From Gary... Long ago, far away and a blessing awaiting me

Today, Buddy is at the pet groomer getting his much needed maintenance and when we came home, it seemed strange to come into the house without his enthusiastic greeting.  So, I guess I had him on my mind when I came to this picture.  One day last week I took Buddy for  his usual dogie walk around the retention pond and snapped this picture of our old house.  We bought it about the time of 911 and later sold it to our daughter and her husband.  It is only about a mile and a half away, but it seems much farther away now.  As I stood there in the noontime heat, I wondered what our lives would have been like if we had not sold it.  And this reminded me of Moses on Mount Nebo and couldn't help but wonder what his thoughts might have been as he looked upon the promised land... 

Deuteronomy, Chapter 32

 48  Yahweh spoke to Moses that same day, saying,  49 “Go up into this mountain of Abarim, to Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is across from Jericho; and see the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel for a possession. 50 Die on the mountain where you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor, and was gathered to his people;  51 because you trespassed against me in the midst of the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because you didn’t uphold my holiness in the midst of the children of Israel.  52 For you shall see the land from a distance; but you shall not go there into the land which I give the children of Israel.” 

Moses was told to speak to the rock in order to bring forth water.  Instead, he struck the rock with his staff.  His disobedience had a penalty and it must have pained him greatly to realize that all those years of wandering in the desert would NOT RESULT IN HIS ACTUALLY GOING INTO THE PROMISED LAND.  Still, Moses was close to God, so he must have understood that he was soon to be with God in heaven and so his sorrow must have been accompanied by joy as well.  This is a little like what I felt as viewed "our house" across that field, because although I think it would have been nice to live there- living here is great!!!  The bottom line is found in this Scripture...

Romans, Chapter 8

 28  We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. 

From Jim McGuiggan... Trust and throwing Hippos

Trust and throwing Hippos

"I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him," she said to me. "Oh," I said, "and why’s that?" and she proceeded to tell me of a bad experience she had had with him about something. It would appear that the temptation to cover a person’s entire life with a blanket of distrust on the basis of one bad experience (or several bad experiences in the same area) is almost too strong to resist. We got into a lengthy discussion about this person who had been our mutual friend. I don’t remember how it went exactly but I know the direction it went and cutting out what would have been most of the plain and useful verbal moves on both sides we’re left with something like this.

"You mean you wouldn’t trust him in anything?" The hurt was still acute and what I got was a re-rehearsal of how wrong the wrong had been and then, "how can you trust a person like that?"

"You think he’d hurt his children or run around on his wife?

"Good heavens no."

"So there are things about him that you could bet on?"

"Well...(sigh)...of course."

"He was way out of line in this matter; he shouldn’t have treated you that way but you’re not prepared, are you, to blot out all the good things in his life?"

A hesitant and very slightly irritated, "No, but right now I’m not prepared to trust him again."

"I understand, but he’s been a good friend to us down the years, hasn’t he?"

"(Another sigh) Yes, I remember when..." and she told of a great kindness. More than one. Now the tone was softer.

Finally, "I’m sure you’ll work this out with him, a step at a time."

Still, it’s true that some of us by repeated failures show that we can’t be trusted with money. Some of us can’t be trusted in our relationship with the opposite sex and some of us don’t know how to bridle our tongue. Some of us are smug when successful or abusive when given authority or lazy when people are depending on us to get things done and on and on and on. And those that really do watch out for us in a discreet, strong and loving way are to be treasured even if their presence sometimes irks us.

In Romans 12:3 Paul thought it was vitally important that we recognise our limits. People are very wise as well as humble if for the sake of others they stay clear of situations they know they’re weak in. Should they seek growth and the exercise of virtue in those areas of weakness? They should seek maturity as a whole person; but if they know their limitations it’s good for them as well as others that they engage themselves in their areas of strength until they have reason to feel (under God) the ability to engage in other areas of service.

What we’re tempted to do with a single individual we’re tempted to do with a community of people.

Many years ago I went looking for a room to rent in Birmingham, England. In several parts of the city I saw signs outside the rental accommodation: No Irish! Some poor soul had had enough with former Irish tenants and had shut the door to all of us. Shame on those Irish that provoked that kind of thing. Shame too on those who shut us all out because some were a real pain in the neck. Though I can easily understand why the property owners would react the way they did, they robbed themselves of the benefit that another kind of Irish would bring. And when we close down on a whole believing community because someone mistreated us or one of their preachers went whacko, I’m certain that we’ve blundered at numerous levels. (If a strong pattern of mistreatment emerges it’s (past) time to examine underlying "causes".)

