On the day God rested after all his work on day seven of creation, he did not say he was finished from working. He said he was resting on the seventh day. God did not stop on day seven of his work. Christ has yet finished his work in regards to salvation, until his death on the cross and resurrection. Jesus finished his work in regards to the purpose he had currently on earth at the time of the cross, and he did not speak of tomorrow but there was still a tomorrow for He rose after the sabbath day rest and continued teaching his people. Word itself being Christ still works on the heart today seeing our sin and correcting us through his Word and the Holy Spirit. Christ's resurrection only spoke of the eternal hope of his work of completion for payment for sin. His resurrection of burying the sin of the world and speaking peace to all men.

Every year I talk about giving and every year the world for centuries have given to the poor and needy. The spirit of thanksgiving and Christmas as been etched in the heart of man that this was the season to share and so they share the birth of our Lord. This month of thanksgiving is celebration of praise before His birth and yet it is also a celebration of winter storage. The time when things are meant to be buried for a time so life of plants can rest from the labor of fruit bearing. Then the work of production begins once again in less then five months in some places and others it is longer. The hour of time of waiting for the planting and the harvest. The celebration of Christ leads to the waiting of the celebration of Easter of the final work of the Christ on earth, yet Pentecoste celebrates the renewing time of spreading the Gospel of faith in Jesus by the Holy Spirit. The continual work of faith continues in the hearts and minds of the people of faith. Just like giving yearly to those in need, it is a continual work, but a need in every community. Everyone hits hard times in their life, whether it be because of disaster, financial hardship, or because of health. Everyone needs a helping hand, even if only at birth, for you need someone to love and nuture your life, to help you in your growing process. The growing process of faith is on going journey. The final step of faith is going home ot be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Yet the work that has to be done here is done with the word of the Lord, that is sharper then any two edge sword because it pierces the heart and soul of man dividing the intent of the thoughts and heart. No not a quote a paraphrase the two edge sword. In truth the word is what speaks to every person, and upon salvation the work is finished there at the heart upon reception of Christ as Savior, the need of a Savior is understood. A High Priest who understands even our aches and pains of life. Our day of rest for our soul is then given in regards to no more need to work for salvation. Salvation being a free gift and no sacrifice is needed for our sins. Christ paid it all. We can rest from worry of if we are good enough.

I want to go back and look at verse 8 a little more closer. Jesus in the greek is translated to mean Joshua. Joshua was warrior in the Old Testament, yet he was also a leader in training under Moses. Joshua would lead the children of Israel into the promise land, but first into victorious battle that would be remembered by Israel has they entered in the promise land of milk and honey. The battle of the believer is not of whether they saved but are they fighting the good fight of faith. Israel enter rest in the promise land, but their labor had not ceased in promised land. The constant worry about sacrifice and whether they obeyed God was etched on their hearts and on ornamental attire worn like arm band. The need to remember God's law was crucial for their salvation, for to disobey God meant they had to repent and make atonement for sin.

Imagine for a moment if you never experienced it looking across a field or a top of mountain and knowing the promise was as far as the eye could see. The hope of future is the meaning the hope of promise even when field is not yet green. Abraham looking across the promise land asking his nephew Lot to choose which way he would go and all he could see was green, and took it and left Abraham with brown grass. Lot would fine the green grass had a price. He would get kidnapped, and he be rescued by his uncle only to live in a city of whoredom and have to flee leaving everything he acquired behind. Abraham dwelt in peace and safety through out his days in the promise land, though there were minor upset along the way. Abraham found earthly paradise that caused him to long for the promise land of faith in heaven. Your paradise might not be the view of the mountainside or the open field, but I guarantee you know about the place you call as being your sanctuary, or should be your rest zone. If it is not that you should ask yourself why is it not your place of contentment on earth. Despite whether it your rest zone, you know your labor has not finished. Though you come to rest through Christ Jesus, because He paid the price for your sins, their is work to be done. The work does not cease in God's world, but their are times of rest. Even the earth rest from production to a point. It does not stop from deer in the woods from bringing forth her young, or bear in hibernation from forging for nuts in winter on a warm day and aroused from sleep for some reason.

The work of setting the people free from sin was finished with the cross, but the people still needed to be set free with the telling of the story of the cross. People will come to rest in many food pantries after all their turkey and hams have left their building only to know that next week it will all begin again to prepare for those in need. Cross happened in one location, the world did not have the media sources it has now to spread the Gospel and there are some locations even in the United States without internet and cable. There still places that still need the Gospel of Christ delivered too and each generation will need that Gospel shared.

Seldom do people concentrate on working when on vacation. Vacation is a time of letting go of all reserves of the year to take a break from labor. Yet the following week the paper work, the task of stocking shelves, answering of phones, driving down the road and so forth happens once more. No matter your work one returns to pick it up once more. God in his wisdom let Christ work end with the cross in regards to sin. Regards of paying for sin, so man would not have to worry about their sin, but could press on to do the work that was left for them to do. To carry on the cross of Jesus to teach the world about the love of God and Christ. God sent His Son to be the redeemer of the world. The promise once received is celebrated and then the labor and instruction for the believer begins through and by the Holy Spirit. Our correction coming from the word teaching us we can come to the Jesus because he knows our pain, he walked while here. He was touched by human stuggle he experienced, yet he knew the the struggle already, but we understood he knew.

When the Holy Spirit of promise came on the day of promise it sent a fire upon the disciples as the revival began. They knew the revival for they had walked with Christ and experience not only his preaching but his deliverance, yet what they would preach about salvation was freeing of the soul for eternity. It did not mean that the law did not have to be obeyed, it meant the sacrifice was no longer necessary in regards to sin. Christ work was finished, but the message and the hope had to be spread, and God was spreading it by the work of His Spirit in the lives of the Apostles and followers of Christ. Our work not finished until our last breath. Whether I am online or offline the work God calls me to is not finished. No minister's work is finished. No minister can hang it up, but there are times ministers need rest and to relax. The hope continues on the next day in retelling of the story of Christ death and resurrection. How Christ said my work is finished and Father forgive them. The message woven the four Gospel through each story of the cross so the picture is clear of the our testimony recorded, each a little different, each needing the part they recalled. What is the point of rest, to know the work is not finished, the labor continues on. The need for teaching of following God Father, Son and Holy Spirit. How we need to study God's word so noone falls into unbelief once again. We labor for God to increase our faith, to ensure not our salvation that we do not fall away into unbelief.

How many pew sitters believe not though the church should be one of faith. The move of God can not be seen in our mist if we do not labor for God, picking up our cross and being like Christ laboring til our work is through. Pick up the torch and carry though the road is hard at times. If you want to see a move of God you have to get off the pew and do something about it. Sometimes yes you have to wait upon the Lord, and other times you need to go where God sends you to minister. There plenty of work after the cross of spreading the news, we are forgiven, if you just believe and repent, salvation is yours.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that Christ work on the cross is completed, His time finished in regards to the work of salvation, of the burying of our sin and rising to live again. May His word pentrate our hearts as we strive in our new life with Christ Jesus, following in His footsteps. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study for Devotion: Luke 23:34 KJV Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

John 17:4 KJV I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

John 19:30 KJV When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.