Seek First The Kingdom Of God
Matthew 6: 25-34 is a powerful passage for those who struggle with anxiety.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendorwas dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe youyou of little faith? So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:25-33
The last verse of this passage so quickly sums up the foundational activity of self care. Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. Why? Because then all of the necessities of life are freely given! Food, drink, clothing, reassurance of safety and care. These things are part of Gods blessing to those who seek His kingdom.
Bible Verses About Rest And Renewal
Situations and events often interrupt the normal flow of things in our lives -our Christian walk is no different. However, when this interruption occurs, we know we can always rely on a God who is deeply concerned about the things that trouble us.
He says we are to lay aside every weight that so easily beset us. Let us walk through these scriptures and understand what renewal means as we rest in God.
Enjoying Nature On The Sabbath
We live in a society where people are distracted and families are disconnected. The 24-hour Sabbath is the perfect time to disconnect from our devices and distractions and really connect with each other.
What better way to disconnect from the cares of this world than to get outside and enjoy the wonders of Gods creation?
Families can enjoy exploring a park, hiking a trail, or even a going on a picnic. There are so many ways to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and the beauty we often miss. When we study the book of nature, we will discover Gods character and infinite love. 2
But ask the beasts, and they will teach you the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you, and the fish of the seas will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7-10 ESV
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Old Testament Verses About Rest
Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Genesis 2:1-3
When the Lord created the universe he did it in a way that he modeled how we should behave. He did not need the seventh day to rest, but he knew in his sovereignty that we would need moments to slow down and rest in him. When we follow his example we find that we are more productive in our work and we can better participate in walking in the purposes he created us for.
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Psalm 127:2
The bible tells us that God created good works for us all before we were born. These works make up our purpose and the unique ways that we can bring glory to Gods name. However, we have to remember that our ultimate purpose.
The reason God created us was for himself.
He gives us purpose, but our purpose is work that we do alongside God. In this way he is like a parent creating a day of fun activities to do with their children. When we follow his example of rest we open space to make our every action an opportunity to rest in the Lord more.
New Testament Bible Verses About Resting In God
Then Jesus said to them, The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!
Mark 2:27-28
Jesus often reminded us what God had commanded us to do throughout his ministry. Here he reminds us that Sabbath rest was given to us because there was a need that we had for rest. Rest is a tool that allows us to get closer to God, not a requirement that binds us to laws. Resting in the Lord should be considered similarly.
When we rest in the Lord it should be considered a privilege we get. Moments where we find rest in God are moments that we get to connect with the creator of the universe and be filled with his holy presence and peace.
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God for anyone who enters Gods rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
Hebrews 4:9-10
Rest is a gift from the Lord. When he created us, he could have created us for constant movement and doing. That lifestyle is what society says we should be vying for. This is not Gods intention.
He created us to work hard, but also to return to him and receive the gift of rest that he created for us. It is only in his rest that we can truly be wholly restored from our labor.
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Bible Verses & Quotes About Rest Sleep Resting Being Weary Tired Resting In God Sleeping Relaxing
My heart is tired and weary Feeling Tired? Weary? Burdened? Need Rest?
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Bible Verses On Resting In God and Finding Rest In God
Feeling Tired? Find Rest in God. Matthew 11:28, NLTThen Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Psalm 4:8I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Exodus 33:14My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Psalm 73:26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 62:1-2 My soul finds rest in God alone my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
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What It Means For You
Be industrious at your work. Take a real interest in it. Even if what you do seems menial or is not the type of work you feel you were born for, endeavor to become skillful at it. Industrious work leads to a sense of accomplishment, and developing your skill might actually increase your job satisfaction.
At the same time, be balanced. Enjoy occasional rest and relaxation. These periods are even more enjoyable after we have worked diligently. Also, by earning our necessities, we build a sense of self-worth and win the respect of othersincluding our family.2 Thessalonians 3:12.
Never be anxious and say, What are we to eat? or, What are we to drink? or, What are we to wear? . . . Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.Matthew 6:31, 32.
How Can Christians Develop A Biblical Practice Of Care
1. Recognize your limitations, and practice good stewardship of your body and mind.
When we recognize our physical limitations, we acknowledge the supremacy of God and our dependence on him. Caring for our bodies and minds should not come from a pursuit of our own comfort and pleasure, but from an act of worship and submission to God. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that our bodies are not our own they were bought with a price to be temples of the Holy Spirit. It is for this reason that we present bodies as a living sacrifice .
When we exercise and eat healthily, we act as good stewards of the gifts God has given usour bodies and minds, Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works .
2. Go to the source.
The self-care movement is grounded in the assumption that the power for healing and rest lies within, that we have the power to care for ourselves. The gospel counters that true power can only come from Christ. It offers a profound and eternal care that addresses even our deepest needs.
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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light .
3. Turn to the gospel as a better, more sustainable motivation for life and work.
Part of the underlying cause of burnout is a misunderstanding of the purpose of work.
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Our View Of Recreation And Entertainment
11. What does the Bible say about rest and relaxation?
11 Our lives are very busy, so at times we need to rest and relax. We read in the Bible: There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in his hard work. Jesus knew that it was important for his disciples to rest. For example, after they had been working very hard in the preaching work, Jesus told them: Come, you yourselves, privately into an isolated place and rest up a little.
Bible Verses About Rest + Renewal
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:30-31
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. – Ephesians 4:22-24
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will ishis good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. – Psalm 51:10-12
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16
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. – Matthew 11:29
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. – Jeremiah 31:25
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17
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Encouraging Scriptures For Rest And Relaxation
I will be heading off in a week for some much needed R & R and to spend some good quality family time camping. So I thought I would post some encouraging Scripture verses that will soothe the heart and mind and rejuvenate the soul!
Genesis 2: 2-3And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
Exodus 20:8-11Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Exodus 33:14My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Leviticus 25:4But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the Lord. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard.
Psalm 73:26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Hebrews 4: 9-11Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
The Sabbath And Israel
People have always struggled to remember Gods love for us. In fact, throughout history we see how humanity so easily forgets how He has loved us. Sometimes we need a reminder.
Thats how it was for the Jews. In the book of Exodus we read the story of Moses and how, with Gods help, he led the Jewish people, out of Egypt.
The children of Israel had spent generations in slavery. They were oppressed and afflicted with much suffering. The Bible tells us:
Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves. Exodus 1:11-14 ESV
In the end, God was faithful to bring the Israelites out of Egypt and freed them from the bondage of slavery.
All the people of Israel did just as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron. And on that very day the Lord brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts. Exodus 12:50-51 ESV
But, it wasnt long before the Jewish people were once again doubting Gods love and care for them. They didnt just doubt Gods provision and care, but they wanted to go back to Egypt!
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What The Bible Says
The Bible promotes a balanced view of work. It praises industriousness and condemns laziness. At the same time, the Bible does not endorse workaholism. Rather, it encourages us to enjoy reasonable periods of relaxation. Ecclesiastes 4:6 says: Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of hard work and chasing after the wind. So we should not become so wrapped up in our work that we neglect our family or our health. There is no merit in working ourselves to death!
There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in his hard work.Ecclesiastes 2:24.