It's been one of those weeks. Every day has seen me out of the house much earlier than normal. Between work and helping at the local kitten/cat shelter, the days have been long and full. I like the the shelter stuff, work is a necessary evil. LOL But with this activity comes tiredness. And with tiredness comes laziness. Understandable. When we are really busy, the times we do get to sit for a bit, we don't want to move or think or anything. So I make an excuse on break or lunch not to spend time in Bible study or prayer. I tell myself, I'm not up to it, I can't think and won't retain anything anyway. Which all may be true in my human strength, but I am leaving God out of the picture.
I have a plan for the day regarding time spent with the Lord. I want to take mini-breaks when I am working, a little time on my breaks and lunch to spend with Him, to reconnect, dig in and just be in His Presence. But when I am tired I get lazy. I go for the easy, just reading a novel. Nothing wrong with closing one's eyes for a bit or taking a relax time.....but not to the neglect my "God time."
So back to the title of connecting with joy. Of course with all this busy, tired and lazy, my joy level was in the pit. (Honestly I think numbness was my favorite emotion this week). But I did read a verse that got that larger than life, see it for the first time vibe and as I've been thinking about it, I realized, when I don't take time to connect with the Lord throughout the day I lose my joy, I lose strength, I lose peace. Hebrews 1:9 You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else. Jesus has more joy than anyone else! And what is our job? John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
Do I want to see the fruit of joy in my life? Remain in Jesus. Connect. Connect. Connect! Stay in touch! If I don't take the time to be with Jesus, I become anemic in my walk with God. Joy seeps away, and strength falters.
I love the quiet stretch of the morning when I get to spend a nice amount of time with the Lord. I find peace, I learn, I grow, I find contentment in His Presence. But I can't live in that place, I have to join the world outside my bedroom door. I need time to purposely reconnect throughout the day....seek Him deliberately in moments of solitude. Then I connect to His joy and all the other fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! It's so important and making excuses just robs us of the joy of being with Jesus. Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Lord, forgive me for my excuses. Forgive me for forgetting that You are my strength, even when I'm to tired to think, and help me to remember no time spent with You or Your Word is wasted. No matter the exhaustion, no matter the numbness, You are a fruit producing God. Lord, let me and all of us understand the importance of taking those few minutes with you throughout the day...purposeful reconnecting and deliberate seeking. It's how we stay in Jesus. Help each of us through our day today. Bless us with Your enduring Presence. In Jesus joyous Name. Amen.
Take the time!
Friday, January 31, 2020
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Get Radical
A few months ago I heard a song on the radio by For King and Country. The name of the song, "Burn the Ships" was a very strange song title to me, and as I listened to the song, I thought, what an odd thing to do...burn ships. But then I heard it a few more times, and listened a bit more closely...and I started thinking, "that's radical." Burn the ships, completely sever ties to the past.
Wow. What a concept. Over the last few months I've been reminded of the need for us to leave our prisons behind and walk in freedom, get rid of the old self, put on the new self remade in Christ's image, and break the chains that hold us down. Maybe to do this, to break free of our past mistakes, our sins, the past that we feel enslaved to, that molded us into fearful, angry, doubtful, hardened, closed off, sad...throw your own adjective in there, people we need to "burn the ships" as it were. Not only do we stop looking back, we stop letting what was back there reach in and control our present and our future.
I'm thinking, when we walk through the day to day, we see ourselves and our lives in a certain way. "Our ship" as it were is built by the past...what we've done, what's been done to us, the circumstances we've been in, maybe what others have said to or about us...but that is not what God desires. He desires us to walk though our days seeing ourselves as He sees us, seeing our lives in the light of His grace and redemption. He desires us to walk in humble faith with Him. To me, that means leaving all the garbage of the past behind. Get rid of it! Paul said it in Philippians 3:13-14 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. We can look up, we can look forward, but we need to stop looking back. The only thing we need to take with us to define our days is memories of God's faithfulness!
We can remember that God says In Isaiah 61:3 To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. What is more radical than that! Beauty for ashes, joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of the deep darkness of despair.
I'm thinking this radical forgetting is chain breaking. Every time a dark tentacle from the past reaches out to claim our thoughts, filling our mind with regret or guilt, or negative, never win, I'm no good thoughts, we see those things burning to ashes...and the truth of God's Word rising up in beauty to show us who we are in Christ, and fill us with the hope of His future for us.
