Come near to God and He will come near to you. James 4:8
~ linger in His presence
~ listen to His voice
"Though everything may appear cold, dark, and strained -- may I be faithful in talking with my heavenly Father."
"To reach the place where the Word and prayer each have its undivided right over me, I must be wholly transformed."
Transformed by a Holy God ~ transformed by His grace ~ transformed by the power that is only found in His Son, Jesus. "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." Romans 1:16
"My day will respond to the morning watch time (quiet time) spent with God."Have you lingered in His presence today ~ listened to His voice? Oftentimes we go through our day, frazzled, falling apart and wondering why; when the very reason is that we didn't start our day with Him.
No one is without excuse. Whether you work outside your home or your job is in your home. Everyone can spend time with Him ~ the amount of time is between you and the Lord. I would encourage you to spend time with Him as your days begins, when you are the most fresh. I've heard it said that waiting until the end of the day to come near to Him is like tuning an orchestra after the concert is over. Notes were played, but everything was out of tune.
My kids are grown and have been out on their own for years, so I have plenty of time to linger in His presence. But what about young Mom's? First, you can spend time with Him ~ it will simply look a lot different than someone whose kids are grown. If all you can do is pray while you're holding your baby or child who is clinging to you in your arms ~ then pray. Rather than get frustrated, ask the Lord to guide your day. What a great example for our kids/grand kids when they hear us praying and seeking God's guidance. "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Lord today,
May each of us come near to You ~ linger in Your presence and listen for Your voice. May we hear Your voice louder than any other. May we trust in You with all our heart and fully lean on You ~ seeking You and trusting You to guide every step we take.
Note: Scripture is from NIV and all quotes are from Talking with God by Andrew Murray
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Encouragement for the Journey . . . 2014
This morning while I was reading my Bible during my quiet time with the Lord, I heard an all too familiar "thump". From time to time we have birds that run into our bay window outside our dining room. Not sure why they get so confused and run into it, but they do. Usually a little stunned at first, eventually they fly away.
That wasn't the case this morning. When I got up to see what had happened, I saw a little bird, head down in the snow. I immediately went and tried to help it, but it was too late. That little bird had apparently broken its neck and was never going to fly away.
Sad as I was, I was quickly reminded of how much God loves and takes care of the little birds and knows when one falls. Yet,how much more He loves and cares for us!!! He knows when we sit, when we stand, when we sleep and is familiar with all our ways ~ past ~ present and those to come. Nothing escapes His gaze ~ nothing is unnoticed by Him. "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart form the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31
Regardless of what your facing today ~ spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, or financially; God sees, He cares and He will help when we call on His name. He is big enough to handle anything we are going through.
He has given us a heart to know Him (Jeremiah 24:9) ~ provided the way through His Son, Jesus for each of us to have a personal relationship with Him (2 Corinthians 5:21) and graciously bears all our burdens (Psalm 68:19).
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
That wasn't the case this morning. When I got up to see what had happened, I saw a little bird, head down in the snow. I immediately went and tried to help it, but it was too late. That little bird had apparently broken its neck and was never going to fly away.
Sad as I was, I was quickly reminded of how much God loves and takes care of the little birds and knows when one falls. Yet,how much more He loves and cares for us!!! He knows when we sit, when we stand, when we sleep and is familiar with all our ways ~ past ~ present and those to come. Nothing escapes His gaze ~ nothing is unnoticed by Him. "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart form the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31
Regardless of what your facing today ~ spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, or financially; God sees, He cares and He will help when we call on His name. He is big enough to handle anything we are going through.
He has given us a heart to know Him (Jeremiah 24:9) ~ provided the way through His Son, Jesus for each of us to have a personal relationship with Him (2 Corinthians 5:21) and graciously bears all our burdens (Psalm 68:19).
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
Monday, January 13, 2014
Encouragement for the Journey . . . 2014
Steadfast Heart ~ Singing Heart
King David is known as the singer of songs. He rose early in the morning and sang praises to the Lord. Do you?
"My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of You among the peoples." Psalm 108:1-2 (see also, Psalm 57)
A steadfast heart is a "singing heart" as Warren Wiersbe says. Why? Because "confidence in God gives you something to sing about." (Warren Wiersbe ~ With the Word)
A steadfast heart is one that is:
-loyal - constant - faithful - committed in attitude - devoted - dedicated - steady- reliable - true - unchanging - unwavering - tireless. Do you have a steadfast heart?
When David wrote these Psalms he was in a battle; yet he did not waver in his devotion to the Lord. He remained steadfast in his trust and fully relied on the faithfulness of his God. Who do you rely on when the battle rages?
"For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted. O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth." Psalm 108:4-5
David's confidence grew as he cried out to the Lord and rested in His promises. He knew without a doubt his God would give him victory. Where does your victory come from?
"Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies." Psalm 108:12-13
"God leads us into the battle, helps us capture the enemy's strongholds, and gives us the victory. Verse 13 of Psalm 108 is David's version of Philippians 4:13. It was true for him, and it is true for you today." (Warren Wiersbe - With the Word)
Let your song today be:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
King David is known as the singer of songs. He rose early in the morning and sang praises to the Lord. Do you?
"My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of You among the peoples." Psalm 108:1-2 (see also, Psalm 57)
A steadfast heart is a "singing heart" as Warren Wiersbe says. Why? Because "confidence in God gives you something to sing about." (Warren Wiersbe ~ With the Word)
A steadfast heart is one that is:
-loyal - constant - faithful - committed in attitude - devoted - dedicated - steady- reliable - true - unchanging - unwavering - tireless. Do you have a steadfast heart?
When David wrote these Psalms he was in a battle; yet he did not waver in his devotion to the Lord. He remained steadfast in his trust and fully relied on the faithfulness of his God. Who do you rely on when the battle rages?
"For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted. O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth." Psalm 108:4-5
David's confidence grew as he cried out to the Lord and rested in His promises. He knew without a doubt his God would give him victory. Where does your victory come from?
"Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies." Psalm 108:12-13
"God leads us into the battle, helps us capture the enemy's strongholds, and gives us the victory. Verse 13 of Psalm 108 is David's version of Philippians 4:13. It was true for him, and it is true for you today." (Warren Wiersbe - With the Word)
Let your song today be:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
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