Sabbath Rest- Gifts

Sabbath Rest Prayer
Heavenly Father, with much adoration and love, we give thanks for Christ the Messiah. We give thanks O Father for all Jesus has done for us. For this great gift we give you praise, glory and honor. We ask O Lord thy God for your guidance. Guide us in giving Jesus gifts worthy of our King; gifts which reflect our love and gratitude for life granted to us by Your Son, our Savior, Jesus the Christ. In His most holy and mighty name we pray. Amen.

Sabbath Rest Scripture
They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh. Matthew 2:11


Sabbath Rest Reflections
The wise men travel a great distance seeking Jesus. We don’t have to travel very far to seek Him, yet we often fail in this task. He is very close by us waiting for us to come. God has also provided us a star, the Bible. We only need to open it and tenderly search the scriptures. Sometimes we have to dig deep, other time we can Him on the surface with no digging at all. In either case He promises if you seek me, you will find me. Just as the wise men saw Him when they entered the house, we will see Him when we enter the word.

Just as the wise men saw Jesus in Mary’s arms, we when wise often find ourselves in Jesus arms. Jesus has become our refuge and strength and He will hold us in His arms as long as needed.

As Jesus daily cares for you, become overcome by His grace and love. Stand in awe of His great care and concern for you and Kneel and worship. Bow down your life to Him, and bring gifts worthy of our God. As you move from Christmas Day move to the Spirit of Christmas presenting God with costly gifts, which cost you something, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5, and love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39. Loving God with everything we have, with our all and our neighbor as our self will lead us to giving gifts reflective of our Savior. To begin this process we must open our heart to Jesus, truly allowing Him to dwell in us and live through us. When we let Jesus do the God thing in and through us we give Him one of the greatest gifts we can offer. In essence we are saying I sacrifice myself to You Lord, use me, mold me, grow me, shaping me into what you would have me to be, work through me Lord . I have so little to give You, but me and I freely give to You, my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable.


In what ways do you identify with the Wise Men?
What other gifts can you bring to Jesus in the coming year?
Spend time with the wise men this week seeking truths you can apply to your life.



Prayer
Lord, we can’t thank you enough for Jesus. It appears we have so few gifts to give to you Lord that are worthy. We ask You today to guide us in giving gifts which are pleasing to you. Fill our heart with Your word, your truths and help us to live Your word, Your truth until we are truly living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to You. In Jesus Name we pray.

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Spiritual Sundays- Celebration

Today I am doing something different. I want us to remember not only do we celebrate the Birth of our Savior but we celebrate His life. There is no way I can bring Honor to His entire life here but prayerfully a few reminders we celebrate all Jesus is- Our Lord, our Savior, Our God. Let Your heart rest on His ministry, His life and His death and because of His obedience we have a relationship with God, we have become children of God, we have inherited a Kingdom and we have everlasting life through Christ; The Prince of Peace, Emmanuel God with us, our Wonderful Counselor. The Alpha and Omega-the Beginning and the End.

Somewhere this past week I read on another site (and I am sorry I can't give you credit I don't remember where but perhaps you are visiting today and can let us know) "Jesus is not a season, He is the "REASON" this has stayed with me this entire week and thus you have my tribute to the "Reason". It is my prayer I not only keep Jesus in my Christmas but that I make Him my Christmas. Without Him there would be not Reason. I pray I will carry Christmas in my heart everyday as I rest on and in His ministry of teaching, healing, humility, generosity, peace, gentleness, grace, mercy, compassion, obedience and most of all love. It was love which nail Him to the cross. It was love which kept Him on the cross. Let Love make Him your Christmas.

Happy Birthday Jesus, my Lord, my Savior, my God. All glory, honor, power and praise belongs to You.

I hope you enjoy the slide Show

Prayer
Father God, I pray blessings to all who share with me and Spiritual Sunday may their Christmas be joyous and filled with Your Love God the Everlasting Father, God the Son;the Everlasting Savior and God the Holy Spirit. In Jesus most precious, sweet and loving name I pray. Amen


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Sabbath Rest-The Lord's Servant

Sabbath Prayer
Father God, I am Your Servant, may I walk according to Your word, Your truths. Grow my heart until it reflects that of Your daughter Mary and Jesus Your beloved Son. Let my heart be in total surrender to You, Most Holy One. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen

Sabbath Scripture
I am the Lord’s Servant. May everything you have said about me come true. And then the angel left her. Luke 1:38

Sabbath Thoughts

Mary’s words speak total surrender to God. My life to You O Lord I bow down. My will is insignificant, only Your will is of the utmost importance. My plans are Your plans, thought I don’t understand all You have said to me, I trust You and I give my will to You, God Most High. I accept Your wisdom, for it is far greater than mine. I seek only to be pleasing to You, whatever service You give me Lord I accept.

