“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. 29Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST (renewal, blessed quiet) FOR YOUR SOULS. 30For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 AMP

A comforting verse this morning for us living in sch turbulent times! Everyday life seems to be getting just a little bit harder. More wars and rumors of wars. Famines, earthquakes, and pestilence top the news stories. Where can one go to find rest for their soul? Jesus gave us the answer two thousand years ago, “Come unto Me…” In the never-ending pursuit of the happy life, we must remember that it is in Him and Him alone that we can find rest!

“Jesus said to her, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, relies on) Me [as Savior] will live even if he dies;” John 11:25 AMP

Do you see it? “I Am the resurrection and the life.” The word “resurrection” is the Greek word meaning “to arise; wake up; repair; restore or restore.” What a beautiful description of the process of salvation! The hope for us is a heart transplant from one bent toward sin and one pursuing righteousness. Jesus made it possible through His death and confirmed it with His resurrection. We sometimes forget that aside from forgiveness being wrought, His shed blood, new life was given through His resurrection!  I am reminded of the words to the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians,

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. 18But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], 19that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].” 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 AMP

These words are the description of the proclamation that Jesus made, I am the resurrection and the life! Many of you reading this devotional have experienced the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. Your old man has died and your new live is being lived out in the glory of His grace! People today are searching for life in all the wrong places. True life can only be found in the death; the death of our old man! 

Today Jesus still offers abundant life and a promise of protection and provision if one would but surrender to Him! Today, Jesus offers to take your sorrows, burdens and shame and resurrect you to new and abundant life in Him! Look again at the gain of the exchange,

“…I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].”

Who would not want the refreshing of our soul! Inner peace is something that cannot be bought. It can only be acquired through the exchange of your old life for His new one. Remember the words of the Apostle Paul,

“But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”–that is, the word [the message, the basis] of faith which we preach– 9because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous–being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation. 11For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED [in his expectations].” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord over all [of us], and [He is] abounding in riches (blessings) for all who call on Him [in faith and prayer]. 13For “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD [in prayer] WILL BE SAVED.” Romans 10:8-13 AMP

Let me invite you today to the new and refreshing life of peace and grace. If you would confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, you also can make the greatest exchange of your life…your stress for His peace! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken