Thomas Nelson - Devotions from the Front Porch

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Devotions from the Front Porch

2015 by Thomas Nelson

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version). Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. HCSB is a federally registered trademark of Holman Bible Publishers.

ISBN-13: 978-0-7180-3991-2

ISBN-13: 978-0-7180-4012-3 (eBook)

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CONTENTS

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

MATTHEW 11:28

W e live in a society of stressed-out people. Stress affects young kids, college students, and adults; almost everyone seems touched by it. Then, in an attempt to ease the stress, we make it worse. We work harder. We work faster. We do more. We refuse to rest, and then we wonder why were so exhausted. Its a vicious cycle.

Do you want to know who isnt stressed? Anyone currently sitting in a rocking chair. Try a little rocking on someones front porch, and see what happens. You will rock your cares away, my friend.

Christ knew that life would be stressful. He didnt invite us to come to Him and have all of our problems solved. A quick fix or an end to the current struggle is not what our bodies need. He gives us what we often do not give ourselves: permission to rest.

We dont need to do one more load of laundry, or work longer or harder, or stay up later, or get up earlier. We need to rest, and Christ, in His wisdom, gives us permission to do just that. And not only does He offer rest, but He invites us to give our worries and burdens to Him.

We have permission to turn on the radio and dance in the kitchen. To laugh out loud. To simply breathe. We have permission to take a break from whatever is weighing us down. You and I have permission to rest, and theres no better place to rest than a front-porch rocking chair.

I am so thankful, Lord, that You know what I need. When I am weary and overwhelmed, help me remember to come to You for rest.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthews house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.

MATTHEW 9:10

B reaking bread with others is a special experience. Chances are, if a person is ill, has had a baby, or is new to the neighborhood, someone will show up with an offering of food. Many lasting friendships have been formed while sharing a chicken casserole or some pound cake.

The early believers understood this concept of community. They knew that life was not meant to be lived in isolation, but rather in interacting with and loving others well. They had witnessed the extraordinary way Christ loved, and it often involved dining with people. He feasted at Matthews house, Marthas house, the seashore, and the Upper Room. He dined with His friends, His disciples, Pharisees, tax collectors, and lepers.

Jesus didnt withdraw from people or their pain. He was never too busy to be bothered by others burdens. In fact, He invited them to step away from the busyness of life and share a meal with Him. As a result, the outcast felt as welcome at His dinner table as the disciple.

People are no different today than when Jesus walked the earth. We want to be seen and heardto know we matter.

We are surrounded by hurting and lonely people who long for an invitation to break bread with us. They desire to be welcomed. When the coffee flows freely, people feel free to be themselves. If there happens to be a pound cake involved, well, thats just icing.

Lord, may I never be too busy to let someone know that he or she matters. May my kitchen table be a place where people are truly seen and heard. Open my eyes to those around me who need to be invited to break bread at my table.

If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

PROVERBS 3:24 ESV

W hen you have children, sleep is the first thing you lose. As infants, they keep you up all hours of the night. Then they begin climbing into your bed in the middle of the night, kicking you in the back and stealing your covers. At some point, they finally sleep in their own beds, only to wake up at the crack of dawn requesting breakfast. Occasionally, however, something beautiful takes place on Sunday afternoon: a nap.

Whether its on the couch, in a hammock, or on a blanket in the yard, a Sunday afternoon nap is a wise gift for a weary body. To close your eyes and snooze in the middle of the day seems positively decadent, which makes the sleep that much sweeter.

Solomon knew the importance of wisdom in a persons life. Of all the things that he could have requested from God, he asked for wisdom, and God granted it. Solomon also knew the benefits of wisdom in his life. Wisdom allows a person to walk in security and peace. A wise person is a source of life to those around her.

A foolish person makes foolish decisions and suffers the consequencesone of the first often being troubled sleep. When worry and regret weigh heavy on a persons mind, sleep proves elusive. A wise person, however, makes prayerful decisions, trusts God with the outcomes, and sleeps like its Sunday afternoon.

I know what its like, Lord, to endure sleepless nights.
Give me wisdom that I may always find rest in You.