NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2007

VERSE OF THE MONTH:
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders” Deuteronomy 33:12 (NIV)

IN THIS EDITION:
Let the beloved of the Lord rest
Audio/visual
Events

LET THE BELOVED OF THE LORD REST
At the start of a new year it is easy to make new year resolutions of all the things we want to do over the coming year. Inevitably we start off with good intentions but sure enough within a few days we have lapsed back to our old ways.

Over the last few weeks I have been thinking about this verse. Again I see that the Father does not want our activity. He wants us to be in a place of rest with Him.

In our busyness how often do we hear Him call us “Beloved”?

Each one of us is a beloved son or daughter and He wants to say to us “Be Loved”. If you want to make a new year’s resolution let it be to listen to Him calling you “Beloved”. He does not draw us to Himself with harsh words of correction or by making demands. He gently and tenderly woos us, calling us “Beloved”.

The word used for “rest” is the same word as is used for “dwelling”. This speaks of permanence, of us living a life of rest where we remain in His love. As we dwell in His presence so we are made complete.

Resting in Him is a place of safety. He covers us and keeps us safe. He guards us all day long.

Our verse ends with a beautiful picture of us resting between His shoulders. This is a picture of a shepherd carrying a lamb or a father carrying a child. It is a picture of our littleness and His bigness. It is a picture of a childlike heart as He carries His resting, peaceful children.

He is calling us to Him. We are His beloved. Let us encourage one another, not to more busyness or activity but to a life of rest where we dwell safely with Him.

AUDIO/VISUAL
I am grateful to Barry Adams of Father’s Love Letter for including our videos on the One Father Network channel of YouTube. This means that there are several videos all in the same place and available to a much wider audience. YouTube is one of the most popular sites for young people and I trust many will find the Father through this media. See for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/onefathernetwork.

Please feel free to let your friends know of the resources available on our website – anything can be freely downloaded!

EVENTS
The Events page of the website will be updated in the next couple of weeks so please visit it regularly for information of forthcoming events in the UK.

In His love

Mark Gyde