The Richness and Reward of Resting

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12 (New American Standard Bible)

I am learning how to be refreshed and repaired in my internal world. When emotions become tangled, when situations get confusing, when relationships shift or appear to be dormant, when expectations are met with disappointment, and when the reminders of living in a fallen world continually confront me, THOSE are the times I need my joy restored and my spirit sustained. At those times, there is only one place to resort….in the shadow of Abba’s wings!

There have been many times when any of the afore mentioned scenarios would send me reeling but I am learning some wise alternatives. When I know something has gone awry in my spirit, it is imperative that I rest from the mental exercises of trying to figure everything out. Just like I would set aside activities if I were sick, I am seeing the importance of allowing myself to take a break when there is an emotional over load taking place. It is at that point that I stop all the thinking and wait for some direction from God. He has an answer for any thing and every thing that is taxing my mind or my spirit. Resting in Him and waiting on Him allows the “draining feeling” to stop and the infusion of energy to begin. It opens the door for me to receive that which I need from His hands.

Practically speaking, when I find myself wrestling with issues I can at any point choose to stop wrestling and become still. It doesn’t mean the issue will go away but it does mean I can have some time to get myself back into the right frame of mind and spirit to work through that issue. I am learning to see myself as a wounded soldier who is removed from the battlefield in order to be strengthened to return. Too often I have failed to remove myself and hence only grew weaker and less effective.

I took a rest this morning. Relational issues weighed heavy on my heart and became a call to rest in Abba’s presence. As I relaxed, His counsel came. Within moments He let me know what to do…..give people space and pray for their needs. He assured me the relationships are not lost. They are just in a resting mode. This is a time when He will help me to poise myself for their awakening. With restored joy and a willing spirit I face a new day!

Father, You never cease to amaze me! Open my eyes to the many resting places along my journey. Your invitations to come aside are becoming clearer to me. Amen.

WARRIOR IS A CHILD/ DO I TRUST YOU? ~ Twila Paris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pzu-jWpcdw

He Must Increase

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 (New American Standard Bible)

John the Baptist not only spoke these words to his disciples but he believed them. He lived them. He knew preeminence and prominence were Christ’s alone. What had to decrease was his image, his ministry, his position, his standing, his focus, his message, his influence, his following, his time, his will. None of that was a threat to him but rather a foundation for rejoicing. He knew better than to have it any other way. Others had to be taught the truth that epitomized his life…that of following, loving, and worshiping Christ with abandon.

I have found that allowing Christ to increase leads to the decrease of other things. But it is so easy to mistakenly try to reverse that order. I can often times draw the false conclusion that if I make things less important than I will more easily make Christ more important. He reminds me that is earthly thinking. Kingdom thinking knows that drawing closer to Him will lead to drawing away from that which is in competition for my heart.

I am asking myself this morning as Christ increases, what or who must decrease in my life? The answer lies in who or what has the majority of my attention and affections. That which my mind is consumed with on a continual basis. It is always me as a whole that must decrease. But along with that it is other people, problems, situations, aspirations, interests, failures, areas of bondage, schedule, or idols of my heart. It is not a matter of behavior modification but rather internal transformation. It comes not by squelching or suppressing what is in me but rather in pursuing God with all my heart, soul, and mind. The more He increases the more the others will decrease. It is the natural result of seeing Him for all He is and Who He is.

I know what it is like to have a person or thing become so important to me that it becomes the center of my life. Christ reminds me that is His place alone. I know what it is like to engage my heart in the throws of an unhealthy, unbalanced relationship. Christ reminds me balance will only come as I stay in intimate relationship with Him. I know what it is like to place all my hopes and dreams on something or someone outside of Christ. He reminds me He alone must be the One I direct my heart and worship toward. I know what it is like to attempt to derive my identity, worth, and significance from relationships or accomplishments. Christ reminds He is the true Source for each of those areas. What I know and what He continually reminds me of is a huge aspect of this journey.

Father, increase! Amen.