Father, help us to get radical! Help us to let go of the past and lift our gaze to You. You define us, You have destined us for glory, for being transformed into the image of Your Son. Lord, no matter how horrible the past may have been, You are our Redeemer. It's not easy to walk away from what came before....but through You I know we can. We can be overcomers. We can be transformed. Your plans are good. Help us to forget what lies behind and reach out for the prize of You, and the hope You give us. Thank You. We want to walk in freedom. In Jesus grace filled Name. Amen.
Get studying. The Scripture is our match to set us free! Pick out the verses that speak to your personal "past chain" and use them to break free. And remember, prayer...it's your flare!
Isaiah 43:19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Wow. What a concept. Over the last few months I've been reminded of the need for us to leave our prisons behind and walk in freedom, get rid of the old self, put on the new self remade in Christ's image, and break the chains that hold us down. Maybe to do this, to break free of our past mistakes, our sins, the past that we feel enslaved to, that molded us into fearful, angry, doubtful, hardened, closed off, sad...throw your own adjective in there, people we need to "burn the ships" as it were. Not only do we stop looking back, we stop letting what was back there reach in and control our present and our future.
I'm thinking, when we walk through the day to day, we see ourselves and our lives in a certain way. "Our ship" as it were is built by the past...what we've done, what's been done to us, the circumstances we've been in, maybe what others have said to or about us...but that is not what God desires. He desires us to walk though our days seeing ourselves as He sees us, seeing our lives in the light of His grace and redemption. He desires us to walk in humble faith with Him. To me, that means leaving all the garbage of the past behind. Get rid of it! Paul said it in Philippians 3:13-14 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. We can look up, we can look forward, but we need to stop looking back. The only thing we need to take with us to define our days is memories of God's faithfulness!
We can remember that God says In Isaiah 61:3 To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. What is more radical than that! Beauty for ashes, joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of the deep darkness of despair.
I'm thinking this radical forgetting is chain breaking. Every time a dark tentacle from the past reaches out to claim our thoughts, filling our mind with regret or guilt, or negative, never win, I'm no good thoughts, we see those things burning to ashes...and the truth of God's Word rising up in beauty to show us who we are in Christ, and fill us with the hope of His future for us.
Father, help us to get radical! Help us to let go of the past and lift our gaze to You. You define us, You have destined us for glory, for being transformed into the image of Your Son. Lord, no matter how horrible the past may have been, You are our Redeemer. It's not easy to walk away from what came before....but through You I know we can. We can be overcomers. We can be transformed. Your plans are good. Help us to forget what lies behind and reach out for the prize of You, and the hope You give us. Thank You. We want to walk in freedom. In Jesus grace filled Name. Amen.
Get studying. The Scripture is our match to set us free! Pick out the verses that speak to your personal "past chain" and use them to break free. And remember, prayer...it's your flare!
Isaiah 43:19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Words to Live By
Sometimes I come across verses in the Bible that just wake up my heart. They tickle it as I read them. I want to wrap my heart around them and keep them settled there, letting them work our God's desires in my life. Today I was reading Hebrews 11, the "faith" chapter and I came to verse 6 and I heart just jumped. It says, "And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." I love that directness of that verse. Do you want to please God? Have faith. Simple, to the point.
In my Bible I connected two other verses with Hebrews 11:6. One is Deuteronomy 10:12 And now Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases Him and love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul. The second is Micah 6:8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Have faith, love and serve God with all you have, love mercy, walk humbly. These few verses really encompass the Christian walk. I want them to sink into every part of my life! Can you imagine a life lived in the light of these words? Sometimes you just find Scripture that you want to sit with, swirling it around and around in our thoughts, letting it envelope and transform. These Scriptures did that for me today....they brought joy. I pray they will for you as well!
I know, many times I struggle to live these words out. I'm pretty sure I am not alone in that. LOL But I know the more time we spend with the Lord and the Bible to closer we will get to our goal of being like Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us how to do that, how to live out the words of these verses. It says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Keep our eyes on Jesus.
Lord, thank You for the words of life that You give us in Scripture. Help us to grab hold of Your holy words and let them make us the people You have created us to be. Your Word is life. Lord, let these verses change us today. Let them stay with us and transform us. Your Word is beautiful. Lord, You know we struggle to keep Your Word, to follow Your will....help us to throw off sin, and focus on Jesus. He is the beginning of our faith and the one who completes it. We desire to be pleasing to You. It's in His holy and precious Name that we pray. Amen.
