Rest for Our Souls

“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." ~ Matthew 11:28-29

Has your soul found rest?

It's one thing for our bodies to rest. It's quite another thing to find rest for our souls.

How do we find this rest?

Well, this passage of scripture tells us we can only find it in Jesus by exchanging our burdens for His yoke. He says by making this exchange, we can walk lighter and freer in our souls.

This is the type of freedom that God brings. Rest, peaceful, contentment, security. If we're not experiencing this today, perhaps we need to revisit this scripture. Perhaps we're taking on more than God wants us to bear.

God bless,

J.W.

Contentment in Temperance

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ~ Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:13 is undoubtedly one of the most quoted scriptures in the Bible. But it also might be the most misunderstood and misinterpreted.

Most people read Philippians 4:13 wrong. Taken out of context, Philippians 4:13 might give you the impression that God will empower you to do ALL things.

That's simply a wrong interpretation of the scripture.

We are human. We have limits. We CANNOT do everything. Trying to do everything is a sin, inasmuch as we are attempting to play God's role. God would not allow us to do everything. He wants us to be dependent upon Him. Only He is omnipotent. The notion that we can do everything is simply a lie.

Read in context, Philippians 4:13 actually refers to contentment. Paul is saying "I can be content in all things through Christ who gives me the strength to do so." Whether things are going right, or there's complete chaos in our life, Philippians 4:13 encourages us that we can have contentment no matter what the circumstances are.

Two points we should learn from this:

1. We should always read scripture in proper context.
2. Instead of praying that God allows you to do everything, Paul tells us to strive for temperance (Galatians 5:22-24, 2 Peter 1:5-6, Titus 2:12, Philippians 4:5). You were not called to do EVERY thing. Only the things God has called you to do.

Strive for temperance today!

God bless,
J.W.