CBN - Devotional

According to the Pharisees (some might call them the sticklers of the Bible), the Sabbath was meant to be a day of rest—and nothing more. So it’s no surprise that when Jesus and His disciples were seen picking grains in the fields, the Pharisees gave Him a hard time.  But Jesus gives an interesting response in Matthew 12:7-8 (NLT), saying,  But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.” For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath! This interaction reminds me of a lesson I learned in a Bible study class. I still keep it on a sticky note in my Bible, so when I open it, I am reminded that my relationship with Christ is not based on works. As humans, we can turn anything into a rule. God will love me more if I try harder, the Sabbath must be strictly on Sunday, I have to read my Bible for a set amount of time every day, the altar call is the only way to receive salvation, my prayers must be lengthy and detailed for them to work—rules, rules, rules! Think of your relationship with your parents, friends, or significant other. Your connection to them is not based on rules, but rather a loving attitude and sense of their great value. There are no conditions, just love. I encourage you to let it be the same with your Savior, because that’s how He sees you and me.  I see another meaningful lesson. That same day, Jesus goes on to heal a man suffering from a deformity, as well as a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak or see. If Jesus had waited the next day, the crowd of witnesses would not have been there to say,  “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” (Matthew 12:23)  People would have missed His message. So, let us not miss out on an opportunity for Jesus to be glorified because we are focused on our self-made rules.  Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to separate rules from relationship as we worship You. Let us never miss an opportunity to glorify You because of rigid rules we make for ourselves. And guide us in honoring you with love rather than works because you are the only One who is worthy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.  ~ Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. 

Have you ever felt like you are carrying more than you can handle? I know I have. Maybe you are like me, bringing all the grocery bags out of the car simultaneously to avoid making multiple trips. Or perhaps you go shopping and decide not to take a cart or a handbasket, only to end up with more in your hands than you can hold. I’ve been in this place too many times, and I must admit, I always carry more than I know I can hold.  A few months ago, I traveled with my youngest child on an airplane for the first time. And while I’ve been flying practically my whole life, this was my first time flying by myself with a child. I was both excited and terrified. I told myself I would pack light this time to avoid feeling overwhelmed with heavy bags while carrying my son. It worked! I successfully packed less than usual to lighten the load and ensure I wasn’t stressed. The flight attendant helped me lift my one bag into the overhead compartment, and I sat in my seat with just my son and a toy. It was AMAZING! I couldn’t believe how much lighter and easier everything felt when I wasn’t trying to carry more than I could hold. I was carrying a load that was fit for my two hands, and nothing additional I didn’t need to carry. It was like I felt free to enjoy my time with my son.  Jesus calls us to this type of life and freedom when He says in Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV): “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Many times in life, we pick up loads to carry that we never intended to. If you are anything like me, maybe you’ve felt this way before. It is so easy to take the loads of our family, friends, workplaces, and even the burdens of the world around us. Christ never intended for us to carry this weight on our own, and there is a promise we know from Scripture that He will carry it for us and sustain us:  "Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." (Psalm 55:22) Today, if you feel like you are holding your whole world together, you can rest knowing that God desires to give you healing from your heavy burdens. He desires to take the load for you. All it takes is a moment of surrender in His presence. His hands are more than able to carry the weight. When we surrender and come to Jesus, we always find true rest. The type of rest that heals. The type of rest that restores.  Are you in need of this type of rest today, friend? There is always healing from our heavy burdens when we give them to the Lord. Would you pray with me?  Jesus, I come to you today with my burdens. I lay them at Your feet. I know that Your yoke is easy, and Your burden is light. Today, I surrender everything I am holding onto to You. Amen. ~ Scripture is quoted from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

I was raised to love baseball. As a kid, I loved the summer sun and spending time with my friends on the field, but as an adult what I love most about baseball is the strategy behind the game. It’s like a giant game of chess! Every pitch is strategic. The players’ positioning on the field changes depending on who is up to bat. Who gets to bat depends on who’s pitching! There is so much more to the sport than balls and strikes and running the bases. One strategic move that a coach might make is an intentional walk, or purposely putting a batter on base. Out of context, or to someone who doesn’t know much about baseball, this decision might not make any sense. Why would you purposely put the opposing team on base instead of going for the strikeout? Doesn’t that give them an advantage or a better chance to score? Believe it or not, there are several reasons why a coach might do this. As a fan, you just have to remember that the coach has a game plan. As a follower of Christ, I’m thankful that the Bible tells us that He too has a game plan! Unfortunately, because we live in a fallen world, that plan doesn’t mean we’ll never face any difficulties. In fact, in Matthew 10, when Jesus sends out the 12 disciples to declare the Good News, heal the sick, and cast out demons, they get a warning about the obstacles they’ll face: “But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers.” (Matthew 10:17-18 NLT) Out of context, or to someone who doesn’t know that God always has a plan, this warning might not make any sense. Why would the Lord allow these chosen 12 to be persecuted or to be put in harm’s way? Because we serve a good God, we can have faith that He’s got a game plan. Jesus makes this clear to His disciples in Matthew 10:18-20: “This will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Paul reminds us in Romans 8:28 that this game plan is not just for the disciples, but for all followers of Christ! Throughout the sorrows that we know we will face here on earth, if we seek the Lord and remember that He is always working His plan out in our lives, then we don’t need to worry in times of trial, because the Holy Spirit will work through us! Father God, please help us to remember that You always have a plan and are working in every situation. Strengthen our faith so that when trials and sorrows come, our lives will testify of Your goodness to those in need of the hope and peace found only in You. We pray that Christ would be glorified in us and that Your Spirit would empower us to be representatives of Your kingdom here on earth. Amen. “Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock—not one!” (Isaiah 44:8) ~ Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.