He is enduringly stong.
He is entirely sincere.
He is eternally steadfast.
He is immortally gracious.
He is imperially powerful.
He is impartially merciful.
He is the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizons of the globe.
He is God's Son.
He is the sinner's Savior.
He is the captive's Ransom.
He is the Breath of Life.
He is the centerpiece of civilization.
He stands in the solitude of Himself.
He is august and He is unique.
He is unparallelled and He is unprecedented.
He is undisputed and He is undefiled.
He is unsurpassed and He is unshakable.
He is the lofty idea in philosophy.
He is the highest personality in psychology.
He is the supreme subject in literature.
He is the unavoidable problem in higher criticism.
He is the fundamental doctrine of theology.
He is the Cornerstone, the Capstone, and the stumbling Stone of all religion.
He is the miracle of ages.
Just Give Me Jesus! (Anne Graham Lotz)
I am consumed by Him today. I have no words other than ... I just want Jesus.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Clinging on for Dear Life
"Hate what is evil; Cling to what is good." (Romans 12:9)
To hate: To have an intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury; extreme dislike.
The Word of God tells us that we are to hate what is evil. If you think about it, the things in this world that are worthy of hate, usually do derive from a fear, from anger, or from a sense of injury. The Bible does not tell us it is simply OK to have an apathetic approach to evil. Apathy, or indifference, can be viewed to some as a much more appealing, less evasive method of dealing with the immorality so prevalent in our society. "We live in an imperfect world, so while I may not accept the evil going on, I can't really do anything to change it, so I'm just going to choose indifference ... No point in stirring up conflict."
While the Word of God does instruct us to live quiet lives that win the respect of outsiders (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12), it is also clear that there is absolutely nothing wrong with setting ideals, choosing to live our lives based upon standards (1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Peter 2:11). I was so irritated yesterday morning while watching a morning talk-show, as one of the co-hosts was nearly being attacked for having a standard on sexual purity. Are you kidding me? (Sadly, no ... no one's kidding. This is not a joke. It's the reality in which we live.) Yesterday, I referenced Psalm 119:132: "I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free." Doesn't all of this just make you want to run - with energy, promptness and eagerness - toward the Cross? It should instill in us an insatiable desire to stand for Truth, and to proclaim Truth, in our areas of influence.
Last night I was flipping through the channels around 11:30 pm. I should have just left O'Reilly on (even though he was being annoying at the moment). Even on a Tuesday night, the filth of this world was so evident. It is prevalent and widespread. There is so much justification of evil that is currently taking place in our world, that I truly believe it has even immersed itself into the lives of believers, into the church itself. And let me assure you, I am not excluding myself from being tricked into this scheme, as for many years I personally dealt with a lack of conviction and standard in areas of my life. Maybe the problem stems from not enough people truly knowing evil from good - Do you think that's it? Whatever the source, our hatred of evil must in turn bring us to our knees ... As we cling onto our faith in Jesus for dear life.
To cling: To hold on tightly or tenaciously; To have a strong emotional attachment or dependence; To remain or linger as if resisting complete dissipation (breaking up) or dispersal.
Cling on for dear life, sister. Get in the Word, hold tightly and tenaciously onto Truth ... and remain there, resisting any break away this world may attempt to force upon you.
"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:3-5)
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil ... " (Isaiah 5:20)
"He [Jesus] said to them, 'Go into the world and preach the good news to all creation.'" (Mark 16:15)
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The God of Manasseh
Fox News was on in the background last night as I was doing some work, and I overheard the following teaser: "Coming up next, is there a pill you can take that would actually act as a Mind Eraser?" I quickly turned around in my chair, focusing in on this crazy news story: Study Finds Blood Pressure Pill Could Erase Bad Memories. In summary, this Dutch blood pressure bill has been found to void out negative emotions associated with distress.
So, let's see ... Have you just experienced a bad breakup? Recently been fired? Tragedy in the family? Here you go! Just take this blood pressure pill ... You won't necessarily forget about the actual distressing situation, but you will no longer feel the 'sting.'
Yeah, scary.
