We Need Time Off

 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.” Mk 6:31 NIV

We are under so much pressure, so overwhelmed. That's just how it is in this life.

In the Old Testament, God prescribed many days of rest, but even holy days can put pressure on us.

A world-renowned church leader in the Pentecostal movement had founded a church that simply grew massively and planted a network of missions around the world.

But not everything in his life was okay. His wife was overwhelmed and his marriage fell apart. 

God spoke to the preacher. He needed to have one day of rest per week and rebuild his relationship with his wife. Sunday was not a day of rest for him, and on Saturday he had to prepare everything for Sunday. 

Monday became his day of rest, and his marriage was restored.

Some insist that we must strictly obey the Sabbath commandment to this day, but this is by no means clear in the Holy Scriptures.

Paul and John wrote several epistles to non-Jewish Christians, and I find no mention of the Sabbath commandment in them at all. Theft, murder, lying, idolatry, adultery, and greed are strictly forbidden in these epistles, but there is no mention of the Sabbath commandment. 

Of course, the Sabbath came from God, and the Sabbath remains a great blessing for many Jews and some Christians to this day.
 
But more important than the day is the principle. We need time off, time off for God, time off for family and friends, and time off for relaxation and rest.
 

You can strictly observe the Sabbath but neglect important loving relationships.

About ten years ago, I was very active in a church and attended two services every Sunday, but I had a guilty conscience. I was in church three times a week, but I didn't even visit my elderly father once a week. 

For many Christians, church services and meetings can be anything but restful, although they are intended to be refreshing. You can strictly observe the Sabbath, but never learn to simply relax. 

For some Christians, relaxation is a sin. They are always busy. Doing nothing would be idleness. Sleeping late means being lazy. 

But if you are overwhelmed, traumatised, even exhausted, you need real time off.
 
Otherwise, you could get burned out or even in hospital. Some people think this is shameful, but it is not.

If you need help and rest, you need help and rest.
But shouldn't we expect our help only from God?

Sure, but if our misguided Christian attitude has only continually entangled us in duty and effort, and if we find little support or understanding in the church, then God provides us with other means of help. 

There are Christians who are misled by non-believing therapists, but there are also Christians who find more understanding and help in psychiatry than in the church. 

Thank God for good churches, good pastors, and miraculous healings! 
But I also thank God for good doctors, and good therapists.
 
In God's order, everything has its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: Ecc 3:1 NIV

Following Jesus with Childlike Trust

 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)  

 Moses was the light of his generation. After forty days alone with God, Moses came down from Mount Sinai a changed man. His face shone. 

The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light ... Matthew 6:22 (ESV) 

When a woman is in love, her eyes shine. Her whole face lights up. If we love Jesus and we are living in His presence, we are like young people in love and the world can see it. This love is not based on achievement or good work. It comes from the revelation that God loves you with all His heart. 

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (ESV) 

CHILDLIKE TRUST
How does a child grow up? By experiencing his parents´ love and trusting in their guidance. 

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. Mark 10:15

In a healthy family, the parents exercise sacrificial love and the children enjoy that love. It is in enjoying the love of God, that we shine like lights in a dark world. Nothing makes a person’s face like up like the enjoyment of loving because you know you are loved. GOD IS LOVE. 

If we focus on our own striving to keep God’s commandments, we lose the childlike enjoyment of God, which is our source of love, joy and power. 

But isn’t obedience also important? 

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10 (NKJV) 

Disobedience is not childlike trust in a good Father. Jesus spoke about good works that draw unbelievers to His light. 

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? Matthew 25:37 (ESV) 

And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 (ESV) 

When we heal the sick or carry a shopping basket for an old widow, kindness motivated by the love of Jesus shows the goodness of God to the world. 

The obedience that Jesus loves is not based on an obligation to a ministry. Jesus is not impressed when we strive to win approval, escape criticism or please leaders. 

And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Luke 22:25 

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Matthew 23:8-9  

Preachers who intimidate and control are trying to make people good but they destroy the childlike love, joy and faith which is the real source of Christian goodness.

Fear is the opposite of faith. The fear of man (including church leaders) actually undermines trust in God.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 (ESV) 

Should preachers always be soft and comforting? Jesus was not. Godly ministers lead, teach and challenge but they do not control people with guilt, duty and intimidation. 

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 

Any ministry which is not leading you into an enjoyment of Matthew 11:28-30 is not for me and I hope not for you.
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We need time out

 Some years ago I went to church twice every Sunday, but I felt guilty. I went to church three times a week, but I only visited my elderly father once a month.