Mary’s actions speak total surrender to God. Lord I was afraid when Gabriel called me highly favored. I must confess I am even more afraid now, I am a virgin, and what will Joseph think? What will my parents think? What will the people of this community think? O Lord I will not let these fears hinder me. I will trust in You for guidance and understanding. Mary didn’t let herself be besieged with doubts and fears. She didn’t give the enemy a chance to attack, she open her heart to God and followed His lead and went to Elizabeth to help her sort through her feelings. She sought strength to aid her to meet any obstacles ahead.

Mary’s surrendered heart speaks God promises stand. “May everything You have said about me come true.” I will be the mother of my Savior, Son of the Most High God. I will be the mother of my deliverer, my peace. I will give birth to the Bread of Life, the Alpha and the Omega, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Sabbath Reflection
Mary believed God. “You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said. Luke 1: 45

Are you a true believer? Does your life reflect you know God will do all He has promised you?

God promises to be your Savior

I am the LORD, and there is no other Savior. Isaiah 43:11

It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt. When the people cry to the LORD for help against those who oppress them, he will send them a savior who will rescue them. Isaiah 19:20


Powerful kings and mighty nations will bring the best of their goods to satisfy your every need. You will know at last that I, the LORD, am your Savior and Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel. Isaiah 60:16

For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song." Zephaniah 3:17

And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:11

God word is full of His promises; have you put the promise of a Savior in your heart? Does your everyday life reflect your belief in God and His promises? Does your every step reflect you daily remember a night over 2000 years ago where in a little town called Bethlehem, God sent His greatest promise. The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! Luke 2:11 Do you daily remember The Promise at Calvary? When they came to a place called the Skull, they nailed him to the cross. Luke 23:33



Can you say “I am the Lord’s Servant. May everything you have said about me come true.

Prayer
O Most Holy God, may I daily cry I am the Lord’s servant, May everything you have said about me come true. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

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A Sabbath Rest-Spiritual Sundays

"Finding Favor with God, Preparing a Christmas Heart”

Sabbath Prayer
Blessed Father, Most Holy One upon Your great Name I call. Father it is my heart’s desire to find favor with You. I seek to bring pleasure to Your heart. Please rest with me today and lead me to those things which are pleasing to You. In Jesus sweet Name I pray. Amen

Sabbath Scripture
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Luke 1:26-28

Sabbath Reflection
We are first told by Gabriel that Mary found favor with God. How do we begin to find favor with God that on Christmas morn He looks at us and be pleased? I believe once we look at the entire story we find Mary had not only an open heart but a knowing heart. She knew enough about God to accept and believe Gabriel’s words. God possibly chose Mary to carry His son because He had searched her heart and knew she was a woman after His own heart. Are you a woman/man after God’s own heart? Do you keep your heart open to receive whatever He tells you, are you constantly listening to hear from Him? Does your heart know it can trust and believe whatever God speaks to it? As you prepare for Christmas Day open your heart and fill it with the knowledge of all God has done for us through Christ. Let your heart daily rest on God’s truths and His works. Read the words of the Prophets who foretold the coming of Christ. Search the scriptures and watch how the words of the prophets come to life. Let this knowledge penetrate your spirit and come Christmas morning let your spirit rejoice as it remembers how Christ left His heavenly home and came to earth for all the world. Lifting your voice in joyous praise, I believe God will be pleased, looking upon you with favor.

The Promise
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isa 9:6

The Promise fulfilled
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossian 1:19-20

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1Jo 2:1

The Promise
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light – a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow. Isaiah 9:2

The Promise Fulfilled
Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.
The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:4-5

The Prophet Speaks
All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the guilt and sins of us all. Isaiah 53:6


The Prophet’s Word Manifested
Finally, they came to a place called The Skull. They nailed him to the cross. Luke 23:33

The Prophet Speaks
When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. Isaiah 53:11



The Prophet’s Word Manifested
Because one person disobeyed God, many people became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many people will be made right in God's sight. Romans 5:19


Quiet Time Reflection -My Favor with God

Do I bring peace to the world or am I the creator of chaos, and confusion?
Do I seek counsel from Jesus, or do I look to others first?
Do I continually walk in the light or do I cover myself with darkness?
Do I follow God’s path or my own?
Do I walk righteously?

Prayer
Father God, let me please you by walking in peace, seeking Your counsel first, let me always walk in Your light, hating the darkness. Help me Father God to walk in your purpose and stay on the path You have ordained for me and as I walk let me walk righteously bringing honor to Your Holy Name. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen

Deeper Study
Isaiah 53

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Sabbath Rest---Deep Waters

Sabbath Scripture
He reached down from heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters. Psalm 18:16

Sabbath Prayer
Father of my Lord and Savior, Abba Father upon Your Holy Name I have called and You heard my cry; My cry for salvation, my cry for peace, my cry for love and my cry for joy. You gave me what I longed for and so much more, reaching down from heaven You gave me You. To you O Lord I offer my praise, my worship, and my thanks, in the Name of Jesus I pray.

