When God Speaks

I have been asking God lately this question: "God, what is wrong with me"?

For a while, God has been silent as each day I plead with Him.

Today I got my answer. 

It came in such a simple way--the way that God works--you know that still small voice.

One word. . . . 

RENEW

God knew exactly what I needed to hear. He even gave me a new coffee cup to boot! This was one of my prizes in my prize package from the Ultimate Blog Party!

What has God been speaking to you about lately?

I Will

The ladies at my church have just started a new Bible study that we are doing on Thursday evenings entitled, Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs. I just love her enthusiasm about God's word and the way she does her face some of the time cracks me up as well.

This week, as I was completing my lessons, some of the scripture she had us looking up took on new meaning for me. She had us add two little words to each scripture we read to apply it to our lives. It was such a deeper feeling for me than just reading it, so I thought I would share it with you. The two little words she had us add were:

I Will. . . 

Here are the scriptures that we applied this to:
Psalm 119:10: I seek you with all my heart. Do not let me stray from your commands.
Now add the words I will to that and look at how it changes:
I will seek you with all my heart. Do not let me stray from your commands.

Hebrews 10:25: Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Add the I will words in:
I will not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let me encourage one another--and all the more as I see the Day approaching.

2nd Timothy 2:22: Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Add the I will words in:
I will flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2:23: Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments because you know they produce quarrels.
Now add in the I will words:
I will not have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments because I know they produce quarrels.

Colossians 3:2: Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.
Now for the I will words:
I will set my mind on things above and not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:5: Put to death therefore whatever belongs to your earthly nature; sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed which is idolatry.
Now for the little I will words:
I will put to death therefore whatever belongs to my earthly nature; sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed which is idolatry.

Colossians 3:8: But now you must rid yourself of all things such as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Add I will:
I will rid myself of all things such as anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from my lips.

I guess the reason that this spoke to me so clearly was the fact that saying "I will" in front of these scriptures is like holding me accountable for my actions, where beforehand it was just a scripture from the Lord. Making it speak to you by making it personal helps you to see more clearly what God has been saying to you all along--at least for me it is.

What about you? How does God's word come alive to you? If it's not, are you just reading it because you feel an obligation to the Lord? Allow His word to dwell richly in your heart today! 

God Is Never The Problem

I have been in a funk lately. Honestly, I just have some things going on in my personal life that just really bite--I will be honest with you. I have been angry and upset at those involved, but more than that, I think I have been a little angry with God and whining like a spoiled brat.

This morning as I was working out, I had some time to think and I came to the conclusion (and I have known this all along, but for some odd reason it just wasn't clicking) that God is never our problem. Are you ready for the real answer? We are the problem! Yes. . .you read that right. We are the problem. Whether it is our pride or our selfishness, we are always the problem.

I have learned that blaming God for the things in my life is never the answer. Usually when this occurs, it is because He is trying to show me a side of myself that either He has a problem with and it needs to be changed, or I am getting ready to go through something and He is just trying to prepare me.

I wish I could say that I always handled these situations as a rock-solid Christian, but I don't. Sometimes I lose sight of what is in front of me, or I take my eyes off the prize. When that happens, I lose faith--not in God, but in myself. I begin to think that there is no way out of this horrible situation. Even though I may fall, the beauty is not in falling, but in getting back up and getting back on track.

I guess I am writing all of this to say this: If you find yourself right now in a funk, or you are feeling down, first--don't beat yourself up or feel guilty for having a downcast soul. Even King David went through periods like this. If you do, seek God or talk to Him about how you are feeling. Secondly, don't watch shows on t.v. that might cause you to feel worse. Find something uplifting or spiritual to watch--it always helps. And then lastly, find something to do that will make a difference like volunteer at a soup kitchen or donating your time to do something worthwhile. I have found during my worst phases of feeling down, that when I help someone else, I don't feel as bad.

I will be glad when this season in my life passes, but until it does, I am going to do my very best to keep my eyes on Jesus--the Author and Finisher of my faith.