Stay with these verse for a while. Let them sink into your heart and soul!
In my Bible I connected two other verses with Hebrews 11:6. One is Deuteronomy 10:12 And now Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases Him and love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul. The second is Micah 6:8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Have faith, love and serve God with all you have, love mercy, walk humbly. These few verses really encompass the Christian walk. I want them to sink into every part of my life! Can you imagine a life lived in the light of these words? Sometimes you just find Scripture that you want to sit with, swirling it around and around in our thoughts, letting it envelope and transform. These Scriptures did that for me today....they brought joy. I pray they will for you as well!
I know, many times I struggle to live these words out. I'm pretty sure I am not alone in that. LOL But I know the more time we spend with the Lord and the Bible to closer we will get to our goal of being like Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us how to do that, how to live out the words of these verses. It says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Keep our eyes on Jesus.
Lord, thank You for the words of life that You give us in Scripture. Help us to grab hold of Your holy words and let them make us the people You have created us to be. Your Word is life. Lord, let these verses change us today. Let them stay with us and transform us. Your Word is beautiful. Lord, You know we struggle to keep Your Word, to follow Your will....help us to throw off sin, and focus on Jesus. He is the beginning of our faith and the one who completes it. We desire to be pleasing to You. It's in His holy and precious Name that we pray. Amen.
Stay with these verse for a while. Let them sink into your heart and soul!
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Open the Door
I just read a devotional based on Revelation 3:20 Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. I've always loved this verse, loved the thought of sitting down to a meal with Jesus as friends gathered around the table, sharing laughing....sweet, comfortable fellowship. The devotional spoke about inviting the Lord into our hearts with praise.
This was a timely reminder to me that praise invites God into not just our hearts but into our lives. It's welcoming. Can you imagine you knock at a friends door, and you hear them them criticize you from the other side? Would you feel welcome and wanted? Would you step through that door, or would you turn around and walk away?
Praise asks God into to our circumstances. When we struggle with life's trials, praise opens the door for the Lord to come in and work. It takes the focus off our problems and turns our eyes to Him. Our problems might not disappear overnight, but our heart is lifted because we know and remember the Father is with us and working all things for our good. We remind ourselves of His character, who He is and how He acts. Praise opens our hearts to His goodness, opens our eyes to His love and opens our struggle to His touch.
When we criticize, when we complain we lose our trust. We are basically telling the Lord we don't believe He will care for us. Our focus is on the problems. There's a verse in the Bible that I didn't understand for a long time. Matthew 6:22-23 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! How we look at things has a lot to do with how our lives flow. If we see through the eyes of distrust and complaint...our lives will be shrouded in darkness and negativity. But if we see through steadfast belief and appreciation of our Savior, no matter what is going on in our lives, we will live in light and peace.
I love timely reminders. I have a tendency to complain instead of praise, so anytime I get to hear a reminder to check my "eye" as it were is a beneficial and absolutely needed. I once heard the expression, complain and remain, praise and be raised. (I think it was Joyce Meyer) I invite the Lord into my day with praise!
Lord, You are worthy...no matter what happens You never change and You are worthy. You are holy, You are love, You are mercy, You are righteousness. You are creator, sustainer, deliverer, and Savior. Lord, come into our lives today! We open the door for You! This day is Yours, our lives are Yours. You are absolutely trustworthy and do only good. Help us to carry that truth in our hearts today and believe it with every fiber of our beings. Please help us move past the doubt and complaining to trust and praise. Be welcome in our day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Repeat the truth of God's goodness to your heart often. Mull over His character as told in the Bible.
This was a timely reminder to me that praise invites God into not just our hearts but into our lives. It's welcoming. Can you imagine you knock at a friends door, and you hear them them criticize you from the other side? Would you feel welcome and wanted? Would you step through that door, or would you turn around and walk away?
Praise asks God into to our circumstances. When we struggle with life's trials, praise opens the door for the Lord to come in and work. It takes the focus off our problems and turns our eyes to Him. Our problems might not disappear overnight, but our heart is lifted because we know and remember the Father is with us and working all things for our good. We remind ourselves of His character, who He is and how He acts. Praise opens our hearts to His goodness, opens our eyes to His love and opens our struggle to His touch.
