LIFE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A STRUGGLE – Pastor Chris
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made (Genesis 2:2).
Read the creation story in the book of Genesis: After God saw that all He had created was very good, pleasant, and excellent in every way, He ceased from His work and rested on the seventh day. That seventh day would be man’s first day. When he awakened, he found that everything was ready. There was nothing left for man to do except to enjoy what had been created, take care of them, and appreciate his Creator. This was a shadow of the sabbath and rest for God’s people. You were born into His rest (Hebrews 4:9-10).
There’re people who perpetually live a life of struggle. They hardly ever accomplish a goal without a brawl with the devil. They’ve always had to fight their way through life, praying and fasting for days on end, and casting out all kinds of devils. This has been their experience from childhood to adulthood. They had to fight intense “spiritual battles” before they could gain admission into a university. When it was time to graduate, the conditions were just as difficult and they had to fight the same kind of battles. Getting a job after school was the same story. Finding a spouse and raising kids weren’t any different. Their lives have been an endless string of hardships and difficulties. Something is wrong.
If you’re born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, you ought to live a life of endless joy and rest, where you heap success upon success through the power of the Holy Spirit. But if you don’t understand how to appropriate and enjoy your divine inheritance in Christ, you’ll likely live “a life of ceaseless battles,” like the one we just described. Refuse that kind of life.
Embrace the stress-free life in Christ. He said in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” You already came to Him at salvation and He’s already given you rest: “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his” (Hebrews 4:10). This is the reality of your life.
The Lord Jesus didn’t whip the devil to leave us still “fighting” and struggling our way through life. His vicarious sacrifice in our behalf, and His work to give us the victory were complete. So, change your way of thinking where necessary and accept His Word today. Accept the life of joy, peace and glory that He’s given you.
CONFESSION
The Lord has made my life easy, glorious and exciting; I live a stress-free life in Christ. I’m in God’s rest; therefore, I enjoy a life of joy and peace with prosperity! Praise God.
FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 11:28-30 CEV; Hebrews 4:9-10
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN 1 Corinthians 3 & Psalms 109-112
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Philippians 4:8-13 & Jeremiah 3
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