I have a few more minuets before I head home.
Peggy and Lui and the Tall's new place is beautiful. I'm enjoying the Friday evening sky. The view is one of the best I've seen in town here. I've been the house girl while Peggy and Lui were gone today. It's a job I like, and I don't mind that it's not just down the street from school anymore.
The week has been crazy. A few notes have been jotted down in my journal. A few have been written on scratch paper and are stuffed in a binder or crumpled in my backpack. Some are still lingering in my brain. One of these days, I'll get time to turn some of these thoughts into a post.
But just now...I've been memorizing. And though I admit to being behind schedule, I'm hooked!
The book of Acts was the first book I sequentially began reading through on my own. Don't ask me why it wasn't Genesis or Matthew or John. I was about eleven, and I distinctly remember laying in my bed flipping through my brand new Bible. Somehow, it was Acts that I decided was my first project.
The stories were thrilling to me. Now, more so!
Nothing has made me slow down and really understand the connectedness of these passages, the details, the implications like now.
Verse by verse I'm seeing God working through His agents fit for service by the Holy Spirit's power....The work of Acts continues today, and I pray for that work to continue in my heart.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Quarter
Warning: I am experiencing a severe case of boredom which, for me, is an extremely rare occurrence. Symptoms apparently include chronic rambling and a deviation from the principles of brevity. I apologize, in advance, to those who endeavor to read this post and succumb to the same disorder.
It's been almost two months exactly. A quarter has come and gone (as of yesterday).
And though I never meant to slow down at all during spring break, sickness has had its way with me, and I am currently curled up on the couch with the bad stomach thing. But God is good and got me through all my finals before any symptoms started showing.
Choir party is happening now...I love all those kids and was so hoping to be there.
I still have next week free, and hopefully, we'll be able to start on our canvassing project. We'll see...
I always learn something during the quarter. I know that it sounds like a "dah" statement because that's the whole point of going to school, isn't it? In a way. But will I, ten years down the road, remember everything about the different theories of psychology? Will I remember all that terminology that I have drilled into my brain? Some of it maybe...but just now, I can't even remember anything detailed enough to use as an example. (Symptom of the flue? not sure).
But I have had my forever Teacher in every class I've gone too. I truly believe that He's the one that has taken me from an insecure, wimpy high school student to what I am today. (I really appreciated my friend Cami's blog post click here. Her story is very much like mine, and the desire of my heart, she puts so well.
This Teacher has not only enabled me to "learn" the trivial. He has enabled me, through it all, to learn the lasting. These life lessons I pray I will never forget. Every quarter the lessons are just a bit different, but usually they have alot to do with faith, trust, determination, boldness, and making Him first in everything. This quarter it was all this plus more.
Psychology has been one of those subjects that I have deferred to the end. I actually love learning about the brain how it works extra....but so much humanism and every other way the devil can divert our minds from the only true source of power is presented. And there's nothing, nothing at all about the only Source of true strength.
It has exposed me to the problems. They are far more than this homeschooled girl has ever imagined even though my circle has embraced a few and called them our own. I guess it's just that I haven't realized that so many everyday-looking people that sit with me in class struggle to a degree that so many do. The sad part is that most of the time, the problem stems from a "self something" and it's trying to be fixed with a self something. Don't get me wrong. I understand that there are such a vast amount of contributors to the pain that so many go through, and I ask, "Why?".
Taking another biology class has confirmed, for me, that I am fascinated with anatomy and physiology. I'm getting close to A &P classes and closer to the nursing program. I'm elated! Some of you will remember that nursing, I up until I started college, was the farthest thing from even a consideration of a career path for me. I think it was my narrow perception of what a nurse does and then also a pride thing that made me so adamant that I would never be a nurse. Okay, I'm far from being done, but I'm enjoying the process and I'm excited that I'm going into a field where I may touch the physically needy for God's glory.
That's what this life is about folks. It's short. It's fragile as my dad would say. And it's only for one purpose: the honor and glory of God. I know I've heard sermons about it, but I've never grasped what that glory really is. My answer came through the book Mount of Blessings pg. 31."Through trials and persecution, the glory- character- of God is revealed through His chosen ones." When I look at promises of future and present glory, it fits! And we have the weighty responsibility of displaying that glory. That's why David says, "Oh magnify the Lord with me". We are to "show up close" the character of God to the world. It makes me tremble. Peace with this work can only come as we realize that He is the one that does it through human vessels.
