At times all we want is to hear from God and yet it's during those times....when we think we need to hear most....we seemingly don't hear anything. Then sitting and reflecting back on your time with Him you realize that....yes....you have indeed heard from the Lord....
This morning I just needed something and I wasn't even sure what. I was awake a 3:30 and wishing I wasn't! Turning on the TV I listened to some music then finally decided to get a cup of coffee and read my Bible....should have been the first thing I decided on! I turned to 1 Samuel and started at the beginning. I read about Samuel and finally came to this verse...
1 Samuel 6:6
6 Don’t
be stubborn and rebellious as Pharaoh and the Egyptians were. By the
time God was finished with them, they were eager to let Israel go.
I read in chapter 7 how the Philistines came to attack the Israelites but the Lord threw them into confusion and the Israelites won. Then Samuel placed a stone there to mark the place....and remember.... how the Lord had helped them through a tough time. Then Saul shows up. The people wanted a King and it looks like he is the man for the job....but Saul needed to really commit to God. God had chosen Saul but....like many of us....Saul had a few things to overcome first. In chapter 10 verse 9 things turned around....
1 Samuel 10:9
9 As Saul turned and started to leave, God gave him a new heart, and all Samuel's signs were fulfilled that day.
My study Bible says: God gave Saul courage and strength, helping him to overcome his hesitancy and enabling him to be king. As stated in 10:6.
1 Samuel 10:6
6 At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person.
Love this verse because what that says to me is that the Lord changes us....our hearts....when we allow Him to.
I just have to throw this in as a side note....
God was changing a lot of hearts and still is today! He is really awesome like that!!
I stopped reading when I got to chapter 11 and sat wondering what the first 10 chapters was saying to me....which is in part what I just shared with you. But another part of it was what came to my mind first. An old song....
Change my heart O God
Make it ever true
Change my heart O God
Make me more like You
You are the Potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray
Change my heart O God
Make me ever true
Change my Heart O God
Help me to be like You
Just like God changed Saul's heart He changes ours....if we allow Him too. There is really nothing I want more for myself than for God to be continually changing my heart and making me more like Him.
1 Samuel 10:26 says....
26 When Saul returned to his home at Gibeah, a group of men whose hearts God had touched went with him.
God touches people and changes hearts. He did it in Saul's day and He's still doing it today. I want more and more of God everyday. Because of this my prayer is simply this....
Change my heart O God and make me more like You. Help me to let You become greater and greater in my life and me....my old nature....become less and less in my life.
"until we see JESUS....face to face"
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Encouragement For Your Soul
My go to Bible passage to read, when I just need something to hold onto, is Psalm 23. Let me share it with you....
23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
I find this passage so encouraging to my soul. When the day is hard and we need comfort....rest....peace....encouragement....there is just simply no one else to go to but JESUS. He is the answer for all of our needs. JESUS is everything right to our everything that is wrong.
We really don't know what our tomorrow holds but we do know who holds our tomorrow in HIS hands. HIS name is JESUS and I"m so glad I know HIM. How about you....do you know HIM?
"until we all see JESUS....face to face"
23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
I find this passage so encouraging to my soul. When the day is hard and we need comfort....rest....peace....encouragement....there is just simply no one else to go to but JESUS. He is the answer for all of our needs. JESUS is everything right to our everything that is wrong.
We really don't know what our tomorrow holds but we do know who holds our tomorrow in HIS hands. HIS name is JESUS and I"m so glad I know HIM. How about you....do you know HIM?
"until we all see JESUS....face to face"
Adding To
Ash Wednesday was yesterday so there were many people I know talking about what they were giving up for Lent. Personally, I don't practice Lent but....because of the season and because I want to become as close to the Lord as I can....I decided not to give up something but to add something instead. So, for the next 40 days my plan is to do my best to get up early....about 4 a.m. workdays....and read His Word. In the past I have not been very successful at this but I know that this is the right time in my life to make this commitment. Just recently I told someone that all I really want is more and more of God....and I meant it. He is becoming more and more important each day. I feel an excitement that I have not felt in a long time and I'm loving that. This adding to....for at least the next 4o days....goes along with my word for this year....consistent. It's really pretty plain to me that without spending more time in His Word I really can't be very consistent. One of my very favorite verses is....
