God knows what’s coming in this season and into the next.
The LORD prepares us so well that as we spend time with Him in rest and rebuilding our reserves,
He refreshes our soul and body. None of us can do it alone; as long as we have these human frames, we ALL have limitations.
Each part of the Body of Christ is just as important as the other. None of us are on at 100% on 24/7, or 365 days of the year.
We all have seasons that bring change and there are times of training and growth that can be seen and experienced in this life, and then there are down times and hard times in battle, and then there are times of R&R — Rest and Recreation.
Years ago I use to have noise going on all the time, but I now relish silence after four plus decades.
This quiet and becoming quiet is quite a reward we learn more when we observe people who run their mouth all the time, sin is not lacking.
“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,” 1 Thessalonians 4:11 KJV.
There are the times and seasons of silence when it can feel like we aren’t in sync with the Holy Spirit or others that seem to be prospering in their season.
It is during these times and seasons that things like doubt, unbelief, insecurity, and fear come to the surface.
None of us are exempt from testing and trying times. These are things that The LORD is skimming off the surface of our souls that surface during testing and trial.
Along each of our paths, somewhere along the line, there will be a season of time when our resolve in defense of our faith, will be severally tested in silence.
Personally, when I experience these tests, usually they happen prior to or after some mountain top experience.
I have learned that the majority of time that I live somewhere ‘in between and betwixt’ in real life experiences, when my faith is tested.
How many have had, or are having now hard, times that seemed to be never ending?
You describe it as going from one cycle to another with no breaks. I like to call these times, “transitioning into position; to break forth into the new beginning” much like the description of transition labor when a woman is in the severest time of her pain in the labor and birthing process.
It is during these times of transition that I begin to feel within, “an agitating frustration.” It is in these times that surface that bring the pain, feeling hopeless that I will ever overcome the limitations of my faith.
When things are painfully silent, and I seem all alone. Am I am just existing?
I can look at others and measure myself against what they are doing, but when you are silent and nothing seems to be going on, it places the emphasis on self instead of the finished work of God.
Our entire lives are like a great journey, a story improvisation, the sky the limit as we face whatever may come.
When we get frustrated, often these times are designed to prove our faith when nothing seems to be happening.
When we are pressed, having negative feelings and silence can provoke us to react in the flesh. God knows about it all, but He wants us to know. Conquering the flesh is a full-time job and it never ends.
We go thru real-life situations so that we can help those who go thru what we did. Living is a challenge and it is a constant struggle. From the time of conception till our last breath, life is a struggle.
Our total life isn’t all about signs, wonders and miracles, we are not always on the mountain top; yet we wish at times we could stay there and never leave it.
Many Christians are wrong when they don’t prepare new converts for the reality of the life as a Christian and to count the cost!
Serving Christ is no bed of roses! However, this life is the most fulfilling, meaningful and exciting part of my life! I love The LORD and no one else has that place in my heart!
This life from beginning till the end, is about how we live the life of Christ here on earth. God is real and is looking for real people that will yield to His transitioning power by developing them through times and seasons, by transforming them into His divine nature.
We must grow and let God form within us as He heals and delivers us! That my friend, is struggle and transitional pain but it is so worth it!
I wouldn’t change a thing that I have experienced in God because it made me who I am today and I want more!
Craving The LORD is my portion and being addicted to Jesus is the ultimate experience on earth! No drug, alcohol, sexual, power, financial addiction, or any addiction can ever come close.
We are interdependent on the function of each part of the body of Christ. Only God initiates movement and change.
I have found when things are on simmer and nothing seems to be happening, often decisions are made motivated by the fear of failure, doubt, or insecurity, instead of faith.
I wonder how often that we as the body of Christ attempt to press against the process and try to make things happen to prove ourselves. Beloved, God is the prover and He makes room for His gifts.
Man can do mighty feats in their own power, but if the energy dies, what do you have left?
Exhausted flesh! When God speaks, it is out of his great love and concern for us.
He knows how to prepare us and equip us. He knows us so well; God also knows when it is ready and time to happen in season.
If we have put on Christ and have crucified (put to death the deeds of the flesh) So now we truly live and now our life is hid in Christ. We must always remember it is not by our might, or our own power, but by His Spirit working in and through us. We then work from a place of rest, recovery, renewal and restoration. It is The LORD that breaks all yokes and makes us ready for more.
The tower of Babel was a tower made by man, but God had to stop them. He does the same with us when we are too far extended and feel, “I got to do this and keep up!”
We will fall with total exhaustion in our flesh if we don’t heed His Word. Being legalistic and doing the drill will only further our exhaustion.
The remedy is to Rest in Him and rest your soul and body.
If you feel your being driven and overwhelmed please back off and talk with The LORD. God will give you his will in all this if you learn to wait on The LORD.
You feel you have to do this now or you will miss out! All of the Rest is to prepare us for what is coming in the next season. God is a very good Father and knows what is best for each of us.
We can get into things prematurely through excitement, being driven or trying to advance our own agenda, or others who are trying to advance their own agenda through us!
Surely, we can get into things and be human doings, instead of human beings, getting exhausted and not be ready to handle any of it.
If we try to advance in the kingdom without allowing The LORD to prepare us and make it happen, it can come in the form of judgment. God will let us test our borders and we can either learn or not.
You realize that the enemy knows your condition and if you don’t rest in The LORD and wait when He tells you, the enemy will come with demons that know you are a novice, exhausted or rebellious and will attack you and all those you think you are helping.
We can avoid a lot of heartache by learning to just BE who we are and be at peace and rest in The LORD.
The LORD has been on me strong about RESTING in The LORD, and waiting patiently upon Him. It is just as important to rest in The LORD as it is to be on the front line in battle.
When God releases us, there is freedom for we have waited for the Master to lead and guide us into all truth, and be made ready by his preparation.
When our heart is overwhelmed and we cannot see our way remember that God will give us a way of escape that we will be able to bear whatever comes. You will be rested, ready, and recovered!
“For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace,” James 3:2 KJV.
In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey
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New Beginning Christian Ministries International 