“Resting
Everyday, Trust Savior!" (R.E.S.T)”
By Ramesh
C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard
May
30,
2008
Editors Note: The devotional has a background song which can be heard if you use Internet
Explorer.
SCRIPTURE:
“Then,
because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have
a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet
place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a
solitary place.” (Mark 6:31-32, NIV)
Observations:
I asked myself what is the cause-effect
relationship we see here?
Because so many people were coming and going that they did not
even have a chance to eat, the result was Jesus told his disciples 3
things.
I asked
myself what were the 3 things Jesus told his disciples?
-
Come with me by
yourselves.
-
Come to a quiet place.
-
Get some rest.
Interpretation:
I asked
myself the significance of Jesus’ statements?
I found it very significant because Jesus' statements showed me how much Jesus cared for the disciples he called,
sent, and gave authority to do His work. Jesus did not want them to be
so ministry-oriented that they did not take care of themselves. I am
reminded that Jesus gave those commands to the disciples while they were
sharing all they had done and taught as they were surrounded by people
that were coming and going. Jesus wanted them to have a chance to eat
and take care of themselves.
Maybe they wanted to continue to
share with Jesus what all happened when they were on a mission trip but
Jesus wanted to take them away from the crowds until they had a chance
to eat. So, Jesus calls them to a quiet place. It was not enough that
they just eat but Jesus wanted them to get rest too. Also, Jesus
wanted to spend time alone with them. That is so cool!
The disciples obeyed and all of
them went away in a boat to a solitary place.
Implications:
I saw important implications for
my own life. I learned how much Jesus cares for my own physical
well-being too. No matter how much time is spent in ministry ministering
to others, Jesus wants me to take time to eat and get rest. More than
anything, I know Jesus wants to spend time alone with me too. I need to
make time to eat, get rest, and spend solitary time with Jesus.
Jesus did not want the disciples
to get burned out nor does he want me to get burned out. Sadly, few
years ago, I did not listen though! I should have heeded the commands
Jesus gave to his disciples after they spent time doing ministry. At
least, they listened and had solitary time with Jesus in the boat away
from everything. That gave them rest on the boat while they were
traveling.
I recall when I was doing campus
ministry for 40-80 hrs/week on campus with InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship (IVCF). I would leave home at 8:00 a.m.
and would come back home at 12:00 Midnight most days. I wanted to
minister to every student I could. Eventually, I got burned out and sick
too.
Even when Jesus calls us to something, He wants us to take care of
ourselves and be wise with what He has called us to. I was not wise.
Ministry was a good thing I was doing but anything good too done in
disobedience can neutralize the effect. The disobedience on my part was
not taking adequate time to eat, to rest, and spend enough solitary time
with Jesus where I listen to Him and do what He wants me to do in my
life.
One time I became so sick that I
had to be in bed for 96 consecutive hours. It was a blessing in disguise
because I was forced to take care of myself. The time was spent getting
lots of rest, in prayer, and eventually building my immune system up
again. I am reminded of a Bible verse that Jesus still brings to my
mind to apply in my life.
“Unless
the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD
watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you
rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants
sleep to those he loves.” (Psalm 127:1-2, NIV)
This verse showed me that even
in ministry without the Lord’s help my toiling would be in vain. Unless
the Lord watches over the ministry, all my work will be in vain because
it is done apart from the Lord.
This verse specifically talks
about toiling for food to eat but for me it applied to ministry too. Lord
wanted me to get sleep and take care of myself without being so much
ministry oriented that I forget to take care of myself. Lord knew what I was doing was not right because
other areas of my life were affected too. Since I went my own way, there
were consequences to pay for my own good.
Eventually, I was forced to take
a Sabbatical from ministry I was doing on campus. Because I was so
passionate about reaching students with the love of Christ, I did not
listen when those the Lord placed in authority over me wanted me to take
rest and cut down on my hours in ministry. That affected my fundraising
too because I was not doing it! So, I was placed on Sabbatical. It was a
long Sabbatical too and it did help me so much.
After the Sabbatical things were not the same anymore but the Lord
opened other doors for me. I still do ministry through different means
and have been eating well (sometimes too well that I have to tell my
body, ‘no more food for you today’), been getting a lot of rest, and
most of all have been able to spend a lot of time with the Lord in
solitariness which has been my favorite part. I have been getting a lot
of rest. Except once when I overworked my body in my job but the Lord
Jesus gave me the rest I need.
I will not say everything has
been perfect for me because it has not been but Jesus has been there for
me and has been getting me through and teaching me a lot as I rest in
Him. There is still so much I need to pray and learn from my Jesus.
