In our LIFE lessons Bible study time on Wednesday, we dove into Matthew chapter 11 and it became clear the narrow way of the Lord is the path of endurance. Life right now can be stressful and emotionally driven, so we must use healthy coping skills to successfully navigate each day. Certainly, getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy, exercising, enjoying a hobby or connecting with friends all help us gain a better balance to manage stress.
All of these choices and actions are good tools, but don’t forget Jesus teaches love never fails and disciplined, grateful, and childlike prayer is essential to the believer’s endurance (Mat 6:5-8; 6:9-13; 11:25; 1 Cor 13:7). The time between Jesus’ death/ascension and the time of his return are considered the “end times” or the “age of grace.” We must stay focused on prayer and seeking the Kingdom way of living, because we must learn to remain in the peace and joy of the Spirit.
Jesus told his disciples no one but the Father knows the time of Christ’s return (Acts1:7). During this stress infused end time, we must trust God to safely guide us around the traps of worldliness; Satan uses stress to destroy us. Therefore, Christ’s disciples are to live in anticipation of his return while they faithfully pray for God’s provision and strength and stay focused on witnessing to the world about the Kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy believers can enter and enjoy in the Spirit (Mat 21:22).
In our passage from Peter, today, we are encouraged to pray, love one another, share life, rely on God’s strength, and live for the glory of God. If we are stressed, we will struggle to do these things. If you find yourself burdened with stress…reach out in prayer to Jesus. He says, “Come all of you…” (Mat 11:28-30).
Who is all of you?
- All of you who are struggling to find answers and peace
- All of you who are exhausted, overworked, overextended
- All of you who desire to know the truth and be set free
- All of you who are in need of hope to go on
- All of you who are concerned about the future
- All of you who are fighting or in the midst of conflict
- All of you who are bending under the weight of life’s problems
- All of you regardless of age, gender, race, past, present—all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and the Lord will give you rest.
1 Peter 4:7-11 NLT
7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.
10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
Prayer: Lord, no one knows how to connect time with your return. So, help us live anticipating your return, by actually fulfilling the work you have for us as your witnesses. Holy Spirit, bring us people who need help coping with the pressures of life and we will tell them about you and how you help us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.