"That’s all very well, but you don’t know how badly hurt I’ve been." Oh, I know I have a comfortable life and that things with me and mine (while they aren’t perfect) are fine indeed, so I’m not about to compare myself with many poor souls that I know personally and a host I’ve heard of. I know too that I’ve deeply hurt many in my life but I must confess that I’ve been deeply hurt as well. All that to say, I would guess that the vast majority of us shouldn’t make an excuse out of how badly we’ve been hurt when we’re trying to justify our refusal to put ourselves at risk again. Or to admit that the offender is trustworthy in many other areas. Maybe it’ll help if we self-examine and know that despite our over-all trustworthiness there are areas we wouldn’t trust ourselves "as far as we could throw a hippo."

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Jesus Walks On Water

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                     Jesus Walks On Water (6:45-52)

INTRODUCTION

1. Have you ever felt alone...
   a. As you battled the storms of life?
   b. Wondering where Jesus was when you needed Him?

2. Then perhaps the miracle we are about to study may be helpful...
   a. When Jesus walked on the water
   b. Recorded in three gospels (Matthew, Mark, John)

[Our study will be based on Mark's account (Mk 6:45-52).  We'll divide
the study in two sections, beginning with verses 45-47 where we read
of...]

I. THE PRAYER IN JESUS' ABSENCE

   A. JESUS PRAYED AS THEY WERE ROWING...
      1. Jesus sent His disciples by boat to Bethsaida near Capernaum
         - Mk 6:45; cf. Jn 6:17
      2. He Himself departed to the mountain to pray - Mk 6:46
         a. Even in His busy schedule, taking time to pray was a
            priority for Jesus - cf. Mk 1:35
         b. If the Son of God needed prayer, how much more the children
            of God today! - cf. Col 4:2
      3. Thus at evening, while His disciples were rowing, He was alone
         - Mk 6:47
      -- Two vivid scenes:  Jesus praying on the mountain, His disciples
         rowing in the sea

   B. JESUS PRAYS AS WE ARE WORKING...
      1. Like the disciples rowing in the sea, we are to busying working
         a. Working out our salvation with fear and trembling - cf. Php 2:12
         b. Abounding in the work of the Lord - cf. 1Co 15:58
      2. Meanwhile, as on the mountain, so now in heaven, Jesus prays
         for us
         a. He is our great High Priest - cf. He 4:14-16
         b. He makes intercession on our behalf - cf. He 7:25; Ro 8:34;
            1Jn 2:1
      -- Two vivid scenes:  Jesus praying in heaven, His disciples busy
         on earth

[As we return to our text (verses 48-52), the two scenes become one as
Jesus joins His disciples and we read of...]

II. THE PEACE OF JESUS' PRESENCE

   A. JESUS' COMING BROUGHT THEM PEACE...
      1. Jesus saw His disciples straining at rowing - Mk 6:48
         a. For the wind was against them
         b. Matthew records the boat was being tossed by the waves - Mt 14:24
      2. Jesus came to them, walking on the sea - Mk 6:48
         a. About the fourth watch of the night (3:00 to 6:00 am)
         b. He would have passed them by had they not called out
      3. The disciples saw Him, thought it was a ghost, and cried out
         - Mk 6:49
         a. Perhaps like King Herod, they were prone to superstition
            - cf. Mk 6:14
         b. Given the circumstances (dark night, stormy sea), who could
            blame them?
      4. They were greatly troubled, but Jesus spoke words of comfort
         - Mk 6:50
         a. Note that Mark says "immediately" - Jesus sought to allay
            their fears quickly
         b. "Be of good cheer" (NKJV), "Take heart" (ESV), "Take
            courage" (NASB)
         c. "It is I; do not be afraid" - Jesus sought to encourage them
            with His presence
      5. It is interesting that Mark does not record Peter's attempt to
         walk out to Jesus
         a. As recorded by Matthew - Mt 14:28-31
         b. Especially if Mark's gospel was based mostly on Peter's
            testimony
         c. Yet it is consistent with the humility often seen in the
            gospels, where the authors make little or no reference to
            themselves (cf. Matthew, Mark, John)
      6. As Jesus joined them in the boat, the wind ceased and they
         marveled - Mk 6:51-52
         a. Greatly amazed beyond measure, and rightly so!
         b. For they had yet to grasp the significance of His feeding
            the 5000
         c. According to Matthew, they worshiped Jesus and proclaimed
            Him to be the Son of God - Mt 14:33
      -- Jesus' coming had brought great peace and comfort to His
         disciples

