Enjoy this first post on Mannaword by Rev. Cindy Rosenau. The photo on the left is also one of hers -location, Filmore Park, Moravia, NY.
By Rev. Cindy Rosenau
“Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.” (Matthew 11:28)
There is, therefore, a rest that remains for the PEOPLE OF GOD. He that is entered in His (God’s) rest hath ceased from ALL HIS LABORS. Therefore labor to enter into the rest of God…” (Hebrews 4:9-11)
The REST spoken of in the above scripture is not speaking of Heaven! Rather, this is a description of a realm or a position where believers choose to dwell in utter dependence upon God resulting from a cessation of self-direction and self-dependency. This is the mark of maturity; the choice to lay down all independent thought, words, and actions. THIS IS THE REST OF GOD! Paul said it another way; “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME…
A great many things have been said and done in the name of Jesus. However, only those works and words that the Father initiates will produce fruit that remains. All other works, regardless of how “good” they might seem, are fraudulent! In other words, a work produced in the name of Jesus yet not initiated by or from Jesus is a counterfeit. Jesus said that those who performed works in His name without seeking to know the will of God were workers of iniquity! (Matt. 7:21-23)
Scripture states; “Therefore we must labor to enter the rest of God.” Labor and rest; these two words seem to be an oxymoron. This is not, however, a contradiction but rather an acknowledgment that there must be a conscientious effort to move away from self-directed ways and deeds, turning rather to God’s explicit direction and will.
When we enter into God’s rest we find ourselves living in the fullness of the New Covenant! “…For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” 2 Cor. 2:16. Many of God’s people have received the blessing of the New Covenant but are not living out of the fullness and reality of the Covenant that God made and keeps for us! What joy and peace have those who are confident that the Great I AM has finished the works!
As we become more and more sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit and The Voice of God, we can become His instrument, His voice, His hands, His feet, etc; all at His bidding! Jesus said, “Learn of me.”
John 8:28 Jesus, therefore, said, when you lift up the son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me,”
John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do:
Not my will but Thine be done.
When Jesus was tempted by satan to turn stones into bread he testified that His bread (leading and direction) was the Word spoken to Him by God. Jesus certainly had the power and the authority to turn stones into bread. But He refused to do so because he had not received a “Word” or direction from God to do so. Jesus was teaching us the way of Sonship. Through His submission and utter dependence upon God, Jesus modeled for us the walk of sons.
Too many of us are presumptuous when it comes to serving and working for God. We believe we can go out to battle without meeting with the King for His instructions and leading. When we speak ~ when God has not spoken, our words become like stones; they can condemn, bring division, and a host of other death-like symptoms. Even the letter of the word brings death when it is not ignited by the Holy Spirit! Only God can cause our words to be turned from stones to bread or the life-giving quality that only His Spirit-directed words possess! If we long to see greater miracles and the greater works that Jesus said we would do, let us enter into the rest of God!
Let God work in you, walk in you, talk in you, and live His life through you! “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14 GO TO THE SECRET PLACE. SUP WITH JESUS. ABIDE IN HIM. REVEAL JESUS.
Praise God for this great glory that has been shared with us; that we have been called into a co-operative relationship with the Covenant keeping King…who lives, walks, rules, and reigns in us through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Mannaword 