Your heart has a passion that has been neglected.
Let it come again.
Let it be breathed with life again.
…a whisper from God
heart passion
Category: prayer
seems right
I woke to this verse several weeks ago.
There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
Proverbs 16:25 ESV
Am I heading in a wrong direction? Is this a warning to me? Is this to guide me in pray for someone else? I wasn’t sure so I continued to ask… As I wrote yesterday, this verse came again and reminds me also of Romans.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Sometimes when we are doing what seems right to us, it’s acceptable to the world and to what we know of God’s ways, yet the results can be detrimental.
Maybe its words spoken that hurt relationships.
(No, we can’t control when saying “Hello” will bring someone pain.)
Times we settle for easy fixes that cause even bigger problems.
(That would be me in some of my home repair projects.)
Jonah decided he was not going to do as God asked. Was his reaction fear? Plain ole disobedience? Or just a matter of being in control instead of surrendered to God? His choice didn’t go well and came with a great cost to others. Jonah didn’t die in that fish belly – but a part of him was certainly killed after that experience! God’s grace redirected him so his purpose was completed.
Why do I talk about the dreams God has for our lives so often? Because I know that is part of His message for me to share. He has uniquely designed each of us “in His image and likeness” and He really NEEDS us to walk in that.
It’s not just a matter of us needing God but even more is His need for us to be “fully” who He created us to be. The master blueprint before you were even born showed a God sized destiny – not just an earthly lifespan. Will you dare to dream big again?
in the words
There is so much depth to God’s Word. Beyond searching out… yet we try, we seek, we explore, we ask. We read again and again, we memorize, we pray…
but…
Who am I to understand God?
How can anyone really comprehend?
Why the parable, the hyperbole, the paradox?
1 Corinthians 2
And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,
“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”
But we have the mind of Christ.
Thank you Holy Spirit that you are one with us and one with God. That you are the counselor and guide to reveal God’s mysteries and truth as we seek understanding. Let this week bring us new wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You as we seek Your heart and Your ways.
knowing his voice
The sun was shining.
The snow was melting.
The beach was calling.
…I listened…
The beauty of the day is not always in your surroundings but in the peace found in your innermost being. It comes in many different ways to each of us. Taking notice of God’s work in our lives and all around us should be a place of great comfort. Hearing and knowing His voice should be our biggest goal for the day.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand – when I awake, I am still with you. Psalm 139:17-18
Even to those who don’t know God – He is still speaking…
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 1 Samuel 3:7-11
Lord, help us to hear Your voice with clarity and seek Your voice each day. That we would recognize the variety of ways You talk to Your children and respond, “your servant is listening.”
showing wisdom
I’ve heard it suggested when you are reading the Bible, if you don’t understand a verse, press in to find out. I think our normal practice is to ignore it and move on to what is easy and comfortable. Another said we should look closer at the verses we have not underlined in our Bibles. I definitely take that to heart when digging into a specific area.
A recent verse I have discussed with others is in bold below.
9 …This plan, kept hidden for ages by God, the Creator of everything, 10 is for the rulers and authorities in heaven to learn, through the existence of the Messianic Community, how many-sided God’s wisdom is. Eph 3:9-10 Complete Jewish Bible
How does the “church” (not a building or pastor, but the body of believers) make God’s wisdom known to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places?
Please share your thoughts as well…
Who are the rulers and authorities in heavenly places?
Does this include both angels and demons?
Do we really have more wisdom then they do?
How are we teachers to them?
Manifold wisdom is “many sided or multi-faceted” and that definitely describes our God. I think of the verses that talk of “making known” what God has done and how He doesn’t just call us servants, but friends and shares “His business” with us (John 15:15).
Do you think we as a “church” know God’s business?
Are our weekly gatherings about His wisdom?
Another place of having more questions than revelations…at this time. Definitely a section of scripture I will pray into further.
7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. Eph 3:7-13 ESV
Thank you Lord for the richness of your word and that You do want Your mysteries brought to the light. Give us the wisdom and revelation we need to know You better.
favorites
Today it was the memory of this painting capturing my attention and speaking of the rest and shelter that is found with the Lord. I am so happy it found a special home.
