FOOD FOR TEENS : GOD'S KIND OF REST

I have discovered that a lot of us often assume that man's definition of rest is the same with God's, therefore we get confused with God's concept of Rest. According to the dictionary definition, Rest is a state of inaction. Contrary beliefs God's rest is not a state of inaction, many people believe when we get to heaven, we would live in this state of perpetual inaction for the rest of lives, just worshiping and praising God but when you understand how Gods rest, you will find that it is a place of great productivity but zero labour from you.

Genesis one, God created the heavens and the earth and all that was in it, then on the seventh day He rested from His works, and if you moved to Genesis two, you will see God rolling up His sleeve and forming man from the earth but scripture already recorded that He(God) had already entered into rest, you will then understand that God's rest is of the spirit and not physical. Just like a man buys a car and starts learning how to drive that car but he struggles for several weeks or months and then one days masters the art of driving, according to God's definition of Rest, it is at this point where he masters driving that he's said to enter into rest concerning driving, it doesn't mean he's going to drive the car less now that he's a professional but he'll drive it more, as matter of fact this is when driving really starts for him but now he drives from a place of Rest. That is why scripture tell us to labour to enter into rest(like that driver, learn how to drive that car).

Matthew 11:28-29, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Jesus promised us rest when we come to Him but like that car driver He said we must learn of Him, how? We must learn function and produce like Jesus because as He is so are we, and the way to activate this life of God in us is through FAITH, once we master how to walk in faith in any aspect of our lives, God concludes that we have entered into His rest in that aspect. Hebrews 4:3, “For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” This is the same process that must occur in a plant, until the root goes down(this is usually referred to as the labour process) the plant won't grow out of the soil and produce fruits. Even so for us to walk in faith(God's rest) we must allow the word of God to find root in our hearts(subconscious), this doesn't just happen on its own but we must labour in the word, through consistent study and meditation of God's word. Hebrews 4:11-12, "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Immediately he talked about labour then he talked about how powerful the Word of God is, that tells you that your rest is tied to your labour in the word.

Another remarkable statement made here is that the word of God can pierce even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, which is subconscious realm, this is the part soul that controls our lives. There are many things we wish to do consciously but it is the program in our subconscious that truly controls us, that is why Jesus said that as anyone thinks in his heart, so he is. So what really happens when we labour on the word is that we allow the word of God to pierce into our subconscious(heart) and reprogram our heart so that we would begin to bear fruits that is worthy of Christ.

To labour in the word we must deliberately and consistently keep the word of God in our mouth and eyes. This is the real warfare, 2nd Corinthians 10:4-6, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; [And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” This should be our true focus but devil tries to distract us and make us think that there are other things are more important but Jesus had this to say about Mary in Luke 10:42, "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Jesus said that it shall not be taken away from her. Let the word have root in you, then you will work in victory just like Jesus did while He was on earth, not from a place of toiling but rest.

God bless you and have a blessed months