that kind of power.  He wants you to be weary and empty, weakened and vulnerable.  Satan can use and devour that kind of vessel. 

"Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'" (Matthew 11:28)

Our Lord desires us.  He calls to us.  He wants to lead us to peaceful waters and to rest in green pastures (Psalm 23:2).  He gives us His peace, and He fills us with His ever-abundant gift of love and grace.  He restores our souls and strengthens our spirits. 

Take time to rest in Him today.  Take time once a week to RESTore yourself, to enjoy the simple things in life, and to praise your loving Father.  Life isn't meant to be busy.  It is meant to be beautiful.

 

"So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God."

Hebrews 4:9