On March 7, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell received a patent for the telephone. Although Bell was the first inventor to be awarded a patent for his design of the telephone, inventors Antonio Meucci and Elisha Gray have also contributed to the development of the telephone. Originally termed the "electrical speech machine" by Bell, the telephone allows us to communicate with friends, family members, and others when we cannot speak to them face-to-face at the moment. As technology continues to advance, the use of landline phones is decreasing, while the use of cellphones is increasing. In 2016, Rand Corporation conducted research on the "proportion of U.S. households [that] have fixed telephone service, mobile telephone service, fixed Internet service, and mobile Internet service." They found that "approximately 90 percent of households have at least one mobile phone... and 49 percent have fixed telephone service." While we can talk to others face-to-face, by the use of a cordless phone, or by the use of a cellphone, we can talk to God through prayer. When we communicate with one another, we can share our thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Communication can build relationships. In addition, better communication results in better relationships. When you are going through a difficult time, it is important to talk to someone you trust about it. Sharing what's bothering you can make you feel less overwhelmed. As ReachOut puts it, "Talking is like a pressure valve for your head. Switch it on once in a while." It can also assure you that you're not alone. Life gets tough. Sometimes, other people may not understand what you're feeling or they may not seem to get you. Maybe it seems like there is no one you can confide in to talk to about what you're feeling or what's going on in your life. Yet you can trust in Jesus. He sees when our hearts are heavy and our souls are weary. You can "cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) The more we communicate with others about what's going on around us and in our own lives, the more we are able to connect with one another. The more you talk to God, the more connected you'll be to Him. God has given us an amazing tool that we can use to talk to him: prayer. Ask yourself this question by Corrie Ten Boom: "Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?" Don't just pray to God when the storms of this life come to hit you. Don't just pray to Him when you need something. Pray to God even when life is good and the storms have passed. Prayer is a great way to spend time with God. Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." You can open up to God about anything. Begin your day with prayer and end your day with prayer. Sometimes, we do not know what to say when we pray. There have been many times when I would begin to pray, but I couldn't quite figure out what to say. When it is hard to say what is on our hearts, "the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (Romans 8:26) The Holy Spirit speaks on our behalf when we are not so sure what to pray to God about. Even when we do not know what to pray, God still wants to hear from us anyways. Just as breathing is undeniably important, prayer is vital as well. Jesus taught his disciples this prayer, found in Matthew 6:9-13: “This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." This prayer, known as the Lord's Prayer, is a great example of how to pray. There are many things (and people) you can pray for. You can pray for forgiveness of your sins. You can pray for those who have wronged you. In addition, you can pray for this nation. You can pray for your family. You can pray for guidance and wisdom. No matter what you pray about, God is always listening. Prayer is so powerful. Never underestimate the power of prayer. Prayer strengthens. Prayer brings comfort. Prayer heals. Prayer brings peace. It is so amazing that no matter the hour, whether it is at the break of dawn or late night, God is always available when you want to talk to Him. The same God who "laid the foundations of the Earth" (Psalm 103:25), who causes the sun to rise and shine, who causes waves to roar and eagles to soar, is the same God who breathed life into you and desires to spend time with you daily. C.S. Lewis asserted, "God doesn't want something from us. He wants us." Talk to Him daily. Get to know Him more.
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A few weeks ago, I went to Dairy Queen and ordered a small salted caramel & mocha iced coffee. After I received my order, I thanked the cashier and headed home. When I got home, I took my receipt out of my purse and glanced towards the bottom of the receipt. Usually, I just throw out my receipts or keep them in my wallet. This time, I decided to take a customer satisfaction survey by going to a link provided on my receipt. I was a satisfied customer, for my beverage and the customer service was very pleasing.
