Choosing One Day Of Rest

We are often reminded that God rested the seventh day after he created our world and Adam and Eve. How often do we follow his example and the admonition of the scriptures? We should be more pro-active in enjoying a day of rest each week because the spiritual blessings are many.

It is good to have one day per week when we totally wind down. A day when we don't do all of the stuff that we usually do becomes a day of renewal. Christians feel that Sunday is that day. We use that day for special worship-of-God activities, special Sunday meals and peacefulness.

Some people have to work on Sunday, so they choose another day of rest. Some Christians choose to set apart Saturday for special worship and renewal. It's not so much the day but the obedience to God and the scriptures that blesses us. 

Like with fasting, our minds are brought back to the knowledge, every hour of that chosen day, that we are honoring God through sacrifice. Throughout that day when we think of things that we want to do but shouldn't, we are reminded that we are sacrificing and that Jesus Christ sacrificed for us. We draw closer to God on this day of rest.

Whatever day you choose, be sure to do something different than what you usually do, something restful, peaceful and calm. Cultivate serenity, tranquility and elevated worship. Use it as a prayer-building day. Be refreshed, restored and renewed one day per week, not just spiritually but physically as well. The blessings will be abundant!

Hebrews 4:1-11

Deuteronomy 5:14 

Exodus 20:10, 23:12

Genesis 2:2-3

Happy Christian Monday

God made this day.

No matter where we are or what we are having to do, Monday does not have to get us down.

We know a Father who has our best interests at heart and who provides for us a hope and a future! Because of that, we have much to look forward to.

Choose happiness today and find things for which to be glad. Count them one by one, for they are many. Cultivate gratefulness and joy will follow.

Happy Godly Monday!

 

 

Image Credit: Thankful Thirteen

I Feel Optimistic Today Prayer

 

Dear Heavenly Father:

I feel optimistic today! 

Let not my optimism come through fleshly feelings because my flesh is unreliable. I refuse to walk in the flesh.

I pray that my optimism comes through confidence in your right hand of righteousness, discernment of your angels surrounding me and comfort from your Holy Spirit. 

My optimism is through my faith from walking in the Spirit. 

When I am out of the Spirit, show we the way to return to the Spirit so that my Godly optimism may abound. 

I thank you that I have a hope and a future and that my way grows brighter everyday!

In Jesus' blessed name I pray.

Amen!

 

Dr. Charles Stanley On Can Prayer Change God's Mind?

In the video below, Dr. Charles Stanley, of In Touch Ministries, answers prayer questions such as:

• Why pray if God's mind is already made up about what he will do?
• Why pray when God already knows what we want?
• Can we change God's mind through prayer?
• If God knows my needs, why should I pray?
• Does God's eternal plan depend on our prayers?

His lesson will give you faith in your prayers. It will help change your mind about giving up on your prayer life or compromising it.

 

 

Loving & Letting God Repay

Don't hate and don't retaliate. We don't know the reasons why God allows us to suffer unfairness, mistreatment, harassment, persecution and other types of attacks, but he always has a plan for us.

The Word encouragingly tells us that all things, not some things, all things work together for good to those of us who love him, who are the called and always according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 We also understand that the good will of God towards us, while primarily for the World to come, is also for our present place of habitation. Luke 18:30

It is Our Father's will that some of the good that is built through trials and tribulations come to us during our present, earthly life. All things work together for good but some we will receive after we leave this dying world. In Hebrews 11:13-17,39-40, we read a summary of faithful Believers who journeyed through a life of commitment to God but left this world not having received the promise despite all that they endured.

One thing is sure. God does not and cannot lie. Every jot and tittle of his Word will come to pass. Matthew 5:18 We can have faith that none of our endurance, suffering, sorrow and tears will be wasted. If we are faithful to God and determine to not hate those who show hate towards us, and not retaliate against those who are malicious towards us, we will eventually receive good through their ill will and hurtful actions.

So we, as faithful followers of Jesus Christ, choose not to hate and not to retaliate in thought, word or deed. We choose to love (with God's love because our flesh cannot love with purity) and let God handle the repayment and vindication against those who offend. I will repay, says Our Father regarding those who are on a mission to malign others. Romans 12:19-21 Our rewards, both here and in the New Heaven and the New Earth, are worth waiting for through Godly endurance of all that he allows. We choose to love and let God.

Blessed Wednesday! Focus On The Positive!

God's will includes living our lives to the fullest no matter what circumstances we are in. There are many ways that we can more appreciate what God has done and live more uplifting, fulfilling lives. Giving thanks and reaching out to help others helps us to focus on the positive that serving God through Jesus Christ brings into our lives. Even though it is very difficult sometimes to feel positive, God's knows our hearts and will help us if we ask. 

We are so used to working things out for ourselves that we have been trained to not ask for help. We forget that despite how things have been or are for us, God cares about every little thing that concerns us. Just because he doesn't always change our difficult circumstances doesn't mean that he does not care. His plans are just so perfect and his blessings so great that we can't perceive them in advance.

The cares and troubles of this life easily get us down. Some of us have many more struggles than others, so we often feel hopeless and alone. Despite this, our compassionate and kind Father in Heaven is always near to help us to focus on the positive that is available to all who love him and believe in salvation through The Lamb, his precious Son, Jesus Christ.

Help is always near, through The Father, who knows everything about us, through The Son who is ever interceding for us, and through The Holy Spirit, who is given to all Believers as a comforter and a guide.

Dear Father: Increase our faith, restore unto us the joy of our salvation, uphold us with your free Spirit. Help us. We love you with a perfect love in our reborn spirits and nothing can separate us from your love. Thank you, Father! 

 

Jesus The Christ Arose And Is With Our Father

Happy Easter!

We celebrate Jesus Christ of Nazareth's obedience

to the Father and his love for us!

 

He was separated from his Father for a period in time,

all for our salvation.

We remember his selfless act and how he submitted,

because his Father asked him to.

For God so loved us that he sacrificed His Only Son,
so that whoever believes on Him should have everlasting life.

I hope your Easter is full of joy and peace

and a new commitment

to Christ Jesus.

Happy Good Friday In Jesus' Name!

 

 Jesus is Lord!

Honoring Jesus Christ On Good Friday

Honoring our Savior Jesus Christ's obedience as he went faithfully

to the cross. All done

for each one of us,

for the joy to come.

Jesus Christ Is Worthy To Be Praised
On Good Friday And Everyday

Thank You Dear Lord For Your Sacrifice On My Behalf.

Giving Thanks Always Art Printable

There is always something to be thankful for. If nothing comes readily to mind, we can remember something that has blessed us. That is why I designed this Giving Thanks printable artwork. I am so grateful for all that God has done for me and the many ways he has delivered me from evil when I was not aware.

This Ephesians 5:20 print is a reminder to always spend time thanking God. He is worthy no matter what our situation or circumstance is or whether we are feeling high or low. Give thanks always! 

Click Buy Now below, or visit Draw Nigh To Hope Shop for more art printables.

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We Never Have To Stop Praying

We never have to stop praying. We are encouraged to pray without ceasing. (I Thessalonians 5:17) 

There are formal and informal ways to pray. When we accept this, the many ways to pray 24/7 open up to us. We don't always have to get on our knees with a scripted intonation of phrases and quotes.

Prayer, in it's essence, is talking to God. Talking to Jesus. How much more candid, honest and heart-felt are conversational words versus rehearsed prayer speeches.

Being tired or discouraged and not feeling like praying is not even an excuse. We can ask the Holy Spirit to pray for us. He will then utter on-target words that we cannot.

Pray without ceasing and grow closer to God.