The Yoke that Heals

 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me..."Matthew 11:29 NIV

This verse comes after one in which Jesus invites weary, burdened people to come to him for rest. When animals are trained to work with another animal yoked to them, usually an older, experienced animal is paired with the young one so that the older one can model the appropriate behaviour.  Being yoked with Jesus is not just about being attached to him, it means that we are actively looking to him to show us how to live our lives. We listen to his teaching and we move in the same direction as he does. When we don't struggle in our harness but follow his lead, the yoke is easy, not pulling against us and hurting us, and our problems and concerns are shared with our Lord.  Harmony between the yoked partners brings beauty to life.

Dear Lord, thank you for your offer to carry our burdens with us. Thank you for teaching us and leading us in your gentle way. May I always come to you with an open heart when I am feeling weary and overburdened.

Only From God

 "Remember the Lord your God...he who gives you the ability to produce wealth..." Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV

We are nothing without the abilities, health, personalities that God has given us. Some people have sharp minds and lots of energy and that enables them to become successful in the world, probably admired by those around them.  We pride ourselves on our talents, our good looks, our jobs, our wealth and yet it is only because of the way God made us that we have those things.  We need to be grateful, not proud, and ask God how we should be using the gifts he has given us so that we can further his kingdom and benefit others.  We need to remember the Lord, the Creator and Giver of all life. Then the love we have for God and other people will grow.

Lord, get rid of the pride I have about my gifts. When I am enjoying the blessings in my life, let me always remember that all good things come from you. Thank you, for being a generous provider. Help me to emulate your spirit.

A Good Land

"For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land... " Deuteronomy 8:6 NIV

Following this verse, the author describes a land with plenty of water, bountiful crops, and even iron and copper.  A perfect land is promised for those who follow the Lord. Sometimes this is indeed what happens in the earthly life of a nation, or person, that puts God at its centre.  They are blessed with good productive land and a peaceful life. But what about those situations where God's people end up in difficult circumstances? What about the apostles who were martyred? Paul who was abused and sent to jail? How does this promise apply? The eternal promise is what is important here. God's promises extend to the time after our physical bodies die. We may, in this life, experience hardship but for eternity, we are promised a joyful, abundant life.

Dear Father, thank you for the blessings you have given me in this life. Remind me, when difficulty comes my way, that this life on earth is just a speck in the vastness of eternity. Thank you for reassuring us that you are bringing us into a good land where your blessings are forever.

One Master, One Father, One Teacher

 "you have only one Master...you have one Father, and he is in heaven. ...you have one Teacher, the Christ." Matthew 23: 8,9,10 NIV

It is in our human nature to want to have someone to look up to, someone who will tell us what to do. Jesus is clear in this passage that we are to look to God and Jesus' teachings for guidance.  It is good to go to church and listen to a pastor's sermon.  God inspires his leaders to give us messages that we need to hear, but we always need to compare what any man says against what the Word of God says. We should never get so emotionally involved with our teachers and preachers that we follow them without question. Sometimes we feel God is far away or that his Word is hard to understand. It can feel easier to put all our trust in a person that is right before our eyes. We need to heed the words of Jesus and only let God have control of our hearts and minds.

Dear Father, thank you for being our loving Master and Father. Thank you for sending your son, Jesus to teach us, and for the Holy Spirit that points us to the teachings of Jesus. Help me to rest in your eternal arms and recognize that even the best human leader, pastor, teacher is still fallible. Only you are all truth.

Living Bread

"Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life.' " John 6: 35 NIV 

In the Jewish culture of Jesus earthly ministry, bread was considered an essential part of the diet. In this verse, Jesus is declaring that he is essential to life. The symbolism of bread is easy for everyone to understand. Every day the people are eating bread, sharing it with family and friends. Bread is filling, satisfying, and nourishing. It sustains life.  It is also portable so wherever people go, they can take their bread with them. Jesus is saying that we need his spiritual bread to live a real spiritual life. He is promising to feed us with his spirit so that we can grow in our understanding and love of God. Whenever we eat bread, we are reminded of Jesus' gift to us. His sacrifice of love transforms our every day activities. He is totally enmeshed in our lives.

Dear Jesus, thank you for being the bread of life for us. Remind me to be thankful for all the ways you nourish and feed me. Thank you for calling us to live in community, breaking bread together, sharing Jesus love with those around us.

Witnesses

"you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem...and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 NIV

Jesus is speaking to his disciples before his ascension, after his resurrection. He doesn't say that maybe they will be witnesses to him.  He says they "will" be witnesses. Some people will be preachers, some teachers, some will express their faith through music and art, some will be caregivers, some will show hospitality. A smile, a conversation, a gift, a touch will leave imprints on others.  The Holy Spirit which is given to Christians is an expression of the love of Christ. The work of the Spirit is powerful in all its ways, prominent or quiet. It is the light of the world. The world may hate the light but it will not be able to dismiss the light or ignore it.

Father, let us not be discouraged when we see darkness. Remind us that your light is always shining, witnessing to your majesty and love. Light always dispels darkness. Thank you that you give us your spirit that witnesses to us about you and uses us as witnesses to the world.

Soul and Body

 "be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:26 NIV

Jesus is talking to his disciples who he is sending out to teach about the Kingdom of God.  He tells them that they may be arrested or otherwise harmed, but he reassures them that even if their bodies are killed that God will preserve them after death. He adjures them to keep their focus on God realizing that only God has the ability to destroy their souls. God is the creator and only He has control over someone's soul. No human can destroy a single soul. Even those, who decide they don't want to live anymore, are only able to kill the body. It is an important truth to realize that even after a body dies, the soul lives on in some way. And only God decides if there is a second death.

Father, thank you for your promise of eternal life with you. Keep me mindful of your ways. Teach me not to fear violence, either verbal or physical, that other people might inflict on me. I pray that I will rest in the assurance of your love.