I have been engulfed in the study of Joseph lately. I love him so much - His heart of discernment and leadership and humility. Joseph goes through much tragedy, beginning in Genesis 37. He experienced difficulties that could very easily have instilled in him a lifelong dose of pain and bitterness. He is thrown into a pit by his brothers, who want to kill him. He is then instead sold into Egyptian slavery. He is tossed into prison after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. He is forgotten for a whole 2 years by the King's 'Cupbearer' who has valuable information that could get him out of jail.
Finally, God gives Pharaoh (the king of Egypt) a dream - a dream that is in need of interpretation. No one in the whole kingdom could interpret it. The Cupbearer remembers Joseph! (Hmm ... Do you think God is a God who ordains the details of our lives, or what?) Joseph is brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dream. The Lord reveals the dream to Pharaoh through Joseph, and because of the wisdom and discernment Pharaoh sees in the young man, Joseph is placed in charge of Pharaoh's entire palace - He places Joseph in a position of leadership, to which only Pharaoh himself is superior.
In the course of time, Joseph gets married and has a baby boy, whom he names Manasseh: "Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, 'It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household'" (Gen. 41:51).
Joseph went through some tough stuff. Now in such a prestigious and powerful position in Egypt, he had an opportunity to 'get back' at all those people who had wronged him throughout the years. Revenge and vindication could have been his main priorities as he settled into his new position. A "Now look who's in charge! Bet you won't mess with me now!" attitude, could have risen up - and to the world, this may have been justified, even accepted ...
Joseph instead embraces forgiveness and humility. He names his baby boy Manasseh as a marker, a symbol, that God can take the 'sting' out of the difficult tragedies and wrongdoings in our lives. As the life of Joseph continues in Genesis, we see him come face-to-face with his brothers, embracing them and blessing them - never laying a hand on them, never asking for an apology or even as little as an explanation as to why they did what they did. In fact, he tells them NOT to feel bad for what they did to him! Don't believe me? (I wouldn't either.) Read for yourselves: "'I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you' ... And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him" (Gen. 45:4-5, 15).
When we can get to the point of recognizing God has a purpose in our hardships - that it's truly all about His purposes being accomplished - there is no place for bitterness, the desire for vengeance, the need for apology or explanation. Our God is the God of Manasseh. He can make us forget. I'm not talking about amnesia here. I'm talking about our God's ability to wipe away the pain, the 'sting,' freeing us up to forgive and get on with accomplishing His purposes. Like He did with Joseph, God wants to free you from your prison. Your prison of pain, of bitterness, of unforgiveness. Because let me assure you of this: When our hearts are truly set free, we will want nothing more than to run in His path (Psalm 119:32). It's pretty crazy - You will actually want to forgive those people who have hurt you. You won't just feel that you should forgive them out of obligation, but you will genuinely want to forgive them. No longer being overcome with a need for an apology or explanation. Not because we're so good or spiritual, but because God is so good in freeing us up to accomplish His purposes. Oh, and you know what else? You may find yourself wanting not only to forgive them, but also to love them. I know ... weird. But, it happens. I promise. Because our God of Manasseh ... He really can make us forget the 'sting.' And if you're wondering if He ever helps us to forget the actual hardship, the actual tragedy ... No. He doesn't. Why? Because He shapes our lives, our testimonies of His faithfulness, through those very hardships. He uses them - to accomplish His purposes.
If Joseph had forgotten about his past, his childhood, the hatred of his brothers, the awful scheme of Potiphar's wife, his lengthy time in prison ... Would his testimony of God's faithfulness in his life have been half as effective? Would his ministry have been half as powerful? You guessed it ... Nope. But because God took the 'sting' out of the past for Joseph, he was able to be freed up to accomplish the purposes of his God. (I just got chills.) Our God is so purposeful.
Are you still experiencing hurt or bitterness from a previous situation or tragedy? If given the chance, would you take things into your own hands and get revenge? Demand an explanation? Request an apology?
Or would you rely on Almighty God, the God of Manasseh, the Lord Jesus Christ - to wipe away the 'sting,' moving you on to a lifetime of forgiveness and freedom ... Your heart set free to accomplish the purposes of God?
