How To Keep The Sabbath Holy

And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment. Luke 23:56
Ye shall keep my Sabbaths and Reverence My Sanctuary. Leviticus 19:30
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. Psalms 89:7
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20:8-11
Ye shall keep my Sabbaths and Reverence My Sanctuary. Leviticus 19:30
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. Psalms 89:7
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20:8-11
Here are some of the things we can do on Sabbath and still keep it Holy
- Don't buy or sell. - Refrain from work on the Sabbath, unless absolutely necessary like doctors for example. - Do good deeds, such as giving blessings or feeding the missionaries. Feeding the missionaries always brings the spirit of the Lord with them into our home, helping us keep the Sabbath more fully. - Prepare food simply. -Visit the sick, Sing at Nursing Homes - Give Church donations. - Worship, pray and study the scriptures. When praying, we can pray to keep the Sabbath more holy. This can be the best way to get help and understanding on this great commandment. - Attend Church meetings, such as prayer meetings and vespers. - Fulfill Church callings. In speaking of callings in the Church, it doesn't matter if it's teaching the 3-year-olds in Primary or the 13-year-olds in Sabbath School. Service lets the Lord know you love Him and you are trying to obey His commandments. - Join a choir Ways to prepare for the Sabbath before hand - Prepare food on Friday. - Try to do all work on Friday. To me, Friday is the day to prepare for the Sabbath. How we do it The Sabbath day is important to our Father in Heaven and to us as people. When I was a child, it seemed like keeping the Sabbath holy entailed a list of don'ts. I realized later in life I was looking at it the wrong way. I have since looked at it differently. Now I asked myself what can I do on the Sabbath? The list is long and keeps me busy! I can do the following: - I can teach Sabbath School. - I can visit friends who may be in the hospital. - I can visit a friend who may be lonely. - I can read my lessons. - I can read my scriptures. - I can read the Church News. http://news.adventist.org - I can write letters to family or friends. - I can write in my journal. - I can go to choir practice. - I can do my Sabbath school lesson. - I can play hymns on my musical instrument or listen to hymns on my ipod. www.Jemradio.com has free sabbath music. - I can go to www.Amazingfacts.org and read free books or listen to Joe Crews classic radio sermons or watch sermons by Pastor Doug - I can go on a nature hike - I can go for a canoe ride down a river, lake, or ocean - I can go camping to be closer to nature and see God's handy work - I can go for a bicycle ride threw the forest trails - I can witness to people on the internet, or go door to door handing out literature Doing positive things on the Sabbath helps my spirit get recharged for the rest of the week. Sabbath dinner We have the children set our best china, crystal and silverware for dinner every Sabbath. This accomplishes three things. First, our children know that Sabbath is special from other days because the china is set. Second, our dinner time is quiet, and we are able to discuss our Church lessons or family matters around the table. Third, it gives us an opportunity to teach children etiquette and table manners. |
Frame of mind
As a police officer for more than 16 years, I have never gotten used to working on the Sabbath. It seems that no matter what the reason, Sabbath is still Sabbath. One of the little tricks I have developed when my duties require me to be at work on a Saturday is to make sure that I spend some of the "working" day in meditation or conversation about the gospel. I have found that some of the best missionary opportunities with my colleagues have occurred on the Sabbath. It also helps to develop a "Sabbath frame of mind." I have met a lot of Church members who serve in law enforcement and have heard many interesting ways that they have handled the dilemma of working on the Sabbath. Many make time to study the scriptures or catch up on journals while on breaks. Less stress On Sabbaths, we enjoy hymns, journal writing, scripture study, good books, family council, visiting the lonely, and quiet games with the small children. At the same time, it has been most beneficial to avoid all worldly media. That has really made a big difference in the spirituality of the day. Preparing meals and desserts, and cleaning on Friday creates a peaceful atmosphere with less stress the following day. Sabbath Box I just taught a lesson on keeping the Sabbath day holy to my CTR A class and found that the message was much clearer when I focused on things we can do on Sabbaths and not just what we can't. I briefly discussed the "dont's," but then listed the "do's" on the board. They included the basics, like studying the scriptures and visiting the sick, but also an idea my mother used with me when I was small called a "Sabbath box." It included special books and art supplies that I could use only on Sunday. My CTR class really liked the idea. Simple rule Shortly after my husband was sustained as a Pastor, we attended a meeting where an Elder spoke. It was at this time that I received some of the best advice ever on "keeping the Sabbath day holy." Among the great counsel the Elder shared with us the counsel to stay in our Sabbath clothes for the entire Sabbath day. I went home and implemented the counsel. I won't say my children didn't grumble a little bit at first, but the blessings that simple rule has brought into our home are phenomenal. There are no more questions about proper Sabbath activities. If you can't do it in your Sabbath best, you can't do it. The manner of your dress will affect the manner of your activity. Our home is now more reverent on Sabbath, thus creating an atmosphere that is more conducive to having the Spirit with us. In addition, I allow only Church music on Sabbath. Starting the Sabbath off with the sweet sounds of the Tabernacle Choir invites the Spirit. Conscience is guide Your conscience will guide you. If you have to ask, "Is this all right to do on the Sabbath," the answer is usually "no." Ask the Lord to help you. You will know within yourself whether your actions are appropriate. How to checklist 1 Attend Church meetings; pray, study scriptures. 2 Read Church publications, good books; write in journal. 3 Rest from your labors; do good deeds, serve others. 4 Stay in your "Sabbath best" it affects your activity, attitude. |
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