Received or Turned Away?

Your iniquities turned these away, and your sins have withheld good from you. Jeremiah 5:25

My sin actually turns away and withholds good things that are meant for me. I picture a road leading to a town in need of food and supplies. But the truckloads are turned away and the items are withheld by two guards named iniquity (wickedness) and sin. They are more aware than anyone what is on it’s way but they aren’t about to let it get through.

When I choose to hold on to my wrong words, actions, thoughts, or attitudes I keep these guards employed. But when I acknowledge my sin to the Lord and seek His forgiveness the guards are moved out of the way. The good things intended for me get through.

So often we live in want of God’s goodness and blessing in our life. We posture, we hide, we squirm, and we beg. It isn’t until we become honest with ourselves and God about the wrong in our live that we can begin to clear the way for God’s things to get through to us.

What am I in need of today? What provisions are being blocked?

Father, You have meant for me to receive so much more from Your hands than I am receiving. Open my eyes to the wickedness and sin that detours Your goodness from reaching me. I choose You, Lord! Amen.

Instantly Changed

And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. Luke 13:13

I am coming back to this verse this morning because as I have reread this passage of Scripture a few words have jumped out at me…..immediately and made straight. While growth in Christ is a gradual thing, there are times when God chooses to produce immediate change in our life. It is instantaneous and noticeable!

I am reminded of a time when I cried out to God in prayer over an issue in my life and He immediately answered in a powerful way. I have shared before that I was not brought up in a Christian home. From a young age I saw and experienced things no child should be subject to. When I received Christ as my Savior at the age of 14, I instantly became a child of God. That decision redirected the path I was on, redefined my life, and completely changed where I would spend eternity. I took on new interests, became a part of a loving church family, and had a desire to read the Bible. I began a relationship with God Whom I never really knew before. Those things were automatic. They were changes God brought about.

But over the years something did not change. Those things I had seen and experienced from early childhood left me with a sense of shame from which I could not seem to escape. Like a nagging toothache it was always there. I told no one. I simply carried the feelings and disgust with me. I did not know my heavenly Father longed to free me from the load. Several years ago, in my early 40’s I read an article by Lisa Bevere that God used to end my torment. It led me to a time of prayer in which I simply asked God to make me feel clean and pure in all the places I harbored shame and disgrace. I was in the shower at the time, and as the water poured over me I sensed an instant cleansing taking place. I sensed a removal of all that had clung to me for so many years. God made straight the tangled mess inside of me. I will tell you this, even though that was a number of years ago the shame has not returned. The freedom was given by God and has never been removed. I, too, glorify God!

Father, some things we will not be relieved of until we stand before you in Heaven. But I thank you that the release of shame is not one of the things that must wait. I revel in the purity with which You clothed me. It was mine for the asking! Amen.

Inseparable Aspects of Discipline

I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him. 2 Samuel 7:14,15

God spoke these words to King David in regards to his son Solomon. David was nearing the end of his life as well as his reign over Israel. He knew Solomon would succeed him to the throne. David of all men knew what the chastening hand of God was like but he also knew what God’s lovingkindness was like. Unless we see both aspects of God we will walk through this life with a distorted view of God’s love as well as His discipline.

Many times, God’s method of discipline is through human sources. I think of a child being disciplined by his parents, a person standing before a judge or sitting behind bars, a person getting a speeding ticket, a person getting fired, a student being given sentences or detentions. The list could go on and on. Often times we forget that the one handing out the discipline is actually an extension of God’s hand. There are people who become angry with the one who presents them with the consequence for their own choices instead of owning up to the fact that they did wrong. This verse could speak volumes to them if they let it. Any time we do wrong and face the consequences through human sources we can rest assured that God is doing what He said He would do. He loves us too much to let us continue in our sinful behavior.

But I must see the second part of this verse as well. I must understand God’s lovingkindness never leaves. He does not remove it when I sin or when I face the consequences for my sin. As a matter of fact, it is during the time of chastening that I must realize God’s lovingkindness is still present. I remember a time a couple years ago when I faced some consequences for handling a situation wrong. I was new in my journey with Him and I can remember telling Him that I would face anything that comes as long as I knew He was with me. It was during that time that I learned of the graciousness of His forgiveness and the truth of His presence.

