Growing Up Into Christ/Actively Resting

Good morning everyone! I just wanted to share with you a passage I read this morning that for one, spoke to my deepest need right now and for two, gave me confidence that my Lord is more than willing and able to use me as I am in His service. I am His. . .


Jesus says, "Abide in Me." These words convey the idea of rest, stability, confidence. Again he invites, "Come unto Me,. . . and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. The words of the psalmist express the same thought: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." And Isaiah gives the assurance, "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 30:15. This rest is not found in inactivity; for in the Saviour's invitation the promise of rest is united with the call to labor: "Take My yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest." Matthew 11:29. The heart that rest most fully upon Christ, will be most earnest and active in labor for Him.

When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan's constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ. The pleasures of the world, life's cares and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections--to any and all of these he will seek to divert the mind. Do not be misled by his devices. Many who are really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he too often leads to dwell upon their own faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Christ he hopes to gain the victory. We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved. All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength. Commit the keeping of your soul to God and trust in Him. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him. Put away all doubt; dismiss your fears. Say with the apostle Paul, " I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20. Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him. If you will leave yourself in His hands, He will bring you off more than conqueror through Him that has loved you.

Steps to Christ, p. 41 by E.G. White.

It's May Already?

My Goodness! Where did the first week of May go? I wasn't expecting the days to move so quickly. Anyway, I have been feeling rather uptight lately as several events in my life have occurred in close proximity to each other. I had a bout with vertigo last week that totally threw me off balance (no pun intended). My husband had to come home from work and help me because it was that bad. I found out that my case was quite mild compared to others who couldn't even drive when they encountered it. My husband discovered on Monday or Tuesday that someone took all of his professional music equipment over the weekend which was quite devastating because music is his life when he's not teaching. But wonderfully enough within 24 hours God turned his situation around and replaced what the locust had eaten or in this case had stolen. I'm noticing a trend and have a quick thought for ya. Is it possible that this is just another living illustration that though in this world we will have tribulation, but we should be of good cheer because God has overcome this world? Yes I had vertigo, but I recovered in a day. God allowed something that wasn't pleasant but yet in his mercy God gave me a speedy recovery. Yes, my hubby lost things that took years to purchase (worth thousands of dollars) but God in his mercy restored what was lost. I'm of a mind that we must suffer because that is life and life happens to everyone regardless of beliefs and professions but I think there is a special blessing that God bestows on his children that love him and trust him. He won't always remove the difficulty, but he recreates it to help us get over through or around it with our faith intact.