From Angela Gilbert -
Are you tired? Overwhelmed? I know the feeling!
God says: “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.” -- Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
Doesn’t that just make you go “whew, give me some of that.”
I truly can, now, on occasion, feel that kind of freedom, peace and rest. But, I have to let go of control, which is all about fear: fear of messing up, fear of the unknown, fear of embarrassment, fear of just not being in charge of the entire universe. Hello? Not our job. God’s job!
Ways that help me to “get away with Him” and “take a real rest” are:
~Listening to worship music (sometimes loud enough so that I can’t hear the kids!)
~Reading the Bible or looking at/working on my scripture cards
~Doing a devotional with my child
~Praying with my child on the way to school
~Recounting all the ways I’ve failed in my flesh and that God has succeeded
Your ways may be similar, or very different. I encourage you to find the ways that work for you, and to regularly practice them. God wants to provide this for you, as one of His many priceless gifts.
In doing that, if any of you “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace,” let me know! I’m still working on that one.
Dear Lord,
Please help us to rest in You, to see You in each day, in all kinds of ways. Thank You for giving us ways to get to know You better and to share our burdens with You. Thank You for being strong enough to handle it, and loving enough to want to. Thank You that we don’t have to be in charge of the universe! Please help us to breathe deeply and enjoy what You have in store for us, knowing you are leading the way.
Amen.
RIVERSIDE: We are called to be a house of prayer. As a part of that calling and gift, this little space is set aside in the world for the prayers of Riverside. Come here for encouragment, shared concern, praise updates, prophetic encouragment, and anything else God wants. Comment and let the praying begin.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
I recently received some strong Words from the Lord regarding our community mission:
The Lord desires to release Faith into Riverside. It is only by the power of faith that we will experience what it means to walk in the Kingdom.
Our mission as a community in the Kingdom is for healing and evangelizing.
By healing the Lord means all forms including: physical healing, inner healing, freedom from addictions, and spiritual healing.
Our mission of evangelizing is to be done through showing God's love.
We must allays remember that mercy triumphs over all curses, but to see this, we must apply the power of God's love in faith and prayer.
If we ask with a pure heart for God to glorify His Son in power and love, he promises to do it!
I believe that Riverside is being called to walk into a new thing and that God has blessed us to use us in his great plan.
Please join me in prayer,
Dear Father God,
We hear your heart's desire for a people who will be called by your Name. We call upon the power of our Savior to wash us, purify us with his blood and his Spirit. We long to be a pure and holy people who will bring the Kingdom to this world. We long to see your Will done on earth as it is in heaven and we give you our hearts, our minds, our souls, our bodies, and our spirits to you for total submission and guidance. We desire to do the greater things that you have promised for those who believe and ask for the Kingdom in your name. This is our greatest desire and there is nothing that we will not give up to achieve what you want us to achieve in your Name for your Glory and the Glory of your Son. Thank you Jesus for all that you long to give us, if we will just repent and seek your face. You are a good God and we give thanks and praise to your Holy Name. In the name of our precious Savior Jesus we ask this.
Amen
God bless each and everyone at Riverside. May we be a light to the world by the light that is in us.
Sincerely
John Roper
The Lord desires to release Faith into Riverside. It is only by the power of faith that we will experience what it means to walk in the Kingdom.
Our mission as a community in the Kingdom is for healing and evangelizing.
By healing the Lord means all forms including: physical healing, inner healing, freedom from addictions, and spiritual healing.
Our mission of evangelizing is to be done through showing God's love.
We must allays remember that mercy triumphs over all curses, but to see this, we must apply the power of God's love in faith and prayer.
If we ask with a pure heart for God to glorify His Son in power and love, he promises to do it!
I believe that Riverside is being called to walk into a new thing and that God has blessed us to use us in his great plan.
Please join me in prayer,
Dear Father God,
We hear your heart's desire for a people who will be called by your Name. We call upon the power of our Savior to wash us, purify us with his blood and his Spirit. We long to be a pure and holy people who will bring the Kingdom to this world. We long to see your Will done on earth as it is in heaven and we give you our hearts, our minds, our souls, our bodies, and our spirits to you for total submission and guidance. We desire to do the greater things that you have promised for those who believe and ask for the Kingdom in your name. This is our greatest desire and there is nothing that we will not give up to achieve what you want us to achieve in your Name for your Glory and the Glory of your Son. Thank you Jesus for all that you long to give us, if we will just repent and seek your face. You are a good God and we give thanks and praise to your Holy Name. In the name of our precious Savior Jesus we ask this.
Amen
God bless each and everyone at Riverside. May we be a light to the world by the light that is in us.
Sincerely
John Roper
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