For many Christians, holidays and meetings have become a tiring occupation. You can keep the Sabbath strictly, but never relax.

For some Christians, relaxation is a sin. They must always make an effort to do something good and necessary, always make an effort. Doing nothing would be idleness. Sleeping late means being lazy.

But if you are overwhelmed, traumatised, even exhausted, you need real time out. 

Otherwise, you could end up in hospital. For some, that seems like a great shame, but this shame is not helpful.

If you need help and rest, you need help and rest.
But shouldn't we only expect God to help us?

Sure, but if our wrong Christian attitude has only continually involved us in duty and effort, and if we find little support or understanding in the church, then God provides us with other resources.

There are Christians who are misguided by non-believing therapists, but there are also Christians who find more understanding and help in psychiatry than in the church.

Thank God for good churches, good counsellors and for miraculous healings! 

But I also thank God for good clinics, good doctors and good treatment.  

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: Ec 3:1 NKJV

Work, prayer, study, practical charity: there is a right time for everything, but there is also a time when doing nothing and thinking are vital.

I find rest in God; only he can save me. Ps 62:1 NCV

God's Peace in Wartime

 Valentin Silvestrov is a wonderful Ukrainian musician, a composer of classical music.

Shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, his family urged him to flee the country, and he reluctantly agreed. Aged 84 he escaped with his daughter and granddaughter to Poland and then to Berlin, where he settled as a refugee.

As he fled to safety and freedom, he heard music in his mind, but he said he was surprised that it did not reflect the fear and trauma he left behind in Ky iv. It was heavenly peaceful music, lovely setting of the Lord’s Prayer.

Silvestrov describes Putin as a terrorist like Bin Laden but a thousand times more dangerous. Nevertheless, his music is not angry or nationalistic but rather peaceful and prayerful.

Jesus said to his disciples:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid. Jn 14:27 NIVUK84

Emergency Operation

In 2021 I had a dangerous operation. After the operation, my blood pressure suddenly dropped to 60/45, and my pulse to 29. Medical staff quickly gathered around my bed in ICU.

I was thankful to God for good doctors and nurses who knew what to do. They immediately gave me an injection with a heart stimulant.

I didn't even feel afraid. I trusted I was safe in God's hands.

My life with Jesus is eternal, but my mortal body is perishable.

What can I do this week that will make a difference to those around me?

How can I make God's love and truth known today?

“LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am. Psalm 39:4 NKJV

What is your purpose in life? Do you know why God put you on this planet?

If not, have you asked God seriously? He loves you. He wants to answer. He is not deaf and not dumb.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 NKJV

Simple Faith in a Crisis

In this crisis, we need to follow the news. Most of the news is about Coronavirus. It crowds out everything else. It can dominate your thinking.

We then hear rumours and dark speculative theories. Some may be true, but many not.
Anxiety and confusion takes hold of good people. People panic.

Very rich people can use the economic crisis to take control of nations and global systems.
In such a time, powerful people can manipulate us to offer false hope, or to instil fear and resignation.

Suicides will inevitably increase, but they are mostly not reported.
 
So what can you do?
Avoid risks. Wash your hands. Be sensible.

But if you believe in Jesus, this can be your hour. If the world around you is shaking, you can trust in an all powerful God with simple faith.

Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Psalms 103:2-5
It is time, not only to believe in God, but to seek His immediate presence. Jesus spoke to Christians in the Bible 2000 years ago. He is speaking to you and me today.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Rev 3:20 NLT
We use this text to reach out to unbelievers when we evangelise, but Jesus was not speaking to unbelievers here. We often invite unbelievers to invite Jesus into their lives, while we believe in Jesus from a distance.

Before this crisis, we hugged our friends and kissed our families, but we kept Jesus at a distance. Now we must keep our friends at a distance. It is time to be close to Jesus.

You need the peace of God!

God's will for you is peace.

Peace in Hebrew is SHALOM. That includes safety, healing and complete well-being. This peace comes only from God. 

Herrmann Zaiss was a dedicated evangelist in Germany who was deeply hurt in spite of amazing success. He was full on charismatic. His ministry resulted in numerous conversions and healings, but in 1924 the resistance of the anti-charismatic Christians was much stronger than it is today.

The persecution by other Christians was very hard to take. His wife had a complete nervous breakdown and his marriage failed. His wife was apparently permanently psychotic in a psychiatric institution.