Merriam Webster's Dictionary defines "satisfy" as, "to make happy; to gratify to the full." There are many things that make one happy. Some examples are:
The things of this world can only give us temporary satisfaction. If you try to search for satisfaction in drugs, you will only find temporary satisfaction. If you try to search for satisfaction in binge-watching Grey's Anatomy, you will find temporary satisfaction. If you try to search for satisfaction in taking a road trip or eating that last piece of chocolate cake in your fridge, you will find temporary satisfaction. The things of this world give us temporary fulfillment, but God truly and fully satisfies. Perhaps right now, you're feeling a sense of emptiness in your life. You keep searching for a way to fill that void by turning to the things of this world, but they just make you feel more empty. Turn to God, and He will make you whole. Drugs cannot make your life complete. Partying cannot make your life complete. Money cannot make your life complete. Relationships cannot make your life complete. Only God can truly make your life complete. Without God, life cannot be made truly complete. Isaiah 58:11a says, "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame." God knows what you need even before you speak of it. He understands you and knows you like no other. Seek God first and foremost. Spend time with Him today. Get to know your Creator. May you be "fully satisfied as with the richest of foods" (Psalm 63:5a) today. No one and nothing can truly and fully satisfy us like God can. It's Monday morning. Your alarm starts to buzz. Since you would rather sleep in instead of get out of bed, you hit the snooze button on your alarm, and turn your head to the other side of your pillow. 10 minutes later, your alarm goes off again. I should probably get up now, you mutter to yourself. You check your phone and see that your phone screen is filled with countless notifications from various apps. You have 5 messages waiting to be opened and some missed phone calls. Your inbox is flooded with various emails. Pinterest lets you know that five people saved your pin. You have 10 notifications, 3 messages, and 5 pokes waiting to be returned on Facebook.
In this 21st century, technology has become more increasingly advanced, and social media has become more popular. The first time I have ever owned a phone was either in 7th or 8th grade, around 6 to 7 years ago. I was elated when I finally owned a purple LG Rumor Touch, loaded with a cool touch screen and QWERTY keyboard. Even to this day, I'm pretty sure my old phone is probably hiding somewhere in my house. Anyways, fast forward to 2017, and you will find that many elementary school and even middle school students own an iPhone. Popular technology such as smartphones allow us access to many social media platforms such as Facebook, Vine, Twitter, Snapchat, and numerous others. Social media is great, but when we let it consume our lives, then it becomes an issue. Sometimes, we can get so caught up in the amount of likes, retweets, follows, and comments that we begin to compare ourselves to others. We may become happy when our status receives 30 likes, but then become disappointed when we see that someone else's status receives 100 likes. Honestly, I admit that I have posted something on social media only to delete it 20 minutes later because no one has not liked it. There are moments when I post a photo on Instagram and become a little disappointed when my photo does not get as many likes as I thought it would. One thing I have learned from social media is that no matter what, there will always be someone else who gets more likes on their photo than I do. There will always be someone else who will get more retweets than you, more followers than you, or more views of their Story on Snapchat than you. You know what, though? That's okay. Why? Because you are not defined by the amount of followers or retweets you get. God created each of us to be unique. We are all human. We all have different personalities, different traits, and different appearances. The way each of us view life differs. Just as "No two snowflakes are alike," not even a pair of identical twins think exactly the same or share the exact same personality. Despite our differences, you and I share some similarities. For one thing, I believe we both have the ability to laugh, to smile, to cry; to feel joy and feel pain. We all have struggles. We have all faced trials. Whatever you may be facing right now, know that you are not alone. Social media platforms do not define you who are. Do not let the amount of likes and followers cause you to forget who you are in Christ. Photo filters do not define you. What others say about you does not define you. Your true identity lies in the One who breathed life into you: God alone. Remember this: "Whenever you feel unloved. unimportant, or insecure, remember to whom you belong" (Ephesians 2:19-22). Today, tell yourself, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made," because "[God's] works are wonderful" (Psalm 139:14). What God thinks and says about you is far more important than what others think or say about you. Let God shape you and mold you into being who He has truly created you to be. You, my friend, are truly special. You are loved. You are super cool. -Johanna If you look up the word "love" in any dictionary, you will most likely be provided with numerous definitions. Love exists in the form of familial love, such as the love a parent has for a child. There is romantic love, such as the love a husband has for his wife, or the love a boyfriend has for his girlfriend. There is brotherly love, such as the love a friend has for another. Love also exists in the form of agape love, which Merriam Webster's Dictionary defines as "unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) : the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2) : brotherly concern for others."
