Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people.  – Matthew 14:19 (NLT)

It was late. It was getting dark. The crowd had followed Jesus to a desolate place and now they were hungry. (Matthew 14:13-21)

There were no grocery stores or fast food in that area!

So the disciples proposed sending the crowd away to find their own food. Instead, Jesus asked the disciples to feed the crowd themselves. When they objected that they had only five loaves and two fish, Jesus asked them to bring the bit of food they had to him. When they gave him the loaves and fish, he gave his next instruction to the crowd:

“Sit down on the grass.”

Jesus ordered the crowd to reposition themselves. Move from standing to sitting. Breathe deeply. Relax. Expect something good to happen.

Jesus took the five loaves and two fish; he looked up to heaven and gave thanks. Jesus multiplied the food, and there were twelve baskets left over once the disciples had distributed it to the crowd.

Notice that the disciples suggested doing what’s practical but Jesus had a miraculous way, a better way: Give thanks even when you’re facing adversity; look up to God.

When you’ve been standing on the Word for so long and it doesn’t seem to be enough, you need to do this:

Sit down!
Rest.
Reposition yourself.
Put your trust in God even if it appears to be too hard or too late.

God can give you an outcome that’s beyond what you can think of.

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to help me to keep my eyes on you for my needs and when I face adversity. When I’m tired of the fight, help me to remember that I can sit down and rely on you. Grant me the strength to rest in you, in Jesus’ name.

by Fab Batsakis
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Resting, Knowing, Waiting

Wait and He Will Help

Resting in the Faithfulness of God

The post What Do You Need? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”  Isaiah 30:15b 

Have you ever just sat silent and still for a little while, with quietness wrapped around you like a comforting favorite blanket? If you have, you know the stillness can become a moment that invokes an atmosphere of peace.

How did that happen? Well, the world slowed down because you slowed down. Calm had a chance to breathe.

When I sit still and silent, I close my eyes and breathe deeply this gift of serenity, for just a little while.

Sometimes we all need a little time to truly catch our breath …

Just for a little while, we need quiet, peaceful moments to hear ourselves think the deep thoughts—thoughts that compete for our attention but stay hidden in the shadows, because they have been crowded out by our busyness.

But for a little while savor your deep thoughts and listen to what your heart wants you to hear.

You know the thoughts I’m talking about. Maybe a prayer for someone. Maybe an idea, a dream, a hope you have felt stirring. Maybe letting go of piled-up stress that needs to be exhaled and released. Maybe acknowledging God’s nearness and drawing close to him.

Don’t pick that phone up again. The call can wait. This is a moment for stillness. The innermost part of your heart is trying to tell you something. You need this. From time to time, we all need this. 

We need to give ourselves permission to savor quiet, restful moments.

They will refresh you. They will remind you who you are. You will have a new outlook on life and all that is going on around you.

All you have to do is be still … for a little while.

By Kathy Cheek
Used by Permission

 RELATE READING

When Silence is More Than Being Quiet

Quiet Time with God

Am I Quiet?

The post Savor appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“The Lord is my shepherd;
I have everything that I need.
He lets me rest in green pastures.
He leads me to calm water”
Psalm 23:1,2

Looking out for number one. Be in control. Make yourself look good. Be at the top, or least near the top. This attitude seems to be a plague with which we are all afflicted.

We see it early with children in the playgrounds and sand boxes. We see it in homes, in schools, churches, organizations, at our work place and in the corporate world. Even in senior’s homes. When my husband’s father was bedridden in a hospital or in a wheelchair, we would notice how these older people would jockey for a position at the dinner table and in front of the television, pushing the wheelchairs of others. Pecking order until the day you die.

Phillip Keller, in his book, A Layman’s Look at the Twenty Third Psalm , writes about sheep and their “butting order.” One of the ewes is number one and she attains that position by butting the others into submission. The second in control ruthlessly butts the others into submission and so it goes right down the line to the last sheep. They all become fearful of each other and they can’t graze or lie down to rest because they are afraid.

Phillip Keller was a shepherd for years and knowingly explains that when the shepherd enters the field, the sheep instantly stop butting each other, calm down and relax. They know He is in control and will take care of them.

I reflected on the fact that the Bible often likens His people to sheep, and Christ the good shepherd. If Christ’s presence brings peace to a situation or place can we then conversely conclude that when there is friction, fighting, criticism and striving that Christ’s presence is not there? Or at the very least, we are not yielding to His control?

Think about it. Are you at rest today?

Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd. We pray for Your people today. There is so much competition, gossip, criticism and division in your flock. We pray for Your Presence to be in control. We pray for unity in your flock. In your precious name, amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Real Rest  by John Grant

•  He Lets Me Rest

• Take Rest Oh My Weary Soul 

The post He Lets Me Rest appeared first on Thoughts About God.

If we let him, God will lighten our loads. Why don’t you try travelling light? Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.  Try it! Try it for the sake of those you love. How do you embrace someone if your arms are full of bags? For the sake of those you love, learn to set them down.

And for the sake of the God you serve, do the same. God has a great race for you to run. But you have to drop some stuff. How can you share grace if you’re full of guilt? How can you offer comfort if you’re disheartened? God is saying, “Set it down, child. I’ll carry that one.” What do you say we take God up on his wonderful offer? We just might find ourselves travelling a little lighter.

By Max Lucado
Used by permission
From: Travelling Light

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about/

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The post God Will Lighten Your Load appeared first on Thoughts About God.