A Promise Remains of Entering His Rest

Heb 3:12  Take heed, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 

Heb 3:14  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 

Heb 3:19  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. 

Heb 4:1  Therefore, a promise being left to enter into His rest, 

let us fear lest any of you should seem to come short of it. 

Heb 4:2  For also we have had the good news preached, as well as them. 

But the Word preached did not profit them, 

not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 

Heb 4:3  For we who have believed do enter into the rest,

Heb 4:6  Since then it remains that some must enter into it, and since they to whom it was first preached did not enter in because of unbelief, 

Heb 4:9  So then there remains a rest to the people of God. 

Heb 4:10  For he who has entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from His. 

Heb 4:11  Therefore let us labor to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief. 

Heb 4:16  Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

***

Gal 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; 

yet no longer I, 

but Christ lives in me. 

And that life I now live in the flesh, 

I live by faith toward the Son of God, 

who loved me and gave Himself on my behalf. 

Gal 3:2  This only I would learn from you: 

Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing of faith? 

Gal 3:3  Are you so foolish? 

Having begun in the Spirit, do you now perfect yourself in the flesh? 

Living Water - by the cup or flowing spring - Your choice

As children of God we have available "living water" to us.

Most of us do not realize what is truly available.

We think of it as a water fountain we can go to when we are thirsty,

and only get a cup or two at a time ( when the "thirst" or "need" is the greatest ).

What Jesus Christ is offering is so much more...

He wants to live IN You and THROUGH You.

And this is made possible by the Holy Spirit who is IN You.

There are a lot of scriptures on this relationship we have after we are born again,

but I just want to touch on the "offer" so you might see what you are missing in your Christian life ( walk ).

Joh 4:14  but whoever drinks of the water which I shall give him will by no means ever thirst again. 

But the water which I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into eternal life." 

Rivers of Living Water
Joh 7:37  Now on the last day, the great day of the feast ( Feast of Tabernacles ),

 Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
Joh 7:38  He that believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water."
Joh 7:39  (But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him were about to receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.) 

***

To get this Living Water flowing in your life,

you must do two simply ( but not easy ) things:

1 ) "lose your life"

by giving 100% control of your life ( your whole body ) to the Lord. Complete surrender of every aspect of your life.

2 ) "By Faith"

You need to "believe" the "truth" about your new creation / new man / and the "POWER" that is available ( already IN YOU ) to accomplish everything the Lord would like to do through you.

A Living Sacrifice
Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. 
Rom 12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. 

Let Christ live through you

Gal 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; 

yet no longer I, 

but Christ lives in me. 

And that life I now live in the flesh, 

I live by faith toward the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself on my behalf. 

Lose your life to find it 

Mat 16:24  Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. 
Mat 16:25  For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever desires to lose his life for My sake shall find it. 

 

God working IN YOU

Php 2:12  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, cultivate your own salvation with fear and trembling. 
Php 2:13  For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. 

--

Saved by Grace,

Andrew Cross

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, 

but exhorting one another, 

and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

Watch on Youtube = https://youtu.be/DjjP6fZ03UE

J. Hudson Taylor - but over our mantelpiece hung two scrolls written in the Chinese character -

"Ebenezer, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us."

  I Samuel 7:12

   

"Jehovah-Jireh", The LORD will provide.

Genesis 22:14

These helped them to keep believing, when the food and money would sometimes run out.

And always, the "need" was met in the nick of time.

Proving time and time again,

as J. Hudson Taylor would always say,

God's work done in God's way

will never lack God's supply.

A simple ABC method of understanding Spiritual Reality and finding Peace in all circumstances

Understanding our thought process,

and how our "belief" system affects are emotions is critical to having peace, confidence, and overall happiness.

A = ALL the things that happen to you ( an "event" in your life ).

B = BELIEF ( what you think this "event" means, or how you think it affects you ).

C = CREATED reaction ( how you FEEL about the "event" ). What you "believe" it means always determines how you end up "feeling" about the "event".

***

If this was a math equation ( and we use the  "reality" or promises that we have IN CHRIST to interpret the "event" ),

it could be expressed as:

A / B = C

"Event" ( A ) divided by the Infinite Love of God ( B ) equals His "REST" ( peace, courage, and joy ) the ( C ) in our equation.

Say you have a problem ( event ) in your life that is overwhelming your thoughts / emotions.

On a scale of 1 to 100, we will call it a "80".

If you divide the number 80 by infinity you end up with a sum of Zero ( 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000.. never ending zeros 

and then if there was an ending, 

but there is not since it's infinity, 

there would be a lone number 1, 

but again, since it's infinity, you never would reach even that value ).

So, your "80" event is a "0" result when you realize God is in Control ( and He Loves You more than you can imagine ).

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, 

nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, 

nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:37-39 NASB)

Applied to your life, it would be the way to view ( perceive, interpret ) all "events" ( no matter how small or large, or how "bad" they appear to be ),

in LIGHT OF the unconditional, unfailing love of God.

If He is your "Helper", then you have nothing to fear. 

Hebrews 13:5-8

If He causes all things to work together for good, 

then you have nothing to fear ( or be anxious about ). 

Romans 8:28-39

You must "process" all of life's "events" through the Truth of your new life IN CHRIST 

You are a child of God, beloved, redeemed, forgiven, indwelled and powered by the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 4:4-13

It truly comes down to Faith.

What you are believing in your head, is what determines your happiness ( or lack thereof ).

