This is a great verse for today. When we go to church to worship, or are having our daily devotions, we are not concentrating on the message or what God is trying to tell us.
Instead, we are thinking about our problems, what needs to be done, or maybe about our plans for vacation, family fun or other activities that have nothing to do with Heavenly thoughts.
All of us have done this many times but we need to ask God to forgive us and help us to keep our thoughts centered on what God is telling us.
Set you affection (love) on things above, not on worldly things
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 KJV
Do you ever get tired, weary, discouraged, or just plain worn out? Sometimes the burdens of life can become so heavy that we feel we just cannot carry them another step.
Jesus tells us what to do. He says, “Come unto me.” We do not have to carry our burdens alone. We can bring our cares, our troubles, our disappointments, and even our weariness to Him.
The Bible also tells us, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 KJV
What a wonderful promise! Jesus cares about everything that concerns us. When we give our burdens to Him, He gives us the rest and renewal we need—physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Whatever is weighing you down today, bring it to Jesus. Trust Him with it. He knows what you need, and He has promised:
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” — 1 Peter 2:21 KJV
Years ago there was a popular Christian book called In His Steps. It challenged Christians to look at the life of Jesus and ask themselves if they were truly following His example.
That challenge is just as important today.
First Peter 2 tells us that Jesus left us an example, that we should follow His steps. When we read the verses that follow, we see what those steps looked like. Jesus did no sin. He did not answer evil with evil. When He suffered, He trusted Himself to God. He willingly bore our sins on the cross so that we could be saved and live for Him.
Then the chapter closes with this beautiful reminder:
“For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” — 1 Peter 2:25 KJV
Following in His steps does not mean we walk alone. Jesus is our Shepherd. He goes before us, cares for us, leads us and guides us as we walk with Him.
Today, may we ask ourselves: Am I walking in His steps?
How often do we stop and thank God for the little things?
In Luke chapter 17, Jesus healed ten lepers. All ten received the same wonderful blessing, but only one came back to thank Him.
Luke 17:15-16 KJV “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.”
Sometimes we are quick to thank God for the big answers to prayer, but what about the little things He does for us every day?
A safe trip. Food on the table. A friend who calls at just the right time. A beautiful sunrise. Strength to get through another day. An unexpected blessing that comes just when we need it.
Do we recognize these things as blessings from God, or do we call them coincidence? Do we sometimes think they happened because of something we did ourselves?
God supplies our needs and gives us blessings every day. Many of them may seem small, but they are still gifts from His hand.
Today, let us be like the one leper who turned back. Take time to notice the little things and say:
When people look at you and the way you live, can they tell that you are a Christian?
Being a Christian is more than going to church, reading our Bible, or telling someone that we believe in Jesus. Our faith should be seen in the way we live every day.
Our family sees us when no one else is watching. Our friends see how we respond when things do not go our way. Our neighbors notice how we treat others. Even strangers may see something different in our kindness, patience, honesty, and love.
We will never be perfect, but our desire should be to live in such a way that others can see Jesus in us.
Matthew 5:16 KJV
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Today, ask yourself: When people look at my life, do they see Jesus?
Monday morning! For many people, it means the beginning of another busy week.
Children are heading back to school, teachers are preparing their classrooms, business people are returning to their offices, and workers everywhere are beginning another week of responsibilities. At home there are meals to prepare, errands to run, appointments to keep, and countless things that need to be done.
Sometimes Monday can feel like just the beginning of another long list of things we have to do. But what if we looked at it differently?
Monday is a new beginning—a new opportunity to serve the Lord wherever He has placed us.
A child can honor God by doing his or her best in school. A teacher can show kindness and patience. A business person can demonstrate honesty and integrity. A parent or grandparent can encourage someone who needs a kind word. Whatever our work may be, we can ask God to bless it and use us for His glory.
Before we rush into this new week, let us take a moment to pray: “Lord, guide me today. Help me to honor You in everything I do, and establish the work of my hands.”
“And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.” Psalm 90:17 KJV
Have a blessed Monday and a wonderful week serving the Lord!
God has given the church pastors to be shepherds of His flock. A good shepherd leads, feeds, protects, encourages, and cares for the sheep—and that is what a faithful pastor is called to do for God’s people.
Being a pastor is much more than preaching a sermon on Sunday. Pastors pray for us, visit the sick, comfort those who are hurting, counsel those who need direction, rejoice with us in the good times, and stand beside us through difficult days. Many times they carry burdens that the congregation never even knows about.
Just as a shepherd watches carefully over his sheep, our pastors watch over the spiritual needs of the people God has entrusted to them.
Today, let us thank God for faithful pastors. Pray for your pastor and his family. Encourage him. Let him know that his labor for the Lord is appreciated.
And remember, our pastors need prayer and encouragement too.
Thank You, Lord, for the shepherds You have placed in our lives. Help us to pray for them, encourage them, and appreciate their faithful service to You.
Thank you who give to SOS Events Ministry. Founded in 2001 this ministry has documented over 80,000 plus souls who have made decisions to follow Jesus. There are some of you who have prayed, volunteered and given financially since the very beginning. Others are new supporters.
Contributions come in snail mail with checks or even cash and there are those people who prefer to give through PayPal. The amount varies from one time large gifts to the little ladies who may send a dollar or two each month. Every donation is appreciated and used to win souls to Christ.
The only paid positions in SOS Events are the small office staff. All others from the President of the ministry to volunteers who spend their own money many times for travel and even cost of events receive nothing from SOS Events except prayer and appreciation. There are a few missionaries who receive designated support and every penny goes directly to them.
Some of you who read this blog may be “turned off” by the subject of money but it does take money to function and win souls in today’s economy. If you have never given to SOS Events but would like to give, every donation large or small is appreciated and will be used to win people to the Lord. Go to the home page and click on the donate button or send via snail mail to SOS, P.O. Box 189, Dover, FL 33527.
If you cannot give financially you can do something even more needed. Pray everyday for the staff, volunteers and most of all for lost souls to be saved.
We all have needs. Sometimes we need financial provision. Other times we need strength, wisdom, encouragement, or an answer to prayer.
Jesus tells us not to make those needs the first thing in our lives. Instead, He says, “seek ye first the kingdom of God.”
God already knows what we need. He knows what we need today, what we will need tomorrow, and even the needs we do not know are coming.
That does not mean He will give us everything we want, or that He will give us everything we need all at once. God provides at the right time and in the right way.
Sometimes we may wonder, Lord, why haven’t You answered yet? But while we are waiting, God is still working. His timing is perfect.
Our responsibility is to put Him first—to love Him, serve Him, trust Him, and seek to do His will. Then we can leave our needs in His hands.
Center for Evangelists 
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