   B. JESUS' COMING WILL BRING US PEACE...
      1. For now, we are like the disciples, rowing our way to the
         heavenly shore
      2. At times, the stormy seas in our journey will make us afraid
         and challenge our faith
      3. Remember that He prays for us!
         a. As He did on the mountain
         b. So He now does in heaven
      4. When He does come...
         a. His coming will be with the greatest "storm" ever! - cf.2Pe 3:10-12
         b. But it will bring joy and peace for those who look for Him
            - cf. 2Pe 3:13; Re 21:1-7
      5. How we will gladly proclaim Him to be the Son of God!
      -- Jesus' final coming will bring great peace and comfort to those
         who serve Him

CONCLUSION

1. As described in the Believer's Bible Commentary...

   "The church has seen in this miracle a picture of the present age and
   its close. Jesus on the mountain represents Christ in His present
   ministry in heaven, interceding for His people. The disciples
   represent His servants, buffeted by the storms and trials of life.
   Soon the Savior will return to His own, deliver them from danger and
   distress and guide them safe to the heavenly shore."

2. So while we may struggle at times in our service to the Lord...
   a. We can take comfort, knowing that Jesus is praying for us during
      the storm
   b. We can take courage, knowing that His coming for us will bring us
      great peace

But such comfort and courage will come only to those who are willing to
serve Him now.  Are you in the "boat" and "rowing" in the service of
Jesus Christ, the Son of God...? - cf. Mt 28:18-20

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary... Bring on the skunks

The world has changed since I was very young; it has lost its much of its gentleness and become a harsher place to live in.   But I still think of those days and like to remember the television shows of the fifties and the gentle movies that Walt Disney produced.  Remember the Disney movie "Bambi"?  A newborn deer named Bambi was curious about flowers and so investigated a nearby patch of them.  Much to his surprise, he found a little skunk (named Flower) and the two became fast friends.   Bambi was an innocent; someone who didn't know skunks were "bad" and should be avoided.  Impossible in real life?  Not at all, for the top half of the graphic shows that it IS POSSIBLE.  Now, take a moment and apply this to PEOPLE.  Jesus did... and so should we.  Read the following passage from the book of Luke to see what I mean...

Luke, Chapter 4

 16  He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.  17 The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, 

  18  “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, 

because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. 

He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, 

to proclaim release to the captives, 

recovering of sight to the blind, 

to deliver those who are crushed, 

  19  and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” 

  20  He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 

  22  All testified about him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, and they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” 

  23  He said to them, “Doubtless you will tell me this parable, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in your hometown.’”   24 He said, “Most certainly I tell you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.  25  But truly I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land.   26  Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.   27  There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed, except Naaman, the Syrian.” 

  28  They were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things.  29 They rose up, threw him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill that their city was built on, that they might throw him off the cliff.  30 But he, passing through their midst, went his way. 

The Jews thought Jesus was amazing- just as long as he didn't tread on their prejudices and preconceived ideas about people.  Jesus taught that God had went to the Gentiles and blessed them and the Jews of his hometown hated him enough to try to kill him for it!!!  Great story you say; but we don't do such things- we are just not like that!!!!  Really?  What if a drunk came into our worship assembly or a known child molester or perhaps even a lesbian couple (holding hands throughout the service) - What then.  God died for all of them, not just for those of us who are "good people".  Now, I am NOT saying that we should condone sin, but I am saying that even the most despicable person in our midst deserves a chance to hear the GOOD NEWS of God that leads to eternal life!!!  Truth is... you never really know how PEOPLE LOOK AT YOU- PERHAPS THEY MIGHT THINK YOU ARE A SKUNK???  Aren't you glad God doesn't think that way???  The following verse just popped into my mind...

Romans, Chapter 5

6 For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die.  8 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

I don't know about you, but I am going to pray that God sends a few skunks MY WAY-- and I hope they have open minds!!!!

ps. All this reminded me of the Hymn..

