Signposts

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf does not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.  Psalm 1: 1-3 NKJV

Dear local and global friends of Come Rest,

I memorized these verses this week. As with all true scripture meditation, I’ve been keeping my heart open to the Lord while repeating these verses aloud. This is one of the ways the Holy Spirit ushers us into the secret place of His rest, face to face with Jesus. The secret place, the “face-to-face” place, is where He touches us, teaches us, transforms us. It is the place in our hearts from where He releases His rivers of living waters, His supernatural power. The more you meet with Him and stay with Him in the secret place, the more He will purify your heart, the more His power will flow from you.

In my meditation upon Psalm 1, I see a picture of signposts at a “T” intersection. One points down the road to “Scornful”, the other points up the road toward “Fruitful”.

The road to “Scornful” begins with walking in the counsel of the ungodly--daily absorbing and adopting the thinking of people and media who twist, ignore, or attack God’s word. The counsel of the ungodly can also be listening to our own flesh, deceiving ourselves. The counsel of the ungodly leads us onto the path of sinners—we compromise on His truth, stumbling in our own sin, and carelessly follow the crowd. We soon find ourselves in the seat of the scornful—full of anxiety and anger, pointing our finger in seething resentment and constant criticism of others, ourselves, and God. It can happen to me, you, and anyone around you. One’s life can shift quickly from a wellspring of His Spirit to a cesspool of our sin. We who are created and saved by Jesus for fruitful companionship instead settle for fruitless compromise which is unwitting cooperation with Satan the accuser/deceiver. Ungodly thinking and ungodly company breed ungodly living. Jesus is ready to lead you and me up to “Fruitful”! 

Notice in verse 1 the first step to “Fruitful” is to choose to “ walk not” in ungodly counsel. You say “no” with your heart, your mouth, and your feet. The first step in turning afresh toward the Lord and His way of life is turning away from Satan and his way of life. Choosing to not walk by the flesh means you are beginning to walk by His Spirit. Saying a big “NO” to any ungodly input prepares you for enjoying God’s input.

Next you delight in the law of the Lord—you make a lifestyle choice to rejoice! You thank Jesus daily for being the Way, the Truth, and the Life and for saving you from hell!

You are then moved to meditate day and night in His law—to wholeheartedly fill your life with His truth through daily scripture, prayer, praise, and keeping primary company with the fruitful even as you witness to the scornful at work or play. You seek only the good clean joy of Jesus’ presence, Jesus’ people, Jesus’ purpose. You seek Jesus’ permission for good, clean, fun in fruitful social and recreational pursuits out amongst the scornful.

You then become like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf does not wither—your roots go down ever deeper into the limitless source of the Holy Spirit who continually produces His powerful, loving fruit in all your days, your relationships, your endeavors.

 Whatever the Lord leads you to do shall prosper—this is the bountiful life of real fruit He promises. I believe the Lord is alerting me to ways I am distracted from Him by this ungodly world. Kim and I are taking a clear, fresh look at saying “no” to any worldly influences or activities in our daily lives He does not want for us. Join us. Many may choose the road that ends in the seat of the scornful. He calls us to be in, but not of, the world. He leads His witnesses in His counsel, His path, His fruit, His seat of mercy!   

Signposts. One points down. The other points up. Scorn the road to Scornful. Delight in the road up to Fruitful.

Love and blessings,

Richard Speight

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Feb. 1^st             LOCAL FRIENDS PLEASE NOTE: A winter storm is forecast Sunday. We are watching this. Watch your email, texts, or call us as to possible cancellations of our Sunday morning class and Sunday evening groups. We originally planned the Sunday night groups to meet tomorrow at Duane Mclean’s home. 1668 13th St NW, CR 319-899-0315

Feb. 6^th             630pm    Come Rest Awakening of Love@ River of Life, CR               

Feb. 18^th           9am-4pm Come Rest Personal Retreat; apply at jkadlec@imonmail.com

Feb. 20^th           630pm    Come Rest Awakening of Love @ Calvin-Sinclair, CR

Mar. 6^th             630pm    Come Rest Awakening of Love @River of Life, CR

Mar. 18^th           9am-4pm Come Rest Personal Retreat; apply at jkadlec@imonmail.com

COME REST MINISTRIES’

AWAKENING OF LOVE

FRIDAY, FeB. 6^th      630-930pm

River of Life, Cedar Rapids

Worship, teaching, testimonies, prayer.

                                           Bring a friend!     

Register at the door; freewill offering; refreshments.

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Come Rest Ministries

Personal Retreat

Feb. 18^th    9am-4pm

Rehoboth House 2125 Bever Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA

Requirements: Pen, bible, notebook, your copy of our book

REAL FRUIT, and your wholehearted desire to come rest in Jesus!

Cost: Freewill Offering plus $18 for book which may be purchased at retreat

Space Limited-- Lunch provided

Those interested must apply at jkadlec@ImOnMail.com.  

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We thank each one of you for your continued financial support! Please ask the Lord what He wants you to give to His work through this ministry. What a year this will be!

Blessings,

Dick and Kim Speight

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Come Rest February 2015 Response

___My prayer request is__________________________________________________

___Yes, Lord! I will make my life Your Resting Place in 2015!

___Yes, Lord! I will pray for Come Rest Ministries.

___Yes, Lord! I will financially support Come Rest Ministries.

Today’s gift $______________

___Yes, Lord! I have enclosed $100 for the “COME REST” Reprint Fund.

___Please send me ____copie(s) of the “REAL FRUIT”

                        1/$18; 2/30; 5/$60. $4 ship for 1 plus $1 per additional copy

___I will cast seeds in my city by giving away REAL FRUIT as the Holy Spirit leads!

            ___Send me 10 copies for $100 plus $10 ship. 

___Please send me __copie(s) of Come Rest CD 1 “Meditations with Dick Speight”

___Please send me __copie(s) of  Come Rest CD 2”Reflections on His Real Love”

            $8 each plus $2 ship; $12 for the set of 1&2 plus $3 ship.

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Thank you for your continued financial and prayer support!