Throughout this study, we have being laying bricks and mortar to understanding God’s Rest. Pulling out scripture, studying them, making notes and tucking wisdom in our hearts, I love this study absolutely.
While many associate”Rest” with temporary relief for our earthly journey, through this exploratory study we have seen that God doesn’t want us to enjoy rest here for the now but He desires that we enter into eternal rest also. Eternal Rest is most beneficial for the Christian pilgrim.
Bible Reading: Acts 1:8, 13-14, Acts 2:1-4, and John 14:7-14
The Upper Room experience was crucial for the disciples. Why did Jesus ask them to remain in the Upper Room? Purpose- to wait for the promise of the Father for the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
He had spoken to them about the Comforter. He had described the effective power that will be released when the Holy Spirit is upon them. Even now, the Holy Spirit baptism in the life of a believer is expedient. Ephesians 5: 9-10, 18
We cannot operate in the fullness of the power of God without the Holy Spirit. We often learn about the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.
What about praying for the Gift of the Holy Spirit?
What about desiring that we be baptised with the Holy Spirit?
“The Fruit” indicates the presence of the Holy Spirit. One can obviously not exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit without the presence in their lives. It is not something you can fake. It is either you have it or you don’t.
Bible Reading: Matthew 25:1-13
The virgins were waiting. The groom was yet to arrive. Some thought to carry along their oil. The Groom tarried. They all slumbered.
Others took no oil for their lamps Matthew 25:3. When the bell went off they realised they had no oil! Perhaps they thought the groom would arrive during the day, but why take the vessel without the oil?
One might wonder why the wise did not want to share. Very true, sometimes, we have to keep that which is “ours” for “our own use”. Some things cannot be shared. They were way past that by now.
Reminds me of the scripture that says hold fast that which you have in Revelation 3:10-11
Do you have oil in your lamps now?
They had to go to the city to buy oil. Notice, their timing was wrong. They lacked preparation.
Sadly upon their return from the city, the Great door was closed. It was too late. They had been shut out.
The five wise virgins carried along with them their oil. Watching and waiting. Eager to hear the trump call. The Master found them waiting and ready. They went in with him. Oh what pain, if the Lord find us not faithful when he returns!
As the Bride of Christ we ought to make ourselves ready. His coming draws nearer as each day passes by. Are we asleep? Are we tired of waiting on His coming? I pause and wonder.
Will you be ready?
Will He find you prepared, dressed up and waiting?
The difference between wise and foolish virgins was the presence of Oil signifying adequate preparation. Same virgins, expectant but one thing was lacking.
They were not fully ready. Revelations 19:7-9
The parable of Jesus about the Master who had prepared a Supper and all the invited guests turned it down Luke 14:16-24
They lacked the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Jesus spoke about the urgency. We cannot tell when He would return, but we can make ourselves ready. Matthew 22: 8-13
How can we make ourselves ready?
The five foolish virgins waited all these while. But they missed their mark. What a disaster! Imagine the horror on their faces when they realised they missed their groom. God forbid, that our waiting be in vain!
We need oil in our lamps now! It is not a matter of later. The oil, the Holy Spirit is significant for us today. He is our teacher, guide, comforter, and reminder ….can we make it through this sensitive time without the Holy Spirit? John 14:7-27
As at the time of writing this, I hear loudly in my heart, “cast off filthy garment and be robed with white spotless garment”. Ephesians 5:27
We need all our filthy garments taken off. The Lord isn’t coming for spotted, filthy, impure or wrinkled garments. What makes us stink is sin. Thank God for His precious Blood that washes away our sins and iniquities.
Bible Reading: Zechariah 3: 1-7, Colossians 1:13-14, Isaiah 61:10, Revelation 3:4
Joshua the high priest stood before the Angel of the Lord and Satan on his right hand to withstand him. But mercy covered him close.
By God’s mercies his garment was cast off. It was not fit for the Lord’s Holy presence.
Dear sister, mercy draws you close. The Blood of Jesus washes you. God wants to robe you with His righteousness and take away your filthy garment.
What filthiness is the Lord convicting you of?
Are you washed in the Blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments white?
It is time for us to draw near to His mercy seat. Hebrews 4:16
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb,
Are your garments spotless?
Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
E.A. Hoffman
If the hand writings aren’t on the walls, painted in nature, etched on earth, we would be lost forever. He is calling and only those with seeing eyes and hearing ears can perceive.
The Secret Meal: As I ponder on this study, I am drawn to these words..”secret meal in the secret place”. Like Elijah, feeding and getting ready for the next assignment.
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 17:1-6, 1 Kings 19: 1-8, Revelation 3:10-11
What is the relevance for us today? The secret meal in His Holy presence is the Bread of life. The Word of God gives us strength and prepares us for the journey ahead. God never sends us out to the fields without preparing us. He knows we will need His direction and strength to navigate this treacherous world.
The hymn part of me hums this…
“Come and Dine” the master calleth “Come and dine”
He who fed the multitude, turn the water into wine
To the hungry calleth now, “come and dine”
Why does Jesus call us to the table?
Why does the Master feed us with the meal of the Word?
We meet Him there in the Word. We understand Him better as we sup with Him.
Read Hebrews 4 do you see the connection between the eternal rest and the Word?
The Upper Room Experience: We wonder why Jesus asked the disciples to be shut in the upper room. It was no mistake. They were waiting for the promise of the gift. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit. We cannot do without Him in this age.
Can you imagine a lamp without the oil in a dark room? It is completely useless.
That’s how important The Holy Spirit is in the life of a believer. We are empty without His presence in our lives. As the uncertainty prevails in our world, it is such a precious call for us to be shut in with Jesus.
Are you shut in with Jesus?
Have you received the gift of the Holy Spirit?
My heart yearns for in-filling of the Holy Spirit, and fresh baptism with fire and power. You can pray for the baptism right where you are. There is no better time than now to be shut in with Jesus and pray for the Holy Spirit baptism, dear sister.
The Holy Spirit seals us in until the day of redemption. That’s how important the Holy Spirit is. Ephesians 4:30
The Dwelling Place: You can only find True Rest in Dwelling. True Rest experience happens in the place of abiding.
Are you abiding in Christ?
Is His Presence daily abiding in you?
Rest comes from dwelling in God’s presence. To abide is a focused and Intentional action. It is not random stumbling in and out of His presence.
To abide also means to be plugged in to the vine John 15: 1-11
We find rest in the place of obedience and reverend surrender. Allowing God take the lead while we steadfastly follow.
God’s presence a guarantee to enjoy His rest Exodus 33:14
Can we rest in God whom we do not know?
How can we seek eternal rest without first yielding to our Saviour’s Call?
Our heart struggle with unbelief when we don’t know him. Moses enjoyed knowing God intimately. Psalm 103:7 and Psalm 78:1-72
When offered that same privilege to hear God for themselves the Israelites declined. What if they had said to the invitation?
Would their faith and obedience have been different?
It is important we grow rich and deep in our knowledge of God and not just stop at enjoying His blessings. Tremendous miracles happen when we cross that bridge into the knowing. Colossians 3:16
We don’t merely believe we move into trusting God with our all. Moving into this requires we spend time in the place of worship, prayer and Word Study. Seeking God wholeheartedly. Not for grains or gains. Not for what He has in His hands. For who He is, should we seek the Lord.
Spend time today in prayers.
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By His Great Grace,
Ifeoma Samuel
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