"Enoch walked with God 300 years and fathered sons and daughters... Enoch walked with God." Genesis 5:22-24
I worry about life, the future, things to do. That sentence pretty much describes my focus this morning. Praise be to God that he can calm my anxious heart and remind me of his sweet desire for my life!! His desire for me to know him, to walk with him. Too often my longing for his companionship gets clouded by the pursuit of worldly success. But, softly he whispers to me, "Slow down." He reminded me to focus on walking with him, before I worry about running. He spoke today, through Beth Moore's words:
"When all is said and done, God may have His own personal testimony of all who lived by faith. Don't miss the four word testimony of one of His saints found in Genesis 5: "Enoch walked with God."
"That's all we have to do in order to please God. Walk with Him. He wants our company, and the only way we can walk with Him is to walk by faith and not by sight. The law of Moses did not exist in Enoch's era. He had no rules or regulations. We have no ground for believing that God appeared to him or spoke aloud from the heavens. In a cold world, Enoch simply had a feverish pursuit of God."
Believing God Day by Day, November 27, by Beth Moore
Note to self: stop running through life like the world, and start walking with God.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Sitting at His Feet, Forgetting My Worries
"Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.' But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'" Luke 10:38-42
I am so easily distracted. Ask anyone I have a conversation with! I'm tellin' ya. I am the queen of chasing rabits! God knows this about me all too well. Distractions are something I struggle with daily in my walk with him. Stress, worries, and/or doubts usually are what do it too. It's something I am constantly asking him to forgive me of. Often times, the doubts that creep into my heart are just silly, and, quite honestly, have absolutely NO firm foundation at all. Never the less, I get to thinking about them. Which turns into worrying about them. Which turns into my head yelling at my heart for being stupid and not just trusting God. (James and Peter knew what they were talking about when they said that there's a war going on inside of each of us!)
Praise God for his faithfulness! He is always faithful to forgive, and draw me back to him. It amazes me every time he does...
Tonight was one of those times. It took him a while... but he finally got me to be still, sit at his feet, and listen. As I read Luke 10:38-42, I was amazed that I ever worry about things other than knowing Christ more deeply. Because really, what's the point of my life? To be in a growing relationship with my Savior. To glorify him through that. Nothing else! My life is not about material things. Not about people. Not about the future. Not even about worrying what his will is for me! My life has to be about knowing Christ more and more, and growing in my relationship with God. Because when it is, he takes care of everything else! Jesus says so in Luke 12:22-32:
"And he said to his disciples, 'Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.'"
"For all the nations of the world seek after these things." If by seeking these things, I am being like the world, I want nothing to do with worrying and being anxious! The last thing I want to be is as the seeds that were thrown among the thorns: "And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature." (Luke 8:14)
I desire to be like Mary. I want to just sit at Jesus' feet, for that is where a true disciple belongs. I want my thoughts to be fully focused on the words coming from his mouth, and nothing else. I long for my heart to desire him, and only him.
"One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple."
Psalm 27:4
"Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
I am so easily distracted. Ask anyone I have a conversation with! I'm tellin' ya. I am the queen of chasing rabits! God knows this about me all too well. Distractions are something I struggle with daily in my walk with him. Stress, worries, and/or doubts usually are what do it too. It's something I am constantly asking him to forgive me of. Often times, the doubts that creep into my heart are just silly, and, quite honestly, have absolutely NO firm foundation at all. Never the less, I get to thinking about them. Which turns into worrying about them. Which turns into my head yelling at my heart for being stupid and not just trusting God. (James and Peter knew what they were talking about when they said that there's a war going on inside of each of us!)
Praise God for his faithfulness! He is always faithful to forgive, and draw me back to him. It amazes me every time he does...
