Let Jesus be your Oasis

Matthew 11:28-30 TPT

"Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis, simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you'll discover that I'm gentle, humble, easy to please, you will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear."

Jesus asks a question that many of us can answer with a firm yes. Because He knows what we face each day, He invites us to come to Him and experience the continual refreshing that only he can provide.

It's true--only Jesus can fill us with His love, joy, peace, and strength when we feel depleted. He understands how life's challenges can take a toll on us, especially when we rely on our own strength instead of leaning into His.

Jesus also gives us instructions that help keep us refreshed. When we take a moment to pause, stop what we're doing, and carve out quality time to seek Him, we can count on Him eagerly waiting for us to lay our burdens at His feet. It is in that place of vulnerability that we find relief from the weight of our problems and deepest concerns.

He promises to teach us His ways so that we can find rest and renewal in times of weariness. As we allow the Word of God to penetrate our hearts, we begin to see what truly matters. Often, the things that weigh us down are the endless demands of work, home, ministry and everything in between. But Jesus reminds us that what He gives us is a burden we can carry. Whatever we are assigned to God gives us the grace to carry it. Everything else is unnecessary and only serves to slow us down, keeping us stuck and overwhelmed.

If you begin to feel the crushing weight of life, run to Jesus. Life was never meant to crush you. Jesus gave His life so that you could live in the abundance of His Spirit.

Reflection

1. What burdens are you carrying today that you need to lay at Jesus' feet?

2. In what areas of your life have you been relying on your own strength instead of leaning into His?

3. What might God be asking you to release so you can walk freely and lightly with Him?

4. How can you make intentional time this week to pause and seek refreshment in God's presence?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your invitation to come and find rest in You. I confess that I often try to carry things on my own, and it leaves me tired and overwhelmed. Today, I lay down my pride and every burden at Your feet---my worries, responsibilities, and fears. Teach me Your ways. Help me to walk in Your peace and depend on Your strength. Thank You for being my oasis, my place of refreshment. I choose to rest in You today. In Jesus' Amen.

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In Pursuit of Jesus

"The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, 'what do you seek?'" John 1:37-38

This was a powerful question that Jesus proposed to these men who were captivated by his words. They were drawn to him and wanted to follow him. In that moment, there were no miracles of healing or deliverance. Just the Word. They received the fresh manna that created a lasso around there hearts and demanded their attention. It was all so crystal clear that what they were seeking was a spiritual encounter. The words of Jesus made such an impact that it prompt them to follow him without question.

Can you remember the last time His words ignited something inside of you? Can you recall a time when you were excited about seeking and pursuing him just because you wanted to simply know him? When Jesus asked 'What do you seek' I can imagine that they were filled with hope and great expectations. Their hearts were stirred and their spirit became alive with every word that proceeds out of the mouth of their soon to be Savior.

The same passion and zeal these disciples of Jesus portrayed is what we should aspire to practice. If we want to see transformation in our lives we need to pursue an encounter with Jesus. The scripture tells us, if we seek him, we will find him, if we search for him with ALL of our heart. It takes a whole heart to be focused to go after what it wants. When a heart is divided or distracted one can easily miss what God is saying and doing that will bring the much needed change in their life.

We have to learn to chase and pursue Jesus. Obstacles, roadblocks, and all forms of hinderances will come our way, that will never change. It's the "no matter what" mindset and spiritual tenacity to run through troops, leap over walls and breakthrough barriers to get to him. You have to want the encounter to really pursue it. If you need help in your pursuit because of your struggles...ask him.

Too many people have given up their pursuit of Christ because life has pushed them down so many times that they refuse to get back up. But, God wants you to know that if you choose to pursue his will for your life, there is nothing you can't face or overcome. The more you seek him despite what stands in front of you, the more you will find the strength to endure as God will make a way for you.

The Holy Spirit is calling you into his presence today. Run to him and seek him for a fresh infilling. Seek him for direction, pursue him because he holds you're today, tomorrow and future; love on him because he is God. He alone can meet all of your spiritual and daily needs. He is a way-maker and has already paved the way for you to enter in through his son Jesus Christ!

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When does God get the glory?

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!"

1Chronicles 16:24

It's not always in the moment but in the move of God that you begin to appreciate what he has graced you to go through. When you experience financial loss, a battle for your health, martial issues, a child gone wild, or problems on the job, it doesn't seem like God is working in your favor. The never ending cycle of experiencing one thing after another can be discouraging and debilitating. The tears cried and the heartache felt doesn't bring assurance in the moment of our pain and distress.

Most would agree that it's hard to see God at work when you are frustrated or overwhelmed. Yet, the grace of God is able to bring you out. If we are honest with ourselves we can point to several occasions when we saw no way out but God did. We forget our previous victories because our current situation seem to out weigh it all. We are here today as a witness to his grace and mercy.

Today, God wants you to perceive your sufferings as an opportunity. He wants you to acknowledge that you are positioned to extend his assurance of breakthrough to someone that is experiencing what you just came out of. He wants you to declare that the fire you were in did not burn you because he was with you. He is waiting on you to profess that God's grace is sufficient in every situation. God is looking to you to be his witness!

Your testimony brings glory to God when you can share it with others. When you witness in the spirit of hope and faith, you are encouraging others to stick with God's process. Everything you have endured molded you to represent God's faithfulness. You become a beacon of light to someone else that is going through a rough season in their life. Sharing your testimony is the one the greatest testament that a believer can give. God is glorified when you can attribute your victories in life to him. They might not have turned out the way you expected but you still gained the victory.

When he is lifted up through our worship, lifestyle and confession, people will begin to glorify him in heaven. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to someone that needs to hear your testimony. Your story and voice can be the deliverance they have been waiting on. Your story matters!

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