Love began with God, for as 1 John 4:8 points out, "God is love." Love exists because God exists. Know God, know love (1 John 4:8). The amazing thing about agape love is that it is unconditional love. God himself is agape love (1 John 4:8). The main reason why we love is due to the fact that "he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Merriam Webster's Dictionary defines unconditional as "not limited in any way." God loves us without any conditions or restrictions whatsoever. He does not love us out of obligation; He chooses to love us because it is part of His nature to love. Romans 5:8 tells us, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Notice that this verse doesn't say, "While we were still perfect people," or "While we were still faultless." While we were still imperfect, broken people who have made mistakes and messed up over 1,000 times, God gave up his son Jesus Christ, who is perfect, "holy, blameless, pure, [and] set apart from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26), to be pierced to a cross to die for each and every one of our sins. No matter the sin, Jesus died for it. I can recall the beginning of learning John 3:16 in Sunday school as a child. One of my favorite verses, it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." Now that is true love. The best kind of love is the love that God has for mankind: an unconditional love. His love is not based on who we are or what we do. He doesn't love us only when we do what is right. He loves us even when we go astray, mess up, and make mistakes. No matter how many times we decide to do our own thing, instead of following His ways, He still loves us the same. No matter the condition of our hearts, He still loves us the same. Despite our imperfections and failures, He continues to pursue us. No matter how many times we fall, He continues to love us unconditionally and never fails to forgive us of our sins (1 John 1:9). Novelist C.S. Lewis asserts, "After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, and try again." The magnitude of our mistakes can never outweigh the agape love God has for you and I. In her song, "Nobody But You", Dara Maclean points out that no one can love us the way God loves us with these lyrics: Nobody, nobody, uh uh nobody but You can do what You do Who could love me better, lives forever making all things new Nobody but You. The love of God is limitless. His love has no boundaries. You are not worthless. You are not unloved. You are not a mistake. You are valued. You are treasured. You are wanted. On September 29th, 1364, The Battle of Auray took place. A significant event in French history and a major part of The Hundred Years' War, the Battle of Auray was fought to mainly gain control over a duchy, a territory of a duke or duchess, in Brittany, a region in France. The town of Auray was surrounded by English forces who attempted to take control of it. The French responded to these English forces by means of attack. The English was able to stop the attack. In the end, the English obtained victory in the battle. While there are battles that take place between countries, we will face our own battles in this life. Thankfully, we can obtain victory in the battle through God, who makes us victorious. The battles of this life can be tough to face, but God walks with us through our battles. Jehoshaphat, who was a king of Judah, was notified that an army was coming to fight him in 2 Chronicles 20. Even though Jehoshaphat was alarmed by the news he just received, he sought the Lord. (2 Chronicles 20:3) The next step that Jehoshaphat took was to "proclaim[ed] a fast for all Judah." (2 Chron. 20:3) In response to this proclamation, "the people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord... [and] to seek him," as 2 Chronicles 20:4 tells us. It is so important to seek God when we face battles in our lives. The more you focus on the battle you are facing, the more likely you will start to feel disheartened. Instead of focusing more on how big the battle is, look to God and see how much more greater and stronger He is than that battle. The magnitude of the battles we face cannot compare to the magnitude of God. The battles we face in this life are not meant for us to fight on our own. God responded to Jehoshaphat's prayers with this: "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." (2 Chronicles 20:15) Don't let the size of your battle discourage you and make you feel afraid. There's no need to fear, for the battle you are facing right now truly belongs to the One who can help you gain victory in the battle. Jehoshaphat prayed, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." (2 Chron. 20:12b) When you do not know what kind of action to take when you're facing a battle, surrender yourself to God. Leave the battle in His hands to take care of. Seek Him first and foremost. (Matthew 6:33) When people go into war, they create a war strategy. In a similar sense, it is important to have a battle strategy when facing life's battles. I came across a powerful battle plan inspired by the movie War Room that I'd like to share with you today. Here are three important strategies incorporated into this battle plan that you can incorporate into your own life:
No matter how long you've been facing a battle, whether it's been 5 days, 5 weeks, or even 5 years, I encourage you to not give up. God sees you in your distress. He sees your pain and worry. He can truly fight your battle for you. God can give you joy in the battle. He can give you rest and peace. Keep relying on Him and drawing close to Him. May this quote by Craig W. Hagin that encourages me encourage you as well today: "Regardless of how big or small the battle is, God is able to deliver us. The same God who heals us from the flu also heals cancer." -Johanna A tree is able to stand upright because its roots are firm in the ground. A windy day can cause a tree to sway, but its firm roots can keep the wind, or even storms, from knocking it over. Limbs may break off, leaves may rustle in the wind, but the tree continues to be unmoved. Just as we face those gray, stormy days, when the rain fails to cease, strong winds nearly knock you off your feet, and your hair becomes a matted mess, we all come to face the storms of this life. The storms that one can face in life include the loss of a loved one or job, struggling to pay the bills, sickness, and many more. Storms come and go. God is with is in every storm. Just as a tree's firm roots keep it steady, we can root ourselves in God, for He can keep us steady in the storm. There is no storm so strong that God cannot handle.
