"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing;
so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,
because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."
(Gen 2:2-3 NIV)

Did you know:

The United States is one of the only few industrial nations that do not have laws guaranteeing paid vacations.   In contrast to other industrial nations:
       1) England provides 20 paid vacation days, but they usually take 25.
       2) European Union Nations guaranteed 4 weeks paid vacation.
       3) Austria, Denmark, France and Spain give 30 days paid vacation.
       3) Even Japan provides 10 paid days, but they usually take and avg. of 18.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans work an average of 237.5 days a year (20 more days each year - than we did 25 five years ago). Today, we avg. 10.2 paid vacation days a year after the first 3 years on the job. Nevertheless, more and more Americans are reluctant to take any time off or they take their work with them.

Although we tend to believe we are being more productive, the facts indicate  the opposite. We are less productive, get more burned out and lose interest in our jobs. We often become more irritable at work and home, and we suffer physical problems due to job related stress that lead us to an early grave. And with extended family members now being scattered throughout the country, we have little or no time to spend with them and maintain strong family ties.   

This is insane !!!! The Bible tells us that we were designed to rest and enjoy the fruits of our labor. "And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life--that is indeed a gift from God." (Eccl 5:19-20 NLT). Even God took time off to enjoy His creation.   Let's stop the MADNESS.  So with that, I will give you some biblical tips to get the most out of your vacation.  

"How To Get The Most
Out Of Your Vacation!"

#1. Take The Lord With You

" And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt 28: 20 NIV)

Wherever you go, don't forget, He goes with you. In other words, when you go on vacation, this does not mean you vacation away from God! Bottom line -  maintain your Christian witness while on vacation. Don't do any that would bring shame to your Heavenly Father.

#2. Plan Your Vacation

"To man belong the plans of the heart---" (Prov 16:1 NIV)

It's a no brainier - those who take time to plan their vacations and schedule their activities (even if you plan to do nothing but rest) , they are the ones who get the most out of vacation. Winging it usually leads to unfulfilled expectations, even if they were not voiced.      

#3. Plan Church In Your Vacation

"He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up {his hometown}, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom.---"  (Luke 4:16-17 NIV)

The greatest testimony to your family is that even while on vacation, you still put God first! So when planning a vacation locate a good Christian church and make plans to attend. Another great option, if you are out in the woods camping, is to have a Family Worship service. Get all the family members involved. Someone leads in prayer, another reads scripture, and Dad or Mom gives the devotional. If able, someone leads in singing and at the end partake in the Lord's supper. Your kids will never forget those special moments.  

#4. Take Your Kids but Leave Your Tithe (lol)

"Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house---" (Mal 3:10 AMP)

Seriously, one of the biggest mistakes Christians make is to spend God's tithe on themselves while on vacation. Then they wonder why unexpected costly things happen (vehicle breaks down, loss of luggage, missed flights, stolen credit cards, untimely illness', etc.) while on vacation.  Sometimes the vacation may go well, but upon your return you find something costly hits at home. You end up feeling like you just were robbed! Guess what - you were robbed!

"`Will a man rob God? Surely not! And yet you have robbed me. --- You have robbed me of the tithes and offerings due to me. And so the awesome curse of God is cursing you --- Bring all the tithes into the storehouse --- Try it! Let me prove it to you! Your crops will be large, for I will guard them from insects and plagues. Your grapes won't shrivel away before they ripen,' says the Lord Almighty. These are the promises of the Lord Almighty. " (Mal 3:8-12 TLB)

The biblical principle still applies today.   If we trust God with the whole 10%,   He will bless the 90%.   If we rob God of His tithe, Satan (the thief and devourer) will rob us from what we keep (John 10:10). Ether way, someone gets the tithe. Make arrangements to leave your tithes and offerings at His house (your church) before you go on vacation.  

#5. Invite Your Family and Friends To Church

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"  (Rom 10:14 NIV)

When your family or friends visit you on vacation, invite them to join you for church. This is one of the best times to reach your family and friends. Out of respect, they will usually not turn you down. And you never know, they just might get saved!

#6. Go With The Flow

"The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and what they had taught. Then Jesus said, `Let's get away from the crowds for a while and rest.' There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn't even have time to eat. They left by boat for a quieter spot."  (Mark 6:30-32 NLT)

It's quite clear that Jesus knows when we need rest! He also knows where we need to go to get it and then provides the resources to enjoy it. But even when you apply all the above principles - everything may not turn out exactly the way you planned it. However, in this case you can rest because it is "Just a Test!" If any obstacles come your way and your vacation plans get changed or interrupted, don't fight it or force your will. Just "Go With The Flow!" Look where God is in your vacation (what doors are opening) and then join Him. What you will find is that God may have a better plan or if you pass the test, He's got a bigger and better blessing coming your way.

Conclusion:
Take your due time off. Visit your family and friends. Leave your work at work! Get refreshed, renewed, and reinvigorated so you can come back even better.  Get the most out of your vacation by taking God with you!  Enjoy,

See you at church - when you get back from vacation!

Blessings,

Pastor Stan