No burden to heavy

NO BURDEN TO HEAVY

Recently Elizabeth Edwards announced that cancer had returned after two years. This time they found it in her bones and perhaps in a lung. In seeking more information about Elizabeth and her life I found that this is not the first or second time she has been the recipient of news that would devastate and destroy most people. In her book, "Saving Graces," Elizabeth tells of other times she received news that was devastating.

Trials and tribulations have no regard for who you are. When it comes, it comes to all without discrimination. Sometimes it takes heart wrenching experiences for God to get our attention.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." (New Living Translation)

Christ does not set limits or restrictions on the things you can bring to Him. He simply says bring it on, bring it all and I will give you rest. Notice the rest is for your soul. The doctor can give you a pill to stop the pain, a pill to make you sleep but Christ will give you rest and peace in your heart and mind. Verse29 says, take my yoke upon you. It looks like He is saying pick up my cross and yours will become light. Or, could it be that He is saying, I'll trade mine for yours? I think He is saying bring it to me and, "Let me teach you." I think he is saying I will teach you how to carry on with the burden. Verse 30 says, "For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."   I think he is saying when you bring it to me I will lighten your load and use your example to bring my rest to your world of influence. You will show others around you what I have done in your life and what I can do for them. It is possible that the greater your influence and visibility, the greater the apparent burden.

Only you and Christ will ever know what He has done for you. Only you can tell others what He has done for you.

I am convinced that the battle between good and evil is real. I am convinced that God is real. I am convinced that the Bible is truly God's words to mankind and if so then all that He has written in those scriptures are real and true.

The Bible says in Job 1:6-12

"One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan the Accuser came with them. [7] "Where have you come from?" the Lord asked Satan. And Satan answered the Lord, "I have been going back and forth across the earth, watching everything that's going on." [8] Then the Lord asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil." [9] Satan replied to the Lord, "Yes, Job fears God, but not without good reason! [10] You have always protected him and his home and his property from harm. You have made him prosperous in everything he does. Look how rich he is! [11] But take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!" [12] "All right, you may test him," the Lord said to Satan. "Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don't harm him physically." So Satan left the Lord's presence. (New Living Translation)

It appears that satan is real and that he constantly goes about the world looking for ways to confuse the character of mankind causing him to be opposed to God. God told satan the qualities He found acceptable in Job, "a man of complete integrity, He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil." Satan left God's presence and set out to create confusion and turmoil among men. There is no limit to what satan will do to you, me or the world to get us to reject God and follow him. In this new high tech age it is easy for people to see the stepped up attack on mankind to win over their hearts, minds and imaginations to power, greed, lust and evil.

There is greater pressure placed on Christians to keep their beliefs secret since the time of the martyrs and at the same time God's presence is felt by more Christians than ever. There is a greater search for God and truth than ever.

I'm convinced that there is no end to what satan will do in this world in his war against God. He will create unbelievable hardship, sickness and pain. God will turn or attempt to turn these things into good for mankind. But God will not force his will on mankind but will leave it to mankind to chose.   He says in Matthew 11, " Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you." It is an invitation inviting mankind to choose with no promise for riches or fame but promises "REST, PEACE" in this life and eternal life spiritually when this body dies.

It is an amazing thing that the friends of Job continually ask him how and why God will let this happen to him. I see in the story of Job that, "So Satan left the Lord's presence." It was after satan left the Lord's presence that he began to inflict horrible things on Job. Further, God spoke to Job in chapter 39 with no mention of the friends of Job. Only after God had raked Job over the coals did Job acknowledge the truth about who and what God is.   Job 42:1-6, Then Job replied to the Lord: [2] "I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. [3] You ask, 'Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?' It is I. And I was talking about things I did not understand, things far too wonderful for me. [4] "You said, 'Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.' [5] "I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. [6] I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance."

Only after this did God reveal Himself to Eliphaz the Temanite. In [7] After the Lord had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: "I am angry with you and with your two friends, for you have not been right in what you said about me, as my servant Job was.

This misrepresentation of God has continued from that time to today. Some are as these friends of Job, while well meaning they did not speak the truths about God. Just as God did then, God continues to reveal himself to men and women on a one-to-one basis. Sometimes He reveals Himself only during the most trying times and sometimes it is in these most trying times that we seem to earnestly listen and look for Him.

Maybe today is one of those times when God has sought to commune with you. Perhaps today He has brought you to this place at this time to reveal Himself to you. Perhaps what you are going through today is the whirlwind He has chosen to get you to listen and look for Him. Could it be that right now he wants you to go into a solitary place where you can not be disturbed so He can meet with you there. Do not put it off.... Do it now!

I thank you that today you did not speak to me through the storms and/or trials of life gracious, merciful, loving God. I thank you that it is here in these moments of solitude that you have revealed to me some of your personality and some of your desires for my life. Help me to surrender my will to yours that I might know you more and be useful in helping others to see you and know you. There are those who have come to this place at this time because you have drawn them here. Speak to them now in the quiet solitude of their hearts and reveal your love and desire for them to know you. Help them to seek you and know all that you are. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Please sign our guest book. You will be added to our mail list.