I can't get away from my paper planner. I know there are all kinds of fancy planners I can get on my phone or iPad, and I have duitfully tried them, but I just have to have a paper planner and something to write with. But as I got a new planner to start this month, I thought maybe I should start using a pencil to write in monthly and weekly plans.
For me, it was a symbolic gesture that I could make plans, but that God ultimately determines my steps. (Proverbs 16:9) Yes there has already been some erasing, but it's a visual reminder about who is in control. I've needed that.
Periodically, I feel the Lord leading me to spend a week quiet in His presence.
Truly quiet. No wrestling with decisions. No distracted praying.
Just... listening.
Listening for His voice in my soul.
"Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward." Isaiah 51:4-5
Do we really know how to listen? Remorsefully, I think about how often I fill the time with me and God with words...so many words. Not all bad ones. But do I stop enough to listen to Him? Do I pause long enough to hear His voice?
"Know this, my beloved brothers; let every person be quick to hear..."
James 1:19
In any relationship, there is talking and listening; giving and taking. Why should communicating with God be any different? We've been in those conversations that are really monologues. You can't get a word in to save your life, and if you happen to eke out a few thoughts, it's obvious the other person is just waiting for your mouth to stop moving so they can pick up where they left off.
Are we carrying on a monologue with God?
Our society puts much emphasis on words. Fill the void with words. They don't even have to be helpful or true it seems like...just produce words. We can't let that mentality bleed into our relationship with Jesus. If you find yourself (like me) lacking on listening, don't hesitate to relax in God's presence, close your eyes, and just listen. Whether He has something to say to you or simply wants to bless you with His nearness, let Him have the floor.
God has so refreshed me this week. I have felt His arms wrap around my soul.
I don't know about you, but I feel like our culture has worked overtime in order to outdo each other in deception. We've seen it all in the past 7 days:
Conspiracies. Hoaxes. Lies.
I'm really writing this note to myself, because I wanted to read something that wasn't a hoax, a conspiracy or a lie. If you too are weary of that, please read on.
During my devo time, the Lord brought to mind this old worship song:
"And Lord you are my hope Because you've created in me A heart that lives the victory That you've already won. "Oh Lord you're my protection from my enemies, You've set me high upon a rock and you defend my soul. And when their ways advance against me, I am confident That they cannot make me less, for you have made me whole."
This is the news story that God want his children to always turn their hearts toward. I can't tell you how this song blessed me this morning.
He is perfect protection.
He is Truth.
He is hope to all who will have Him.
I knew this and I believed this, but my "knower" I guess had to be reminded.
Maybe you don't buy into all this. I would ask you if you aren't tired as well of all the lies. Wouldn't you like for just once something to be true? For something to work out in your favor?
"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed."
Lamentations 3:22
I think it's obvious that left to our own devices, devoid of God, we consume each other.
From Psalm 73, NLT version:
"These fat cats have everything their hearts could wish for!
They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.
And so the people are dismayed and confused,
drinking in all their words.
'What does God know?' they ask.
'Does the Most High even know what's happening?'
Yes, He does.
"Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside...
Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit grow weak,
but GOD remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever."
Be encouraged, friends. God is still on the throne.
I don't know about you, but that's the best news I've read all week.
In my quiet time this morning, I started thinking about some of my favorite worship songs and I realized that there are only a handful that have stayed on my iPod (and now iPhone) since I got my first Apple product on my 16th birthday.
Here are the 5 songs that never leave my iPod and my favorite lines/scriptures that match up with them.
5) Take My Life (And Let it Be)
Take my intellect, and use every power as you choose. Take my will, and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine; Take my heart, it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind."
Matthew 22:37
4) Praise to the Lord the Almighty
Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him! All that hath life and breath Come now with praises before Him.
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!"
Psalm 103:1
3) It is Well With My Soul
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul.
"Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you."
2) Lord, You're Holy
Wonderful, glorious, holy and righteous, victorious conqueror, triumphant and mighty. Healer, deliverer, shield and defense, strong tower and my best friend. Omnipotent, Omnipresent, soon coming King, Alpha, Omega, Lord of everything; holy, holy, holy is Your name.
"For I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me."
Isaiah 46:9
1) Medley: In Christ Alone/Solid Rock No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me, From life's first cry, to final breath.Jesus commands my destiny.
This is another thought that has occured to me: In a way, this technology has enhanced my relationship with God. Here's why: sometimes you have to have church by yourself.
