S:
Psalm 119:34-35
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
O:
We need understanding in order to live by Kingdom ways. That I can observe with my whole heart. The psalmist asks God to give him understanding. Understanding isn't gained; it's given. It's given in order to change our lives. The psalmists asked to be lead. He delights in the commandants of God, but recognizes he can't find it alone. Beginning with understanding and then asking to be lead.
A:
God is so gracious that He gives us the understanding to live His way. I want to walk in the right path, because I do delight in the freedom of living by Kingdom ways. Today I ask God to give me understanding, that I can follow Him.
P:
Jesus, you paid the price that I don't have to keep every rule of the law to enter your Kingdom. You have justified my sin by your sacrifice. Sanctify me, change me to live and observe your ways with my whole heart. Give me understanding and wisdom. I need you today; lead my down Your path. Holy Spirit give me understanding that I will whole-heartedly observe your perfect law, because it is a delight!
Delighting in God's ways doesn't mean I'm always happy. Psalm 119:50,"This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life." My comfort isn't that things change, but that I have life based on the unchanging promise of God.
Showing posts with label Kingdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kingdom. Show all posts
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Hurry up and Wait.
I have multiple personalities. (Some of you are saying, "I knew it!")
One personality is completely at peace with the entire process of selling and buying a new house. I don't doubt in the least God's timing, His provision, or His care for us. I believe fully in His will working out in my life. I can be patient because I have trust in Him. I believe the Kingdom is more important than my house and that our shelter is in His hands.
The other personality just doesn't want to do it. We've been preparing to leave this place for 2 years. We've remodeled, repaired, maintained, painted, pruned, cleaned, thrown out, and staged. My heart has left this place as home. I don't want to wait any more. I don't want to go through it. I can look at new houses online, but not visit them. I can think about packing, but not open a box. I even forget that I'm pregnant sometimes because I have no where to put this child and all our baby things are in storage. I don't want the holding pattern of keeping the house ready to show at any moment. The four year old in me is "I don't wanna."
It's weird not to feel worried at all, but annoyed at the same time. I fully believe and know God is with us and guiding us through this process, but I just want it to be over. I want to learn what God has for me in this season, but I would rather it be over quickly.
I understand the reality is 90 days to sell in this market, but my hope & faith in God says He can do it in 9. And I would really like that. God will glorify Himself in this process and, really, that's the most important thing, to both personalities.
One personality is completely at peace with the entire process of selling and buying a new house. I don't doubt in the least God's timing, His provision, or His care for us. I believe fully in His will working out in my life. I can be patient because I have trust in Him. I believe the Kingdom is more important than my house and that our shelter is in His hands.
The other personality just doesn't want to do it. We've been preparing to leave this place for 2 years. We've remodeled, repaired, maintained, painted, pruned, cleaned, thrown out, and staged. My heart has left this place as home. I don't want to wait any more. I don't want to go through it. I can look at new houses online, but not visit them. I can think about packing, but not open a box. I even forget that I'm pregnant sometimes because I have no where to put this child and all our baby things are in storage. I don't want the holding pattern of keeping the house ready to show at any moment. The four year old in me is "I don't wanna."
It's weird not to feel worried at all, but annoyed at the same time. I fully believe and know God is with us and guiding us through this process, but I just want it to be over. I want to learn what God has for me in this season, but I would rather it be over quickly.
I understand the reality is 90 days to sell in this market, but my hope & faith in God says He can do it in 9. And I would really like that. God will glorify Himself in this process and, really, that's the most important thing, to both personalities.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Ask and you shall receive
I have felt myself being sucked into being consumed by this house. I've felt like I'm in a giant pool, being pulled by the water tornado toward the drain. I'm trying to keep my focus on God and the Kingdom, but I quickly turn my attention to the house again. Preparing our house, praying for a buyer, a quick sale, looking for a new house, wondering what will happen. It's almost like I'm watching myself fall into the trap. "Be careful, Jenn. You're starting to focus on yourself and not the Kingdom." I know God cares about every small and big thing in my life. We believe He's told us to move. I want a new house so I can fill it with people and use it for the Kingdom. I believe this house is His, as well as everything else; I am just a steward of the blessings God has given. Yet it's easy to focus on stewarding the blessings and not the One who gives them. So I've been praying, "God, help me seek the Kingdom first."
Amazing...God answers prayers like that!
Today reading Psalms 27-29, these thoughts and truths really blessed me and brought me peace.
That's really what I want, to dwell with God. To live my life with Him. In relationship with the most amazing being, Creator God. I want to dwell in His house, no matter where "my house" is and what it's like. I want to seek after Him, like a seek, pursue, and make time for a relationship with Michael. As long I'm with Him, why should I fear?
It hit me tonight that seeking God's face isn't really just asking, "What should I do?" We say, "I need to seek God about that." But really, I will seek His face not to know what to do, but to know Him. I seek God to have intimacy with Him. That's what He wants. I do ask God for guidance and direction, of course. But mostly, worship and adoration, being in His presence, that's what I want.
Amazing...God answers prayers like that!
Today reading Psalms 27-29, these thoughts and truths really blessed me and brought me peace.
27:4 One thing have I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to inquire in his temple.
That's really what I want, to dwell with God. To live my life with Him. In relationship with the most amazing being, Creator God. I want to dwell in His house, no matter where "my house" is and what it's like. I want to seek after Him, like a seek, pursue, and make time for a relationship with Michael. As long I'm with Him, why should I fear?
27:8 You have said, "Seek My face."
My heart says to You,
"Your face, LORD, do I seek."
It hit me tonight that seeking God's face isn't really just asking, "What should I do?" We say, "I need to seek God about that." But really, I will seek His face not to know what to do, but to know Him. I seek God to have intimacy with Him. That's what He wants. I do ask God for guidance and direction, of course. But mostly, worship and adoration, being in His presence, that's what I want.
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