August 19 John 5:1-9
Welcome to Day 16. Just like last Sabbath today’s devotional will be similar as well. I pray you are able to join us for worship at the church. After abiding with your family in worship and praise take some time to try some of these options. Overall rest is the abundance of God’s Sabbath Rest.
Different things to do for your Sabbath:
Spouses/Couples: Durning these next 10-20 minutes, each of you takes 10 minutes sharing how you see Jesus in your significant other or boyfriend/girlfriend. Empower them as you acknowledge different things you have seen in them that remind them of Jesus. After place your hands on their head and pray a specific blessing for them.
Youth/Young Adults: Take 10-20 minutes pouring into someone else. Whether it is helping an elderly person with some of their yard work, doing the dishes for your parents, listening to someone’s issues, etc. The purpose of your devotional time with Jesus is to recognize that the Sabbath is not just meant for you to abide with the King in the Kingdom but also to provide relief and rest to some who are being oppressed.
Elderly: Call or text 5 people and just ask if there is anything you can pray for them. Be open to the fact that you may even be the vessel in which God can answer that prayer.
Children: Conduct a worship service for your family after church is done. Provide a worship service, prayer time, and a sermon. It doesn’t have to be perfect or elaborate. For God does not look at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart.
For everyone: Read John 5:1-9 (It may even be a good text to preach on if you are a child).
Some of My Thoughts,
For those of you who are familiar with the beautiful gift of the Sabbath, we can all say that it is truly a gift. But there are some who have received the Sabbath not as a gift but as an obligation to inherit God’s favor or blessing. Last Sabbath I spoke upon that. Today I wish to explain another side of the Sabbath. Sabbath is a day to do good for others.
The Israelites spent 400-plus years in slavery. Never being able to take a day off, a vacation, or even decide what they would eat. Every decision was made for them. They were told when to sleep, what to eat, how many kid’s they were allowed to have, and what god they could serve and worship. No wonder God wanted them to be reminded of the Sabbath once again. (It is the longest commandment) For Sabbath is a reminder of who truly is their King and the freedom they have obtained in His Kingdom.
After being set free from that type of bondage and slavery wouldn’t that produce in their hearts to do the same for others? So others may enter into the rest that their King provides. As one reflects on the beautiful gift God has given them and the freedom they have obtained it is impossible not to be sensitive and compassionate to those who do not have it. It will be our desire to share this beautiful gift and provide rest for another as God has set us free from the bondage of sin!
That is why I preach and serve on the Sabbath! Though Sabbath is definitely about getting some much-needed rest, it is also about providing that rest for others who are being enslaved by debts, stress, health conditions, and so much more. So I encourage you to provide rest to someone this Sabbath so they may also taste and see that the Lord is Good. Buy them some groceries so they may eat, cut their grass so they can rest, sit with them and listen to their story (you may be the only person in their life who actually seek to listen), or open your house so they may partake of the blessings God has given you. You have so much freedom to do good, use that freedom as Jesus did for us.
Happy Sabbath my Family.