THIS DO AS YOU REST

Teaching summary

In this follow-up teaching, Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola explain what believers are doing spiritually while they are waiting, resting, or even sleeping. They emphasize the believer’s union with Christ, the power of God already dwelling within, and the importance of hearing grace-filled truth. Healing, restoration, and peace are shown to flow naturally from rest, agreement with God’s Word, and thanksgiving. The message encourages believers to stop striving and instead rest confidently in who they are in Christ.

Bible verses referenced

Genesis 2:24- “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

Ephesians 3:20- “Now unto him that can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

Romans 10:17- “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Hebrews 12:2- “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

John 17:23- “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

Galatians 5:6- “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”

Ephesians 3:15–22- “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love. May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height. And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

Philippians 4:6–7- “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

1 John 5:14–15- “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

Teaching notes

Introduction: A Follow-Up on Resting While Waiting
Being United With and One With Christ
The Same Resurrection Power Dwells in You
God Does More Than We Can Ask or Think
Hearing Jesus Releases Inner Power and Healing
Agreement With God’s Word Brings Wholeness
Praise, Thanksgiving, and Resting in Peace
Guarding What You Hear and Resting in Grace

Introduction: A Follow-Up on Resting While Waiting

Pastor Leonard opens by explaining that this message is a continuation of the teaching from the prior Sunday. The focus is on what believers are doing spiritually while they are waiting, sleeping, or resting. Rather than striving or working harder, this teaching revisits several key points meant to anchor believers in rest, assurance, and confidence in Christ. Pastor Lori affirms the importance of reviewing the message and allowing these truths to settle deeply in the heart.

Being United With and One With Christ

The first point centers on meditating on the reality that believers are united with Christ and are one with the Anointed One and His anointing. Pastor Leonard and Pastor Lori discuss how deeply personal and powerful this truth is. Pastor Lori shares how realizing she is one with Christ produces revelation, inner joy, and spiritual excitement that is difficult to put into words.

Pastor Leonard illustrates this oneness by using marriage as an example, referencing Genesis 2:24: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” He explains that after nearly 42 years of marriage, he and Pastor Lori experience a deep sense of connection, strength, encouragement, and completeness when they are together. That same sense of strength, faith, and energy is what believers experience when they understand they are one with Christ.

Knowing you are one with Christ transforms emotions into spiritual realities. As believers focus on this truth, faith, strength, encouragement, and energy naturally rise because Christ Himself is their source.

The Same Resurrection Power Dwells in You

The second point emphasizes that the same power that raised Christ from the dead now dwells in believers. Pastor Leonard reminds listeners of the physical reality of Jesus’ suffering—His beaten, bloodied, and broken body—and how that body was completely restored and raised to new life.

Because believers are united with Christ, that same resurrection power lives in them. This truth is not symbolic or distant; it is present and active. Pastor Leonard urges listeners to fix their eyes on Jesus at the cross, in the tomb, and raised to newness of life, pointing to Hebrews 12:2: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Pastor Lori adds that as she pictures and confesses this truth, she does so while resting and thanking the Lord. Gratitude and praise flow naturally as she acknowledges that the same resurrection power is working within her.

God Does More Than We Can Ask or Think

The third point focuses on God’s ability to work beyond human expectation. Pastor Leonard quotes Ephesians 3:20: “Now unto him that can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

He explains that the power mentioned here is the same power that comes from being united with Christ. This power is actively restoring lives, putting people back together, and working beyond even their wildest dreams. Because Christ lives within the believer, God can do far more than they could ever imagine.

Hearing Jesus Releases Inner Power and Healing

The fourth point explains the importance of hearing the message of Jesus consistently. Pastor Leonard references Romans 10:17: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” As believers hear about Jesus and focus on Him, faith grows.

Fixing one’s eyes on Jesus is reinforced again with Hebrews 12:2, and believing in His love is supported by John 17:23: “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

Pastor Leonard also cites Galatians 5:6: “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” He continues by pointing to the strengthening of the inner man through Ephesians 3:15–22, explaining that hearing and believing these truths releases inner power that brings healing and restoration to the body.

Pastor Lori shares how the Holy Spirit makes specific verses come alive at different times, ministering personally and bringing encouragement, life, strength, and healing day by day—even while resting.

Agreement With God’s Word Brings Wholeness

The fifth point is about agreeing with God’s Word. Pastor Leonard declares that agreeing with the Word leads to the confident knowledge that the body is being healed and will be wholly healed. This agreement is built upon the previous truths: union with Christ, resurrection power, hearing Jesus, and believing God’s love.

Resting in agreement means trusting that God’s work is already in progress, without striving or self-effort.

Praise, Thanksgiving, and Resting in Peace

The sixth point emphasizes praise and thanksgiving while resting. Pastor Leonard connects this to Philippians 4:6–7: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

He also references 1 John 5:14–15, explaining that confidence comes from knowing God hears us and that what we ask according to His will is already ours. Pastor Lori expands on this by emphasizing rest—resting in praise, thanksgiving, and the peace of God that surpasses understanding.

This peace is not something believers must work for; it overwhelms them as they dwell in who Christ is and, because of that, who they are.

Guarding What You Hear and Resting in Grace

In closing, Pastor Lori stresses the importance of guarding what believers listen to. She explains that during her victory walk through cancer, she intentionally listened only to grace-filled, faith-filled messages centered on Jesus and not on human effort or works. This protected her from guilt, shame, and condemnation, allowing her to rest fully in God’s healing work.

Resting in His love, hearing the true gospel of grace, and rejecting messages of striving are essential to living in peace and healing.

Thank you for taking the time to read and reflect on this powerful teaching. We hope this message encourages you to rest confidently in your union with Christ, trust the power at work within you, and live in peace through grace. If this teaching blessed you, please consider sharing it with others so they, too, can experience the freedom and rest found in Jesus.