Becoming Willing

For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing. Isaiah 30:15 (New American Standard Bible)

God knows us thoroughly and will go to any length to bring us to the place He most desires for us to be. Yet, it is easy to misunderstand where He is leading and what He is doing. Many times, He must walk us through numerous issues and places to finally get us to the “starting” point of His desire.

Several years ago when I began this journey I had my own idea of what God was doing. I thought it was all about learning the truth about God and learning the truth about myself, realizing my freedoms in Christ, tearing down the denominational walls as well as the versions of the Bible walls, seeing His Word come alive and practical, eventually writing devotionals, and sharing with others the things God was teaching me. Did those things happen? Absolutely! Were they exciting to experience? Yes! Did they happen over night? Not at all! Have they reshaped and drastically changed the way I live my Christian life? Definitely! At the same time, they were simply the preliminary parts of God’s longing for me. God’s purpose ran much deeper than merely the dynamics of my internal and external life.

I am just now beginning to see that God wants to bring me to the place of living in repentance, rest, quietness, and trust with Him. To seek Him for confidence and comfort. The learn to embrace my emotions in His presence instead of seeking to deny them, anesthetize them, or ignore them. To not allow aloneness to cause me to feel separated from Him. To prefer to spend time with Him more than with anyone else.

I am picturing myself in a large mansion. Many of the rooms are filled with people, things, opportunities, or treasures. One room is where God alone waits for me. As I review my life I see how often I have bi-passed that room for all the others. Those have been my “you were not willing” moments. It is now that I have finally reached for the door knob, stepped inside, and come face to face with the One who will help me to walk intimately with Himself. He is assuring me I am safe, known, and loved. Others have been in this room with Him and their lives attest to the fact that it made all the difference in the world. I long to receive what they received and have that be my central focal point.

Father, You are calling me to a deeper place with Yourself. No human guides will be used at this time. It is just You and me. Amidst the uncertainties and insecurities are hope and anticipation. I come and I bow. Amen.

Look for the Conditions

Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear. Psalm 112:6-8 (New International Version)

There have been many times in my Christian life when this passage of Scripture would taunt me more than comfort me. The idea of not being shaken or in fear was as far removed from me as a steadfast and secure heart. But that was because I failed to see the conditions of such a proclamation. The picture that is being painted with God-breathed words is not the experience of many people….even among Christians. And when it isn’t, we want to blame God or others and walk with a confused and bitter spirit. When our life is in shambles and our foundations lie in a crumbled heap, we shake our heads and ask through clenched teeth and tear stained faces, “What happened?” If we really want to know and we have a teachable disposition, then God’s Word is opened up to answer us in a life changing way.

This morning the conditions are clear! This passage is speaking of one who lives a righteous life and places complete trust in God. When we trust Christ, we are made righteous, but that is not the end of the story. His righteousness enables us to live in cooperation with and obedience to God. It is not a life of self righteousness but rather a transformed life that is empowered by the Spirit of God and infused with the Word of God. It is allowing God to change us from the inside out and that will affect our thoughts, words, and actions. Add to this the elements of trust…childlike trust. Being confident and secure in God’s love and involvement in our life. Trusting Him for the strength, guidance, provision, and wisdom that we need on a daily basis.

But the promises of this passage will not be evident in my life if I choose to live my life simply by an outward performance of good works and fixing my eyes on people. If I am looking to others to give me all the answers and to instill in me confidence, security, assurance, and stability, then I am setting myself up for a huge fall that will eventually shake me to the very center of my being. I have lived that way and reaped the painful consequences. But things are changing as I dare to look into God’s Word, receive it as life altering truth, and take the conditions seriously.

Father, You are the One who has set my feet on solid rock and established my going. You are the One who will continue to develop my spiritual muscles which will enable me to walk, run, and fly with confidence and courage. Amen.

