The Work of Rest -Part I

Life in 2022 can be filled with hurry, worry, and a state of absolute busyness. Running smack into stress is as common as breathing. You’re tested just getting from A to B whether driving, using public transportation or even on waiting for an elevator. The constant sound of sirens can numb our senses to the point of unconcern due to our own stress levels. Hearing of daily random acts of violence, facing constant price increases, unending political insanity, and concern about one public disease then another doesn’t help.

Knowing we would face these things and more, Jesus invites us to live in rest, even in 2022! (Math 11:28)

For more than a month, I read Matthew 11:28 and Hebrews 4, battling with the concept of experiencing this rest Jesus gives. Every time I received the rest, something quickly came along to test the rest. But isn’t that the point?

We’re tested daily but find the answer in “joining our faith with the Word which activates the promise” of rest (Hebrews 4:3 TPT).

When we learn and believe what Jesus has already said about our situation, rest is received (Matth 11:28). Instead of learning what Jesus said and yoking (joining our faith) with the Word (Jesus is the Word) we sometimes allow the tests to reign and wear us down. Weariness and stress set in and rob us of our promised rest, producing stress.

Hebrews 4:11 (KJV) states we should “labor to enter into rest”. What a contradiction of terms! Though Jesus gives us rest, we must labor or make every effort to enter that rest. According to Hebrews 4. doubt is disobedience and it robs us of rest and the promises of God. Doubt/failure to believe, took the lives of the children of Israel.

Jesus says TODAY, despite every obstacle, if we will (we have a choice), we can enter His rest (Hebrews 3:13). Let’s join our faith to the word of God, no matter what today brings, and confidently, obediently live in rest!

Keeping Secrets

Secrets! Families hide them! Liars recreate them. Good friends share them!

When family secrets are told, destruction and sometimes even healing comes. When liars recreate them, pride and deception permeate the atmosphere. When friends tell them, comfort is found in sharing with a caring ear.

But what happens when we live in alignment with the secrets of heaven?

”Examine your motives to make sure you’re not showing off when you do your good deeds, only to be admired by others; otherwise, you will lose the reward of your heavenly Father. Give secretly and your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly.”

(Matthew 6:1,4 TPT)

“Whenever you pray, be sincere and not like the pretenders who love the attention they receive while praying before others in the meetings and on street corners. Believe me, they’ve already received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your innermost chamber and be alone with Father God, praying to him in secret. And your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly.”

(Matthew 6:15-16 TPT)

“When you fast, don’t let it be obvious, but instead, wash your face and groom yourself and realize that your Father in the secret place is the one who is watching all that you do in secret and will continue to reward you.”

(Matthew 6:17-18 TPT)

Live keeping secrets and your Father who sees all you do, will openly reward you!

Look Forward by Nancy Soulemana

But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭19:26‬ ‭NIV

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How many times have we been this woman? How many times has God brought us out of a situation only to long or desire for it, and turn back towards it? How may times have we turned around to see what was happening when God said, “Look forward!” If Romans 8:28 is true and, all things work together for our good, why do we look back?

Because we are afraid of what’s in front of us, what we don’t know. If we are fearfully and wonderfully made, if we were not given a spirit of fear but one of love and a sound mind, why would we turn back? If we put all our trust in Him, why can’t we trust Him? If He’s faithful to complete it, why do we doubt? God is on the throne, God is still on the throne!

He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever! So why are we looking back on yester-year?

God has blessed us beyond measure. He has given us a moment to rest and regroup, yet we are longing for yesterday. God is creating something new, He’s on a move! But we can’t look back. We can’t long for yesterday, we can’t turn around to see what happens when God is saying Look Forward!