And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Matthew 2:11-12
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke and learn from Me for I have gentle and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My Yoke is easy and it’s burden is light. Matt 11:28-30
Before Thanksgiving our two-year-old granddaughter Grace was with Kim near the dining room. I was in the next room with four other grandchildren. Kim called to me, “Hey babe, would you come put the leaf in the table?” Kim rarely calls me “babe”, usually “sweetheart”. Grace got swept up in the novelty of “babe.” She ran to me with twinkling eyes, proclaiming “Hey babe! Hey babe! Hey babe!” Big laughs all around, all day! She’s back to calling me “Bapa”, but Kim marvels at how relentless Grace is at imitating words, actions, and facial expressions. Whatever we do, she does with great joy! Indeed.
Jesus said, “I only do what I see the Father doing. I only say what I hear the Father saying.” It’s why Jesus never gave into temptation, continuously victorious over sin and Satan. He waited for Holy Spirit to guide Him to imitate His Father. The Trinity is a mystery, best celebrated at Christmas. We’ll love sharing parts of John 1, Luke 2, and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing!” with Gracie and her 4 older siblings at their annual Christmas season sleepover with us later this week. His love will become flesh in sharing scriptures, songs, games, giving, hugging, food, movies, laughter—and just being together…with Him. Sublime.
Think of it, though you can’t completely grasp it. Incarnation. The Word became flesh. God with us. The Eternal Christ, through whom you were created, sacrificed unlimited freedom of movement for you; submitting to become a single cell in a virgin’s womb. Fully God and fully man—the mystery of the ages hidden until the right time. Invasion. Born in Bethlehem’s manger, raised in roughcut Nazareth, waiting in the Spirit thirty years, publicly ministering for three. Then at the right time, freely gave His life for the ungodly, including you and me. In the fullness of time, when you gave your life to Him, He gave His everlasting life to you. The mystery continues as He now sits with resurrected body at the right hand of the Father, interceding/intervening for us through the Spirit, waiting for the Father to signal His return for His bride. His hands still bear the scars from the nails He endured to save us. That’s why the last line of “Silent Night” is “Jesus, Lord at Thy birth!” The sacrificing didn’t begin at the Cross, it began in Eternity. Incarnation began the Invasion. Cross bought the Ransom. Resurrection brought the Victory. Second Coming will bring New Heaven and New Earth.
Imitate His self-sacrificing ways in all the little ways you can in coming days with family, friends, strangers. Emmanuel will become flesh through you! Imitation deepens intimacy producing fruit in the Spirit-led life—His Rest! Entering His rest daily is not a passive shutting down, but a massive coming up!
So join us in this Christmas prayer. “Because You were born the only begotten Babe under Bethlehem’s star, I’ve been born again under Your Blood! Help me imitate You, walking ever higher in heavenly peace. I come to You afresh, take only Your yoke upon my shoulders, to learn from You the rest of my life. As wise men gave you three gifts, I will give you three gifts daily: my burdens, control, and my undivided attention. You in turn will give me daily rest for my soul, and I will bear Your real fruit. Hey Babe! I love You! You are Christ the Lord! Amen.”
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Enjoy/share our NEW CHRISTMAS VIDEO, Childlike Wonder @ https://youtu.be/Fw0Y4oJVLhs or on our website. Find all our videos at our YouTube channel, @richarf.speightjr.3804
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A qr code on a white backgroundDescription automatically generatedThank you SO much for prayers and financial support in a challenging, yet deeply fruitful 2024 for our family and CRM. Ask what He wants you to sow before year end, by mail or website. Your seeds expand our simple mission of prayer, teaching, evangelism, wise counsel, encouragement, gatherings, writing, art, videos! And you will be blessed! “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
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Minister on our website (www.comerestministries.com)! Use it to introduce friends to CRM. Request prayer, check updates, enjoy videos, donate. Buy books, ship free. Your tool to help people rest in His love!
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We will now take a break over the holidays.
Our next Awakening of Love will be Friday Jan 3 at CLC, 630-830! With Blombergs and Schnieders music ministering with the Speights and Come Rest Intercessors!
We will resume Sunday groups here at Rehoboth 830AM & 630PM on Sunday, January 5th!
We will not return ministry calls, texts, and emails until Thursday, Jan 2nd! All offerings postmarked by Dec 31st or received through our website(Venmo or Paypal) by Dec 31st will be counted on 2024 giving.
We pray life abundant over you and yours, in Jesus’ name!
Merry Christmas! 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, IA 52410