Prayer is my focus in my spiritual life of 2009. I am attempting to be more faithful. Like many of you, daily I pray to see God and to know Him better. I have also been praying to boldly hear His voice. I took a break yesterday to read more from the author I have quoted above. This minister was discussing his encounter with God as he was seeking direction for his life while in college. In a quiet walk He audibly heard God's voice. Audibly. WOW. I'm jealous a
nd I let God know it. I asked Him why? Why not speak to me also? Am I not seeking what adventure He has for me on the other side of the door for 2009? I sense it. I want to be sure of it. Do you know what I am talking about here? Ever been in this situation with God?Grace. My past has not made sense to me. Why did I choose to enter certain si
ns when I knew better? Why did I followed my plan instead of His? What satan meant as harm, God is turning around for His glory. Stealing from Candice Olson "Now that's divine!" (though I love her show Divine Design, God's divine design trumps this any day).
The circumstances of my past is allowing me to share with others where I went wrong, things I didn't foresee, the severity of the pain, the healing process, God's love, forgiveness, and grace. The sting of my past is actually bringing glory to God? The sharing of my past is causing others to turn to Him, to seek His face? Amazing.
Uncertainties may be in your weekend...in your life. Embrace them. Don't walk through that door with the mind set of inviting God. Walk through that door following God's lead. Look for those divine appointments. Share Jesus. Share your life. Share His gift of love, forgiveness and grace. Find a way to glorify your Savior!
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.~ 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NLT)
I know I am going to sound like a broken record but it bears to be repeated....So what does your weekend hold for you? Do you have a busy schedule? Are you including God in it? Or better yet, are you following His plans instead? Don't walk into this weekend praying God to join you, instead follow Him into each day. Embrace those uncertainties and look for those divine appointments!
His maidservant~Pamela
9 comments:
So much to say to you through this post. First of all, I've been reading aloud 1 Peter this week, every day...the entire chapter. The verse about "speaking as if the Lord is speaking through you" was the focus of my prayer time last night. (talk about goosebumps right now...)
Second, I completely "get" where you're at about our past sins beginning to work for us instead of against us. When others know I'm divorced (and a pastor's wife to boot), they are much more likely to share some things with me that they might not otherwise. I am no longer "surprised" by what anyone confesses to me, nor am I as likely as I once was, to sit in judgement.
Lastly, I've, too, been praying to hear the audible voice of God on a regular basis; if not outloud, then via my dreams, like the ancients of old. I told him last night that I couldn't wait to see him face to face and to hear his voice and to "fully know" all of that which I now hold in part.
OK...long enough for the moment. It's good to know you, friend, and to share so many thoughts/feelings in common. You keep that torch lit in your neck of the woods, and I'll keep mine lit over here. It blesses my heart to know that we will share heaven together. Then, maybe we'll have some time for that chat we've been longing for.
peace to you this weekend~elaine
"Embrace relational uncertainty. It's called romance. Embrace spiritual uncertainty. It's called mystery. Embrace emotional uncertainty. It's called joy. Embrace intellectual uncertainty. It's called revelation." ~Mark Batterson
I love that quote! It's so interesting in life we willingly embrace all of these things when we fall in love with our partner, but with God we are so hesitant.
I also wanted to tell you something regarding your comment today on my blog, I have had SO many searches for Godly things too. I am going to put them on a different post. The search words that I get often (and I know are confirmation from God) go something like this: "Can God save my marriage?" or "Is my marriage worth saving?"
Pretty neat, huh? Every time I see those words, I know that I am doing exactly what God wants me to do. I know a lot of my posts are just silly nonsense, but the ones that are about God are still there...and people are coming to them. The Women of the Bible posts get people every single day...especially the one about Anna. People from all over the world (literally) have come to these posts. It's humbling to me. It's also convicting that I need to do more of them. I am in the process now of working on that.
The Lord doesn't need me to be eloquent with words, He just wants me to be faithful to share them. Sometimes I feel like I fall short, because I am not "eloquent" with words so to speak, but God can use me anyway, amen?
I pray that you have a blessed weekend, Pamela. And thank you for your words on this post today. You are always an encouragement to me.
God Bless,
Amy:)
Powerful and encouraging post, Pamela. I love the Lion book. Mark has some great things to say.
Your mention of gifts is a little eary to me...it's been on my mind...wondering if there is something besides the gift of writing for me.
In short, will you pray for me over the next week. I'm in a small group for ladies. I plan to stay in it. But with growth, our church can use another evening ladies group as ours has been "closed"...the point of small group is to stay small. We are at 17 now. There is not a leader for the new group. I'm pondering and praying for myself in that role. Is it what God wants. I've spoken to my group leader and she says I'd be great. She always praises my value to the group. As she said...God doesn't call the equipped but equips the called. So, God are you calling me? Will I spread myself too thin with my writing, participating in a Bible study and then leading another. I have NEVER lead a study...not even as a sub for one night! NEVER!
Pamela,
You said: "Don't walk through that door with the mind set of inviting God. Walk through that door following God's lead."
That is so empowering. What a great insight. Follow God, don't lead Him. Don't we do that a lot in life? We take the lead and expect God to follow us!
Boy, do we have it all wrong!!
Thank you and many blessings Pamela.
There is that word, Girlfriend....EMBRACE.
I so want to EMBRACE what He has in store for me. This weekend, this month, this year...for eternity.
Using our past for kingdom gain, I bet the enemy hates that one, don't you?
Lovingly as I reach for Higher Grounds,
Yolanda
Once again...I have to comment...you have spoken words here that I needed to hear...words that have came to you from God, because God knew I would read them. Thank you for your post...You have definately uplifted me and shown me the direction back to HIS path!!!
Though it is true we make a lot of what we might perceive as needless mistakes and bad choices in our lives, it is all part of the process that has brought us to the understanding we have today. God is so good to us, isn't he?
I have been where you speak of here and have at times struggled with my past thinking damaged fruit has come from tainted seeds that I have sewn, but today I thank the Lord for using each instance where the enemy meant to harm me to teach and prepare me for where he has me today.
In a bit of a contemplative mood today I am resting in the assurance that His plans for me have not changed. I have also been in situations where my poor choices and the experiences that have come from them have proven helpful in relationship with those who have similar struggles.
His grace is sufficient and he meets me at every crossroad. He has been faithful even when I have not. I feel blessed today as I ponder all that the Lord has done out of his unending love for me.
He simply amazes me. He provides opportunities as you say here. It seems most often those things happen pretty naturally as we encounter those people in our lives throughout our days.
Thank you for stopping by my blog again and saying a prayer for me. I have been a little out of the blogging world these last few days. Other things have priority at the moment, but I will post again soon. Perhaps today.
Great words Pamela - our pastor has been preaching on Peter - great books and great story of a follower's life. So much to learn for all of us. Thanks for allowing him to use your story as well. My eyes are open and I'm looking for those appointments. And at the same time praying that when I recognize the open door that He will strengthen me to walk thru it.
Blessings,
jill
WOW is all I can say. I need to read your blog more often.
I loved the part about not asking God to join you...but instead following His lead. That is so hard to do for me. I am a very strong willed, motivated person about my life...so to sit back and let Him lead is rough! But each day I try...
Thank you for all your lovely comments on my blog. Please keep them coming. Any new insight to my "issues" are well appreciated. Even though we don't "know" each other, I think God put you into my path for a reason...for a season. So please...any advice you have for a struggling wife who longs for her husband to join her in church would be wonderful!!
;) Libby
Post a Comment