Father, for far too many years I missed the last part of this verse. Now the truth of it captures my heart in a powerful way. I love You. Amen!

Hearing What He Has to Say

Let these words sink into your ears. Luke 9:44 NASB
Let these sayings sink down into your ears. Luke 9:44 KJV
Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you. Luke 9:44 NIV

When was the last time you really paid attention to what God was trying to tell you either in prayer, through His Word, via a church service, through a book you were reading, or through an experience you were going through? I can tell when what God is attempting to tell me finally gets through. Things become crystal clear to me, my heart feels settled, my mind is at ease, and I proceed with assurance that I did not formerly possess.

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples as He was telling them of His impending death. He speaks these words to me each time I open Scripture. In truth, there is much He wants to tell me….every day. I am always amazed at how quickly He will give me answers when I ask Him questions about things that puzzle me. There are times He whispers truth to me when my heart is perplexed over certain issues.

Just last week He shared two profound truths with me that I needed to hear and they had a huge effect on my present journey with Him. The first truth was that from the time He formed me in my mother’s womb, His love for me has not changed, diminished, or been altered one bit. It has stayed the same! I needed to hear that. I needed the truth of His words to sink down into my ears. To really get it! Tears came as the truth sank in.

The second truth was that many times I can embrace people, teachings, books, music, etc… and still fail to embrace Him. Still fail to look to Him to meet my needs, satisfy my longings, fill my empty places, give me direction, enlighten me on issues, and give me my worth, value, and identity. That is often the reason I may not feel as close to Him, as connected to Him, or as sheltered by Him. He let me see that this is a choice. So now I start my days choosing Him. I choose to abide under the shadow of His wings, to live by His truth, to follow in His steps, to gravitate toward Him as never before. Throughout the day, when necessary, I verbally state the same things to Him. May my ears continue to receive all He desires to tell me.

Father, may I never again be dull of hearing. The more I take in Your words, the more easily I come to recognize Your voice. Speak to me. Amen.

He Provides What I Need

Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you. I Kings 19:7b

After a great victory at Mt. Carmel, Elijah is running for his life and praying God would take his life. Jezebel is convinced she holds sway over his life and she has convinced Elijah of that very thing.

This morning I am sad. My emotions are on the surface. The fingers of authority threaten to strangle me and the prospects for the next three years look dim. I have struggled to journal or even feast on God’s Word.

Elijah was given bread and water to eat. He was sustained for forty days on what he ate. He went in the strength of that food. What is it that God will feed me with at this time in my life? His Word. His Spirit. His presence. Although I have given up all personal plans I know He is still the Rock I stand on, the Tower I dwell in, the Refuge I find shelter in, and the Security I rest in. His hand is on me and I grasp it. His ears are open to my cry. His heart is moved by my plight.
As I seek direction He gives it. He has not forsaken me nor has He stepped aside and left me to fend for myself. My sadness does not offend Him ~ He understands this kind of sorrow. I do not know what lies ahead but I know who to hold on to in the midst of the storm. I must look to Him to provide for my social, emotional, and spiritual well being. May I rest in Him until definite direction is given.

Father, You control my life. May those who seek to hinder me not succeed. Amen.

Hand Delivered Gifts

You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Psalm 77:20

I have learned over the years that many times God will use people in my life in specific ways. While He undoubtedly “takes hold of my right hand” like it says in Psalm 73:23, He will also lead me by the hand of certain individuals. I can shut my eyes and instantaneously I am reminded of those whom God purposefully placed in my life to give me direction, counsel, help, and godly examples to follow. Even though they were my mentors, it was still God who was leading. In the classroom of life, God wisely chooses the object lessons, tools, and resources that will best accomplish His work in my life.

One of the hardest lessons for me to learn has been that while God brings people into my life, He must remain my focus. It is too easy to become enamored by the person and shift my dependency over to them. I somehow forget they are simply a vehicle by which God is working. His desire is that whether I am surrounded by people or journeying alone with Him, I am daily being brought into a close, personal relationship with Him. It has been a blessing to realize that while I may receive something from an individual, it is God who is the original gift giver.

