Entering The Rest of God

In the Book of Hebrews chapters 3 and 4, the writer talks about entering the rest of God. He quotes from from Psalm 95 verses 7 to 11. Psalm 95, in turn, tells of the time when the children of Israel had opportunity to enter the promised land. The promise that was given to Abraham generations ago. It was written to the Jewish believers who were experiencing hardship and persecution. The writer wanted to comfort his readers, whoever they were.

In the letter, the writer first of all shows that “Jesus is better”. Better than Angels, better than Moses and Christ’s sacrifice was better than the blood of bulls and goats.

He tells the readers there is a rest of God they can enter into.

Twelve spies were sent to Canaan to view the land. Ten of the spies were fearful and returned saying there were “giants in the land” and advised the people not to enter. The other two spies -Joshua and Caleb- however, told of the blessing they would receive if they did enter. Sadly the ten who expressed caution won the day and so The Israelites did not enter. God was angry because they did not believe. He then said the would not enter His rest.

The passage in Hebrews gives us a clue that it is due to unbelief:

Hebrews 3:7-15

as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you hear his voice,

8do not harden your hearts

as you did in the rebellion,

during the time of testing in the wilderness,

9where your ancestors tested and tried me,

though for forty years they saw what I did.

10That is why I was angry with that generation;

I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,

and they have not known my ways.’

11So I declared on oath in my anger,

‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” ^b

12See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. 15As has just been said:
“Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” ^c

Believing God is the key to entering God’s rest.

What is God’s rest?

Is it stopping working as the verse Hebrews 4:10 implies? “for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”

Do we not still do work to earn wages? Don’t we have household chores to do? Of course we do! So the Rest of God is about something different.

The rest of God, I believe, is about not striving; not feeling the need to make God love you more. Romans 5:6,8 says “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly……. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Discovering that love can be liberating. It is something we should all make note of.
Learning that your heavenly Father accepts you, knowing that He loves you, whatever circumstance or situation you may find yourself in, I believe, is the key to knowing that rest.
This is not easy to do. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to “make every effort.” Heb 4:11 “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.”
It needs to come from revelation. Sometimes we still have to push through to gain it. We can strive in prayer, strive to gain what God has for us, and go through painful and difficult times; very much like the recipients of this letter were. But, they could still know The Rest of God. Knowing and believing their Father was in control, knowing they were safe in His hands; that He would take care of them. This indeed would have been a comfort to them. In the difficult times we are experiencing (Not as bad as they) this can be a comfort to us too.
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl give a hint to this: Matt 13:44-45 44“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Seeking God, making an effort, was worth everything. Let us then discover the Rest of God.

Our Christmas Carol Celebration

On 16th December the Tower Hamlets Christian Prayer Group had our customary Carol Celebration.

The was a good number attended.
 Cllr
The speaker of the Council Cllr Victoria Obaze came and joined us. She spoke about celebrating diversity in the council and how, we as a Christian prayer group, should proud of who we are as a Christian group in the borough.  To recognise and celebrate all the different faith groups Tower Hamlets has, be it Christian or Muslim or Hindu or no faith at all. Tower Hamlets are proud of the diversity represented in the workforce.

We sang all the usual carols. However, this year we sang without musician accompaniment.
 Different people read from the Bible . I is and amazing story how God came.

Steve gave a short talk: 

"Merry Christmas

The Christmas story of Christmas is an amazing story. It is not about the tinsel or about the Christmas tree, but about God himself coming to be one of us.

Human kind was created by God to be a friend to us. The trouble is we are selfish and we walked away from that friendship. Think about how you have a friend and they offend you. They walk away from being your friend. What do you do? Just let them walk away? Let them get on with it. Not talk to them again? Well we might do that but God did not.

The baby in the manger shows that God is committed to us to being our friend. He is, as the Bible says, Immanuel, God with us.

This baby, we know, grew up and demonstrated he was our friend. Showing he was God among us. But we walked away; or at least some did. Some could not stand the message he had to give. That God wanted to be our friend. He wanted to be your friend. Christmas leads to Easter where This Baby – The Lord Jesus Christ gave his life on The Cross so we could be friends of God.

How do we respond to that? Do we still walk away or do we accept his offer of friendship. Do we recognise that he made all the first moves?

Many have tried, and still do, try and work so God would accept them. But this offer from him has already been given. This gift of life is a free gift of life. It requires only that we accept this gift and love this Baby – our Lord Jesus Christ who gave his life for you.

