Close Fellowship

As Mary mentioned yesterday, God holds our hand.  Every day, with every detail, He is available to hold our hand and lift us up.  But for that to happen she mentioned that we must be a godly person, removing all filth and sin from our hearts so that we can hear Him guiding our steps and gently leading us by the hand.  Moses was a man just like this.  He found favor with the Lord (Gen. 6:8).  You might be wondering why God chose him, how did Moses get on God's good side?

This is the account of Noah and his family.  Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.

-Genesis 6:9-

It wasn't exactly what Noah did, but more like what (or Who) Noah lived for, that made him perfect for the job.  Noah put God first in his life.  He loved God and trusted everything about Him.  He lived for God and he believed that walking in close fellowship with God would bless him and bless the world. He wasn't afraid of the nay sayers and the people who would ridicule him and attack his character.  He believed God was right and He chose to live for Him only.  This doesn't mean Noah never sinned, but as he lived he walked to please the Lord.  Sometimes he missed the mark, and other times he may have gotten off track, but all along he was trying, and every time he recognized he was off track, he found His way back to God.  He was in close fellowship with God.  Fellowship means they were friends who shared the same interest's and common goals.  Noah believed in what God was all about and He wanted his life and family to experience a life lived under God's rule and authority.  God believed in Noah and knew his heart was genuine and trustworthy.  They trusted each other and held a special bond.  

Nothing has changed since Noah's time.  God still desires to share in fellowship with His people and he continues to offer His love and support to those who love Him.  Yes, God wants a special bond with you!  The problem is so many of us aren't willing to give up the world to walk in close fellowship with God.  I'm not going to sit here and tell you I have it all right and I am living the perfect life.  I will say that I am in close fellowship with God because I have put Him first in my life and my desire it so follow everything He is and stands for.  I don't always get it right and often I find myself really messing up but that isn't the point.  The point is when we mess up we are able to recognize it, repent and move forward in our walk.  He knows we aren't perfect and that we are going to mess up, sometimes in big ways, but He loves us just the same.  When we know our children are trying their hardest do we kick them when they mess up or do we gently pick them up, dust them off, and encourage them to keep trying?  You bet we encourage them!  God is doing the same with us.  He is walking with us, holding our hand, guiding our next big move and He is enjoying every minute of it!  I guarantee you won't be disappointed either.   

Holding my Hand!

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand." Psalm 37:23-24

As I read this familiar scripture today it seemed to speak more to me than in the past. First of all, God directs our steps. But notice it says 'the steps of the godly'. Our heart must be in the right relationship with God in order for us to hear him. We have to remove all filth and evil from our hearts and minds so that his spirit and his word can freely flow through us and direct us.

Next, the word every seemed to jump off the page. God wants to be a part of every detail of our lives. Nothing is too small. Nothing is to big or beyond repair. He wants us to consult him. He cares that much!

And finally, as we go through this life, we will make mistakes. We will act out of emotion rather than in the spirit. We will misunderstand and suffer consequences of our choices. But he will not let us fall as we stumble along life's path. Why can't we fall? Because he's holding us up by his mighty hand. I don't know about you, but I love to imagine myself walking next to my friend Jesus as he holds my hand. It reminds me of when my children learned to walk. I'd hold their little hand in mine. As they stepped, I'd loosen my grip to allow them to feel confident, but as they began to lose their balance I'd quickly tighten my grip and at times lift them up off the ground and reset their feet so they could start again. That's how God is with us! I love the safety of that. I love the trust he puts in me to allow me to make choices. But I especially love that he's strong enough to pull me up by my hand and firmly set me back on the right path.

Lord,

I love the way you love me. I love that you are ever present by my side. I love that you are so involved in my life that nothing is 'small talk' and nothing is off limits when we sit together in our quiet time. Dear Jesus, search my heart today for the areas that need to be set right so that I can hear you completely. I love you!

Amen

We Were Still Sinners

But God has shown us how much he loves us - it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us.

-Romans 5:8-

How often do we consider helping someone but hesitate, using the excuse, but she will just use the money on drugs or alcohol, when he checks into rehab, after she gets a degree, when he finds a job, after they say sorry.......the list could go on and on.  We often put limits to our love and we hold out on people because of those limits.  We often want the recipient of our love to get their act together before we put too much into them.  We stay distant until we see they are committed to changing or until we see that they are thankful for our help.  So often we make people earn our love.  And when said out loud..............yes, say it out loud (I often times make people earn my love), it sounds bad.....really bad.  The message version states it this way:  

But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death 

while we were of no use whatever to him. 

(Romans 5:8 MSG)

God loved us while we were of no use to him.  We were sinners and had no promise of turning our lives around.  We had no commitment to Him, no love to return, but He showed us the ultimate love by sacrificing His own Son for us.  God didn't say, when you decide to change I will make you a deal, He didn't say get your act together first and I will save you from your sins.  He just saved us......no strings attached.  We didn't have to earn His help.  We didn't have to earn His love. 

..................And one more thing, that person you have difficulty loving and helping................God loves him or her as much as He loves as you.  He sacrificed His Son for them, just the same.  Think about those you struggle helping and loving.  Today is the day you change the way you love.  You will allow God's love to flow through you and stop demanding something in return.  Stop expecting them to change and just offer them your love and support.      