He chooses to minister to me through people in a variety of ways. I like to look at them like the gift boxes in which God determines to place His gifts. Those gifts may be encouragement, comfort, instruction, affirmation, acceptance, nurturing, or individualized attention. How I thank Him for each person He has ever sent into my life to deliver such lavish demonstrations of His love. How precious to realize that each one was hand selected by Him and given in delight. And how touching to understand that I too can be chosen to be a gift He offers to another person.
May I walk through today in wide-eyed wonder as I receive or become gifts from His hand. Given on purpose. Given in love. Given for a time.

Father, Your Son was the ultimate gift of love to me. Thank you for the many times You still present a gift to me in the form of a friend. You continue to amaze me with your generosity and extravagance. Amen.

God's Self Revelation

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

I have a plaque on my kitchen wall that simply says, “Be still and know that I am.” When my eyes caught it a short while ago my mind was drawn toward Psalm 46:10. The NASB says to stop striving. In other words God is calling me to a place of rest from the internal storm that is approaching. The worries, the stresses, the disappointments, the fretting, the sadness. He is also calling me to turn to Him and Him alone to be my source rather than external things and even people.

Because the plaque ends with the phrase “I am,” my mind is formulating a list of how to complete that thought. God is wanting me to see the fullness of who He wants to be to me so that as I come to Him I come with expectancy! Knowing that He is God includes all that I am learning to see Him as.

What He is whispering to me is, “Be still and know that I am your Provider, your Protector, your Shepherd, your Father, your Healer, your Helper, your Counselor, your Restorer, your Advocate, your Defense, your Identifier, your Refuge, your Rest, your Teacher, your Mentor, your Cheerleader, your Over-seer, your Shelter. I am the One who knows you best, loves you most, will never leave you, will always be with you. I am the One who delights in you, sings over you, watches you, thinks about you, surrounds you. I am God!”

Today I need these precious reminders. I need to hear them from my Father and allow the truths of His words to sink deep into my spirit. I need His voice to drown out the many other voices in my head that clamor to be heard. This is a good day to take a drive to a large, beautiful cemetery here in Indianapolis and spend some time alone with a God who desires to be known by me. Why a cemetery? It is beautiful there for one and peaceful. But also it is a reminder to me that God is able to resurrect any dead places in me. He has words to breathe over me and life to infuse in me.

He will not fail to meet me there. I hear His call of invitation to come aside for awhile to be with Him. I accept!

Father, today the desires and longings of our hearts are the same. I open my ears, heart, and mind to You! Meet with me, speak to me, embrace me! Amen.

God's Invitation to Me

He said, “Take it up for yourself.” So he put out his hand and took it. 2 Kings 6:7

2 Kings is full of short but powerful miracle stories. The one I read this morning is just 7 verses long. In condensed form it goes like this. A man was chopping a tree down when the axe head fell off the handle and went into a lake. He panicked because it was borrowed and took the situation to Elisha. He showed Elisha where it had gone into the water. Elisha cut a stick, threw it into the water, and the iron axe head floated! He then told the man to take it up for himself and the man did so. What a precious reminder to me that if it matters to me, if it concerns me, if it weighs heavy on my heart, it matters to my heavenly Father. What a personally involved God we love and serve!

This morning, 2 Kings 6:7 speaks volumes to me in another way. It becomes the words whispered to me from the Lover of my soul each morning when I open His Word and drink in His truth. I have many books I enjoy reading that feed my soul in incredible ways. I feel blessed to metaphorically sit at so many people’s feet and take in their words of wisdom. I also enjoy going to ladies’ events. As they share from their hearts the messages God has integrated into their lives I am encouraged and enlightened as well. Many songs have reached my heart. Some bring me to tears and others fill me with indescribable praise! People come and go in my life that never fail to leave impressions on me as I see God’s fingerprints in their own life. But none of these experiences surpass the first one.

When I open the Bible for myself I am responding to God’s invitation to “Take it up for myself.” I am reaching forth the hands of my soul. While it is good to learn from others, I must make sure I am daily spending time with God in His Word. It comes alive to me in practical, applicable ways. The words that were penned thousands of years ago are just as fresh and alive today for each person who dares to read them for themselves. Not only do I find myself relating with the feelings and emotions of the people I am reading about but many times God shows me another “twist” to the story. One that is relevant for me. When that happens, my spirit takes a leap and I am filled with wonder!