God can keep us steady in the storm, for He is constant. Webster's English Dictionary defines the word "steady" as this: "firm in standing or in place; stable, unshaking, unfaltering; constant." Life is full of all kinds of trials, or storms. Despite the trials we face, there is hope. Trials can strengthen our character. In the midst of the storm, God can steady us by strengthening us. Maybe you've been trying to weather the storm you're facing right now in your own strength. Thankfully, we don't have to face the storms of this life on our own, for God is constantly with us. Psalms 89:21 says, "I will steady him with my hand; with my powerful arm I will make him strong." When you're trying to find the strength to press on through the storm, look no further than to God, for His strength is perfect. No matter how grand the storm, Jesus can calm it. In Matthew 8, Jesus and his disciples were on a boat when a big storm appeared. While the storm arose, Matthew 8:24 points out that "Jesus was sleeping." The storm stirred up fear in the disciples, but Jesus was calm and steady through the storm. Jesus remarked, "You of little faith, why are so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26). In the end, Jesus calmed the storm. When we know that the presence of Jesus is with us, that he is right by our side, we don't need to be afraid of the storm. Rather, we can have faith that Jesus will calm the storm. Know that God is the one who is truly in control. The magnitude of the storms we face in life cannot compare to the magnitude of God. God is greater and more powerful than the storm. When strong winds blow during a storm, a tree does not fear the winds. Rather, it sways with them, for its firm roots keep it steady in the ground. When storms of this life bring on strong winds, don't be fearful of them. Sway with them. Root yourself in God. Remember that "storms make trees take deeper roots," as three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings asserts. Trust in God to carry you through the storm. Be still and remember that God has your back in the storm. -Johanna As Rachel looked ahead, she saw two paths: a straight path and a crooked path. Rachel had a strange feeling about the crooked path, yet chose to pursue it anyways. As she walked down this path, she found herself heading into a tunnel. The further she walked, the more her curiosity grew. Maybe this won't be so bad, she thought to herself. As she traveled further into the dark tunnel, her heart began to race. Her palms became drenched in sweat as fear began to cloud her mind. Soon, she found herself in complete darkness. As she struggled to find a way out of the darkness, two thoughts kept echoing through her mind: I've gone too far. There's no way out.