Sabbath Study
Have you ever found yourself drowning in the issues of life? The more you seek to pull yourself out of the deep the further down you appear to sink. The winds and waves toss about you life becomes overwhelming and you are not sure what to do. Having done everything in your power with no change you finally call upon the Lord. Isn’t it funny no matter how many times God rescues us we still do not turn to Him first in our times of troubles. No matter how many times He shows Himself strong and mighty we still believe we have the power to bring change. We are much like Peter whom Jesus had shown Himself mighty and powerful, but yet Peter doubted Jesus was able. Peter with the other disciples witness Jesus calm the storms “Peace Be Still,” suddenly the winds stopped and there was a great calm (Mark 4:39). Peter was also an eyewitness when Jesus fed the 5000. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, look upward toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, He kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. A total of 5000 men and their families were fed from those loaves! (Mark 6:41-42, the NLT Chronological Bible) Immediately after this miraculous event in fact the same night Peter was called upon to put His trust in the Lord. “Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About 3:00 in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to Him, “Lord, if it’s really you tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come, “Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith.” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped Him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. (Matthew 14:24-32 the NLT Chronological Bible)
Jesus shows us over and over He is more than enough, giving more than we ask
yet when the deep waters come we are like Peter we take our eyes off Him and we look at circumstances rather than the One who is able to change our situation. The result; we keep sinking deeper and deeper into our issues. Jesus says come to me and I will give you rest. Jesus says I am the Light in the midst of darkness. Jesus says cast all your anxiety on me. Jesus says I came that you might have life more abundantly. Jesus says don’t be afraid, have courage. Jesus says I am your all and all yet we doubt, putting faith to shame, making it a liar. Sadly, Peter is our reality, the state we operate in most days, sinking in spite of our witness, letting the deep waters of fear, shame, guilt, unworthiness, lack of discipline, impulsiveness, debts, denial, the past and brokenness overcome us. Glory to God, He does not leave us when we come to our senses. “Save me, Lord!” Peter (we) shouted (shout) Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him (grabs us). He puts us back in the boat; the winds and waves stop. Now we worship, giving glory and praise to God, for once again He reaches down from heaven and rescue us; He draws us out of deep waters.(Psalm 18:16)

Sabbath Reflection
Have you ever shamed faith, making it a liar?
How do you respond when in deep waters?
Have you really learn to keep your eyes on Jesus and His power rather than your circumstances?

Prayer
Lord, may I always trust in You. Help me to keep my eyes upon You no matter how deep the waters become. Let me never shame You with doubts, let me walk not in fear but always in the power of Your powerful hand; always exclaiming Jesus, the Son of God. In Jesus Name, Amen

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Spiritual Sunday----The Temple

Sabbath Scripture
She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshipping God with fasting and prayer. Luke 2:37a

Sabbath Prayer
Father God to You I offer thanks. For thy wondrous blessings I give thanks dear God. To your Holy and Mighty name I offer praise. I give You Praise O lord because You are God most holy and wise, full with grace and thy faithfulness surrounds you and is unfailing. Father I ask You to guide me into Your holy Presence and cleanse me of all my wickedness and all unrighteousness. Make me a temple Lord worthy of Your Presence. In Jesus Name I pray.

Sabbath Study

We are the temple of God, created for His good purpose. “Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16) It is hard for some of us to grasp this great truth. We believe we are our own and have a right to live life as we please. We forget “everything comes from God and exists by His power and is intended for His glory.” (Romans 11:36 paraphrased) There is one who understood she was God’s temple and she dedicated the greater part of her life to serving Him. Her name is Anna, and she never left the Temple, but stayed there day and night. Can you imagine yourself in the church day and night? Your first thought is probably no when we consider today’s church. I challenge you to look beyond the church building we visit each Sunday, but look at the temple which is closer, your body, the sacred temple of the Living God. We never leave the body but do we remain in the temple day and night, the part of us which houses the Holy Spirit? In this fast pace busy world, lives filled with to do lists that are never ending how does one remain in the temple day and night? We must remove our spirit from the world, keeping our heart and mind in tune with the Lord. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind - Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you. So they might be one heart and mind with us. (John 17:21) We must learn to be with God no matter what activities we are involved. Jesus is our great role model and teacher in this matter. His life was busy, He had much work to do but He was able to be with God regardless of His daily assignments; I and the Father are one heart and mind." (John 10:30) They were in constant communication; Jesus spent much time in prayer. After sending them off, he climbed a mountain to pray. (Mark 6:47) At about that same time he climbed a mountain to pray. He was there all night in prayer before God. (Luke 6:12) Anna devoted her life to prayer day and night. The result of her devotion, she was able to recognize the Savior the moment she laid eyes upon Him. “She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God.” (Luke 2: 38) Scripture does not tell us Anna was filled with the Spirit, it does however tell she was a prophet and thus through the Spirit she was able to recognize the Lord. We have this same Spirit to enable us to be one with the Father and the Son, of the same mind and heart. Prayer is essential to developing a heart and mind that is one with the Lord. Than we will find ourselves able to talk with God at all times, our hearts will speak for us even in the midst of life.

