This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”. I believe it is the will of God that we live out this year with laser-focus and supernatural clarity. We can access the grace of God to hear and see the will of God clearer than we ever have. It is this grace to hear from heaven and to receive divine direction that fuels our faith.
In this series I have made a connection between the faith of Hebrews 11, the peace and focus of Isaiah 26, and the rest of Hebrews 4. Let’s take a look at these verses again this morning as we seek to hear from God for today. The Bible says:
(Isaiah 26:3 KJV) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
(Heb 11:1 ISV) Now faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come about and the certainty that what we cannot see exists.
(Heb 4:3 ERV) Only we who believe it are able to enter God’s place of rest.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. God has offered you divine rest. The Father offered a supernatural rest to the Israelites and the writer of Hebrews tells us that the offer still stands. When I say “rest” don’t think of laying down on the couch or taking a nap. Think of a supernatural internal peace that enables you to maximize your purpose and potential in life. Without this rest it is far too easy to cross over into frustration. Frustration is: “A feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.” Will there be times when you feel like you have unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems? Of course there will be, but that’s where divine rest comes in. The Father wants you to keep your eyes fixed and focused on Him so you can trust Him to the point where your heart is at rest while you are waiting for the manifestation of what you have released your faith for.
2. God’s grace is accessed with your faith. God offers you His promises by His unearned and amazing grace. The promises found in the Word of God were written before you were born, so you did nothing to earn them. They were written for you by God’s unmerited favor, and they stand as open promises, waiting for you to access them with your faith. The same can be said for the promises God speaks to you directly. He communicates His will to you and your role is to provide faith. Faith is sure of what God said and certain it will come to pass!
3. Just because God’s promised it, it does not mean you will not have to fight for it.
a. God will speak to you about His plans for your life and it is easy to get excited when He does. However, God often conveniently seems to leave out all the challenges you are going to face along the way. If He revealed to you how hard it was going to be, you might give up before getting started.
b. Here are two things you must understand in order to live by faith. First, faith is an action word. Second, grace is not a license for laziness.
c. You are called to fight the good fight of faith. But you are also called to rest. In God you can actually rest and fight at the same time!
d. God wants you to fight the fight of faith while you are resting in Him. Resting while you fight will keep you from getting tired, frustrated or burned out.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. You take the time to teach me about Your unearned grace and my requirement to live by faith. You also teach me about the divine rest You have made available to me. You have offered me this rest by grace. I accept it and access it with my faith. I enter into Your rest today and I allow Your rest to enter into me. I trust You with my whole heart. I believe You can and will do all things in, with and through me. When the enemy attempts to get me out of Your rest, I resist every negative thought and take them captive. I live in a stress-free environment from this day forward. I am IN You and You are IN me. I am IN Your rest and Your rest is IN me. I am focused this year like never before. 2016 shall be the best year of my life! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
