Would you like to learn more about how to be refreshed and how to refresh others? That’s what this new series is all about.

I’m Malcolm Cox, and this is Quiet Time Coaching, a devotional podcast. Today we begin a new series called “Refresh One Another”, based on the Bible’s one another commands and promises. And as we always should, we begin with Jesus.

Episode 1: Jesus the Chief Refresher

Do you need some refreshment right now? I don’t mean just a good night’s sleep or a break from a busy schedule. I mean the kind of refreshment that reaches into the deepest parts of you and brings relief, renewal, and peace. God knows we need that kind of refreshment. And the good news is this: Jesus is the chief refresher. In Matthew 11.28-30, Jesus says:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

The word translated “rest” is the Greek word anapauō. It means to bring rest, relief, or renewal after a time of pressure. It’s the same word Paul uses in Philemon when he speaks about being refreshed. See Philemon 7 & 20.

I love the NT Wright paraphrase of the Matthew passage:

“Are you having a real struggle? Come to me! Are you carrying a big load on your back? Come to me — I’ll give you a rest! Pick up my yoke and put it on; take lessons from me. I’ll be gentle with you. The last thing in my heart is to give you a hard time. You’ll see — rest you need, and rest you shall have.”

Jesus doesn’t just acknowledge our burdens. He invites us to bring them to him. And in Mark 6.31, Jesus says to his disciples:

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Again, it is the same word: anapauō. Jesus cares about the weariness of his people, and he provides what they need.

So how do we experience this refreshment? One vital channel is directly through Jesus. Are you carrying a heavy load? Have you brought it to Jesus? Not just mentioned it briefly, but truly come to him and handed it over? Jesus is the chief refresher. He knows what you need, and he offers rest for your soul.

Reflection Questions

1. What does refreshment from Jesus look like in your life right now? Not just physical rest, but soul-level relief.
2. When was the last time you truly came to Jesus with your weariness, not just mentioning it but handing it over to him?
3. The Greek word anapauō means to bring rest after pressure. Where do you most need that kind of rest today?

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If you have any questions or feedback, please contact me at malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

Many thanks for listening. Join me next time for Episode 2 — “Refresh One Another in Community.”

I hope this episode has helped you find refreshment in Jesus.

God bless,
Malcolm

Series: Refresh One Another
Podcast: Quiet Time Coaching

Would you like to learn more about how to be refreshed and how to refresh others? That’s what this new series is all about.

I’m Malcolm Cox, and this is Quiet Time Coaching, a devotional podcast. Today we begin a new series called “Refresh One Another”, based on the Bible’s one another commands and promises.

This is Episode 2 of our mini-series "Refresh One Another".

Last time we saw that Jesus is the chief refresher. He invites us to come to him for rest - Matthew 11.28-30. But there's more, and it's wonderful — one of the primary ways he refreshes us is through each other. Take the example we find in Philemon.

Paul writes to Philemon in verse 7: "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people." And again in verse 20: "I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ." [1]

Paul is asking for refreshment. Yes, even the great apostle, the church planter, the writer of half the New Testament — he needed to be refreshed by someone else. If Paul needed it, how much more do we?

So what is it about what other people do that refreshes you? The "one another" passages in scripture point us to practices like listening, hospitality, and encouragement.

This afternoon I'm going to be visited by my old friend, Bruce. I am looking forward to it for many reasons, but perhaps the chief one is that I always leave conversations with him feeling refreshed. He has the gift of refreshment and I'm the lucky recipient today.

If you follow Christ, you're called to be part of a community of refreshment.

Reflection Questions:

1. Who is someone in your life who refreshes you? Have you told them?
2. What is it about what other people do that refreshes you — listening, hospitality, specific encouragement?
3. What gets in the way of you asking for refreshment when you need it?

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

Many thanks for listening. Join me next time for Episode 3 — "The Exhortation: Participate, Don't Just Congregate."

Take care and God bless, Malcolm

In our last episode, we saw that Jesus was secure in His identity. He knew where He had come from, where He was going, and that all authority had been given to Him by the Father.

What did that security produce? It produced humble service.

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact me at [**malcolm@malcolmcox.org**](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).

Many thanks for listening. May we never lose our sense of wonder at the Saviour who knelt before His disciples, and may His humble love inspire us to serve one another.

Take care, and God bless.

Malcolm

Image courtesy of Lumo Project Films – www.lumoproject.com