Many people discover that Jesus helps them find rest. This may sound impossible or weird but it is true. It is spiritual. The spiritual world is real, Jesus and our Father God rule that world with love; they also rule our world here on Earth. For me, my spirit has come alive and I have found rest since I welcomed Jesus into my life.
When I was a new Christian I saw that big changes were occurring in me, changes on my insides and on my outside too. Once I knew (and believed) that Jesus is my Saviour, He brought me into His family, forever. I am now eternally safe here. You too are welcome to join us because our God cares for you. Our centre is our heart, this is where we want to find rest.
There is always trouble and pain in the world for everyone. Christians know this too. Jesus gives us a new soft heart which is resilient in all our troubles, we develop a new view of everything, centred on love and faith, a new perspective or worldview.
Only when we are in the will of God can we know complete rest. Jesus is always in our Father's will and He is always at rest. He says we can share our burdens with Him and learn from Him: “for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls" (Bible, Matthew 11:29).
We can learn to be at rest. For me it has been a journey over many years, but happily, always with positive growth.
Jesus saves us from death and sin, He gave His life for us; His death paid for our sin, all our wrongdoing, meanness, wickedness and pride. When we repent of our sin Jesus forgives us, sets us free and defeats death in us. This brings our spiritual change and our new life.
We learn to look to Jesus. He gave us the Bible which tells His story and the whole story of humankind, and also teaches us how to live and get along with one another.
We can be encouraged that we are not alone. Together with Jesus we can experience life in fullness and beauty despite all our difficulties.
We can think about our heart and care for it. No worldly success will satisfy our heart, but Jesus can; we find this in His people, in other like-minded Christians. We can have a full heart and know joy.
"My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be shaken" (Bible, Psalm 62:5-6).
Bless you. Bless us all. Amen.
How to become Christian? Ask God.
So many testimonies of coming into relationship with Jesus and our Father God begin with desperation, The person is at, or beyond, their own strength, or has become terribly convicted of their sin, their wrong-doing;. They cry out: "God if you are there, show Yourself to me", or, ".. Help me please Jesus". Soon after, they experience a deep change in them-self and their life. This is spiritual. The person sees and knows that the God of all Creation is with them and is helping. Jesus has responded with love to their cry. People always smile as they speak of these moments.
"You shall seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart" (Bible: Jeremiah 29:13, God of Heaven speaking).
By John Greenaway.
© Southern Districts Alliance Church,
www.sdac.org.au/tracts/rest