Both Pastor Ben and Pastor Prince preached about the year 2010: the year of R & R (Rest and Reign!)! Or as Pastor Prince put it, the year of restful increase.
Rest is so important, and many people don't get enough of it. They think they have to work or else nothing gets done. They feel condemned when they rest because they are not doing anything. But did you know God gives His children rest?
Lets read Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Maybe The Message Bible will be clearer for some people:
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Beloved, stop thinking that if you don't labour, nothing will happen. Our greatest blessing is salvation, and God made it simple for anyone to receive! Our bodies aren't designed for all work and no rest. Lets check Leviticus. God decreed each seventh year as a Sabbath year: a year where no farmer may sow or reap. He did this to give the farmers a break!
You may ask, "What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not plant or harvest our crops?" I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years. While you plant during the eighth year, you will eat from the old crop and will continue to eat from it until the harvest of the ninth year comes in.(Leviticus 25:20-22)
When man rests, God works. Solomon received his wisdom in his rest. However, when man uses his own efforts to do his work, God can't help him; he isn't trusting in God but rather himself. Now don't misunderstand me. Rest doesn't mean inactivity. It means Spirit-led activity! When you follow the peace within to guide your steps, rather than toiling from your own strength, you acheive more!
Rest and reign. I'm going to run with this message. Will you join me?
And for you to click these! *UPDATE* Thanks for the help!
And this button!