Moving Toward Intimacy

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3 (King James Version)

But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3 (New King James Version)

The words of Oswald Chambers, in My Utmost For His Highest, quickened my spirit this morning. He said, When once we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely, we never need sympathy, we can pour out all the time without being pathetic. The saint who is intimate with Jesus will never leave impressions of himself, but only the impression that Jesus is having unhindered way, because the last abyss of his nature has been satisfied by Jesus. The only impression left by such a life is that of the strong calm sanity that Our Lord gives to those who are intimate with Him. He managed to put into words the longing of my heart but lack of my own experience. Not lack of God’s desire and ability to give it but my own lack of receiving it fully. To be so satisfied in Him that I no longer look to former places of comfort and security. To be so enamored by Him that I no longer fix my eyes and attention on an individual. God’s offers are as good as promises waiting to be received.

As soon as I read the results of intimacy with Jesus I voiced to God my desire to have that and to know how to have it. God used something Sarah Young had written in Jesus Calling to infuse me with two necessary truths. She wrote on the topic of praise and I saw two things that were new to me. One is that God dwells equally in praise voiced in joy as well as in sorrow! To Him one is no better than the other….they are the same. Then she wrote something I needed to hear. She wrote that the joyous discipline of praise will help you live in the intimacy of Jesus’ presence.

To think that my praise, my celebration of who God is and all He does, is a dwelling place for Him and the way to intimacy with Him. It is the way to flesh out the abiding principle of John 15:1-4. While it is not the full scope of intimacy with God, it is certainly a praise worthy piece of the puzzle! It touches my heart to know that when I seek answers from Him, He gives them. He longs to be known and is willing to lead us into the knowledge and experience of intimacy with Himself. How I needed to receive this from His hands this morning!

Father, I don’t understand the full scope of intimacy with You. While I have progressed in my journey I have so long to go and so much to learn. Thank you for patiently and passionately guiding me. Amen.

Seeking Him

Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually. Psalm 105:4 (New American Standard Bible)

Someone once made the comment that I appear to be looking for something and haven’t quite found it yet. Their words struck me because they seemed to see this as a weakness. Yet, God assures me in His Word that seeking Him is not only a necessity but an invitation He extends to each of us. He knows our tendency to seek many things from many sources other than Himself and He longs for our searching to finally be directed toward Himself.

I found it interesting that there are two different Hebrew words used for “seek” in this verse. The first means to resort to and enquire of and the second means to desire to find. Both are necessary, for Jesus said to abide in Him, ask of Him, and love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. He gave the ‘how to’ of today’s verse.

While God will not always show me what He is doing or why He is doing it, He longs to show me Himself. He longs for me to live each day with the realization of who He is and what His heart and character are like. I know what it is like to be passionate about knowing someone and being known by them. I know what it is like to want another person to affirm, accept, and welcome me. God invites me to bring that same passion to my seeking of Him. To pour my heart and life into knowing Him, being transparent before Him, and receiving His love and affection toward me. It is only as I do THAT kind of seeking that I will find myself anointed by His strength and might.

As I enter a new day (and a new year) my heart’s cry is that He would reveal Himself to me in more poignant ways. He does not limit the ways He will do that either. His Self revelations will come through His Word, music, other believers, books, nature, circumstances, solitude, and Spirit. He is an open book to any who would dare to look upon the pages of His heart. He doesn’t play a game of Hide and Seek with us, but rather seek and find! I rest and revel in that truth!

Father, I have often wearied myself with a searching heart. I now seek You and am assured I will find you and know You as I seek You with all my heart, soul, and mind. I love You and seek You with abandon. Amen.

A Different Battle Tactic

For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5 (Amplified Bible)

Ask anyone who has been a Christian for any length of time and they will testify to the fact that we are in a battle. Whether it is in the spiritual, physical, or emotional realm of life we are often engaged in battle daily with either the world, the flesh, or the devil. Realizing this truth does not necessarily make it easy but at least it allows us to know who we are fighting against. But that is only half the story. Not only are we in a battle but we have weapons to use while fighting. Ephesians 6 lists the armor we are to put on daily….armor that is both offensive and defensive. There is also the power found in learning to pray Scripture and along with that learning to use our God-given authority. The list goes on and on. It boils down to warfare praying and warfare living.