When we criticize, when we complain we lose our trust. We are basically telling the Lord we don't believe He will care for us. Our focus is on the problems. There's a verse in the Bible that I didn't understand for a long time. Matthew 6:22-23 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! How we look at things has a lot to do with how our lives flow. If we see through the eyes of distrust and complaint...our lives will be shrouded in darkness and negativity. But if we see through steadfast belief and appreciation of our Savior, no matter what is going on in our lives, we will live in light and peace.
I love timely reminders. I have a tendency to complain instead of praise, so anytime I get to hear a reminder to check my "eye" as it were is a beneficial and absolutely needed. I once heard the expression, complain and remain, praise and be raised. (I think it was Joyce Meyer) I invite the Lord into my day with praise!
Lord, You are worthy...no matter what happens You never change and You are worthy. You are holy, You are love, You are mercy, You are righteousness. You are creator, sustainer, deliverer, and Savior. Lord, come into our lives today! We open the door for You! This day is Yours, our lives are Yours. You are absolutely trustworthy and do only good. Help us to carry that truth in our hearts today and believe it with every fiber of our beings. Please help us move past the doubt and complaining to trust and praise. Be welcome in our day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Repeat the truth of God's goodness to your heart often. Mull over His character as told in the Bible.
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Resting
Most people hate this time of year. It's winter, it's cold, sometimes damp, other times snowy. Things around us look lifeless and bland. But I have a little different take on it and I love this time of year.
Summer is warm, activity filled....long days, outdoor gatherings, shorts and short sleeves. You could call it the light and carefree season. Spring brings the feeling of newness, flowers peeking from the ground, reminding us that there is always a new beginning. It's the season of newness. Fall comes after the hot days of summer bringing it's refreshingly cool nights, warm sweaters; the season of warmth and coziness. But then there's winter....true winter, the time after the frantic and fast paced race of the holiday season. And it's quiet. The season of rest. And that is what I like.
It's the quiet, the peacefulness of this season that speaks to my heart. It's a time of renewal and rest. Renewal as we welcome the beginning of a new year with it's promise and resolutions. Rest, as we cease from the activity of the holidays. The days are colder, being outside is not something we want to do, and so we turn into our homes, leaving the running and activity behind. Maybe we clean up and clean out...de-clutter our lives a little. Maybe we take up reading that stack of books we piled up waiting for a less busy time. But the pace is slower, our days a little more isolated.
Even the landscape is less cluttered. Spring, summer and fall carry the fullness and color of nature. But the winter landscape is soft spoken..almost monochromatic, creating a restful picture of the world around us. Much like a clean tabletop or dresser...it speaks peace. (I hate junk all over household surfaces....It makes me edgy because it usually means I have to put a bunch of stuff away! Add to that "to do" list! lol)
I believe God gave us this season for a reason. He knows we need rest. Our minds, our bodies, our spirits need the quiet time. We need time to hunker down and not race from one activity to another. The Bible speaks about the Sabbath rest, about God resting on the 7th day, entering God's rest. So obviously rest is important to our Father. And so I am thankful for this quiet season of winter. I am thankful for the empty landscape and slower pace. I am thankful for the way the Lord has made this world--a reflection of spiritual truths and realities. We need rest. We need time spent with the Lord in quiet reflection and fellowship. Winter is a great time to dig deeper into Scripture and grow deeper in our relationship with Him. And it's a good time to clean out a closet or two as well! LOL
Lord, thank You for the spiritual truths You teach us through the world around us. Thank You for this time of rest and refreshment. It's so peaceful to just be huddled inside with You. Lord, let us use this time wisely. Let it be a time of growth. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Take time to rest with the Lord.
Summer is warm, activity filled....long days, outdoor gatherings, shorts and short sleeves. You could call it the light and carefree season. Spring brings the feeling of newness, flowers peeking from the ground, reminding us that there is always a new beginning. It's the season of newness. Fall comes after the hot days of summer bringing it's refreshingly cool nights, warm sweaters; the season of warmth and coziness. But then there's winter....true winter, the time after the frantic and fast paced race of the holiday season. And it's quiet. The season of rest. And that is what I like.
It's the quiet, the peacefulness of this season that speaks to my heart. It's a time of renewal and rest. Renewal as we welcome the beginning of a new year with it's promise and resolutions. Rest, as we cease from the activity of the holidays. The days are colder, being outside is not something we want to do, and so we turn into our homes, leaving the running and activity behind. Maybe we clean up and clean out...de-clutter our lives a little. Maybe we take up reading that stack of books we piled up waiting for a less busy time. But the pace is slower, our days a little more isolated.