She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshipping God with fasting and prayer.
Take another look at Anna not only did she choose prayer as her method of worship she kept her personal temple pure with fasting. Fasting from food is a personal behavior chosen to be done as directed by the Holy Spirit. God calls us to another type of fast, one which will help to build our sacred temple into a pleasing and acceptable dwelling for the Lord.
Help your sister whose soul is imprisoned by wrongs of her past or who is bound in chains by the enemy. Share your food with the hungry, give shelter to the homeless, give clothes to those who need them, stop hiding from your relatives who stand in need of help, stop gossiping and help those in trouble.
(See Isaiah 58: 1-10 paraphrased) Fast from judgments, confusion, chaos, lying to self and others, greed, sexual immorality, strife, pride, overspending, selfishness, laziness, jealousy, envy, time wasters, people who add nothing to your life-poor relationships. There is much we can fast.
It is interesting in chapter 58 of Isaiah in which God address fasting He tells us to “Keep the Sabbath Day holy." Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.” Fast from those things which do not keep your Sabbath holy, bringing honor and glory to God. Daily if we focus on creating a temple which brings glory to God we will eventually enter His Presence on the Sabbath without focus on our needs and desires but with a focus on ministering to God, worshipping God, uplifting and magnifying His Holy Name.

To create temple space we must know God intimately. We must understand God’s way and His will. We must know His voice. To become an Anna, never to leave our temple we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. It is only through the Spirit can we become the woman God called us to be; a living and holy sacrifice.

Sabbath Reflection
How are you one with the Father and the Son?
Do you remain in your temple day and night? Sacred space where you are constantly connected with God?
From what things do you need to fast?
Do you recognize when you are in the Presence of the Savior?

Deeper Study
Read Luke 2:36-39
Isaiah 58 NLT

Prayer

Father God make me into a temple which is one with You and the Son. Lord help me to create temple space with prayer and fasting which is pleasing to You according to Your word. May the power of the Holy Spirit bring me to intimacy with you, In Jesus Name, Amen.

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My Sabbath Offering

Sabbath Rest through Prayer

Father God, my Creator, Lord of Heaven Armies, Majestic God full of grace and mercy. God who is surrounded by love, beautiful God upon Your Holy Name I rest my soul today. In love I come to Your Holy throne, seeking thy Presence. Today I surrender all, I rest all of me at your altar, May the offerings of my lips be pleasing to You and may the offerings of my heart lift You up and magnify Your Name in all the earth. In the gracious loving name of Jesus I pray.


Sabbath Rest through Thy Holy Word

"The Widow’s offering"
While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in
the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Luke 21:1-4

Sabbath Study
She has given all she has. When we go to God do we offer all we have, do we shower Him with all of our gifts or do we hold back giving only a portion? The portion which is not important to us? The portion we don’t need for other uses, our surpluses? The Lord gave us His very best, Jesus. He did not hold back because He so loved us. Do we love Him enough to take Him our very best? The Holy Spirit has graced us with gifts to bear fruit for the kingdom. We are to offer these gifts in the world to bring honor to God.

Let us take a closer look at the Widow’s offering. In my heart I see her gift as more than just two coins which were all she had. Her love for God was greater than what the two coins represented from a world’s eye. She gave from her essence; spirit and soul. She gave from knowledge that God is All. To you Father I offer myself, I stand before You Lord empty, everything I call my own I give to You; all my cares, all my needs, all my possessions, my selfishness, my desires. My God you have been so good to me, I am poor, I don’t know how my next will come but I know it will come from You so in obedience Lord I give you more than ten percent, Lord here is my all. All I am is because of You, all I have is because of You, and all I have is Yours. I give back all to You. This woman learned to put first things first. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these other things will be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33) This Sabbath Day the widow brought her faith and trust in God to the offering plate, she brought hope that the God of all compassion would see her heart. “Lord it doesn’t matter if I don’t have physical food today just feed me spiritually. I may not be able to pay my rent that ok Lord I know you will make a way. Lord I will not put your name to shame by worrying about my last, my last is yours, let me see Your glory Lord. The widow woman entered God House,
with God on her mind, she didn’t come out of habit, she didn’t come seeking to have her problems solved, she didn’t come to fellowship with her neighbors, she didn’t even come to hear the preacher or the choir, she came to worship her God. To be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. Romans 12:1 (NLT)

Sabbath Reflection
What do you offer Jesus today? Are you giving from your surplus?
When is the last time you gave God your last? Have you ever given Him your last?
Look at everything you have, could you sell it all and give the proceeds to the poor?
Are you willing to empty your spiritual house of all its’ possessions? Laying it all on the altar for God and allowing Him to fill you with Himself.
Make a list of all your spiritual gifts are you producing fruit which will last?
What characteristics do you see in the Widow? Which ones would you like to possess? What steps do you need to begin to take to move you in the direction you desire?
What is the Lord saying to your heart as you mediate on the widow’s offerings?

Sabbath Prayer
Father, my Lord and Savior God take me to the place where I no longer give to You from my surplus. Let me live in a place of real faith and trust, knowing you will
meet my every need. Let me live in a place where daily I empty myself of my own desires, looking heavenward to receives Your will for my life. Father help me to stop living for me and let me open myself to receive Jesus allowing Him to live through me. Father create in me a spirit which is reflective of the widow woman who had no problem giving you her last, her all knowing you would meet her every need. Help me to move beyond a few words of praise and thanksgivings to a place of true, genuine heart worship. In Jesus Name I pray.