So, this Christmas, enjoy your Christmas dinner, enjoy the tinsel, enjoy the Christmas tree, but remind yourself the offer of friendship from God is there for the taking.

Angels Are at Your Service, here are 3 Ways

Are angels really here to help you? Can you somehow set them to work on your behalf? Find out what the Bible says about how angels are at your service!

Have you heard the stories? Bullets that seemed to go right through someone without leaving a mark, cars that crossed through one another without actually making impact, people in danger transported from one place to another with no explanation. These are just a few examples of the supernatural encounters Christians are experiencing every day—encounters with angels.

 What Are Angels?

Despite what is often depicted in books and on television, angels are not little, fat babies with bows and arrows in their hands. They are not soft and gentle with long, flowing blond hair. The only angels we read about in the Bible are big, strong male warriors whose presence often startled those they encountered. They are real. They are powerful. And if you are a believer, they are a vital part of your life. 

According to Hebrews 1:14, God created angels to help His people: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (NKJV). One of the ways God carries out your protection, His covenant and your deliverance is through angels. You literally have angels at your service. 

You only have to see them with your spiritual eyes to know it’s true. That’s what Elisha was telling his servant when they were surrounded by a large Syrian army. The servant was afraid, but Elisha said, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16, NKJV). When the servant opened his spiritual eyes, he saw an army of angels and chariots of fire surrounding the entire Syrian army!

Angels were always carrying out God’s plans and purposes in the Bible. They haven’t retired since then, either. Angels are at work today just as they’ve always been. More importantly, they are not flying around up there. They are HERE. This earth is full of them!  

You have an angel working with you. He belongs to you. He’ll be with you all the days of your life. He’s always before the face of the Father (Matthew 18:10). Angels are tremendously strong, but they all bow to the Name of Jesus. They are here to add their strength to what you do. You have authority in the Name of Jesus where your angels are concerned.

You’re not in this by yourself! If you haven’t had faith for what angels can and will do in your life, it’s time to open your eyes and see that there are more with you than there are with any opposition you will ever face on this earth. Begin to see through spiritual eyes, and learn these three ways angels are at your service.

1. Angels Ensure Your Protection

“For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up.” –Psalm 91:11-12 (NKJV) Do you take your angels with you everywhere you go? It’s true—they follow you everywhere you go, but are you taking them with you spiritually? Are you putting them to work?

Angels are at your service—to carry out God’s will—to protect you from danger and harm. When you plead the blood of Jesus over yourself, your vehicles, your home—you’re employing angels. When you declare Psalm 91 over your life—you’re employing angels. When you speak out, “Angels are protecting me. I send forth ministering angels to protect me and my family”—you’re employing angels. 

That is something Pastor George Pearson’s daughter, Aubrey, practices in her life, and it resulted in supernatural protection for her family. Her husband had been traveling, and she and her two young daughters, who were 2 and 4 at the time, were staying at her parents’ home.  

One early morning, when Pastor George was returning home from a workout, he found two-year-old Kayelin on the front porch without her pants, crying. It wasn’t until later that they discovered her pants lying next to the pool—soaking wet. This little girl had been in the pool, not knowing how to swim, and was somehow lifted out to safety. Somehow. That’s the specialty of angels—defying natural laws and reason to bring about the will of God—supernatural protection in our lives. 

And that protection belongs to you, too. You have an angel in the room with you right now. Waiting to protect you, on assignment to serve you. Are you employing him? It could save your life.

Creflo Dollar has said many times, had it not been for angels, he wouldn’t be here today. Here is his testimony: “Years ago, I was in a car accident so bad that when the police showed up, they called the coroner. They thought everyone involved was dead. I was riding in a truck with other ministers to a finance convention in Sacramento, Calif., when someone ran a red light and struck the truck we were in. When the car hit us, I saw my angels hovering in front of me. I am confident it is because of them that my life was redeemed from destruction that day.”  

The devil has come to steal, kill and destroy, but God has other plans for your life! Furthermore, He has an army of angels to defend your right to enjoy it. Not only does He protect His people physically, but He protects the preaching of His Word, too.

There have been a number of eyewitness accounts of Kenneth Copeland’s angel in action. Each account has described the angel in the same way, just like the first man who saw him, who explained it to Kenneth this way: “He was the biggest fellow I have ever seen in all my life. The only way I know to describe him is that he looked like Mr. Clean. Every move you made, he stuck to you like glue; he stayed right with you the whole time you were preaching. You’d wind down a little, and he’d lean over and say something in your ear, and you’d get all wound up again.”

