Tag: sabbath

May 10, 2025

May 10th, 2025

Saturday – Open topic

Reading – Genesis 2:1-3

Highlight Verse:

“On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I had a busy week with a lot of physical activity.

When Friday morning came, my body said, “I don’t think so.”

Since I didn’t have anything I needed to do in person, I decided to take the day off after a morning online meeting.

Then the workaholic kicked in and I spent over half the day getting some computer work done, but at least I gave my body a break.

Seriously, I have always had a tendency to overdo it.

As I age, I realize more and more the importance of giving my body and mind a break.

God’s standard for rest is one day a week.

In recent years I’ve been more consistent in getting that rest.

I also believe the precedent set in the Old Testament for consistent worship with others on that day off is still valid today.

If it worked for God and the people of Israel, why shouldn’t it work for me?

Do you get the rest God commanded us to take?
Have you been able to work in group worship time each week too?
April 19, 2025

April 19th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Matthew 27:62-66

Highlight Verse:

“The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭62‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I checked all four Gospels and today’s reading was all I could find about the Saturday between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.

Nothing about disciples mourning or hiding.

Apparently they were busy observing the Sabbath.

The priests and Pharisees were not.

Why?

My theory is the power they witnessed at the Cross made them realize that Jesus spoke the truth. That scared them to death.

They could see that He was likely to rise from the dead. That would mean the end of their power unless they could find a way to stop the resurrection or at least stop people from believing it.

Despite their efforts, Jesus did rise from the dead.

He disciples saw and believed.

The Holy Spirit and the Word bear witness to us today and we believe.

That’s something to celebrate!

What do you think the disciples were doing on Resurrection Eve?
How do you plan to celebrate the Resurrection this weekend?
April 9, 2024

April 9th, 2024
Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 22-23

Highlight Verse:

“In addition to the Sabbath, these are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the official days for holy assembly that are to be celebrated at their proper times each year.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭23‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
- We have a seven-day calendar because of Hebrew law.
- The tradition of celebrating annual holidays came from Hebrew law.
- The idea of a weekend comes from Hebrew law.
True, we celebrate different holidays and have two-day weekends now, but the principle is the same.

God created humankind in His image. He knew that humans would need times of rest, both physically and emotionally.

He also knew that humans would need to connect to Him in worship and to connect with fellow believers.

And so, “The Lord said to Moses” (a phrase that occurs eight times in today’s reading) to bring on the rest and the worship.

I can get behind that tradition!

Do you get a weekly rest?
Do you get extended breaks at least a couple times a year?
Do you spend at least some of that time in worship and hanging out with other believers?
June 5, 2023

June 5th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 6

Highlight Verse:

“Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭6‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s been quite the week. With everything going on, I’m wiped out. Though it’s mostly been good, my energy is zapped.

I’m sure Jesus and the disciples felt the same. They saw the need to give their bodies and minds a rest. If you read on in that chapter, you find that their plans were thwarted by the crowds, but they got what rest they could.

I believe God gave us the Sabbath for a reason.

While it’s not always possible to take a day of rest on that day (especially if you are in ministry) the principle holds true that you should rest once a week.

Now that ministry is over for the day, I am grabbing that rest while I can. That includes getting this done early so I can rest the for the evening.

Can you relate? If so, take a break.

Do you find time to take a break from responsibilities and people?
What does that look like for you?

Tag: sabbath

May 10, 2025

When Friday morning came, my body said, “I don’t think so.”

As I age, I realize more and more the importance of giving my body and mind a break.

If it worked for God and the people of Israel, why shouldn’t it work for me?

April 19, 2025

I checked all four Gospels and today’s reading was all I could find about the Saturday between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.

Despite their efforts, Jesus did rise from the dead.

That’s something to celebrate!

April 9, 2024

God created humankind in His image. He knew that humans would need times of rest, both physically and emotionally.

And so, “The Lord said to Moses” (a phrase that occurs eight times in today’s reading) to bring on the rest and the worship.

June 5, 2023

I believe God gave us the Sabbath for a reason.

Can you relate? If so, take a break.