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Quiet Rest

Sabbath Prayer
I wait quietly before Your Holy throne my God, for my victory comes from You. Dear God You alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
Let all that I am wait quietly before You my God, for my hope is in You, God and Lord of heaven and earth. God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor comes from Jehovah alone. The Lord is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. I will trust in You O Lord at all times. I will pour out my heart to You for You my God is my refuge. (Psalm 62:1-2,5-7)

Sabbath Scripture
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says; Only in returning to me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. Isaiah 30: 15

Sabbath Rest
The Lord waits for me to come to him so He can show me His love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. I am blessed because I wait for His help. His help comes quietly but surely. (Isaiah 30:18)

In quietness and confidence I sit before the Lord. Kneeling before His holy throne I find rest for my soul. My spirit is quieted in His presence and my heart is tuned to His voice. All the cares and anxieties of the world I cast before Him, from me He takes them all. Lovingly His compassion and love is poured into me. I am filled as He draws near to me, shielding me with His love. My heart is joyous as I rest in His care. I lift my heart in praise; glorious are all your works O Lord, marvelous are Your ways, Majesty and splendor flows from Your touch. Great is the Lord, mercy and grace surrounds You. O’ Emmanuel, My God is with me, Jehovah Rophe, the Lord my Healer, takes away my pain and my soul is healed. Elohim, the Lord Almighty is awesome in my life. El Shaddai, God is my All Sufficient, Adonai, my Lord, Jesus my Lord I praise Your holy name. Jehovah Rohi, the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me besides the still waters, He restores my soul. Jehovah-Shammah – God’s Abiding Presence is always with me. O Lord may I rest in Your Presence for all eternity?

Sabbath Worship




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Sabbath Rest

Sabbath Scripture

“My heart has heard you say, Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Psalm 27:8(NLT)

Sabbath Prayer
Glorious Father, praise and honor to Your Holy Name. Great is my God and greatly to be praised. I praise your name with a joyful heart. My soul cries out praise the Lord God of Heaven and earth, give Him the glory which is His and His alone. Blessed Father into Your Presence I desire to be, grant me entrance into Thy holy tabernacle. Lord my heart hears Your call and I come for fellowship, for growth, for communion with You my Lord. Lord I come for worship. In the Sweet Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray. Amen

Sabbath Learnings
The Lord desires to spend time with me; He daily waits for me to come. He calls me to fellowship with Him. He seeks to draw me closer to Him “Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.” James 4:8. The way to closeness with God is through prayer. He says come talk with me. The Lord is saying don’t just give me a list of requests but share your heart with me and let me share my heart with you. Speak to Me and let Me speak back to You. I will give you directions for your life. I will empower you to move for Me,

My heart says of you "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek.(NIV)
Another way to closeness with God is through His written word. God’s face is seen in His word. His countenance is seen from Genesis to Revelation. We see God when we recognize His characteristics, when we apply all of Christ to our lives. We must seek to know Christ;when I see Christ I see God. “The Father and I are one.” John 10:30

When my heart whispered, "Seek God," my whole being replied, "I'm seeking him!" (Message) Closeness to God occurs when I seek God with my whole heart. I desire to know God and this becomes my determined purpose. I don’t half heartily seek God, I don’t just seek Him on Sunday mornings, but I devote my life to seeking this God of the Bible, this God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, this God who so loved me He sent His only begotten Son to reconcile me to Him, this God who destroyed nations because of their sin, this God who took people like David and Paul, murders, Jacob, a thief, Rehab, a prostitute, Peter, loud mouth and undisciplined, The Sinful woman and used them as vessels for His cause. My whole heart is seeking, my whole mind is seeking, my soul and spirit is seeking to know the true God, The Creator of the world, not the God created by man.

My heart said of you, "Go, worship him." So I come to worship you, Lord. (NCV) Worship draws me close to God. True worship brings me into His Presence, and in His Presence I am filled with Him, in His Presence I become a sacrificial offering and thus I am drawn closer to Him. Real worship draws me closer to God because in worship I praise for all His goodness, in worship I lift myself to Him and I focus on Him, in worship it is not about me , it is all about Him and recognizing Him I am drawn closer to this God who keeps me in awe. I am drawn closer to Him because He draws me to Him.

Sabbath Reflection
When God calls you to talk what is your response? Do you do all the talking or are you listening?
What steps do you take daily, weekly to draw close to God?
How does your fellowship look?
How does your seeking look?
How does your worship look?
Are you seeking with your whole heart?

Sabbath Application
Be still and let God guide you with the scriptures, let God pour into you.
Determine what steps you need to take to draw closer to God
Dig deeper by looking for additional scriptures about drawing closer, seeking, worshipping and talking to God.