So, let's see ... Have you just experienced a bad breakup? Recently been fired? Tragedy in the family? Here you go! Just take this blood pressure pill ... You won't necessarily forget about the actual distressing situation, but you will no longer feel the 'sting.'
Yeah, scary.
I have been engulfed in the study of Joseph lately. I love him so much - His heart of discernment and leadership and humility. Joseph goes through much tragedy, beginning in Genesis 37. He experienced difficulties that could very easily have instilled in him a lifelong dose of pain and bitterness. He is thrown into a pit by his brothers, who want to kill him. He is then instead sold into Egyptian slavery. He is tossed into prison after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. He is forgotten for a whole 2 years by the King's 'Cupbearer' who has valuable information that could get him out of jail.
Finally, God gives Pharaoh (the king of Egypt) a dream - a dream that is in need of interpretation. No one in the whole kingdom could interpret it. The Cupbearer remembers Joseph! (Hmm ... Do you think God is a God who ordains the details of our lives, or what?) Joseph is brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dream. The Lord reveals the dream to Pharaoh through Joseph, and because of the wisdom and discernment Pharaoh sees in the young man, Joseph is placed in charge of Pharaoh's entire palace - He places Joseph in a position of leadership, to which only Pharaoh himself is superior.
In the course of time, Joseph gets married and has a baby boy, whom he names Manasseh: "Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, 'It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household'" (Gen. 41:51).
Joseph went through some tough stuff. Now in such a prestigious and powerful position in Egypt, he had an opportunity to 'get back' at all those people who had wronged him throughout the years. Revenge and vindication could have been his main priorities as he settled into his new position. A "Now look who's in charge! Bet you won't mess with me now!" attitude, could have risen up - and to the world, this may have been justified, even accepted ...
Joseph instead embraces forgiveness and humility. He names his baby boy Manasseh as a marker, a symbol, that God can take the 'sting' out of the difficult tragedies and wrongdoings in our lives. As the life of Joseph continues in Genesis, we see him come face-to-face with his brothers, embracing them and blessing them - never laying a hand on them, never asking for an apology or even as little as an explanation as to why they did what they did. In fact, he tells them NOT to feel bad for what they did to him! Don't believe me? (I wouldn't either.) Read for yourselves: "'I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you' ... And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him" (Gen. 45:4-5, 15).
When we can get to the point of recognizing God has a purpose in our hardships - that it's truly all about His purposes being accomplished - there is no place for bitterness, the desire for vengeance, the need for apology or explanation. Our God is the God of Manasseh. He can make us forget. I'm not talking about amnesia here. I'm talking about our God's ability to wipe away the pain, the 'sting,' freeing us up to forgive and get on with accomplishing His purposes. Like He did with Joseph, God wants to free you from your prison. Your prison of pain, of bitterness, of unforgiveness. Because let me assure you of this: When our hearts are truly set free, we will want nothing more than to run in His path (Psalm 119:32). It's pretty crazy - You will actually want to forgive those people who have hurt you. You won't just feel that you should forgive them out of obligation, but you will genuinely want to forgive them. No longer being overcome with a need for an apology or explanation. Not because we're so good or spiritual, but because God is so good in freeing us up to accomplish His purposes. Oh, and you know what else? You may find yourself wanting not only to forgive them, but also to love them. I know ... weird. But, it happens. I promise. Because our God of Manasseh ... He really can make us forget the 'sting.' And if you're wondering if He ever helps us to forget the actual hardship, the actual tragedy ... No. He doesn't. Why? Because He shapes our lives, our testimonies of His faithfulness, through those very hardships. He uses them - to accomplish His purposes.
If Joseph had forgotten about his past, his childhood, the hatred of his brothers, the awful scheme of Potiphar's wife, his lengthy time in prison ... Would his testimony of God's faithfulness in his life have been half as effective? Would his ministry have been half as powerful? You guessed it ... Nope. But because God took the 'sting' out of the past for Joseph, he was able to be freed up to accomplish the purposes of his God. (I just got chills.) Our God is so purposeful.
