Rest Well

Leviticus 25:4 (NIV) But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.

Beloved, inactivity does not mean purposelessness. Rest has purpose, and it is deeply necessary. Everything I have created requires pause – room to breathe, a moment to refresh. Resist the urge to find this time wasteful. 

Just as healing often takes place below the surface and out of view of the natural eye and yet its effects become known over time, so rest brings life when rightly paired with times of activity – both are essential. So be intentional with your pauses and rest well even as you labor well. 

Sabbath Rest

Leviticus 23:3 (NLT) “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the LORD’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live.

Beloved, I created you and I know well your inner workings. Just as a car comes with a manual so you know how to take care of it in a way to keep it in the best condition, so I have instructed you in My Word about how you should live. I have not created this structure to exert needless control, but rather because having made you, I know what you need in order to be your best, and I have instructed you accordingly.

Resist the urge to neglect the rest you need. I have instructed you that six days you may work, but should set aside the seventh for rest. It is not wasteful to observe the sabbath. It is needful. Pause for times of refreshing in My presence. Pause for times of fellowship with the Body. Pause simply to rest. Make time for sabbath rest and see how you flourish.

Know Me in Truth

Matthew 7:23 (NLT) But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

Beloved, choose to know Me and know My ways. Choose to obey My instructions. I’ve intentionally detailed the path of righteousness in My word so there is no room for confusion. Be mindful not to deceive yourself into thinking you can do your things, your way and do it in My name.

Beloved, do not take My name in vain. Refuse to misrepresent Me – to yourself or others. Know Me in truth. Know Me by My Spirit. Intentionally align with Me and My ways that I might be able to say in that day that I know you and you are Mine.

Obedience Born of Love

Matthew 5:48 (VOICE) But you are called to something higher: “Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Beloved, I AM righteous just as you are you are called to righteousness. Being given the gift of grace in no way absolves you from the responsibility to walk in obedience. If salvation is your only motivation for obedience, then your heart is amiss.

Choose obedience out of your love for Me and out of a desire to please Me. I am well aware you will fall short, but your desire and efforts bless My heart and set you apart from the world. Continuing to try after you’ve failed demonstrates a keen perseverance and sends a message to those around you that I AM worth the effort. So be a person of integrity and holiness. Be like Me.

Find Me in My Word

Psalm 119:97 (VOICE) Oh, how I love Your law! I fix my mind on it all day long.

Beloved, pursue My heart. If you would know Me, you must know My word, for it reflects My heart toward you – My longings clearly reflected page after page: that I would be your God and that you would be My people. In it you’ll find example after example of My patience and grace. Seek Me there and you will find Me.

Allow My Holy Spirit to bring revelation as you read, and meditate on it as you go about your day. Filter your thoughts and encounters through My truth and learn more about Me. Fix your mind on My instructions, set your heart on My word, and determine how best to honor and exalt Me in all you do.

I Desire for You to Flourish

1 John 3:4 (AMP) Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness [ignoring God’s law by action or neglect or by tolerating wrongdoing—being unrestrained by His commands and His will].

Beloved, I have shared My will, My instructions, in My word. Do not deceive yourself or allow others to deceive you that I somehow do not mean what I say. I have provided these boundaries for you because I LOVE you. Not to restrain or exert My control over you, but because I KNOW the effect not following them has, and I desire better for you. I desire for you to flourish and prosper. Align with My will and My instructions, and watch blessing pour forth. For I have promised that if you heed My voice, blessings will come upon you and overtake you.

My will is not a mystery. I have made it clearly known. I invite you and welcome you to know Me more. Read My word and allow My Spirit to guide and teach you. I LONG to be known by you. If you poured out your heart in a love letter, you’d desire that it be read and cherished, for it is your heart on paper, and no one who bares their soul wants to be rejected or ignored. In the same way, I have laid My heart bare before you, come and know Me more, beloved, for My heart for you is love. I yearn to see you blessed and flourishing! Walk in My ways.