So I was taken back yesterday when in the midst of what I knew to be an attack, God revealed another aspect that was new for me. As thoughts became dark and emotions ran wild, I sensed His invitation to hide in Him until the storm passed. Rather than a time to fight it became a time to rest. I will be honest with you, I didn’t know that was ever an option. And it worked! In the midst of the battlefield, He became my hiding place and shelter. And within that shelter, He exposed issues of my heart that needed to be addressed. Rather than fight the external forces, He was leading me to deal with some internal forces. And what were they? Fears, disappointments, loneliness, discomfort, wounds. Unless confronted and dealt with they would fester. God in His wisdom removed this soldier from the fight just as a wounded soldier would be removed from the battlefield.

For the entire day I stayed hidden. And when the night fell, the words of honesty poured from my mouth just as the tears fell from my eyes. As the depths of my heart were exposed, His healing balm was applied. What followed was a good night’s rest and a sense of refreshment when I woke. My internal world feels like the calm after the storm. I can almost smell the rain. When my eyes landed on today’s verse I KNEW that was what God had done and I am in awe of Him!

I am always amazed when I turn a spiritual corner and learn a new aspect of God and how He works. He is definitely a God of variety and victory. And I take that truth with me into a new day.

Father, there is so much about You that I still do not know. Thank you for the intentional ways You reveal yourself to me. Amen.

Peaceful Anticipation

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5 (New International Version)

Recently, I have had several conversations with several different people pertaining to several different issues and yet the message I keep receiving from God through them is the same…..wait on God. Being the kind of person who wants quick fixes and easy answers, this phrase is a challenge for me. The truth of the matter is that I don’t LIKE to wait and often don’t know HOW to wait. Far too many times than I care to admit, “waiting” becomes an opportunity for me to take matters into my own hands in order to “help God out.” How absurd to think that God needs my help and how even more absurd to think that I could actually help Him! After all, He is the One with the perfect timing, perfect view, perfect wisdom, perfect plan, and perfect character. I on the other hand exude imperfection in all of the afore mentioned categories!

I find it interesting that the words “wait” and “hope” are identical in meaning. They come from Hebrew words that mean to wait, look for, hope, and expect. They do not imply an inactive twiddling of thumbs but rather active anticipation. I am not waiting and hoping in the right way if I am bothered, disturbed, anxious, doubtful, or fearful. And that is often the case when I feel the responsibility rests on my shoulders. It is times like that when I realize I am not waiting for God and hoping in His Word, but rather I am relying on myself and the people in my life to bring about a desired end.

As with so many areas in life, waiting stems from trust and truth. My trust in God must be a confident reliance in His unchanging, unlimited, unending character. What I really know and believe about God will greatly affect my trust in Him and hence affect my ability to wait on Him. And what do I do during the wait?

Faithfully carry out His day by day instructions to me and review the truth that I matter to Him and He is passionately involved in my life. It all goes back to my relationship with Him and living my life out of connection with Him. Jesus said it best when He said, “Abide in me.” I have also heard it referred to as practicing His presence. It is getting into His Word and allowing His Word to get into me. Talking to Him and listening as He speaks to me. Meditating on the truths He teaches me. It is not a formula, it is faith and it is based entirely on who God is! My waiting is not in vain and will be rewarded beyond my wildest imagination.

Father, I wait on You for healing, direction, and opportunities! You really do make all things beautiful in YOUR time! Amen!

Brought Up As His Own

Mordecai had adopted her and brought her up as his own daughter. Esther 1:7b Today’s English Version

When Esther’s parents had died she was adopted by her cousin, Mordecai, and was loved, cared for, accepted, and brought up as his own daughter. She was his child in every sense of the word and he fathered her from his heart. How like our relationship with our Heavenly Father!