Have you ever been in a similar situation like Rachel? Maybe you are in a similar situation right now. We are all imperfect people who make mistakes. Romans 8:23 exclaims, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We have all missed the mark. Webster's English Dictionary defines the phrase "fall short of" as "to fail to reach." No matter what, each of us fail to reach God's glory. No matter how hard we may try, our efforts will never measure up to God's glory. Despite our imperfections and failures, God continues to love us unconditionally. Sometimes, we make the right choices. Other times, we make wrong choices. Choosing to follow a different path other than the one God wants you to follow can lead you astray and away from God. The further you go, the more consequences you'll face. The further you walk that path, the more you may find yourself distant from God. You may think that you've gone too far, but no matter how far you've gone, you're not too far gone from God. Even when we feel distant from God, He is never distant from us. Even when we are unfaithful to God, He is continually faithful to us. In his song, "Never Too Far Gone," Jordan Feliz shares a powerful reminder that not once will we ever be too far gone from God with these lyrics: There's no distance too far, that I can't reach you. There's no place that's so dark, that I can't find you. Anywhere that you are, if you need proof, Take a look at these scars, and know I love you. Whether a believer or nonbeliever, we are all in need of Jesus. We need his forgiveness. We need his grace. I may not know what your story or struggles are, but I know that no matter what you have done or are doing right now, there is a God who forgives. He can heal and restore you. He can help you get back on track. He can pull you out of the darkness and into the light. No matter what type of bondage you are in, God can set you free. John 8:36 says, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." There is freedom in Jesus! No matter how powerful the grip, every chain can be broken in the name of Jesus. What tremendous power there is in His name! You don't have to wait until you've become a better person to come or return back to God. You can come to Him just the way you are. Come to Him with all your weaknesses, with all your brokenness, with all your failures, and He will turn your life around. Lay your wreckage at His feet, and He can create a beautiful masterpiece out of it. Maybe there have been people in your life who turned their backs on you or gave up on you because of the mistakes you've made. People may turn their backs on you, but God never will. People may give up on you, but God will not. There are always second chances with God. Being a Christian does not make you perfect. Rather, when you stumble and fall, God will never fail to pick you right back up. As a Christian, I have fallen tremendous times, but God never fails to pick me back up over and over again. Maybe you are a nonbeliever reading this who wants to know this Jesus that sets people free. You don't need to complete a list of certain things to be saved. All you need to do is "confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead" (Romans 10:9). Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, 'it is by grace you have been saved, through faith... not by works, so no man can boast." Receive his salvation today. Run to God, and He will be eager to receive you with arms open wide. No matter who you are, no matter what mistakes you've made, no matter what your past is like, God can use you to do amazing things for His kingdom. He can save you, change you, and redeem you. I can promise you that there is no greater relationship to be in than with the one who gave up his life for you, Jesus Christ. -Johanna Hope is more than just a four-letter word. It is more than just a noun. Hope is a feeling, "a feeling that what is wanted will happen," as defined by Webster's English Dictionary. Hope is "to desire with expectation of obtainment; to expect with confidence," as Merriam Webster's Dictionary also puts it. In other words, when you have hope for something, you desire what you are hoping for, and expect to have it. You anticipate what you are hoping for to be obtainable.
Everyone can have hope. Anyone can have someone in their life that gives them hope, whether it is God, their parents, a friend, their spouse, and/or their children. The top three people in my life that give me hope are God and my parents. Out of those that give us hope, not one compares to God, who gives the greatest hope of all. God does not just give hope; He IS hope. Hebrews 6:19 describes hope as "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." There are times in life that may make it seem like hope is impossible to obtain. I may not know how difficult the trials you are facing right now are, but know this: There is truly hope. There is nothing so difficult that God cannot handle. True hope is found in God. When you put your hope in God, you can always have hope. His hope is everlasting. One can obtain hope in even the most overwhelming trials. No matter what you are struggling with right now, you can have hope. With hope comes faith. You cannot hope for something greater to happen if you do not truly believe it will happen. Jesus encourages us in Mark 11:24 to "believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Have faith that you will receive a new job. Have faith that you will pass your driver's test. Have faith that God will make a way for your bills to be paid. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." To "hope for and [be] certain of what we do not see" (Heb. 11:1) is "to walk by faith, not by sight," as 2 Corinthians 5:7 encourages us to do. You can hope for the unseen by trusting in God, knowing that He always provides. Trust in God for a breakthrough in your life. Trust in Him for a miracle to happen. There are times when God does not give us exactly what we ask and hope for. Instead, He gives us something far greater. Sometimes, we get impatient when something we are hoping to happen is not happening in the time we want it to. God provides not in our timing, but in His. Waiting is not always so fun, whether it is waiting in busy traffic or a long line. When you wait on God and trust in His timing, He will do some amazing things that are definitely worth the wait for. Romans 8:25 exclaims. "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." To wait for something you hope for can take time. It takes patience. It takes faith. Even when we wait on God, He is at work. A pastor and founder of the Passion Movement, Louie Giglio asserted, "To us, waiting is wasting. To God, waiting is working." In Mark 5, a woman received healing from Jesus after she had been been suffering from bleeding for twelve years. Despite the amount of care she received from doctors, her condition became worse. Even though it did not seem that her bleeding would stop, she had hope in being healed when "she heard about Jesus" (verse 28). By faith, she received a touch of healing by Jesus when she went to touch his cloak in verse 28. I may not know how long you have been waiting for healing, a breakthrough, or whatever it may be, but know this: When the time is perfectly right, God will give you what you have been hoping for or something far more incredible. Remember that God has your back today. I'd like to close with this prayer for you found in Romans 15:13 : May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. -Johanna According to Nada Guides, the 1951 Volkswagon Beetle was originally suggested by its manufacturer to be sold for $1,295. Today, this two-door sedan has an average retail value of $19,600. There are many classic cars like the Volkswagon Beetle that are worth a greater amount today, compared to when they were first sold.