Friend, I have shared with you
Jesus’ emphasis for his disciples to rest in Him and take care of their
selves. I have also shared my own personal experiences and how Jesus
brought me to a place where I would be forced to take rest and most of
all my favorite part has been to rest in Him.
Friend, the disciples rested in Jesus and not on themselves. This is
also what the Gospel is about. We can choose to find our rest in so many
things the world offers or what we think God wants us to do including
ministry but apart from having a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ, all our toiling will be in vain. For everything we do that we
may think is good is filthy rags to the Lord, if He does not become the
central focus of our lives.
Only in Christ can we find true rest because Jesus went to the cross
to pay the penalty for our sin while we were yet sinners, so we do not
have to toil in bondage and slavery to sin. Jesus was buried for us and
came back to life on the 3rd day to save you and me. We need to accept
the rest Jesus offers as the disciples did because doing ministry by
ourselves we will get burned out. Turning to Jesus, we come and
acknowledge that we are sinners in need of a Savior who alone can rescue
us and help us find the rest we need.
I ask you
now dear friend, where do you find rest in your life?
Dear friend, people find rest in
different places. Most people I know try to find their rest in
relationships but I have found no rest is solid without first resting in
the Lord and doing what He has called us to. Jesus loves us so much that
He desires us to find rest in Him first.
It is not that Jesus does not
want us to do other things such as ministry, pursuing relationships,
academics, or career but when those things preoccupy us to the point
that we lose our focus on the Lord then we have put ourselves in a
precarious position. I know for I can speak from experience.
Nothing even ministry,
relationships, careers, academics, etc are worth the time spent when our
relationship with the Lord suffers. When the Lord is not at the
forefront things may seem to go well for awhile but then BAM, we can see
the effects. Lord, loves us so much and wants to offer us nothing less
than the best. For that to happen, we need to take enough time to spend
and rest with Jesus. He wants that for you friend. Yes, friend! He does!
You can find true rest only in
the Lord as you find solitary time for Him, daily resting in Him. He
will then bring everything else into perspective and you will have the
wisdom to approach every situation, for you will be guided by the Author
of Life. That is awesome to know! I know it is for me!
Friend anything
good taken too far can become hurtful in the long run even if it is
ministry. It happened to me and I do not want any situation in your life
to turn sour because you put so much time into it but less and less time
finding rest in Jesus Christ! Only Jesus Christ can give you the rest
you need.
Jesus already knows what you are going through. He sees you as you
are. Come to him as you are and if you feel you have abandoned the Lord,
He does not hold that against you. Instead, He waits with open arms of
love to receive you.
Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake
you!"
If you have never come to find rest in Jesus, now is the time of
Salvation. Don't wait any longer but come as you are now this very
moment. It however starts with you acknowledging what a sinner you
are and believing only Christ's cleansing blood can forgive you of all
your sins and set you free because of what Jesus already did for you on
the cross & because of the power of His resurrection when Jesus was
raised from the dead.
Jesus is alive and wants to make you alive and fill the emptiness in
your heart. He wants to light it up for you figuratively for He is the
Light of the world and if you follow Him, you won't be stumbling in the
darkness but living Light will guide your path to the rest you need to
in Him.
May you know as your rest in Jesus Christ everything else will fall
into place in His way and timing! We should not want it any other
way because Jesus loves us and we are destined to win in life with Jesus
by our side. I want to share with you a song the Lord helped me write called, “I need the rest”
I need the rest!
By Ramesh C. Reddy
Where do I go when I need the
rest?
Where do I go when I need the best?
Into my Lord’s nest
Into my Savior’s nest
He is with me through every test
He is with me through every test
His power, in me Jesus can vest
His power, in me Jesus can vest
Where do I go when I need the
rest?
Where do I go when I need the best?
Into my Lord’s nest
Into my Savior’s nest!
Amen!
“Resting
Everyday, Savior Trust!” (R.E.S.T)/”Where
do you find rest in your life?”
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you so much for dying for my sin and coming back
to life to save me. Thank you for teaching me through your Word and
bringing my experiences to mind. Ministry is so important to you Lord
but you also wanted your disciples to take care of themselves and eat.