God’s Word says He chose us before the foundations of the world and as His adopted sons and daughters we are being brought up as His children. Not having had a close relationship with my earthly father, this truth about God is ministering to me this morning. He is bathing my spirit in the knowledge of His tender care and affection. Understanding that His love is unconditional and not dependent on what I am doing is the truth God used to start me on this journey three years ago. Everything else has been built on that foundation.

I needed to know the full extent and basis of His love when I began seeking freedom from legalism, when I was asked to resign from teaching over music choices, when I sought employment at the company I now work for, when I asked God to show me His heart in Scripture, and when He faithfully revolutionized my walk with Him. Presently, I need to continually take in the truth of His love as I experience His deeper work in my life and as I ponder what it is He would have me do for His kingdom work. His priority right now is that I learn to live each day embracing the truth of our father/daughter relationship.

So what are the things He is already whispering to me this morning? I matter to Him. He is involved in every area of my life. He is attentive to my needs. He holds my heart in His hands. He values me. He is carving out paths in my wilderness. He is wooing me to Himself. He is achieving His purpose in my life. He is bringing me to the point of finding satisfaction in Him alone. He is teaching me how to abide under the shadow of His wings. This list is like a quilt that He has woven and now places around my shoulders. From it, I take in warmth and comfort!

Someone once shared a Beth Moore quote with me. She said, “Just let God love you enough!” And God in turn says to me, “In your joy or sorrow, in your times of solitude or surrounded by friends, in your waking or sleeping moments, just let Me love you and love on you enough. I am bringing you up as my own daughter. I have no favorites. I hold nothing back. Let the knowledge of this transform you!”

Father, remove any obstacles that hinder me from taking You up on every offer You extend to me. Move Your words from my head to my heart so that I rest as
well as dance in Your presence. Amen.

Continually Connecting

Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come….my praise is continually of You….my mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your glory all day long….I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. Psalm 71:3,6,8,14 NASB

I cannot survive on chance meetings with God. Quiet times in the mornings will not carry me through my day. My needs are continual therefore meeting with my “need Meeter” must be continual. Problems arise, life gets hard, tears fall, frustrations mount, the enemy never rests, and my propensity toward sin is always existent, therefore praise and dependency upon God is a continual necessity. From the time I get up until the time I retire for the evening (and even as I sleep) my connection with God must remain a priority for me. After all, when in the course of a day do I not need Him? When is He not worthy of my praise? When can I afford to do or be without Him? The answer is…..NEVER!

God never intended for any of His children to exist independent of Him. He never tires of hearing our voice, answering our questions, calming our fears, or directing our life. He has no limits to the number of times we can cry out to Him or sit at His feet. Nothing in our life is considered insignificant to Him. I will never reach the point that I just don’t need Him as much. He is as vital as the air I breathe!

With the number of things in my life that change I welcome His continual invitation to me to live in His embrace, His company, and His strength. I simply cannot afford to distance myself from Him. My memory is still fresh with the decades of living otherwise. Times when His Word was rarely opened, prayers were rarely spoken, and practicing His presence was unfamiliar territory. I knew Christ as Savior but kept Him at arms length, not knowing it did not have to be like that!

Now I want God included in every decision I make, every conversation I have, every dream I dare to dream, and every part of my life. No one else is capable of being in all those places with me. No one else can be that attentive. No one else deserves my continual attention and praise! May I go to Him, think of Him, seek Him, and speak of Him non-stop!

Father, You invited me to live life like this. You waited patiently for me to see that. I have been won over by You! Amen.

The Way of Divine Companionship

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 NKJV

This morning the words from the book GOD CALLING got my attention! It was simply entitled “Companionship” and this is what it said…The way of the soul’s transformation is the Way of Divine Companionship. Not so much the asking Me to make you this or that but the living with Me, thinking of me, talking to Me---thus you grow like Me. Love Me. Rest in Me. Joy in Me. David knew the truth of that statement when he penned today’s verse. He looked to God for his path of life, fullness of joy, and pleasures forevermore. He was enraptured and enthralled by his Creator and desired to be in no ones presence as much as God’s.

