When was the last time your heart burned to be in the presence of God? I'm not just talking about you opening your Bible and reading. I'm talking about missing Him so much that on every corner and in every situation, you're looking for Him.
I know that I've experienced dry spells and when I do there is such a lack of satisfaction in my life. It's like I'm standing in the middle of my life but not participating. Have you ever felt that way? I'm sure you have, everyone does at some point in their lives. They feel dry, they don't see God and they wonder what's the purpose. I don't have all the answers and I'm not quite sure I'm right about this but I think we must go through the dry spells to see His hand. If everything was always given to us, would we appreciate Jesus more? Probably not. We would simply take Him for granted but when we have walked in the desert, wandering, thirsty and in need, we see Jesus so much more clearly.
Of course, I love to be where every time I move, I see Jesus. Actually, in my life today, I do try to look for Him in every circumstance. I know He's there but sometimes, when things get tough, we lose sight of His presence in our lives and in others. World events, murder, child molestation and numerous other things can make us wonder, where is Jesus? He's here, orchestrating from Heaven, waiting and watching. He is our Shepherd but we live on earth and evil roams like a thief within the night. We just don't think about it much. Can you imagine watching over billions of people? I'm exhausted just thinking about it, but Jesus knows that He must and is so willing to do it for us. The cross is not some Biblical story made up so people can believe in something. It's full of historical facts, accounts that hold true today. We must believe whether we are in the desert or in the promise land that Jesus is watching and one day He will have full victory.
I guess I'm contemplating this today because for the last couple of days I have experienced some very weird and emotional dreams. I have seen my dad, my mom and just strange and bizarre things. From the time I was a small child, I dreamed in color. I have watched horrible things in my dreams, things no one would want to see. I learned later how important it was for me to pray Psalm 91. It has been my saving grace. I guess the only good thing that ever comes out of these bizarre and reckless dreams is Jesus. He's the very first thing I think about when I wake. I have even been known to call out for Him in my sleep. Why? Because I know He's with me, whether I'm walking down a street or dreaming. I can call upon Him and He hears my cry.
If you truly want to be close to Jesus, you must do the things that will get you near to Him. First, you must know Him. The best way to understand God is to read the Bible. I like to have people read the new testament and then the old. The old testament is full of judgement but when Jesus took the cross, judgement was severed and grace appeared. Both are vital to understanding God but in the end I want people to know what Jesus sacrificed for them. We are a sinful people, He was white as snow. His love is what carries us and no matter how many people let us down, there's always someone to pick us up, His name is Jesus!
After Jesus died the disciples were really lost. Can you imagine walking with Jesus daily and then one day, He's gone. They were depleted, exhausted, confused and destroyed. Their Savior was gone. They missed Him, not just spiritually, but as a friend. They were in the desert but Jesus wanted them to know that the prophesy was fulfilled and that someday they would see Him again. He came to them but blinded them, not until He broke bread with them did they see Him and then He was gone. As I read this Scripture today, I found myself burning to be in His presence. My heart yearns for Him and I hope as I meditate on His word today, I experience Him in a whole new light. He is beautiful and I am His. May you go about your day asking Christ to make your heart burn for Him. He desires it and so should we!
Be of good cheer today ladies! I'm off to get ready for church.
Luke 24:29-31 NKJV:
But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them. Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"
Hosea 7:6 NKJV:
They prepare their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait;
Their baker sleeps all night;
In the morning it burns like a flaming fire.
My prayer today:
My prayer is simple today Lord. Bring forth Your word into the hearts of Your people. Make in us a new heart that burns for You. Help us through the desert and into the promise land, where we will be able to see Your hand. Our lives are Yours but like so much on this earth we get confused. We need our Savior to guide us and love us through this journey. We are women that desire to yearn for You. Show us our way, guide us today and keep our feet on Your path. I pray that You would open the eyes of women, men and children all over the world. Reveal Yourself today, keep nothing from us and show us Your love. Grant us Your favor and help us grant it to others. We seek You today and every day. You are mighty and worthy! We fall down and thank You for Your continued guidance all our days. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
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