One more thing I've learned or been reminded of is how fearful this vessel is. I've wanted to talk to some of my psychology classmates about the amazing strength of God -ask them to give Him a try. Opportunities are few though, and I (even though many may protest) am far to shy for my liking. But if given the chance, to refuse to share what trusting in Jesus is all about would be more than a shame. I had a small chance in an essay for my teacher and I, thankfully, took it. Though not a Christian ( I think) her last word to me on the email with my grade was, "Don't ever compromise who you are and what you believe in." She knows what I believe and what makes me who I am. I'm amazed that God can show a little bit of his glory through a quivering heart like mine.
This is why I shoot for excellence in school: that He may be glorified. His faithfulness has been shown time and again through this journey. I have no reason to doubt or fear, because this education is in His hands. My prayer this quarter has been that if someday His leading brings me to a place that I don't deem as success, that I would still trust and follow and live for His glory and not my own.
The Fords are still plugging away at Acts two. We've put some of it to song- songs that I, as a lover of great music, can't boast about. The point here is not to have any magnificent composition ( it's far from it). We're just doing what ever we can to dig these words into our brains in an unforgettable way. We're not afraid to go to extremes of creativity to learn esp. verses nine through eleven:)
It's been almost two months exactly. A quarter has come and gone (as of yesterday).
And though I never meant to slow down at all during spring break, sickness has had its way with me, and I am currently curled up on the couch with the bad stomach thing. But God is good and got me through all my finals before any symptoms started showing.
Choir party is happening now...I love all those kids and was so hoping to be there.
I still have next week free, and hopefully, we'll be able to start on our canvassing project. We'll see...
I always learn something during the quarter. I know that it sounds like a "dah" statement because that's the whole point of going to school, isn't it? In a way. But will I, ten years down the road, remember everything about the different theories of psychology? Will I remember all that terminology that I have drilled into my brain? Some of it maybe...but just now, I can't even remember anything detailed enough to use as an example. (Symptom of the flue? not sure).
But I have had my forever Teacher in every class I've gone too. I truly believe that He's the one that has taken me from an insecure, wimpy high school student to what I am today. (I really appreciated my friend Cami's blog post click here. Her story is very much like mine, and the desire of my heart, she puts so well.
This Teacher has not only enabled me to "learn" the trivial. He has enabled me, through it all, to learn the lasting. These life lessons I pray I will never forget. Every quarter the lessons are just a bit different, but usually they have alot to do with faith, trust, determination, boldness, and making Him first in everything. This quarter it was all this plus more.
Psychology has been one of those subjects that I have deferred to the end. I actually love learning about the brain how it works extra....but so much humanism and every other way the devil can divert our minds from the only true source of power is presented. And there's nothing, nothing at all about the only Source of true strength.
It has exposed me to the problems. They are far more than this homeschooled girl has ever imagined even though my circle has embraced a few and called them our own. I guess it's just that I haven't realized that so many everyday-looking people that sit with me in class struggle to a degree that so many do. The sad part is that most of the time, the problem stems from a "self something" and it's trying to be fixed with a self something. Don't get me wrong. I understand that there are such a vast amount of contributors to the pain that so many go through, and I ask, "Why?".
- I've learned why I'm not judge, and I've seen why only God who sees that heart is.
- I've begun to pray that I would see this world through His eyes.
- I've grown more tired of this old sin experiment than ever before
- I've learned how closely the deceiver tries to mix truth with error
- I've learned, more than ever before, that He is my only strength and my only safeguard
- I've seen how important it is that we be in touch with God- that we let Him work through us despite our fears to at least show people there's a better way.
Taking another biology class has confirmed, for me, that I am fascinated with anatomy and physiology. I'm getting close to A &P classes and closer to the nursing program. I'm elated! Some of you will remember that nursing, I up until I started college, was the farthest thing from even a consideration of a career path for me. I think it was my narrow perception of what a nurse does and then also a pride thing that made me so adamant that I would never be a nurse. Okay, I'm far from being done, but I'm enjoying the process and I'm excited that I'm going into a field where I may touch the physically needy for God's glory.