The Gospel is For All (Of One the Lord Has Made) by Unlisted

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Of one the Lord has made the race
Thro' one has come the fall
Where sin has gone must go His grace
The gospel is for all

The blessed gosple is for all
The gospel is for all
Where sin has gone must go His grace
The gospel is for all

Say not the heathen are at home
Beyond we have no call
For why should we be blest alone?
The gospel is for all

Received ye freely, freely give
From ev'ry land they call
Unless they hear they cannot live
The gospel is for all

Words public domain 

From Mark Copeland... Feeding The Five Thousand

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                  Feeding The Five Thousand (6:32-44)

INTRODUCTION

1. One of the better known miracles of Jesus is "Feeding The Five
   Thousand"...
   a. With just five loaves and two fish
   b. With twelve baskets of fragments left over!

2. It is the only specific miracle performed by Jesus recorded in all
   four gospels...
   a. Mt 14:13-21; Mk 6:30-44; Lk 9:10-17; Jn 6:1-13
   b. We will let Mark's account be the starting point for our study

[Many lessons can be gleaned from this miracle.  What I found striking
is first...]

I. WHAT IT REVEALS ABOUT JESUS

   A. COMPASSION...
      1. He wanted His disciples to rest, but compassion moved Him to
         serve - Mk 6:34
      2. Compassion that moved Him to send the apostles out earlier - 

         Mt 9:36; 10:1
      3. That later moved Him to feed the four thousand - Mt 15:32-38
      4. That qualifies Him to be a perfect High Priest - cf. He 4:14-16; 5:1-2
      -- This miracle reveals the wonderful compassion of our Lord!

   B. POWER...
      1. The power to feed 5000 men with five loaves and two fish - Mk 6:38-44
      2. 5000 men, besides women and children (possibly 10,000?) - Mt 14:21
      3. With twelve baskets of fragments left over - Mk 6:43
      4. The sort of power that provides more than one needs - cf. Ep 3:20
      -- This miracle reveals the overwhelming power of our Lord!

   C. ORDERLINESS...
      1. Jesus arranged the multitude in groups and ranks - Mk 6:39-40
      2. Such orderliness is typical, evidenced by His creation - cf.
         Col 1:16; Ps 19:1; Ro 1:19-20
      3. He desires it in the organization and worship of His churches
         - 1Co 14:33,40
      -- This miracle reveals the careful orderliness of our Lord!

[Jesus' compassion, power and orderliness can be gleaned from Mark's
account of this miracle.  From John's account in his gospel, we can also
learn...]

II. WHAT IT REVEALS ABOUT MAN

   A. MISUNDERSTANDING...
      1. Their initial reaction was correct
         a. That Jesus was the Prophet who was to come into the world
            - Jn 6:14
         b. As foretold by Moses and confirmed by Peter -  cf. 

            Deut 18:15-18; Ac 3:18-26
      2. But their desire to make Him king reveals their
         misunderstanding
         a. They wanted to make Him a literal king - Jn 6:15
         b. His kingdom was not to be a literal kingdom - cf. Jn 18:36;
            Lk 17:20-21
      3. Today, we should not presume to know what is God's will
         a. His ways and thoughts are often much different than our own
            - cf. Isa 55:8-9
         b. Thus we should be quick to hear, rather than presume - cf.
            Ecc 5:1-2
      -- The response to this miracle reveals man's ability to
         misunderstand God's will!

   B. MATERIALISM...
      1. They sought Jesus for the wrong reasons
         a. They wanted the physical food He provided - Jn 6:26
         b. They should have sought food that endures to everlasting
            life - Jn 6:27
      2. He wanted to give them true bread
         a. That gives life to the world - Jn 6:32-33
         b. The bread of life, given to those who believe - Jn 6:34-35
      2. Today, people often choose churches for the wrong reasons
         a. Entertainment, youth programs, etc.
         b. When they should be looking for spiritual things - cf. Ro 14:17
      -- The response to this miracle reveals man's tendency to desire
         material things

   C. DULLNESS...
      1. They complained about Him
         a. Because of His claim to be bread from heaven - Jn 6:41
         b. Because they saw Him only as the son of Joseph and Mary - Jn 6:42
      2. They struggled over His sayings
         a. Taking Him literally - Jn 6:52
         b. Even many of His disciples left Him - Jn 6:60,66
      3. Today, many demonstrate a similar dullness
         a. Unwilling to stay with Jesus (unlike the apostles) - Jn 6:67-69
         b. Unwilling to make use of their time to learn and apply - cf.
            He 5:11-14
      -- The response to this miracle reveals man's propensity to
         spiritual dullness

