Since I haven't been posting, I'd like to include some journal entries of mine of things the Lord has been speaking to me over the last few months. May His words be a blessing to you as well.
The importance of daily coming to the Living Water is extreme. Even more than we need water, we need to stay spiritually hydrated. It's no wonder we begin feeling fatigued. We must gather new mannah every day and come for fresh water. The truth (that we so struggle to live) is actually quite simple. His burden is the lightest, His yoke easy. Living extravagantly for Him is hard...when you are believing the lie that you must do it. The simple practice me must daily do is drink from His living water (be refreshed by His Holy Spirit), eat of the new mannah (fresh words), and live in the power of the Holy Spirit, not taking on the responsibility ourselves.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Journaling
This morning I was feeling bad for not posting anything in so long. Over the past few months, I had been feeling as if I really had nothing worthwhile to write. I felt like everything was so dry and kept pursuing the Lord for that freshness of the morning that I love so much. It can become discouraging when you feel spiritually dry. It's especially hard to journal because the words do not feel enlightening as they once did.
However, I believe journaling is one of the most important spiritual practices. First of all, our fallen human brains cannot begin to contain or retain the information (that sounds so dry...revelation) we receive in prayer and study of God's word. No matter how impacting the revelation was that morning, in 5 years we will not remember it with the articulation that we did that morning. By writing it down, we provide a way for ourselves to revisit, relearn, and even learn in a deeper way. It allows more time for contemplation and growth of the truth that is implanted in our mind and heart.
Second, journaling is a sure defense against attacks of the enemy. How the enemy would like us to believe all we're doing is having a dear diary moment and that it is either not important enough to do or it is not worth revisiting. Journaling is the proof of growth in our life and hearts; it is the proof that God is speaking to us. Oh how the enemy hates for us to realize this.
I have been reading over my journal entries from the "dry" season, when I felt so boring. How wrong I've been! Yes, maybe the feelings of excitement and newness have not been there, but the newness, the revelations, the fresh anointing of the Lord for living that day is there. Oh what a weapon fighting for me has journaling been! It's impossible to convince me that the Lord does not speak to me when I read over my past journal entries.
So I encourage you, especially if you are feeling dry, journal! Battle the lie that God has nothing to say to you right now or that you cannot hear Him. It may not feel like you can, but write it down, He is speaking. And revisit some of your journals. How powerful are the words of God spoken specifically to you in the secret place. Don't believe the enemy. Pick up your weapons for war and journal.
However, I believe journaling is one of the most important spiritual practices. First of all, our fallen human brains cannot begin to contain or retain the information (that sounds so dry...revelation) we receive in prayer and study of God's word. No matter how impacting the revelation was that morning, in 5 years we will not remember it with the articulation that we did that morning. By writing it down, we provide a way for ourselves to revisit, relearn, and even learn in a deeper way. It allows more time for contemplation and growth of the truth that is implanted in our mind and heart.
Second, journaling is a sure defense against attacks of the enemy. How the enemy would like us to believe all we're doing is having a dear diary moment and that it is either not important enough to do or it is not worth revisiting. Journaling is the proof of growth in our life and hearts; it is the proof that God is speaking to us. Oh how the enemy hates for us to realize this.
I have been reading over my journal entries from the "dry" season, when I felt so boring. How wrong I've been! Yes, maybe the feelings of excitement and newness have not been there, but the newness, the revelations, the fresh anointing of the Lord for living that day is there. Oh what a weapon fighting for me has journaling been! It's impossible to convince me that the Lord does not speak to me when I read over my past journal entries.
So I encourage you, especially if you are feeling dry, journal! Battle the lie that God has nothing to say to you right now or that you cannot hear Him. It may not feel like you can, but write it down, He is speaking. And revisit some of your journals. How powerful are the words of God spoken specifically to you in the secret place. Don't believe the enemy. Pick up your weapons for war and journal.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Facination
Relationship longevity depends in part on fascination. Ask the Lord to fascinate your heart again every day.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
It's New This Morning
"Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness."
Every morning, the Lord has something new, something that's never been there before...that has never been before. Do not be content to gather once or twice a week when you could have His newness every single day. Receive and be a fragrance of blessing and a storehouse of wisdom.
Go to His Presence this morning. There is something new there.
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness."
Every morning, the Lord has something new, something that's never been there before...that has never been before. Do not be content to gather once or twice a week when you could have His newness every single day. Receive and be a fragrance of blessing and a storehouse of wisdom.