That's what this life is about folks. It's short. It's fragile as my dad would say. And it's only for one purpose: the honor and glory of God. I know I've heard sermons about it, but I've never grasped what that glory really is. My answer came through the book Mount of Blessings pg. 31."Through trials and persecution, the glory- character- of God is revealed through His chosen ones." When I look at promises of future and present glory, it fits! And we have the weighty responsibility of displaying that glory. That's why David says, "Oh magnify the Lord with me". We are to "show up close" the character of God to the world. It makes me tremble. Peace with this work can only come as we realize that He is the one that does it through human vessels.
One more thing I've learned or been reminded of is how fearful this vessel is. I've wanted to talk to some of my psychology classmates about the amazing strength of God -ask them to give Him a try. Opportunities are few though, and I (even though many may protest) am far to shy for my liking. But if given the chance, to refuse to share what trusting in Jesus is all about would be more than a shame. I had a small chance in an essay for my teacher and I, thankfully, took it. Though not a Christian ( I think) her last word to me on the email with my grade was, "Don't ever compromise who you are and what you believe in." She knows what I believe and what makes me who I am. I'm amazed that God can show a little bit of his glory through a quivering heart like mine.
This is why I shoot for excellence in school: that He may be glorified. His faithfulness has been shown time and again through this journey. I have no reason to doubt or fear, because this education is in His hands. My prayer this quarter has been that if someday His leading brings me to a place that I don't deem as success, that I would still trust and follow and live for His glory and not my own.
The Fords are still plugging away at Acts two. We've put some of it to song- songs that I, as a lover of great music, can't boast about. The point here is not to have any magnificent composition ( it's far from it). We're just doing what ever we can to dig these words into our brains in an unforgettable way. We're not afraid to go to extremes of creativity to learn esp. verses nine through eleven:)
Friday, January 20, 2012
Just a Phrase...
...that has kept me going: "Beauty for ashes". That's all.
Of course this has been amongst other things that continue to inspire this heart -memories that seem so distant...GYC, songs, prayers, answers....but weren't so long ago.
Through the running around of the first couple weeks of the quarter, the everyday life, the week that started with an interesting, normal, but not my kind of normal episodes (i.e. read my Mom's blog)...I lie in bed thinking, praying for a promise.
And this is it.
He gives beauty for ashes -
The ashes of my life.
The ashes of broken lives...hurt minds.
His beauty.
That imputed to us is a miracle.
A miracle promised.
Of course this has been amongst other things that continue to inspire this heart -memories that seem so distant...GYC, songs, prayers, answers....but weren't so long ago.
Through the running around of the first couple weeks of the quarter, the everyday life, the week that started with an interesting, normal, but not my kind of normal episodes (i.e. read my Mom's blog)...I lie in bed thinking, praying for a promise.
And this is it.
He gives beauty for ashes -
The ashes of my life.
The ashes of broken lives...hurt minds.
His beauty.
That imputed to us is a miracle.
A miracle promised.
Monday, December 19, 2011
We Call It Christmas
From my journal:
I'm kneeling by my bed. I need refreshing. I need to see Jesus in a special way again tonight. I ask, and I'm drawn back through that old story to the beginning.
The day had arrived. He must go. The songs of angels hush as He steps down from His throne. The Father meets Him. They embrace.
They've never been apart. Even the thought of separation is painful. With a love that can almost never let go they cling, yet the Father is about to do the impossible. He's about to let His Son, His only Son go. And for what?...For me? I shudder.
In that long embrace, both Father and Son can see down the corridors of time. They see the lowly stable, the ungrateful crowds, the sneering, the mocking. He would receive little welcome from those for whom he had left everything. The trials He must bear are seen- the pain, the rejection. And as if this wasn't enough, there was the lingering thought...They knew well the hatred that Lucifer held against Christ. They knew that he would throw all his furious darts at the Savior. He would do all he could do make Him fall. Would it be to much? The risk of eternal failure and loss was ever present. The thought was horrifying. Nothing could be worth the risk..... or could it?
Were there tears, cries of anguish, sobs of grief in the heavenly mansions? I cannot tell, but my eyes are filled with tears. I choke a sob.
Through it all, They see the cross. They know He would have the most fearful death. Why? Those who he'd come to rescue would be the ones jeering, mocking, crucifying Him. Right now, the Father doesn't have to let Him go. The Son doesn't have to leave all for the dark and sinful world. They still can say "no". The price could be, no, it was to great... Except for unimaginable love.
This was the only way to bring their children home, and if one would accept Him, it would be worth it. Still, this good-bye was the hardest the universe had ever witnessed.
