““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It has been a long two weeks back to work postoperative. Just two more working days and I will get much-needed rest. Are you feeling weary or burdened? Is your mindset narrowed by focusing on circumstances? The good news, Jesus offers us peace; “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalms‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God often gives me peace through song and worship. In the song, O Come, All You Unfaithful by Sovereign Grace Music I have read a verse in a whole new light. Notice the words, “born to you” in Luke 2:11 NIV; “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” This is a personal message to each of us. Jesus came to save us all and to give us peace. Don’t get tunnel vision. Don’t get stuck in circumstances. I know I have to keep reminding myself that healing is a process and to be patient.

“he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As we anticipate the coming birth of Christ Jesus our Savior, let’s go into this week surrendered. I love these verses from Titus. In particular, the words that speak to me are, “washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit”. If you think about how daily we must take up our crosses, it’s like a rebirth and a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Maybe we should be daily asking the Lord to fall afresh on us.

Two weeks ago we focused on the fruits of the spirit. How have you done these last few weeks? Were you faithful as a temple (host) for the Holy Spirit? This past Thursday Deborah encouraged us to slow down and to build a dam to fill our spiritual reservoir. Every morning we have the opportunity to surrender, get filled up, and start fresh. As we go to our places of worship, let’s find joy in filling our reservoirs. Let’s surrender our worries and turn them into worship.

Join me in worship with, Fall Afresh by Equippers Worship. Some of the lyrics sing; “Lord, we are your temple. Lord, we are your church. Here we are, surrendered. Fall afresh on us”.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Often when we are faced with crisis, we automatically get stuck on asking God “Why?”

Click here to watch tonight’s See You Saturday video and hear the reason we should move from asking why and start asking what.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I am calling today Fantasy Friday. If you know me very well, you know I love to go to Disney World. I love to escape the real world of trouble and stress and enter a magical, problem free world. When I am in Disney World I don’t have to worry or fret. I can stroll down the streets of the Magic Kingdom and escape the difficulties of my usual daily life.

As I prayed this morning about what to share with you, God reminded me that I don’t have to be in Disney World to not worry. I don’t have to escape to a fantasy world when I have a burden. Jesus Christ is my High Priest who is willing and able to help me in my times of need. All I need to do is accept the help. I like the Message version of Hebrews 4:14-16.

“Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Are you carrying a burden today? Are your worries consuming you? You don’t have to escape to a fantasy world. Your Savior, Jesus Christ, is not out of touch with reality. Your Great High Priest is ready to give you all you need. Let’s you and I, “take the mercy, accept the help.”

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We are in the midst of a busy Christmas season. On this Think Thursday, let’s slow down, just as this dam is slowing down the water flow.

A dam is used to hold back water and raise its level, forming a reservoir used to generate electricity or as a water supply. On this Think Thursday, let’s slow down and build a dam to fill our spiritual reservoir. In your devotion time, write down any scriptures or words of wisdom that speak to you. Search a favorite scripture and work to commit it to memory. Spend time sitting and listening to God speak words of love and life. Simply be still. Taking time to be still during this busy but joyous season will allow you and me to truly focus on the reason for the season. By building our spiritual reservoir, we will then be equipped to generate electricity and shine the light of Jesus Christ into the dark world around us.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ KJV

I truly enjoy seeing Christmas decor but I am especially wowed by large Christmas trees like the ones in the above photos. As much as I admire Christmas decor, I don’t want to be consumed with our human commercialization of Christmas. On this Wow Wednesday let’s focus on the real wow of the Christmas season-the birth of Jesus Christ.

As you go throughout your day, intentionally look for signs of Jesus’ presence. Where do you see God’s Grace and mercy? How do others display the fruit of the Spirit? What causes you to feel a sense of wow? Finally, throughout your day thank Your Heavenly Father for the ultimate Christmas display-the manger scene which was the beginning of your eternal life.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for loving me so much that you sent your only Son to die on a cross for my sins. Thank you for loving me so much that You have given me eternal life. Guide and direct my actions today so that I display Your presence to others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Today is Transformation Tips Tuesday. As we think about ways to grow and be transformed in Christ, let’s reflect on Julie’s posts last week on the fruit of the Spirit. Have you developed all of the fruit of the Spirit? Are you walking through a season now that God is working to develop a particular fruit? Each of us are in different stages of growth. What is hard for me could be easy for you. We are all unique and original. Just like the picture featured today of two different types of sidewalks, each of us has a purpose in our uniqueness.

Read the featured scripture from today. It follows the scripture Julie shared last week about the fruit of the Spirit.

Let’s not lose focus. Let’s stay in tune with the constant guidance God offers us through the Holy Spirit. Let’s not fall into the trap of believing we have it all figured out, but instead let’s celebrate that God has made each of us an original and through our originality, we can support one another’s transformation.