MONDAY 27TH FEB.,2017

TOPIC: BELOVED MINISTER, HOW ARE YOU DOING? (4)
TEXT: Mark 6:31 “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

One can experience being tired in two ways. One is temporary and normal. It comes from a job well done, and after a period of rest you bounce back, while the other is a chronic inner fatigue that accumulates over months, and doesn’t always manifest itself in physical exhaustion. In fact, it’s often masked by frenetic- furious uncontrollable activities and impulsive behaviours such as: 1) You can’t relax over a meal or coffee. 2) You keep checking and rechecking your voice messages and emails. 3) Your bedside table is piled high with publications designed to keep you ‘ahead of the game’. 4) Taking a day off seems impossible. 5) You don’t take breaks and you work every holiday. 6) You can’t sleep. 7) Any free time you have is spent in ‘escapist’ behaviour like eating, drinking, spending, and mindlessly watching TV. Honestly, the Holy Spirit – a quiet and peaceable Spirit in whom we move and have being is what we need to help us rest so that we do not lose our way. Poisoned by the belief that good things come only through unceasing determination and tireless effort for want of rest; our lives are in danger.’ The truth is, while you’re busy working hard and looking important, you can lose your ability to hear the voice of the One who has called you to your position initially if you don’t rest. Of a truth, God expects you to work hard, but not by endangering your health, your family, or your time with Him. If that’s the shape you’re in right now, Jesus is saying, ‘Come aside…and rest a while.’ If you’re wise and you want to go the distance – you’ll pay attention and do what He says instead of burnout. Study (Psalm 16:7-9).

MEDITATION: Matt 11:28

BIBLE STUDY
Exodus 10; Luke 13; Job 28; 1 Cor. 14