(Perfect for laying down your burdens. The perfect lesson for Ladies Fellowship and Church)
Today’s lesson follows the following scripture:
James 4:8 “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”
Let’s talk distractions. Distractions of life can be a tool that Satan uses to take the focus off of God‘s work.
Distractions from God can take many forms, including worldly desires, unconfessed sin, pride, and focusing on things other than God. These distractions can manifest as relationships, ( like long-held unforgiveness and bitterness toward a family member or friend), in hobbies, in our material possessions, or even one’s own work all of which can draw attention away from a spiritual connections.
What kind of distractions are you dealing with that is keeping your heart from truly focusing on what God wants of you right now?
It could be the stone of hatred, a stone of backbiting or a stone of blackmail.
The rocks that you have selected are going to symbolize those burdens.
I can think of a few things that we can do with the rocks.
The first one would be wrong, because we could actually throw them at each other. During the time that Jesus walked the earth, they actually stoned people to death to punish different crimes.
Today we can actually stone people to death with how we treat them, with what we do, with what we say, and yes even our facial and body actions can hurt others. Throwing rocks creates rumors and gossip.
For example, Proverbs 11:13, warns that “gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret,” which, highlights the destructive nature of gossip.
And
James 4:11-12reminds believers not to bad-mouth one another, as this damages God’s word and reputation.
So, how critical are you towards others? How much do you complain? How much time do you spend venting about what others have done to you? Or done to the church? How many times have you put your nose in the business of others? Well, this is what I mean by throwing rocks. Sometimes it starts out simple, but it throws others under the bus and ruins reputations.
1 Timothy 5:13: states “13 Besides that, they are going about from person to person becoming gossipers and busybodies, saying what they should not.”
I’d like to say here, that I also wouldn’t want a rock to ricochet. A ricochet happens when a rock hits another rock and causes the rock to chip or to move other rocks. So, spiritually speaking when you throw a rock at somebody you have a great chance of someone throwing a rock back at you. This rock may be more dangerous than the rock you throw first.
This kind of distraction totally would wreck what God has for us this season.
The second thing that we could do with these rocks is that we could put them in our pockets and tuck them way down deep. When we carry around our burdens, instead of giving them to God, it creates a rift and impacts the success of God’s plan.
Unfortunately these kinds of rocks are not chunks of shale or granite or sandstone. Those would be easy to get rid of! Instead they are bits of residual resentment, bits of hatred, bits of anger, of guilt, and perhaps bits of shame from injuries or injustices or mistakes you can’t or won’t or haven’t tried to let go of. The weight of your rock represents the burdens of your soul.
- Psalm 55:22:This verse states, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken”. It emphasizes entrusting one’s burdens to God, who will provide support and prevent righteous individuals from being overwhelmed.
Thus this leads to the third thing that we could do with rocks in our hands. We can actually cast them on Jesus.
You might remember first Peter chapter 5:7?This is the scripture where Peter calls for us to cast all our cares upon him, because he cares for you.
In fact, first, Peter chapter 5:7 says the following in the amplified version:
“casting all your cares
(all your anxieties,
all your worries,
and all your concerns,
once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].
Therefore, the following words can describe some of the cares that we are going to cast upon the rock today.
All your Anxieties
Every Worry in your soul
Each Burden that bubbles up in your soul
All your Problems
All your Troubles
Every bit of your Grief
( this is my rock:) Stress
Your frustrations
And strongholds; such as: envy, jealousy, anger, and addiction.
The word cast actually means to throw. This scripture asks us to throw our issues upon God because he will take care of them.
God continually cares for us. In fact, he loves us affectionately. We are his creation, and he knows us. He leads us, he feeds us, and he sustain us.
Isaiah 46:4 GNB
“I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is grey. I made you and will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you.”
So, the spirit is asking us right now, with the three choices presented which one or which burdens  have you tucked in your pockets?
Will we throw rocks at others?
will we tuck our problems back in your pockets?
Will you hold onto the concerns deep down in our heart?
or are you ready to lay them on the altar?
As for me, when I feel the weight of my burdens on my shoulders, I give my cares to the Lord. He is powerful and all knowing. He is our heavenly father. He is here right now. I ask you to answer his call today. Take these rocks, which symbolize all of our trials, all of our troubles, and all of our anxieties, and give them to God.
There is power in prayer. Prayer is our weapon against Satan‘s evil darts. As I play this music, let’s have a quiet time with the Lord. Let’s have a one-on-one conversation with God.
Sometimes, we think that this altar is a place for sinners and a place for repentance, but this altar is one place where God meets his people.
Won’t you come?
Won’t you do what: (James 5:14-16) says? “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Lay your rocks down.
Have a talk with Jesus.
And then pray with some of your other brothers and sisters.
(Play soft music as they start coming to the altar.)
Pray with a few people.
Then I will pray, collectively!
(Build the altar and cover with a cross)