Are you still experiencing hurt or bitterness from a previous situation or tragedy? If given the chance, would you take things into your own hands and get revenge? Demand an explanation? Request an apology?
Or would you rely on Almighty God, the God of Manasseh, the Lord Jesus Christ - to wipe away the 'sting,' moving you on to a lifetime of forgiveness and freedom ... Your heart set free to accomplish the purposes of God?
Who needs a scary mind erasing blood pressure pill?
We have the God of Manasseh, thank you very much!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
In and Out of Season
So, I just got up off my face. Yes, literally. I has some pouring out of my soul to get over with. One of those journal entries I know I will look back on in about a week and go: "Yuuuck!" Yep. Immediately after this blatantly honest prayer time, I stood up and walked directly to this computer, logged onto Hints of Hope, and began working on a recent blog post. Weird, I thought. Weird that in the midst of complete inward chaos, I still wanted to share and write about the promises of God. I sat here and pondered that very thing for a few minutes, momentarily feeling a bit hypocritical, until ... I realized my daily flip calendar had not yet been flipped today. So, I flipped it ... and then, I no longer thought this whole episode to be so weird. Elizabeth George, says:
"A woman after God's own heart will not cease to yield fruit even in times of drought (Jeremiah 17:8) because of stored-up nourishment from God Himself, she will be like a tree of life - producing in and sometimes even out of season (Psalm 1:3)."
I have listed these particular verses below:
Jeremiah 17:8 - "(She) will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
Psalm 1:3 - "(She) is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever (she) does prospers."
Consistently seeking God, will yield prosperous and fruitful results - regardless of how we may be "feeling." When we seek Him with consistency, He firms us up in His Word, preparing us to be effective in whatever type of season we find ourselves in. In whatever circumstance we are faced with.
I want to be a fruitful tree - even when I'm having "Yuuuck!" moments. Don't you?
"A woman after God's own heart will not cease to yield fruit even in times of drought (Jeremiah 17:8) because of stored-up nourishment from God Himself, she will be like a tree of life - producing in and sometimes even out of season (Psalm 1:3)."
I have listed these particular verses below:
Jeremiah 17:8 - "(She) will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
Psalm 1:3 - "(She) is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever (she) does prospers."
Consistently seeking God, will yield prosperous and fruitful results - regardless of how we may be "feeling." When we seek Him with consistency, He firms us up in His Word, preparing us to be effective in whatever type of season we find ourselves in. In whatever circumstance we are faced with.
I want to be a fruitful tree - even when I'm having "Yuuuck!" moments. Don't you?
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Victory Chant!
Ok, I am in retreat-planning mode. I can hardly afford to take a 5 minute break, but I absolutely cannot help it. I just had to share this with y'all ... I thought it was so precious of our God to bring this to my attention tonight.
I am teaching on 1 Samuel 1-2:11 for this particular retreat. In my studying tonight, I was cross-referenced from 1 Samuel 1:17 to Psalm 20:3-5.
As we approach 1 Samuel 1:17, Hannah has just finished bearing her wounded soul before the Lord. Eli the Priest witnesses Hannah's 'soul surrender,' if you will, and in his final words to Hannah, he says:
"Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him."
One of my best friends was having a pretty darn rough day last week. I told her I was going to be her Eli. I recited 1 Samuel 1:17 above to her, and encouraged her to respond like Hannah, accepting the blessing and walking off in belief.
Now, I thought I was just being cute. But will you just take a look at Psalm 20:3-5?!
"May He remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests."
There are certain prayers that I am waiting on God to fulfill. They are the longings of my heart. We all have them, don't we? Certain longings that only God can fulfill - Prayers of our heart that will be answered by our God, but will take nothing short of a miracle. When God answers those prayers, I pray in the Name of Jesus that He gives me the opportunity to watch how the people in my life who have prayed for me, respond to the news that God has indeed come through. When they hear of the victory my God has brought in these areas of my life, I want to see them lifting up their banners in the Name of our God. I want to see them shout for joy ... not just for the answered prayer ... but (most of all) for the God who answered the prayer.
