You can’t “effort” your way into grace, but God can grace you for effective effort.
Why are we “programmed” to think we have to work hard and do our very best in order to “deserve” God’s rest? It’s a question I think about a lot since the Bible tells us something very different about entering into God’s rest. The writer of Hebrews makes it clear: We fail to enter God’s rest when we fail to believe God at His Word and when we fail to obey what He says. So why don’t we just trust and obey? #MillionDollarQuestion
In this episode of the Positioned to Prosper podcast I’m sharing the message I preached this past Sunday at my home church, REVIVE Church of Tampa, entitled: How to Enter Into and Abide in the Rest of God. We revisited the four powerful questions we can ask the Lord to enter into His rest, and I also addressed a few matters around processing trauma and pain without picking up co-dependent coping mechanisms so you can stay abiding in rest, even when relationships and life are presenting tough challenges. Are you ready to get into it? Then grab your Bible, your journal and a pen, and . . . Let’s Go!
Grab the Accompanying Rest Worksheet: Would you like a two-page worksheet that has the four questions of rest we’ve been discussing in this rest series along with spaces to pray through the questions with God and journal out the answers? Click here to download (yep, you’ll be getting on my email list when you opt-in to receive the worksheet, but you can always unsubscribe at the bottom of the delivery email).
Join the Conversation Inside The REVIVE Online Campus Community: Are you ready to join the conversation around how to enter into and abide in the rest of God? You’re invited into our online community — The ROCC. Head to revivetampa.org/ROCC to join the community. Inside you’ll find access to weekly messages, discipleship opportunities and more. You’ll find the current podcast episode pinned to the Featured section of the group so you can join the chat in the comments. Hope to see you there!
Scripture References Mentioned in This Episode:
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Hebrews 3:19
So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.
Matthew 23:37-39
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Acts 3:19-20
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.
Erica co-leads a local church alongside her husband, Doug, in Tampa, Florida called REVIVE Church of Tampa. You can visit the church’s website for more information about who we are, what we believe and how we show up as the Church in the heart of West Tampa and beyond.
REVIVE Church of Tampa streams services live on Friday nights at 7pm ET and Sunday mornings at 11am ET. You can find those livestreams on our church Facebook page:
Live Services – Fridays at 7pm ET and Sundays at 11am ET
If you’re interested in joining the online campus of REVIVE Church of Tampa, you are welcome to join our community group on Facebook where we offer weekly discussion around the Friday and Sunday messages as well as discipleship Zoom groups and the opportunity to host others in your home as you stream services. You can find us here:
The ROCC: REVIVE Online Campus Community
About this podcast:
Positioned to Prosper is a weekly podcast that covers the ins and outs of what it means to live a lifestyle of breakthrough and victory in your relationships, health, finances and beyond. Your host, Erica Pyle, is no stranger to jumping without the proverbial parachute while maintaining a firm grip on godly wisdom. A self-described slayer of pragmatism and a “walk by faith” kind of girl, Erica is an unabashed believer in the power of God to radically transform lives. Front-footed in faith as she offers straight-up truth, strategies, and wisdom for living victoriously, and equipped with her love for the word of God, her certification as a holistic health coach, and years of experience in personal finance and taxation, Erica is ready to help you get positioned to prosper.
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