God’s Word is True Strength

Courtesy of www.themorningmessage.com

God emphasizes things by repeating them to me. This morning He wanted me to understand the importance of His Word, a.k.a. the Bible.

If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last.”
Message, Luke 6:48

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God’s Word is true strength: it is a living, breathing document that is written for each and every one of us. Although the words are the same, the message is interpreted for me by the Holy Spirit. The true test of how well I’ve taken in God’s Word is when crisis hits: will my house fall down, or withstand the onslaught? Jesus says that the foundation must be deep – it must encompass all parts of my life. His Word is also what guides me through life and helps me choose the right direction to go in.

By your words I can see where I’m going;
They throw a beam of light on my dark path
Message, Psalms 119:105

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God’s direction can come in many ways – either as a direct instruction or as an outline. I started out asking God to reveal His plan for me, hoping for a clear, cut-and-dry mission for me to accomplish. Rather I’m finding that He is showing me things –ways to live– and gently growing my spirit. Maybe that big mission will come around one day. Right now I’m waiting on God for strength and insight.

One thing I can be sure of is that God will never leave me confused about what to do – the what will always be clear, but the why may only come later. I’m called to be obedient! Just because God shows me a certain direction doesn’t mean it’ll be easy, or without trials. As this morning’s Mustard Seed page said: … there are no short cuts to heaven. To reach any place worth going, we’ve got to be prepared to put our shoulder to the wheel and to work hard. But it’s worth it!

I inherited your book on living;
it’s mine forever — what a gift!
And how happy it makes me!
Message, Psalms 119:111

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I’m usually very excitable (read: hyperactive) — as those close to me will attest — but when I start reading God’s Word I can feel the Holy Spirit calm me down so I can savor and digest each word. The bible retains its relevance because the Holy Spirit puts it in perspective for me. Spending time reading the Word is spending time with God.

You’re my place of quiet retreat;
I wait for your Word to renew me
Message, Psalms 119:114

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God re-iterates how important it is for me to wait on Him. He’s there for me when I feel like I’m at my wit’s end. This is my God, and I love Him dearly.

ps: I had this verse down too, but I’m not sure why:

But don’t dear friend, resent GOD’s discipline;
don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that GOD corrects;
a father’s delight is behind all this
Message, Proverbs 3:11-12

Take a look in the Mirror!

About a year ago, I use to ask God why was I going through everything that I was going through? I use would have anxiety when I got up in the morning and use to feel depressed and sorry for myself because I thought that I was doing what the Lord wanted me to do. I was "running" my own business and tithing and going to church when I could, so why me Lord, Why me? Then one day the Lord opened my eyes and make me look in the mirror. When I looked in the mirror, I saw a reflection of myself and then it dawned on me. My reflection said to me, "Have you ever stopped to think that maybe you are the reason for all of your heartache and pain?" I took a step back and looked at my life and looked at everything that I was doing and realized that I WAS the problem. I was staying with my girlfriend which was a big No No, I was doing what I wanted to do and be selfish. I wanted God to bless what I had going on and not what HE wanted me to do. My girlfriend and I to different places, I put what I wanted to do to the back and asked the Lord to let me do his will. Needless to say that what the Lord had for me was 1000 times better than what I had for myself. The Lord is still working on me and preparing me for what HE has for me in the future, and even though times get rough, I know that I am doing what the Lord wants me to do. If you are going through difficult times in your life and you "think" that you are doing what is right, take a look in the mirror and find out if you are the problem.

Psalm 34:4

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Shhhh

There comes a time in all of our lives where everything seems as though it has come to a stand still. It seems like the only thing still going is your heart beat. Everything else just seems like it has been put on pause. I know exactly how that is. I would love to be the first person to tell you how to deal with that, but considering I am going through that myself, I can't. What I do know from reading "Experiencing God", is that there are times when God is silent. There are times when God stops speaking to us. During those times one could start to feel lost and unsure of what to do next. However, if you allowing God to order your steps, then you don't move a mussel until you hear from Him again. Meanwhile examine your life. Find out if there are things you are doing that you shouldn't be doing. Find out are there any distraction that are hindering you from listen to what God says.
Have you ever experienced a silent point in your life. How did you handle it. Share with our readers how you got through your silent times.