Matthew 11:25-30 NLT
At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
It’s time to be thankful for what God has done for us.
If you’re like me, I will sometimes look at others and think to myself, “Wow, when will they get it?” And then I’ll shake my head and continue, sad.
As a follower of Jesus, this shouldn’t be the way that we look at these things.
The truth is, those who will be saved are in the sovereign hands of God.
This statement of truth should bring about a sense of wonder in us.
Especially now, look around us; we have a virus that has shaken the world to its core. We are looking for answers everywhere.
We have the news sources constantly one-upping each other with the death numbers going up every day.
We have battle lines drawn between those who think we should open up the country and get back to business and those who believe that we should stay in place even longer.
Everything is divisive.
Who’s right?
God is right. Not only is God right, but He is sovereign. Nothing is happening that is not moving us to His ultimate ends, even if we do not understand it.
Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
So what do we do when we fall into times of uncertainty? When we don’t see the next step?
We do what we know according to the Word of God.
Romans 13:1-2 NLT
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
Psalm 27:14 NLT
Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.
There will be those around us who will look at this as silly, and there will be those who will be curious.
For those who look at this and think it is silly.
Matthew 10:14 NLT
If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.
We do not do this with a disgruntled, hateful mindset but with a humble spirit, praying to God to soften their hearts to His life-giving grace and move on.
For those who are curious:
1. Bring them to the source of salvation, the Word of God. Show them what the Word of God says about all people.
Romans 3:23-24 NLT
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
2. And that because of sin there had to be a sacrifice
3. But God loved us too much to leave us there.
John 3:16 NLT
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
4. Jesus died for our sins, horrible death in the worse way.
1 Peter 2:24 NLT
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
5. Jesus rose from death on the third day.
Luke 24:6-7 NLT
He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”
6. God grants eternal life to those who call on the name of Jesus with a submitted heart and life.
Acts 2:21 NLT
But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’
Romans 10:13 NLT
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”
7. We become alive through Jesus Christ and become a new creation.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Praise God!
But dig in, the journey has just begun.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your love and Your sacrifice for our sins.
I pray that Your Word continues to speak to my heart, and it continues to bring me closer to Jesus Christ.
I pray that my life, my attitude, my thoughts, and my actions glorify You in every way.
I pray for Your grace, mercy, and forgiveness, and I pray to You, Lord, that I act in a manner that will bring glory to Your name.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️
