04 June 2008

The Secret Place
~
Last week, I shared that I had really begun to get serious about making my devotional time a priority. Even if it means getting up earlier than before. I want God to know how much I want Him with me in my daily life.
~
Well, Monday I had to run around town, so I stopped by Lifeway to look at a couple of new books that just released I'd been anxious to read. And I am never able to just go get what I have in mind and then just leave with that. I have to peruse. I have to scope out what's new. I have to see what I've been missing! Basically, I have to pick out a big stack of books, to eventually have to put some back, to ultimately walk out with an easy $100 worth of new reading material.
~
But, Monday I actually did really well! I was amazed! I almost put one back, but decided not to, and got everything I'd settled on and it only came to $68! Not bad!! For five books! The two new fiction books I'd been looking forward to coming out. Two great ones by John MacArthur. And a new devotional by Andrew Murray.
~
I've kind of been looking for a new devotional (I've done Streams for over 3 years straight now) but just didn't find one that 'called me' like this one. :) It's called: "Daily in His Presence". Just what I've been desiring. And I don't know about any of you, but when I'm looking at any new devotionals, to get a good 'feel' for it, I always look up (first) my birthday and (second) the present day.
~
Well, the May 12th scripture is ~ "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spririt lives in you? God's temple is sacred , and you are that temple." (1 Cor. 3:16-17)
Wow. What a sense of humility, pride and responsibility that scripture stirs up. And to think that many times, He feels so distant? When He couldn't be any closer. And, the transitive property dictates that we are sacred (aka: regarded with reverence) in God's own eyes!
~
Then, June 2nd (Monday) the scripture is ~ "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now, remain in my love." (John 15:9)
Again. What an honor to be part of such a powerful unity. He loves us in the very way that the Father loves His one and only Son. And desires for us to remain in this love.
But, it's up to us to remain. He's the constant. He loves us unconditionally. It's up to us to accept this unconditional love and remain in it.
~
Devotion.
~
That brings me to today's lesson ~ "But, when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matt. 6:6)
~
Tonight, Gary spoke about the 'Invisible World' (based on "The Invisible War" by Chip Ingram). The fourth dimension, if you will. All the things out there not visible or tangible to our sight or touch. One of which being that of satan. Another being God ('the Father Who is unseen'). But, notice, just after He acknowledges our inability to see Him, it goes on to say 'the Father sees what is done'.
We may not see Him - in our traditional, tangible sense. But, we must be assured that He sees us.

And loves us.

And lives within us.

And how could we not remain in just the mere thought of that!

*attached is my new devotional 'theme song'. Don't know how Natasha Bedingfield intended it, but I think it's a great proclamation against satan and his schemes! Don't you? And just catchy enough to have in my arsenal to send him fleeing any time of day. :) No matter how he tries to control me. For I know I have a Love that is all mine!*

5 comments:

Brad and Shana said...

Isn't it great to get a good dose of encouragement!!! So glad God is speaking to you so clearly.

Shana

Anonymous said...

Andrew Murray is great! And so is that song. I just heard it last night when I tried to download her "Unwritten" song onto my iPod. Cool.

Anonymous said...

Oh, nice pic of your side table btw. What happened to all the candy??? LOL!

Chanda Canup said...

Great post, Jess. Remaining in HIm -- and the thought that He wants this so much, no matter our past mistakes.

And, always so great to hear from you! Thanks for the encouragment!

Michele said...

Great post, Jess. There never is enough time in the bookstore, is there? I will have a post soon, too on morning devotion. It's neat to see He is working in all of us to come closer to Him.