Job 38:4-7   “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.  Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?  On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Job 42:1-3   Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’  Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."

I wonder if you have lost your wonder.  When is the last time you were amazed by the works of God?  When did you last thank Him for all that He has done for you?  Why don't you thank Him now?

Matthew 11:28-29   Come to me, all who labor 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.

Today is a day of rest.  Not just napping in the hammock, but true rest in the One who has done all that needs to be done in my life.  He gives rest because He has first given Himself.  So today, rest in Jesus.

Who do you know who needs to know Jesus?  Who do you see who is running fast but getting nowhere?  With whom can you share the good news that Jesus came to give them rest?

1 Corinthians 8:1-5   We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.  For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

They gave out of their poverty to help others in need.  They begged to be allowed to give.  And they had joy in the giving.  Why?

I believe it was because they gave themselves first to the Lord, and then to those in need.  When you give yourself first to Jesus, He will open your eyes to see those who are in need.  And if you then give more than you think you can afford to bless someone else, you will discover joy.

Colossians 2:13-14   And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Jesus nailed your sin to the cross.  That's how much He loves you!

Deuteronomy 33:27  The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Matthew 28:20   “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  

He is here.  He will never leave you.  And that is enough.

Hebrews 11:16   But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

The Old Testament is filled with those who trusted God without ever seeing Him.  The didn't have the words of Jesus, or the Cross and resurrection to reflect on.  The Bible didn't yet exist, because they were living out the days of Scripture.

And yet they knew.  They somehow knew that this is not their home.  They knew that God was preparing a new home for them, an eternal home with the Father.  Jesus said that He was going to prepare that place for us.

Are you homesick for Him?  Are you looking forward to the day that He will call you home?  Keep your mind on things above, and trust your Father for the details!  He loves you more than you can ever know.

Philippians 4:13    I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Many people live their lives like an extension cord.  They plug into themselves, thinking they have the power to live their lives.  But soon they discover than only by plugging into the power of God can they truly live.  Just as an extension cord only becomes a POWER cord by plugging into an electric outlet, we only have power through living in Jesus every day.  So make your home in Him.  And bring a friend!

One day Jesus was sitting at a well.  A Samaritan woman came to draw water at a time when most would be at home.  Most came in the morning and visited as they drew water, but this woman chose to come alone.  There she had an encounter with Jesus.  And she was changed.

John 4:28-29   So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”

Suddenly this one who had avoided people sought them out.  She didn’t have training or even much knowledge.  She simply had an experience with Jesus.  What was the result?  Verse 39: Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”

That was it.  Not much of a testimony compared to some.  But she told people what Jesus had done for her.

How about you?  Have you experienced Jesus?  That is everything you need to tell someone what He has done for you.  SO, what is stopping you?

Hebrews 4:14-16   Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Some people come to God as arrogant, demanding people.  They say things like, "If God was good, He would give me what I want."  They make it sound better than that, with lofty thoughts about good and evil, peace and pain.  But what they are really saying is that they ought to be able to tell God what to do.

Other people don't come to God at all.  They either choose to believe that He doesn't exist, or that He is not good, or that He is not powerful to make that good happen.  Or, they don't feel worthy to come before God.

But since Jesus was tempted just as we are, we can come to Him even in the middle of our sin.  He forgave us from the cross.  And He will spend the rest of our lives bringing us closer and closer to the image of Himself.

Peter 2:2-3   Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Philippians 1:6  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Growth is natural.  Babies become toddlers, who become children, who become teenagers, who become adults.

That is the way life works.  It is also the way spiritual life works.  We begin by drinking milk, and eventually we are able to dig our way into steak.

As we study God's Word, continue in prayer, and listen to godly teaching, we grow in the grace and knowledge of God.  But it isn't all up to us.  God, who began the work in you, will certainly complete it as you grow into a mature follower of Jesus.