Sunday, August 31, 2008

Entering into His Rest

I haven't entered a new blog for weeks, because I didn't understand why all my posts did not have paragraph breaks like I typed them. I didn't want to post another blog without paragraph breaks. I finally found out how to fix it! You can tell I'm new to all this!

What I want to use this blog for is to share what is stirring in my heart from time to time and get feedback from others. What I've been mulling over in my spirit for a few weeks now is the following progression:
1. believing God leads to
2. abiding in His Word which leads to
3. obeying Him which finally leads
4. entering into His rest

I got this early one morning while reading the book of John and jumping over to Hebrews in the Bible. Here are some scriptures for each step:
1. believing God - In John 5:38, Jesus told the people that they did not have the Father's word abiding in them, because they did not believe Jesus, whom the Father sent.
2. abiding in His Word - In John 15:5, Jesus tells us that whoever abides in Him bears much fruit. Remember that Jesus is the Word in flesh just as the Bible is the written Word, so when we abide in the Word and study the Bible, it leads to us want to obey Him and thus allow Him to produce fruit in us.
3. obeying Him - Hebrews 3:18-19 says, "And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief."
4. entering into His rest - Hebrews 4:3 says, "For we who have believed do enter that rest..." You may ask, "What does it mean to enter into His rest?" Well, ultimately it means being with Him eternally in Heaven where there is no sin, sickness, darkness, etc. However, it doesn't just mean that. It also means to enter into that place of abundance here on earth. This includes "peace that passes understanding" and "joy unspeakable and full of glory!" It also means to enter into the place where God has called you to do what He has called you to do. Nothing can bring more satisfaction than finding God to fill the void in your life and then experiencing that abundant life and living out the destiny He has planned for you!

I also got that the roadblock that keeps this from happening in our lives is when we look to people for approval instead of looking to God. In John 5:44, Jesus said, "How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?" How often do we do that? This caused me to stop and do an evaluation on myself.

On the other hand, the catalyst to help us get there is being still and waiting on God. The more alone time we spend with God in prayer, Bible study, praise/worship and just meditating on Him and being with Him, the more we will desire to believe Him, abide in His word, obey Him and enter into His rest. He then starts showing us how we can still be aware of His presence everywhere we go! This also caused me to stop and do an evaluation. At times when I'm frustrated with the busyness of life, I need to pause, step back and thank God for His presence with me! That so helps! I call it a perspective check.

I challenge you to do as the Bible says in Psalms after some of the verses: Selah. I understand that this means, "Pause and think about that!"

Be Blessed Indeed!
Tammy

3 comments:

  1. Yes!

    Tammy, you've got it. It is only when we rest in Him that the tribulations of this world do not drown us when they assail us.

    Good Job!!!

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  2. Thanks Tammy for the reminder to enter into His rest. That's something I think most of us really don't understand or learn to do.

    I just want to add something I've learned about this subject (more information on this is in my book, Life Through...To A Shout of Joy) which is that when we learn to enter into His rest, then we are actually using one of our spiritual weapons that God has given us against the enemy!

    What I mean by this is that the enemy comes to kill, steel and destroy - even our rest - our precious quiet time in the presence of the Lord. When we are in a place of stress, pressure, anxiety, excessive business, etc, then rest is stollen and destroyed in our lives (hmmm, think that's a plan of Satan and the demons?). But, when we on purpose, take the time to enter into the rest that the Lord has provided for us, then we remain quiet in our minds, souls and spirits - and the enemy is defeated! His tactics of keeping us stirred up are destroyed by the "rest" of the Lord within us.

    This is vital in our lives to learn. As we rest, we experience the peace of Christ that passes all understanding!

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  3. Glad to find your blog today via FCW:-)

    The Lord has been showing me that entering His rest is possible right here and now, for it means that i can cease from from my toil and struggle (to do right for Him, in my own efforts) and instead - trust His life working in and through me. He's done it all! And I can rest in that. His Spirit will enable me to obey as I'm renewed daily through His Word.

    hugs & blessings,
    Vicki

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