I just got all excited about that, y'all! It's about God bringing the victory - And when He does, it's about giving Him all the praise and honor He so deserves. God reminded me tonight of 2 of my sweet friends who have had great victory in their lives through God's answering. I shouted for joy all over again for God's granting of their desires!
Listen to me: I pray that God will grant you the desires of your heart. I pray that He will remember your obedience and your earnest seeking, and that in His time, He will grant all your holy requests. I want to shout for joy in regard to God's victories in your life, right along with you! I pray you are exceedingly abundantly blessed, my sister (Ephesians 3:20).
I'm so using this at the retreat. (Shh ... don't tell.)
I am teaching on 1 Samuel 1-2:11 for this particular retreat. In my studying tonight, I was cross-referenced from 1 Samuel 1:17 to Psalm 20:3-5.
As we approach 1 Samuel 1:17, Hannah has just finished bearing her wounded soul before the Lord. Eli the Priest witnesses Hannah's 'soul surrender,' if you will, and in his final words to Hannah, he says:
"Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him."
One of my best friends was having a pretty darn rough day last week. I told her I was going to be her Eli. I recited 1 Samuel 1:17 above to her, and encouraged her to respond like Hannah, accepting the blessing and walking off in belief.
Now, I thought I was just being cute. But will you just take a look at Psalm 20:3-5?!
"May He remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests."
There are certain prayers that I am waiting on God to fulfill. They are the longings of my heart. We all have them, don't we? Certain longings that only God can fulfill - Prayers of our heart that will be answered by our God, but will take nothing short of a miracle. When God answers those prayers, I pray in the Name of Jesus that He gives me the opportunity to watch how the people in my life who have prayed for me, respond to the news that God has indeed come through. When they hear of the victory my God has brought in these areas of my life, I want to see them lifting up their banners in the Name of our God. I want to see them shout for joy ... not just for the answered prayer ... but (most of all) for the God who answered the prayer.
I just got all excited about that, y'all! It's about God bringing the victory - And when He does, it's about giving Him all the praise and honor He so deserves. God reminded me tonight of 2 of my sweet friends who have had great victory in their lives through God's answering. I shouted for joy all over again for God's granting of their desires!
Listen to me: I pray that God will grant you the desires of your heart. I pray that He will remember your obedience and your earnest seeking, and that in His time, He will grant all your holy requests. I want to shout for joy in regard to God's victories in your life, right along with you! I pray you are exceedingly abundantly blessed, my sister (Ephesians 3:20).
I'm so using this at the retreat. (Shh ... don't tell.)
Now, go lift up your banner in the Name of your God ...
and maybe throw in a Victory Chant, while you're at it!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Our Stone Pillars
"Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him ... Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel." (Genesis 35:14,15)
Conversations with God.
The other morning, I was driving down the road - thinking through all the details of the upcoming women's retreat for my church. I had discovered a few nights prior that a certain aspect of the weekend was not coming together as I had imagined. A certain 'need' had surfaced, and as I was driving to an appointment that morning, I felt the Lord tugging at my heart to rise to the occasion and fill that particular need. Surely I'm thinking this way because I have not yet had enough coffee ... There's no way You're asking me to do that, Lord. In fact, No. I will not do it. There's no possible way that could work. Immediately, I felt Him say to my heart: What do you mean, you will not do it? This is My decision, not yours. Now, if you do not choose to walk forward in obedience, that's your decision; however, if you do decide to obey, you are putting yourself in a position to experience My complete joy.
I arrived at my appointment that morning a few minutes early. I had brought my Bible and journal into the office and had a few minutes to sit alone in the quiet. I opened my Bible to John 15:16. My jaw nearly dropped to the floor. Take a look at what John 15:16 says: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." He was confirming what I felt Him speaking over my heart in the car just a few short minutes before. He was calling and appointing me to a specific task - a task purposed to bear fruit, for the glory of God.
