Do you like to have a day off? Paid holidays are very popular and even those who do not celebrate the event in question don’t turn down the opportunity to take a day off. I gave my people a day off and called it the Sabbath. It was meant to be a day of restoration, but those who administered it added so many rules that the day that was meant to be the least stressful was turned into the most stressful. When I came I spoke to my disciples on this issue, teaching them that the Sabbath was for healing and doing good; a time to release burdens rather than take them up. Review your own practices of faith to be sure they give life. 

During my ministry on earth I spoke to the people in parables. My disciples were perplexed by this. In some cases I would explain the parables to them, and at the end of my ministry I spoke clearly to them at last. Do you know that I still teach in parables? Parables are stories and I teach you through the story of your life as you live it. I do this for everyone, but as my disciple you have the special privilege that I will declare the parables to you if you ask. You will go through the experiences either way. You can maximize the benefit you receive from them if you look for my purpose in them and listen for my voice to teach you through them. 

Do you think joy and happiness are the same thing? Joy is a Biblical concept but the Bible says little about happiness, but those around you, even your fellow believers, mention happiness more than joy. Happiness is an emotional state and as such it is more a response than a cause, and can fluctuate according to conditions. Joy has a basis and is therefore more enduring. I told my disciples to rejoice not that the demons were subject to them, but to rejoice that their names were written in the Book of Life. This enduring condition applies to you as well and you can and should rejoice for the same reason. Do you want to be happy? Reflect on all the reasons you have to rejoice and do so. Then happiness will flow out of the fullness of your joy. 

Do you understand that if you are saved you will go to heaven when you die? Yet the Bible teachers assure you that eternal life is available now. Do you see how both of these can be true? For the Bible teaches you to lay down your life and die to yourself that you may follow me. Have you read these passages and considered them a fearful burden? I want you to see them in a positive light. It is true that death and eternity are connected, but you don’t have to wait until the end of your life to experience either one. If you are willing to apply these passages you can have eternal life now if you die now.