What are you boasting about?

Do you ever try to talk the good talk,
  trying to impress people with how busy and productive you are?

I have found that kind of conversation to be kind of like bug spray.
It repels depth of conversation and intimacy in relationship.

I long for the real deal......conversations that boast about God!
Being around people, that make me want to spend MORE time with Jesus.
I love getting into the nitty-gritty of real life and taking those concerns to God.
I love then seeing His faithfulness in the long run;
  as I stand in genuine relationship with others...as we seek Him on our lives.

Through the course of life I have enjoyed getting to know many people;
  and don't get me wrong, I LOVE spending time with people.
And yet.....there are only a few that know the depth of my heart.
  (and boy, oh boy, am I thankful for them!)
I suppose that is a good thing, if I relied primarily on people for support,
  I would not earnestly seek audience with the giver of these relationships.

Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
  or the strong man boast of his strength
  or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:
  that he understands and knows me,
that I am LORD, who exercises kindness,
  justice and righteousness on earth;
  for in these I delight,"
         declares the LORD.

Father, I thank you for friendships that have fostered growth in my relationship with You.
I pray that you would nudge me, whenever my conversation is remaining in a superficial place.
I thank you for all the experiences I have had with You that I can share to encourage others in their relationship with You....remind me to boast about the things of YOU! 
To walk in joy and peace; with an attitude of gratitude, grace and trust. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Context

This is what the LORD says:

Stand at the crossroads and look;
  ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
  and you will find rest for your souls.
Jeremiah 6:16

Sounds like an amazing bible promise!  I agree!
I left out one small part of the verse, because I think that sometimes that's what we do.
We find out something we like to hear in the bible and use the part that appeals to us.
I have learned to be cautious with this practice.
The very last part of this verse says:

But you said, "We will not listen."

I believe it is a warning.
God's people said, "We will not listen".
Will I be the same??? Do I want the promises and not the warnings???
This verse requires action on our part....."ask"...."walk in it".
Am I willing to walk out what God has shown me to do???
When He asks me to hang out with people less and invest in my family?
When He asks me to shut my mouth and honor my husband?
When He asks me to be quick to apologize, quick to forgive?

God, I want to live a life that honors you!
I want to live a simple life of holiness and obedience.
Your Word says that I should be holy, because You are holy.
Please show me where I need to change, and grant me the grace to do what You ask of me.
Thank you that I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.

Proud Momma

As I type away...I can hear my boys....
they asked if they could hang out with the elderly couple that lives next door.
Oh, how I can feel my heart swell with joy!
I peeked out Jesse's bedroom window to see them chatting and enjoying
fruit salad and a ginger ale.
(I wish I hadn't have noticed Caleb being uber-proud of a burp....but hey)
May they never loose the desire to spend time with people, and "give life" to those around them.

The Fear of the Lord

This week I felt God impressing me to study the fear of the Lord.

I wonder what it is you think the fear of the Lord means?
Is it a fearful feeling or life giving feeling?
The fear of the Lord is not meant to have us cowering at the
judgmental pointing finger of this big bad guy in the sky.

Rather, it is showing respect and honor due the Most High King of the Universe.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence,
  but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation
  with fear and trembling,  for it is God who works in you to will and to act
  in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:12-13

We ought to be so careful that we do not treat God and the things of God as common, but holy.
We ought to remember that at the end of the day, when all is said and done....we will have to
give account for the way we spent our lives.

Let all the earth fear the LORD;
   let all the people of the world revere him. 
Psalm 37:8

I love the way John Bevere describes the importance of holy fear:
  Holy fear is the key to God's sure foundation, unlocking the treasuries of salvation,
  wisdom and knowledge.  Along with the love of God, it composes the very foundation of life! 
  We soon learn that we cannot truly love God until we fear Him;
  nor can we properly fear   Him until we love Him.
(from his book titled: The Fear of the Lord)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
  but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7

Father, I know that You are holy, powerful and due all my respect and reverence.
May I never loose sight of that fact and become so comfortable and complacent in our relationship.
Help me to truly grasp the fear of God, and live my life in a way that honors you.

Chosen

If you have ever struggled to know who you are and if you are acceptable, you are not alone!
The verse that I have been pondering today speaks to these issues, and is so encouraging.

I took you from the ends of the earth,
  from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, "You are my servant';
  I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
  do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; 
  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 40:9-10

Two short verses and so many amazing things!

• He called me
• He chose me
• He strengthens me
• He helps me
• He upholds me

WOW! 
Though we may be rejected by those we love here,
we are chosen by the King of Kings!

Thank you Daddy for encouraging me in the times I need to hear Your voice most.
You are strong, powerful, faithful and I thank you that
You will not reject me....I am called and chosen by You!

Quietness and Confidence

There is a big difference between self-confidence and God-confidence.
Relying on myself for confidence only seems to breed selfishness and pride.
Relying on God for my confidence brings joy, peace and fruitfulness.
God-confidence is quiet, knowing I don't have to stand up for or justify myself.



The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;
  its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.
Isaiah 32:17

It is trusting Him to grow my character as I seek to know His character more.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
   whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
   that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
   its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
   and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8

It is knowing that Jesus is my example, and my help.
He knows what I am going through; He's been there, He trusted the Father and so can I!

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, 
  but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are
  —yet he did not sin.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, 
  so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 
Hebrews 4:15-16

I have a choice, what will I do with today?
Will I be quiet before God and listen to Him whisper to me today?
Will I be confident that His grace is enough?
I was never called to be busy....I was called to rest in Him.
That does not mean that I will do nothing....it means that I will be able
to wait for Him to show me what it is He wants me to do next....confident that
His plans for my day are much better than what I could come up with on my own.

This is what the Sovereign Lord,the Holy One of Israel, says:
  “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved.
        In quietness and confidence is your strength."
Isaiah 30:15

Thank you Daddy that in the chaos and confusion of life, I can rest in You.
Even though at times it feels like my emotions are taking over ...... I can stand!
I can stand in quietness and confidence, knowing that You have a good plan for my life.