Father, Your Word is so inter-active! As I take it up once again for myself I am learning and changing. How gracious of You! Amen.

God's Endings to My Stories

I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 38:23

My daughter, a freshman at IUPUI this year, came home with a paper she had been given in her religion class. As she handed it to me she said, ”It will make you angry….it did me!” As I read it, I was struck by the arrogance with which the author defied the Word of God and the truths of Scripture. More than angry, I was amazed that someone could hold such a high view of their own opinion against the Bible. It caused me to realize how much I hold to the fact that Scripture is God’s Word and it will always stand higher than any person’s view. The bottom line is God’s Word is preeminent. If anyone contradicts it, THEY are wrong. If anyone ridicules it, THEY are gravely mistaken.

How refreshing and reassuring to come across Ezekiel 38:23 this morning. God reminds me of the end of the story! These words are to be spoken over the skeptics of any age. I may not always see it evidenced in the here and now but God WILL be magnified, sanctified, and known by both His children and His enemies. What an awesome thing to take in!

God knows how easily we can grow weary or tired in the battles. He knows the harsh words of critics can sting. He knows the things we read, hear, and see can attempt to chip away at the foundational truths of our faith. So numerous times in Scripture He gives us reminders of His victory.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if each time we read a story from the Bible we read the ending first? God always has the last word and it is a good one! Someone might be saying, “Yes, but there is no ending written for my own story yet.” Oh, yes, dear one, there is! Ezekiel 38:23 is one and so is Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for good!” What we so often fail to remember is that God, in eternity past, already “wrote” the endings of all our stories. Each circumstance we face, if we are His child, already has a victorious ending scripted for it by the One who will be magnified, sanctified, and known!

Father, I do not know all the details but I trust You to bring about the ending of every story of my life! Your words are truer than any words spoken by others. Amen.

Giving What Is Due

There is none like You, O LORD; You are great, and great is Your name in might. Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? Indeed it is Your due! For among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You. Jeremiah 10:6,7

Sometimes….many times, we need to just stop everything and proclaim the truth about our God. He is incomparable to anything or anyone in this world. His greatness reaches far above my ability to grasp with my mind. He is great in His might, His forgiveness, His love, His watchfulness, His presence, His knowledge, His very being! He deserves far more than we give Him and He gives us far more than we deserve.

It is so easy to become enamored with His creation and that’s okay if it ultimately leads me to worship and praise Him! He has given us so much in this world to enjoy and He delights in our enjoyment of it. Like a parent who can’t wait for their child to see the surprise they have in store for him, God waits for the moment our eyes are open to one of His gifts.

Last night I was out walking past a beautiful wooded area near our home. I love to go just before dusk so I am sure to see numerous deer. I was not disappointed as I saw 7 bucks and 1 doe! They were so strong and graceful. Exquisite pictures of God’s creation and His character. But God waited for me to notice the night sky He had prepared. Red, wispy clouds against a blue sky. Gorgeous! He knew the minute my eyes saw it and He heard me take in my breath. It was a moment of appreciating His hand once again.

There are times I am so taken by His greatness and so appalled by my own lack of appreciation for Him. Tears fell as I asked Him to give me a heart of gratitude for all He has done and continues to do in my life. I want to be grateful for the circumstances of my life and the growth that will result from them. I want to acknowledge the many ways He touches my life. I want to see the precious people in my life as God sent.

It occurred to me last night that people are the only ones created in God’s image. And yet of all creation we are the ones who can break the heart of God. No other creature turns away from Him to worship something or someone else. May He give us a heart to follow Him, love Him, serve Him, praise Him, and bring delight to Him.

Father, give me a heart for You. My praise is Your due! Amen.

Getting Our Question Answered

The crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” Luke 3:10

John has just finished preaching his first sermon that is recorded for us in Scripture. He is at the Jordan River baptizing people and letting them know their inward change needs to be displayed by their outward actions. Christianity goes beyond just what we internalize, give mental assent to, and claim to believe. There is the necessity of bearing fruit. How else can a person tell a tree is alive but by the signs of life as seen in its fruit, leaves, and blossoms? How can our salvation be evidenced (not earned) except through our actions? James expresses this same sentiment when he says, “Faith without works is dead.” Our works do not save us but they do give verification that we are saved. In other words, if a person claims to be a Christian their actions and life style need to bear witness that what they say is true! This is God’s way of showcasing His touch on that person’s life.

