Sunday service was awesome! Let us continue to stay in rest, it is truly important. For today's sermon, Pastor Prince preached once again on - you guessed it - rest and peace. Let's dive into the Word:
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:26-27)
Do you know what is the word that Jesus used for peace? It was the Hebrew word shalom. Shalom is defined in Strong's Concordance as completeness, welfare, health, prosperity and peace. Peace is just one of the many portions promised to us in that one word shalom! Interestingly, the root word of shalom is sheelem, which means "paid for"! The shalom peace is yours, and it has been totally paid for in the body of Jesus!
Speaking of shalom, the first time God was revealed as Jehova-Shalom in the Bible (The Lord our Peace) was in the story of Gideon. Read all about it starting from Judges 6:11. God's peace is given to us in spite of our doubts and fears!
It is imperative that we let not our hearts be troubled. Although God wants to be our peace, we cannot let ourselves sink into depression and stress. When we guard our inside, God guards everything else! He cannot work mightily in us whenever we try to strive and earn blessings with our own effort. When we rest, God works! Remember that rest is not inactivity but Spirit-led activity. Your friends will be amazed as they see you tackle the challenges of life with a smile on your face!
Did you know that depression can only descend onto you if you allow the devil to influence you by planting bad thoughts in your mind? Don't dwell on the fear you have for that deadline or test affect you. Counter that fear with God's Word, which declares that His peace is given unto you!
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (Proverbs 14:30, NIV)
In the phrase "gives life to the body", the original Hebrew word used in that verse is marpe. It means "healing"! Marpe comes from rapha, which means "heal". And rapha comes from raphah, which means "relax; let go"!
Did you know that just spending time in God's Word rejuvenates your body? Isaiah 55:12 should be how every child of God should feel after spending time in the Word:
“For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."
The "trees of the field" refer to the people of the world. God's work in your body and in your life will be so evident that even people of the world can see it!
If God's Word were to be delievered to us all at once, we cannot stand it. We just can't cope with that much wisdom at once! But God wants His Word to come to us like rain.
"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, andmake it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, butit shall accomplish what I please, andit shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11)
Isn't it precious of God to deliver His Word like this? If all the water in the clouds were to be relaeased at once, a catastrophe would occur. Buildings would be smashed and lives lost! But the rain comes in precious drops that don't even harm a fragile flower, but gives it life instead. And as we receive God's Word, we are also restored!
Wow! Pastor has shared with us another way to rest: spend time in God's word! For it is health to all our flesh and fills us with the peace only God can give. Hope this message has blessed you!
And for you to click these! *UPDATE* Thanks for the help!
And this button!