Jesus finally breaks away from His Father's arms. He smiles. He's thinking of His children that He will be bringing home. His voice rings throughout heaven, "Lo I come. Sacrifices and offerings Thou wouldest not, but a body thou hast prepared me. Lo I come to do Thy will O my God."
Angels wonder. They can't understand it, yet their hearts are filled with a deeper love and joy for Master who would lay aside all for His children. They await the command to share this joy with the world. They watch...but something is wrong. The people don't recognize Him. They aren't welcoming Him with the love and honor they long to pour out to Jesus. Human hearts are slow. Human eyes are weak.
But a few hear the heavenly singing. A few see the glory. A few recognize the king.
Where would I be? I shudder again. I cannot tell.
All I know now is that I've had a glimpse of Him. I whisper my thanks.
The words are no longer lifeless, old, repeated words. They are true, alive, yet still not comprehensible to me: "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. "
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Poor
A dozen posts have been written in my head. Oh for time to get them on paper! But finals are done. Christmas choir program is done (we still have more to do:). Our household has been too busy to do any of our Christmas traditions. Only one thing we have done is the music, and hey, it's one of my favorite parts of the season. We love sharing it, practicing it, listening to it. The new CD from the Nebbletts plays again and again. We love it! Check it out: I Cannot Tell
There nothing to say for a transition, but I'll move on:)
I'm reading my Bible. Taking the book of Luke at an extremely slow pace. I write, and I learn, and my heart loves my Savior more.
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God."
Way to make me wish I was poor! I've always been like 'well, guess this wasn't really written for me'. In literal life, I've never gone hungry for too long, never been cold for too long, never had nothing...or at least I've thought. The phrase 'poor in spirit' used in Mathew has never been tangible for me either.
That all changed with this thought:
Poverty or being poor is not necessarily having nothing, but recognizing that everything you have is nothing.
What are our earthly possessions in comparison to the things God has prepared for us?...And we hold onto them? For what?
I get a glimpse of why God promises the kingdom of God to those who are poor: they want it.
If we think ourselves rich and increased with goods, guess what, we don't need for more... all the while He pleads, "'Buy of me.' What I offer is far better than the filthy rags you think are so amazing."
Then it clicks. I realize what He's really calling for. It's a call to His church...and it's a call to me:
"You say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of
nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be
rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame
of thy nakedness do not appear."
Recognize, everything you have is worth nothing. Your righteousness. Your goodness. It's nothing. You are poor. And when you get that, you'll buy. I will give you more than you can imagine: A character molded by my hands, a garment of righteousness that's truly pure.
But understand.
Vanessa, you won't get this by trying really hard. You must come and buy it from me.
When we are willing to see ourselves in our true state, the promise is ours. The kingdom of heaven is ours.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Trip to Canada
Vacation was sweet. Journey to the north was good for everyone. It's been a long time- had to brush up on my Canadian:) It's amazing. It's been only a few days, and I find myself splattering "eh" over everything again. We really enjoyed being with family, and we treasure the moments.
Here's some of my journal entries from the trip:
Isaac came with us to see Grandma at her new place. I followed him down the nursing home hallways to her room. We peeked in. She was sleeping. I looked in again. I've never seen Grandma sleeping in a bed before.
Grandma has always been a busy kind. Always talking to someone or reading, and when she's slept, it was most always in her rocker. We are encouraged to wake her.....We feel the gap of time since we were last here......
Eventually we make our way to the lounge room where there is a piano. We sing. We ask Grandma for a favorite. She says my "Jesus I Love Thee". I smile. Tis one of my favorites.
.......
It's our last night of vacation. Dad and I visit Grandma one more time. She's more perky tonight. We sit on her bed and talk. She asks about the twins who have both gone to bed. She particularly is interested in James who Uncle Peter, the cousins, and now she has nicknamed Jimmy. She says, "He's a nice young lad isn't he?". She asks about Memere and Pepere. She points to the picture on the wall and reminds us of our old grandpa.... But what impresses my heart most is her favorite theme: the goodness of God, His faithfulness, His love. She recounts the times He has been there for her.
She reminds us of how her American father died in the US while she was very young leaving her large family in England fatherless. They were poor, but God provided for all their needs. Their teachers at school had no idea how needy they were. Grandma says, "The Lord blessed and they respected us despite how poor we were."