You also wanted them to get rest in a quiet place from everything. Thank
you so much for providing a way for that to happen as you all traveled
in a boat to have that time alone. Lord, thank you for teaching me that
I need to find so much rest in you and you alone and not overdo anything
and get burned out. Help me to always rest in you for every decision of
my life whether it is in ministry, academia, careers, relationships with family
and friends, etc. All decisions we make need your stamp of approval. I
want your stamp of approval so I come to you for rest. All our needs you
know and can give our needs to us in your timing. I thank you so much
Jesus. I pray right now for the one who needs to find your closeness in
their life. Fill them Oh Lord with your awesome presence and meet them
where they are at. Let them know whatever they are feeling or going
through that they are destined to win when they rest in you. Ah Lord
God, nothing is too difficult for thee! Great and Awesome Lord, mighty
in power are you! You are the Author of our Life! So please help us to
spend the time you want us to spend with you without giving into the
temptation of going our own way. Thank you so much Jesus! We need you Oh
Lord, so please help us! I thank you for your help and for being there
for us. Thank you for being our Lord and Personal Savior! Thank you that
you have heard our prayers and answered us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus!
Amen!
If
you want to be a soldier in the Lord's army, you can become it right
now. Now is the time of Salvation! You do not have to wait but can pray
this prayer and give your life to Christ to serve Him daily! There is no
draft but coming to Christ is voluntary. He loves you so much and wants
you to come to Him! He will take care of you, guiding you and leading
you!
Dear Jesus, I love you. Thank you for loving me so
much and thank you for choosing the cross to die for me. You became the
Son of Man and lived here on earth. Then you humbled yourself and became
obedient to death-even death on the cross. Thank you for dying on the
cross for my sin. You died on the cross so that I can be covered in your
blood and cleansed by your blood as I acknowledge that I need you and
cannot enter Heaven without you being my pathway. So, Jesus I confess
all my sins to you and all the ways I have tried to get into Heaven when
you already provided the means and the Way. Thank you for all that you
have done for me. The cross is the place, a wonderful place where
accused and condemned find mercy and grace. Thank you Jesus, it is at
the cross where the wrongs we have done and the wrongs done to us were
nailed at the cross. Thank you Jesus, at the cross you died for our sins
and at the cross you gave your life for us. I thank you for that and
thank you for coming back to life to save us. Thank you Jesus for being
there for me! Thank you for loving me. I love you Jesus! Please take me
as I am and make my life into something that you will be proud of. I
surrender my life to you and need your help to live for you. I am
forever grateful for what you have done for me and I can never repay
you. I want to live for you and need your help. Help me Jesus please. I
thank you Jesus for saving me! Thank you for hearing my prayer and
answering me. Whatever your will give me the willingness and strength to
bear it. Thank you Jesus! I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal
Savior! In Your Name I Pray precious Jesus! Amen!
Friend, if you have prayed this
prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and
all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may
feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your
new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave
you nor forsake you! Amen!
Spend time in His word and let the Lord
speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of John! You can also check out
the Gospel of Mark which are the devotionals I have been going through.
Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church
fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be
part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the
Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in
Bible Live Eternally!
Feel free to email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible,
pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My
number is 412-720-4579
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
Love in Christ,
Ramesh
|
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picture to read my dad's memoriam:
' I AM ' Series
Archives:
What kind of L.I.G.H.T do you follow? (Dec 13,
07, 10:09 a.m.)
"What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat?" (Dec 08,
07, 10:10 a.m.)
"Who is your S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D?"
(June 30,
06)
Gospel of Mark Archives:
Mark 1:1:
"What does the G.O.S.P.E.L mean to you?" (Jan
15, 08, 1:15 p.m.)
Mark 1:1-4: "How
seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophesy?" (Jan
12, 08, 11:18 p.m.)
Mark 1:5-8:
"Who do you P.O.I.N.T to?" (Jan 16, 08,
8:48 a.m.)
Mark 1:9:
How will you take a S.T.A.N.D? (Jan 17, 08,
11:21 a.m.)
Mark 1:9-11:
"How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E?" (Jan 18, 08,
8:53 a.m.)
Mark 1:12-13: "How
do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N?" (Jan 19,
08, 12:27 p.m.)
Mark 1:14-15:
How do you handle T.I.M.E given to you? (Jan
21, 08, 1:31 p.m.)
Mark 1:16-18:
"What kind of P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N are you in?" (Jan
26, 08, 10:22 a.m.)
Mark
1:19-20:
"Without having to P.R.O.C.R.A.S.T.I.N.A.T.E, what should you do?"
(Jan 29, 08,
10:44 a.m.)
Mark
1:20-22:
"How do you rate in the B.U.S.I.N.E.S.S of Jesus?" (Jan
30, 08, 11:29 a.m.)
Mark
1:20-22:
"Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you follow?" (Jan
31, 08, 11:52 a.m.)