The word "worth" is not just a five-letter word, but carries an important meaning. Webster's English Dictionary defines the word "worth" as "value; that quality which renders a thing valuable... importance." Something that has worth has value. It has importance. There are many things that carry worth, from old baseball cards to your grandmother's jewelry box. These objects can be worth so much. Worth is not just found in objects, but in people too. While things may have a price tag tied to their worth, people do not. You are priceless and worth so much more than you think. Your worth is not found in the clothes you wear, the amount of followers you have on social media, or in the occupation you hold. Rather, your worth is found in God, the One who has created you with immeasurable worth. David praised God for creating him in Psalm 139 with this: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (verse 14) Each and every one of us are His wonderful works. God has "fearfully and wonderfully" created each of us "in his own image", as Genesis 1:27 points out. We were created to be more like Him. You and I were purposefully created to know Him and to make Him known. Every living being that has breath and walks upon this Earth has worth. Whether black or white, poor or rich, young or old, we all have worth. You are not defined by your failures and successes. You are not defined by your regrets and weaknesses. Your worth is not defined by your past. It is your Creator that defines your worth. Your worth has no price tag. It will not decrease when you fall and make mistakes. No matter what, your worth will always be priceless. You are an irreplaceable human being who was created by a beautiful, wonderful, Almighty God. There may be some people in your life right now that may tell you that you're insignificant and/or make you feel worthless, but know this: You are incredibly, immeasurably, truly, wonderfully, highly valuable. No matter what others may tell you or think of you, God sees you as an immeasurable treasure whose worth is incalculable. -Johanna Philippians 4:6- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Have you ever had those days where you've felt refreshed, energized, and ready to roll for the day, but on other days, you just feel so tired, weary, or even worn out? If you have, you are not alone. Some days go by quickly in the blink of an eye. Other days can seem to drag on when you're feeling weary. Your toddler kept you up all night. You just got home from a sixteen-hour shift. You have been studying all night for an exam. These are just some examples of things that can make one feel weary. When you are weary, find rest in Jesus. Jesus offers rest for the weary when he says in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Think about this: You have an empty backpack and a pile of rocks. The more rocks you add to the backpack, the heavier the backpack becomes. As you carry the backpack, you notice that it starts to weigh you down. Your shoulders start to become weary from the weight of the backpack. In a similar sense, burdens can weigh you down. They can make you feel weary. You've been struggling to keep up with mortgage payments for your house. You've been living with an addiction for the past couple years now. No matter how hard you try, your children just won't behave. You've been caring for your elderly parents with dementia or Alzheimer's. These are just some examples of burdens that one can carry. No matter what burdens you are carrying right now, know that God cares about you so much that He would carry your burdens for you. Burdens can also make one feel anxious. Instead of letting whatever burdens you're carrying right now continue to weigh you down, "cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you," as 1 Peter 5:7 encourages us to do. If Jesus could carry the weight of then cross on his shoulders, then he can carry the weight of your burdens for you. Let him unload your boxes of burdens for you. He can provide you with rest. He can care for you in your weariness. He can refresh you and strengthen you. You are not alone. |
AuthorHello there! Welcome to my blog! My name's Johanna. I am a Jesus-loving twenty-year-old who also loves to make people laugh, spend time with family, explore the outdoors, and take photos. I hope my blog inspires and encourages you to draw more closer to God and enjoy life more. Remember that you were created for a purpose. You are wonderful. Archives
June 2017
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