Finding Rest in Our Relationship with God

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God as Father Brings Transformative Peace

Understanding God as our Father is a profound realization that can transform our daily lives. This relationship is the key to overcoming anxiety, tension, and irritability. When we truly believe that God is our Father, we can experience a deep-seated rest, akin to the Sabbath rest described in Hebrews. This rest is not just a temporary reprieve but a continuous state of being that transforms our interactions with others and our response to life's challenges. Embracing this truth allows us to interact with others from a place of calm and assurance, knowing that we are deeply loved and cared for by our heavenly Father. [13:32]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: How can you remind yourself today that God is your Father, and how might this change the way you approach a specific situation or relationship?

Day 2: Prayer as a Pathway to Rest and Confidence

Prayer is a vital practice that should be directed to the Father in the name of Jesus, acknowledging Jesus as our mediator. This approach aligns with biblical teachings and deepens our relationship with God, bringing rest and confidence in His will. By understanding God as our Father, we can find solace and strength, even in the face of discouragement and self-condemnation. This understanding helps us navigate the uncertainties and mistakes of life, knowing that our Father in heaven is in control. [14:53]

1 Timothy 2:5 (ESV): "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

Reflection: In what ways can you make your prayer life more intentional today, acknowledging Jesus as your mediator and seeking the Father's will?

Day 3: Living in Continuous Sabbath Rest

The story of Adam and Eve illustrates the importance of remaining in God's presence and rest. Despite their initial experience of God's presence, they faltered when faced with temptation. However, unlike them, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, ensuring that we can remain in God's rest continuously. This perpetual Sabbath rest is God's will for us, allowing us to live free from bad moods and constant worry. Embracing this rest means trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and allowing it to transform our daily lives. [17:48]

Hebrews 4:9-10 (ESV): "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his."

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you into a deeper experience of God's rest today, especially in moments of stress or temptation?

Day 4: Trusting in God's Higher Ways

The narrative of James and Peter in Acts 12 challenges us to trust in God's higher ways, even when they are beyond our understanding. While James was martyred, Peter was miraculously saved. This story reminds us that God's thoughts and plans are far above ours, and we must have faith in His divine wisdom. Trusting in God's higher ways involves accepting that His plans may not always align with our expectations, but they are always for our ultimate good. [20:51]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you are struggling to understand God's plan? How can you practice trusting in His higher ways today?

Day 5: Accepting God's Wisdom Brings Peace

Understanding God's will involves accepting that His ways are not our ways. This acceptance brings peace, knowing that our Father in heaven is in control, even when life seems uncertain or unfair. Embracing God's wisdom means letting go of our need to control every aspect of our lives and trusting that He is working all things for our good. This trust allows us to live with a sense of peace and assurance, even in the midst of life's challenges. [21:06]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to let go of control and trust in God's wisdom? How can you take a step towards surrendering this area to Him today?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound peace and rest that comes from understanding and embracing our relationship with God as our Father. This relationship is the key to overcoming anxiety, tension, and the irritability that often plagues our daily lives. When we truly believe that God is our Father, we can experience a deep-seated rest, akin to the Sabbath rest described in Hebrews. This rest is not just a temporary reprieve but a continuous state of being that transforms our interactions with others and our response to life's challenges.

We delved into the importance of prayer and how it should be directed to the Father in the name of Jesus. This approach to prayer acknowledges Jesus as our mediator and aligns with biblical teachings. By understanding God as our Father, we can find solace and strength, even in the face of discouragement and self-condemnation. This understanding helps us navigate the uncertainties and mistakes of life, knowing that our Father in heaven is in control.

The story of Adam and Eve serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining in God's presence and rest. Despite their initial experience of God's presence, they faltered when faced with temptation. However, unlike them, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, ensuring that we can remain in God's rest continuously. This perpetual Sabbath rest is God's will for us, allowing us to live free from bad moods and constant worry.

We also examined the story of James and Peter from Acts 12, highlighting the mystery of God's will. While James was martyred, Peter was miraculously saved. This narrative challenges us to trust in God's higher ways, even when they are beyond our understanding. As Isaiah 55 reminds us, God's thoughts and ways are far above ours, and we must trust in His divine wisdom and plan.

Key Takeaways

1. Embracing God as our Father brings a profound rest and peace that transforms our daily lives. This understanding helps us overcome anxiety and tension, allowing us to interact with others from a place of calm and assurance. [13:32]
2. Prayer should be directed to the Father in the name of Jesus, acknowledging Jesus as our mediator. This approach aligns with biblical teachings and deepens our relationship with God, bringing rest and confidence in His will. [14:53]
3. The story of Adam and Eve illustrates the importance of remaining in God's presence and rest. Unlike them, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, enabling us to live in a continuous state of Sabbath rest. [17:48]
4. The narrative of James and Peter in Acts 12 challenges us to trust in God's higher ways, even when they are beyond our understanding. God's thoughts and plans are far above ours, and we must have faith in His divine wisdom. [20:51]
5. Understanding God's will involves accepting that His ways are not our ways. This acceptance brings peace, knowing that our Father in heaven is in control, even when life seems uncertain or unfair. [21:06]
** [21:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[13:32] - God's Unstoppable Hand
[13:51] - Overcoming Anxiety and Tension
[14:13] - The Secret to a Good Mood
[14:27] - Praying to the Father
[15:09] - Knowing God as Father
[15:20] - Finding Rest in God
[16:00] - The Meaning of Sabbath Rest
[17:03] - Adam and Eve's Lesson
[17:48] - Continuous Sabbath Rest
[18:14] - God's Will for Our Lives
[18:30] - Trusting God's Plan
[19:11] - The Story of James and Peter
[20:26] - God's Higher Ways
[21:06] - Accepting God's Wisdom

