Testimony... One with God: February 2022

When I read God's Word, I hear Him speak

Since 1998, I have been reading God's Word nearly daily. Through my time with Him, I hear God speak to me. It's not audible. God just makes His Word evident to me. Those lessons are many times reinforced by messages delivered by teaching pastors and sharing with others who study God's Word. I used to write the messages in the margins of my Bible. Needless to say, my Bible is filling up with messages. In 2006, I started to be more intentional about writing God's lessons to me in a journal. Because God is just sharing so much with me, I feel the burning need to share with others. (Jeremiah 20:9) I am hoping that through this blog, folks will join me as we read, hear God and discuss what we've learned. This isn't so we can simply increase our knowledge about God or to spout off Scripture to impress people. This is so we can really come to know God, and get a greater meaning of His truths so we can go out and live them. God said that if we love Him, then we will obey His commands. (John 4:23-24) And James said don't just listen to (or read) the Word and think that's good enough; you're just deceiving yourself. Live the Word. (Rose's paraphrase of James 1:22) It's similar to this great quote people are passing around now... Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. So, join me as we learn from God and what He wants us to do. Then let's encourage one another to live it as a testimony to God so that people know He is who He says He is.

Monday, February 28, 2022

True Wisdom; Excerpts from Solomon's Journal

Ecclesiastes 2:13-14 ESV

"Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness."

Rose's translation:

Then I saw that there is more gain in being wise than being foolish, as there is more gain in knowing God than not knowing Him. The wise person has God's sight impact his thoughts but, the fool makes decisions based on his blindness to God.

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Honor through Trust

Numbers 20:1-13; Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Part of my study of Sabbath, rest, trust - thoughts on Scritpture

God ceased His work of creation on day seven. He trusted in Himself; trusted His planning. Trusted His work was complete; that He thought of every detail. Anticipated everything. Felt secure in what He did, established, instituted, created, and set into motion. Because, He trusted in who He is. He is complete and trustworthy.

Thus His resting made day seven special (unique). A day honoring God and God's resting, ceasing, trusting in His completeness; His wholeness. He needed nothing else. Therefor the day honored God, not God submitting to the day.

So when I work on the Sabbath, when my soul, mind and heart yearn to rest, I am seeking to provide myself a rest that I cannot accomplish nor provide. I am not trustworthy to myself so therefor what I try to accomplish apart from God, cannot provide me a trustworthy peace and contentment.

Instead, I am not wholly trusting in God who has provided me a lavish life filled with everything I need and more. I am not trusting in a God who has been with me all my life; shown Himself in undeniable ways. Proven He is who He says He is. Instead, I am trying to trust in myself to settle my heart and mind instead of trusting in the very and only God of my life - my heart and mind.

Oh Lord, forgive me. How often have I not honored You and misplaced my honor into myself instead of You. Help me to understand that I get to rest. I get to trust You fully and completely, for You are worthy of that trust. You have given me the gift of placing my trust into You. To rest on You. A gift to share with You, my husband, my family and others. A gift that when I accept it by trusting in You, that action becomes a visible sign to others that You are the one and only living God who loves me and them enough to gift us with Yourself. Your trustworthy plans for us and Your complete rest as we trust You fully.

I can trust You.

Will I?