Words of Encouragement for Today

February 10th 2011

"Trust me enough to spend ample time with Me, pushing back the demands of the day. Refuse to feel guilty about something that is so pleasing to Me, the King of the universe. Because I am omnipotent, I am able to bend time and events in your favor. You will find that you can accomplish more in less time, after you have given yourself to Me in rich communion. Also, as you align yourself with My perspective, you can sort out what is important and what is not.

Don't fall into the trap of being constantly on the go. Many, many things people do in My Name have no value in My kingdom. To avoid doing meaningless works, stay in continual communication with Me. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you."

Luke 10:41-42, "Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."

Young, Sarah. (2004). Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence. February 10.

His Yoke is Easy

"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:30

When I was a kid, I used to think this verse had to do with eggs, maybe an omelet? Since then I have learned the history behind this verse. If you have a second, I'd love to share:

In Jesus' time, the rabbi's would all have specific opinions, teachings, and a 'way' of doing things. They would speak the yoke of the Torah or the Law. In fact, you could kind of compare it to politicians. Each rabbi would have an opinion of what the scriptures meant, have a specific path for their followers. The rabbi's had so many interpretations of the Law, it became a burden to those trying to follow. Got it? Ok.

Each rabbi would have many apprentices in line to work with him in hopes of one day replacing him. The rabbi would allow only one at the end of a long trial period (something of ten years). The apprentices would memorize the entire Torah, starting at age ten. They would all study this rabbi's yoke, follow him from city to city, teaching to teaching. After this ten year trial period, the rabbi would then pick only one of these young boys to follow him to learn his yoke as a future replacement. can you imagine having to memorize the entire Torah? What if you didn't get picked as "The" apprentice? What would you do with your life? Would you have to learn another rabbi's yoke?

This was a complicated, rough, tedious, and intricate way of learning the rabbi's way.

Jesus came to give Life. His yoke (teaching) is easy- simply believe in Him and you will have this Life. There are no stipulations, rules, or a ten year trial period. His burden of interpretation is light. It's not something you have to carry around in your arms, or memorize, or only hope that he'll pick you. Simply believe. Love in return.

This passage is not about eggs! It's about the everlasting love of Jesus Christ which is easy to understand. There may be many interpretations of the Bible out there, but there is only One Jesus. One Way. One Love. It's easy, at the price of Jesus' crucification it's free, and in the dwelling of the Holy Spirit we no longer have to strive after a way to salvation. We can thrive in Him!

How Can We Not Say "Yes"?

Could it be that we try to follow in other's footsteps? Pressure? Expectations? What if being present all along; what if freedom and peace was the only a decision away? what if all you had to do was say "yes" to Him?

There is true freedom in Jesus. No one else can hold your hand (even when you choose to ignore it, or don't want it). Jesus will never give up on you.

What if you said "yes" to freedom?

There is a whole new layer on the "yes" side. Like an onion: sheer, thin, but interconnecting in independent on it's own. We know already what exists: what we can say "no" to (greed, pride, knowledge, lust...).

We only have a taste, such sweet sweet taste, of what we might say "yes" to...how can we not crave it? How can we not feel incomplete? How can we not be intoxicated with the Holy Spirit? How can we not deny His neverending love?

How can we not say "yes" to open doors to everything He has to offer? How can we turn down everlasting life?

How can we not be intoxicated, overwhelmed, submersed, blown away by Jesus' glory?