Proverbs 2:4-5 "If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
I love to read. Books intrigue and inspire me. I own a room full of books of many kinds. When I shop at book stores, I look at titles and the cover picture to get an idea about the book's contents. If I like what I see I may read the jacket or a passage or two, but I will not know what special places that book will take me until I buy it and begin to read.
The Scriptures are full of wonderful insights into living a life in relationship with God and others. Its treasures can never be fully uncovered. I guess that is why I can't stop reading it. I love the thrill of finding the priceless treasure hidden within its pages. The Word longs to be found. He has made Himself known to those who hunt for Him. When I take the time to read and reread the Bible I become rich in knowing God. I would be wise to enjoy the hunt and dig deep whenever I can!
God, my Father, You are the treasure I seek. You are worthy to be sought and yet I I sometimes read Your precious Word carelessly. I sift through the words without digging deep to find the Truth and the amazing revelations that You have hidden. Father, thank You for making this a fun and interesting way to get to know You! Thank You for hiding Yourself within these pages, words and stories so that I can find YOU! I want to know You more!
Showing posts with label relationship with God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label relationship with God. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Friday, July 23, 2010
Lists
I have a long list of things needing to get done. As I cross off one it seems that two or three more show up! I like my lists. I like knowing what I need to do and what I've finished. They are a visual reminder that I am moving toward my goals.
Lists are not always complete. There are always surprises that come into my day that were not on any paper, or even in my thoughts! Sometimes those little surprises are from God, but they can also be from the enemy who would keep me from the tasks God has already given me. It is also true that some things I have put on my list are not things I should be spending my time doing. They may not be wrong, but they keep me from my purpose.
I find that I like lists for my Christian walk too. I want a list of dos and don'ts. I want to check up on what is right and wrong. Though I may like the Christian to-do list, I know that a relationship cannot be put on a list. If I put my marriage relationship on a list it might look like this:
1. Give Patrick a kiss upon waking up.
2. Make Patrick breakfast before he goes off to work.(He wouldn't eat it though)
3. Wash his clothes
4. Make his dinner
5. Smile when he comes in the door.
6. Give him time to unwind before sharing my day.
7. Snuggle with him on the couch watching the sports channel.
8. Kiss him goodnight.
Yes, it could be a lot longer and more detailed and include much more. I DON'T follow a list with my husband. I would become like a Stepford wife, or a robot wife. Relationships cannot be put into lists. The same is for my relationship with God.
In relationship we may share our lists of likes and dislikes, but then it is love that draws us to make life lovely for the one we love by surprising them with their list being fulfilled. God does that for me! He often surprises me with something wonderful that is on my "I like that" list. Butterflies, sunsets brilliant with color, stars and moon light nights, new babies, friends and the love of a godly man. God loves me by giving even more than that which is on my list. He gave His Son! He knows me. He speaks to me. He disciplines me. No list can contain His love. I want to have love that cannot be contained on a list. How about you?
Lord God, Lover of my soul, You are beyond everything I could ever ask or dream! You gave us Your list of don'ts only to show us that we need You in our lives. You give us Yourself, and in that relationship You make the list disappear. I now only have love , not a list to look at. Thank You for loving me beyond the beyond! I give my love to You too!
Lists are not always complete. There are always surprises that come into my day that were not on any paper, or even in my thoughts! Sometimes those little surprises are from God, but they can also be from the enemy who would keep me from the tasks God has already given me. It is also true that some things I have put on my list are not things I should be spending my time doing. They may not be wrong, but they keep me from my purpose.
I find that I like lists for my Christian walk too. I want a list of dos and don'ts. I want to check up on what is right and wrong. Though I may like the Christian to-do list, I know that a relationship cannot be put on a list. If I put my marriage relationship on a list it might look like this:
1. Give Patrick a kiss upon waking up.
2. Make Patrick breakfast before he goes off to work.(He wouldn't eat it though)
3. Wash his clothes
4. Make his dinner
5. Smile when he comes in the door.
6. Give him time to unwind before sharing my day.
7. Snuggle with him on the couch watching the sports channel.
8. Kiss him goodnight.
Yes, it could be a lot longer and more detailed and include much more. I DON'T follow a list with my husband. I would become like a Stepford wife, or a robot wife. Relationships cannot be put into lists. The same is for my relationship with God.
In relationship we may share our lists of likes and dislikes, but then it is love that draws us to make life lovely for the one we love by surprising them with their list being fulfilled. God does that for me! He often surprises me with something wonderful that is on my "I like that" list. Butterflies, sunsets brilliant with color, stars and moon light nights, new babies, friends and the love of a godly man. God loves me by giving even more than that which is on my list. He gave His Son! He knows me. He speaks to me. He disciplines me. No list can contain His love. I want to have love that cannot be contained on a list. How about you?
