I do not cease to give to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. Eph 1:16
But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they shall be wounded. Ps 64:7
Dear Friends,
We’re in Joshua 9 this week as we continue reading through the Bible again. Please read it. Notice the one crucial thing Joshua and the leaders of Israel did NOT do. They did NOT seek the Lord’s counsel. Therefore, they had no true wisdom or discernment. So the Gibeonites almost comically deceived them into worldly compromise and complications. It’s almost funny, yet NOT. Only the Lord’s counsel, His Voice, will prevent you and me—even whole denominations—from being deceived. The Lord will never tell you to do anything against His uncompromising written Word. His counsel is always available for any situation.
Please read and share our book Come Up. Buy it for someone through our website and we’ll ship it to them for free. Chapter 11, The Voice, is more than worth the purchase price. It’s the best thing we’ve ever written about seeking the Lord’s counsel, hearing His Voice—so as to trust and obey Him. When I stop and think about it, that’s really His main purpose for Come Rest Ministries. He called us to invite others to come rest on His chest—and learn to stay there in abiding fellowship with Him—so they can learn to hear His whispering voice personally and corporately. No Rest, no Counsel, much deception and worldly compromise.
Over the years we’ve had friends and relatives scratch their heads at the changes in our lives and ministry. Yes, I had an awesome contemplative vision of Jesus in my heart 35 years ago. Yes, I had a powerful supernatural encounter with the Holy Spirit 25 years ago—something with which John Wesley would identify. I treasure all His sovereign, merciful moves upon me. But the lasting change began a few months after that powerful encounter. It happened late one night reading Billy Graham’s autobiography Just as I Am. Billy wrote of a earlier time in his life where he repented of doubting the Bible and submitted every detail of his life to every word of His Book. My heart was pierced. While Kim and the kids slept, I got on my knees, my face actually—and repented of my doubts and ignorance of His Word and also of my creative theologizing that was not in line with the Bible. I was a seminary trained, respected and favored leader in my denomination, and had been a pastor for 20 years—yet was secretly embarrassed I had never once read the Bible completely through cover to cover. I had mastered going to the Bible for sermons, but repented from not going to Him consistently in childlike faith in His Word. That all ended that night. What began was fiery hunger to read His Word through seven times over the next seven years. That’s what changed me. That’s how He keeps changing and, when necessary, correcting me. I will never NOT need His counsel.
These past couple months He has clearly told me to read much less media, pay closer attention to Him, eat less food, and consume more of His word; to stop worrying and stay seated with Him in my heart; to trust and pray His Word. Recently, I heard Him say, “Over the years, son, when you have come to me for guidance, sometimes I tell you to watch and pray. Remember that does NOT mean just watch the mess and ask Me to help. I want to help, but don’t watch the world—WATCH FOR ME. Watch for My return AND what My Spirt is doing in the meantime. Don’t watch from your fleshly fear, watch from your childlike faith. By the way, stop reading all the predictions from religious and secular sources of what’s coming. Most of it is not going to happen. PAY ATTENTION TO ME.”
So I’m praying Ephesians 1:15-23 every day for my kids, grandkids, the whole body of Christ, and any friends of Come Rest as they come to mind. And I’m praying Psalm 64; for the Lord to stop the wicked in their activities in our nation and elsewhere; and, if possible, to save their souls. Pray for me. I’m praying for you…that we stay seated at rest in our hearts with Him, and wield the Sword in prayer! We don’t have to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Jesus already has. We get to rest on His chest. W get to hear His whispers. We get to enjoy Him and our lives in Him. We get to enjoy and love our families as they are, hopeful for how He will help them. His will, not ours, be done! We get to wield His sword in prayer concerning the matters that are beyond our reach. Nothing is beyond His. So…Lord, Your Arm is not too short. Stretch out Your hand to heal and help my loved ones. Shoot Your arrow to stop the wicked and save as many as possible. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! In the meantime, Holy Spirit help us watch, pray, and witness to our awesome Jesus! Amen.
***
Our next Awakening of Love worship is Friday, May 3rd, 630-8PM, CLC! 2808 Schaeffer Dr SW. Blomberg music team will minister alongside the Speights and Come Rest intercessors. The Blombergs will be with us the first hour, then we finish w prayers for families, USA, and Israel! Come Holy Spirit!
***
CRM Day Retreat May 15th, 845-4. Dick’s teaching, Kim’s tasty lunch, quiet times, new & old friends! Must apply by May 12 @ jkadlec@imommail.com!
***
Our Sunday morning Come Up! Class here begins promptly at 830AM this Sunday 5th! Arrive as early as 8 for coffee and conversation! We release promptly at 930 you may attend the church of your choice; and so we can support the joint meeting of the Cedar Rapids House Church Network at 10!
***
Our Sunday evening CRM Isaiah 58 House Fellowship begins promptly at 630PM Sunday 5th! Arrive as early as 6 for refreshments/conversation! We release promptly at 8PM so everyone is on their way home by 830.
***
As we anticipate a fruitful new season of life and ministry, Kim and I have decided to upgrade cars. Our old car has been such a blessing for nine years, since the Lord led us to purchase it through our son Daniel who continues a successful career at Key Auto Mall in Moline. Now we’ve been led again to the right car through Daniel, who found us a great deal on an all-wheel drive vehicle. So we are privately selling our 2015 Chrysler 200C for $9,500. It is just over 96K miles, front wheel drive. If you know anyone who needs a car in that price range, they can email us. Our old car is affectionately named “Rocket Car” by our grandkids, because they and Grandpa have taken many “missions” to the moon for exploration and battles with moon monsters. 😊 Now it’s time for “Rocket Car 2”. Whether or not someone you know is interested in “Rocket Car One”, always remember Daniel Speight is available to you for new car sales/leasing and used car sales. Just a little pitch for our son, a faithful man of God.😊
***
We SO appreciate your seeds by mail, the new website, Venmo @ComeRest or QR Code; or PayPal @ dickspeight@comerestministries.com. “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 2 Cor 9:10-11
***
https://www.comerestministries.com/ Send our new website link to friends to introduce Come Rest. Make prayer requests, praise reports, check updates, donate. Buy books, we’ll ship free. It’s your tool for helping people rest in His love!
Love and blessings, Dick and Kim Speight
Richard F. Speight, Jr.
Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Come Rest Ministries
P.O. Box 11010
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52410-1010