But God who is merciful allows the heart to stop beating enough so that he could speak. Let the clamor and the noise of life stop.
In the midst of the silence we hear his voice. The tenderness yet authoritative instruction for us is to also look within and see the motive behind all our actions, thoughts, and even our pursuit of him.
It's a great feeling to be on top of the mountain. Everything looks well. Everything feels good.
But God knows how to invade my privacy!
Sometimes we don't even realize the error of our way, our complacency, or how we are slowly drifting. If the Lord does not intrude we will misrepresent him and find ourselves in disobedience.
No one likes to be confronted but I've learned when the Spirit of the Lord CHECKS ME, it is good.
We look within but often through a lens that we ourselves have manufactured. The lens is skewed. We go along with it and agree with the report, “all is well.”
I know I have nothing to offer except brokenness and emptiness.
I'd like to say, "but Lord look what I have done." But there is no “I” in this adventure. I have been purchased, redeemed, and become one who inherits the blessings of my Father in heaven.
Like a Good Father he knows his children well. He knows what to give us and what to keep from us.
All I have is an empty jar, a vessel crafted by his very hands in need of filling. This invasion is for my own good. He speaks and asks me to sit, close the door and wait. He reveals the things that are deeply hidden in my heart. He points them out and then asks if he could remove them.
In the struggle to keep the gates of my heart closed to keep my privacy to myself, he reminds me that he knows me well. Apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15)
I state my brokenness. I have nothing to offer. As I sit and meditate on his Good Name, he unveils the troubles in my heart. It's always an exchange, the brokenness for the refilling by his Spirit.
The intrusion is welcomed like a good surgeon invading a rotten wound to bring life again. Removing the diseased tissue and digging deep allows for healing to come.
”Rising to the surface of my heart came those little unspoken attitudes and thoughts that had passed by unnoticed and which I saw had offended the heart of God .” (“The Undone Worshiper” by Matt Redman)
Here is my heart God. Your daughter, one who worships you, one who desires to continue to mature, one who has been purchased by the blood of your son Jesus, one who gives you permission to intrude, search me out Lord and see if there be any wicked way in me. (Psalm 139)
Restoration can only come when I acknowledge I’m in need of renewal. Bring my heart back to its proper place. Restore in me a clean heart Oh God.
Sometimes we think that it's a major sin in our lives that keeps us distant from God. But, it is a slow transition of power we give up that creates a wandering. Unless God himself intrudes it would leave us drifting away from his presence.
No one likes to be confronted but I've learned when the Spirit of the Lord CHECKS ME, it is good.
We look within but often through a lens that we ourselves have manufactured. The lens is skewed. We go along with it and agree with the report, “all is well.”
I know I have nothing to offer except brokenness and emptiness.
I'd like to say, "but Lord look what I have done." But there is no “I” in this adventure. I have been purchased, redeemed, and become one who inherits the blessings of my Father in heaven.
Like a Good Father he knows his children well. He knows what to give us and what to keep from us.
All I have is an empty jar, a vessel crafted by his very hands in need of filling. This invasion is for my own good. He speaks and asks me to sit, close the door and wait. He reveals the things that are deeply hidden in my heart. He points them out and then asks if he could remove them.
In the struggle to keep the gates of my heart closed to keep my privacy to myself, he reminds me that he knows me well. Apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15)
I state my brokenness. I have nothing to offer. As I sit and meditate on his Good Name, he unveils the troubles in my heart. It's always an exchange, the brokenness for the refilling by his Spirit.
The intrusion is welcomed like a good surgeon invading a rotten wound to bring life again. Removing the diseased tissue and digging deep allows for healing to come.
”Rising to the surface of my heart came those little unspoken attitudes and thoughts that had passed by unnoticed and which I saw had offended the heart of God .” (“The Undone Worshiper” by Matt Redman)
Here is my heart God. Your daughter, one who worships you, one who desires to continue to mature, one who has been purchased by the blood of your son Jesus, one who gives you permission to intrude, search me out Lord and see if there be any wicked way in me. (Psalm 139)
Restoration can only come when I acknowledge I’m in need of renewal. Bring my heart back to its proper place. Restore in me a clean heart Oh God.
Sometimes we think that it's a major sin in our lives that keeps us distant from God. But, it is a slow transition of power we give up that creates a wandering. Unless God himself intrudes it would leave us drifting away from his presence.
God bless you!~Liz
