The Kindness of God

God’s kindness leads you toward repentance.  Rom. 2:4

 

His grace to me was not without effect. 1 Cor. 15:10

 

Yesterday morning, I was having trouble keeping my mind focused on God.  I get distracted easily and become fixated on other things.  But instead of becoming angry with me, God gently brings my attention back to Him.  He does this by revealing His love to me, and once again I am amazed at how He uses kindness to correct me.  Many times this kindness is just what is needed to change my behavior, to make me want to obey.

 

I am amazed that He has chosen us fragile creatures made of dust, to be His beloved, so easily led astray and distracted.  I am feeling my unworthiness to be a beloved of the King.  I am poor, and yet He is rich.  I am powerless, and He has all power.  I am undesirable and sinful, and He is the King, desired by all.  It doesn’t really seem to be an even match.

 

I know that I do not deserve Him, and logically that I am all wrong for Him.  But I couldn’t stand the thought of living without Him, and I think, neither could He.  I know this because He sent His Son to die on the cross for my sins, making the way for me to come to Him.  Yesterday morning, I felt Him wrap me up in an all-encompassing embrace that said that He knows that I cannot live without Him, and He doesn’t want to live without me.  I am accepted despite my weaknesses because He loves me.  Praise You Jesus.  ♥

Only For Jesus

I am the Vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.  Jn. 15:5

 

Human approval is a scary thing.  It is greatly appreciated and encouraging when received in the right way.  But it can all too easily become my security blanket, becoming my focus.  Instead I need to depend only on God’s approval.  People say nice things about me, my blog does well, and all of a sudden I don’t feel that strong need for God as I do when I’m struggling.

 

I was frustrated with myself yesterday, and I knew I needed extra time alone with God.  So I took a drive with Him, wandering around on country roads.  As I was driving, I was not even able to worship with my favorite music, Ashmont Hill, as I normally do.  I began to really feel an intense need for God and that I really needed to stop somewhere so that I could totally focus on Him, now! 

 

It took several more minutes, but God finally led me to a new subdivision where the streets had been laid out, but there were no houses yet.  I parked on a secluded dead end street.  As I rested in His presence, He calmed me down and refocused me on Him.  My windows were rolled down, and I was enjoying the warm summer day as God teased my hair with His gentle, cool breeze.  I didn’t know where I had ended up, but I was trusting that God would lead me home when He was done with me!

 

God reminded me that I am only ever anything in Him.  I only have my worth through His Son, Jesus, and I need Him to cement that in my brain.  I am nothing without Him, but I can do all things through Him.  And it is only His direction and approval that I need to seek.

 

Father, help me to keep my focus intently on You.  Thank You for the encouragement You’ve given me through other people.  Help me to remember that I am Yours, ultimately here to serve and to please only You.  We are crazy about You Jesus.  In Your beautiful Name.  Amen.

Miracle Watermelon

You were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised.  I passed by you and saw you kicking about in your blood, and…I said to you, ‘Live!’  I made you grow like a plant in the field…I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign Lord, and you became Mine.  Eze. 16:6-8

 

God is growing a watermelon in my back flowerbed.  I have tried for years to grow a watermelon.  I would plant the seeds, fertilize, and water them.  I made sure they had plenty of sun.  The plants would sometimes grow and flower, but would never produce an actual watermelon.  And even though I’d spray for insects, vine borers would eventually get into the vines and kill the plant before it could have a chance to be fruitful.

 

Last summer, I think, my daughter tossed away some watermelon seeds in a flowerbed at the back of our house.  This summer, I saw a baby watermelon plant sprout.  I pretty much ignored it because they never do well anyway.  It doesn’t get much sun there, and we don’t water that flower bed because it is just shrubs.  I just figured it would die.  But it grew and grew.  It is now covering all the other plants in the flowerbed, and much to my surprise, has produced a watermelon!  A miracle watermelon!  I couldn’t make one grow, but God chose to do it without any of my help.

 

I was lost and destined for death as well.  Without God’s care, I am tossed aside, neglected and despised spiritually, without hope.  God took me and said to my heart, “Live!”  He did what I was helpless to do on my own.  He amazed me with His love, and convinced my heart that He loves me.  He convinced me that He is trustworthy and that I can give everything to Him.  He has made me secure in His love. 