I love relationships and presently that is the one area God seems to be touching the most. Not by bringing special people into my life but rather by distancing me from them or them from me. He is not doing it to be cruel. It is meant to be His invitation for me to experience Psalm 16:11 and His divine companionship. He knows the necessity of one on one time and the growth that will come from it. I see that now, but it has not always been so apparent to me. God has had to do a work in me just to prepare me for this part of the journey.

He had to show me why relationships meant so much to me and why I reacted so strongly when I sensed the loss or absence of a person. He has lovingly shown me areas of insecurity, feelings of insignificance, and the fear of abandonment and rejection. These not only affected my relationship with people, they affected my ability to embrace Him and trust Him to meet my internal needs.

There is no doubt in my mind that God has used people to help me in significant ways. They were His eyes, ears, and hands to me. But what was meant for healing will become a handicap if I do not allow Him to walk me through this new process. Many have walked it before me and I see the results in their lives. There are no shortcuts or quick fixes to growth and maturity in Christ. He sets the pace, direction, and destination of this journey. As I see that and open my heart to it, David’s words will be my testimony of praise. God will see to it!

Father, I haven’t always understood what You were doing. My questions, tears, and thoughts have revealed that. Thank you for doing what is necessary and holding me while You are doing it. Amen.

A Daily Necessity

Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king’s office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance. 2 Chronicles 24:11 KJV

I have learned over the past several years that God’s Word is limitless in its application to our lives. I miss its multi-layered effect if I read a verse and fail to allow it to live and breathe in my day and age. But when I approach Scripture with a hunger to see the richer meanings and deeper applications I am astounded.

This morning I did something I rarely do. During prayer, I opened the Bible at random, pointed to the above verse, and read it. The actual setting was in Jerusalem and the king, Joash, called for a chest to be placed in an area where the people could come and contribute to the cost of rebuilding the house of the Lord. This was done with such enthusiasm that the chest was emptied and refilled daily! What a site that must have been! It is a story that exudes with generosity. But the Spirit of God took this verse and broadened the scope for me. The last phrase leaped off the pages of my Bible and found a resting place in my thirsty heart! Here’s the application that became personal for me.

I am the chest. Emptied daily through life, relationships, work, family, and schedules. Each morning I come once again before the throne of God to gather in abundance the riches He lavishes on me through time spent with Himself. It is a day by day process. I cannot horde spiritual growth! Just as there is a continual out-going there must be a continual in-taking. Otherwise, I begin to live my life on “empty.” It honestly does not take long before I begin to wane in my spirit, mood, emotions, desires, and connection. Internally I begin to feel out of sorts with myself, others, and God.

This shifting comes throughout the day and the solution is always the same….reconnect with the heart of God through prayer, scripture, music, meditation, and stillness. I am a bottomless pit of longing and God is the artesian well for my spirit. I have spent too many years trying to quench the thirst and fill the voids apart from God….even as a believer. It has never worked! Now I respond to His desire to fill me and heal me. It doesn’t matter if it has been only 5 minutes or 5 hours, when the need arises He urges me to turn to Him. I am learning to go to Him as soon as the ache and longing become apparent. No more waiting. No more distractions. No more broken cisterns.

Father, may I, as Your chest, house the treasures You give to me time and time again. May my emptiness always be brought to You for filling! Amen.

My Ever Present Companion and Guide

For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48: 14 KJV

Moses had similar words to Joshua. As Joshua was about to become the leader of the children of Israel, Moses gave him this powerful charge in Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” It is imperative that I realize who is going before me and with me and who is my guide through this life. For it is far to easy too look to human leaders and guides and become secure under their watchful eye.

