Rest For A Weary Soul Daily Devotional - Saturday, January 9, 2010
Praise the Lord and Good Afternoon,
I know, it's Saturday......but something struck me today. As many of you know, we have two dogs in our home. Peanut, our younger dog (who is 3 years old) is having a huge problem. She's in heat and is walking around with a toy in her mouth, crying. All day, all night....she even tried to take her "toy pup" outside in the snow. The truth is though, she's just going through a phase. I looked online to see what we could do to help her through this time but I learned there is nothing really we can do....other than love her and let her baby her toy! It is recommended that she get spayed (which is what we will do once she's past this)....
While I was watching her go through this, I thought about us and if we aren't careful we can do the same thing....she is responding to what her body thinks should be happening....even though it really isn't. False pregnancy is what they called it.....we have to be careful not to rely on what we think is going on......the enemy is great at presenting information that seems to be facts....but we have to investigate to see what the truth of the matter is.....signs are not what saints are supposed to go by. But I hear someone saying, "Wouldn't life be so much easier?" Well, not really. Think about it, the moment Jesus hung His head and died, the devil thought that that was the end of Him, His teachings and His disciples. Everyone was reading the signs....even Jesus' disciples shook their heads and wondered what was next. All of the signs pointed that it was over, that is until they found out Jesus' tomb was empty, which changed everything.
Now this isn't to say that the Lord never works through signs....but we can't trust in signs....we are to trust in Jesus...so whether we get a sign or not, we are depending on Jesus. When He says go forth, whether there is a sign or not ..but when God says Go, He's not saying, "I'm suggesting you go, but wait for the sign to be sure".....we must be careful as to why we're responding to things....are we reacting to the sign or to the voice of the Lord? If God says follow the cloud or pillar of fire, then you can rest assured that He is in the sign...but if you decide all things look to be a go, then you are only trusting in what you think you see.....didn't Naomi have that issue? All of the signs in her life pointed that God was againts her...she said don't call me pleasant (Naomi) but call me bitter (Mara) as that's what all her life signs appeared to be.....and we all know the end of that story....at that very moment the Lord had positioned her for a complete turnaround in life!
But again, it boils down to what is being presented and your response.....Peanut's body is saying one thing when the truth is completely different. It's part of her nature....she can't change that, hence the carrying around a squeaky toy and treating it like a puppy. Thank the Lord, saints don't have that problem.....we can change our reaction...responding to signs isn't part of a saint's character.....yes, we're all growing (or should be) and part of growth is to ignore what you think you see, but respond to Jesus....which means we must crucify our flesh.....there's no way you live a carnal (flesh...don't crucify it, just let it rule) and expect to get a spiritual result....now that won't work....but as the song goes, "If you put your trust in Jesus, everything will be alright."
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day; 47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:46-47 KJV)
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of GOd, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:12-13 KJV)
In the Master's Service,
Pastor Michele D. Turner
Rehoboth Apostolic Ministries, Inc.
Author/Publisher of Rest For A Weary Soul Daily Devotional
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Email: restforwearysoul@aol.com
Matt 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