The more you are able to have a complete Trust in God, 

the more you will have cause to Rejoice 

( no matter what life throws at you ).

Your faith is affected by your thoughts,

and that is why we must Read the Word daily. 

Praying ( talking to God ) Constantly. Thessalonians 5:17

Not filling your mind with the negative things of the world 

( and beware of what the world calls "entertainment" ).

Set your mind on the things of the Spirit to have true life and peace. Colossians 3:1-10, Romans 8:5,6

On any given day, you have 24 hours.

Choose to spend it with the Lord, and the things of the Lord,

and you'll have the fruit of the Spirit in your life.

And we all want those things.....

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 

Galatians 5:22 - 25

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 
from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 
and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 
to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:14 - 21

Video version = https://youtu.be/UfH9FqlYKQo

PSALMS 46 - God - Current Refuge and Future Hope

1God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

* "Abundantly available" when in "tight places"

2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change

And though the mountains slip into the heart of the seas;

* Rev. 6:12, 16:20

3Though its waters roar and foam,

Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.

4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

* Rev. 22:1

The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

5God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

* At the turning of the morning - the dawn of a new DAY.

6The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;

He raised ( gave forth ) His voice, the earth melted.

7The Lord ( Y'hovah ) of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

8Come, behold the works of the Lord,

Who has wrought desolations in the earth.

* Which He has afflicted as desolations

9He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;

He burns the chariots with fire.

* Isaiah 2:4 , Isaiah 9:5 , Ezekiel 39:9 , Micah 4:3 , Isaiah 60:18 

10"Cease striving ( LET GO, RELAX ) and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

11The Lord ( Y'hovah )  of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

Jesus - These things

Joh 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

Joh 14:25  These things have I spoken unto you, while yet abiding with you.
Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.
Joh 14:27  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 fearful. 

Joh 14:29  And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe. 

Joh 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be fulfilled. 

Joh 15:20  Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord.

                  If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 

Joh 16:1  These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be made to stumble. 

Joh 16:4  But these things have I spoken unto you, that when their hour is come, ye may remember them, how that I told you.

Joh 16:12  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 

Joh 16:33  These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. 

                   In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

                  and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Joh 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 

The Patience of Paul - The promise of being a witness in Rome

We really have "NO" Patience.

At least not when you compare what the Apostle Paul had to endurance.

Can you imagine having a vision and then having to wait over 2 years for it to come true.

And to get stuck in a storm at sea for over 2 weeks, and only after many more months,

to finally reach Rome ( as promised ).

Paul was taken into custody at Jerusalem. 

And the Jews wanted him dead, but that was not God's plan for Paul at this time.

Act 23:11  And the following night the Lord stood by him and said, 

Be of good cheer, Paul, for as you have testified of Me in Jerusalem, so you also must bear witness at Rome. 

Act 24:27  But after two years Felix welcomed a successor, Porcius Festus. And wishing to show a favor to the Jews, Felix left Paul bound. 

Act 27:1  And when it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' cohort. 

Act 27:9  And much time having been used up, and the voyage already being dangerous, because the Fast was now already past, Paul warned them, 

Act 27:10  saying, Men, I perceive that this voyage is about to be with much harm and loss, and not only much cargo and of the ship, but also of our souls.

Act 27:20  And neither sun nor stars appearing in many days, and no small tempest pressing hard, now all hope that we would be saved was taken away.
Act 27:21  But there being much fasting, then standing up in their midst, Paul said, O men, being obedient to me you ought not to have set sail from Crete, and to have come by this harm and loss.
Act 27:22  And now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there will be no casting away of life among you, only of the ship.
Act 27:23  For tonight an angel of God stood beside me, whose I am and whom I serve,
Act 27:24  saying, Fear not, Paul! You must stand before Caesar. And behold! God has given you all those who sail with you.
Act 27:25  Therefore, men, be of good cheer, for I believe God, that it will be so, according to the way it was told me.
Act 27:26  But we must fall on a certain island.
Act 27:27  But when the fourteenth night came, we being carried about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors thought that they drew near some country. 

Act 28:11  And after three months we sailed in a ship of Alexandria 

Act 28:16  And when we came into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the camp commander. But Paul was allowed to dwell by himself, with a soldier guarding him.

Act 28:30  And Paul remained two years in his own hired house. And he welcomed all who came in to him,
Act 28:31  proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching those things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom, and without hindrance. 

And Paul shared his "outlook" on life in all his letters.

*

but let us have joy in our troubles: in the knowledge that trouble gives us the power of waiting;
Rom 5:4  And waiting gives experience; and experience, hope:
Rom 5:5  And hope does not put to shame; because our hearts are full of the love of God through the Holy Spirit which is given to us. 

2Ti 3:10  But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, patience,
2Ti 3:11  persecutions, afflictions, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra. What persecutions I endured! But the Lord delivered me out of all.
2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 

And finally Paul exhorts Timothy,

2Ti 4:1  Therefore I solemnly witness before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is going to judge the living and the dead according to His appearance and His kingdom,
2Ti 4:2  preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3  For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but they will heap up teachers to themselves according to their own lusts, tickling the ear.
2Ti 4:4  And they will turn away their ears from the truth and will be turned to myths.
2Ti 4:5  But you watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fully carry out your ministry.
2Ti 4:6  For I am already being poured out, and the time of my release is here.
2Ti 4:7  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.
2Ti 4:8  Now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that Day; and not to me only, but also to all those who love His appearing.