Herrmann Zaiss was a broken man despite his amazing faith.
How is that possible? In the Bible, Elijah became desperate and asked God to let him die.

Herrmann Zaiss could not take it any longer.

He did not want to have anything to do with God anymore. He still believed in God, but he did not want to live as a Christian. God could kill him, he knew that. He told God he could call him back after 20 years if He so willed. That was up to God.

Zaiss became a successful entrepreneur and married again.
In 1944 he was in Solingen and Germany was falling to pieces. In Solingen and elsewhere, allied bombs rained down day and night.

His wife told him that despite everything, he was a man of God. The time had come to re-activate his faith to encourage the suffering people around them.

Exactly twenty years after turning his back on God, he knelt with his wife, and they gave themselves completely to Jesus.

God forgave him and restored his miraculous ministry. His faith was stronger than ever.

One day they heard a bomber attack on Solingen from England was on their way. Herrmann Zaiss took to the streets and ordered the aircraft to return to England. Then they heard that the bombers had actually turned back.

His ministry increased. Hundreds of desperate Germans came to hear his message. Many were converted.

After the war, a businessman provided him with a bomb-damaged building.

People came from near and far, even from Holland. They saw amazing healings. Where despair reigned, new hope rose up.

Among the British occupation forces was a young soldier. His entire Jewish family in Germany had been wiped out by the Nazis. He was accepted as a refugee in England, and now as a British soldier he hated the Germans.

A Canadian officer was Christian and wanted to help the young Jew. He took the tormented you man to one of Herrmann Zaiss’s meetings. The broken-hearted young soldier heard the wonderful message and saw the amazing miracles. He felt the love of God and God gave him a new heart. Instead of blazing hatred, there was now a burning love.

At the same meetings there was an ex SS officer who had adored Hitler. He had been seriously wounded during the last days of the war, and he was cared for in an American hospital. He could not understand the love of American Christians, but Jesus also transformed his heart.

The young Jew and the no longer hate filled Nazi officer became close friends.

"I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near," Says the LORD, "And I will heal him." Isaiah 57:19 (NKJV)

JESUS GIVES YOU PEACE AND REST

Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28 NASB

 

Jesus promised to give you rest. Are you resting enough?

I was very busy. On Friday after work I was very tired, and then I spent the whole weekend doing good Christian things. Then I went to work tired on Monday. 
 
The Ten Commandments commanded the Jews to rest from work on the seventh day. Some Christians still observe the seventh day and others keep Sunday as holy but whichever day you keep holy, you can be too busy honouring God but not resting.
 
One of the great Christian leaders of our time is Yonggi Cho, the great Pentecostal church leader in Korea. 
 
He experienced a crisis when his wife became very unhappy. He prayed about it and God told him he was not observing the principle of the Sabbath rest. The issue was not over the correct day, whether Saturday or Sunday. The problem was that he was busy in ministry 7 days a week. 
 
God told him to relax and spend time with his wife on Mondays. When he did that, his wife was happy and his ministry continued to be blessed. 

You may devote most of your weekend to God but are you resting?
Jesus promised to give you rest but YOU cannot enjoy that gift if you do not spend time just resting. Jesus offers rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Mt 11:29–30 NRSV


For many years I was active in churches until I realised that busy Sundays were a burden and not a blessing. I felt bound by duty to attend Sunday services morning and night. 

Then I was convicted by the Holy Spirit, who reminded me that I was not visiting my ageing father often enough. Church twice on Sunday was leading me into the sin of not properly honouring my father. 

Then I went to lovely Spirit filled meetings most Friday nights and I went to meetings two or three Sundays a month but Sunday church was no longer a binding law for me.

Who are you to pass judgement on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. Romans 14:4-5 (ESV) 

And what about your relaxation? Are you really relaxing when you watch TV? So much modern recreation is not rest but restless distraction which subtly takes us away from God. I am not a legalist and I watch funny TV programs sometimes but in small doses.
 
And then there is sleep. Are you tired from lack of sleep? I often am, and I am trying to correct that. 

 

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved. Ps 127:2 NRSV

If you sleep enough and you go to sleep in the presence and the love of God, He will supernaturally bless you in the night in your bed. This is how I have received some of my greatest blessings. 

There are even some people who have dreamed about going on missions to other countries. There are people who believe they were actually sent to those places in the Spirit. I believe God can do all things. Why not?