Three different groups asked John the same question, “What shall we do?” They had listened to what he had to say and now they wanted to know how to flesh out the truths in their own life. I can detect the sincerity in their question. They are ready to allow John to be direct and personal with them. Can you imagine a church service whereby when the sermon has ended people stand to their feet and ask the pastor to tell them how they can apply his sermon to their life?!

As the people, the tax collectors, and the soldiers each ask the same question, John very strategically pinpoints specific areas in their life that demand attention and change. He tells the people to give to others in need out of the overflow of what they possess. To the tax collectors and soldiers he tells them to stop the things they are doing to rob people of their money as well as their reputations. Both actions stem from discontentment in their own life. My what a change this town would be in for!

Be assured that when God begins working in a person’s life they too will begin to ask, “What should I do?” God is ready with some very direct answers when we bring the question to Him. He has a way of letting us know exactly what we need to start doing and what we need to stop doing. If we receive His words in the right way our life will never be the same.

Father, show me what I should do today. I know You will empower me to institute whatever changes are necessary. Amen.

Fruit and Roots

I even destroyed his fruit above and his root below. Amos 2:9

What is it in your life that God is seeking to destroy? If you are His child, it would be anything that hinders you from having a close, intimate relationship with Him. I have come to realize that EVERY Christian faces their own mix of strongholds, addictions, perversions, and habits that need God’s destructive touch on them. These are usually the areas of our life that no one else knows about but they have the ability to torment us. God’s intent is to first shed light on that area and then proceed to destroy the fruit and the root.

The “fruit” would be what is being produced. It is the outward bi-product of my internal world. The more I feed this part of me, legitimize its presence, embrace it and hold on to it, the more fruit it will produce. This morning, God’s Word assures me of the destruction of that fruit. While I may have to live with the consequences of choices I have made in the past God’s intent is to produce new fruit.

But surface cosmetics is not going to change what is within me. It is only as God reveals the root system and source of my fruit bearing that He can begin working in that area as well with the intent of actually destroying the roots. What is it I am attached to that keeps feeding the worst parts of me? It may be an attitude, an action, a false belief, a fear, or any number of other things. God’s answer is always to get to the heart of the issue…the very starting point! He is good at helping us to wade through the cobwebs and entanglements of our life to reveal the roots.

God’s “destructive” work begins when I finally come to Him and am ready to walk in truth. To stand before Him in full acceptance of His searching. It often starts with the simple question, “God, why am I like this? Why am I doing and saying these things? Where is this all coming from?” When we ask from a genuine heart He begins the process of probing, uncovering, and disclosing our root system. Every wrong thing in me can be traced back to a faulty root system of lies, deception, and misinformation. I can trust Him to expose and destroy the smallest, deepest roots in me.

Father, You are in the process of exposing the real problems and issues. Your gentleness astounds me. May I cooperate with You as You destroy the harmful fruit and roots of my life. Amen.

Finding Encouragement

And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God. I Samuel 23:16

Do you have a Jonathan in your life? Someone who encourages you in God? I hope so! God has blessed me with a number of special Jonathans. A couple of them I have never met face to face. We have corresponded via emails but our souls are connected and the encouragement runs deep. Many times God has used their words to sustain me during difficult times.

Last evening I experienced an all too familiar feeling of discouragement. I knew it was coming. For a number of days it had lurked in the background and I kept the battle between God and myself. But this time I felt the urge to phone a friend for the specific purpose of being encouraged in God. I knew she would remind me of the very things I needed to hold on to in my journey. I knew she would speak life giving words to my weary soul…and she did!

At the same time, I knew there would be one specific word she would have for me that would energize my faith once again. Sure enough, about 30 minutes into the conversation she said something specifically about standing in my faith. That resonated very powerfully with me and my downcast eyes sprang to life again. The dark clouds of my spirit gave way to pure sunshine. Jonathans are truly God sent!

