Be Still and Know that I am God
Often, in my own life, I have spent much of my prayer time asking God for answers and direction. Recently, I have had an experience wherein I found myself begging God for answers…I had moved beyond the polite and patient to a desperate cry. I was expecting a sign from Him that would be so unmistakable that the whole world would see the answer. Funny how things don’t normally happen the way we plan them. My answer came quietly, calmly…it washed over me in waves of peace. I did not get a talking, burning bush…and the sun didn’t stop its course for me…yet I knew what He was saying. Last night I was reflecting on the past weeks events, and really feel that I received a word from God. I have heard the verse, “Be still and know that I am God,” many times in the course of my life and depending on the pressing problem or situation, have interpreted its meaning differently…this time I feel that new light was shed.
Be Still and Know that I am God means have peace, my love, I am in control of your finances, your job, your children, your spouse, your dreams, your hearts desires, every facet of your life…after all…I am the One who made it all. We don’t need direct answers from Him about every situation…don’t get me wrong, if God had a cell phone..I’d be texting him constantly, but all we need to know is that He is God, and that He will bring about what He wants as long as we are willing.
Trust Him...know that He is God and rest confidently in His peace.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Be Thou My Vision
Be thou my vision, O lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best thought by day or by night, waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight, Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight. Thou my souls shelter, Thou my high tower. Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my Power
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my Treasure thou art.
Ancient Irish Hymn
Oh how true these words ring. I am fortunate enough to get away for a few days of reflection this weekend...a much needed respite from my cares. I am already missing my family, but thankful for a few moments of uninterrupted thoughts thus far. This morning, as I was sitting, with no distraction, basking in silence...I started mulling over the words of this song. Oh that Jesus would be my vision...my dignity, my delight, my souls shelter, my inheritance, my best thought...if I really lived that way...what a difference that would make in my daily rituals. I know these things in my mind...I have been taught from childhood of the greatness of God, but what would it look like if I were really living as if I knew that these things were true? If Christ was really my vision, how would I respond to people, and situations? If God himself were my dignity, not what I look like or what I possess, my heart would be content. My satisfaction would be in Him. The Irish had it right when these words were penned. Oh that you, my Jesus, would be my vision today, my best thought, my shield. Oh that I would seek you and not the empty praise of men. Be first in my heart, my treasure.
Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight, Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight. Thou my souls shelter, Thou my high tower. Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my Power
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my Treasure thou art.
Ancient Irish Hymn
Oh how true these words ring. I am fortunate enough to get away for a few days of reflection this weekend...a much needed respite from my cares. I am already missing my family, but thankful for a few moments of uninterrupted thoughts thus far. This morning, as I was sitting, with no distraction, basking in silence...I started mulling over the words of this song. Oh that Jesus would be my vision...my dignity, my delight, my souls shelter, my inheritance, my best thought...if I really lived that way...what a difference that would make in my daily rituals. I know these things in my mind...I have been taught from childhood of the greatness of God, but what would it look like if I were really living as if I knew that these things were true? If Christ was really my vision, how would I respond to people, and situations? If God himself were my dignity, not what I look like or what I possess, my heart would be content. My satisfaction would be in Him. The Irish had it right when these words were penned. Oh that you, my Jesus, would be my vision today, my best thought, my shield. Oh that I would seek you and not the empty praise of men. Be first in my heart, my treasure.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Shhh...and Walk
Last weekend I attended a church in my area for the first time. The speaker was a guest (this seems to be the trend when I visit churches...), and it being my first time, my expectations were not high. The music played, the announcements were made, and then the guest got up to speak. The message was about Joshua and the battle of Jericho...how God commanded the people to be quiet, and walk. That's it...be quiet...and walk. He didn't tell them to try to reason with the people of Jericho, to explain what they were doing...I'm sure they appeared to be crazy fools to those behind the wall, after all what were they doing anyway? Why were they walking in silence around and around? Can you even imagine what was said about them the last day when they circled the city seven times in the blazing heat? I believe the same is true of us. We are faced with "walls" in our own lives, and we have a choice of how we are going to handle things. God asked them to be quiet, and walk. I wonder if He asks the same of us. I'm sure he does. Don't get me wrong, there is a time and a place for words, words that have been prayed about and contemplated...but there is a time for being quiet, praying, listening to the Spirit, and walking. We are called to walk in truth, living the life that our words have professed. Its so easy to talk at people, to point out what areas they need help in in their lives, where they have gone wrong, and how they can fix it. Its a natural reaction to try to immediately correct the issues we may face. I think we tend to be people who want to fix things immediately...to have a quick answer to everything, to broadcast our opinion on every subject, to have the cure to what ails...all with the best intentions of course. There is a time, however, where the best answer is silence. Instead of coming up with a quick retort to crush our opponent...really praying and contemplating words that will build, and not tear down! Of course, in the case of Josh and the big wall (thank you Veggie Tales)...when the Israelites were finally aloud to speak...the wall came crashing down, and God delivered the city into their hands. What would happen if we spent the time figuratively walking around our issues, covering them in prayer, asking the Spirit to guide the words that come from our lips and the exact timing of it all...what kind of victory would there be then?