Even the landscape is less cluttered. Spring, summer and fall carry the fullness and color of nature. But the winter landscape is soft spoken..almost monochromatic, creating a restful picture of the world around us. Much like a clean tabletop or dresser...it speaks peace. (I hate junk all over household surfaces....It makes me edgy because it usually means I have to put a bunch of stuff away! Add to that "to do" list! lol)
I believe God gave us this season for a reason. He knows we need rest. Our minds, our bodies, our spirits need the quiet time. We need time to hunker down and not race from one activity to another. The Bible speaks about the Sabbath rest, about God resting on the 7th day, entering God's rest. So obviously rest is important to our Father. And so I am thankful for this quiet season of winter. I am thankful for the empty landscape and slower pace. I am thankful for the way the Lord has made this world--a reflection of spiritual truths and realities. We need rest. We need time spent with the Lord in quiet reflection and fellowship. Winter is a great time to dig deeper into Scripture and grow deeper in our relationship with Him. And it's a good time to clean out a closet or two as well! LOL
Lord, thank You for the spiritual truths You teach us through the world around us. Thank You for this time of rest and refreshment. It's so peaceful to just be huddled inside with You. Lord, let us use this time wisely. Let it be a time of growth. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Take time to rest with the Lord.
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Ponderings
I had one of those paradigm shifts in my thinking and believing last week. (Bear with me, I love that word and I don't have a lot of occasions to use it LOL) A paradigm shift is a radical change in the way something or someone thinks or behaves. My thinking took a big u-turn, even as my heart took a big hit to the ego as it were a few days ago. Prayerfully, this will begin a big transformation in me that will ripple outwards to my walk and relationship with the Lord.
In the study guide accompanying Joyce Meyer's book "20 Ways to Make Every Day Better," she asked a question regarding why we seek God. Basically she asked if we seek Him only when we need help or do we seek Him so we might know Him. Okay, so most of us might answer a little of both, sometimes depending on the day or season of life we are in. Or in my case, I honestly answered I seek Him to know Him. I was somewhat happy and proud of my answer. But then I was nudged to go a bit deeper into my heart. And sadly, I didn't like what I found.
The Holy Spirit wanted me to get down to the motives behind the why. Ugh. Why do I seek to know Him intimately, why do I answer as such. Is it because I desire to know the One who created me--and and everything? The one who is everlasting--this amazing being unlike any other? The One whose heart is shaped by love. Do I look for the privilege of being in a deep, intimate, flourishing relationship with this being I call Father and Savior? Do I understand the blessing of being called to know Him? Or is the answer something a little less noble and glorious? Do I answer that way because it's what expected in being a Christian?
I had to face the truth that my desire to know God was fueled by my expectations of what a Christian is supposed to do and say, it was a surface only answer. So I know there is something in my heart and thinking that needs fixing and changing. And I think raising the question is a great beginning to growing and going deeper with the Lord. The Holy Spirit really went deep with me here...and I love when He does this, even if it's hard to hear.
So with the Holy Spirit's leading and guiding I am looking for ways to change this heart attitude. The first thing I've already been doing. I was lead to pray for a softening of my heart. I have a tendency to be hardhearted in a sense that the things of God have trouble penetrating more than head knowledge. I believe this not only is a part of the answer to changing my motivations for seeking God, but it's also an answer to the prayer itself. Secondly, I thinking meditating on God's character and Who He is, even if it only starts out as lists in my head will begin to stir something in my soul to reach out deeper. This is exciting. A new thing has begun! Isaiah 43:19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Lord, thank You for going deeper, for making my look harder. Thank You for answered prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Take us all into a deeper , intimate relationship with You because we are desperate for You. You are our greatest need and our greatest gift. There is none like You! Help us to realize the privilege of knowing You. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Answer the question: Why do you seek God?
In the study guide accompanying Joyce Meyer's book "20 Ways to Make Every Day Better," she asked a question regarding why we seek God. Basically she asked if we seek Him only when we need help or do we seek Him so we might know Him. Okay, so most of us might answer a little of both, sometimes depending on the day or season of life we are in. Or in my case, I honestly answered I seek Him to know Him. I was somewhat happy and proud of my answer. But then I was nudged to go a bit deeper into my heart. And sadly, I didn't like what I found.