Last night I spent some good time just praising my God. He has been so good. I wrote 2 things in my journal: That I was filled with an incredible longing to worship Him, and that I was so thirsty for God. I have been studying Psalm 119 lately, so this morning when my eyes hit these verses I nearly cried (In fact, I think I did cry): "My soul is consumed with longing for Your laws at all times" (Ps. 119:20). When I cross-referenced this particular verse, take a look at what I found: "Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things" (Ps. 107:8-9). Last night I was just longing after the things God has placed in my heart. This morning, He showed me through His Word that when my soul longs after the things of God - the desires He has placed in my heart - Simply put, it's a good place to be. Last night, I was thirsting after God's movement in my life. I just wanted more and more of His goodness. This morning, He assured me that my thirst would be satisfied with good things.
In both of these instances, my God was conversing with me through His Word. Two stone pillars.
In Genesis 35, God calls Jacob aside to talk with him. It is here, at the place Jacob names 'Bethel,' that the Lord speaks a mighty revelation over Jacob. So mighty, that Jacob sets up a stone pillar at the place where God talked with him (Gen. 35:15).
Our conversations with God are meant to be stone pillars in our faith-life. We are not just meant to have one or two, but many. Have you had your conversation with God yet today? Have you poured your heart out to Him, awaiting a response from Him - straight from His heart to yours? He has something profound to say to you today, sweet sister. Talk to Him - then open up the Word of God, and be prepared to be blown away by His specificity. He most certainly will talk back.
Conversations with God.
The other morning, I was driving down the road - thinking through all the details of the upcoming women's retreat for my church. I had discovered a few nights prior that a certain aspect of the weekend was not coming together as I had imagined. A certain 'need' had surfaced, and as I was driving to an appointment that morning, I felt the Lord tugging at my heart to rise to the occasion and fill that particular need. Surely I'm thinking this way because I have not yet had enough coffee ... There's no way You're asking me to do that, Lord. In fact, No. I will not do it. There's no possible way that could work. Immediately, I felt Him say to my heart: What do you mean, you will not do it? This is My decision, not yours. Now, if you do not choose to walk forward in obedience, that's your decision; however, if you do decide to obey, you are putting yourself in a position to experience My complete joy.
I arrived at my appointment that morning a few minutes early. I had brought my Bible and journal into the office and had a few minutes to sit alone in the quiet. I opened my Bible to John 15:16. My jaw nearly dropped to the floor. Take a look at what John 15:16 says: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." He was confirming what I felt Him speaking over my heart in the car just a few short minutes before. He was calling and appointing me to a specific task - a task purposed to bear fruit, for the glory of God.
Last night I spent some good time just praising my God. He has been so good. I wrote 2 things in my journal: That I was filled with an incredible longing to worship Him, and that I was so thirsty for God. I have been studying Psalm 119 lately, so this morning when my eyes hit these verses I nearly cried (In fact, I think I did cry): "My soul is consumed with longing for Your laws at all times" (Ps. 119:20). When I cross-referenced this particular verse, take a look at what I found: "Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things" (Ps. 107:8-9). Last night I was just longing after the things God has placed in my heart. This morning, He showed me through His Word that when my soul longs after the things of God - the desires He has placed in my heart - Simply put, it's a good place to be. Last night, I was thirsting after God's movement in my life. I just wanted more and more of His goodness. This morning, He assured me that my thirst would be satisfied with good things.
In both of these instances, my God was conversing with me through His Word. Two stone pillars.
In Genesis 35, God calls Jacob aside to talk with him. It is here, at the place Jacob names 'Bethel,' that the Lord speaks a mighty revelation over Jacob. So mighty, that Jacob sets up a stone pillar at the place where God talked with him (Gen. 35:15).
Our conversations with God are meant to be stone pillars in our faith-life. We are not just meant to have one or two, but many. Have you had your conversation with God yet today? Have you poured your heart out to Him, awaiting a response from Him - straight from His heart to yours? He has something profound to say to you today, sweet sister. Talk to Him - then open up the Word of God, and be prepared to be blown away by His specificity. He most certainly will talk back.
May a stone pillar await you today.
(In the form of a conversation with your God.)
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