Encouragement

Is there something you are thinking about doing that may take you out of your comfortable day-to-day routine?  Do you sense a calling on your heart to take part in something and you may not even know why?  Experience has taught me that when this happens I must talk to my awesome God about it.  I ask for wisdom to know what to do and how to go about it.  I ask for closed doors if I make the wrong choice, as well as peace when I make the right decision.  Even so, it can be a little scary to try something new.  Faith goes hand in hand with risk taking, so often the hardest thing for us is to actually take the first step and do what we are being led to do!  Thankfully God wants what is best for us and He promises us if we trust Him He will help us find our way.  One common theme I've noticed throughout my conversations with people concerning creativity is that of trusting God without necessarily knowing why.   Some get answers as their journey progresses, some do not.  But if they are doing the "thing" that God is leading them to do, they are at peace.  I want to encourage you to talk to God about the yearning in your heart you may have.  Go to Him-trust Him-love Him.   If you are following Him, the desire you have to walk down a different path, or that idea that settles in on you at night and is still with you when morning comes, may very well be from Him!                                                                                                                                                       ©2014 Janet Carol Davis                                                                                     
James 1:5
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 30:21  
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” 

Psam 37:23-24
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him.  Though He may stumble, He will not fall, for the Lord upholds Him with His hand.

John 16:13a

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. 

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Getting To Know God     (cont'd)

There is no secret to knowing God.  We simply need to go to Him. 

In some of my conversations on this topic people have said they don’t feel worthy to speak with God.  More than once I've heard someone express how he or she can’t possibly believe that our great God would want to take time out of His day to listen to us.   For those of you who think that way I want you to hear this:  In God’s eyes you are precious.  You are significant.  We are valuable to Him-so much so that He sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins.  Do you think He would have done that if we had no value?  His love for us is intense.  Each day you don’t go to Him you are losing out on time spent with the one who loves you more than anyone else.  Read John 3 and be reminded of how much He loves you.  The great God of today is the same God from the Old Testament who said through the prophet Isaiah, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;  I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1) 

I have experienced those feelings of insignificance – the guilt and the unworthiness, but the more I spend time with Him, and get to know Him, the more amazed I am at how much He loves me and desires for me to have a life that is full and free.  Free of guilt, and free to be the person He created me to be.    The more you go to Him the more you will realize these truths for yourself.  Remember-He is already there- where ever you are.  He longs to spend time with you.  If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit is in you and will help you.  Ask Him to open your heart and mind as you begin your time with God.  Feel free to tell Him everything!  He already knows what makes you happy, sad, mad.  He already knows your worries, dreams, and desires.  Read the Psalms and you will see that the writers there did not hold back. They praised their creator but they also expressed disappointment and even downright complained to God at times!  God didn’t ignore the psalmists, and He won’t ignore you.                                                             ©2014Janet Davis

Psalm 139- Read it!  It's all about how He knows us inside and out and is with us always!

Matthew 10:29-31 
“²⁹ Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But not one of them falls to the ground without your Father knowing it. ³⁰ He even counts every hair on your head! ³¹ So don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”  

John 3: 16
"For God loved the world so much, He sent His one and only son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life!"

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 Getting To Know God (continued)

 Step 2

Once you have carved out time to spend with God, the next step is simple.  Start talking.  That's right.  Begin a conversation with Him.  It may feel awkward at first, but you will get used to it.  Understand there is no special way to do this.  There are no specific words you have to use.  The beautiful thing about our great God is He is already there- where ever you are, eager to listen to you, and speak to you through the Holy Spirit.  You can talk out loud or in your thoughts, quietly.  He hears you.  He longs for you to come to Him, and pour your heart out to Him.  If you don't know what to say, ask the Holy Spirit to help you.  He knows you inside and out and knows what you need. 

 Once you begin the conversation with God, be sure you take time to allow Him to speak to you as well.  Grab a Bible and read.  The Bible is full of history, life stories, parables, and poetry about God's amazing plan to draw us to Him.  Reading it will teach you about God's character, His power, and His intense love for us.  I believe it is God's word, and that it has survived the centuries because it is supernatural.  The Holy Spirit can use it to speak to you in unexpected and amazing ways!  Even a passage I've read several times might be used to teach me something new!  If you want to get to know God, read His word.

I want to make it clear here that conversing with God is not always a huge event.  Sometimes He speaks with a burning bush, and sometimes in a still small voice.  But I also want to say that it seems as Christians, we tend to underestimate how much He desires to communicate with us, and how often He tries.  He tells us in His word if we seek Him earnestly we will find Him.  My prayer is that you will make time and start a conversation with God.  Worship, sing, complain to Him, (He can handle it!) cry, laugh, praise Him, however you feel led.  If you spend time with Him, you will be blessed, and will desire to fellowship with Him again.  I promise you will not regret it.                                                                         ©2014Janet Davis

Romans 8:26-27

²⁶ In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us when we are weak. We don’t know what we should pray for. But the Spirit Himself prays for us. He prays with groans too deep for words. ²⁷ God, who looks into our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit. And the Spirit prays for God’s people just as God wants Him to pray.

James4:8a

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you

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