"And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up.  And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read."  (Luke 4:16 ESV, emphasis mine)

What customs do you have?  Do you "still" follow the ones you grew up with?  Our family was in Sunday morning worship EVERY Sunday as I was growing up.   Sunday was our Sabbath so we started with worship, then Sunday dinner - sometimes with other family members, and family time in the evening.  During the time I was serving in ministry (I have been retired for a year now) MY Sabbath time was on Friday's -- "Extra God time" in Scripture, praise music and prayer time.  Either way it was a time to celebrate God's love.

Jesus was in the synagogue, on the Sabbath, "as was his custom."  He was participating and reading Scripture.  I don't know about you but I can picture the disciples following right along, to the synagogue, IN the synagogue and while he was reading -- fellowship.  Time with God, listening for what God is saying and being in worship.
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So.......  I ask again..... What is your custom for Sabbath?  We are told to "remember the Sabbath day and keep in holy." (Exodus 20:8 ESV)  Something to think about.........

"I've commanded you to be brave and strong, haven't I?  Don't be alarmed or terrified, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  (Joshua 1:9 CEB)

Taking the first step, or the next step, through changes (and challenges) is sometimes the hardest part of the change - right?  The move that is planned still requires the packing.  The starting of the new job, or changes in health, still requires learning new things.  The "organizing" of anything - books, crafts, clothes, schedules - requires sorting and figuring out the order.

Then you get the changes (and challenges) that all come from the one required change - be it health, job, location or all three.  You find making the change starts pretty easily, even the packing and health changes.  Then comes the recovery which is the "next step".......  Trying to follow where God is leading, trying to do what God is asking........  Thankfully, like I've said before, there are people who help, who encourage, who share.  

Are you taking the "next" step?  The "first" step?  Are you feeling God's presence with you?  Can you share and encourage others?  Something to think about.......... 

"The Lord replied, "I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest -- everything will be fine for you."  (Exodus 33:14 NLT)

Changes, and challenges, can happen for all sorts of reasons - some planned for, like graduations, weddings and new babies - but some are caused by changes in health or moving (or both).  Sometimes they are good and pretty easy to handle.  Sometimes they are WAY more difficult and you begin to wonder what, how, when and IF you are going the "right" way.  Thankfully my friend, Isaiah, does remind us God IS with us and directs us: "Your own ears will hear him.  Right behind you a voice will say, "this is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left."  (Isaiah 30:21 NLT)

Sometimes the changes (and especially the challenges) are because of the technology needed to make said changes.  Thankfully, again, there are people - usually younger(!) - who can help with teaching how to make said changes.  Technology is also a way we can be reaching out to share and encourage each other.

So....what is God asking you to do? To try? To share?  How are you hearing God's voice "I will personally go with you?"  Are you listening?  Are you willing to try?  Something to think about.........