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Free from Organization?
What does it mean, practically speaking, to serve God with your whole being? I know I'm not alone in thinking, most of the time, that we can keep certain parts of us...to ourselves. Compartmentalizing is such a natural human response to life. In fact, I have friends who could put my entire life into neat little boxes and bins with a shiny label on the front! I missed the train when it comes to organization, yet I still section off parts of me...sacred...hidden...left unchanged. How do we,as Christians, open up all of those shiny, neatly stuffed boxes full of whatever we are trying to hide from God, or humanity? The sin, the failure, the fear, the insecurity, whatever the contents of those boxes they need to be emptied...let into the light...confessed to Christ so that we can experience the freedom that He alone can offer. What would it be like if we were totally exposed in Christ, washed clean in His love, with nothing left hidden under lock and key in the filing cabinets of our souls? True freedom. Undeserved. Graciously given. When we find freedom in Him, it is then we can serve Him with heart, mind, and Soul...our whole being.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Be Still...
Often, in my own life, I have spent much of my prayer time asking God for answers and direction. Recently, I have had an experience wherein I found myself begging God for answers…I had moved beyond the polite and patient to a desperate cry. I was expecting a sign from Him that would be so unmistakable that the whole world would see the answer. Funny how things don’t normally happen the way we plan them. My answer came quietly, calmly…it washed over me in waves of peace. I did not get a talking, burning bush…and the sun did not stop its course for me…yet I knew what He was saying. Last night I was reflecting on the past weeks events, and really feel that I received a word from God. I have heard the verse, “Be still and know that I am God,” many times in the course of my life and depending on the pressing problem or situation, have interpreted its meaning differently…this time I feel that new light was shed.
Be Still and Know that I am God means have peace, my love, I am in control of your finances, your job, your children, your spouse, your dreams, your hearts desires, every facet of your life…after all…I am the One who made it all. We don’t need direct answers from Him about every situation…don’t get me wrong, if God had a cell phone..I’d be sending Him a text constantly, but all we need to know is that He is God, and that He will bring about what He wants as long as we are willing.
Trust Him...know that He is God and rest confidently in His peace.
Be Still and Know that I am God means have peace, my love, I am in control of your finances, your job, your children, your spouse, your dreams, your hearts desires, every facet of your life…after all…I am the One who made it all. We don’t need direct answers from Him about every situation…don’t get me wrong, if God had a cell phone..I’d be sending Him a text constantly, but all we need to know is that He is God, and that He will bring about what He wants as long as we are willing.
Trust Him...know that He is God and rest confidently in His peace.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Fear
"Those God uses greatly seem to greatly battle fear." -Beth Moore
I have had the priviledge of doing a study by Beth Moore on the patriarchs in the Bible. It has been great so far, as expected. This week as I was listening to her on the DVD, the words above penetrated my soul. I heard the rest of the lesson, I wrote down the answers to all the fill in the blanks, but I could not escape. "Those God uses greatly seem to greatly battle fear."
