I used to think that people who sat in church and scribbled notes furiously were either 1) bored and trying to stay awake, 2) showy and trying to impress their neighbors with their display of righteousness, or 3) just dramatic... you know the shout-hallelujah-hop-all-around-the-sanctuary-waving-their-hand-and-screaming types... Wow! Praise God for spiritual growth and maturity. I was that person this Sabbath - notebook in hand, hand involuntarily lifted and uttering the occasional hallelujah and amen. The sermon was on point, and the pastor referenced a passage that we'd meditated on just a few days before...
Hebrews 11 - GOD's Faith Hall of Fame. If you haven't yet been introduced - its awesome! The writer goes through a list of heavy hitters who did illogical things based on faith and were rewarded... I mean, things that make you seem silly for doubting God and hesitating to keep the simple commands that we struggle with today. My favorite part of that passage comes in verse 32, when the writer basically says
What more can I say? I don't even have time to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson.... and the list goes on!
If you are struggling to believe, just try it and be encouraged.
I digress... This Sabbath, my blessing came from the sweet reminder that God restores.This means that if you've been broken (hurt, embarrassed, injured, abandoned), if you've ever yielded to sinful temptation, if you've ever drifted away from your relationship with the Lord... its ok. He wants to restore the joy and peace in your life. His yolk is easy and His burden is light. But here's the thing - we have to let Him. Did you know that we have the power to block our own blessing? Let Him change your life from sad to glad again. Its awesome.
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