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Hebrews 4:9-10 - "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his."
Acts 12:1-11 - The story of James and Peter.
Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

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Observation Questions:

According to Hebrews 4:9-10, what is the significance of the Sabbath rest for believers? How does this relate to the concept of rest discussed in the sermon? [16:13]
In Acts 12, what were the different outcomes for James and Peter, and how did the early church respond to these events? [19:11]
How does Isaiah 55:8-9 help us understand the mystery of God's will as discussed in the sermon? [21:06]
What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping believers remain in God's rest, according to the sermon? [17:48]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does understanding God as our Father change the way we approach prayer, as suggested in the sermon? [14:27]
What lessons can be drawn from the story of Adam and Eve about remaining in God's presence and rest? How does this apply to our daily lives? [17:03]
How can the narrative of James and Peter in Acts 12 challenge our understanding of God's will and His plans for our lives? [19:11]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that embracing God's higher ways, as described in Isaiah 55, can bring peace and rest to our lives? [21:06]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a recent situation where you felt anxious or tense. How might embracing God as your Father have changed your response? [13:51]
Consider your current prayer life. How can you incorporate the practice of praying to the Father in the name of Jesus to deepen your relationship with God? [14:27]
Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to trust God's will. How can the story of James and Peter encourage you to trust in God's higher ways? [19:11]
Think about a time when you felt discouraged or self-condemned. How can the understanding of God's rest help you navigate such feelings in the future? [15:20]
How can you actively seek to remain in God's presence and rest throughout the week, especially when faced with challenges or temptations? [17:48]
Reflect on a decision or situation where you struggled to understand God's plan. How can Isaiah 55:8-9 help you find peace in accepting God's wisdom? [21:06]
What practical steps can you take to ensure that you live in a continuous state of Sabbath rest, as described in the sermon? [18:14]

Sermon Clips

if you don't believe in the father in heaven like this, the devil is smart enough to create some circumstance to bring you into unrest, anxiety, tension, and you'll be uptight and when you're uptight you'll get easily upset with people and irritated and you know a lot about irritation and getting upset with people is we are uptight about something else in our life. [00:13:39]

the secret of being in a good mood 24 hours of the day is to believe that i have a father in heaven, and i want to encourage all of you in future when you pray i'm not saying it's wrong to pray lord jesus, we read in second corinthians 12 paul said i had a thorn in the flesh and i prayed to the lord. [00:14:15]

but we are told to pray to the father in the name of jesus, father, i cannot come to you directly, but because jesus is my mediator the one mediator being god in men, i come in the name of jesus to you, that's what the bible teaches, so as i say there's nothing wrong with praying to the lord jesus. [00:14:40]

but the sooner they come to know god it's farther the better, but that is what i found in my life that brought rest into my life i used to be a person frequently discouraged after i was born again, discouragement and self-condemnation were very common with anxiety, tension, wondering what will happen and how will this follow. [00:15:12]

we all make and then we begin to think oh what will be the consequences of that in my place of work, or what will be the consequences in some other situation i've messed up some situation and it's going to be pretty difficult now some problem may come into my life for me i may be ruined financially or something like that. [00:15:40]

dear brothers and sisters this is the rest into which god wants us to come this is the meaning of the sabbath in hebrews, it says here in hebrews then chapter 4, there remains verse 9 there remains a sabbath rest for the people of god, adam went to work on the eighth day i hope you know that. [00:16:09]

he had to learn to be at complete rest in god even before sin came into the world, on the seventh day experience that sabbath of sitting and delighting himself in the presence of god he didn't know god as a father but at least knowing him as god, and then the lord said on the eighth day now ago. [00:16:45]

and if he had learned if adam and eve had learned that lesson fully, when the devil came to them on the eighth day they would have resisted him, but they forgot it, while they're sitting in god's presence they say yeah i believe this is wonderful to be in god's presence that's how we are today. [00:17:14]

but tomorrow you may forget it and the devil comes that's what you learned from genesis chapter 3, they should have been in the sabbath rest in genesis chapter 3 also in the presence of god, but then they didn't have the holy spirit like we have but there's no excuse for you not to be in the presence of god. [00:17:38]

it took me some time to understand this and to come there but i tell you it has brought tremendous deliverance in my life from bad moods, never to be in a bad mood 24 hours at the base seven days of the week 24 7. i want to say to you that is god's will for you. [00:18:00]

then we may have certain questions like why did this happen why didn't god do that for me no i don't want to go into all the verses but, you know that place in the bible where it says acts chapter 12, james was imprisoned and herod cut off his head, the apostle james he's only 30 years old. [00:18:30]

and you question didn't god have a ministry for this man, his brother john lived up to 95, how useful this man would have been if he had lived up to 95 as well, long life was in the genes his brother lived up to 95. and he's god allowed his head to be cut off at the age of 30. [00:18:55]

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Finding Rest in Our Relationship with God

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God as Father Brings Transformative Peace

Day 2: Prayer as a Pathway to Rest and Confidence

Day 3: Living in Continuous Sabbath Rest

Day 4: Trusting in God's Higher Ways

Day 5: Accepting God's Wisdom Brings Peace

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Finding Rest in Our Relationship with God

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