The Holy Spirit wanted me to get down to the motives behind the why. Ugh. Why do I seek to know Him intimately, why do I answer as such. Is it because I desire to know the One who created me--and and everything? The one who is everlasting--this amazing being unlike any other? The One whose heart is shaped by love. Do I look for the privilege of being in a deep, intimate, flourishing relationship with this being I call Father and Savior? Do I understand the blessing of being called to know Him? Or is the answer something a little less noble and glorious? Do I answer that way because it's what expected in being a Christian?
I had to face the truth that my desire to know God was fueled by my expectations of what a Christian is supposed to do and say, it was a surface only answer. So I know there is something in my heart and thinking that needs fixing and changing. And I think raising the question is a great beginning to growing and going deeper with the Lord. The Holy Spirit really went deep with me here...and I love when He does this, even if it's hard to hear.
So with the Holy Spirit's leading and guiding I am looking for ways to change this heart attitude. The first thing I've already been doing. I was lead to pray for a softening of my heart. I have a tendency to be hardhearted in a sense that the things of God have trouble penetrating more than head knowledge. I believe this not only is a part of the answer to changing my motivations for seeking God, but it's also an answer to the prayer itself. Secondly, I thinking meditating on God's character and Who He is, even if it only starts out as lists in my head will begin to stir something in my soul to reach out deeper. This is exciting. A new thing has begun! Isaiah 43:19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Lord, thank You for going deeper, for making my look harder. Thank You for answered prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Take us all into a deeper , intimate relationship with You because we are desperate for You. You are our greatest need and our greatest gift. There is none like You! Help us to realize the privilege of knowing You. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Answer the question: Why do you seek God?
Thursday, January 9, 2020
One Inch at a Time is Fine
Many of us have made our New Year's resolutions. We've promised ourselves, others and God things will be different. We will be different. Maybe be are off to a great start. The last week had been filled with success. I know that is usually how it works for me. And then February rolls around...and maybe we falter a little. Maybe we eat that extra piece of cake. Maybe we feel our expectations were just a little to high and we need to lower them a bit.
Or maybe our resolutions were a little harder to keep, something we promised that was extremely difficult, like breaking addictions to drugs or alcohol. And we've failed even before February came around. But just because we fail does not mean we are a failure. Maybe we thought we could break those serious chains on our own, when in reality we need help, a support system. When I broke (or I really should say Jesus broke) the chains of addiction to drugs and alcohol, the Lord placed me into a terrific outpatient program where I got the support I needed. Yes, I was blessed enough to have family help, but maybe someone's doesn't...either the family was never there or have walked away after your repeated lapses and oft broken promises. All the more need to be involved in a recovery community along side working with the Holy Spirit to open those prison doors and flee the dark cell of addiction. There is a great Bible that is called The Life Recovery Bible...it's based on the 12-Step program and walks the reader through each of the 12 Steps using the Scriptures. This was probably my greatest tool when I was getting clean and sober.
Through all of the battle, whatever our addictions God stays. He doesn't walk away. He doesn't leave us no matter how many promises we break, how many times we fail. He may let us hit rock bottom. He may let us stew in our own mess and let us get so far down we don't even know where up is anymore in order for us to realize there is no where to go but to His arms. And those arms are always open.
I didn't plan on writing this today. But that is how I know it is Spirit led. Someone needs to know that addiction isn't a life sentence. There is freedom...I've experienced it for just over twenty-five years. I can't tell you how many times I promised myself I was not going to buy drugs that day...then it was, well I'll only buy this much, then it was this much more....you know the drill. But one day I kept that promise to myself. And then God took over from there. He led me to and led me through. It was by no means easy. It's hard!!! Oh, my gosh, I know how hard! Most of us don't get that instant deliverance. It's a battle of inches, each inch a wonderful victory to celebrate.
You've got this. Even if I am only talking to one person when I say that today...You've got this! Jesus will be by your side. Don't give up. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Maybe you are one who does not have a drug addiction, but something else needs to go. Anger, overeating, self-pity, procrastination....whatever struggle, whatever flaw or bad habit. You've got this too! Remember: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Lord, You are a chain breaking, prison door opening, freedom giving Savior! I thank You today for my freedom and I thank You for the work You are doing in the lives of those who read this today. Keep them going, step by step, inch by inch toward deliverance. You are the God who stays, who never leaves nor forsakes us. You are not the God who counts our failures, but the God who leads us to victory. As far as the east is from the west, that is how far You remove our sin from us. Help us all to hang onto these truths, and to hang on to Your hand and to stand fast in Your strength and salvation. In the powerful, delivering Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
You've got this.
