Memory Verse
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Reflection
What is the easiest and perhaps only way to consistently obey Jesus? It is to come to Him, take on His yoke, and learn from Him.
We will never become truly obedient if we look at it as just a long list of "do"s and "don't"s. That is a very heavy yoke, and Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
The most effective means of becoming obedient is to build a very intimate relationship wih Jesus. The writer of Hebrews told us to fix our eyes (Hebrews 12:2) and thoughts (Hebrews 3:1) on Jesus. Try that some day - fixing your eyes and thoughts on Jesus throughout the day. When you face struggles and temptations, you will see that He faced bigger struggles and temptations, and you can learn from Him how to handle them. When you face people who don't like you, you will see that He faced people who didn't like Him, and you can learn from Him how to love them. When you are quick to worry, you will be reminded of His words not to worry - He will give you gentle reminders like the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. How does one develop a close, intimate relationship with Jesus? Through prayer, reading His Word, and serving like Him.
Never forget that Jesus is inviting you to be yoked with Him. Imagine walking that close to Jesus. And in that yoke, He is leading you and gently teaching you. Just being next to Him allows you to experience His kingdom. He knows when you are exhausted and is very willing to pull your weight. When you look over at Him, you see His smile, and it is all you need to keep going, and even experience true rest. In such a state, you would never think of doing anything to dishonor Him, and you would always remain focused on how you can join Him in extending as much of His kingdom to earth, even and perhaps most especially when He leads you into very challenging places.
Do you want to be more obedient so that can you experience more of His kingdom? Then be obedient in this one thing. Come to Jesus.
We will never become truly obedient if we look at it as just a long list of "do"s and "don't"s. That is a very heavy yoke, and Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
The most effective means of becoming obedient is to build a very intimate relationship wih Jesus. The writer of Hebrews told us to fix our eyes (Hebrews 12:2) and thoughts (Hebrews 3:1) on Jesus. Try that some day - fixing your eyes and thoughts on Jesus throughout the day. When you face struggles and temptations, you will see that He faced bigger struggles and temptations, and you can learn from Him how to handle them. When you face people who don't like you, you will see that He faced people who didn't like Him, and you can learn from Him how to love them. When you are quick to worry, you will be reminded of His words not to worry - He will give you gentle reminders like the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. How does one develop a close, intimate relationship with Jesus? Through prayer, reading His Word, and serving like Him.
Never forget that Jesus is inviting you to be yoked with Him. Imagine walking that close to Jesus. And in that yoke, He is leading you and gently teaching you. Just being next to Him allows you to experience His kingdom. He knows when you are exhausted and is very willing to pull your weight. When you look over at Him, you see His smile, and it is all you need to keep going, and even experience true rest. In such a state, you would never think of doing anything to dishonor Him, and you would always remain focused on how you can join Him in extending as much of His kingdom to earth, even and perhaps most especially when He leads you into very challenging places.
Do you want to be more obedient so that can you experience more of His kingdom? Then be obedient in this one thing. Come to Jesus.
Questions to Consider
1. Are you experiencing victory in being obedient - not just in avoiding "doing bad", but also in "doing good"? When you are obedient, do you experience more of the kingdom of heaven right here on earth?
2. What will it take for you to "come to Jesus"? How can you intentionally fix your eyes and thoughts more on Him throughout your day so that you can learn from Him and experience rest for your soul?
Action Steps for the Week
1. Start each day this week praying that God will fill you with His Holy Spirit and allow you to keep your eyes and thoughts fixed on Jesus, experiencing not only obedience, but true rest for your soul.
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