CONCLUSION

1. The miracle we have studied offers insight into the person of Jesus
   Christ...
   a. His compassion for the souls and bodies of mankind
   b. His power to provide for every need of man
   c. His orderliness in the work He sets out to perform

2. The reaction to this miracle reveals insight into the propensity of
   man...
   a. To misunderstand the will of God
   b. To seek after material things of the world
   c. To be dull of heart, which leads to the first two

3. What will be our response to this wonderful miracle...?
   a. Let our spiritual dullness to take it lightly, or ignore it
      altogether?
   b. Let it increase our faith in Him who provides our every need?

Jesus' intention was to draw men to Him as the Bread of Life which
nourishes our souls.  May we not be so blinded by the materialism that
we fail to labor for that which leads to everlasting life (Jn 6:27)...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Jim McGuiggan... The unsung heroes

The unsung heroes

Michael Caine began his climb to movie stardom with his part in the movie Zulu. Perhaps you’ll remember that it centers round a relative handful of soldiers in a "fort" (a clearing with a number of farm buildings in it) fighting a series of pitched battles against a Zulu host that compared with them was too large to calculate. After every attack they had fewer men and the central area grew smaller. When the scene is set for the final Zulu attack that would over-run the garrison, maybe a dozen troops fully purposed to die before tamely surrendering or running away. It was then that what they feared most appeared. Instead of many numerous smaller units attacking various points as before the whole Zulu force silently appeared on the top of the hill that ran round one side of the collection of buildings that was their fort. For the first time the soldiers realized the size of their enemy, now seeing it in one vast gathering. The enemy stood silently looking down on them, letting them sense the full strength of the force against them, the force they had been refusing to give in to. Then the whole multitude of warriors began to chant/sing in that awesome way of theirs; both lovely and spine-tingling, thunderous, rhythmic and musical—but awesome! Shaken to the core the remnant then heard a Zulu chief call to them with words they thought were insult and threats. But one who knew the country and knew the Zulus put them at ease by telling them that he was praising their courage and that this whole exhibition of song and sermon was a hymn to their gallantry. The Zulu host walked away shaking their heads in admiring disbelief and left the handful their lives. That single scene made enduring the whole movie worthwhile. You don’t have to agree with war to applaud courage and you don’t have to think weapons settle anything to rise to your feet to praise gallantry.

Moral and spiritual battles are no less real, no less fierce and certainly no less prolonged than the other wars. There are those of us that make daily war against besetting sins that threaten to entirely unravel us. Sins that would suck the courage right out of us and lead us to abject despair because they seem to overcome us with such contemptuous ease no matter how earnestly we vow to win the next encounter. Time and time and time again they suffer loss but refuse to give up the citadel of the soul. There are people who live under the toughest circumstances and face the temptation to quit the struggle, spit in the eye of God and let their passions and their weariness be their lord. But here they come again, crawling up to the barricade to take their place with others in opposing the enemy. And then there are those--God bless them!--that wrestle with sinister drives that they refuse to allow to become besetting sins. All these are the unsung heroes of the world. George Adam Smith was right on target when he said this.

"What starved garrison, that marched from its inviolate fortress with all the honours of war and to the admiration of its foes, ever deserved half the glory...which thousands of tempted souls deserve...who hold the fortresses of their lonely lives against the devils of dishonesty and greed and lust. And yet you have strong men whining to-day all the world over—and some of them parading their whines in literature—that the temptations of their strength are too great for them; and slipping off into the pleasant mire with the cry, I cannot help it.What forgetfulness! What cowardice!"

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... The Need For Rest

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                      The Need For Rest (6:30-31)

INTRODUCTION

1. One might easily conclude that the Bible is all about work and no
   play...
   a. It speaks negatively about sloth and idleness - Pr 6:6-11; 1Ti 5:13
   b. It speaks positively about labor and work - Ep 4:28; 1Th 4:11

2. Yet Jesus spoke of the need to rest...
   a. After His disciples had returned from fulfilling the Limited
      Commission - Mk 6:30
   b. Encouraging them to come aside to a deserted place and rest a
      while - Mk 6:31

[Despite advances in labor-saving technology, it seems we are more
stressed than ever.  We do well to remember and apply what the Bible
says about...]