Angels are among us. Angels are at your service—to protect you, your loved ones and the preaching of the Word of God. Start believing, expecting and releasing them to do the will of the Father in your life. When you activate your faith, you activate your angel.

2. Angels Enforce Your Covenant Rights

“Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure.” –Psalm 103:20-21 (NKJV) Health, protection, financial prosperity—every covenant right belongs to you, and God has given His angels charge over enforcing those rights. Psalm 103:20-21 says that angels excel in strength, do His Word, and do His pleasure. What does that mean? As Gloria Copeland says, “Angels are covenant-enforcing agents.”  

Angels are here for a purpose. They are here to establish God’s covenant in our lives. How do we release them to work on our behalf? With our words. Your words give your angels charge to go prosper you, or to fold their hands and step back. When you confess the Word of God over a situation, you put your angels to work. If you speak faith words enforced by God’s Word, your angels are free to bring about what you want to come to pass (Psalm 103:20).

Even in the Old Covenant, the angel told Daniel, “Your words were heard; and I have come because of your words” (Daniel 10:12, NKJV). Daniel’s words put the angel to work for him. You can do the same. Don’t render your angels helpless with wrong words—speak what you want to come to pass and let them work on your behalf. 

When you have a need in your life, speak words that line up with the Word of God, and start expecting your angels to be active in helping it come to pass. Jerry Savelle said, “God wants us to expect accelerated activity of the angels in the last days.” 

And it’s true—we’re seeing it more and more. There was a man who had a heart condition, and he had been working in faith with the Lord to receive healing, as promised by God’s covenant. One night, he woke up, and there was an angel standing over him with his hands in his chest working on his heart. He looked at him, and the angel said, “Everything’s all right. Go ahead and go back to sleep.” And he woke up with a new heart.

There is story after story just like it. Now, don’t go looking to see an angel, because Satan will be happy to oblige by manifesting himself as an angel of light to mess with you. But you can expect your angel to work with you. In the meantime, seek the Lord and pray. Say “God, reveal to me how to aid my angels and their work with me and my family.” Angels are waiting to enforce your covenant rights!  

3. Angels Carry Out Your Deliverance

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.” –Psalm 34:17 (NKJV) It’s not an exaggeration to say that every one of us, or someone we know, is facing some kind of problem today—some kind of trouble we can’t escape without the help of God. For one person, that trouble may be a disease that medical science can’t cure. For another, it may be financial problems or a family crisis. But no matter what kind of wall the devil has backed you up against; you can count on one thing: God has promised to deliver you. That’s right. The Word says the afflictions of the righteous are many, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. One way He does this is by giving His angels charge over you. He charges them to protect you…to keep you…to minister to you…to deliver you. 

One example of angels delivering God’s people is found in Acts 12. Peter had been arrested and was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains in prison and surrounded by guards. Maximum security. No natural possibility of escape.  

But God’s people were praying and believing God for his protection, and “an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, ‘Arise quickly!’ And his chains fell off his hands” (verse 7, NKJV). Following the angel, Peter walked right out of there past all the guards without a hitch. You see, when you are dealing with the angels, things like bars, chains, doors and fences don’t make any difference. The angels know what to do. The chains fell off Peter’s hands. Anything holding you back from deliverance is no match for God’s army of angels. 

There is story after story where angels have intervened to drastically alter the outcome of situations in the Bible and in our day as well. Some time ago, for example, a KCM employee was riding to work on his motorcycle, when suddenly a big truck pulled across the road right in front of him. It happened so quickly there was nothing he could do. He didn’t have time to think. He didn’t have time to speak. He didn’t have time to do anything. 

Many times, that’s exactly how things happen—suddenly. Suddenly, trouble is upon you. It doesn’t tell you in advance that it’s coming, so you’ll have time to fast and pray. You have to be ready. You have to live every day believing God. You have to say continually, “The Lord is my refuge and my fortress.” 

That’s how it was with that fellow on the motorcycle. All of a sudden, there was a truck in front of him. That’s the last thing he remembered. The next thing he knew, he was walking around on the side of the road. A few yards away, his motorcycle laid underneath the truck.

A girl who was driving right behind him saw the whole thing. She said when the motorcycle slid under the truck, the man who was riding it went up in the air, did a flip and landed safely on his feet by a fence nearby. His only injury was a scratch on his arm. That is an example of angels at work—delivering God’s people from danger. But here’s the point. That fellow was ready. He didn’t have time to grab his Bible and brush up on Psalm 91. He was already prepared.

