Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

October 4
Monday


KEEPING BUSY?

READ:
Matthew 11:25-30
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Come to Me, all you
who labor and are
heavy laden, and I will
give you rest.

__Matthew 11:28
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People who are trying to be friendly sometimes ask, "Are you keeping busy?" The question seems harmless, but in my mind it carries a subtle message. Beneath the surface is a test of personal value. If I can't rattle off a list of things I have to do, I feel as if I'm admitting that I'm not worth much.

But does God determine our value by how busy we are? Does He calculate our worth by how much we accomplish? Does He reward us for living on the edge of exhaustion and not taking care of ourselves?

One of the first verses I learned as a child was Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." It didn't mean much to me at the time because I didn't understand weariness. But now that I'm older, I feel the temptation to keep pace with the world so I won't be left behind.

But followers of Jesus don't have to live like that. Not only has He released us from slavery to sin but also from the bondage of having to prove our worth.

Accomplishing a lot for God may make us feel important, but what makes us important to God is what we allow Him to accomplish in us--conforming us into the image of His Son (Rom. 8:28-30). __Julie Ackerman Link
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````````````````Christ never asks of us such busy labor`````````````
````````````````As leaves no time for resting at His feet````````````
``````````````````The waiting attitude of expectation```````````````
```````````He often counts as service most complete. __Anon````````
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Our value is not measured by what we do for God
but by what He has done in us.

*************Today's Bible Reading __ Matthew 11:25-30***********

25 At that time Jesus
answered and said, "I thank
You, Father, Lord of heaven
and earth, that You have
hidden these things from
the wise and prudent and
have revealed them to
babes. 26 Even so, Father,
for so it seemed good in
Your sight. 27 All things
have been delivered to Me
by My Father, and no one
knows the son except the
Father. Nor does anyone
know the Father except the
Son, and the one to whom
the Son wills to reveal Him.

28 Come to Me, all you who
labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.

29 Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me, for I am
gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for
your souls. 30 For My yoke
is easy and My burden is
light.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The context of today's Bible reading is revealing. In Matthew
11, Christ discussed the irony of John the Baptizer's ministry. He
then began to rebuke the people for their lack of faith with one
of the strongest reprimands in the Gospels (v.20). That provides a fascinating setting for our Lord's wonderful words of comfort and
welcome in versus 28-30. Out of a message of rebuke comes one
of the most compassionate invitations Christ delivered.
__BILL CROWDER