Mark
1:23-28:
"What C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y are you facing today?" (Feb
01, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 4:3-20:
"What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb
02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 1:29-31:
"Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (Feb 05,
08, 11:44 a.m.)
Mark 1:32-34:
"Where do you need an A.N.S.W.E.R?" (Feb 06,
08, 11:16 a.m.)
Mark 1:35-39:
"Where do you give your S.O.L.I.T.A.R.Y time to the Lord?" (Feb
07, 08, 11:41 a.m.)
Mark 1:40-42:
"Where do you need to be C.L.E.A.N?" (Feb 09,
08, 11:00 a.m.)
Mark 1:43-45:
"What do your actions C.A.U.S.E?" (Feb 11, 08,
9:23 a.m.)
MARK CHAPTER 2:
Mark 2:1-2:
"What do you do with your P.O.P.U.L.A.R.I.T.Y?" (Feb
12, 08, 9:52 a.m.)
Mark 2:2-5:
"What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D are you?" (Feb
13, 08, 11:49 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"Where does P.A.R.A.L.Y.S.I.S take hold of you?" (Feb
15, 08, 7:42 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"What are you thinking in your M.I.N.D?" (Feb
16, 08, 11:08 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"What do you represent by your A.C.T.I.O.N.S?" (Feb
18, 08, 8:23 a.m.)
Mark 2:13-15:
"Where are you looking for A.C.C.E.P.T.A.N.C.E?" (Feb
19, 08, 11:22 a.m.)
Mark
2:15-17:
"Who do you I.N.V.I.T.E to Jesus?" (Feb 20,
08, 9:57 a.m.)
Mark
2:18-20:
"When do you F.A.S.T?" (Feb 21, 08,
9:32 a.m.)
Mark 2:21-22:
"How do you see your L.I.F.E?" (Feb 22, 08,
9:56 a.m.)
Mark 2:23-28:
"What kind of L.E.A.D.E.R will you be? (Feb
23, 08, 10:46 a.m.)
Mark 2:23-28:
"What does the S.A.B.B.A.T.H mean to you?" (Feb
25, 08, 10:46 a.m.)
CHAPTER 3:
Mark 3:1-6:"Whose
N.E.E.D.S do you meet?" (Feb 26, 08,
9:54 a.m.)
Mark 3:7-8:
"What is your I.M.P.A.C.T?" (Feb 27, 08,
8:17 a.m.)
Mark 3:9-11:
"What S.P.A.C.E do you give yourself?" (Feb
28, 08, 9:38 a.m.)
Mark 3:11-12:
"How do you fight E.V.I.L?" (Feb 29, 08,
9:11 a.m.)
Mark 3:13-16:
"What emphasis do you put on your R.E.L.A.T.I.O.N.S.H.I.P with Jesus?"
(March 01, 08, 9:29
a.m.)
Mark 3:17-19:
"Where do you have your A.P.P.O.I.N.T.M.E.N.T in?" (March
03, 08, 9:49 a.m.)
Mark 3:20:
"Where do you G.A.T.H.E.R?" (March 04, 08,
12:07 p.m.)
Mark 3:21:
"How are your actions seen by your F.A.M.I.L.Y?" (March
05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)
Mark 3:22-27:
"How do you handle S.L.A.N.D.E.R?" (March 06,
08, 7:57 a.m.)
Mark 3:28-30:
"What is your V.I.E.W of Jesus?" (March 07, 08,
8:18 a.m.)
Mark 3:31-34:
"What do you do with God's Will?" (March 08,
08, 8:45 a.m.)
CHAPTER 4:
Mark 4:1-20:
"What do P.A.R.A.B.L.E.S mean to you?" (March
10, 08, 7:15 a.m.)
Mark 4:1-20:
"What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb
02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 4:1-20:
"Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March
11, 08, 9:32 a.m.)
Audio:
"Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March
11, 08, 11:05 a.m.)
Mark 4:21-23:
"What kind of L.A.M.P will you be?" (March 12,
08, 9:40 a.m.)
Audio:
"What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08,
10:11 a.m.)
"What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08,
8:52 a.m.)
John 12:12-15:
"How can you B.L.E.S.S the Lord?" (March 17,
08, 1:25 a.m.)
Philippians 2:8:
"What does the C.R.O.S.S mean to you?" (March
20, 08, 1:16 p.m.)
"How do you handle D.O.U.B.T.S?" (March
25, 08, 12:36 p.m.)
Mark 4:24-25:
"What do you do with what you H.E.A.R?" (March
31, 08, 8:39 a.m.)
Mark 4:26-29:
"What do you do with the W.O.R.D of God?" (April
05, 08, 10:18 a.m.)