Tonight was one of those times. It took him a while... but he finally got me to be still, sit at his feet, and listen. As I read Luke 10:38-42, I was amazed that I ever worry about things other than knowing Christ more deeply. Because really, what's the point of my life? To be in a growing relationship with my Savior. To glorify him through that. Nothing else! My life is not about material things. Not about people. Not about the future. Not even about worrying what his will is for me! My life has to be about knowing Christ more and more, and growing in my relationship with God. Because when it is, he takes care of everything else! Jesus says so in Luke 12:22-32:
"And he said to his disciples, 'Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.'"
"For all the nations of the world seek after these things." If by seeking these things, I am being like the world, I want nothing to do with worrying and being anxious! The last thing I want to be is as the seeds that were thrown among the thorns: "And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature." (Luke 8:14)
I desire to be like Mary. I want to just sit at Jesus' feet, for that is where a true disciple belongs. I want my thoughts to be fully focused on the words coming from his mouth, and nothing else. I long for my heart to desire him, and only him.
"One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple."
Psalm 27:4
"Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works."
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works."
Psalm 73:23-28
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Colossians 3:1-2\
Monday, November 12, 2012
Your Word
How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Psalm 119:9-16
This past month, the title of this blog has been my prayer. Lord, bind my wandering heart to Thee! As more things competed for my attention, I became more and more fickle in my walk with God. Intimately focused one day. Distracted for a week... I knew my priorities were off-balanced. My mindset was "I'll get to my Bible study next...." Only, "next" quickly turned to night and my day had run out of time. I knew that I would only know God more deeply through studying his word, yet I kept relying on my "great" time management skills to work things out on their own.
Thankfully, my God is faithful.
He continued to tug at my heart day after day. Reminding me that it was only in his word I would grow closer to him. Only there would I learn him, love him, desire him. My prayers were (and still are) to desire him more, but I was not listening as he told me where to find him. Praise the Lord, yesterday he broke through my stubbornness once again!! Even this morning, my human laziness to open his word ailed me. But his truth is like sweet medicine to the soul! Healing and restoring my heart and my mind.
But medicine only works if you take it. Right now, I want to encourage you to turn off your phone, TV, iPod, etc. Spend some time in God's holy word and in prayer. You need it! And if you just wait for time with God to happen, without putting effort into making it happen, it won't! Take it from a girl who knows.
Why are you still reading this?! Time's a-tickin'! Break away from the business and restlessness of life for a little bit. Let God refresh you with his unfailing peace and love!! :)
Don't own a Bible? Please check out http://www.biblegateway.com/. Clueless as to where to start? Type John 1 in the website's search bar and press Enter.
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Psalm 119:9-16
This past month, the title of this blog has been my prayer. Lord, bind my wandering heart to Thee! As more things competed for my attention, I became more and more fickle in my walk with God. Intimately focused one day. Distracted for a week... I knew my priorities were off-balanced. My mindset was "I'll get to my Bible study next...." Only, "next" quickly turned to night and my day had run out of time. I knew that I would only know God more deeply through studying his word, yet I kept relying on my "great" time management skills to work things out on their own.
Thankfully, my God is faithful.
He continued to tug at my heart day after day. Reminding me that it was only in his word I would grow closer to him. Only there would I learn him, love him, desire him. My prayers were (and still are) to desire him more, but I was not listening as he told me where to find him. Praise the Lord, yesterday he broke through my stubbornness once again!! Even this morning, my human laziness to open his word ailed me. But his truth is like sweet medicine to the soul! Healing and restoring my heart and my mind.
But medicine only works if you take it. Right now, I want to encourage you to turn off your phone, TV, iPod, etc. Spend some time in God's holy word and in prayer. You need it! And if you just wait for time with God to happen, without putting effort into making it happen, it won't! Take it from a girl who knows.
Why are you still reading this?! Time's a-tickin'! Break away from the business and restlessness of life for a little bit. Let God refresh you with his unfailing peace and love!! :)
Don't own a Bible? Please check out http://www.biblegateway.com/. Clueless as to where to start? Type John 1 in the website's search bar and press Enter.
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