GOD WANTS YOU TO HAVE A COMPLETE REST.
ALL THREE PARTS NEED REST.
Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Many have never experienced anything except the world’s concept of rest and vacation. As a result, they don’t get all God wants them to have !
1. PLAN FOR YOUR PHYSICAL REST.
A. GOD’S PLAN IS FOR ONE DAY OUT OF THE WEEK TO BE A TIME OF PHYSICAL REST.
—GOD DID IT.
Exodus 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
B. RECOGNIZE THAT YOU WON’T GET PHYSICALLY RESTED UNLESS YOU ARE SPIRITUALLY RESTED FIRST. IF ONE PART IS NOT RESTED, IT WILL HAVE AN EFFECT UPON ALL THE OTHER PARTS.
2. PLAN FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL REST.
A. GET THE ISSUES THAT TROUBLE YOU REMOVED IF POSSIBLE.
Many times, the phone, email, or mail can pull you down. Try not checking on them for a day or two. The world won’t collapse.
Psalm 55:6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
B. WHAT IS IT THAT CAUSES THE SPIRIT OF MAN TO WORK HARDER ? FOR THE CHRISTIAN, IT IS BATTLING TEMPTATIONS. AVOID UNNECESSARY TEMPTATIONS.
1 Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
THERE ARE SOME PLACES OF TEMPTATION YOU NEED TO STAY AWAY FROM. STAY OFF THE iPOD, THE PC, THE PHONE, THE STORES, ETC. ANYTHING WHERE YOU BATTLE TEMPTATIONS, STAY AWAY !
3. PLAN FOR YOUR MENTAL REST.
A. CONSIDER JESUS. HE GOT AWAY WITHIN HIS OWN AREA.
Luke 9:18 And it came to pass, as He was alone praying, His disciples were with Him: and He asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?
Luke 22:39-40 And He came out, and went, as He was wont, to the mount of Olives; and His disciples also followed Him. And when He was at the place, He said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Matthew 14:23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone.
MANY SEEK TO REST THE MIND, BUT WEAR OUT THE BODY IN THE PROCESS. FOR INSTANCE – GOING ON LONG, TIRING TRIP, BUT DON’T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT THE BODY AFFECTS THE REST OF YOU.
JESUS WAS ABLE TO DO IT–GO THROUGH TROUBLES, THEN BE RESTED–SO CHRIST IN US CAN DO THE SAME.
Hebrews 12:3 For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
B. SOME FAIL TO RENEW THEIR MINDS BY TAKING CLEAN WATER ALONG.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
C. MEMORY CAN HURT YOUR RESTFULNESS.
GET YOUR MIND OCCUPIED ON OTHER THINGS. YOU WON’T GET REST THINKING ABOUT ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE TO BATTLE ALL THE TIME. TAKE A BREAK FROM THE THINGS WHERE YOU HAVE TO DO A LOT OF THINKING.
***Obviously, you don’t stop thinking. BUT, you need to rest from the areas of mental troubles. If you are mentally fatigued at thinking about someone in your past, quit thinking about them. remove yourself from their thoughts.
–GET YOUR MIND ON THINGS THAT ARE HAPPY, LOVELY. PLAY CHRISTIAN MUSIC, FIND SOME GOOD CLEAN COMEDIES, WATCH SOME EDIFYING CHRISTIAN MOVIES.
NOT FOREVER. JUST AS A REST FOR A TIME.
3. THE FINAL REST—WILL IT BE REST, AT ALL ?
A. MEMORY IS NOT DESTROYED WHEN WE GET TO HEAVEN.
WILL THERE BE PAINFUL TIMES, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE PAST, AND YOUR FAILURE TO GIVE TO GOD WHAT HE HAS COMMANDED YOU TO DO ? WHEN UNDER CONVICTION, THERE WILL NOT BE MUCH REST, UNLESS YOU HAVE BECOME INSENSITIVE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Jeremiah 45:3 Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.
B. THE “REST” OF SOME WILL CONTAIN NO REST WHATSOEVER.
Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
C. THE ONLY TRUE REST BEGINS WHEN WE STOP TRYING TO WORK OUR WAY INTO HEAVEN, AND RECEIVE GOD’S PAYMENT FOR OUR SINS.
Hebrews 4:9-11 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
”Rest Without Leaving Home”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
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