Dear Family,

Today is Monday, May 2, 2022, Day 2 of Week 3. This is the 16th Day of Count to Pentecost.

According to Exodus 16:1, ancient Israel remained at the Elim oasis until the fifteenth day of the second month after they left Egypt. Elim was a place of abundance. At Elim God gave them a special period of rest and refreshing, and God does the same for His people today.

Resting and being refreshed do not indicate periods of complete inactivity. Actually, there are important things God’s people need to focus on as they rest and are refreshed. During those times of rest and refreshing, God’s people need to still be active.

Periods of refreshing can be used to take stock of ourselves . . . to consider how we are doing, and perhaps what kinds of things might need to be changed. God associates this concept of becoming “converted” (i.e., changed) during times of refreshing from God.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Additionally, Jesus describes the right kind of activities we should engage in as we come to Him for the rest He can give. Essentially, Jesus tells us we are to take His yoke and determine to learn of Him during His rest.

Matthew 11:28-29 (28) Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

And, why not use these special times to seek God with all of our hearts and learn of Him? After all, He is the Master, and we are His disciples.

If we seek Him diligently in good times, we may have to endure less of the more difficult times. It’s quite a possibility to consider.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
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