SABBATH SHARE

WHY SABBATH AND WHY REST The gracious Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation.  The fourth commandment of God’s unchangeable law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath.  The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God’s kingdom.  The Sabbath is God’s perpetual sign of His eternal covenant between Him and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is a celebration of God’s creative and redemptive acts.  (Gen. 2:1-3; Exod. 20:8-11; 31:13-17; Lev. 23:32; Deut. 5:12-15; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Ezek. 20:12, 20; Matt. 12:1-12; Mark 1:32;...

Once upon a time, there lived a young girl named Ruth, who possessed a profound love for gardening. One serene evening, as she diligently watered her meticulously tended plants, her discerning gaze fell upon a multitude of resplendent roses adorning the rosebush. Intrigued, she approached the rosebush, scrutinizing each blossom with unwavering attention. What struck her was the uncanny balance of similarity and divergence among them, all adorned with breathtaking beauty. Among these floral treasures, Ruth's eyes were drawn to a small bud, and she watched it with bated breath, hoping it would unfurl its petals under her watchful eye.  Regrettably, the bud chose not to reveal its splendor that evening, prompting Ruth to continue her nightly routine. The following morning, she returned to the rosebush, and to her delight, the small bud had transformed into a resplendent rose. This tale of the roses taught Ruth a valuable lesson, one that she held close to her heart. While ...

In our journey as Christians, it's easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and unintentionally drift away from our relationship with God. I've noticed three red flags that may indicate we need to reevaluate our priorities: 1. Neglecting Scripture: One telltale sign is when we go for hours or even days without reading the Scriptures, and reading the Bible becomes more of an obligation than a source of inspiration. We may assume that we know enough, but it's crucial to remember that reading the Bible for deeper understanding should never lose its importance. Establishing a scheduled reading routine can be beneficial, but it should not replace the depth of our study. 2. Burdened Prayer Life: When spending time in prayer becomes a burdensome task rather than a heartfelt conversation with God, it's a sign that we may need to reassess our approach. As true believers, we should view prayer as an opportunity to connect with God as a friend, sharing our joys, concerns, and...