Or maybe our resolutions were a little harder to keep, something we promised that was extremely difficult, like breaking addictions to drugs or alcohol. And we've failed even before February came around. But just because we fail does not mean we are a failure. Maybe we thought we could break those serious chains on our own, when in reality we need help, a support system. When I broke (or I really should say Jesus broke) the chains of addiction to drugs and alcohol, the Lord placed me into a terrific outpatient program where I got the support I needed. Yes, I was blessed enough to have family help, but maybe someone's doesn't...either the family was never there or have walked away after your repeated lapses and oft broken promises. All the more need to be involved in a recovery community along side working with the Holy Spirit to open those prison doors and flee the dark cell of addiction. There is a great Bible that is called The Life Recovery Bible...it's based on the 12-Step program and walks the reader through each of the 12 Steps using the Scriptures. This was probably my greatest tool when I was getting clean and sober.
Through all of the battle, whatever our addictions God stays. He doesn't walk away. He doesn't leave us no matter how many promises we break, how many times we fail. He may let us hit rock bottom. He may let us stew in our own mess and let us get so far down we don't even know where up is anymore in order for us to realize there is no where to go but to His arms. And those arms are always open.
I didn't plan on writing this today. But that is how I know it is Spirit led. Someone needs to know that addiction isn't a life sentence. There is freedom...I've experienced it for just over twenty-five years. I can't tell you how many times I promised myself I was not going to buy drugs that day...then it was, well I'll only buy this much, then it was this much more....you know the drill. But one day I kept that promise to myself. And then God took over from there. He led me to and led me through. It was by no means easy. It's hard!!! Oh, my gosh, I know how hard! Most of us don't get that instant deliverance. It's a battle of inches, each inch a wonderful victory to celebrate.
You've got this. Even if I am only talking to one person when I say that today...You've got this! Jesus will be by your side. Don't give up. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Maybe you are one who does not have a drug addiction, but something else needs to go. Anger, overeating, self-pity, procrastination....whatever struggle, whatever flaw or bad habit. You've got this too! Remember: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Lord, You are a chain breaking, prison door opening, freedom giving Savior! I thank You today for my freedom and I thank You for the work You are doing in the lives of those who read this today. Keep them going, step by step, inch by inch toward deliverance. You are the God who stays, who never leaves nor forsakes us. You are not the God who counts our failures, but the God who leads us to victory. As far as the east is from the west, that is how far You remove our sin from us. Help us all to hang onto these truths, and to hang on to Your hand and to stand fast in Your strength and salvation. In the powerful, delivering Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
You've got this.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Patterns
We've been going through the Bible in our Sunday morning Bible study. It's been a great journey, filled with learning, fellowship, laughter and growth. Everything a good Bible study should be! As we studied Paul's short epistles to the cities of that time, I started to notice something. It was as if Paul was fleshing out what the Christian life should look like, and conversely what it should not look like. I think it is because we have been taking these books as a whole, one right after the other instead of looking so much at individual verses or sections, that my mind put it all together. Not only was Paul set on correcting doctrinal issues or problems that had arisen in the early churches, he wanted to leave them (and by extension us) a strong picture of our Christian walk. This of course is all a work of the Holy Spirit through the apostle called out of time.
In 2 Timothy 2:13 Paul told this young man, "Hold onto the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me--a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus." Our lives should reflect values and characteristics that come from faith and love in Jesus. It's always amazed me how I can read the same verses time and time again and see something bright and new so many times. God's Word is so deep, we can never stop finding treasure in it.
Love your neighbor, live by the Spirit, do a good job and mind your own business. (Galatians 5 and 6). Use helpful words, be generous, tenderhearted, forgiving. (Ephesians 4). Think on things of heaven, clothe yourself in mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, be patient with others. (Colossians 3). Believe and stand firm on the truth of the Gospel (Colossians1). Do things without complaining or arguing. (Philippians 2).
