REST, FAITH, AND AUTHORITY

Dear Friends,

I’m sending a brief post today to let you know that during the month of September, His Inscriptions will be offline as I spend extended time in prayer. 

One of our His Inscriptions readers, a longtime friend and intercessor herself, has graciously shared her home with me while she and her husband travel to Europe. My amazing family has also released me to rest and focus exclusively on the Lord during this time. (Give them some love if you're nearby!)

It’s interesting to me that Christians call prayer times like these retreats. I’d much rather call them advances! 

When we take time to rest from labor and seek the Lord’s face, we tap into spiritual empowerment like no other. Not even an expensive vacation can recharge the human spirit the way time with the Lord can - because it’s the ministry of the Spirit that gives life to both body and soul!

As I “advance” to a more private location with the Lord, I’ve asked my dear friend and board member Elizabeth Cartier to share her thoughts with you on the importance of rest, in hope that you’ll join me in focusing more deeply on the Lord this month.

Special thanks to those who have sent me encouraging words lately. I value your prayers for protection, refreshment, and clarity as I tune my ears to our Good Shepherd’s wonderful voice! 

Blessings,
Deborah 

REST, FAITH, AND AUTHORITY 

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​‘For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling.’ 
Isaiah 30:15

When you hear the word rest, what do you think of? 

For some of us, it might be: “I don't have time to do that, I’m too busy!"

Most of us have the choice of what we do with our time. But when the Lord invites you into His rest, what do you say to His invitation? 

Deborah said “Yes” to the Lord when He called her away to rest. That’s why I am writing this post, so our faithful sister in the Lord can rest and listen to Him.

My prayer is that you, too, would say: “Yes, Lord.” 

I ask the Lord to order my steps throughout the day. But times of rest instead of action are not always easy! We want to do what we want to do, as Isaiah writes in the scripture above. 

Yet the Lord says when we return to Him in repentance and rest, we are saved; we find strength in that place of quietness and trust. I pray you’ll be willing to obey when He calls!

The enemy is the one who pushes us to do; work; act. Satan causes us to doubt the Lord’s command to come away and rest. Do you trust the Lord enough to let go of your plans and do only what He is doing? 

One day recently, the Lord spoke to me three times through three different sources, saying: “It’s time For the Giants to fall: the Giants of Fear, Doubt and Unbelief!” This was a word for the Body of Christ, not just for me. 

It is time for believers to rise up against fear. Fear is not from God; God gives us power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

It is time to take our delegated authority and use it for good and for His glory: “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.” Luke 9:1

It is time to believe God, to take Him at His Word! There is no place for fear, doubt, or unbelief in the Body of Christ. 

“The same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead is in us who believe.” Romans 8:11

“For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts.” Psalm 95:7-8

It is never a good time to doubt what God is saying! His words are all trustworthy: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; acknowledge Him in all your ways and he will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

How do you hear from God? What is He saying to you? 

Don’t let the enemy cause you to doubt God’s voice. It is the oldest lie in the Book! The serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He asked Eve: “Did God really say?" Genesis 3:1

Ask God in faith for what you know you need and agree with Him in what you see Him doing: “But let him ask in faith, with no doubt, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6 

Don't be like a tossing wave. Be like Peter, who when he saw Jesus and heard Him say “Come,” believed, got out of the boat, and walked on the water to Jesus.  

It is time to get out of your boat and walk in the places to which He is calling you.

If you are struggling to hear God’s voice, rest in His presence with His Word, for that is the place where He speaks. His words are written to you, His beloved, and you can trust them!  You can also trust that He hears your prayers.

It is time to connect with the people with whom He’s calling you to walk in this new season. Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.  (Proverbs 27:17)
 
The Lord is in the business of connecting his children for purpose and destiny. Your season of transition doesn’t mean God is not at work! He is there, in the hallways and the doorways of transition. He is reconnecting us to Himself and to one another. God is inviting us into the new things He’s doing. 

Rest and reflect: What are the new things God is doing in your life? Your family? Your ministry? God is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us! (Ephesians 3:20)

I hear the Lord saying: “Go in Faith!” Let your faith rest - not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:5)

Elizabeth Cartier
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