But what about those times when we must encourage ourselves in God? God has recently shown me how to do that. Encouragement is found in simply proclaiming to Jesus all He is to me! To voice out loud, “Jesus, You are my Peace. You are my Rock. You are my Comforter. You are my Strength. You are my Shelter. You are my Sustainer. You are my Healer. You are my Teacher. You are my Shepherd. You are my Compass. You are my Guide. You are my Protector. You are my Friend.”

I encourage you today to begin your own list of proclamations. The sky’s the limit. A trip through the book of Psalms will give you many “You are my ________” statements. Truth spoken out loud will minister to you whether you are doing the talking or someone else is. May you be encouraged in God in profound ways today and always.

Father, whether I say the words to myself or a friend says them to me, Your truths reach my heart. I cherish them all. Amen.

Emaciated Living

And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. Psalm 106:15

We can all recall pictures we have seen of starving children in third world countries, concentration camp victims from Hitler’s era, and even individuals caught in the vicious cycle of anorexia. Gaunt faces, pronounced thinness, and skeletal like features leave us horrified. For some the condition was brought on by another person. For others it was a result of their own choices. But either way it is heart wrenching to say the least. It is easy to detect physical problems. It is much harder to detect a leanness of the soul….whether in another person or in ourselves.

It does not take a person much time to begin formulating in their mind what they think will bring satisfaction to their life. For some people it is material wealth. They think if they could just earn enough money and possess enough “stuff” they could live internally satisfied. For others it is in gaining power and prestige in their community. Popularity, adventure, and recognition allure many with the false hope of satisfaction. For me, it has always been in relationships. For decades I thought people could give me what I lacked on my own. I wanted to find that special person who could take away the hurt, give me significance, nurture my spirit, and somehow make me feel loved. But that person does not exist outside of Christ.

Many times, God will allow us to have the very things we think will bring us satisfaction but in addition to that He will also send a leanness into our soul. An emptiness, a void, a cavern. I am reminded of the saying that each of us is born with a vacuum deep within us that only God can fill. That is so true! And I am just now beginning to learn how to go to Him for that filling.

On July 13 I will have known Him as my Savior for 33 years but I am just now taking baby steps into allowing Him access into the parts of me that no person has been able to reach, fix, heal, or satisfy. I feel like blinders are being removed and I am catching the first glimpses of what the Christian life is really meant to be like. May He never allow me to find satisfaction in any source other than Himself.

Father, You have waited so long for me to begin to see my idols. They didn’t satisfy. The hunger in my soul now seeks nourishment from You. Feed me! Amen.

Drawn With His Cords

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love. Hosea 11:4

It gives me a tender picture of God drawing me to Himself. But often there are cords that have to be removed first. For in my quest to find needs met through people, I wrap my own cords around them and around myself. These are cords that are meant to abstract something from them that I need, crave, or desire. I look to them for security, identity, happiness, peace, and a host of other things they are not really able to give me…..at least not in the amount and with the frequency that I want. I find myself tied to a source that is ill equipped to supply my need. Even though I know this, I refuse to change sources. When all the while God is standing, waiting to draw me with His own cords. Cords that are meant to tie me to Him as my source.

Ideally, He would have me cut the cords of my own making and allow myself and the other person to go free. But I am hindered from doing that. My own fears, insecurities, and hunger have me convinced if I let go of them I will be even emptier than I am when I am attached to them. I cannot see that everything I am looking for is being offered to me by my Father. I cannot imagine for one minute that He could satisfy and fulfill me beyond any person. I cannot imagine it because I have never experienced it.

The closest I came would be the times I got excited over something I had learned and ran to someone else to tell it to. Their excitement with me fed my need for approval. Their smile and positive response brought joy to me….but only for a short while. Then I would have to look for another opportunity to take another nugget of truth to them. It was as much an addiction to me as any drug. When they gave me what I wanted I lived on cloud nine. But when they weren’t available or willing to accommodate my insatiable appetite I walked hungry and disappointed. I could not seem to just enjoy being with God and living off His encouragement. I did not think it was possible.

Recently He removed the cords of my own doing and has begun to draw me with His cords. It is all so new I don’t even know what to make of it. But it has me wanting more. And unlike human sources, He is always available, always ready, always willing, and always able to meet my needs. I cannot wait to see what this journey looks like a year from now.

Father, You draw me with cords of love. Help me to cooperate with You. Amen.