I. THE NEED FOR REST

   A. ILLUSTRATED BY THE SABBATH...
      1. God rested on the seventh day - Gen 2:1-2
      2. The principle of rest served as the basis for the Sabbath - Gen 2:3
      3. Which later was commanded of the Israelites as a weekly
         observance - Deut 5:12-15
      -- Clearly God approved of taking time to rest on a regular basis

   B. ILLUSTRATED BY OTHER JEWISH HOLIDAYS...
      1. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, with two days of rest - Lev 23:5-8
      2. The Feast of Harvest (Pentecost), one day of rest - Lev 23:21
      3. The Feast of Trumpets (1st day of 7th month), one day of rest
         - Lev 23:23-25
      4. The Day of Atonement (10th day of 7th month), one day of rest
         - Lev 23:26-32
      5. The Feast Of Tabernacles (15th day of 7th month), two days of
         rest - Lev 23:33-36
      6. Included with several of the above were:
         b. Required trips to Jerusalem - cf. Lev 23:14-17; Deut 16:16
         b. Seven-day feasts, including one week of living in tents
            - cf. Lev 23:42
      7. These were in addition to the weekly sabbaths
      -- Approximately 70 days each year "no customary work" was to be
         done

[As the Old Testament was written for our learning (Ro 15:4), it is
apparent that God created man with a need for rest.  Here are some
thoughts related to...]

II. TAKING TIME TO REST

   A. TWO DANGERS TO AVOID...
      1. Too much work
         a. No man can work without rest; and no man can live the
            Christian life unless he gives himself times with God
         b. How can we shoulder life's burdens if we have no contact
            with him who is the Lord of all good life?
         c. How can we do God's work unless in God's strength?
         d. How can we receive that strength unless we seek in quietness
            and in loneliness the presence of God?
      2. Too much withdrawal
         a. Devotion that does not issue in action is not real devotion
         b. Prayer that does not issue in work is not real prayer
         c. We must never seek the fellowship of God in order to avoid
            the fellowship of men but in order to fit ourselves better
            for it
         d. The rhythm of the Christian life is the alternate meeting
            with God in the secret place and serving men in the market
            place
      -- These thoughts come from Barclay's Daily Study Bible

   B. TWO TYPES OF REST...
      1. Physical rest, to refresh the body
         a. Such as a good night's sleep, afternoon naps
         b. Vacations involving travel, dining with friends - cf. the OT
            feasts
         c. Benefits:  less stress, weight control, memory performance,
            overall good health
      2. Spiritual rest, to refresh the spirit
         a. Such as a daily devotional period
         b. Special times devoted to prayer, meditation on God's Word
            - cf. Php 4:6-9
         c. Benefits:  a closer walk with God, inner renewal, peace of
            mind
      -- Body and soul both need periods of rest

   C. TWO SUGGESTIONS TO CONSIDER...
      1. Making time
         a. Schedule for periodic rest
         b. Isaac liked the evening - Gen 24:63
         c. David and Daniel liked morning, noon, and evening - 

            Psa 55:17; Dan 6:10
         d. Jesus preferred early morning - Mk 1:35
         e. Remember also the OT weekly and annual rests as an example
            of systematic rest
      2. Choosing location
         a. Find places that allow for privacy (in the case of personal
            devotions)
         b. Isaac liked the field - Gen 24:63
         c. David meditated on his bed - Psa 4:4; 63:6
         d. Daniel prayed in his room - Dan 6:10
         e. Jesus preferred deserted places - Mk 1:35; 6:31
         f. Remember also the OT feasts (as example of celebratory rest
            with others)
      -- These suggestions are simply to stimulate your thinking

CONCLUSION

1. The life of the Christian is more of a marathon than a sprint...
   a. We need to have endurance - He 10:36; 12:1
   b. Lest we fall short of reaching our rest - He 4:1,9-11

2. To reach our "Heavenly Rest", we need both...
   a. Diligence in serving the Lord
   b. Diligence in taking time to rest

3. Some Christians fail to maintain a proper balance...
   a. Suffering physically as a result (e.g., poor health)
   b. Suffering spiritually as well (e.g., emotional and mental burn
      out)

As physical strength requires both exercise and rest, so it is with
spiritual strength.   We can be thankful that in the wisdom of God there
is to be opportunity for both...

   Then Jesus said, "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and
   rest awhile." - Mk 6:31 (NLT)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011