Lord Take Me Deeper
One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. Luke 6:12

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John1:1

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29

Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy. Psalm 99:5

Prayer of Change
God, to whom all glory belongs, blessed is thy Name O Lord. Dear Lord teach me how to pray, let my heart cry out to God, and let my spirit hear when You answer back my Lord. Father help me to see Your face as I study your word, gleaming Your truths and acknowledging Your ways. Father let my worship be for real and let it be forever pleasing to You and as I worship reveal Yourself to me, that I may know You the Living God., God of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the Awesome and Holy Name of Jesus I pray.

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Worship----- My Sabbath Rest

Sabbath Rest Scripture

Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Psalm 15:1

My Sabbath Prayer
O Lord, Thy God I come seeking to enter Your Holy Presence. O Lord bring me into Thy sanctuary that I may worship. Cleanse me of all impurities, ready my heart and spirit to meet with You Lord. I desire to sup with you growing in understanding of your word, your ways and Your will. Rain down on me my Lord, filling me Thy Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name, I pray Amen.

My Sabbath Study
Psalm 15 teaches us what God requires of His people. The character He desires us to have, these verses teaches God requires us to live a life of worship. To enter His holy presence we must reflect Him in our every day lives. Our hearts should be a reflection of God. True worship is when we bow down our lives to God.

Lives bowed down in truth. A worshipful heart is sincere filled with truth leading me to live righteously, so I will appear blameless before my God.
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Psalm 15:2

Lives bowed down in godly speech. No evil flows from my lips only blessings and edification. My lips seek not to tear down, only to build up that all who hear will find grace.
Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Psalm 15:3

Lives bowed down in honor. I stand not with sinners; I despise those who persist in sin, refusing to believe in the righteousness of God. I give respect and admiration to the faithful followers of the Lord. I keep my promises to believers even when it hurts for that is what the Lord requires of me. In this matter I liken my self to Christ, for thought it hurt He willing nailed Himself to the cross, not forgetting His promise to being salvation to a dying world.
Those who despise persistent sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD and keep their promises even when it hurts. Psalm 15:4

Lives bowed down in generosity, greed does not sit at my door, and the love of money does not fit my lifestyle. Freely and generously I give and lend, expecting nothing in return. I full well know God is my source I do not have to engage in behaviors contrary to the will of God, for He will take care of all my needs.
Those who do not charge interest on the money they lend, and who refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent.

Such people will stand firm forever. Psalm 15:5

My Sabbath Reflection
Answer the following questions.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you your true heart as you seek to answer.

Do I meet all of God requirements to enter His sanctuary?
Is my whole life a life of worship?
What does my worship look like on a day to day basis?
What does my worship look like when I enter my church?
How is my life bowed down to God?
What do I need to change in my life to enter God’s Presence and offer worship?

My Prayer of Change Father God, it is my desire to lead a life of worship, true worship. Change me and make me ready in heart, soul, and mind to enter Your Holy Presence. Help me dear
Lord to live worshipfully daily in all my ways. Help me dear God, my Lord, to stand firm all my days, meeting Your requirements for true worship. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen

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Soul Rest

Sabbath Rest Scripture
This is what the Lord’s says:
“Stop at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for the old, godly way and walk in it.
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16

Than Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Sabbath Rest Prayer
Abba Father, upon Your Most Holy Name I call. Lord thy God as I stand at the crossroad give me spiritual eyes that I may see as You see. Show me the old godly way and strengthen me that I will walk in it as You instruct. Help me to choose the right path, the path which leads to gentleness and humility. Father I choose your burden for it is light and I choose to drop those burdens which causes my soul to be heavy and weary. I seek your rest, for You O Lord are my refuge and shield, Lord of my Sabbath. In the Name of Jesus, Your Chosen Servant I pray.

Sabbath Rest Meditation
Read the scriptures again at least 3 times. Let the words of the Lord soak into your heart. Ask yourself questions such as where is the Lord telling me to stop? Am I at any crossroads in my life? What are they? Are there any obstacles? Do I know which direction to go? Is the direction I have chosen the direction God would have me to choose? Why? Why not? How does my soul find rest? Write as many questions as you can to help you really mediate on what God is saying to you through these words.

Sabbath Rest Reflection
Sometimes life leads us to a crossroad and we must decide which way to move. God has given us words of guidance to help us move in the right direction. It is fine to stop and think and process our situation to ensure we move in the direction God would have us to move. He simply tells us to look around and consider all we see. “Stop at the crossroads and look around.”Once we have considered all which lies around us we are than to enter prayer and ask God to show us His way. “Ask for the old, godly way.” Too often we want to move as the world moves, as our friends and family would have us to move. God says move according to the old way leaving me to believe new is not always best. God’s ways are from old and though His method is constantly changing His ways does not. We are to move according to the ways of old, righteously, truthfully and with faith. “and walk in it” When you stand at the crossroads open your heart to be taught by the Master teacher His way is really easy. “Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart,” He does not teach that there will be no bumps; He teaches those bumps will be easy, not burdensome and weary. He teaches if you travel the godly path exchanging those heavy burdens for His lighter load you will find a resting place for your soul. “and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Write out your own reflections; let the Lord speak to your heart.
Offer God a prayer of thanks for giving you directions.
Offer God praise for all He has shown you as you mediated and reflected on His word.