John 3:30 NLT
He must become greater and greater, I must become less and less.
The way I always say it to myself is....
More of Him and less of me. That truly is the cry of my heart and soul today. With all that's going on in the world we really need to make sure that we are ready for when Jesus comes back or He takes us home in some other way. But there's something else we need to do as well....talk to others about Him. Become His disciples in our turmoil filled world. People are hurting out there. We need to be the light in this dark world we live in. We need to show them the light that lives inside of us....JESUS is that light!
"until we all see JESUS....face to face"
John 3:30 NLT
He must become greater and greater, I must become less and less.
The way I always say it to myself is....
More of Him and less of me. That truly is the cry of my heart and soul today. With all that's going on in the world we really need to make sure that we are ready for when Jesus comes back or He takes us home in some other way. But there's something else we need to do as well....talk to others about Him. Become His disciples in our turmoil filled world. People are hurting out there. We need to be the light in this dark world we live in. We need to show them the light that lives inside of us....JESUS is that light!
"until we all see JESUS....face to face"
Monday, February 16, 2015
The Sinful Woman
This morning I read the story where Jesus is anointed by a sinful woman. I'm not going to put the whole story here but just two verses that are key to what I have to say today.
Luke 7:47-48
47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”
I really like this whole story but these two verses....they say it all for me! Even though my sins were many....and hard to even admit too....Jesus forgave me.
This last verse I'm going to take from the Amplified Bible because it just works for me....
Luke 7:50
But Jesus said to the woman, Your faith has saved you; go (enter) into peace [in freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin].
This verse really says it all this morning. If you have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins....He has. If you haven't there isn't a better time than now. Ask Him to forgive you and believe that He has. Lay down all your sin at His feet and walk away from it. He loves you. Now go and live for Him for the rest of your days.
"until we see JESUS....face to face"
Luke 7:47-48
47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”
I really like this whole story but these two verses....they say it all for me! Even though my sins were many....and hard to even admit too....Jesus forgave me.
This last verse I'm going to take from the Amplified Bible because it just works for me....
Luke 7:50
But Jesus said to the woman, Your faith has saved you; go (enter) into peace [in freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin].
This verse really says it all this morning. If you have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins....He has. If you haven't there isn't a better time than now. Ask Him to forgive you and believe that He has. Lay down all your sin at His feet and walk away from it. He loves you. Now go and live for Him for the rest of your days.
"until we see JESUS....face to face"
Friday, February 13, 2015
His Whisper
1 Kings 19:11-13
11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
WOW! In this one small lapse of time the Lord caused all kinds of mighty things to happen and yet....it was the whisper. Just a gentle whisper that God used to speak into Elijah. Can you just imagine that segment in time?! How many times do we ask God to speak to us? To let us know the answers we are craving! Then we realize....and hear....the still small voice He speaks to us with.
Yesterday....and again this morning....I have read this passage....many times....and each time it has stirred up an excitement within my soul. I am blessed today because the Lord has given me back something I have been missing for a while now....renewed passion and hunger for Him and His word! Not that He had taken it from me....no....I had allowed it to slip away. But for the last few days now every time I pick up His Word....every time I speak with others about Him....every time I listen to His Word in study....He has renewed me more and more. Isn't that just like the Lord to allow us to have what we have been needing....and reaching for....just exactly when we really think we can't go on without it!!
I need to tell you this morning that God is great and wonderful! He only wants the best for you and He is longing to give it to you! Sometimes you just need to take a step and then reach out when He offers you the answer you have been waiting for Him to give to you. The excitement that He places within you....the over powering love that you feel inside....is amazing and worth everything. Reach out to Him today. Let the Lord fill you up with His love and amazing grace. Stop waiting for Him to send you something in a big and mighty way....just listen for that still small voice....HIS whisper within your soul.
