“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” -Hebrews 4:9-11

Have you ever had someone to promise you something and didn’t deliver? Have you ever had a relative pledge not to tell your secret and it just slipped out? Have you ever had a friend express how wonderful you look, when you really looked horrific? Well thanks be unto God, we will never ever have to worry about that happening with the Lord. What He says, He will do. He is faithful and true and He will not lie to you. (Num 23:19; Rev 21:5)

Some years ago, the words “Rest on the Rhema” was written on a note attached to a small pillow and given by a friend. In Hebrews, it tells us there is a rest for God’s people. The word rest means ease, relief or refresh. The rhema Word of God is the voice of God or the Holy Spirit speaking (John 16:13). The small pillow definitely symbolized at that time to sleep or to rest on what God had spoken. It was right on the mark. We will know we’ve entered into that rest when we no longer operate in our own strength to make things happen. Make what things happen? Make those things happen that God has planned and purposed for our lives spoken to us by the Holy Spirit. When we’re not in total trust, total belief and total peace in the rhema, we will be anxious, worried, and full of care (Phil 4:6). Instead, Hebrews tells us to labor in order to enter into that rest. Why labor? We labor, because when God speaks it takes faith, so we must labor in the good fight of faith lest we fall into unbelief (Heb 4:11; I Tim 6:12). We can rest, relax and even have peaceful sleep when God has spoken on a situation.

The written Word of God (logos) is the scripture given through holy men, inspired by the voice of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). So check that out! The rhema produced the written Word of God! In the Old Testament, God spoke more through His prophets. Now days, the Holy Spirit may speak by bringing individual scripture to our remembrance to use in time of need or He may announce things to come in our future (Eph 6:17; John 16:13). In Acts, Peter experienced the Holy Spirit announcing to him that 3 men were about to visit him that were sent by Cornelius (Acts 10:19). Later, the Holy Spirit brought to his remembrance the words of Jesus as he was ministering to Cornelius’ family (Acts 11:15-16). Also, the rhema may come through the five-fold ministry gifts, angels, or through someone who is just in the rhythm with the Holy Spirit.

Has God ever spoken anything to you? Well my friend, you can rest assure it will surely come to pass and you will have the victory (Isa 55:11). God’s Word will not return void of power, because He wants to achieve far more greater results, that are far more greater than what we can imagine (Isa 55:8-9). His thoughts are not our thoughts, they are much higher. No matter what it looks like, you can trust God! Look at who is speaking? He is the Most High (Psa 91:1), Maker of heaven and earth (Neh 9:6), Everlasting Father (Isa 63:16), Alpha & Omega (Rev 1:8), the Lord of Hosts (I Sam 17:45), Jehovah Jireh (Gen 22:14), the Ancient of Days (Dan 7:9) … Shall I continue? So not only can we rest on God’s written word, we can truly rest on the rhema as well!

Prayer:
“Father, I thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit who will lead and guide me into all truth. I hear your voice and a stranger’s voice I will not follow. You lead me beside still, peaceful, and quiet waters. I will trust you with all of my heart, leaning not on my own understanding, and rest in what you have spoken to me. Help me to fight the good fight of faith and receive all that you have for me. In Jesus Name, Amen!”

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.“ (John 10:10)

In any competitive sport, the best game plan is to anticipate what your opposition is about to do so you can counteract their moves. God wants us to know that we have an enemy out there whose purpose and agenda is to steal, kill, destroy, and devour our life (John 10:10a). God doesn’t want us ignorant of how our enemy operates (2 Cor. 2:11). To win the battle you must identify your opponent or enemy, know how he operates, know yourself, and know what weapons you have to counterattack.

John describes our enemy as a thief. As we all know a thief takes what does not belong to him. He steals our privacy, property, and peace. He will break windows, knock down doors, and tear up your car just to get what he wants. He will also kill anyone that gets in his way, because he doesn’t care. The word kill here means slaughter for any purpose (John 10:10a). He is not your friend. He is cunning and strategic (2 Cor. 11:14) and the Bible tells us to be watchful and alert (I Peter 5:8). Even though the devil has his agenda, thanks be unto God, Jesus has an agenda also. He has come to give us life in opposition to all the death Satan brings (John 10:10b). Not just life, but in abundance, which is exceedingly, beyond measure, and excessive. Jesus came to totally annihilate the works of the devil so that we can bounce back from his clutches of death with a vengeance (I John 3:8).

As mention earlier, another key to winning the battle is to know yourself and to make sure you’re not doing anything to give the enemy advantage over you. Remember the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants (2008) prior to Super Bowl XLII? In the beginning, the Dallas quarterback was slamming New York by quickly moving the ball down the field with pinpoint accurate passes. The Giants were keeping up, but it was taking them a little longer to execute their plays and move the ball down the field. Also, their team members were getting hurt. The Giants did not have a good defensive strategy, at first. After halftime, it was amazing what the Giants did to counteract the Cowboys. The little adjustment that they made drastically changed the direction of the game. The Giants came back into the game sacking the quarterback. They clearly identified their problem, targeted the problem and turned the game around. The New York Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys and went on to win the Super Bowl game. Let’s just say they definitely bounced back with a vengeance!

Just as the Giants made a small, but major adjustment, so did our friend Paul of Tarsus. Paul (aka Saul) was literally killing Christians and throwing them in jail (Acts 9:1-2). He thought he was doing what was right in his own eyes (Prov. 14:12). He was snared by Satan, who has the ability to blind your spiritual sight and deceive you into helping him carry out his agenda (Rev 12:9). Fortunately, Paul had a miracle from God and converted (Acts 9:3-6). Did he have a choice? Yes, because miracles do not guarantee conversions. Look at the children of Israel. God did many, many miracles, and many of them never believed, therefore, many never made it into the Promised Land (Exod. 10, 13, 15; Num. 14). When presented with the truth, Paul immediately made the adjustment to make Jesus his Lord. Later, God used Paul to complete 3 major missionary journeys (Acts 13-20), begin numerous churches (Rom 15:24, 28), and write one-third of the New Testament books of the Bible. We can truly say Paul bounced back from the clutches of the enemy with a vengeance.

You have the same opportunity to bounce back out of any situation you may be facing. The Bible tells us as Christians to flee youthful lusts, avoid strife, discipline our flesh, lay aside every weight, control our anger, keep pure thoughts, and more (2 Tim 2:22, 24; Rom 8:13; Col 3:5; Hebr. 12:1; Eph 4:26; Phil 4:8). All of which if not done, can create a snare for the enemy in our life. Identify where the enemy may have you bound. Get in God’s Word concerning that area and begin memorizing scriptures to counterattack it. The Word of God is our weapon for the game plan (Eph 6: 17; Heb 4:12). Use it! God will give you victory and cause you to help many others get victory too. Before long, you will have triumphed over the enemy with a vengeance!

Prayer:

“Father, I surrender every area of my life to you. Help me to identify any snares that the enemy has set up for me to fall. I give you full control and submit to the truth of your Word. This truth will renew my mind and make me free forever. You have already given me the victory over all the power of the enemy. I ask for wisdom how to walk in that victory. Thank you that Jesus has come to give me life more abundantly and that life allows me never to be in bondage again. I’m so glad I have a second chance to bounce back in life with a vengeance. In Jesus Name, AMEN!”