Welcome to Waymaker Church! We are so excited to have you join us today! We exist to Encounter, Live for, and Advance the Kingdom of God!

This last week the Lord began to burden my heart to write down what He was going to speak, and then declare it over you. I have had this happen in my personal devotion time with the Lord, but never for a service. What I am about to read to you I believe is the Lord’s declaration over you.

‌A Word from the Lord:
“I heard the Lord this week declaring peace like a river over His people. He said I am the Alpha and Omega. I am the beginning and the end. I have declared peace over my children. Though you hear of chaos, calamity, destruction, and death I declare peace over my children.

‌I have not and will not forsake you. I am the Lord and I will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon me, because he trust in me. I will speak to the storm peace be still, and there will be a great calm. I will cause My Spirit to lead you to a place of rest and replenishment for your soul.

‌Surely my goodness and mercy will follow those who put their trust in me. I will exalt those who exalt me. I will oppose those who oppose me. Fear not the day or the hour in which you live. For I have equipped you with everything you need. My glory shall be seen in you.

‌I have come to fulfill my promises, for they are yes and amen. Only keep your eyes upon my face. Obey my commands. Watch and pray so that you do not enter into temptation, and I will preserve you. Fear not for my eyes are upon you. I have not forgotten you. I will strengthen you and uphold you by my righteous right hand.

‌Do not be afraid nor dismayed. I declare peace like a river over you.”

‌I would remind you today that the Lord is the Good Shepherd, and He cares for His sheep.

As the Lord directed me to write what He spoke I began to sense a heavy burden that there were many who felt forgotten by the Lord. The persistence of trials and hardships has brought a sense of being overlooked by God.

‌The Lord today is declaring peace be still. The hand of the enemy will not prevail.

I believe that it is right that we expend our lives in service to the Lord. We each are commanded to lay down our lives for the sake of His gospel, but for many of us it has moved beyond command to a labor of love for the Lord. Our labor in the Lord requires effort and strength. It requires the giving of our hearts. At times our labor causes us to carry heavy burdens.

‌The Lords says come to me and I will give you rest. The word rest used here is the greek word Anapauo- (ana- pow- o) which means to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labour in order to recover and collect his strength. To give rest, refresh, to give one’s self rest, take rest.

‌When we come to the Lord He actually leads us to rest. It is a principle seen all the way back to creation. In six days God completed creation, and on the seventh day he rested. This principle was given again to the children of Israel in the wilderness in gathering manna (Exodus 16:26). Then also it was established in the giving of the 10 commandments. Exodus 20:8 ““Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

‌Jesus is the good shepherd, and he knows what we need.

Without a doubt there is much work to be done. The work laid out for us is good and from God. There are struggles attached to the work. John 16:33 Jesus speaks to His disciples before He was to be crucified and he tells them. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.””

‌The struggles, trials, and tribulations will come but in Him you will have peace. You will have peace because He has overcome. He has won the victory. His purposes and plans will come to pass. When you come to him by faith he leads you to place of rest where he can restore your soul and send you back into the labor fields.

‌Without rest, we can allow the burden to overwhelm our lives. Driving us to busyness and works. There is a time and a season for everything under heaven. The Lords remedy for your effectiveness in life revolves around rest and replenishment.

We must remind ourselves of the truth.

‌God is our salvation and strength. Isaiah 12:2

‌“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ”” We are not victorious through our striving. We are victorious through God who is our salvation.

‌God is our place of peace. Isaiah 26:3

‌“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Reading and meditating on the word focuses our mind back on His promise. Busyness wars against time set aside to be with him.

‌God has not left us alone. John 14:26-27

‌“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

‌What God has said to us in His word?

Though nations rage and kingdoms are moved we are to be still and know that He is God. He is our refuge and strength, He is our place of peace, and He has not left us alone.

‌With this we learn to renew our mind with Philippians 4:8.

‌Philippians 4:6-8 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

‌What does it mean to be anxious for nothing? He is saying do not worry. Do not be fearful. Fear and worry lead us into self sufficiency where we take on the care and outcome of the situation. Instead we are to pray with specific request in all situations with a heart of thanksgiving. We are to trust in God. He has a purpose and plan.

‌The result of choosing trust in God over anxiety is seen in vs. 7.

‌vs. 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

‌Do you notice that the peace you have will not make sense to you? It will surpass your understanding. When we choose to rest in the Lord the Holy Spirit works in our inner man to bring a peace that we can’t understand. We know a situation looks bleak but by faith we have peace like a river that keeps on flowing. Vs. 8 tell us how to be free from anxiety and find rest.

‌vs. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

‌This is the practical fulfillment of Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

When we come to Him and learn of Him he gives us rest. Turning to Him brings revelation of who He is. Revelation creates trust. Trust leads us to rest and peace because we know that God is in control. Knowing He is in control gives us a peace that passes understanding.
Then by faith we can do as it says in:

‌1 Peter 5:7 “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

‌Psalm 4:8 “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

‌Psalm 112:7 “He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

‌Psalm 91:5 “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,”

‌Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

‌Psalm 62:8 “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah”

‌Today, we must be aware of the signs of the times. We must labor for the kingdom, and we must also must not forsake rest. God needs us to be refreshed and ready for the assignments he has for us. My prayer today is that we would turn to him, and allow him to lead us to a place of rest and replenishment so that we might be ready to fulfill all that He has for us.