Rest for my soul

Scripture

Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me. (Psalms 116:7 NLT)

Return to your rest, O my soul; for the Lord has vindicated you. (Psalms 116:7 MEV)

Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. (Psalms 116:7 NASB)

Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. (Psalm 116:7 NIV)

Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. (Psalm 116:7 ESV)

Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. (Psalms 116:7 NKJV)

Observation

1. There is a state of rest for my soul.

2. My soul can be at rest.

3. Because God has been good to me. Has dealt bountifully with you.

A. Soul- the principle of life, feeling, thought, and action in humans, regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body, and commonly held to be separable in existence from the body; the spiritual part of humans as distinct from the physical part.

B. rest- 

the refreshing quiet or repose of sleep: a good night's rest.

refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor: to allow an hour for rest.

relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs.

a period or interval of inactivity, repose, solitude, or tranquillity: to go away for a rest.

mental or spiritual calm; tranquillity.

C. Bountifully- liberal in bestowing gifts, favors, or bounties; munificent; generous.

abundant; ample: a bountiful supply.

My soul can be in a state of rest, calm, and tranquility because God has dealt with me  bountifully, liberally, abundantly.

Application

Find rest for my soul.  Trust God for and in all things.  Do what he has called  me to do and no more.  Be comfortable being myself, be satisfied in my gifting.  Do not measure myself against others.

Prayer

Father give me rest for my soul, deal with me bountifully.

cross training

Scripture

But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. (I Timothy 4:7 NKJV)

But refuse profane and foolish myths. Instead, exercise in the ways of godliness. (1 Timothy 4:7 MEV)

But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; (1 Timothy 4:7 NASB)

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. (1 Timothy 4:7 NIV)

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; (1 Timothy 4:7 ESV)

Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. (1 Timothy 4:7 NLT)

Observation

1. Train, exercise, discipline myself to be Godly.

A. Train- 

to develop or form the habits, thoughts, or behavior of (a child or other person) by discipline and instruction: to train an unruly boy.

to make proficient by instruction and practice, as in some art, profession, or work: to train soldiers.

to make (a person) fit by proper exercise, diet, practice, etc., as for an athletic performance.

to discipline and instruct (an animal), as in the performance of tasks or tricks.

B. Exercise

to put through exercises, or forms of practice or exertion, designed to train, develop, condition, or the like: to exercise a horse.

to put (faculties, rights, etc.) into action, practice, or use: to exercise freedom of speech.

to use or display in one's action or procedure: to exercise judgment.

C. Discipline

training to act in accordance with rules; drill: military discipline.

activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training: A daily stint at the typewriter is excellent discipline for a writer.

punishment inflicted by way of correction and training.

the rigor or training effect of experience, adversity, etc.: the harsh discipline of poverty.

Application

I am to train, exercise, and discipline myself to be like Jesus.  I do not try to be Godly but I train to be Godly.  Training is a process the Holy Spirit uses to accomplish something in me.  Trying is attempting to be like Jesus based upon My own effort,hard work, self denial, etc.  Trying leads to pride and failure. Training Leads to transformation.

Prayer

Make me more like Jesus.

Men sharpen men

Scripture

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17 KJV)

Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17 MEV)

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17 NIV)

As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17 NKJV)

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17 NLT)

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17 ESV)

Observation

Right relationships can strengthen my spiritual growth.

Men need men in their life.  A man can challenge a man in ways woman cannot.

Application

I need strongmen who will speak into my life.

I need to be a strong man in the lives of other men,

Prayer

Give me men who will speak into my life.

May I be a man who speaks into the lives of other men.

Pursue peace and holiness

Scripture

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 NASB)

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 NIV)

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: (Hebrews 12:14 NKJV)

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 NLT)

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 ESV)

Observation

1. Pursue and strive for peace with all men.  Make every effort and work hard at living in peace with everyone.

2. Pursue and strive to be holy.  Work hard at and make every effort to be holy.

3. Without holiness I will not see God.

A. How does living at peace and being holy go together?

Sin destroys my relationship with God and people.

Living a self centered life destroys my relationship God and people.

B. what does it mean to pursue any strive to be holy?  Isn't that a work of the Holy Spirit?  How do I strive to be Holy?

My efforts must be empowered by the Holy Spirit.  It is He who begins and completes the work in me.  I am not absolved of responsibility,  I can choose to cooperate with God or rebel against him.  I must submit myself to the leadership and authority of God in my life.

Application

A. Do everything I can to live at peace with others.  That does not mean allowing then to abuse or take advantage of me but to does mean to live dead to self.  It also means speaking the truth in live and confronting when necessary.

B.  Do everything. I can to live a holy life.  I am unable to do this on my own will power but I can remove websites, bounce eyes, etc.  I need to work out my salvation.

Prayer

Enable me to live at peace either others.

Enable my to live in holiness and  honor.

The danger of praise

Scripture

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise. (Proverbs 27:21 ESV)

The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, And each is tested by the praise accorded him. (Proverbs 27:21 NASB)

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise. (Proverbs 27:21 NIV)

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, And a man is valued by what others say of him. (Proverbs 27:21 NKJV)

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised. (Proverbs 27:21 NLT)

As the refining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold, so is a man to his praise. (Proverbs 27:21 MEV)

Observation

1. Silver and gold are tested and so am I.

2. I am tested by how I respond when I am praised by others.

Application

1. Keep myself humble.

2. Don't let my identity be tied to what people think of me.

3. Don't get discouraged when I do not receive praise.  Don't allow praise to be the motivation behind what I do.

4. Desire God's praise more than man's.

Prayer

May your acceptance of me be what matters to me.   May  I live to please you and you alone.

A Community of Believers

Scripture

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse them from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us firmly hold the profession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another, especially as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:22-25 MEV)

Observation

1. Let us draw near to God with a sincere true heart.

A.Sincere- free of deceit, hypocrisy, or falseness; earnest: a sincere apology.

genuine; real: a sincere effort to improve; a sincere friend.

pure; unmixed; unadulterated.

B. true- real; genuine; authentic: true gold; true feelings.

sincere; not deceitful: a true interest in someone's welfare.

firm in allegiance; loyal; faithful; steadfast: a true friend.

2. Let us hold fast firmly the profession of our hope and faith.

3. Let us consider how to stimulate, stir up, spur one another to love and good works and deeds.

4. Let us encourage, exhort one another 

A. Encourage- to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence: His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.

B. exhort- to urge, advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently.

to give urgent advice, recommendations, or warnings.

I am a member of a community of faith.  Let us not let me.  Western Christianity is too individualistic.  It is a community, family, body of believers.

Application

I have a  responsibility to the commute of faith not just to myself.

I am to function in a body and in submission to leadership, in using my gifts, in serving where needed.  I need to did to self and serve in the body.

Prayer

Enable me to die to self and to serve in the community of believers

Faith

Scripture

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1 NLT)

Observation

1. Faith is the confidence and assurance that what we hope for will actually happen.

It is the substance of things hoped for.

2. Faith is the conviction, assurance, and evidence of things not seen.

It is the belief that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.

Is is based upon the character of God.

It is the assurance of conviction that I will receive what I ask for.

Application

1. Must have a conviction that God keeps his promises and I will receive what I ask for and that things are going  to get better.

Prayer

Increase my faith