Jesus Took A Nap

LUKE 8:23 On the way across, Jesus lay down for a nap, and while he was sleeping the wind began to rise. A fierce storm developed that threatened to swamp them, and they were in real danger.

So many people are driven -- feeling and acting like the responsibility for running the whole world is on their shoulders.

But Jesus was able to relax. Arguably, He had an important job to do. Yet He had balance in His life. He knew when it was time to take a nap.

Jesus also spent whole nights in prayer. So, His example does not encourage laziness or apathy. Just balance -- and trust in God, instead of worry.

HEBREWS 10:23 He who promised is faithful.

The devil is trying to get you to doubt God and His Word. The devil wants you to give up on God, to not trust Him, to not expect Him to do what He said in His Word.

Do not give up! God can be trusted.

Someone who loves you enough to die in your place can be trusted. Someone who created all that you see, and all that you don't see, can be trusted to handle whatever you face.

TITUS 1:2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

God is not a liar. Whatever He says comes to pass!

1 THESSALONIANS 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

God is trustworthy. Don't be moved by the circumstances. God will not fail you.

You may find it difficult to believe -- but it's true – God loves you. His love for you is not based on your appearance or your performance -- but on the fact that you are His creation - His child.

Just as a good parent loves their children, so God loves His children - and even more so. You will not be able to make God stop loving you, no matter what you do or don't do. You can displease Him, you can disappoint Him, you can anger Him – but you can't make Him stop loving you.

What are the practical consequences of God loving you? First, it means you can trust Him. No one who truly loves you will mistreat you. Second, it means God is doing all He can to help you and bless you.

"Then why am I not more blessed, if God wants to bless me?" Because you must cooperate with God to receive His blessing. That is why we need continuing instruction from the Bible – so we can know how to receive all that God has for us.

The promise of Jesus is that if we continue in His Word it will reveal the truth to us and make us free. That is the blessing which God has provided for you through Christ because He loves you: true freedom!

Freedom from fear, freedom from confusion, freedom from lack, freedom from sickness, freedom from strife, freedom from sin.

JOHN 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Many people are afraid that God's Word will put them in bondage -- because of the rules they think they will have to follow.

But Jesus said God's Word would make you free.

Abide means to live, to continue, or to spend time somewhere. If you continue to spend time in Jesus' Word -- you will know the truth.

When you know the truth, you will act on that knowledge – and acting on the truth will make you free!

The Bible, especially the message of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, will set you free if you continue in it.

We are not guaranteed instant results, although sometimes they do happen. Freedom is certain, however, if you stick with God's Word. Jesus gave His guarantee!

If you are not enjoying freedom in any area of your life – you have not continued in God's Word enough in that area. Feed it in: speak it, sing it, read it, write it, think it, dream it!

Some may think it would be a sin to "take a nap" because we should always be working. But Jesus never sinned, and we may safely follow His example, and keep our lives in balance.