Tag Archives: Rest

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Coffee House Meditation

Run, Run- Fast as you can! This morning I had a meeting with one my friends and Missions Partners in Covington, Georgia at 10:30 am. I decided to skip going to the office in Madison before my meeting because of gas prices and timing. So, I made the trip to Covington way ahead of schedule to get in some reading, focus, and meditation. I just needed to clear my head.

I arrived at “the coffee house” and sat down alone and ordered a cup of “joe”. I sat for what seems like an hour, just asking God to clear my mind and settle my heart. After about 15 minutes, I pulled out my journal and began to make a list of things that I needed to do by Friday. After 5 minutes…. I had a comprehensive list and felt relieved. I then began going through the list: sending emails, making calls, putting dates on the calendar and making notes to help remind me to do other things.

I opened up my Bible and read the text for our theme for 2014 and God spoke directly to my heart and gave me not 1 but 2 messages for a series that will begin in February. If you are a pastor, you know that when read the Word and our Lord gives you 2 messages while you are just reading scripture and not preparing or even looking for a sermon, you’re overwhelmed! Folks, that’s how it’s supposed to be! But let me be real for a minute: that doesn’t happen in my life as often as it should because of the “busyness and noise” of life.

I guess what I’m saying is this: let’s slow down and focus our lives and be intentional in the areas of life that are most important in the context of eternity. What really matters most to you? Christ, Faith, Family, Job, Recreation, Friends, Pleasing People?

I’m thankful for the time I slowed down this morning at the “coffee house”. When is the last time you experienced some “coffee house meditation”?

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What Do I Need?

As I contemplate my situation and the true need in my life, I have to ask myself this question- “What Do I Need?”

Please allow my cluttered mind to unload as I consider this question.

I need to be rescued and delivered from my enemy where I can find REST! Yesterday it seemed that everywhere I turned I saw this word rest. In fact, in my prayers, I have been asking God for a verse that would allow me to dial in to my need and claim during this season of my life. Well, yesterday morning- out of the blue, a true friend of mine sent me an email with a verse in it that really ministered to my heart. I know, I need to unplug?….. Well, I had not unplugged yet.

Here is the verse- Isaiah 30:15 “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength…”

In reading this verse, my heart sank. First of all, I began to understand that “The Sovereign Lord” was involved in this situation. In fact, He has allowed it to take place and He has ordained this struggle in my life and obviously He has a plan for it. This was a major break through!

Secondly, he settled my heart in knowing that the only way I would be rescued and find rest would be to return to Him and find my rest in Him! “Matt, you’re a Pastor! Matt, you’re a Preacher! Matt, you’re supposed to know that and lead by example!” I know…. But for the past year, I have become so busy “Doing” ministry that I have neglected to draw near to God.

James 4:8 NKJV
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Finally, it was as if God shook me again to say “in quietness and confidence is your strength…” “Quietness?” This past Sunday as I shared my heart with our church family, I was preaching from Genesis 12:1-9 where God told Abram to leave it all behind and go to Canaan. I shared that when Abram arrived, it was not what he expected. The land was already occupied. I saw in this text that Abram didn’t whine, complain, moan, pitch a fit, get angry, crack under the pressure, get depressed, shake his fist at God, go back home or turn his back on God. In fact, vs. 7 says, Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.” In the midst of Abrams difficult situation God gave him a promise and Abram got quiet, built an altar and worshipped The Lord!

So, I RESOLVE:

*To except that my Lord has led me to this place.

*To return to The Lord.

*To be quiet.

*To find my rest in The Lord.

*Draw Near to Him.

*To Be Still and Worship Him! Here is a song my friend Donnie reminded me of last week!
http://youtu.be/KNfAHz6ORTg

I’m Committed,

Matt