Rest Is Good - Anita van der Elst

As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 NLTP

They needed to come out, those three wisdom teeth, and I opted for IV sedation for the extraction procedure. The dental care was excellent, and all went well. But I didn’t expect my energy level to be so low in the aftermath. I discovered that rest is good. 

Because of my lack of energy, I canceled my weekly small group gathering at my home. I also missed out on a ballet performance by my daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Additionally, I missed a music recital in which both grandkids and my son participated. 

Disappointing, to say the least. Housework went by the wayside. Since my diet was restricted to soft foods for a whole week, I didn’t cook meals either. I must confess, however, I didn’t mind having frozen yogurt every day.

Around the fifth day after the oral surgery, as I complained to the Lord about how weary I still felt, Paul’s instruction to the folks in Thessalonica came up in my daily reading. 

I realized that by taking care of my body and getting enough rest, I was doing something good. Although I missed serving my dear sisters in Christ in my home, God allowed me extra time to rest and recuperate. He would eventually restore me to full capacity. Yes, I was tired, but not of doing good. 

When you are tired, remember that resting your body is something good that God encourages because He is a good, good Father. 

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study. 

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are a grandparent or just want to hear grandparent stories, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Energized - Martin Wiles

For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13 NLT

He needed energy, but I had nothing for him.

I had watched Henry’s gait since he entered the building. His appearance was the usual for most students when they first arrived at school: not enough sleep, a late ball game, staying up beyond curfew. Henry fell into this category with unkempt hair, sluggish steps, and a blank stare, but on this particular day looked more drained than usual. As Henry approached my class later in the day, his first words were, “Can I call my mom and see if she will bring me an energy drink?” Without something, he was sure to fall asleep in class.

These days, as age begins to take its toll on my body, I sometimes feel like Henry: I need energy. I can’t do the things I once did—at least not at the same speed. Bones ache and joints creak. Although I eat healthy--at least most of the time--exercise, and take daily vitamins, I am not the man I once was.

Paul seemed energized. He proudly stated he could do anything, and he wasn’t such a young man when he said it. But his energy didn’t ensue from an energy drink, exercise, vitamins, or food. His energy came from God.

Even when my physical energy wanes, God will give me the spiritual energy I need to continue doing his work. I hope one day to retire from my profession, but I never intend to retire from God’s work. What I do for him might change, but he will energize me to do something until I take my final breath.

The power Paul had—and the power available to all believers--comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit takes up residence when we place our faith in Jesus Christ, but the power comes through being filled with the Spirit, which is not automatic. We must crave for God’s Spirit to consume us. We do this by allowing our bodies to be a holy temple and confessing to God that we desire to be all we can for him. Staying in His Word, prayer, service, and fellowship with other believers proves we’re serious about the request.

Let God’s Spirit energize you for the work God has called you to.

Father, I ask that you energize me with your Spirit so I can do the work you’ve called me to accomplish. 

I invite you to try my book Grits, Grace, and Grands. If you have grands, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Energized - Martin Wiles

For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13 NLT

He needed energy, but I had nothing for him.

I had watched Henry’s gait since he entered the building. His appearance was the usual appearance of most students when they first arrive at school: not enough sleep, a late ball game, staying up beyond curfew. 

With unkempt hair, sluggish steps, and a blank stare, Henry fell into this category, but on this particular day looked more drained than usual. As Henry approached my class later in the day, his first words were, “Can I call my mom and see if she will bring me an energy drink?” Without something, he was sure to fall asleep in class. 

These days, as age begins to take its toll on my body, I sometimes feel like Henry: I need energy. I can’t do the things I once did—at least not at the same speed. Bones ache and joints creak. Though I eat healthy—at least most of the time—exercise, and take daily vitamins, I simply am not the man I once was.

Paul seemed energized. He proudly stated he could do anything—and he wasn’t such a young man when he said it. But his energy didn’t ensue from an energy drink, exercise, vitamins, or any particular food. His energy came from God. 

Even when my physical energy wanes, God will continue to give me the spiritual energy I need to continue doing His work. I hope one day to retire from my profession, but I never intend to retire from God’s work. What I do for Him might change, but He will energize me to do something until I take my final breath. 

The power Paul had—and the power available to all believers, comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. 

God’s Spirit takes up residence when faith is placed in Jesus Christ, but the power comes through being filled with the Spirit, which is not automatic. I must crave for God’s Spirit to consume me. I do this by allowing my body to be a holy temple and by confessing to God that I desire to be all I can for Him. Staying in His Word, in prayer, in service, and in fellowship with other believers proves I’m serious about the request. 

Let God’s Spirit energize you for the work God has called you to. 

Prayer: Father, we ask that You energize us with Your Spirit so that we might do the work You’ve called us to accomplish.

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