Then Grandma talks about their time in Africa. "The Lord provided everything we put in our mouths. He took care of us. He really did, and He takes care of all His children as they put their trust in Him. We've just got to trust and obey". She starts repeating the chorus of the old hymn "Trust and Obey". "You know if you're walking with the Lord, you can just walk around wherever you go and talk to the Lord. It's not just a couple of hours here and there. No, it's everywhere you go."
"Walking with God" is no wordy metaphor to Grandma. It's literal. It's apart of her everyday life.
She talks about the privileged of prayer. "We have a Savior who wants us to talk with Him. He does! " My soul thrills as she continues. I love this gospel theme too. It's been Grandma's for many years. I've heard it many time before. Tonight it's fresh. I brush tears from my eyes and stair at the floor. I'm not quite sure why I'm crying.
Dad picks up Grandma's Bible, and asks if she wants Him to read. He turns to John and begins somewhere in the middle. Grandma repeats the verses by memory as Dad reads.
We pray.
We get Grandma Hugs.
We say good-bye.
She won't let us go without seeing us to the door. She stands and waves until we're out of sight...
There are two things that matter to Grandma: her family and her Lord. Grandma is a prayer warrior. We've heard her story of prayer told by numerous speakers who know nothing else of her. Small details are changed as it's passed on by word of mouth, but the core of the story stays the same. It's of a lady in Lillooet that was used by God through prayer. That's a story with results that have been witnessed. How many more will we learn of in heaven?
...............
We hope to be able to go visit again soon. We just have to wait until visas and passports and....++ are taken care of. Oh the joys of being foreigners:)
Here's some of my journal entries from the trip:
Isaac came with us to see Grandma at her new place. I followed him down the nursing home hallways to her room. We peeked in. She was sleeping. I looked in again. I've never seen Grandma sleeping in a bed before.
Grandma has always been a busy kind. Always talking to someone or reading, and when she's slept, it was most always in her rocker. We are encouraged to wake her.....We feel the gap of time since we were last here......
Eventually we make our way to the lounge room where there is a piano. We sing. We ask Grandma for a favorite. She says my "Jesus I Love Thee". I smile. Tis one of my favorites.
.......
It's our last night of vacation. Dad and I visit Grandma one more time. She's more perky tonight. We sit on her bed and talk. She asks about the twins who have both gone to bed. She particularly is interested in James who Uncle Peter, the cousins, and now she has nicknamed Jimmy. She says, "He's a nice young lad isn't he?". She asks about Memere and Pepere. She points to the picture on the wall and reminds us of our old grandpa.... But what impresses my heart most is her favorite theme: the goodness of God, His faithfulness, His love. She recounts the times He has been there for her.
She reminds us of how her American father died in the US while she was very young leaving her large family in England fatherless. They were poor, but God provided for all their needs. Their teachers at school had no idea how needy they were. Grandma says, "The Lord blessed and they respected us despite how poor we were."
Then Grandma talks about their time in Africa. "The Lord provided everything we put in our mouths. He took care of us. He really did, and He takes care of all His children as they put their trust in Him. We've just got to trust and obey". She starts repeating the chorus of the old hymn "Trust and Obey". "You know if you're walking with the Lord, you can just walk around wherever you go and talk to the Lord. It's not just a couple of hours here and there. No, it's everywhere you go."
"Walking with God" is no wordy metaphor to Grandma. It's literal. It's apart of her everyday life.
She talks about the privileged of prayer. "We have a Savior who wants us to talk with Him. He does! " My soul thrills as she continues. I love this gospel theme too. It's been Grandma's for many years. I've heard it many time before. Tonight it's fresh. I brush tears from my eyes and stair at the floor. I'm not quite sure why I'm crying.
Dad picks up Grandma's Bible, and asks if she wants Him to read. He turns to John and begins somewhere in the middle. Grandma repeats the verses by memory as Dad reads.
We pray.
We get Grandma Hugs.
We say good-bye.
She won't let us go without seeing us to the door. She stands and waves until we're out of sight...
There are two things that matter to Grandma: her family and her Lord. Grandma is a prayer warrior. We've heard her story of prayer told by numerous speakers who know nothing else of her. Small details are changed as it's passed on by word of mouth, but the core of the story stays the same. It's of a lady in Lillooet that was used by God through prayer. That's a story with results that have been witnessed. How many more will we learn of in heaven?
...............
