Sabbath Rest: Finding Your Rhythm of Rest

by Marilynn Chadwick

Are you feeling tired today? Maybe you worked late, slept poorly, tried to juggle too many tasks, attempted to solve too many problems, took on too much responsibility for everything and everybody around you. It seems you’re not alone. America is a nation obsessed with rest—or the lack of it.

At my children’s high school one year, teachers sent home a disturbing article about sleep deprived teenagers. Researchers are telling us that people now fantasize about sleep! It seems the average person is very, very tired. You may be working harder, running faster, accomplishing more and more… but who’s watching out for your soul?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

I’ve been drawn to Jesus’s promise of rest after observing some very “exhausted souls” lately. Exhaustion can manifest itself as anxiety, depression, illness, addiction, or even self-destructive behaviors. This has left me thinking. Why are so many people crashing and burning?

What would happen if we revived the spiritual practice of Sabbath-keeping? I wonder if Sabbath—in whatever ways we choose to practice it—might help set us free from the weight of unhealthy expectations and lessen the anxieties of fast-paced living? Since the time of ancient Israel, Sabbath-keeping has been a life-giving gift of God.

Sabbath was meant to refresh our relationship with God and one another. For the next several days, we’ll explore the biblical and practical foundations of Sabbath-keeping. How does this once-a-week gift of rest bring peace to those who embrace it? How is Sabbath woven into God’s covenant with Israel? What significance does it have for Christians today? We’ll also explore some practical ways we can experience the rest of Sabbath in a busy, noisy world.

The Fruit of the Spirit: A Life Under Control

by David Chadwick

Self-control. This is the ninth and final fruit of the Spirit.

When you are connected to the Spirit, you have the power to discipline and crucify even the strongest lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:17).

I once heard a story of a pastor who never taught self-control to his people because he couldn’t govern his own eating habits. Shame on him! This last fruit of the Spirit should never be overlooked because of someone’s fleshly inadequacies or impulses.

Someone who lacks self-control in one area inadvertently leaves the door open to lacking self-control in other areas of life. When you refuse to live a disciplined, self-controlled life, you are walking in the utmost selfishness.

While you can be delivered from a demon, you can’t get delivered from your flesh. You must discipline your flesh and let it die. Only by renewing your mind can you reckon your flesh dead (Romans 12:2). The Bible says that when you put your trust and hope in Jesus, you have been crucified with Christ. You no longer live, but Christ now lives in you (Galatians 2:20).

Slowly but surely, your flesh remains dead as you reckon it dead. And as you rightly see your flesh crucified with Christ, your true identity will emerge as a son or daughter of the Most High King of the Universe and the fruit of the Spirit will begin to flow through your life more and more, giving you more self-control.

Because of Jesus, you can conquer your lusts, your sins, your flesh. But the key is found in abiding in Christ and remaining connected to the Spirit. We must cling to the message of abiding in John 15:7. As we remain in Christ, we will bear much fruit!

Finally, notice Paul ends this list with, “And against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:23).  What does this mean? Well, it is actually quite simple. It means that the fruit of the Holy Spirit cannot come through the Law. You can’t muster up enough obedience. You can’t try harder or work more to possess these nine fruit of the Spirit.

They only and always come from abiding.

Be one with Jesus. Rest and remain in him. As you do, ALL the fruit, every one of these nine, will show up in the life of a follower of Jesus. What happens when it starts to go away? Go back and check the power source. Make sure you are connected to the vine (John 15:5). These “fruit” are guaranteed to the Christ follower who abides in Jesus.

Apart from him we can do nothing…but connected to him, all things are possible!

The Fruit of the Spirit: Gentle and Strong

by David Chadwick

Gentleness is the eighth fruit of the Holy Spirit.

The Greek word for gentleness is praus. It’s the only adjective Jesus ever uses to describe himself (Matthew 11:30).

The word literally means “bridled power.” Picture a fierce, strong stallion who is bridled by a rider. It is able to run and jump over high walls, but because of the bridle in its mouth is able to correctly direct the powerful force within. This is true gentleness.

Philippians 4:5 says, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.” Other translations say to let your gentleness be evident to all. Surely there is an aspect of gentleness that is steady, reasonable, certain. A sure-footed and secure disposition.

Gentleness also implies great humility, which shows us why Jesus used it to describe himself. Jesus was the ultimate display of humility and used his supernatural strength to give his life away as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

We see another example of the Father’s heart of gentleness in Isaiah 40:11, “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

When gentleness is evident in the life of a believer, humility permeates everything!

Tenderness will shine through your interactions. You will know that all of your gifts and talents are bridled by the Holy Spirit, controlled by him, and are to be used for his glory. A gentle life seeks the will of the Spirit, knowing that all glory belongs to God and every good and perfect gift comes from him (James 1:17).

As you operate more and more in humility, you will learn to reflect Jesus more and more. A life controlled by the Holy Spirit will reflect submission to the Father, even in the midst of your humanity.

Tough and tender. Strong and loving. This is gentleness. Let’s all be more and more connected to the Spirit and pray he will give us more gentleness.