Not feeling like having a quiet time with the LORD? Die to those feelings and be refreshed by His Spirit!
10 My child, if sinful men [feelings, spirits] entice you, do not give in to them.
23 If you repent at my rebuke, I will pour out my thoughts to you and make my heart known to you.
33 Whoever listens to Me will live in [spiritual] safety and be at ease [concerning the trials and struggles of this life], without fear of harm [to our souls].
It’s a new year. Resolutions are made. Let’s make one of our own: Commit anew to read a chapter of Proverbs each morning. It would be good to read a chapter in the New Testament, as well. Let’s ask the LORD to speak to us through His Word. There is no power in the pages themselves, but the POWER and the SPIRIT from whom the words flow are eternal and they are life. “The Word of God is living and active!” Hebrews 4:12.
This morning, let’s look at our model verse from King David:
Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try [test] me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
It occurred to me that if God chooses not to be offended, then, in order to be like Him, we should choose to not be offended, either. Yeshua (Jesus) knew what He was doing when He sent the Holy Spirit (which is actually Him) into our hearts in that He was/is aware of all of our faults and tendencies, failures and even rebellions. His expectations are different than ours; He is concerned with the maturity and transformation of our souls. Our good deeds flow from that maturity and transformation. We learn to do these good deeds WITH HIM rather than FOR HIM. Since He knows when we will finally turn the corner and have victory in those difficult areas of our lives, He strives with us in perfect patience, kindness and gentleness as we struggle in those areas. He rejoices in our future. Let’s do the same with ourselves! It’s part of the transformation…
New Passage for the New Year:
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10
When we begin to feel stressed, frustrated, and even angry with ourselves (and others), let us remember whose and what we are: We are His children of light; we have Him in us, and He is the light of the world (John 8:12). It’s a great way to start the day–and the year!
Abba, I loved waking up this morning with the tune, “Hear the Voice of My Beloved,” running through my head. I perceived that You were calling me to come and join You at Your table for “breakfast.” I dined on Ezekiel as he called the people of Israel to repent and come back You; then I supped on John’s recounting of Yeshua doing the same thing. Wow! Your compassion knows no limits!!! Thank You for sharing with me this morning. I love it. I love You. Looking forward to the day and the year WITH YOU, amen.
In the Master's Hands 