REST

REST

Sweet Aroma https://a.co/d/2bO67VZ highlights the importance of a time of rest. For Miss Jessie it was teatime. Four O’clock in the afternoon was a time to sit down, rest, regenerate, rejuvenate and restore her soul. She enjoyed the time daily with her husband for 62 years and then with her granddaughter.

Some may call it an afternoon break, but Miss Jessie liked the sound of teatime.

Her husband, Mel, would come in from working on the farm and Miss Jessie would stop whatever she was doing and meet him at the table in the kitchen.

In the middle of the table was the Bible, worn from years of use, a notebook, and pens. You never know when you need to jot something down.

They always had something to drink and whatever sweet thing Miss Jessie had from her baking. There were times when they grabbed a piece of bread. Anything to give them the strength they needed to carry on for the remainder of the workday before supper.

Now, that REST time was important. They needed it.  We need it. Whatever you do during the day, we all need time to rest.

This kind of rest is most often associated with a child and nap time, and yes, even though they may fight it, we KNOW they need it.

They also need food to keep their little bodies going.  When I pick up a couple of the grandchildren from school, I bring a good protein for them, no sugar, just protein.

As soon as they get in the car – we have about a twenty-to-twenty-five-minute ride – they eat it up and fill their tummies and their brains and are ready for an afternoon of play. But, if they don’t get it, they are different kids, they don’t realize they need that protein. Just like, as adults, many times we don’t realize we need a rest.

Not just a rest as a time to stop and relax some, but time to REST in Jesus!

 

 

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all 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.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

We are all in need of rest, rest from hard work, rest from the dreariness of the world, and the problems that arise along with the energy needed to get through each day.

REST in the form of stopping, not doing anything but sitting, or laying back is needed. Along with a little morsel of food.

But also needed is REST from burdens that only Christ can give.

Many time we carry that burden around, day after day,

We don’t have to, but we are given the choice as to whether we get rid of the burden or continue to carry it.

Right now, think of a burden like that, a burden that you are carrying around.

Maybe no one knows about your burden.

A sin that keeps you feeling unworthy,

an addiction that you can’t seem to step away from,

a lie that eats away at you.

Maybe your burden resembles this gnarled tree that has been changed because of the stormy seas and wind….

KNOW THIS!  Jesus can and will free you from these burdens!

A relationship with God can change that feeling of unworthiness,

help find a way to step away from the addiction,

guide you and give you strength to acknowledge the lie and handle the consequences that may come from it.

Your tiredness, your weariness can turn into spiritual productivity and purpose when you acknowledge who Jesus is – how you can REST in Him and create that relationship, not just religion.

How can you do that?

Well, how do you build your relationship with anyone, husband, friend, co-worker?

By communication. YES COMMUNICATION!  We must spend consistent time with God. In prayer and in His Word.

Ask me for a prayer pocket – go to my website – bobbiefrazier.com which is in the comments. Contact me and ask for a prayer pocket. Check out the blog from today – titled REST and check out the recipe for scones I have included.

Your prayer pocket will guide you to a more consistent, passionate, and powerful prayer life, which then leads to an intimate relationship with our Father!

So, this week, find ways to not only rest your weary body, but also rest in Christ to find spiritual productivity and purpose.

AND realize there is nothing but YOU that stands between you and God.

God is waiting for you to realize

YOU are worthy

YOU can be free from addiction

YOU can overcome what eats away at you!

You only must come to Him. He is waiting to remove the heavy burden.

 

 

SCONES

3 cups All-Purpose Flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

1 1/3 to 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Berries or chocolate chips of your choice if you would like to add, but not necessary

 

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper if desired.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.

Combine the vanilla with 1 1/3 cups cream. Drizzle the liquid mixture over the dry ingredients, tossing and stirring gently all the while. Add enough cream to make a cohesive dough, using up to 3 additional tablespoons if necessary. There shouldn’t be any dry flour in the bottom of the bowl, but the dough shouldn’t be particularly sticky, either. Add your berries etc. if desired.

Lightly flour a clean work surface. Divide the dough in half, and gently pat each half into a 5 1/2″ circle about 3/4″ thick.

Brush each circle with heavy cream, and sprinkle with coarse white sparkling sugar.

Place the two circles of dough on the baking sheet, and cut each into 6 wedges. Pull the wedges apart a bit, leaving them in a circular pattern with about 1″ space between each wedge.

For best rising, place the pan of scones into the freezer for 15 minutes, while you preheat your oven to 425°F.

Bake the chilled scones for 14 to 15 minutes, until they’re starting to brown, and they’re baked all the way through, without any wet dough in the center.

Remove the scones from the oven. Serve warm, split and spread with a bit of sweet butter and jam or preserves.

Store cooled scones airtight at room temperature for several days; freeze for longer storage. To refresh, microwave individual scones very briefly; or place scones on a baking sheet, tent with aluminum foil, and reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until heated through.