We saw in part 1 that the responsibility and cost of following Christ is great, But the burden it comes with should not be, since He asks us to give this to him, worry is amongst the burden. And we were reminded that REST is our best weapon against worry as it’s one of the greatest targets for the enemy, for he knows if he can take rest away from you, then you will be vulnerable to many of his other schemes, and have an entry point to be open to his lies.
Now we will continue with the last applications for ways we can live worry free, starting with these verses
Job 33:15-16 (NKJV)
“In a dream, in a vision of the night,
When deep sleep falls upon men,
While slumbering on their beds,
Then He opens the ears of men,
And seals their instruction”.
Wow, did you see it? In the place of sleep (rest) the Lord is able to plant His word of instruction, wisdom, knowledge or understanding, because a seed is best planted in the land or ground which is at rest.
Another application before going to sleep at night I use:
I look all my challenges, problems, concerns, and things I have not yet completed. I see them in my mind as books either unread or not yet fully written. Then I place each one of the shelf. I thank the lord for all He has helped be accomplished in that day, and I pray a prayer like
Father I thank you for all the provision, wisdom, revelation and understanding You have provided today and all the power and energy needed to complete the things I have completed or put into.
Now Father I choose to put all the challenges, problems, concerns, things I’ve not yet completed on the shelf. I ask according to your word that you give to me sleep ( ……for He grants sleep to those He loves Psalm 127:2) . and open my mind for the instructions needed (Job 33:16 ) for the day ahead, Thank You Jesus AMEN.
Hallelujah! This way I can get good sleep, in a place of rest.
Another application in PRAYER is this, I love to add to my morning prayers
Father God I ask today You will help me to do all You have called me to do, to recognise all that I am not to do today. Father help me to recognise the things to put off for tomorrow and to leave them with you in faith, remembering You are working on them too and help me Father to comprehend the things I am not to be part of at all and freely give them to You. In Jesus name. Amen
This is an adaption from the Serenity prayer, Niebuhr composed in 1932–33.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, …
Father, give us courage to change what must be altered, the serenity to accept what cannot be helped, and the insight to know the one from the other.
Isaiah 40:31 AMP
“But those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired”.
This verse breaks down what waiting on the Lord is like: it’s EXPECTING, LOOKING FOR, & HOPING IN Him! And these can only be done in a place of rest, with a clear mind, heart and spirit. Never done in a place of worry.
However sometimes we are meant to fight to see breakthroughs there are countless testimonies through the bible and others we hear from people that have been called to fight, by the Lord.
This decision cannot be done in a state of worry, only in CLARITY! Below is a link to a great resource How to know if you are in Resting and Fighting Season? And then How to act accordingly.
Application: Today let’s decide we need to make a stand, a declaration and do it! That today from this moment, me and my house we choose to not allow worry to enter and be planted in our life. Selah for a moment as you declare this to the Lord and the Atmospheres. Record what God says or shows to you and date it, as this is a significant marker for you and your household.
Lastly a hidden worry often starts as a seed from the enemy, but it can grow quickly into a huge tree, DON’T ALLOW IT!
Find someone to share with you trust, and who will keep you accountable.
Share it when it is small, take it to the Lord and confess it!
We are losing far too many people to small worries, which are lies of the enemy. This simply has to stop. Remember you cannot do all thing by yourself in fact the Lord created you in relationship to have relationship and provide, receive and flourish in a relationship. In fact we need others to stand with us so we can see completion in our things as this verse below shows.
Matthew 18:19. NLT
“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.
FRIENDLY REMINDER! On our website http://www.encounterministries.org.nz there are many great messages right there to help you find encouragement, insight and direction in your walk with the Lord.
How to use: simply scroll to the bottom of our page, there you’ll see the translation tab and search button. Enter the theme or subject you want and press search. And if you want to send it in a different language you can change language here too. The Lord showed me that each message is like a proscription or invitation from Him to help in time of great need.
Enjoy and can’t wait to hear the testimonies of what God does.
Let’s pray:
Father, today we have chosen and declared that in us and our house worry will not be planted or growing here. Instead we wait on You, fully EXPECTING, LOOKING FOR, & HOPING IN JESUS from a position of rest with a clear mind, heart and spirit. We ask that you bring someone we can share with to be accountable and continue flourishing in our relationship with You. In Jesus name. Amen.
Craig Patten
Itinerate Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Ministries