I am beginning to grasp the truth that a vast majority of my Christian life is a solo walk between God and myself. While God will certainly intersect my world with other people, for the most part they are occasional meetings. It is like each one of us are on an individual path with God and our paths cross the paths of others. Those places of intersection can be enjoyable, delightful, and even exhilarating. Much like a four hour conversation I had the other night with a close friend in Michigan. The phone conversation was a continual dialogue of God’s goodness and involvement in our lives. But finally at 1:30 a.m. the conversation came to an end as the phones were hung up. Once again, it was God and me.

I have reveled under the mentoring of a significant woman. Conversations and emails with her were definite high lights. Her advice was always filled with wisdom that I readily received. But after a year and a half she saw the need to step back and once again it was God and me.

This transitioning use to scare me as I felt safer with a flesh and blood person to encourage me along the way. That is when God’s words through David and Moses have to come and take root in my heart. That is when I need to realize my guide and source of direction and encouragement is my Heavenly Father. He graces my life with people and I praise Him for that! But He is the only constant and consistent companion in my life. May I get to the place where even when I am talking with a friend I sense God’s presence and hear His voice speaking through the other person. Alone with God? Yes, but no longer lonely! He never leaves or forsakes me.

Father, keep bringing me to the place where Your presence is felt and desired above all others. I praise the preciousness of You! Amen.

Necessary Awareness

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God. John 13:3 (KJV)

I have recently watched a couple episodes of American Idol. One thing stands out to me above all other things with that show. It is the misdirected trust the contestants place in the hands of the judges. They not only come with their dreams to succeed, they build their identity, worth, and value on what those judges think of them.

I ache for them because they remind me of myself and all the times I have looked to people to tell me who I was and what I was worth. Their opinion of me became the determining factor of how I viewed myself. I had yet to learn what Jesus knew! His total identity was found in the relationship He had with His Father. He knew that every thing in His life passed from His Father’s hands to His hands…..the joys as well as the sorrows. He knew where He came from and where He was going. Nothing in this life could take away or add to what He knew to be true.

I have found there is only one way for God to instill that kind of knowledge in me. It is in drawing me aside in solitude with Himself. He has spent the last year removing anything or anyone from my life that would hinder me from knowing Him and hence knowing who I really am. He knew what I was clinging to for security, identity, assurance, significance, and belonging. As He would purposefully pry each idol from my closed hands I responded with tears, fear, and dejection. I did not understand why He was doing what He was doing….until now. His ways seemed harsh and unloving at the time. But I have finally come to realize His desire all along was to get me to look to Him, know Him, and embrace Him. That is not possible if anything else stands in the way, has my attention, or holds my heart. He was simply clearing the way so we could finally be together.

I am still in a wilderness place with Him but I am beginning to see signs of life, evidence of growth, and the reality of His presence. My tears are being replaced with joy, my fears are being replaced with confidence, and my loneliness is being replaced with His companionship.

Father, You give and You take away in love. Continue to remove any thing from my life that distracts me from knowing You. I open my hands to release any thing or any one I am holding on to in place of You. Amen.

A Choice of Habitations

Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given commandment to save me; for Thou art my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:3

I went for a walk last night and had an encouraging time with God. I felt close to Him, strong in spirit, and at peace. It was “our” time together and I was enjoying the moment. Toward the end of the walk I asked Him what it was He wanted me to take with me from our time together. His answer was incredible! He simply said, “Remember this place with Me. Come to it as often as you want.” No second invitation was needed. My heart just wanted to stay in that place all night and that is just what I did.

When I saw this verse this morning I realized it was the capstone of what I had experienced last night. My place of abiding, my place of resting must be found with my Father. If I am in turmoil or distress I can make that my place of habitation. I can also make worry, anger, discouragement, and a host of other emotions my habitation. Being with people can become my habitation. They can become the places I frequent and remain in far too often and far too long.

I must be careful about making a habit out of inhabiting the wrong places. My mind can so easily take me to wrong thoughts, wrong motives, and wrong memories. The consequence will be turmoil for my spirit. The longer I stay the worse it will get. But I have a choice to either not go there in the first place or leave it to find my habitation with God.

