278 Monday, October 05, 2009

278 Psalms 127 – 134; Matthew 9.1 – 9.17

I was told that if you have time to kill then work it to death. I also just received a book in the mail from a friend on "burnout." So what is a person to do with their time? There are those who are work alcoholics and then there are those who are just flat lazy. To stay in the middle is not easy to do. At the center of this tension we have to look to the Lord. Here is what Solomon has to say,

Psalms 127:1-2 (MSG) 1 A pilgrim song of Solomon If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn't guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. 2 It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?

When we are in a trusting relationship with the Lord we can sleep better at night. We have come to the point in our lives where we should realize we can only do so much and then we have to turn it over to the Lord. You and I can only work in the garden, but we cannot make the plants grow. Pray today and ask God to help you be discerning in your schedule and time commitments.

In the N.T. reading we find Jesus up to His grace ministry. Here is what he did,

Matthew 9:2-8 (MSG)
2 They were hardly out of the boat when some men carried a paraplegic on a stretcher and set him down in front of them. Jesus, impressed by their bold belief, said to the paraplegic, "Cheer up, son. I forgive your sins."
3 Some religion scholars whispered, "Why, that's blasphemy!"
4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why this gossipy whispering?
5 Which do you think is simpler: to say, 'I forgive your sins,' or, 'Get up and walk'?
6 Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both... ." At this he turned to the paraplegic and said, "Get up. Take your bed and go home."
7 And the man did it.
8 The crowd was awestruck, amazed and pleased that God had authorized Jesus to work among them this way.
Jesus can heal and forgive anyone. Christ is the anointed one of God who was sent to do these things in our lives. Which is easier for you, to receive forgiveness or healing? Why? What do you need today?