From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

Refreshed, revitalized, renewed…sounds like a spa advertisement. Well, it could be, and nothing wrong with some good physical rest and recuperation in this dizzying world of emails, tweets, 24-hour news, information and entertainment. But this “spa” I am talking about is the one you visit when you spend some delightful time in the presence of the Lord. But that “time” thing is a bit elusive lately it seems!

Funny sometimes when you think of it, but I’ve got a house full of time-saving gadgets and appliances—and yet have no time! And I don’t know about you, but it seems like time-sensitive reports, meetings and ministry responsibilities crowd that precious 24 hours that I have each day. I need a hiding place!

The only way to keep sane in this insane world is to seriously take God at His word when He says to come away with Him and enter His rest. Yes, that will be hard at first. A mind and inner spirit spinning full of important, as well as trivial, details has a harder time achieving true inner peace.

Yet, God talks about a peace that surpasses all understanding. Do you “live” there, or just pass through occasionally? God invites you to “move in with Him”; go ahead, don’t wait any longer. Even though the world has become more complex and noisy, you can still sit quietly with the Lord and allow His thoughts to be your thoughts and His ways to be your ways. Tuck away with Him and let Him be your hiding place (Psalm 32:7). When you are snuggled up for that quiet time, try reading one chapter from the Old Testament, one chapter from the New Testament, then one Psalm and the Proverbs of the day’s date each day. And if your time frames don’t allow that all at once, then just spread it out …some in the morning, then at lunch break and finish up before you crash into bed. Not even a beach in Hawaii can top the refreshing you’ll get if you do that. Endure the fire...it's producing pure gold!

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