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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Getting to Know God

Of all the relationships in my life, the most important one is the one I have with God. 

Throughout my years, there have been times when I've allowed the craziness of life to get in the way of working on that relationship, and when that has happened, the result is always mental and spiritual exhaustion.  In other words, I can't function without Him.  Years ago, a fairly traumatic event occurred in my life that woke me up spiritually.  It was at that time, God started a spiritual revival in me.  I began seeing again how important it was to go to my God every day and talk to Him.   The more time I spent with Him, the more I understood the magnitude of His gift to me, and the more I loved Him.  It became a great joy for me to go to Him every day and pour my heart out to Him, worship, pray, and listen.   Years later, I realized God had been using that revival, drawing me closer to Him to prepare me, so that when another traumatic event came along, I was able to run to Him in my time of great need, without getting lost.  Because of His calling, because of His patience, I am closer to my great God than I ever have been.  He is my comforter, friend, almighty creator, savior, and guide.  I look forward daily to my time with Him and I know He longs for that time with me as well just as He longs to spend time with all His children.  In recent conversations with other believers, I have been asked how to get to know God.  One e-mailer said "I want to sense God's presence beside me daily.  How do I get to that point?"  In another discussion about talking to God a friend wondered "Where do I start?"  The next few blog entries will focus on personal time with God and getting to know Him.  I will start today with the first and yet seemingly the most difficult step.   

It is simply this:

Make Time. It is a requirement.  Any relationship demands time for getting to know one another.  It is the same with God.  We cannot get to know Him, if we don't make time for Him.  We may wonder why we don't sense His presence in our time of need, and even get a little angry with Him when our quick "help me Lord" prayers on the go aren't answered, and yet we aren't willing to stop-take a few minutes to go talk to Him and tell Him what we need, or what we are feeling.  What would we do if a friend stopped talking to us?  How would we feel if we lavished gifts on someone but didn't even get a thank you?  Or how about the call from a friend who cancels that lunch date because they get a better offer?  We would be hurt and think these behaviors were rude.  Yet that is what we are doing when we don’t stop and talk to our Heavenly Father.  We expect Him to give and give but we don't talk to Him or even say thank you.  We promise Him 15 minutes in the morning but a better offer gets in the way.  I have learned there are no excuses.  He is there waiting for me always.  I must make time.  When I do, I never regret it.

Make time.   That is the first step.                                                                       ©2014 Janet Davis

More Monday. 

Proverbs 8:17  "I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me."

Deuteronomy 4:29  "But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."    

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 Isaiah 55: 1-3

“Come, all you who are thirsty, 
  come to the waters; 
and you who have no money, 
come, buy and eat!  
Come, buy wine and milk 
without money and without cost. 
 Why spend money on what is not bread,  and your labor on what does not satisfy? 
 Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, 
and you will delight in the richest of fare. 
 Give ear and come to me; 
listen, that you may live.”

Thirsty

 It was there before my feet hit the floor and I turned off the alarm.  It remained through breakfast and as I drank my coffee.  So strong was my thirst for God this morning that on my way out the door to take my son to school, I grabbed my E-book.  My son  looked at me and questioned, and I replied, “I’m going to find a place to have devotions after I drop you off.”  He smiled, understanding.  This “thirst” I speak of was real; a true yearning-almost an aching- to spend time with my Heavenly Father.  It wasn’t that I was particularly weighed down with any one item.  I couldn’t put my finger on an area of great concern or need, but simply put, I missed Him.  I was missing that one on one time with my Savior and friend.  It was my own fault, too.  He had been waiting for me all along, but my day before had become so busy I pushed Him aside, ignoring His longing to spend time with me,  calm my anxious thoughts, and put my busy list of things to do in perspective. 
 Today I found a quiet spot by the river, away from life’s distractions, where I could spend time reading the Bible, and listening.  (Listening is so important!)  My Heavenly Father met me there. 
I am thankful for His patience.  He  refreshed my weary soul and renewed my mind.  He offered,
 in His word, comfort, instruction, and encouragement.  I sat there a long time, enjoying His beautiful creation, and grateful for a God who is always present and always welcoming to His children.  
We all struggle with finding time in our busy lives to stop and read His Word and listen to His still small voice.  How wonderful to know that no matter how long it has been, He is there, waiting patiently, eager to spend time with us!  He knows our hearts and longs for us to come to Him so He can help us through this crazy adventure we call life.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ©2012 Janet Davis
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