In my life, I have greatly battled fear. I have also had a strong desire to be used greatly by God. I struggle with the thought of the two being intertwined, and yet, strangely, it makes sense. Not long ago, fear had become the norm, a way of life. I had no reprive. For several years, I battled panic. I couldn't sit in church without my heart pounding, my mind racing. I struggled to concentrate on conversations, or movies because I was consumed to my core. I would lay awake at night tossing and turning, sweating, struggling to breathe...paralyzed. I begged God on many occasions to heal me, to give me peace. He always answered, and gave me peace for a time, but it wasn't long before I allowed myself to be enslaved once again.
Strangely, throughout this time, I still had a strong desire to do something great for God. I thought that He would use me in a particular way. I had lofty goals, all of which remained unsaid, but lingered proudly in my thoughts and dreams. I was sure that I would be great. That greatness was essential for success...greatness measured by man himself. Therein lies the problem...I would be great. Of course, in my mind I would be doing great things for God, but would the glory be given to God or man?
In July of 2006, my family took a vacation together. Things were going great, I was happy, I was at peace. I was surrounded by my family, never alone, but one night as I was trying to go to sleep, my heart began to race. I began to sweat, and I thought I was dying. I ran down the stairs, where my brother, his wife Christina, and my mom were talking. They immediately noticed something wrong and started to pray. We prayed for hours, literally, for God to deliver me from fear...for me to be released from this oppresion that had taken over my life. God was faithful, is faithful. I can honestly say that I have not had dibilitating fear since that day, July 4, 2006. I have had battles with it, but in the end there is victory. Interestingly enough, my turning point was Independence day...a coincidence? Absolutely not. His every move is intentional, down to the finest detail.
Since that time, my thoughts on being used greatly by God have changed. I admire those who He has called to become public figures for His cause. I also see that there are so many who God uses greatly without their knowledge of it. I hope to be a person, despite my struggles with fear, who can be used by God. I have noticed that He uses me the most when I have the least amount of strength to do it on my own. It is then that I have to completely rely on Him, casting all my fears on Him, depending on Him for every step. Sometimes what God has called us to do seems so insignificant and menial, going unnoticed by others. It is in those times where no glory can come to us, no credit can be given. It is then that He can weave us into the fabric of His great plan. How can we ask for more? Fear, or whatever issue is at hand at the moment, has a way of keeping me on my knees, allowing God to lift my eyes to Him...and away from myself...looking to Him for the next step, which is where I need to be. I wan't to be greatly used by God, even if it means that I greatly battle fear.
I have had the priviledge of doing a study by Beth Moore on the patriarchs in the Bible. It has been great so far, as expected. This week as I was listening to her on the DVD, the words above penetrated my soul. I heard the rest of the lesson, I wrote down the answers to all the fill in the blanks, but I could not escape. "Those God uses greatly seem to greatly battle fear."
In my life, I have greatly battled fear. I have also had a strong desire to be used greatly by God. I struggle with the thought of the two being intertwined, and yet, strangely, it makes sense. Not long ago, fear had become the norm, a way of life. I had no reprive. For several years, I battled panic. I couldn't sit in church without my heart pounding, my mind racing. I struggled to concentrate on conversations, or movies because I was consumed to my core. I would lay awake at night tossing and turning, sweating, struggling to breathe...paralyzed. I begged God on many occasions to heal me, to give me peace. He always answered, and gave me peace for a time, but it wasn't long before I allowed myself to be enslaved once again.
Strangely, throughout this time, I still had a strong desire to do something great for God. I thought that He would use me in a particular way. I had lofty goals, all of which remained unsaid, but lingered proudly in my thoughts and dreams. I was sure that I would be great. That greatness was essential for success...greatness measured by man himself. Therein lies the problem...I would be great. Of course, in my mind I would be doing great things for God, but would the glory be given to God or man?
In July of 2006, my family took a vacation together. Things were going great, I was happy, I was at peace. I was surrounded by my family, never alone, but one night as I was trying to go to sleep, my heart began to race. I began to sweat, and I thought I was dying. I ran down the stairs, where my brother, his wife Christina, and my mom were talking. They immediately noticed something wrong and started to pray. We prayed for hours, literally, for God to deliver me from fear...for me to be released from this oppresion that had taken over my life. God was faithful, is faithful. I can honestly say that I have not had dibilitating fear since that day, July 4, 2006. I have had battles with it, but in the end there is victory. Interestingly enough, my turning point was Independence day...a coincidence? Absolutely not. His every move is intentional, down to the finest detail.