Lord God, Lover of my soul, You are beyond everything I could ever ask or dream! You gave us Your list of don'ts only to show us that we need You in our lives. You give us Yourself, and in that relationship You make the list disappear. I now only have love , not a list to look at. Thank You for loving me beyond the beyond! I give my love to You too!
House Hunting
Today we began house hunting. It was fun, a little exciting, and yes, even a bit scary. Out of three houses, we liked one the best. I could see myself living there, and almost immediately, I began making plans as to where I could put my stuff. You may think I am ready to move....but wait. There are other things that must fall into place before we sign a contract. It is those things that are a bit nerve jostling and uncertain.
My Christian walk is somewhat like house hunting. I am looking for "...the city whose founder and builder is God." Hebs. 11:10. It is fun and exciting to catch glimpses of my heavenly home in scripture or sometimes even in the exquisite beauty of nature. It is also a bit overwhelming. I long to be there, and yet, I am not ready to be there. I have much to do before I enter my heavenly home and begin to explore the city of God.
For now, I'll settle for the wonderful adventure of house hunting here on earth. I know God's presence is with me. He will guide and lead me to the place where I can call home for just a little while. (P.S. I am following the lead of my Pastor John in saying that home for me is wherever my husband Patrick is and where God has lead us.)
Father, You are where I want to be. You are the presence in whom I long to dwell. My home here on earth pales to Your Glory. Thank You for giving Patrick and I the chance to explore new places. Thank You for leading us on a new adventure! Help us to hear Your voice and to be wise. Teach us to wait on You so that You will be glorified in the provision You give us! We trust You!
My Christian walk is somewhat like house hunting. I am looking for "...the city whose founder and builder is God." Hebs. 11:10. It is fun and exciting to catch glimpses of my heavenly home in scripture or sometimes even in the exquisite beauty of nature. It is also a bit overwhelming. I long to be there, and yet, I am not ready to be there. I have much to do before I enter my heavenly home and begin to explore the city of God.
For now, I'll settle for the wonderful adventure of house hunting here on earth. I know God's presence is with me. He will guide and lead me to the place where I can call home for just a little while. (P.S. I am following the lead of my Pastor John in saying that home for me is wherever my husband Patrick is and where God has lead us.)
Father, You are where I want to be. You are the presence in whom I long to dwell. My home here on earth pales to Your Glory. Thank You for giving Patrick and I the chance to explore new places. Thank You for leading us on a new adventure! Help us to hear Your voice and to be wise. Teach us to wait on You so that You will be glorified in the provision You give us! We trust You!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Garden of Eden
The presence of God makes any place heaven. If this is true then Adam and Eve lived in heaven, in the presence of God, before they were removed from the Garden of Eden because of their sin.
In the Garden of Eden, Adam could experience God in all of creation. It must have been an incredible place of beauty and holiness! It was also a place in which Adam was free. He was free to choose. That is a mystery of heaven. Choice is still available to us. Its goodness and holiness is ours to enjoy or to reject.
Would I reject heaven? Adam did. Angels rejected heaven too. The truth is: there is no heaven without choice. God is everywhere, but if we so choose, He will allow us to live without Him. That would certainly be a sad choice.
Lord God of Heaven and earth, Your presence is the ultimate choice! You are worth the price of my losing all that is removed from You. Sadly I have chosen wrongly many times. I thank You for taking those wrong choices and removing them through the awful sacrifice of Your Son's crucifixion. Lead me to make the right choices, Lord. Lead me into Your presence. Let heaven dwell within me.
In the Garden of Eden, Adam could experience God in all of creation. It must have been an incredible place of beauty and holiness! It was also a place in which Adam was free. He was free to choose. That is a mystery of heaven. Choice is still available to us. Its goodness and holiness is ours to enjoy or to reject.
Would I reject heaven? Adam did. Angels rejected heaven too. The truth is: there is no heaven without choice. God is everywhere, but if we so choose, He will allow us to live without Him. That would certainly be a sad choice.
Lord God of Heaven and earth, Your presence is the ultimate choice! You are worth the price of my losing all that is removed from You. Sadly I have chosen wrongly many times. I thank You for taking those wrong choices and removing them through the awful sacrifice of Your Son's crucifixion. Lead me to make the right choices, Lord. Lead me into Your presence. Let heaven dwell within me.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Knowledge
"Knowledge hurts sometimes!" My granddaughter, Paige, exclaimed the other day. I had to agree with her.
I have pondered her words and I'm reminded that God, Himself, imposed limits on knowledge back in the Garden of Eden. The one tree forbidden to eat of its fruit was the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil. There is much good to learn in our world. I must agree with God that the Knowledge of Evil hurts. Is there Good that we should not know? Does knowing good hurt also? If our marvelously GOOD God would withhold good from us there must be a reason. There is so much I do not know about the knowledge of good and evil.