There have been many late nights or other random times where I have needed to put on some worship music and put myself before the throne of God. And having my music in this format allows me to have a worship service ready to go in my pocket, and it won't disturb anyone else! Haha!
He knows if it was a gut-wrenching sob over a loved one that was taken from you. He knows if they were tears of joy.
He sees also if it’s a heart that is tearing in two that produces silent tears that trickle slowly down your face. He knows the deep longings that echo with soundless voices in your spirit. Longings that you cannot yourself voice.
He sees your shoulders sag and your eyes gaze off in the distance even though you smile and put on the “right” face when you talk with people. Longings that no one else knows about.
Tears hidden from the world. He sees them all.
And he keeps track of them.
That speaks of an incredibly intimate God. I have a hard time opening up to people. Up to a certain point, I’m friendly and open, but once certain lines are crossed, I shut the door. It is hard to trust myself to other people. But God is already there, already “nearer than breathing, nearer than hands in feet." (from Streams in the Desert, May 29 entry) Wow! You can’t get much closer than that!
There is relief in knowing that God knows the content and extent of my longings and desires. It is wonderful to be known. Open up your heart today to the Shepherd, to your Lover- and be known fully.
“…for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.” Psalm 6:8
“O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you.” Psalm 38:9
“For he knows the secrets of the heart.” Psalm 44:21
“You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” Psalm 56:8
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him…” Psalm 62:8
“But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.” Psalm 66:19
“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” Psalm 107:9
“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” Jeremiah 31:25
One of my Mom's friends on Facebook shared this link to a post on Pastor Perry Noble's blog. Noble is the pastor of a church in South Carolina.
Read through it and see what you think.
As I read through the blog post, one of the several thoughts that occurred to me was that these are some of the most frequent "complaints" others have against Christians. If this is what they see exhibited in a Christian's life, why would anyone find that appealing? I sure wouldn't.
If I've learned anything, it's that for the one person you know is watching you and observing the choices you make, there are about five more people watching that you don't know about.
A life filled to the brim, saturated with joy, peace, purpose, passion and trust in God is so attractive. It is one of the greatest testimonies a person can have.
What would someone who didn't know the Lord find attractive or "different in a good way" about your life?
4. Above is a journal entry from Sept. 26 and this decision of mine had a tangible impact on my semester. The past 16 weeks were truly the most peaceful and least stressed I have had since I started college. While there are many assignments, deadlines, projects and schedules to keep straight in a semester, it doesn't have to all be painful. I just told myself I was not going to get stressed, that my God is a more-than-capable helper and off we went. He met my needs every step of the way! It is a daily choice to lay down stress. Also, as Christians, it does not make us better, cooler or more elite to be super-stressed and busy all the time. The peace that "passes all understanding" should visibly be resting over our lives as Christians.
3."We have this as a sure and steadfast ANCHOR of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain." ---Hebrews 6:19
This is my necklace that a lot of you have most likely seen me wear. It was given to me by a friend at a significant time in my life. Earlier in the summer, I started thinking about goals and scriptures to focus on for my senior year. I usually take time to do that before each school year and at the beginning of each new calendar year. I was reading through Hebrews at the time and my spirit latched on to the above verse. An anchor. I could hardly think of a more appealing object. An anchor doesn't move and it doesn't waver. It's job is to keep a ship in place and that is what God is for our souls. Little did I know that this scripture and the anchor symbol was to become far more important than I could imagine...
2. My Grandpa Ken (my mom's dad) died suddenly on Wednesday, July 6, 2011. His death has been the toughest personal loss, within remembering, that I have had to live with. For once in my life, I did not know what to do with myself in the days following that awful morning in July. My brother Taylor and I were the main ones that spoke briefly at his graveside service the following Monday morning. I didn't think that I could do it. I kept thinking, I shouldn't have to do this. It was years too early.
And yet, I made it through that day. We all did. And I didn't just "make it," I literally felt lifted up on wings that flew me above the natural grief, pain and never-ending questions and into supernatural peace and comfort. Though I didn't openly talk about this event on my Twitter and Facebook accounts, many of you did contact me personally and I knew I was surrounded by prayers upon prayers. I felt them. I needed them. I am forever grateful for them.
Less than two weeks after his death, I was picking out a new journal at Mardel's when I saw the above card in a box of greeting cards. Its sweet image and simple message immediately spoke to me. "Today is no match for you and God." God has proved this truth over and over to me since that Wednesday in July and I hope you realize He is ready and eager to prove the same thing in your life.
