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A Place of Rest

10/28/2018

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A Place of Rest
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Terry R. Baughman

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29).

Rest is required for us all. The physiological composition of humanity dictates that all have an appropriate time of rest to replenish and restore after expending energy. Lives are cyclical. There are times of action, exertion, and productivity, but these periods must also be followed by a commensurate time of rest, relaxation, and recuperation.

The pattern of creativity and rest was given in the beginning. In six days God made all of creation, then on the seventh day God rested. If one who has all power in heaven and earth would take a break after six days of action, then we should also make rest a priority in our schedule of activity. Under the Law one of the commandments was to observe and keep the Sabbath day. From the pattern of creation we are well-advised to take one day a week to recharge our batteries and fulfill our need for rest. 

Western culture is sometimes chaotic. Though we have more conveniences and labor saving devices we continue to lead stress-filled lives and experience the compulsion to be active continually. As we experience more and more pressure it seems that we accomplish less and less. Our productivity is diminished by our continual need to appear busy so we claim to be multitasking while only halfway accomplishing many tasks and failing to complete the most important needs. 

Sometimes we must call a time out and exit the cyclical rat race for a time of respite. Stop the chaos. Cease the chase. Unplug the technology. Soak in the silence. Find rest in the realm of the Spirit. In those times you will find spiritual refreshing. Jesus called us to relationship and in that relationship we will find rest for our souls. “Come to Me,” Jesus said, “all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

The Holy Spirit was given that we might enjoy the rest and the refreshing of God in us. The prophet predicted a day of divine deliverance, ecstatic experience, and spiritual rest. “For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, To whom He said, ‘This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,’ And, ‘This is the refreshing’” Isaiah 28:11-12). The greatest relief from our stress-filled lives will be found in the New Birth experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

Home should be a place of rest. It takes some effort to create an environment for relaxation. Find the things that bring peace in life and fill the home with them. Play spiritual music. Control the media that is displayed. Establish rules for disagreements. Don’t allow screaming, physical violence, disrespect, and vulgarity in the home. Let home be a refuge from the madness and chaos of culture. Make the threshold at each door the barrier from the spirit of the world, and establish a God zone within the walls of the house. Protect home and family. It is a sanctuary of peace and a safe place of rest!
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Scripture:
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46 NIV).

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A Place of Acceptance

10/21/2018

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A Place of Acceptance
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Terry R. Baughman
​

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20 NIV).

One of the most poignant stories of Jesus was the telling of the parable of the lost son, better known as the story of the prodigal. However, the dramatic turnaround and the restoration of the lost son brings joy and hope to any who have experienced such loss and live with prayers and dreams of reconciliation.  

The son had not left on good terms. He wanted to rush the process, claim the inheritance, and enjoy the pleasures of life while he was still young. The father gave in, said goodbye, and grieved for the vacant seat at the table and the empty hole in his heart. The other brother stayed home and worked. However, he may have harbored resentment at the increased responsibility and duties that now fell on his shoulders. 

Life was good for the wayward son … for awhile. The imagined fortune gained in the windfall inheritance seemed limitless, but in time it dwindled and disappeared. And so did the friends that always hung around for the free drinks and generosity of the fool-hearted benefactor. When the money dried up there was no more parties and no more fun and no reason to stay around. 

The devastated son sought employment and found a menial job on a pig farm and found himself eating along with them in desperation. Only at the end of the road and in desperate conditions did he finally think of home. 

Home is where there is love and acceptance, security and provision, and the certain knowledge of belonging. At home there is no need to be on guard, keep up appearances, or worry about being taken in. A person can be vulnerable, transparent, and authentic when at home. Home is a place of acceptance. 

The prodigal dreamed of home. A place where the servants were living better than he was. At least they had decent meals, secure lodging, and provision for a future. He had none of that. So with a certain dread of how he might be received he headed down the same road that had taken him away and began the journey back. As he walked he rehearsed his apology, made plans to ask for a servants position in a place he felt he no longer belonged. 

What he did not know was that each day the father looked down the road toward the sunset and dreamed of the day the lost would return. He planned no revenge, plotted no restitution, or required no penitence. He only longed for the son to return. When he saw the familiar gait and the dejected demeanor of the lost boy, his heart leaped with joy, and he ran to welcome him. The tears were of joy and the occasion demanded a celebration of restoration. He said, “Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate” (Luke 15:23–24 NIV).