I love to learn about this great and wonderful world. I love the life stories of people who have graced our planet and I learn so much from them. I especially enjoy learning about God. Knowledge to me is delightful most of the time, but there are moments when it hurts. When I am forced to change because of the facts presented to me, or when my comfortable world of relationships and circumstances are upended because of a new piece of information, it can hurt. It is then that my Faithful, All-Knowing God makes the knowledge of hurtful things to be good in my life.
Omniscient God and Father, You are always near, leading me and teaching me the things I must know. You give me knowledge of You and I thank You for the privilege of being Your child! When knowledge hurts, Lord, draw me close to You. Guard my mind and thoughts against the evil of this world and watch over me in good times and bad! I love You !
I have pondered her words and I'm reminded that God, Himself, imposed limits on knowledge back in the Garden of Eden. The one tree forbidden to eat of its fruit was the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil. There is much good to learn in our world. I must agree with God that the Knowledge of Evil hurts. Is there Good that we should not know? Does knowing good hurt also? If our marvelously GOOD God would withhold good from us there must be a reason. There is so much I do not know about the knowledge of good and evil.
I love to learn about this great and wonderful world. I love the life stories of people who have graced our planet and I learn so much from them. I especially enjoy learning about God. Knowledge to me is delightful most of the time, but there are moments when it hurts. When I am forced to change because of the facts presented to me, or when my comfortable world of relationships and circumstances are upended because of a new piece of information, it can hurt. It is then that my Faithful, All-Knowing God makes the knowledge of hurtful things to be good in my life.
Omniscient God and Father, You are always near, leading me and teaching me the things I must know. You give me knowledge of You and I thank You for the privilege of being Your child! When knowledge hurts, Lord, draw me close to You. Guard my mind and thoughts against the evil of this world and watch over me in good times and bad! I love You !
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Ripples
The waters are being stirred! God is moving in a mighty way. If we have eyes let us see if we have ears let us hear! If we have a voice let us shout His name throughout the earth!
This year has been full of the movement of God around me. I am delighted to be involved in what He is doing. Sunday there was no doubt He made a special visit to our church body! Our Pastor challenged those who had not made a public confession for Christ in Baptism to come forward. They came! 43 from 2 services entered the waters of baptism with the clothes in which they came to church. Young and old came and the waters were stirred! Those 43 were not the only ones moved. There were tears that flowed and hearts that were touched. I believe there were hearts changed and people who believed for the first time!
The stirring has not stopped! Patrick and I asked for a miracle healing for his knee in the midst of the stirring. We seek wisdom from God not just the medical community. God is uniting our family after a long wait. He is bringing home the prodigal and setting right the order of the family! We have prayed for revival and we want it first in our hearts and our family!
There are many signs that Jesus may soon come again to take His church as His bride. Even if this is not the time prophesied I believe we are being readied for when it does come. We are falling in love again with our first love! We are being cleansed and renewed. We are being readied for our Bridegroom!
The waters are stirring........What do you desire from God? He is here. He is enough. He is waiting! Come!
God of wonders, You are Faithful, True, Glorious, Real! You are Hope. I cannot stand in Your presence! My knee must bow before You! I am only worthy because of Your Son And His shed blood to enter into Your Throne room! Thank You for letting me see, letting me hear, letting me stand beside You in the work You are doing! show me what You would have me do! I will follow You. I will do it!
This year has been full of the movement of God around me. I am delighted to be involved in what He is doing. Sunday there was no doubt He made a special visit to our church body! Our Pastor challenged those who had not made a public confession for Christ in Baptism to come forward. They came! 43 from 2 services entered the waters of baptism with the clothes in which they came to church. Young and old came and the waters were stirred! Those 43 were not the only ones moved. There were tears that flowed and hearts that were touched. I believe there were hearts changed and people who believed for the first time!
The stirring has not stopped! Patrick and I asked for a miracle healing for his knee in the midst of the stirring. We seek wisdom from God not just the medical community. God is uniting our family after a long wait. He is bringing home the prodigal and setting right the order of the family! We have prayed for revival and we want it first in our hearts and our family!
There are many signs that Jesus may soon come again to take His church as His bride. Even if this is not the time prophesied I believe we are being readied for when it does come. We are falling in love again with our first love! We are being cleansed and renewed. We are being readied for our Bridegroom!
The waters are stirring........What do you desire from God? He is here. He is enough. He is waiting! Come!
God of wonders, You are Faithful, True, Glorious, Real! You are Hope. I cannot stand in Your presence! My knee must bow before You! I am only worthy because of Your Son And His shed blood to enter into Your Throne room! Thank You for letting me see, letting me hear, letting me stand beside You in the work You are doing! show me what You would have me do! I will follow You. I will do it!
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