     

As I Sleep

"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me."  Psalm 16:7

As I write this blog, I am preparing for bed. I've showered, brushed my teeth, jammies on, electric blanket on high. You know, all the necessary things that must be done before one curls in for a cozy night's sleep on a cold night. As I say my prayers tonight, I am asking God to speak to me through the night. My heart seeks his wisdom. My desire is to please him in all I say and do, but as I prepare for sleep, I know my own short comings. 

Yet, I will not give up! I will lay this petition at his feet asking him to make me stronger, wiser, and more loving as I rise in the morning. Isn't it amazing that not only do we serve an awesome, God, but that we serve a God who never sleeps. He even guides us through the night! So, tonight as you prepare for bed, be reminded that God is truly in control.

 He is working in us and for us- even as we sleep! 

Rest well tonight beautiful friend!

Psalm 121: 1-8

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

    where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

    the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—

    he who watches over you will not slumber;

 indeed, he who watches over Israel

    will neither slumber nor sleep.

 The Lord watches over you—

    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

 the sun will not harm you by day,

    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—

    he will watch over your life;

 the Lord will watch over your coming and going

    both now and forevermore.

Safe Right Where I Am

I saw my foster child yesterday for the first time in a very short month.  First of all, I can't believe I am saying a month.  Where did the time go?  God blessed me with a busy life during this time of grieving.  I say it that way because it was truly a gift to keep busy and not have to sit still every day thinking of her and missing her.  Have we missed her?  Absolutely.  Have I wondered like crazy how she was and if she was happy and well taken care of?  Who wouldn't.  But as I walked into that room and saw her for the first time I was reassured that God was in control.  She looked at me as if she should know me from somewhere and for a brief moment almost seemed as she wanted down to come and see me, but as soon as that feeling came she looked over to her daddy who was holding her and was reminded that she was safe and secure right where she was.  I was overcome with sadness and wanted to crawl in a hole, but I too had a Father I could look to, in that moment, and be reminded that I was safe right where I was.    

The purpose of my visit was to drop off the last of her things a few pairs of tiny socks that got lost in the couch and a picture book of the first year of her life.  I had no expectations and, in fact, didn't even count on seeing her during the visit.  My focus was on her parents.  I wanted them to know that even though their beautiful child brought us together our relationship didn't have to end.  I want to continue being a support for them and encourage then in this journey of parenthood.  God has shown me that by trusting Him and holding on when the going gets rough my spirit and attitude can be transformed.  All of the human emotions that go with having a foster child and then losing that child have come over me during this journey, but as I stayed focused on Him, He made it possible for me to overcome those feelings and to replace them with new, positive thoughts.  He made me a different person through this experience, a better person.  We all have difficult times and hard walks but when we let the Spirit control us we will grow from that experience and gain a deeper, more trusting relationship with God.  

Yesterday God gave me a gift.  He gave me closure and showed me how happy my foster child was.  He gave me good conversation with her parents and allowed me to see how much they love their little girl.  And as much as I wanted to squeeze her and kiss her all over, His Spirit held me back.  He kept me distant and focused on her parents.  A new journey in my future?  I certainly hope so, but for now I am content right where I am.  Even when I feel like crying or giving up, I can look up and see my Daddy holding me, reassuring me that I am safe right were I am.

Yet I always stay close to you, and you hold me by the hand.

Psalm 73:23

To Know Him Is To Love Him

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:5

Are you enthusiastic about knowing God?  Are you passionate about following His commands and loving Him more than anyone else in your life? Our obedience to God's commands is a direct reflection of our deep love for Him.  When we are devoted to Him whole heartedly we will do everything in our power to obey Him.  We will spend time with Him and learn His commands.  Our life will revolve around doing what is right and staying in tune with Him.  God seeks this enthusiastic obedience from us!  Because we love Him,  our obedience should be overflowing and not just an obligation.  God doesn't want our charity, He wants all of us, He wants our heart, our thoughts and our whole being!  Before we can give Him this we need to know Him.  As we get to know Him our love will pour out from us.   

Sounds like what we ask of our spouse or someone we really love doesn't it?  We expect their full attention and we want them to love us by really knowing us and showing that love through respect, obedience and choosing us over selfish desires.  God desires this love relationship with us!  He isn't concerned with what we do and what laws we hold, those are simply a gauge of our devotion to him.  And we can relate because we too have a sense of how someone loves us by what he does or doesn't do for us.  

So how are you doing?  What does your gauge tell you about your love of God?  Are you putting everything into knowing Him and loving Him?  I challenge you to put yourself in a position to know Him better to day.  Read your bible, talk to Him, seek Him and love Him with all of your heart, soul and strength.

Sunday Scripture

Psalm 119:33-40The Message (MSG)

God, teach me lessons for living

    so I can stay the course.

Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—

    my whole life one long, obedient response.

Guide me down the road of your commandments;

    I love traveling this freeway!

Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,

    and not for piling up loot.

Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,

    invigorate me on the pilgrim way.

Affirm your promises to me—

    promises made to all who fear you.

Deflect the harsh words of my critics—

    but what you say is always so good.

See how hungry I am for your counsel;

    preserve my life through your righteous ways!