Mark 4:30-34:
"What do you do with the S.E.E.D?" (April 07, 08,
11:48 a.m.)
Mark 4:35-41:
"What are the S.T.O.R.M.S in your life?" (April 08, 08,
11:52 a.m.)
CHAPTER 5:
Mark 5:1-13:
"Where is your T.O.R.M.E.N.T coming from?" (April 09, 08,
11:50 a.m.)
Mark 5:14-17:
"Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (April 11, 08,
11:46 a.m.)
Mark 5:14-17:
"What do people R.E.P.O.R.T about you?" (April 12, 08,
11:00 a.m.)
Mark 5:18-19:
"What makes you A.F.R.A.I.D of Jesus?" (April 14, 08,
10:40 a.m.)
Mark 5:18-19:
"Will you T.E.L.L others about Jesus?" (April 15, 08,
11:32 a.m.)
Mark 5:20:
"What do you do with your T.E.S.T.I.M.O.N.Y?" (April
16, 08,
12:03 p.m.)
Proverbs 17:4:
"What does G.O.S.S.I.P do to you?" (April 17, 08,
6:52 p.m.)
Exodus 12:5,7,11,13-14:
"How do you know judgment will P.A.S.S.O.V.E.R you?" (April
24, 08,
9:26 a.m.)
Mark 5:21:
"Why will you G.A.T.H.E.R before Jesus?" (April
28, 08,
9:36 a.m.)
Mark 5:22-24:
"What place do you give P.R.A.Y.E.R in your life?" (April
29, 08,
7:51 a.m.)
Mark 5:24b-29:
“Unclean
Now? Christ’s Leading Everyday Always Nurtures! (U.N.C.L.E.A.N)"
(May 05, 08,
10:24 a.m.)
Mark 5:30-34:
“Forever,
Redeemer Everyday Excitingly Delivers Omnipotent Message!(F.R.E.E.D.O.M)”
(May
05, 08,
10:24 a.m.)
Mark 5:35-37:
“Timing Is Messiah’s Involvement Nurturing Graciously!
(T.I.M.I.N.G)”
(May 07, 08, 10:07 a.m.)
Mark 5:35-42:
"What place do you give G.O.D.S W.I.L.L in your life?"
(May 08, 08, 9:33 a.m.)
CHAPTER 6:
Mark 6:1-2:"Where
do you seek W.I.S.D.O.M for your life?"
(May 09, 08, 10:31 a.m.)
Mark 6:2-3:"What do you do with your C.A.L.L.I.N.G in life?"
(May 10, 08, 9:43 a.m.)
Mark 6:2-3:
"Who/Where is your
I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y found in?"
(May 12, 08, 8:45 a.m.)
Mark 6:4:
"When do you feel
A.C.C.E.P.T.E.D in your life"
(May 13, 08, 8:21 a.m.)
Mark 6:4-6:
"How is your F.A.I.T.H in
the Lord?"
(May 14, 08, 8:01 a.m.)
Mark 6:6-7:"What
do you T.E.A.C.H by your life?"
(May 15, 08, 10:34 a.m.)
Mark 6:6-7:"Who
are you S.E.N.T by?"
(May 16, 08, 6:49 a.m.)
Mark 6:7-11:"Where
are you S.T.A.Y.I.N.G in your life?"
(May 17, 08, 8:38 a.m.)
Mark 6:12-13:
"How is your spiritual
H.E.A.L.T.H in your life?"
(May 20, 08, 7:41 a.m.)
Mark 6:12-14:
"What have people H.E.A.R.D
about Jesus through you?"
(May 21, 08, 8:36 a.m.)
Mark 6:14-16:
"What do you T.H.I.N.K about
Jesus?"
(May 22, 08, 10:02 a.m.)
Mark 6:16-17:
"How do you handle
D.O.U.B.T.S in your life?"
(May 23, 08, 9:05 a.m.)
Mark 6:17-20:
"When do you
S.P.E.A.K out?"
(May 24, 08, 9:32 a.m.)
Philippians 4:9:
"What kind of
S.O.L.D.I.E.R will you be?"
(May 26, 08, 9:55 a.m.)
Mark 6:21-25:
"What has the
T.O.N.G.U.E done in your life?"
(May 27, 08, 8:27 a.m.)
Mark 6:25-29:
"What has P.R.I.D.E
done in your life?"
(May 28, 08, 8:25 a.m.)
Mark 6:30:
"What is your
M.I.S.S.I.O.N you have been called to?"
(May 29, 08, 8:19 a.m.)
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