✅ APPLY: Can you live with hope knowing that the day is coming where the hustling, striving, working, and stress will all be wiped away? How can you live with eternity in mind?
Write a prayer of thanks for the fact that the day of rest is coming where we will be free from the expectations of others. Thank Jesus that the life he came to give you is rich and full.
0 Comments
✅APPLY:
How can you go to God when your heart is troubled or when your mind can’t stop thinking about your to-do list? Can you learn to go to run toward God even when you can’t get rid of nagging thoughts? Ask God to give you the courage to share this good news with a friend. Take a moment to share the peace you have experienced through trust in Jesus. Continue to pray that this friend would trust Jesus to care for them, too.
✅ APPLY: Just like Jesus, despite our accomplishments, or the good that we do, some people won’t listen to us, recognize us, or believe us. Is the fact that even Jesus felt rejection a comfort to you? Can you rest in what Jesus says about you and believe that he says you are enough, regardless of what others think?
Say a prayer of gratitude that Jesus has experienced the emotions you are experiencing, and that you are not alone in your emotions. This can give us peace in situations when we feel like we’re not enough for people, or that our accomplishments aren't enough to win someone’s approval. Thank Jesus for affirming that you are enough, and that you can live from his approval of you.
✅ APPLY: Think about the circumstances in this story. There was a violent storm. The disciples were experienced fishermen and probably faced a lot of crazy storms., so the fact that they had no chill shows that this was a BIG storm. ⛈ But, in the middle of the roaring waves and crashing winds, Jesus showed the disciples that he had the power to calm the storm and bring peace. What is the storm, stress, or chaos that you find yourself in the middle of right now? How can Jesus words, “Silence! Be still!” encourage you?
Write a prayer to Jesus, telling him everything about the storm you find yourself in right now. Tell him about the stress that feels like waves crashing over you and that you’re struggling to keep your head above water and swim through it. Thank Jesus that he gives peace in the middle of the storm, and that he does not leave you or turn his back on you.
✅ APPLY: There is a lot of information available on the benefits of rest and how healing it is for your body to get a good night’s sleep. Rest is important. It can be tempting to give up rest in order to work harder, but rest is necessary and it can bring healing in a way you might not expect.
How can you set aside time today to rest so that you can heal? Ask God to show you where you need healing. Ask Jesus how you can rest in him, knowing that the love he has for you is enough.
✅ APPLY: Following Jesus is not a set of rules. It’s a relationship that isn't based on our behavior or actions, but is rooted in Jesus’ love for us. Sabbath isn’t a rule to follow but an invitation to rest and remember what God has done. Take your own Sabbath for a few minutes.
Find a quiet place to be still. Set a timer on your phone, close your eyes, take some deep breaths, and focus on God’s love for you. Thank God for that love.
✅ APPLY: Jesus tells us that he loves us and reminds us to stay connected to him. You don’t have to work tirelessly to prove yourself, to be the best, or prove you're not a failure. You are loved. Even if failure happens, and it will, Jesus’ love will not fail you. Are you aiming for the perfect grade point average? Are you working hard to get the spot on the A-team in basketball? Is there someone who’s approval and love that you are trying to earn?
Thank Jesus for his love for you either through a silent prayer, a written prayer, or a prayer you pray out loud. Thank God that the approval and love you are fighting for has already been given to you. Ask him to help you stop fighting for that love and to simply receive it.
✅ APPLY: Jesus is inviting his disciples and followers to stay connected to him — to abide in him. "Abide in Me” is not a marching order to accomplish or a check box to complete. It’s simply a state of existence, a way of being. What might it look like to live life everyday knowing that you are deeply connected to Jesus? You don’t have to work to stay connected. In fact, you need to simply rest to remain connected.
You want to know how else you can stay connected to Jesus? Talk to him! That’s prayer. Remember in Philippians 4:4-6 it says to tell Jesus what you need and thank him for what he’s done. Do that today. Talk to Jesus. Connect with him.
✅ APPLY: Everyone is looking for peace. Not many people love chaos — unless they’re a toddler in a McDonald’s Play Place. We want peace. How comforting is it to you to know that no matter what you face, Jesus will give you peace in the situation? You don’t have to earn this peace. You can simply receive it because Jesus freely gives it.
Thank Jesus for giving peace in the midst of chaos. Remember that even in the midst of seeing their saviour arrested, beaten, and crucified, Jesus first followers still experienced incredible peace.
✅APPLY:
What is a dark valley you have walked through? When have you been in surrounded by people you felt were against you? Imagine what might change if we could see God as our good shepherd in the midst of these moments. Grab a notecard write Psalm 23:4-6 on it. Perhaps you might even make it the background on your phone. Keep this verse near you when find yourself in a dark valley surrounded by people who seem to be against you. In those moments, take this verse out and pray, “Jesus, thank you that your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and that I will live in your presence forever.” |
