Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Why Do I Resist Rest?






This past Sunday we concluded our series "Rest Stop" You can listen to the podcasts or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST You can also watch the sermons on our NEW You Tube Channel  CLICK HERE 

This past month we learned so much about rest. We hear the challenge from the Bible and we have even agreed with it. Yet, why do we still resist rest? 


Psalm 46:10  
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I AM.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be

When we slow down and rest we are reminded we are not in control. That is a hard one for me. Surely all my hustle and bustle is the cause of so many good things (this is a time to seriously laugh out loud). When I let go I am declaring I am not ultimately in charge...God is!

When we slow down we are reassured and given new confidence in His presence. We can know in our hearts even though our outward circumstances are unknown. We can rest in the fact that we are known by our God and He is with us and He is working. 

When we slow down we have to be still. When we are still we hear His voice. When we slow down we face what is really on the inside. 

The amazing thing is when we do slow down in His presence we can BE again. No more pretending. No more hiding. No more covering up. We can be free in His presence. 

I pray you take time to rest daily and weekly with a rest day! You won't regret it!

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Rest is Waiting




This past Sunday we continued our series "Rest Stop" You can listen to the podcasts or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST You can also watch the sermons on our NEW You Tube Channel  CLICK HERE 

REST! It is such a lovely word isn't it? It sounds so peaceful and tranquil! But truly that is all it is to us...a word! 

REST seems out of reach for us. Rest seems unattainable. Rest doesn't feel like an option for us does it? 

God is our creator and He has blueprints for us to live by. He shows us the importance of rest and actually reveals in His blueprints that rest is a GIFT for us to use. 

Hebrews 3:4 - For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.

You and I are free to use whatever blueprints we want but we may not get the results we hoped for. If you want REST follow God's blueprints. Read His Word. Trust His ways! 

SONGS OF REST
Here is a list of some songs you can listen to and be encouraged to find Rest in Him!

Kari Jobe - Here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQnBvUiAGsI 

Rest In You - Hillsong - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMTND0AUjCs 

Kari Jobe - Be Still My Soul - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq59iE3MhXM

Danny Goeky - Breathe - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnjeMwxFuBA

Shoulders - For King & Country - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfiYWaeAcRw

Matt Maher - Rest - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMurT34YWwE 

Big Daddy Weave - Overwhelmed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD0nzqLdYuo

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Are you connected or disconnected?


This past Sunday we concluded our series "What would happen if?...I valued realtionships" You can listen to the podcasts or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST You can also watch the sermons on our NEW You Tube Channel  CLICK HERE 

Relationships are rewarding, exhilarating, fulfilling, encouraging and disappointing, painful, hurtful and confusing. Relationships are complex and take a lot of work which is why it is so easy to stay surface level. This is why it is so easy to avoid meaningful relationships and just stay busy. 

It sounds like a good plan until we feel empty and disconnected. We were created for relationships and we were created to value relationships. When we disengage from a relationship with our Creator and relationships with others we miss out. 


In order to experience the depth of love my heart longs for; 
I need to be willing to experience the depth of a relationship.  


No relationship, no love! Yes I open up myself to hurt but I also open myself up to love! 

This is why Jesus said, "Love God with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself." Both of them are connected and equally important. 

Jesus’ brother James continues the teaching to the early church when he wrote in…

1 John 4:7-8—7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

James goes on to say if you do not love others than you don’t know God! You cannot separate one from the other. Since God is love the more connected to God we become the more loving we become. 

Wait a minute Jeremy, are you saying you can attend church and even give in the offering and not be connected to God? YES! Spiritual activity alone isn't a sign of spiritual maturity and health. The FRUIT of the Holy Spirit is. John 15 says we need to continually remain in Him to produce fruit in our lives. 

When you and I are connected to God, love expands inside of us. When we are disconnected love lessons. We start judging ourselves by our intentions and judging others by their actions. We start holding grudges and keeping score. We lose focus. 

How much love is in operation in your life? In your relationships? That is a good indicator of how connected you are to God? Here is the GOOD NEWS! If you are lacking in love, the one who is LOVE is waiting with open arms. You can be reconnected in this moment! Allow the one who is LOVE to fill you with HIS love so you can began to share HIS love!

Faith Prayer
Father God, forgive me for not sharing your love the way you have called me to. I recognize and confess in this moment I have not been connected to the way I could be. Forgive me! Thank you for your love and grace. Thank  you for never giving up on me. Thank you that I can walk in forgiveness, freedom and in your love today. I can love my spouse, children, neighbors and even enemies the way you have loved me. In Jesus name ! AMEN!