If you want to know what the Christian life looks like...read these books! Now, I know I will not always live up to what's written on these pages. I am a fallen human being...sinful and fallible. But I am also forgiven through Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue HIS work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
So continue to work with the Holy Spirit to become like Christ. Let's pend the time in His Word, and in His Presence to grow and change. We pray, we encourage and be encouraged by other Christians. And as we do this, over time, we will see the traits and characteristics of Jesus evident in our own lives.
Father, thank You that we are not left guessing what You want from us. As we study Your Word we see what our lives are meant to be. We see where You want us to go. Lord, thank You for forgiveness when we fail, but remind us to celebrate the victories also, even the smallest of ones. Keep us focused on Jesus as we walk through our days. Increase our faith, let Your love flow through our hearts....I know we all really want to shine for You. I hate when I fail, but I know even failure can be meant for Your purpose. Thank you for the Bible Father. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Spend some time in the epistles. And remember, Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.
In 2 Timothy 2:13 Paul told this young man, "Hold onto the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me--a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus." Our lives should reflect values and characteristics that come from faith and love in Jesus. It's always amazed me how I can read the same verses time and time again and see something bright and new so many times. God's Word is so deep, we can never stop finding treasure in it.
Love your neighbor, live by the Spirit, do a good job and mind your own business. (Galatians 5 and 6). Use helpful words, be generous, tenderhearted, forgiving. (Ephesians 4). Think on things of heaven, clothe yourself in mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, be patient with others. (Colossians 3). Believe and stand firm on the truth of the Gospel (Colossians1). Do things without complaining or arguing. (Philippians 2).
If you want to know what the Christian life looks like...read these books! Now, I know I will not always live up to what's written on these pages. I am a fallen human being...sinful and fallible. But I am also forgiven through Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue HIS work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
So continue to work with the Holy Spirit to become like Christ. Let's pend the time in His Word, and in His Presence to grow and change. We pray, we encourage and be encouraged by other Christians. And as we do this, over time, we will see the traits and characteristics of Jesus evident in our own lives.
Father, thank You that we are not left guessing what You want from us. As we study Your Word we see what our lives are meant to be. We see where You want us to go. Lord, thank You for forgiveness when we fail, but remind us to celebrate the victories also, even the smallest of ones. Keep us focused on Jesus as we walk through our days. Increase our faith, let Your love flow through our hearts....I know we all really want to shine for You. I hate when I fail, but I know even failure can be meant for Your purpose. Thank you for the Bible Father. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Spend some time in the epistles. And remember, Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Perfect Love
Psalm 143:8 Let me hear of Your unfailing love to me in the morning. For I am trusting You to show me where to walk. For I have come to You in prayer.
This verse has been playing over in my head since last week when I included it in a previous post. I guess you could say I've been meditating on it.
God loves to shower us with His love. Much like I love expressing my love to my furry children (four cats), He wants to show us His love as well....even more so. What I've been getting while mulling this verse over though is that we have to keep our eyes and hearts open to see His love in action each day. I'm thinking we miss a lot of examples because we have our own expectations of what our Lord's love should look like. Just a thought.
Lord, keep our hearts open to Your love today. Let this be our prayer everyday. Let not our own expectations and stubborn thoughts blind us to the true love You pour out on our lives each moment. Thank You for Your great love.
Let go of Your thoughts of how the Father should love you and let Him show you His perfect love in His perfect ways.
I found this unpublished entry and as I read it I felt that for the new year ahead it would be a good idea to pray for open hearts to see God's love more and more. Maybe even make it a "New Year's resolution!"
This verse has been playing over in my head since last week when I included it in a previous post. I guess you could say I've been meditating on it.
God loves to shower us with His love. Much like I love expressing my love to my furry children (four cats), He wants to show us His love as well....even more so. What I've been getting while mulling this verse over though is that we have to keep our eyes and hearts open to see His love in action each day. I'm thinking we miss a lot of examples because we have our own expectations of what our Lord's love should look like. Just a thought.
Lord, keep our hearts open to Your love today. Let this be our prayer everyday. Let not our own expectations and stubborn thoughts blind us to the true love You pour out on our lives each moment. Thank You for Your great love.
Let go of Your thoughts of how the Father should love you and let Him show you His perfect love in His perfect ways.
I found this unpublished entry and as I read it I felt that for the new year ahead it would be a good idea to pray for open hearts to see God's love more and more. Maybe even make it a "New Year's resolution!"
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