I woke up way too early and found myself watching a World War 2 documentary hoping to fall back asleep.

I listened as old men recounted stories of death and sacrifice. The narrator detailed the war effort at home, a country coming together, people denying themselves for a greater good.

Denying of self…It’s not something we hear much of these days. It is, in fact, just the opposite—

“Be true to you”
“Find your true self”
“Love your self”

In fact, the elevation of personal autonomy and self has never been more promoted than it is today.

We think we can command our own way, define our own gender, make our own rules, and love ourselves enough to be happy, but it is all a ruse!

It is, in fact, a pretty lie that leads to death.

We are being blinded by the spirit of this age as evil forces are set upon our destruction.

A wise pastor once said, “Satan disguises submission to himself under the ruse of personal autonomy. Never once did Satan say to Eve “I want to be your Master”. The shift in commitment is never from Christ to evil; it is always from Christ to self. And instead of his will, self-interest now rules and what I want reigns. And that is the essence of sin.””(Kinlaw)

And when we buy that lie, we have indeed been deceived by the one who has come to rob and kill and destroy. (John 10:10)

For there is a spiritual war raging in the heavens for the hearts and minds of men.

But God goes on to say in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

He says, “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.” (Matt 11:28-30)

While we have a real enemy with his sights set on our destruction, those who seek to refute the lie that happiness can be found in self and deny themselves and follow Christ, find real life!

They find REST! Soul rest!

They find peace and hope and joy that cannot be taken away. (Matt 16:24-25)

Oh friends, may we see the schemes of the evil one for what they are! May we teach our kids to recognize them and may we walk in truth following the Lord whose plans for us are truly better than we could ask or imagine!

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen”. (Eph 3:14-21)

soulrest

peace

whataSavior

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