If you haven’t been getting the action you need in your finances, your health or any other area, look to your words. There’s no shortage of angel power, although you may be experiencing a shortage of Word power on your part. Solve that shortage by putting God’s promises of deliverance in your heart and mouth. Continually give the angels the Word they need to deliver you from any and every harmful situation.

Now that you know these three ways angels are your service, start expecting angels to protect you, enforce your covenant rights and deliver you! Say, “Thank You, heavenly Father, for giving Your angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways.” Once you’ve spoken that word of faith, stand fast. Don’t fear. Don’t waver. Angels are at your service!

A Fond Farewell to Bola

Today we said Good-Bye to a dear friend and valued leader of The Christian Prayer Group here in Tower Hamlets.

She is going onto work for  Enfield Borough.

She will be sadly missed.

The Goodness of God

Genesis 1:31

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

Matt 5:44-45

44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Ps 145:8-9

8The Lord is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and rich in love.

9The Lord is good to all;

he has compassion on all he has made.

Ps 119:68

You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.

Psalm 86:5
For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.

Demonstrated in Jesus Christ

Father forgive

Luke 23:34

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Acts 10:38

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Ps 34:8

Taste and see that the Lord is good;

blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

GOD WILL BE LISTENING

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him – 1 John 5:14-15

Have you ever been in prayer and suddenly had the disturbing sensation that God simply wasn’t listening and you begin to whine and complain? How many of us? It’s happened to most of us. But few of us know just what to do about it. We just limp along praying the same old prayers, half-hoping those prayers are heard and half-suspecting they’re not. To secure God’s hearing, our prayers have to be according to His will. James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Remember, circumstances change but not God as He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Circumstances/situations are temporary and subject to change. .God is bigger than any situation/circumstance you are facing.

God has only promised to listen to prayers that are prayed according to His will. The Apostle John says when you pray like that, you’ll know that you have the petitions you desire of Him. God is never going to change as He is the same yesterday, today and forever. His will is too. So don’t waste your time thinking if He is listening. Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. God wants us to be thankful both in good times and bad times. 1Thessalonians 5:18 - In all things give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. It’s easy to give thanks when things are going rosy, but the really test of your faith in God is when things are not working. We are to thank God no matter what happens for this is the will of God for us  We can never miss it if you give thanks to God. If you don’t know what to do in any given situation, give thanks.

When you focus on God, Satan fizzles out. Impossibilities lose their definition. Put your focus on God and His word which is His will.

God has made some specific promises in His word and it’s His will to fulfil every one of them in your life and my life. We are to search the scriptures. Everything you and I will ever need are wrapped up in the Bible. The Bible is the last will and testament of our inheritance. God has only promised to listen to prayers that are prayed according to His will. The Apostle John says when you pray like that, you’ll know that you have the petitions you desire of Him. That’s what 1John 5:14 is referring to. You are assured the answer is on the way when you pray according to His will.

The word petition is defined as “a formal, written request addressed to a sovereign superior for a particular right or grace,” and that’s exactly what you need when you’re praying about something serious.

How do you put together a solid petition, one that’s in line with the will of God?

First, you’ll have to roll up your sleeves and dig into the written Word of God. Find scriptures that apply to your situation and make those the foundation for your petition. Then get on your knees and consult with the Holy Spirit. Let Him help you develop your petition in detail. The best way to do that is to spend time praying in other tongues. (See Romans 8:26-27.) Expect God to reveal things from His heart to yours. He wants you to know His will. So, while you’re praying, listen!

Last of all, write it down. Make a formal written request by writing down every scripture you find. Also, as you’re listening to the Holy Spirit for the details, write down the impressions and ideas He gives you.

Take your time. Let the Spirit develop your prayer. Let the truth He reveals to you settle in and begin to work in you. Get your petition firmly in mind, then when you’re ready, present it to God.

Believe me, He’ll be listening.

Put on the Garment Christ has given you

Gen 37:3

3Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him.

Is 61 1-3

1The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

3and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord

for the display of his splendour.

Is 52:1

1Awake, awake, Zion,

clothe yourself with strength!

Put on your garments of splendour,

Jerusalem, the holy city.

Col 3:12-17

2Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Put On Christ

Romans 13:11-14

11And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Garments of Righteousnes

Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 22:11
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
Nave's Topical Index

2 Corinthians 5:3
If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 7:14
And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 16:15
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 19:8
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.