Rest 5/19/13

Rest emotionally, spiritually, physically.  We need release from toil and struggle. We need to rest in the hand of God if you live in salvation.  There is awesome salvation in Jesus Christ.  Picture your life hemmed in to the “Lord’s program”.  God says, “I’ve got this.  I am going to take the wheel.  I will do the driving.”  Rest – physically letting go in God and releasing in the powerful

hand of God.  We come to Christ and we don’t rest, we run off to what others want us to do.  After bad news is received, the Lord can provide peace. “I got this.  Don’t worry.”

Matt 11:28-29

²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Doing it on your own, you can get burnt out and can make a mess.  The Lord says to come rest with me.  I will give you rest, confidence, release to rest your soul.

Ex 16:26-27

²⁶ Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.
²⁷ And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none.

Rest on the 7^th day – the toil, the worry is over on the 7^th day.  God is telling you to work for 6 days and rest on the 7^th.  Rest is obedience.  God commands us to rest; to not rest in God is to not trust or believe in God.  Believe it when he says’ “I got you.” We don’t rest because we are afraid for what will happen if we do rest.  We work harder, try harder, and make more money. Get back in the car and let God drive. Perfect love drives out fear.  If He is for you he knows exactly where to get you to where you need to be.

Luke 8:23

²³ But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.

We read in the Bible that Jesus falls asleep as a storm brews up – his disciple’s fear grew as they thought they were in great danger.  Their fear did not let them trust in the Lord.  The Lord lets the boat rock.  The disciples woke Jesus and said we are going to drown (difficulties).  If the Lord is in the boat be careful of what you say (disbelief).  They did not have the faith and could not see the power of Jesus Christ. When it seems like everything is falling apart, believe God’s words are greater than all of it.  Jesus rebuked the storm and all is calm.  “Where is your faith?” asks Jesus.  Do you truly have faith that He has it under control?

Rest in life allows you to be productive.  The Lord is with me, that gives me rest.  If there is a problem with the boat, see the captain(the Lord).  I am a worker, the Lord is the captain/boss.  Let’s say you didn’t get the job you wanted, don’t you think the Lord knows you didn’t get it?  The Lord has other plans in mind.  "Obey me and I will take you where you are supposed to be."  Doing our own thing causes toil and anxiety.  He wants you enthusiast but pointed in his direction.  Trust Him for your future.  Trust Him with family and finances.

Conclusion:

Luke 8:22

²² Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

Allow Jesus in your boat.  He is not distant. He is right there.  If Jesus is in your boat, you are ok.

“Get in the boat, we are going to the other side.”  He said we WILL get to the other side.  Don’t fret, don’t worry.  You are moving on his path. There is strength and confidence in speech. Say, “Amen.”  Speak forth not fear, the Lord will reign over us.  His hand of strength is over us.  We can enjoy the walk with the Lord.  It is a great salvation.

The Extraordinary Mother - Mother's Day 2013

Everyone is born of a mother.  God connects with women.  Women are God's favorite.  Women are drawn to God and listen to his word.  A mom's wisdom is supernatural.  They are teachers, comforters, doctors, nurses, administrators.  Women are fighters - they never give up - they are strong.


You are the child of my vows to God- vows to God for children to be trained, lead for the God's reason/purpose. I dedicate this child to you God, it is an expression of God's purpose to come.  The trainor(the mother ) is chosen by God.  It would be easier if the child came with a message of purpose answering the question, "What is this child suppose to accomplish? What is the plan?" There is a plan, his divine plan.  Satan wants to diminish the role of the mother.  Mothers are a crucial part of his plan -  God has chosen mothers and this is why " Family" has been diminished by Satan. God has given mothers an awesome responsibility to train, discipline, care, and protect children for the purposes of God.

Honor mother hood today.  Thank the women who have have loved, mentored, and mothered you.  Honor the daughter because she will grow up to be a mother and carry out God's purpose.  Daughters - God will bless you with a man of God beside you and you will have a powerful house.

The Hangover

Jordan Boyce 5-5-13 summarized

What happens after an incredible touch by God, a Godly event, or a miracle - something like Smithfield's Awakening Conference(one of the biggest Youth events in New England)?  For our answer, let's go to the Bible and look at the story of Elijah and Ahab/Jezebel on Mt Carmel.  Elijah was sent to go against the evils of Ahab.  God answers Elijah with a mighty miracle defeating the evil Ahab.  In the midst of a victory, that is when the enemy strikes.  It is after a great victory that we need to consider our spiritual welfare.  the enemy gets angry and tries to disrupt after a mighty God's healing/awakening.

First Cor:1-9, 1Kings 19:1-9

Elijah kicked Ahab's butt at Mt Carmel. Fire of God, bow low, don't be silent anymore.  Put idols to death.  Kill sin or sin will kill you.  The Holy Spirit is the holy presence of God.  Ahab's wife, Jezebel

is enraged and sends a messenger (that is key... sends a messenger - doesn't visit Elijah herself).  Satan will send a message after you have been sent God's message.  After God does a mighty work beware of Satan, "it's a little message from a sick Jezebel." "I am not good enough", "I can't do this""that wasn't as good as you thought it was "- you know the messages that come in to your head.  Satan sends a message to counter the true message of God.  God is far more powerful than Satan.  Satan will send a messenger so you don't think it is Satan.  Remember only God can touch you, Satan can not, he can only speak to you.  Know the voice of the Holy Spirit, learn to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit.  Say to your self..."Would the HolySpirit say that over my life?  Would God tell you that you are nobody?"  If you are not sure, try discerning the voices by asking would my mother/father/friend talk to me like that?" Know Satan's message is a false spirit  and do not allow yourself to come in agreement.

So what happens to Elijah when he believes the voices of Satan.  He leaves his servants (the people that depend on him), he leaves Israel, he leaves his calling, and goes off into the wilderness.  He could not discern God's voice vs the demons.  With the demons voices we should learn from Jesus and respond to the demon with bible verses.  Elijah leaving his servants is important.  This is the time , after a victory, NOT to leave your servants - your servants are hearing the same voices of Satan and need the leadership.  We see it in life....  After an exhausting event, people take a break and then don't return. Elijah removes himself from servants, #1 time when he is needed most, and removes himself from the presence of God.  He backslides and starts listening to the wrong voices and thinks it is his own doing.  Elijah says"I am no better" and agrees with the words of Jezebel.  This is literally hours after victory.  Depression sweeps over him and he removes himself from God. (If it can happen to Elijah, it can happen to you).  When down don't retreat from God, go to God - press in!

Your words are very powerful.  Speak words God would agree with.

Elijah lay down to sleep and an angel touched him.  God can changes things in an instant, what couldn't be done by many men.  Remember, Jesus can touch you, the enemy can only speak to you.  Cleanse, heal, restore.  The only authority the enemy has is what you give it.  When the angel appears, he exclaims "GET UP!".  Engage your faith.  Awake and arise.  Kick out the pansy devil!!

John 15:16

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and anointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Simple message.  You did not choose God, he chose you.  Not only did he choose you, he anointed you.  Remember God is perfect and he doesn't make mistakes.  When he chose you, he knew exactly what he was doing.  He choose you to bear fruit, in other words, go out and do great service for him.  With God beside you, you can do mighty works, accomplishments that you can not do by yourself, but with only with his mighty power.  He chose you to be a beacon in the dark.

Katie - Sunday's sermon, "The Hangover" coming soon.