"until we see JESUS....face to face"
11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
WOW! In this one small lapse of time the Lord caused all kinds of mighty things to happen and yet....it was the whisper. Just a gentle whisper that God used to speak into Elijah. Can you just imagine that segment in time?! How many times do we ask God to speak to us? To let us know the answers we are craving! Then we realize....and hear....the still small voice He speaks to us with.
Yesterday....and again this morning....I have read this passage....many times....and each time it has stirred up an excitement within my soul. I am blessed today because the Lord has given me back something I have been missing for a while now....renewed passion and hunger for Him and His word! Not that He had taken it from me....no....I had allowed it to slip away. But for the last few days now every time I pick up His Word....every time I speak with others about Him....every time I listen to His Word in study....He has renewed me more and more. Isn't that just like the Lord to allow us to have what we have been needing....and reaching for....just exactly when we really think we can't go on without it!!
I need to tell you this morning that God is great and wonderful! He only wants the best for you and He is longing to give it to you! Sometimes you just need to take a step and then reach out when He offers you the answer you have been waiting for Him to give to you. The excitement that He places within you....the over powering love that you feel inside....is amazing and worth everything. Reach out to Him today. Let the Lord fill you up with His love and amazing grace. Stop waiting for Him to send you something in a big and mighty way....just listen for that still small voice....HIS whisper within your soul.
"until we see JESUS....face to face"
Monday, February 9, 2015
How Great You Are
Ephesians 3:19
May you experience the love of CHRIST, though it is too great to understand fully.
Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from GOD.
John 3:30
HE must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
Tonight I just seem to have a renewed passion....a soul overflowing....an amazing....unbelievable craving....for more and more of JESUS!!
What I just wrote still doesn't give the full description of what I feel in my heart! Why am I sharing this with you? All I can say is....because if you don't feel like this in some way you are missing out. I know because I have been missing out for sometime now.
I've known I was lacking in passion for God but didn't know how to get back to this place that I love so much....this place I long to live! Things happen to all of us that can extinguish the fire....at least that's what we think....the fire that drives us to live full out for God. But....I believe that the Holy Spirit keeps that fire alive in us even in those times that we think it's out. Then when we get to the place where something jump starts us and ignites that fire....we will know....and feel....the passion once again! For all of us it is probably something different that gets us to that place....whatever it is don't question it just go with it!
Already this week there has been a couple of things for me that just started that stirring within....that soul overflowing feeling....that fire!! The first one was church on Sunday. The second one was tonight....my favorite song....How Great Thou Art. To me there is absolutely nothing that compares....in song....to this one. I love all the verses and the chorus but Oh!....when we get to the last chorus and verse I can hardly contain myself....
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Wow....I can just picture this in my mind! Then I shall bow....me....I will be there and I will see JESUS....face to face....I stand amazed!!
"until we all see JESUS....face to face"
May you experience the love of CHRIST, though it is too great to understand fully.
Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from GOD.
John 3:30
HE must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
Tonight I just seem to have a renewed passion....a soul overflowing....an amazing....unbelievable craving....for more and more of JESUS!!
What I just wrote still doesn't give the full description of what I feel in my heart! Why am I sharing this with you? All I can say is....because if you don't feel like this in some way you are missing out. I know because I have been missing out for sometime now.
I've known I was lacking in passion for God but didn't know how to get back to this place that I love so much....this place I long to live! Things happen to all of us that can extinguish the fire....at least that's what we think....the fire that drives us to live full out for God. But....I believe that the Holy Spirit keeps that fire alive in us even in those times that we think it's out. Then when we get to the place where something jump starts us and ignites that fire....we will know....and feel....the passion once again! For all of us it is probably something different that gets us to that place....whatever it is don't question it just go with it!
Already this week there has been a couple of things for me that just started that stirring within....that soul overflowing feeling....that fire!! The first one was church on Sunday. The second one was tonight....my favorite song....How Great Thou Art. To me there is absolutely nothing that compares....in song....to this one. I love all the verses and the chorus but Oh!....when we get to the last chorus and verse I can hardly contain myself....
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Wow....I can just picture this in my mind! Then I shall bow....me....I will be there and I will see JESUS....face to face....I stand amazed!!
"until we all see JESUS....face to face"
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