Day 147 - FOUNDATION STONES IN A YEAR
Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 1 Corinthians 1:17-24
The Hebrew word for rest is ‘nuach’ - to rest, to be quiet. Sometimes, it is synonymous to ‘shabat’ - to cease or to rest. The Greek word for rest is ‘anapausis’ meaning cessation, refreshment. Christ's rest is not a rest from work, but in work, not the rest of inactivity, but of the harmonious working of all the faculties and affections, of will, heart, imagination, conscience - because each has found in God the ideal sphere of its satisfaction and development. (Vines Concise Dictionary).
In the early days of ministry, I mistakenly thought that I could energise faith through the exertion of my will i.e. you will be healed… Then I moved on to believing it was generated by praying a lot and speaking authoritatively i.e. you will be healed… Then I thought the key lay in saying the “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth!” formula because that’s what the apostle Peter said in Acts. Then one day it dawned on me; my relationship of trusting God empowered my faith to release the power of God – effortless! Just like Christ’s rest; “the harmonious working of all the faculties and affections.”
It took me a long time to realise, it is all Jesus, it is all about Jesus, and it is all within Jesus, and, we are in Him. So now I pray quietly, with authority, trusting Jesus to release whatever is necessary. What do you think?
Prayer:
Dear God, please draw me into Your rest that I may release Your power for the benefit of those around me.
For the family
You will find 13 role models in the resource below that you can discuss with your children over this month