Encouragement
If you read my last post then you already know I am spending a season of time stepping away from some the “busy-ness” of my life and seeking God. I do this quite a bit, but never for this extended a period of time. I really felt it was a directive from the Lord, so I was not the least bit hesitant about doing it.
I consider this a privilege and honor to be allowed to do this. I must admit I got some very surprising responses to my decision. I can’t imagine anyone interpreting this as a negative action, but someone did. I didn’t let it sway my obedience, but it was very disappointing to think one would be expected to justify their right to seek God privately for a time of personal prayer and study. All I could do was share what God had spoken to me, be obedient to it, and let God handle the rest. My heart is just so full of joy and expectation to see what God will do that I will not give place to any hindrance or distraction that would keep me from giving Him my undivided attention!
Throughout scripture there are incidents where Jesus told the disciples to come away from the crowds and spend time with Him. These were times of teaching, fellowship, and even just a place of rest and refreshing. This was also a place of preparation for the tasks that were to come. What a wonderful sense of caring by Jesus for, not only the call that was on their life and the ministry to come out of it, but for their personal well being!
He knew what was coming for them and the struggles they were going to face and He felt these times were an important part of their preparation for those times. What an awesome teacher and friend He was! I am so very grateful He is willing to be that to each of us!
There are also many, many stories in the Word about times when God called individuals away to a place of “separation” so He could speak to them, show Himself to them and give them instruction about, and prepare them for, the tasks that lay ahead of them. What a wonderful God we serve!
One of the first things the Lord did was absolutely confirm His call to “Come away with Me…” This has been such a wonderful blessing! So much confirmation to things I felt God had been showing me, so many answers to prayers; some I have been praying for years! I have read three books…cover to cover…and each was “line upon line” in the flow of what God is teaching me. I thought at first I had just “decided” to read these particular books. Apparently He did! (I have worn out two gel highlighters…everything in them seemed so timely and relevant to what God is doing right now in my life! Don’t you love when that happens?)
Also doing a very in depth Bible study and learning so many new things on a subject I thought I had already covered quite a bit. I love the fact that the Word never stops opening up new understanding to you. No matter how many times you go into it there is always more to learn. We gain some understanding, and when we are willing to apply it to our lives, He takes us
to another level of understanding. I have always believed one of the main principles for growing in the Lord is “revelation/appropriation/revelation.” If, as you gain understanding, you take what God teaches you and apply it to your life, He will teach you more. Very simple truth!
I am a note taker. I so value everything the Lord teaches me; speaks to me, or opens my understanding to from the Word. I do not want to ever lose the sense of awe or gratitude about who He is and the overwhelming concept of the fact that He is not only willing, but longs to spend time with me! I can hardly take notes fast enough and sometimes spend hours into the night typing them up so as not to ever let one word slip away.
So there is my progress report. Bottom line…God is faithful and so willing to meet with us if we will just listen for His voice and respond. Doesn’t His Word promise us that He will draw near to us if we will draw near to Him? He keeps His promises to me and I want to keep mine to Him. So, I will seek Him and love Him with all my heart, all my soul, and all my strength. What is the outcome? I have found and will continue to find Him! I am truly blessed!
I am going to check in to post on my Blogs as often as time allows, so I will see you next time! God Bless!
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