WAIT ABIDE and REST

 

Pastor Allan was encouraging the congregation to enter into God’s presence.  I took notes and present his edited message.

God desires fellowship with us.  In the garden God came to walk and talk and be with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening.  God gave Adam the job to tend to the garden and to care for the animals.  God’s desire was to bless mankind and He desires to bless you as you are in a receiving mode.  God has good plans for you that include overflow.

God desires to give more and to pour out His Holy Spirit.  Our responsibility is to be open to receive.  “Ask, seek, knock and receive.

The Holy Spirit is not reserved for Sunday mornings.  What happens when you leave church?  Continue to be in His presence through out the week. 

God’s vision has never changed, but we change and may do things different than we did yesterday. 

Theology does not change.  New believers open their Bible and it might as well be in Chinese.  However as we continue in the Word of God, our theology builds.  It is good to study “words.”

Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

Let us look at the words with a “W:”  Weak, Wait, Walk.

When working with metal, the craftsman will take three types of metal and twist them together, pounding them until they are one and they become strong together.

Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches.”  As we live and dwell in Christ, and become a part of His presence.  He who abides will bear much fruit as they partake from the strength of the vine. 

Jesus abides in us, and we are to abide In Him.  Live and stay in a relationship with Christ. 

“Rest”  We all need a day of rest.  Put the normal things aside and dwell in God and in His presence.  Take a day to do something different.  Go to the park, take a drive in the country.  Take a walk, but not at the detriment of the family.  Be able to re-set and avoid Burn-out.  Take care not to forget who you are serving.

The shepherd leads by still waters to rest, to be strengthened, to be empowered.  Wait, Abide and Rest.

There is also a time of action.  Our theme for next year is:  “All Hands on Deck.”  Find a place where you can participate and use your gifts to bless others.  Follow where God leads you.  He desires to make of you, Spiritual fathers and Spiritual mothers. 

A church models as a family and we grow together, work together and fellowship together.  We are not just one person, but we are a team, a body of believers.

In perspective:  Wait – Abide – Rest.  Wait on the Lord, Abide in Christ, and learn to rest in him as well.  Take care of yourself, physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

Pastor indicated that it would be good to attend meetings outside our church.  Be faithful to your church, but if other churches have a special seminar or conference, it would be good to take advantage of it.

Step up with confidence and boldness into the next level where God is leading you.  Wait upon the Lord, Abide In Him, and Rest in Him.