I must choose to do what David did on a continual basis. As I desire to go to that place throughout each day it will become a habit for me and something I will eventually do instinctively. It doesn’t take a fancy prayer or a long time of meditation. When I simply tell God, “I want to go to our place” He knows what I mean and I am instantly there.

It is imperative that I see the importance of resorting to this place no matter what my mood or circumstances might be. I can come with joy and I can come with tears. I can come during difficult moments or events of great delight. In April I have two events I am planning to attend. During the events I can whisper to God that I want to go to our place. That way the events become yet another personal time with Him.

Father, David spoke much of dwelling places. May You become mine! Amen.

Disaster or Success?

Woe to the rebellious children, declares the LORD, who execute a plan, but not Mine, and make alliance, but not of My Spirit, in order to add sin to sin, who proceed down to Egypt without consulting Me, to take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! Isaiah 30:1,2

This is God’s list of offenses pertaining to His own children. These two verses can be summed up in five words…..YOU HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED ME!” How often am I guilty of living my Christian life without seeking His face? I too put plans into motion that are not His plans. I make alliances with someone other than God. I take step upon step without consulting Him. I seek shelter and safety in sources other than God. And then when life falls apart I ask God, “Where were You?” I have failed to desire His involvement in my life and then accused Him of abandoning me when the consequences of my own choices came about.

But these verses can become an instruction manual for success rather than a recipe for disaster. It starts with setting my own agendas aside and seeking what it is God wants to accomplish. God knows the plans He has for me ~ to prosper and do me good. THAT’S the plan I ought to be cooperating with. Seeking His plan and then acting on the revelation is much better than coming up with my own plan and desiring God to rubber stamp it with His approval.

Then I must make sure my alliance is with Him. That means connecting with God to further His work. It is the picture I get when two nations join forces to fight a common enemy. My union with God allows me fellowship and friendship of the deepest kind. Also, God desires that I consult Him. God should be the first and primary One from whom I seek advice and counsel. God has stored up wisdom for me. Why should I go after the counterfeits when the genuine is available? He longs for me to ask Him.

Lastly, I need to make sure my place of refuge, safety, and shelter is in Him. Oh, if God’s children would just realize the security found in Him! The bottom line is that God is inviting each of us to carry out His plan, become His ally, consult Him, and seek safety and shelter in Him. It is an invitation that is pregnant with possibilities.

Father, You are so extravagant with Your invitations. May Your desires become my mantras. Amen.

Revealing the Truth

Joseph made himself known to his brothers. Genesis 45:1

Judah's heart-wrenching request breaks the silence of Joseph. It has opened the door of full revelation. How powerful of a statement Joseph makes as his identity is finally acknowledged to his brothers. Reconciliation begins when both sides open their hearts to each other. Joseph's reunion with his brothers begins when he reveals who he really is.

The stage for this awareness has been set with tears, kindness, extravagance, and patience. It has been painful for Joseph to hold off telling his brothers who he really is until he knew their hearts had been properly prepared. What showed him that was the case? Acknowledgement of sin and change of character. They were now ready to hear the truth. They were now ready to know who this powerful person was. Their emotions are raw, their self sufficiency and arrogance have been stripped away, and they are crying out for mercy.

God brings me to that point many times. He knows what keeps me from closeness with Himself. Each time I allow Him to reveal Himself to me I learn something new about His character, His heart, and His ways. He has reminded me this morning that if I stay close to Him and walk with Him, He will guide me and bring about His plans and purposes for my life. I so often think it is activity for Him that He seeks. But He reminds me it is being in His presence that must come first. Moses reflected God's glory on his face after being in His presence. There was always work to do but the life giving essence flowed from time spent with his Father. It is no different for me. ALL things will flow out of my time with God.

Everything would change with Joseph's revelation to his brothers. And everything changes as God continues to reveal Himself to me.

Father, show me Who You are throughout today. I long to know You in ways that blow my mind. Amen!