We hope to be able to go visit again soon. We just have to wait until visas and passports and....++ are taken care of. Oh the joys of being foreigners:)
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Write Them On My Heart
"Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers. Write them upon the tablets of thine heart. "Proverbs 7:2-3
My laws. My Commandments.Without them, happiness would not exist. But though created for the blessing and benefit of creation, they are looked upon as burdensome.
Why? Perhaps it's because they're deeper than the superficial and external- greater than human will can resolve. They're founded on love- love for God & love for man. God love-humanly impossible to attain to.
We might say it's a heart problem. It's a big one indeed because I've discovered that I cannot change my heart. And if the essence of His law is love, though I might be able to grit my teeth and pull it off (for awhile), external obedience will not cut it. I cannot make myself keep His law because I cannot make myself love.
But He commands: "Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers. Write them upon the tablets of thine heart. "Proverbs 7:2-3
Sometimes it takes a few days of mulling over a verse for it to really click in my brain. The 'click' came with two kindergarten memory verses.
"I will put my law in their inward parts, and write them on the tablets of their hearts" Jeremiah 31:33 .
He recognizes our weakness to obey in completeness, and so He says, "I will do it in their hearts".
But get this: "The Lord looketh on the heart."1 Sam. 16:7.
It's an amazing picture to me. God, the same God that wrote those laws with His powerful finger in the tablets of stone, has promised to write them on my heart. Then when He looks at my life, he looks at the very place where He has inscribed His law. What He sees is His own beautiful handwriting, his perfection, His goodness.
Our part in all this?
"The same law that was engraved upon the tables of stone is written by the Holy Spirit upon the tables of the heart. Instead of going about to establish our own righteousness we accept the righteousness of Christ. His blood atones for our sins. His obedience is accepted for us. Then the heart renewed by the Holy Spirit will bring forth “the fruits of the Spirit.” Through the grace of Christ we shall live in bedience to the law of God written upon our hearts. Having the Spirit of Christ, we shall walk even as He walked. Through the prophet He declared of Himself, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psalm 40:8. And when among men He said, “The Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:29." {PP 372.2}
The last part of this paragraph finishes my trian of thought. "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Whatever's in my heart will show in my actions. When God's law is written there, my actions are only the product of the work being done inside.
The Link below is a song by the Bonds--my newest favorite. It sums up this whole beautiful concept. It is my prayer.
Write Them on My Heart
My laws. My Commandments.Without them, happiness would not exist. But though created for the blessing and benefit of creation, they are looked upon as burdensome.
Why? Perhaps it's because they're deeper than the superficial and external- greater than human will can resolve. They're founded on love- love for God & love for man. God love-humanly impossible to attain to.
We might say it's a heart problem. It's a big one indeed because I've discovered that I cannot change my heart. And if the essence of His law is love, though I might be able to grit my teeth and pull it off (for awhile), external obedience will not cut it. I cannot make myself keep His law because I cannot make myself love.
But He commands: "Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers. Write them upon the tablets of thine heart. "Proverbs 7:2-3
Sometimes it takes a few days of mulling over a verse for it to really click in my brain. The 'click' came with two kindergarten memory verses.
"I will put my law in their inward parts, and write them on the tablets of their hearts" Jeremiah 31:33 .
He recognizes our weakness to obey in completeness, and so He says, "I will do it in their hearts".
But get this: "The Lord looketh on the heart."1 Sam. 16:7.
It's an amazing picture to me. God, the same God that wrote those laws with His powerful finger in the tablets of stone, has promised to write them on my heart. Then when He looks at my life, he looks at the very place where He has inscribed His law. What He sees is His own beautiful handwriting, his perfection, His goodness.
Our part in all this?
"The same law that was engraved upon the tables of stone is written by the Holy Spirit upon the tables of the heart. Instead of going about to establish our own righteousness we accept the righteousness of Christ. His blood atones for our sins. His obedience is accepted for us. Then the heart renewed by the Holy Spirit will bring forth “the fruits of the Spirit.” Through the grace of Christ we shall live in bedience to the law of God written upon our hearts. Having the Spirit of Christ, we shall walk even as He walked. Through the prophet He declared of Himself, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psalm 40:8. And when among men He said, “The Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:29." {PP 372.2}
The last part of this paragraph finishes my trian of thought. "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Whatever's in my heart will show in my actions. When God's law is written there, my actions are only the product of the work being done inside.
The Link below is a song by the Bonds--my newest favorite. It sums up this whole beautiful concept. It is my prayer.
Write Them on My Heart
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