 

God is also making me grow and even producing fruit in me too, giving me a purpose by allowing me to write for Him.  Wow!  I’ve missed so much all the years I was a walking dead person!  He is able to bring life where none existed in me previously.  Thank You God for giving me my miracle watermelon as a reminder of the life You have created in me.  Praise You!  ♥

Awesome Site Award

Tamela has given me this Awsome Site Award.  I have enjoyed reading Tamela’s site.  God has spoken to me so many times through her posts, pictures and comments.  She is an awesome person who is crazy about God.  I am supposed to pass it on to other people who have blessed me.  If she hadn’t just gotten the award, she would have been one of the people I would’ve given it to. 

I am thankful for this award, but I have to give it to my God and King.  He has been giving me enough lessons about humility lately to know that this is all for His glory and the award belongs to Him.  He tells me what to write and how to write it.  Without Him I could not think of a single thing to write.  So this award is His.

The first person I choose to give it to is anonymous at Spiritual Battleground.  I really enjoy reading her honest, transparent view of her journey with God.  She is such an eloquent writer in the way she is able to take everyday things and relate them to spiritual principals.  I love her determination to seek Him and pursue Him through everything.  And I’m thankful for her invaluable support and friendship.

I’d also like to give the award to joannamallory at God With Us: Finding Joy .  She is a writer who has a great way of writing about peace and joy in God’s presence.

To Yamii at Yamii Simplified.  She is a student in the Philippines who is planning to come to the USA.  It is interesting to read her adventures in God as she follows Him whole-heartedly.

To BShelley, as pastor who writes Seeking God’s Heart, a daily devotional.  His writing flows and is easy to read.  I love the subject of seeking God’s heart.  What better pursuit could there be?

To the writer of Kingsview.  She is a worship leader who loves life and is also crazy about God.  It is fun to read about her enthusiasm and passion.

To the five whom I gave the award to, please pass this Awesome Site Award on to let others know how their sites have blessed you, giving God the glory.  May God bless all of you!

God’s Signature

God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.  Rom. 1:20 

For by [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth…and in Him all things hold together.  Col. 1:16,17

The Whirlpool Galaxy

Not only is creation itself awesome enough to prove the existence of a Creator, but the Creator has even put His signature, the symbol of the cross in some unexpected places, to make clear who the Creator is. 

 

The Colossians verse above says not only did God create the big things in the universe, but He even created the tiniest molecules and holds all things together.  I was reading Tamela’s website, and she found this awesome picture of the nucleus of the Whirlpool Galaxy.  Guess what is in the center of this nucleus?  God’s cross.  He has placed His signature even on the stars.                    

 

There is an amazing video on GodTube of Louie Giglio speaking about how awesome God’s creation is.  He spoke about a cell adhesion molecule called Laminin, which holds the cells in our body together.  He was amazed when he discovered the shape of Laminin is also a cross.  Colossians says that Jesus holds all things together.  And God even put His signature on these tiny molecules. 

 

Isn’t God awesome to make His existence so clear to us in creation, to awe us by His creative ability, and to even leave behind His own signature on the biggest and smallest things of His creation?  Praise You, awesome God!  

God Makes Me Okay

The Spirit…will guide you into all truth.  Jn. 16:13

 

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!  Luke 1:45

 

I have been listening to the evil one, believing his lies about me and God’s plans for me.  God does something good in me, like this blog or giving me a new friend.  At first, I am thrilled, but then the doubts and anxiety come.  What if God stops giving me things to write about?  What if no one likes it?  What if my friend doesn’t like me?  I listen to this and believe it, allowing the evil one to take away my peace and stability with God, and my joy of being in His will.

 

God has reassured me that He has led me to do these things and that they will work out.  He told me that if I just believe and expect Him to work them out, He will.  Then I can have peace. 

 

He also told me that I am okay, no matter what happens.  Even if everything fell apart, I am still okay in Him.  Because He is all I need.  I knew that before, but didn’t know it with my heart.  He has said it into my heart in a way that makes me know that it is true, if I can remember it and choose believe it.

 

God told me everything is okay!  What would happen if I just believed Him and ignored the evil one?  What a concept!  I wouldn’t have to be anxious or worry.  I would have peace and stability.  I would always be okay, no matter what happens.  Because my God told me so.

