The One Constant

    This morning's devotional, "Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments For Moms To Meet With Jesus", began with Philippians 4:11-13:

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 

I know both how to have a little, 

and I know how to have a lot. 

In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content- 

whether well fed or hungry, 

whether in abundance or in need. 

I am able to do all things though Christ who strengthens me.

    Right now, our little family is in the biggest transition of our young lives. My husband and I believe there is great value in a parent staying home to raise a child. Despite the financial strain to loose an income, we decided I should stay home with our precious daughter. 

    Naturally, this is causing a significant strain on our previous lifestyle. He has picked up extra work to provide for us. I am abundantly thankful for the many hard hours he invests in our life. God truly has blessed Justin with the jobs he has, the strength to persevere many hours and the skills to accomplish the tasks.

    However, it is still easy to be overwhelmed by bills, the soon approaching apartment search and the never ending car maintenance battle. Yes, we are responsible for  addressing those items, but our first our responsibility to go to God. He is our provider. He makes a way when the path is cluttered. I am reminded, again, I need to seek Him. His way. His voice. His hand.

    I also read a second devotional this morning that nicely paired very well with the first. 

It came from, "Praying the Promises of God". It opened with Romans 5:11.

We can rejoice in out wonderful new relationship with God 

because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends with God.

   Often, when we face troubling events in life, when we are upset or hurt, we go to our friends for advice, comfort and encouragement. Naturally, there are times our friends can't be their for us or despite how well our friends know us they often can't completely know the true state of our heart. God fulfill both needs, every time and anytime. I am reminded, again, to seek Him.
    

   God designed us to be relational. One fabulous way He sends us comfort is through our friends. In 2 Corinthians 7:6, Paul tells us how God used Titus to encourage him when he was feeling discouraged.  He desires to connect us not only with Himself but with others. 

   As a timely example, God used my sister this very morning. She offered me even more encouragement and truth to solidify everything God was saying this morning. She urged me, "God will provide. He always has and always will. Pray in faith and pray expectantly, because He is faithful". She is an amazing 17 year old woman of faith. God uses her in my life to energize my spirit and solidify the truth. I am beyond blessed to know I can count on her. She truly is one of my dearest friends.

    So, to sum this all up. God is the one constant in all the chaos we face. In all the questions and uncertainties He is still the same. I have no need to worry or be discouraged. Life is much more than the here and now, but I can be sure He will make a way. I am still reminded to seek Him.

Song TBD

 

Dry Bones Be Still

    This morning, as I was kneeling face down before God, I found myself very distracted. I was thinking about this blog, my knitting, if I should try to take a nap before the baby wakes up and on and on. I kept reminding myself I can think about that later. I wasn't hearing anything though all this chatter.

    I use to do this on a regular basis. I would often feel God's presence fairly quickly. Many times I would be so overwhelmed tears would stream down my face. Despite His silence my heart did still sing out in worship however. Calling out to my Savior, "The Great I Am" began to swell up.

    

Seeking Him I silently sang:

"I want to be near, near to Your heart. 

Loving the world. Hating the dark. 

I want to see dry bones living again, singing as one: 

Hallelujah. Holy, holy. God All Mighty. The Great I Am."

...

"The mountains shake before You. 

The demons run and flee at the mention of Your name, King of Majesty" 

    I was reminded He truly is the Great I Am. I am the dry bones. I have let the life of His Spirit get muddled by myself. Like any relationship quality time and communication keep it vibrant. I had neglected my relationship with Jesus and like the bones in Ezekiel 37: 1-14 my soul is very dry. I need His breath to revive me.  

   God's name "I Am" in Hebrew is "Yhwh". Say that. "Yhwh". What does that sound like? Breath. "Yh" breathing in and "wh" breathing out. So, I used my breath, the expression of the Great I Am within me as my mantra.

    Yhwh, The Great I Am, proclaims Himself in every breath I breathe. He has not left me during my absence from our relationship. He has never stopped making Himself available to me. I chose to ignore Him, to take Him for granted and push Him aside. Yhwh, the God who gave me life. How arrogant is that? 

   This morning I did not feel His overwhelming closeness, as I have in the past, but that's okay. The spark is being rekindled in this relationship and like any other it takes time. I have let my selfishness, my sins, crowd the space between us. On my knees I asked for His forgiveness of my absence, self involvement and since of self sufficiency. In turn He is reteaching me to "Be still and know that I am God". Yhwh Elohim: I AM The Creator. The Giver of Life! 

    This morning He was not silent despite the quiet. He called my heart to worship. He reminded me of His presence within me: Yhwh. He guided my soul through this journey back to Him. He truly is the Great I Am!

Re-Transforming

    Well, I don't know about you but I am easily distracted. I'm also good at making excuses, just ask my mother. I must admit, I have let life pull my attention away from Jesus and the life He he desires for me. I have let my excuses, stresses and responsibilities take my eyes off of Jesus. Can any one relate?
    Today, I have started seeking Jesus again. I must admit that today has been smoother. Even my three month old calmed when I began ready a few Psalms out loud. She literally was fascinated with the pages.Trust me she has encountered other books and she really couldn't have care less about them. The way she responded really spoke to my heart that Jesus is attractive and someone worth getting to know. I was instantly reminded of Jesus saying, "Let the little ones come to me." and was humbled by how my daughter approached Him with stars in her eyes. That is exactly how I should respond to the Word of God.
   I know I need to seek Him for my own benefit, but also for my child and my husband. He will make me a better mother, wife and self. So, at the very lest I plan on kneeling before God each day to listen to Him. Sure, I have lots to say, but I am sure my first step needs to be letting go of all I have grabbed since I last connected with Him. I need to give myself back to Him. I must begin by putting Him first so everything else can be free to fall into place.
    I'm positive I will stumble in this effort to seek my Savior. I will forget, or get lazy, but I know He will never stop calling me to Himself. I am very thankful that no matter how far I drift away from Him, He is still just one step away. I merely need to turn around.