Create From Rest: Inspiration for Artists and Entrepreneurs
Then God created coffee, gave it to Adam and said that it was good. 💁🏾♀️💖☕️ I hope today as you reflect on the divine and fellowship, eat and drink with others that you take time to savor love, reflect and rest. If this season taught us anything it’s to take a sacred pause and slow down to live more fully and connected to the Source. God gave us rhythms of life that Jesus exemplified for us to thrive and flourish and after He created the world even He rested.
What makes us think we’re exempt from rest if even God did it? Sometimes as artists and creators (and former workaholics who have been redeemed 🙋🏽♀️) we forget that the best and most impactful creation comes from resting in God. It’s not just about taking a day of rest which renews and rejuvenates our bodies and minds but also a deep rest of our minds and spirit where we’re not striving and grinding desperately for success and acclaim but creating with care, discovery and diligence from a place of love, peace and security knowing who we are and that our power and success comes from a greater source.
Today as you grab your coffee or beverage of choice take some time to breathe in peace and rest knowing your art and creativity can have more beautiful impact than you ever imagined when you create with your Creator and let go of the pressure to perform and be affirmed by man. You are a creation full of purpose and beauty – rest in that truth.
(🎨 Art “Creation of Adam” at a local university coffee shop by Madison Perkins).
Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Put My yoke upon your shoulders—it might appear heavy at first, but it is perfectly fitted to your curves. Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. When you are yoked to Me, your weary souls will find rest. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 (VOICE)
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)
Great Battles Are Proof of Great Blessings: Encouragement for Your Purpose
Listen – God said what He said. 💁🏾♀️ You’ve got to exercise your #faith to believe it and do what He said. Don’t look at circumstances and get discouraged by what it looks like. Great battles are just proof of great blessings available to you. Don’t get distracted by storms & setbacks but let them be evidence of your great purpose & that you should prepare for the promise. They also remind us that our greatest blessing and promise is God Himself, His love 💖 and presence in our lives. Never get so focused on a certain outcome that you lose the peace that comes when you know that with God you have everything.
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Darts may fly – like memories of your past or what looks like a contradiction to the #prophetic word but they are lies in the light of God’s truth and redemptive power. Don’t allow them to cause you to stress but to make you stronger and steadfast knowing what God said.
This goes for the body of Christ as well. The enemy knows when we’re in the opportune time of a great harvest and his time is short and so darkness tries to throw battles and distractions our way. Let’s stand in God’s truth and know that He has the best in mind for us – we won’t be shaken but we will take this opportunity to do His will to be a blessing to others leading them to Truth and salvation.
God said it – that settles it. Believe it.
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:36
For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. 2 Corinthians 1:20
When You Pass Through the Waters He Will Be With You
Whatever you go through, whatever the storms or fears that try to engulf your hope know that you are so loved and God is on your side!
I was in the hospital last weekend & out of whack for a week or so but wow amidst it all I had the weirdest & coolest God experience. He is real, He loves us, He is sooo, sooo good & has a plan for our lives – just seek Him and you will find Him and His plan for your life! – Julene, Editor of Dream in Soul
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 43:1-2 NIV
Do Everything For the Glory of God
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
I wanted to share some light for your day from my inspirational devotional series from Christ for the Nations…
Life would look so much different if we did everything in and for Love. I’ve been thinking about this lately – if we didn’t care so much what people thought we’d be free. In fact we’re already free because we’re really living for an audience of One – His opinion is the one that matters most.
What we do for God isn’t done in fear, intimidation, obligation or trying to impress or gain love, affirmation or awards – God Himself is the greatest reward & blessing we could ever receive. Living out our purpose and dreams comes out of a love for God and people, a passion God gives us & desire to change people’s lives to allow them to flourish because of the light we’re given to share…
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31. As God’s children, we’re called to do all things in excellence – both in exercising our gifts and in doing what we may see as menial tasks like cleaning the bathroom at home or church. I spent a year interning at my church and this was one of the biggest lessons we learned as we cleaned windows – how every task and person matters to the Kingdom because we all work together for a greater Dream.
Steven Curtis Chapman has a great song “Do Everything” that would fit perfectly playing in the background as you read this;). What if everything we did mattered to God, not just the big, “important things”? What if we viewed every part of our day as an opportunity to give our best in worship and love to Him, our “utmost for His highest,” as Oswald Chambers says in one of my favorite devotional books.
The next time you’re serving others or even scrubbing the bathtub, remember to do it for the glory of God who loves us and who deserves our best at all times. He’s given us blessings beyond imagine –the very breath we take for granted and the life we live is a gift from Him and an opportunity to serve Him in the big, the small, the ordinary and the seemingly trivial. Invite God into your day and do life with the Giver of life, the greatest Lover of all, in everything you do. -Julene Fleurmond, CFNI Devotionals
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Is to put my weary soul in Your hand…”
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