http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%206,8,9,10,14,16,19,21&version=NIV
I just returned from a short, but amazing little adventure. A small group of girls and I escaped to the country for a time of silence and solitute - an opportunity to be still in the presence of God. God smiled down on our desire to be with him. As we planned, we decided we needed to find a little cabin or bed and breakfast to rent where we could be away, have some quiet, and hopefully enjoy the outdoors and God's creation. He helped us find a little country cottage to rent outside of Brenham. It was so beautiful and quiet there - just us, God, and the cows (I wonder if they were as blessed by the time as we were....). The weather was absolutely gorgeous and I have the sun-kissed shoulders to prove it. The cottage so sweet and so perfect for our purposes. My heart already longs to return there - to be still again before God with nothing to distract me.
Before I left yesterday morning, I read this little passage in my devotional - how appropriate it was for our day. But here is the thing to remember - it is appropriate for each and every day. It should be what we practice as we live:
"Keep your eyes on me, not only for direction but also for empowerment. I never lead you to do something without equipping your for the task. That is why it's so important to seek My will in everything you do. There are many burned-out Christians who think more is always better, who deem it unspiritual to say no.
In order to know My will, you must spend time with Me - enjoying My Presence. This is not an onerous task but a delightful priviledge. I will show you the path of life; in My Presence is fullness of Joy; at My right hand are pleasures forevermore."
As much as my heart longs to return to our little country cottage, I know that really, all I need to do is return to the presence of God. David got this truth - here's what he wrote:
You have made know to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. - Psalm 16:11
Let us take a page from David's notebook and spend time every day in the presence of God. For it is here where we find our way, it is here that we find joy not matter what our circumstance, it is here we find pleasure. We have the opportunity to sit before the throne of God. Even while on earth, we have the opportunity to spend time at his right hand. Oh my friends, what an amazing truth that is. Will you take the time to be still - to sit before God and be filled with the things of the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth?
Here is an ending request - I love to see interaction on the blog. That, after all, was the intention when we started this adventure. So, will you share with us either the Psalms or verses out of today's grouping that spoke to you the most? Or, share your favorite way to spend time in the presence of God. Looking forward to reading what you have to say!
Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels
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I like what you are saying about the presence of God. The more I sense it in my life the more I tend to desire it more and more. But there are times when I don't sense it but the Lord has tuaght me an important lesson concerning this.
ReplyDeleteI ran into a girl at 2nd today. I call her Jesus girl. Every where she goes the Lord uses her to lead someone to Christ. I would always joke with her, "Who got saved today?" She was filled with God's Spirit and it showed all over her life. Agnostics, atheits and people given over to sin would give their lives to Christ by her witness. She wasn't always like this. When we first met she was coming out of a sinful experience but what was so neat about her, she wanted to know Jesus and the power of His resurrection. She wanted enter into the presence of God and I can say she has!
But today when I ran into her, she told me how she felt backslide. She didn't sense the presence of God in her life like in the past. Like we talked about today, we all must realize it isn't by our might nor by our power but by His Spirit. Sometimes when we don't sense God, this is a time I've seen God uses us the most.
God made it crystal clear to my mind, the move of God's power and Spirit isn't dependant upon my emotions but rather upon God's annoiting.
About serving and getting burned out. So ture. when our desire to serve God becomes greater than our desire to know God, we are backslide in our heart.
Martha needed to be doing what Mary was doing. Sititng in Jesus presence. The time would come to serve but all in its proper order.
Luke 10:39-42
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
42 "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
I just love the verb progression here:
KNOW BE DO
Dan 11:32b
but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
Psalm 19 is one of my favorite Psalms. The Psalm shows us the two forms of revelation in which God communicates to us.
ReplyDeleteVerses 1-6, illustrates general revelation, or how God reveals himself to us through His awesome creation. (See Romans 1:20) However, general revelation is not salvific. Only special revelation is salvific, or can lead to salvation.
And that is what the Word of God is. It is the special revelation that God uses in our salvation and sanctification.
The psalmist says the Word of God is perfect, and revives the soul. It is sure, making wise the simple. It is right, rejoicing the heart. It is pure, enlightening the eyes. It is clean, enduring forever. It is true and righteous altogether.
With so many great things about the Word of God, the psalmist concludes with a request that I think all of us would like to be true in our lives as well:
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (v.14)
Time alone with the Lord is so needed, I would say possibly more than anything else in our relationship with Him. B/c everything else flows from that. One way I enjoy doing this is just sitting in a peaceful, quiet place and reading the Bible, praying over it. Talking and praying with the Lord. Just praying, singing, whatever. No distractions. It sometimes means getting away from the noise and the busyness and the things to do, etc. But it's so important. This quiet time with God is irreplaceable. It cannot be replaced by anything else in our relationship and walk with Him. Many things are very good and needed, but boy, without that intimate time alone with the Lord, it's like building on sand, or running a race with no water to drink. It can be superficial or just like going through motions. You know what I'm talking about. You can sense it. We all have that need. We got to get deep with Him.
ReplyDelete