Many years ago a friend suggested to read Psalm 91. I did…over and over and over. This summer included an extended time of Psalm 23. It will never be a funeral Psalm to me again – it is so filled with promise and hope! Recently includes a return to Ephesians which is filled with wonder…
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Romans 11:33 NLT
Always new things to discover and knowing God’s word helps us to know Him.
How are we to have the mind of Christ unless we seek to know His ways?
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.
Ephesians 1:11-14 MSG
I pray you will find a book, chapter or verse that will be a resting and launching place for you in this coming year – or month – or week. One that touches you deeply and brings you closer to His heart.
wine – old or new
What do you do when topics/words come up multiple times in a day?
I feel its one of the ways God is speaking. I look them up in the bible or dictionary, journal or blog on them, ponder through the day and seek God for wisdom.
The word “wineskins” continues to come up. Apparently there is more to discover…
Luke 5:36-39 NIV
…people do not pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And none of you, after drinking old wine, wants the new, for you say, “The old is better.”
Luke 5:39 TPT Yet you say, ‘The old ways are better,’ and you refuse to even taste the new that I bring.
In Luke adds the line – “the old is better.”
Old wine is usually premium and goes for top dollar. That sounds like a bonus right?
What things are old in your life? We often get set in our ways: daily routine, religious thinking, relationships, clothes, groceries, cars and more. Even if we’re stuck in a rut, we can get used to the rut.
What is that really costing us? Are we settling for something of lesser value? Do the holes and cracks of our wineskin hinder us from God’s best?
Jesus was responding to the those who were satisfied with their fasting ideas and didn’t see He was doing something new. They were content with what they knew and did not want to be challenged. It definitely came with a cost…
Think about the first miracle of Jesus – turning water into wine – it brings even more “wonder” to turn the ordinary of water into the BETTER wine for the wedding guests.
Praying for change in your life? Maybe its time for a new wineskin?
Lord – help us to see as You see. Where we have over-patched, what ideas or routines need to be refreshed or replaced and let us look forward to the NEW You have in store! Amen
you have promise
I think of Mary and Joseph traveling that long journey for the census during pregnancy. Not knowing when the baby might come, if they will find a place to sleep or what it really means for this child named “Jesus”.
God’s word is so filled with promises,
with mysteries,
with miracles,
and questions…
He knows every hair on our head (and those that have fallen out), those buried dreams we have locked away in our heart and the hurts that have never been voiced. He knows our deepest dirt and still loves us completely.
We can’t dilute that love. It doesn’t change no matter what we do in this life.
His character is constant. Even if He doesn’t like our actions – He loves us. We are ALL made in His image. We are ALL worthy of His grace. He loves us intimately, He loves us immensely and He wants us ALL to know and experience that love.
Lord I pray that this Christmas we will take some extra time stop all the worldly fuss, to sit with You, to ask You to share Your heart, to listen and realize that voice that has always been “whispering” is really Your voice trying to share love and wisdom. I pray we would realize the fullness of Your gifts to us and find new boldness on how we can share them with those we meet along the way. Thank you Jesus – for Your gift of life.
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Psalm 145:8-13
dare to ask
I know God has many places in His Word that say IF we do something, HE will do something but do you ever put conditions on God in your prayers?
God if you will heal, help, stop, change…
then I will………
Some might say that isn’t how you should pray – I would usually agree, but I’m seeking a bit more understanding on this after considering Jacob’s wrestling match and the many places Moses would put conditions before God.
If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth? Exodus 33:15-16
Thankfully, God is not afraid of our questions. In fact HE likes them!!
I definitely realize that God is Holy, Creator of All, but He also wants a “relationship” of intimacy with us. We don’t get to know anyone without asking and listening.
If all we know is the fear, awe and reverence of God, do we really know Him?
Have you every asked God, “What’s on Your heart today Lord?”
Try it – see what He has to say to you today – or maybe ask it everyday. He definitely has a lot to share if we will give Him room to speak.
not all changes
Seasons are changing and bringing me to a place of comparison/contemplation of what was and what will be. I do understand the timing and reasons to focus on political political things but we won’t find the best answers through the media….
Seasons change, people change, cultures change, stories change…
If we are looking for stability, truth, peace and direction – we won’t find it in things or people of this world.
There is only ONE we can rely on as a constant in our lives. God does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17), He is faithful, just, true.
God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?
I have received a command to bless;
he has blessed, and I cannot change it.
Numbers 23:19-20
It's not really about me... 