At the beginning of this 2018 (during my month of rest), I asked God for what He wanted me to bring to you, my readers. What did He want my faithful subscribers to read each week? and What did I have to offer?
Well, He told me to bring myself…that whatever He is teaching me…to share it with you. That is what I have tried to do since the beginning of last year till now and my prayer is that you see Jesus and not me in my weekly emails. (if you wish to also receive my weekly emails and free eBooks, click here)
God gave me a vision for these newsletters
It’s a picture of me running through life carrying a message – God’s message of REST to His people. It’s a message that I am in desperate need for, and it’s a lesson that I have to keep relearning. I asked God – “How can I give this message to people when I am always relearning it?” God said to me – “Bring people along with you on your faith journey”. So that is what I am doing here.
10 Messages of Rest from the Father
This week you are going to receive 10 messages of rest from the Father. I know that not all of the messages are for you personally so please don’t become overwhelmed. Just take time with them. Maybe read one a day and ponder.
Ask the Lord…
- Is this message for me?
- What is there for me to learn?
- What is for me to share with another?
They are all messages that God has downloaded to me in my quiet times and I have recorded them in my journal. Some came through pondering scripture, some came through reading books and others came through talking with God in prayer. Some are just a short quote that makes you think. Others are a bit longer. They are in no particular order. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts – ask Him to teach you this week. Enjoy.
1. God Works From the Inside Out Be aware that God’s Spirit is in you.
Dwell on that truth for however long it takes to truly get it. It might take a lifetime. It doesn’t matter, we have eternity.
Ephesians 3:16 “I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit”
2. Believe in the Idea of a Masterpiece
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”
You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously.
Where you are today is not where you have to be forever.
3. “The Way you Live your Life Today is Preparing you for your Tomorrow. “(Awesome quote from John C Maxwell’s book “Today Matters:12 Daily Practices to Guarantee Tomorrow’s Success”)
This quote highlights the idea of living the NOW life. What consumes your mind on a regular basis?
- What you have to do tomorrow.
- What you have to do next week.
- What type of person you want to become in the future.
God is saying – today is what matters. What you do today takes care your tomorrows.
4. “Our Shortcomings Attract His Perfection.” (This quote was from Natalie Grant in her book “Finding Your Voice”)
The quote “Our Shortcomings Attract His Perfection” is based on the story of Peter being called out of the boat by Jesus. He was called out of the safety of the boat to join Jesus in the chaos on the water. Peter discovered his shortcomings, the main one being, fear and he starting sinking. But Jesus didn’t leave Him there, as soon as Peter was faltering, Jesus grabbed him. What does this mean?
I am secure and in a good position to step out of the boat and join Jesus.
5. Be a Peter. Jump out of the Boat!
Take the leap of faith. Don’t allow yourself to be one of the other 11 – scared and huddled in the boat watching the Jesus encounter, a spectator- no, be part of the God encounter.
Psalm 37:23-24 “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”
6. Is My Life So Comfortable & Easy That God Never Really Needs To Show Up?
Ah, that was my question to myself after reading “Love, Skip, Jump: Start Living the Adventure of Yes” by Shelene Bryan.
We are all called to the Impossible Life.
To take Impossible Actions.
To plan Impossible Goals.
- Take Noah – he had the impossible task of building the first boat for rain that the world had never experienced before.
- Take David – he had the impossible task as a young teenager to pick up 5 stones and kill a giant for his country.
- Take Esther – she had to take a life and death request to the king on behalf of her people.
- Take Moses’ mother – she had to trust that putting her baby boy into the Nile River in a basket was the best plan.
None of those was comfortable things to do.
Quote “If we never try the impossible, God does not need to swoop in and save the day.”
Quote “sometimes comfort and safety are like a repellent to seeing God at work.”
7. When I Input God I Naturally Output God
If spend my time focusing on worshiping God, I will not need to work to discover where God is – I will be where He is working.
Focus on the Worship and Fruit will Follow
8. Jesus is Inviting You to a New Living Way
Soak in the story of the woman at the well from John 4. Jesus invited her to a new living way. Worship that involves Spirit and Truth. Jesus’ invitation turned her day upside down. It turned the whole village upside down. He invited —she accepted—then she invited Jesus to stay.
There is an invitation from Jesus to something deeper.
The woman’s everyday task of collecting water was disrupted.
Jesus wants to disrupt your day with Spirit and Truth Worship.
9. “God Doesn’t Deal In Comparisons.” (A quote from Naomi Reed’s book “My Seventh Monsoon” )
After I read that quote God led me to Psalm 139 – where I rediscovered the truth that God made each one of us uniquely. So God wants to work with me in an unique way and He wants to work with you in an unique way. But when I compare my life and my work to others I am saying “no” to my uniqueness and “yes” to cookie cutterness.
10. Live for an Audience of One
Don’t get distracted trying to please everyone.
All that counts for eternity is Jesus.
Live for Him Only.
Your everyday living, your moments, your days, your comings and goings.
Live for Him Only.
That’s it – 10 Messages of Rest from the Father.
Has one or all of them spoken to your heart and life? – if yes, please comment below and let me know how it has impacted you. And if you feel a friend could benefit please consider sharing.
Keep Leaning into Him
Rachel Larkin
FEEDBACK – I really do LOVE to hear your feedback on at least one of these messages of rest – please comment and share how this has resonated with you.
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