"I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. -- John 15: 1 (NLT)
I approached the holy hill of God as many before me must have done. We read stories of Joseph in prison for so many years for something he did not do. David on the run from Saul who sought his life for no fair reason. Elijah broken down, curled up in a ball in some remote cave. I am tired too Lord. Like so many of Your good and faithful servants before me must have shared with You -- I am tired.
I am tired of the countless and endless worries in this life. I am tired of the way the world system holds you down and piles more and more on top of you hoping to break you. Waiting for that moment when we simply cannot take anymore. Tired of the bills which never end, the struggles within families and circles of friends, and the crumbling economy. I am tired of not knowing what tomorrow is going to bring and actually sometimes grow fearful of it.
And God said"
"So don't worry about these things, saying, "What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. -- Matthew 6: 31-34 (NLT)
I said Lord but I am tired. I am tired of the sheer weight of the burdens in this life. They weigh me down and make me weary. They depress me. They wear me out. Problems at work. Problems at home. Problems in the marriage. Problems with the kids. Problems with my relationships and problems with not finding relationships. I got some problems Lord and they make me very weary.
And God said"
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." -- Matthew 11: 28-30 (NLT)
Ok God, I see those points but I am tired of the pressure from what the world sells. I have to be in constant competition. In order to be considered pretty I have to be skinny. In order to succeed I have to step on people. In order to be smart I have to have plaques hanging on my wall. Everyone seems better than me. It is a dog eat dog world. The early bird gets the worm. He with the most toys at the end wins. I am tired of it all, just tired.
And God said"
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. -- Romans 12: 2 (NLT)
I am tired Lord of the nonsense that has infested Your church. I am tired of the backbiting and gossip. I am tired of the self serving instead of the God serving. I am tired of people playing church -- oh Lord I am so tired of people playing church. Of propping up ministries of man over the works of the Holy Spirit. Of selling emotionalism disguised as a move of God. Of arrogant leaders leading sheep down to the broad path of destruction, singing Kumbya. I am tired of the false teachings and the false prophets. I am tired of the compromising of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as if it were no big deal. I am tired of ignorance to spiritual warfare that is making the church impotent for You in these last days. Lord have mercy and forgive us but I am so tired"
And God said"
"Not everyone who calls out to me, "Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, "Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' But I will reply, "I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.' -- Matthew 7: 21-23 (NLT)
I am tired Lord of all the pain and suffering on this earth. I can't bear to watch the news anymore. People just do not care about anything but themselves anymore. The crimes are more and more horrific. Around the world there are famines and all sorts of natural disasters. People crying out in agony and starvation. Back home we have a system that continues to impoverish people, politicians who seemingly care only for themselves, and corruption running rampant throughout work, the government and even the church. I am tired Lord. Where do I go? Where do I turn? What is there to look forward to?
And God said"
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" And then he said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true." And he also said, "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega--the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. -- Revelation 21: 3-7 (NLT)
And I said thank you Lord for putting up with me. For reminding me of Your great love, Your great promises, and the great future You have planned for those of us who stay true. To have all the tears of this life wiped from our eyes and those wearisome burdens finally be gone. But for today I am tired Lord and I will rest under Your mighty shadow. Tomorrow comes and I will go back out into the fight.
And God said"
"I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. -- John 15: 1-8 (NLT)
Amen Father. Thank you.
On this Fathers Day -- I just want to bring glory to You.
No matter how tired we might get"
Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness"
Give Him your burdens"
Transform the way you think by not conforming to this world"
When things seem unfair even in the church, remember that the Lord has the final say"
The day is coming where every tear will be wiped away"
Abide in Him"
Rev. Anthony