There is acceptance for every prodigal, welcome for all who’ve strayed. Home is a place of acceptance. Welcome home!
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Scripture:
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46 NIV).

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A Place of Welcome

10/14/2018

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A Place of Welcome
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Terry R. Baughman

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

Home is a place of hospitality. It is a place where the inhabitants can freely live and create a space where they can be themselves; where they can have honest conversation and openly exchange ideas; where people can gather to enjoy fun and laughter, food and games, as they strengthen the connection of friendship. Home is where you retreat to recuperate, rest and recharge. Home is the fort for the family a safe place where boundaries are respected and each member finds security and defense. 

Even Jesus respected the privacy of home. He is depicted as one standing outside the door respectfully knocking. He awaited the invitation to enter. Jesus is a gentleman, never forcing His way into our lives or our hearts. He awaits outside for us to respond to Him and invite Him inside. 

“If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me,” Jesus said. Hospitality and welcome will prepare one for the gracious guest of the Christ. Communion awaits. Fellowship is available. Unity and spiritual fulfillment are possible when you invite Him in. The Psalmist sang of the blessing of being in His presence, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). 

There is nothing like sweet communion with Christ. A hymn by Joseph C. Ludgate, published in 1898, expresses this special relationship, “Friendship with Jesus, fellowship divine! Oh, what blessed, sweet communion, Jesus is a friend of mine.”

The gift of hospitality was recognized in the New Testament writings. Paul wrote to a young preacher concerning the requirements for a bishop, or an overseer, “He must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined” (Titus 1:8). In another passage he wrote that we should “Practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13). 

We can be blessed to extend hospitality and exercise our gift generously. We may also experience receiving hospitality from others. Both are a blessing. While Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give that to receive,” it may also be observed that it is a privilege to to be the recipient of another’s welcome (Acts 20:35). It is rewarding to be on the receiving side of someone who welcomes and makes others comfortable in their home, no matter how simple and basic it may be. There is something about a warm welcome that fills a barren space and cheers the guest with the blessing of others. 

Seek to serve one another. Through sacrifice and giving of ourselves to extend an embrace of welcome, we may also experience the gift of a warm welcome from another. There’s no where like home and no place to better share a welcome!
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Scripture:
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46 NIV).

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Believe in the Mission

10/7/2018

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Believe in the Mission
HIS MISSION, OUR CO-MISSION
Terry R. Baughman

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:15–17).

Faith is an essential element of salvation and vital to the work of the ministry Jesus called us to complete. We are commissioned to go into all the world and preach to every creature and in every culture. The required response to the gospel message is always the same: Believe!

Faith is necessary for every petition and essential for every prayer. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Our faith is in the One who made every promise and through Him the mission is possible. 

Faith always leads to action. James taught, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). He went on to say, “The body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). There must be an active response to faith. Mark stated, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). Acting on faith will lead to obedience to the Word of God and the plan of salvation. When the convicted crowd cried out to Peter, “What shall we do?” His response was without hesitation, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37–38). 

Salvation is freely offered and easily obtained. It is a matter of faith and obedience. Simply believe and simply follow the instruction of His Word. Mark continued with the necessary conclusion, “He who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). The condemnation for those who refuse to believe in Jesus Christ is the loss of an opportunity for salvation and an eternity separated from God. It cannot be any simpler and it cannot be any more stringent. We must believe!

To believe in God is to also embrace His mission. Jesus came, “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). When we receive His Spirit we will also be empowered to fulfill His mission. “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me … to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). We cannot claim to have faith and not be consumed with the commission. He has called us to complete what only He can do, and working with us and through us He will be able to complete it. What a privilege to find ourselves in conjunction with Jesus Christ and partnered with Him in His mission to reach the world. 

The world will never be reached without a preacher, a spokesman to share the everlasting gospel. They must hear before they can believe. They must believe that they might be saved. We must follow Christ and believe in the mission!
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Scripture:
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14)

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    Author

    Terry R Baughman is Lead Pastor for LifeChurch in Gilbert, AZ.  See his complete bio at trbaughman.com 

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