Soul Retreats: Sweet Sleep

Your body is an amazing machine, designed to run with great efficiency. In most cases, it will keep right on moving as long as you want it to, but how much better it functions when you stop for few minutes to rest. Rest is a natural prescription for well-being and productivity. 

When your hectic life leaves you feeling dull and uninspired, try a nap. If you aren't able to fall sleep, just lean back, close your eyes, and rest for a few minutes. When you feel refreshed, thank God for knowing exactly what you need and for the remarkable resilience of the body he has given you. 

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Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29 

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On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 

Psalm 62:6-7

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Keep sound wisdom and discretion... When you lie down, you will not be afraid; 

When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Proverbs 3:21, 24

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The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much.

Ecclesiastes 5:12

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The Lord is my shepherd... He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. He gives me new strength. 

Psalm 23:1-3 

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My sould finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. 

Psalm 6:2-1

Soul Retreats: Considering a Tree

Like people and snowflakes, every tree is unique - each is truly a one-of-a-kind creation. Perhaps that's why a tree never fails to inspire a sense of wonder when one stops to take a closer look. 

In the midst of your busy day, take a few minutes to ponder the magnificence of a tree that lives and grows near you. Slowly run to your hand along its trunk. Is the bark smooth and a little sticky, made up of hard lumpy squares, or something in between? Take one of its leaves and trace its lines and ridges with your fingertips. Step back and gaze up into the branches, noting the way they have been shaped and turned by the wind and rain. Imagine the roots burrowing underground, providing stability, strength and nourishment. 

As you do this, consider the fact that you are God's unique creation. Like the tree, you are one of a kind, molded and shaped by the hand of God. Let that understanding lift your spirit and refresh your soul. Then open your heart and whisper a greeting to God, who uses even a tree to remind you of His great love for you. 

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Happy are those who... find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, and they study it day and night. 

They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do. 

PSALM 1:1-3

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They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. 

ISAIAH 61:3

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I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. 

PSALM 52:8

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The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. 

PROVERBS 11:30

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To him who overcomes, Jesus will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. 

REVELATION 2:7

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Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

PSALM 100:3

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The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon. 

PSALM 92:12 

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Soul Retreats: Picture This

Memories are precious. Even those stored during bad times contain the lacy crystals of hope and joy, and they remind you of God's tender hand encouraging and delivering you in your time of need. 

Other memories remind you of good times with images you want to keep forever - a loved one's smile, children as they grow, places you've been, and people you've known. 

Take a break from the busyness of your day and immerse yourself in your precious memories... and as you move along your trail of memories, whisper a word of thanksgiving to God for each person and place God has used to decorate your life. 

Laugh and cry, smile and sigh as you wander through. The release of your emotions will help your tension dissipate and restore to you a sense of happiness and well-being. 

As you take your walk down through memory lane, let God show you how, by His grace, you have made a difference and have received a bounty of gifts from his hands. 

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The memory of the righteous will be a blessing. 

Proverbs 10:7

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One generation shall praise thy works to another; and shall declare thy mighty acts. 

O Lord... they shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sign of thy righteousness. 

Psalm 145:4,7

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God has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.

Psalm 111:4

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Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Remember the wonders he has done,

his miracles and the judgment he pronounced.

Psalm 105:4-5

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I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

Psalm 77:10-11

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A righteous man will be remembered forever. 

Psalm 112:6

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Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalm 30:4

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Jesus said, "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

John 14:26

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Soul Retreats: The Amazing Bible

Without a doubt, the Bible is the most magnificent book ever written. Its words are filled with encouragement and inspiration. Even more than that, the Bible is a living letter from the loving God to you. 

It isn't necessary to read a whole book or even a whole chapter at a time. Find a quiet place and a readable version of the Bible. Allow yourself to move about within its pages, soaking up God's promises, gleaning God's wisdom and learning of God's great love for you. Read each passage twice - once for your head and once for your heart. Go slowly, and allow the richness of God's Word to calm your mind and refresh your soul. Soon you will feel the stress and fatigue of your busy day subsiding. 

No matter how much time you spend reading the Bible - event if it is no more than a few minutes a day, you will always be blessed as you read God's life - giving words. 

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When your words came, I ate them; 

they were my joy and my heart's delight, O Lord. 

Jeremiah 15:16

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How sweet are your words to my taste, 

O Lord, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 

Psalm 119:103

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The precepts of the Lord are right, 

giving joy to the heart. 