 

Jesus, I praise You that You make us okay.  You have all power and all control, and You love us more than we can imagine.  Wow!  We can trust you.  You are an awesome God. ♥

A Picture of God’s Embrace

"The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt 1907-1908

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.  Deut. 33:27

 

I first saw this painting several months ago in an online workbook.  The author was using it to present a picture of the Christian being embraced by God’s love.  The painting captivated me.  I couldn’t stop looking at it.  Then God reminded me of it again this past weekend.  I went to a friend’s baby shower, and there hanging on her wall was the same picture.  Again I was captivated.  It reminds me of  “The Prodigal Son” sculpture I wrote about last week, also showing affection and two becoming one in their love.  I can see so much of God’s love for us in this painting too.

 

The picture speaks to me about how God embraces us and wraps us up in Him, making us one with Him.  He is wrapping the woman up in His robe, till she begins to blend in with Him, to lose awareness of herself.  The beauty and delight of their love is displayed in the gold and vibrant colors, the patterns and shapes.  I see the tenderness of God towards us too, as He gently touches her face.  And I see the her peace at being with Him, losing herself in Him as she is safely wrapped up against Him and protected in His arms.  What an amazing picture of God’s love for us.

 

His left arm is under my head and His right arm embraces me.  SS 8:3

 

 

 

 

God Enjoys Us

The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.  Psa. 147:11

 

He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.  Zeph. 3:17

 

I was watching the Olympics last night, thinking of God now and then, and I felt His pleasure at being included.  I realized that among all my struggles and trials lately, He wants more from me than to just change and perfect me.  He also wants to be with me.  He loves me and loves my company.  He loves to bring me pleasure, to make Himself known to me.  He loves it when I think of Him and am aware of Him, when I invite Him to be present in my mundane, day to day activities.

 

Praise You God that You want to spend time with me, and you enjoy just being with me.  I enjoy You too.  Thank You for sending Your Son to die for me so that we can enjoy each other’s presence.  In Jesus’ Name. 

 

“When you seek My Face in response to My Love-call, both of us are blessed.  This is a deep mystery, designed more for your enjoyment than for your understanding.” (Young, 239)

Seek God First

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Matt. 6:33

 

This was the first verse God ever spoke to me through years and years ago when I was saved.  I had not believed that He was real for so long.  But when He finally convinced me, it was like a dam bursting open.  Everything that was on my mind and every problem that I had stored up in my head for so long was pouring out of me.  It was such a relief to know that He is real.  He answered me by telling me to seek after Him first, and then He would take care of all the other stuff.

 

Recently my husband and I have been trying to seek God’s will for direction for our family and finances, to be sure of His voice so that we can confidently move forward and obey.  This morning He showed me again that we need to be seeking Him first.  Do we really want Him?  Or do we just want direction?  Is He the ultimate goal of our search, or do we just want what He can give us?

 

God, please give us a greater and greater desire for You, and in the process of this search, You will take care of all the other things and reveal Your will to us.  Make us so that we want You first.  Be our great desire, the longing of our hearts.  Be our obsession and our passion, above all else.  We praise you, and we love you, awesome God.

 

O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water…Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.  Ps. 63:1-3

Broken Cisterns

I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert…My people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols.  Be appalled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror…They have forsaken Me, the spring of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.  Is Israel a servant, a slave by birth?…Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of Me.  Jer. 2:2-19

 

I have a tendency to become obsessed with things.  Last year, God so amazed me with Himself that all of my other obsessions lost their appeal.  He was all I could see.  He became my obsession.  He is the only One that is worthy of obsession.  When I look to Him, He can truly satisfy me.

 

As I become involved with other things, serving Him, loving His people, I easily slip into the mode of allowing myself to be obsessed with other things again.  No matter how hard I try, I cannot rescue myself.  I know only My God can rescue me from this sin as I submit to Him.

 

God, help me only to look to You to be my Glory.  Let me only drink from You.  I know very well that my own cisterns that I have created are broken and leaking.  I can never get enough.  I know how evil and bitter it is for me to forsake You, for me to lose my awe of You.  It makes me cringe to think of it. 

 

Father, I know I have made myself a slave to things that cannot satisfy.  You would not have Your people be slaves, but children of the King.  I am helpless Father.  Be my only water.  There can be none other for me.  But I have no power to defeat this enemy, my obsessiveness.  My eyes are on You.  Rescue me.

 

For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us.  We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You…Do not be afraid or discouraged…For the battle is not yours, but God’s.  2 Chron. 20:12,15