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“HOW DO I FIND REST FOR MY SOUL?”
Thoughts Jesus Wants Us To Think – Part 5
Matthew 11:28-30 - 2-12-2012

FICTION: "Other people produce my stress."
FACT: How I decide to react produces the stress.

I. JESUS' APPROACH TO MANAGING STRESS (7 precepts)

1. Classification: I must know who God made me to be.
“I am . . . the Light of the world . . . the Son of God . . . the Way, the Truth and the Life . . . the Bread of Life . . . ."
Jn. 9:5, Mk. 14:62, Jn 14:6, Jn 6:35
" I testify on my own behalf..." John 8:18 (TEV)

2. Devotion: I must know who I am trying to please.
" I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." John 5:30 (NIV)
" No worker can serve two bosses . . . ." Luke 16:13 (MES)

3. Prominence: I must know what I want to do in life.
" . . I know where I've come from and where I go next." - Jn. 8:14 (MES)
" I must preach the good news . . . for I was sent for this purpose." - Luke 4:43 (RSV)

4. Diligence: I must center on what is essential.
" As the time drew near for his return to heaven, he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will." Luke 9:51 (TLB)
" Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God." Luke 9:62 (TLB)
" Martha was distracted . . . The Master said, `Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential . . . .' Luke 10:40‑42 (NAS, MES)

5. Delegation: I must let others help me.
" He settled on twelve, and designated them apostles. . . that they would be with him and that he would send them out to proclaim His word...." Mark 3:14 (MES)

6. Contemplation: I must make it a point to pray often.
" . . .word got out (about Jesus). Soon a large crowd of people gathered to listen and be healed of their ailments. As often as possible Jesus withdrew to out-of-the-way places for prayer." - Luke 5:15‑16 (MES)

7. Leisure: I must take the time to have fun.
" There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his disciples didn't even have time to eat. So he said to them, `Let us go off by ourselves to some place where we will be alone and you can rest a while.'" Mark 6:31 (TEV)
" Jesus came enjoying life . . . ." Matt. 11:19 (Ph)
" Come to Me, all you 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.”." - Matt. 11:28‑30 (NKJV)