Since that time, my thoughts on being used greatly by God have changed. I admire those who He has called to become public figures for His cause. I also see that there are so many who God uses greatly without their knowledge of it. I hope to be a person, despite my struggles with fear, who can be used by God. I have noticed that He uses me the most when I have the least amount of strength to do it on my own. It is then that I have to completely rely on Him, casting all my fears on Him, depending on Him for every step. Sometimes what God has called us to do seems so insignificant and menial, going unnoticed by others. It is in those times where no glory can come to us, no credit can be given. It is then that He can weave us into the fabric of His great plan. How can we ask for more? Fear, or whatever issue is at hand at the moment, has a way of keeping me on my knees, allowing God to lift my eyes to Him...and away from myself...looking to Him for the next step, which is where I need to be. I wan't to be greatly used by God, even if it means that I greatly battle fear.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
True Love
I went to the wedding of my friend this past weekend. It was beautiful, she was beautiful, and I was reminded of what loving someone really means. The pastor read the familiar 1Corinthians 13:4-8, that I have heard many times before, especially at weddings. However, this time it really hit home, giving me a fresh perspective on how to love my husband and children with true love,as defined by God himself. So I decided to jot down a few things that came to mind as I heard, again, how to make love an action, not just a word or feeling. Each piece of the puzzle alone is wonderful, but when put together creates God's masterpiece...so important to Him that it is the greatest commandment...to love him, and love others. I pray that I can put love into action, and by doing that, become more like Christ.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (New International Version)
4Love is patient,when the kids get out of bed for the 100th time...in one night! Love is kind, even when others are not. It does not envy time spent away from home, or the seemingly unfair amounts of hobbies... it does not boast,even when it would be nice to remind him that you have done the dishes, cleaned the house, and changed diapers way more often than he has. It is not proud, readily admitting wrong doing, and seeking forgiveness. 5It is not rude,even when that sweet man you married asks you why the laundry isn't done, or if you need a bigger sink to house all of the dirty dishes! It is not self-seeking,but goes out of its way to find ways to serve them, making their day go smoothly, without expecting the same in return. It is not easily angered, especially over silly things like a messy room or short attention spans. it keeps no record of wrongs.but forgives easily, wholeheartedly, with abandon 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects,not just physically, but emotionally. Always trusts,even when not trustworthy always hopes,looking for the absolute best, bringing out the best qualities. Always perseveres through moves, children, financial difficulty, tantrums, stages, and spiritual dryness to name a few. Love never fails. The perfect love of Christ, that He has graciously extended to us, is ours to share with the World, starting in our own homes.
I can only hope to be the kind of mother and wife that can exemplify true love to my family. There are times when I am unlovely...yet I am still so loved by the God who created me, and also by my husband, and wonderful girls. Change me, Oh God...help me to really love my family the way You, Lord, have loved me.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (New International Version)
4Love is patient,when the kids get out of bed for the 100th time...in one night! Love is kind, even when others are not. It does not envy time spent away from home, or the seemingly unfair amounts of hobbies... it does not boast,even when it would be nice to remind him that you have done the dishes, cleaned the house, and changed diapers way more often than he has. It is not proud, readily admitting wrong doing, and seeking forgiveness. 5It is not rude,even when that sweet man you married asks you why the laundry isn't done, or if you need a bigger sink to house all of the dirty dishes! It is not self-seeking,but goes out of its way to find ways to serve them, making their day go smoothly, without expecting the same in return. It is not easily angered, especially over silly things like a messy room or short attention spans. it keeps no record of wrongs.but forgives easily, wholeheartedly, with abandon 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects,not just physically, but emotionally. Always trusts,even when not trustworthy always hopes,looking for the absolute best, bringing out the best qualities. Always perseveres through moves, children, financial difficulty, tantrums, stages, and spiritual dryness to name a few. Love never fails. The perfect love of Christ, that He has graciously extended to us, is ours to share with the World, starting in our own homes.
I can only hope to be the kind of mother and wife that can exemplify true love to my family. There are times when I am unlovely...yet I am still so loved by the God who created me, and also by my husband, and wonderful girls. Change me, Oh God...help me to really love my family the way You, Lord, have loved me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)