Go to His Presence this morning. There is something new there.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Inheritance for the Faithful
There is a great inheritance for those who obey wholeheartedly and faithfully. Look at Caleb. I'm sure there were days that were mundane, days that were hard to continue to be faithful while wondering in the desert. I'm sure there were tiring days when he just wanted to be done and finally receive what had been promised to him so many years before. Days when he just wanted to settle down and rest for awhile. But he kept going, obeying with his heart, believing and fully grasping the reward ahead.
If we could see eternity like Caleb saw the Promise Land, we can continue with that kind of steadfast spirit Caleb had and receive a great inheritance. It's so worth it; we've got to see eternity.
If we could see eternity like Caleb saw the Promise Land, we can continue with that kind of steadfast spirit Caleb had and receive a great inheritance. It's so worth it; we've got to see eternity.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
What We Were Made For
"So the life of man upon the earth is a life away from the Presence, wrenched loose from that 'blissful center' which is our right and proper dwelling place...the loss of which is the cause of our unceasing restlessness." ~Tozer
We were not made for the omnipresence of the Lord.
It's the manifest presence we were created for. This explains the longing, even though we "know God is here," we often say. We need His intimate presence, not just the presence that the entire earth is in, with or without knowing.
It is not just the omnipresence of the Lord that causes the elders to bow down, laying down their crowns and crying out, "You are worthy, Oh Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things and for Your pleasure they were and are created!" (Rev. 4:11)
So don't settle for just the omnipresence. Ask for more. Like all the great ones of the Bible- Abraham, His friend, Moses, the one who He spoke to face-to-face- these men were not ok with just the omnipresence. They wanted the intimate, manifest presence of the Lord that Adam had in the Garden. And the Lord wanted them to experience it.
We were not made for the omnipresence of the Lord.
It's the manifest presence we were created for. This explains the longing, even though we "know God is here," we often say. We need His intimate presence, not just the presence that the entire earth is in, with or without knowing.
It is not just the omnipresence of the Lord that causes the elders to bow down, laying down their crowns and crying out, "You are worthy, Oh Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things and for Your pleasure they were and are created!" (Rev. 4:11)
So don't settle for just the omnipresence. Ask for more. Like all the great ones of the Bible- Abraham, His friend, Moses, the one who He spoke to face-to-face- these men were not ok with just the omnipresence. They wanted the intimate, manifest presence of the Lord that Adam had in the Garden. And the Lord wanted them to experience it.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
As for You, Stand Here by Me
In Deuteronomy 5, Moses recounts the story of the Lord coming down to the people to speak to them and give them His commandments. But the people were afraid. They feared the Lord, as they should have, but because they did not have a relationship or a desire for one, their fear drew them away from the Lord. Unlike Moses when he first saw the burning bush, instead of drawing nearer and experiencing more of this awesome, fearful, loving God, they sent Moses to go for them. "You go near and hear all that the Lord our God may say, and tell us all that the Lord our God says to you, and we will hear and do it" (Deuteronomy 5:27). Then the Lord says to Moses, "Go and say to them 'Return to your tents.' But as for you, stand here by Me" (vs. 31).
This happens so much, too much. How often does the church say to its leaders or some of its members "You go near and then tell us about it"? Then, when the Lord says, "Ok, it that's what you want, return to your tents" they think "See, it's the Lord's will for some people to do that and we can still benefit." But really they are missing out! The Lord is not saying to them, "Stand here by Me."
I don't want to be one who fears the Lord but has no relationship. I want the Lord to say, "Stand here by Me" not "return to your tent." I want to seek Him and find out what's on His heart. His heart is not as complex as we think...no. In the whole of the law and all that the Lord tells Moses to tell them, the first part- and main part- is "love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:5).
God did not choose His people because He wanted to have someone to tell what to do; He wanted a people to love and to love Him back. So don't be one of the ones who says "you go up"! Seek Him yourself and find in the fearfully powerful God a heart of Love and desire for His people.
This happens so much, too much. How often does the church say to its leaders or some of its members "You go near and then tell us about it"? Then, when the Lord says, "Ok, it that's what you want, return to your tents" they think "See, it's the Lord's will for some people to do that and we can still benefit." But really they are missing out! The Lord is not saying to them, "Stand here by Me."
I don't want to be one who fears the Lord but has no relationship. I want the Lord to say, "Stand here by Me" not "return to your tent." I want to seek Him and find out what's on His heart. His heart is not as complex as we think...no. In the whole of the law and all that the Lord tells Moses to tell them, the first part- and main part- is "love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:5).
God did not choose His people because He wanted to have someone to tell what to do; He wanted a people to love and to love Him back. So don't be one of the ones who says "you go up"! Seek Him yourself and find in the fearfully powerful God a heart of Love and desire for His people.
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