Prayer of Praise
Lord, to You I offer a grateful heart, thank You for Your words of guidance. Thank You for opening my eyes and ears to see and hear Your instructions as I seek to make a decision about_________. Lord I give You praise for now I know the path to take. Thank You father for showing me Your ways of old, which are godly and right and is always the right direction to move. Lord though I have not yet reached the end of this journey, the path I must travel is still before me, yet I give You praise for leading me, making my burdens light and for giving my weary soul rest. In Jesus Name, the Lord of Rest I pray.

Deeper Rest
For only we who believe can enter His rest. Hebrews 4:3
Hebrews 4:1-11


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Spiritual Sundays

My Sabbath Prayer
You O’ Lord are my strength and my foundation. Lord through all generations You have been my home. Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end you are God. In your promises You said You will give me the desire of my heart, my heart desires your Holy Presence, bring my soul and my spirit to thy holy tabernacle and let me dwell in your arms. Guide me to Your face my father and reveal to me thy heart. Let Your Holy Spirit rain on me filling me with a passion to keep this Sabbath Holy, that You may be praised. In Jesus Name

My Sabbath Scripture
Powerful is your arm!
Strong is your hand!
Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.
Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.
Happiness is mine when I hear the joyful call to worship, for I will walk in the light of your presence, Lord. I rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. I exult in your righteousness.
You are my glorious strength. It pleases you to make me strong.
Yes, my protection comes from the Lord, and He, the Holy One of Israel, has given me my king. Psalm 89:13-18 (paraphrased).

My Sabbath Meditation
When I give myself to the Lord I find I am lifted high in glorious strength. He holds me with His strong hand and His most powerful arm. He covers me from the foundation of His throne and I am righteous, walking in His truth, clinging to His unfailing love. I surrender and I am protected, He happily makes me strong able to handle all life throws at me; for His great power dwells in me, works in me through his own Holy Spirit and I rejoice all the day long, shouting, exalting, magnifying, praising and worshipping my Savior whose reputation cannot be brought down low for His words are true, standing firm and high. My God I cannot fail under these conditions. You Most Holy One has become my dwelling place, my safety, my home, my rest and my King and Lord.
I hear Your voice calling to me, I am in light, I walk in light, I am light, I am surrounded by light for I am in the light of Your Presence. I am in Your beauty, I see Your beauty I feel Your beauty, holiness falls on me I lift my hands high, I lift my soul high, I lift my spirit high I lift my worship high and it falls upon Your great throne becoming a sacred offering flowing into eternity.

Lord I love You, I adore You, I give you all praise, You are my holiness, my Lord and my God, my beginning and my end.
Lord I love You, I adore You, I give thanks for You, my holiness, my Lord and my God, my sure foundation. Lord I love you, I adore You, I give You all praise, You are my holiness, my Lord and my God, my bread of Life.
Lord I love You, I adore You, I give thanks for You, my holiness, my Lord and my God, my Prince of peace.

Lord I love You, I adore You, I give You all praise, You are my holiness, my Lord and my God, my Lilly of the valley, my Bright and Morning Star.

Lord I love You, I adore You, I give thanks for You, my holiness, my Shepherd, my green pastures , my still waters.
Lord I love You, I adore You, I give You all the praise, You are my holiness, my Lord and my God You are my Sabbath Rest.
Lord I love You. My Lord and my God.

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Spiritual Sunday- A Sabbath Rest

Scripture upon which you may Rest
But I (we) worship at Your throne -– eternal, high and glorious!
Jeremiah 17:12




A prayer Starter
Holy God, into your presence I desire to enter. At Your feet I long to rest for a while, Father let me hear Your voice, teach me Your word and help me to apply it this day to my heart so I can live it each day to your glory. Father I invite You to be a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.
Let me see You my God in every step as I walk according to Your word. To Your name I offer praise, in Your Presence I offer worship. Father grant me please entrance unto Thy eternal throne high and glorious. Draw me closer Sweet Jesus for in Your Name I pray.

A Spiritual Mediation
Read the scripture at least 3 times. Say it out loud.
Ask God to speak to your heart. Take a few moments to check in with your heart and your spirit what are you feeling? What are your thoughts as you consider yourself right now at the throne of God? Rest with your thoughts and let the Spirit penetrate your mind. Challenge yourself to just be quiet and let God bring you into His Holy Presence.

Sunday Study
This is what the LORD said to me: "Go and stand at the gate of the people, through which the kings of Judah go in and out; stand also at all the other gates of Jerusalem. Say to them, 'Hear the word of the Lord, O kings of Judah and all people of Judah and everyone living in Jerusalem who come through these gates. This is what the LORD says: Be careful not to carry a load on the Sabbath day or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem. Do not bring a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your forefathers. Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they were stiff-necked and would not listen or respond to discipline.

