Jesus said, "Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest for your souls." Amen! I think about that on Labor Day as we get to have a day of rest from our work here in the world--well some of us get off. Thank God and pray for all our military and their families, all our first responders, medical field workers, retail and restaurant workers who are out there carrying on and laboring to serve you. We had our family picnic on Saturday and actually get to rest today. PTL! But picnics and family gatherings can be wearying, especially if you are hosting (and expensive!). Sometimes we have to choose rest, find different days to sabbath, or even choose to nap sometimes. Jesus took naps and got away by Himself to recharge and rest. He bids all of us who are striving in our own strength or trying to work our way to salvation to come rest in Him. He said that His yoke of labor is easy and he is gentle and that we can find rest for our weary souls. Amen! I find that I have to make time to rest and I have to start my days abiding in His rest before I am ready to go out and love like Him.

Good Morning Resting in Christ, Abiding in His Presence, Slaves! Sometimes in our work-a-day world we can feel like slaves, right? I worked with a guy at a job with very hard, physical labor who said, Lincoln freed the slaves!" as he quit after a day and a half. Yesterday we looked at Philippians 1 and thought about what it means to be a slave to Christ and to live our lives for Christ and as His representative as Paul said, "For me to live is Christ..." How's that going? Are you feeling like an obligated/forced slave trying to earn God's favor or like you're working for a hard taskmaster? Or are you thinking about how we are so blessed and want to align ourselves with the gentle master, Jesus, as more like a willing indentured servant. Put on that easy yoke this morning! But a yoke is an instrument of labor. But it's easy as it's designed to fit us perfectly and for the things we are made to do. PTL! And we get to choose to put it on and walk with Jesus at our side. How awesome! And He gave us gifts, a Helper and His promises to be our gentle Shepherd. Amen! PTL!

I had this long blog in my mind for today with all kinds of devotional tie-ins to attach. BUT GOD! He said that today I need to chill, let go of my agendas and allow you to rest in Him as He leads you. So, have at it as God leads. He is speaking His love over you, calling you by name to come and rest in Him and His loving presence. So rejoice and rest, weary slaves. His yoke is easy and custom fitted to you. Yes rejoice and rest in Him. Refresh and sine bright today as you live and love like Jesus, just as you are. Amen! Shalom!