September 23 Devotion - A time to work and a time to rest

Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. ³¹ And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”

Mark 6:30-31

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. ² A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 

1 Corinthians 10:31

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Jesus Himself told His disciples after their hard word that they should take a time to rest and rejuvenate. So must we. As Solomon wrote: There is a time for everything under the sun.

The Scriptures tell us in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that whatever we do we should do for God’s glory. So whether we are working or at rest we need to glorify God.

We have to remember that Jesus gave us a job to do apart from our regular jobs. In His great commission Jesus said to His disciples and to all believers “ ..make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28

So if you have retired, welcome to your second career.

Let us remember that when we surrender our lives to Jesus and make Him Lord of our lives:

… it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

لأَنَّ اللهَ هُوَ الَّذِي يُنْشِيءُ فِيكُمُ الإِرَادَةَ وَالْعَمَلَ لأَجْلِ مَرْضَاتِهِ

Philippians 2:13

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings, Your inseparable love, and for the riches of Your grace. God of peace may the blood of the eternal covenant; the resurrection of Jesus; His Shepherd care for His sheep; and the equipping of the Holy Spirit; guide my every action. I declare Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. LORD, I pray that out of Your glorious riches You strengthen me with power through Your Spirit in my inner being, so that I want what You want for me, work in me Lord to will and to work in order to fulfill Your purpose in me. God I praise You, glorify You and lift You up on high. In the name of the King of kings and Lord of lords, in the Holy Name of Jesus I pray. To Him be the power, the glory, the majesty, the blessings, and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus loves you,

In Him,

Wagdi Henein