The Lord commands us to keep the Sabbath holy, we are not to do any work or carry any loads into the city gate.
Applications for today-
Leave your heavy loads out of God’s temple; leave your stuff at the gates. Enter His holy tabernacle be it your local church, your place of Sabbath rest in your own home wherever you seek the Lord’s presence this Sabbath, put yourself away and carry praise and worship, and a desire only to be with the Lord. Do not be stubborn in this as our ancestors were, as the world is today.

But if you are careful to obey me, declares the Lord, and bring no load through the gates of this city on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy by not doing any work on it, then kings who sit on David's throne will come through the gates of this city with their officials. They and their officials will come riding in chariots and on horses, accompanied by the men of Judah and those living in Jerusalem and this city will be inhabited forever.

Applications for today-
Do you desire to be an inhabitant of the forever Jerusalem; listen to the Lord and obey His word. Do you desire God to lift you to another level in Him? Would you like to ride on His chariots led by heavenly horses, obey His commands? Bring to His throne sacrificial offerings of obedience, sacred time, praise, thanksgiving, prayers,a willing heart and open ears to hear His voice. Give God these offering and trust Him to bear the loads you left at the gates.

People will come from the towns of Judah and the villages around Jerusalem, from the territory of Benjamin and the western foothills, from the hill country and the Negev, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings, incense and thank offerings to the house of the Lord. But if you do not obey me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying any load as you come through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in the gates of Jerusalem that will consume her fortresses.' “Jeremiah 17: 19-27

Refuse to listen to the Lord and He will set fire to your gates with flames no one will be able to put out. Oh my sisters and brothers be not stiff-necked in this command, listen to Your God and keep this day holy.

Reflection
Spend time reflecting on these scriptures. Identify the changes you need to make to keep the Sabbath Holy. Commit in your heart to spend your time with God on God. Remember God gives us 6 days to bring our worries, burdens, issues; loads to Him. He only ask for one day where we put all our thoughts on Him. One day out of seven we sacrifice all of self for our Creator, Provider, Sustainer, and our God.

Prayer
Father God keeper of my soul, help me to be not unwise, but wise in keeping the Sabbath Day holy. Help me to carry Your instructions in my heart. Father I willingly sacrifice the Sabbath to You, for you carry me daily, listening to my every need. Today I seek to glorify You, to rest in You only letting all the cares of the world go for I know you are in control, No load will I bring to Your Holy, High, Glorious Thorne this Sabbath Day. Guide me through this journey until my Sabbath is no longer in danger of being consumed by flames that I cannot put out. In Jesus Name I pray.

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Majestic Lord

Sabbath Scripture
O Lord, my Lord, your majestic name fills the earth.
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
I will praise you, lord with all my heart.
I will tell of the marvelous things you have done.
I will be filled with joy because of you.
I will sing praise to your name O Most High
I love you, Lord you are my strength.
You O lord are my rock, my fortress, and my savior.
My God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
You Lord are my shield; the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
You light a lamp for me, The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
I will praise you O Lord for you have shown me the wonders of your unfailing love.
You my Lord are king! You are robbed in majesty and armed with strength. Your world stands firm and cannot be shaken.

Sabbath Prayer
Most High God, in awe I rest in Your holy Presence. Lead me O God to your sanctuary and speak to my heart. Examine me through and through, cleansing me of all that is not of You. Wash me of all that does not reflect your wondrous ways. Purify me of all my sins that I may stand in your Presence offering You glory, honor and praise; exalting Thy most Holy Name. Jesus, my Lord in your powerful name I pray.


Sabbath Mediation

Quiet your heart, mind and spirit. Pray the above scriptures to God and then mediate on them; allowing God to lead you into His Presence that He may speak to your heart. Be Still



Sabbath Encouragement
Daughters of the King stand tall today; let not sorrows, issues or pain bring you down. Let not the darkness of your situation still you. There is nothing bigger or greater than our God. We can rest with assurance God can handle any and every problem, situation or trouble we bring to Him. Though our enemy may pour out troubles upon us we can hide in the protective arms of our God. We know the Lord will protect us He is our shield. He is our place of safety. The world cannot touch our spirit for it is covered by the Spirit of the Lord. He stands before us blocking every piercing dart. Though fears and doubts may come they are quickly torn down by the comforting of our rock, our fortress is secure in every battle for it is manned by the Spirit of the Lord. His right hand has won a mighty victory; His holy arm has shown His saving power, Psalm 981b. The Lord will bring us out of darkness and as He moves us He will light our way so we do not fall. Our God is strong and He is always ready to show us His power and unfailing love. We can stand in joy and praise His Holy Name for all the marvelous things He has done. We can declare to the world Our God, our King is robed in
Majesty and His people, His daughters cannot be shaken.

Closing Prayer
I give thanks, O Lord with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before Your holy temple as I worship. I praise Your name for Your unfailing love and faithfulness for your promises are backed by all the honor of Your name. As soon as I pray, You answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. (Psalm 138:1-3) Lord I praise Your Name lifting my heart to serve you as You mold and make me more in Your image so that You are glorified in all the earth. In Jesus Name.

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