Psalm 19:8

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When Moses went and told the people all the Lord's words and laws, they responded with one voice, "Everything the Lord has said we will do." Moses then wrote down everything the Lord has said. 

Exodus 24:3-4

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Jesus said, "It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." 

Luke 4:4

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The unfolding of your words gives light, O Lord.

Psalm 119:130

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Jesus said,  "If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you." 

John 15:7

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You are my hiding place and my shield, 

O Lord; I hope in your word. 

Psalm 119:114 

Soul Retreats: A Song From The Heart

When you find yourself in a situation over which you have no reasonable control, sing. God's delightful gift of song was designed for just such a time. It is guaranteed to lift your spirits and chase away the dark shadows of fear and dread.

The next time some situation threatens to get you down, try singing "He's God the Whole World in His Hand" or "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." The gift of song is a remedy for the troubled soul.

Rejoice in the good time and the not-so-bad times, and loosen the occasional tight grip of fear or anxiety with a song. Open your mouth, fill your lungs with air and burst forth with confidence, joy and thanksgiving.

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O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the Lord is great God, and a great King above all gods.

PSALM 95:1-3

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Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.

EPHESIANS 5:19

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Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things.

PSALM 98:1

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I will sing of your love and justice;
to you , O Lord; I will sing praise.

PSALM 101:1

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God put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear;
and put their trust in the Lord.

PSALM 40:3

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Miriam took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her,
with tambourines and dancing. Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the Lord for he is highly exalted."

EXODUS 15:20-21

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Serve the Lord with gladness:
Come before his presence with singing.

PSALM 100:2

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Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers!
I will sing to the Lord, I will sing;
I will make music to the Lord, the God of Israel.

JUDGES 5:3

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Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs;
sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts.

COLOSSIANS 3:16

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By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me --
a prayer to the God of my life.

PSALM 42:8

Soul Retreats: Like a Playful Child

Children are capable of unfettered play because they are comfortable with there dependence on others. They know that someone will be watching out for them, and they accept the fact without question. 

If the responsibilities of your grown-up world keep you running in circles, spinning plates, and trying to hold all the aspects of your life together, visualize yourself as a child at play under the watchful eye of your heavenly Father. Forget your tension. Let worries drain away. Deliberately relax your shoulders, relax your stance, let your limbs hang loose. Know that God, who is more dependable than any earthly parent could ever be, is always looking out for you. So play! Enjoy God's world. 

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As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

PSALM 103:13

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Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples scolded the people. When Jesus noticed this, he was angry and said to his disciples, "Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

MARK 10:13-14

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Jesus called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

MATTHEW 18:2-3

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Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

PSALM 34:11

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My heart is not proud, O Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

PSALM 131:1-2

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How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

1 JOHN 3:1

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Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

MARK 10:16

Soul Retreats: Walk It Off

Take God for your bridegroom and friend,and walk with him continually; 

and you will not sin and will learn to love,

and the things you must do will work out prosperously for you. 

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You have delivered me from death
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.

PSALM 56:13

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Many nations will come and say,
"Come, let us go up
to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."

MICAH 4:2

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You show me the path of life, O Lord,
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

PSALM 16:11

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Jesus said, "I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."

JOHN 8:12

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Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

1 JOHN 2:6

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Teach me your way, O Lord;
lead me in a straight path.

PSALM 27:11

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I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.

PROVERBS 4:11-12

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The Lord said, "I will look upon you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you... I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.

LEVITICUS 20:9, 12

Soul Retreats: Words That Inspire

Reading provides a joyous retreat from the frantic busyness of your day. It can take you to exotic faraway places and fill you with a sense of wonder. It can encourage your faith in God and lift your perspective. Reading can rest and relax your soul. 

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My eyers stay open

through the watches of the night,

that I may meditate on your promises, O Lord.

PSALM 119:148

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The sayings of the wise are like the sharp sticks that shepherds use to guide sheep, 

and collected proverbs are as lasting as firmly driven nails. 

They have been given by God, the one Shepherd of us all. 

ECCLESIASTES 12:11

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Happy is the one who reads this book, and happy are those who listen to the words of this prophetic message and obey what is written in this book! For the time is near when all these things will happen. 

REVELATION 1:3

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Pleasant words are a honeycomb, 

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 

PROVERBS 16:24

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All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

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The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.

PROVERBS 16:21 

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Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. 

ROMANS 15:4