November 21, 2024

Inward and Outward

April 14, 2014 by

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We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 5—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’   Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous—
possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor
and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace,
regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!
Matthew 5:8 AMP

Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines the heart as the “…centre not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life.  The words, “heart” and “soul”, are often used interchangeably. The heart is the “home of the personal life”. The heart is also the “seat of the conscience” , all definitions we would agree with. Then, what is it to be pure in heart?

Most people would agree that to be pure in heart is to be cleansed, spotless.  But Chuck Smith presents the idea that one who is pure in heart mourns because of their sin and because their heart is divided.  A pure heart is one that is undivided; fleshly desires do not compete with Godly desires in the pure heart.  A pure heart embraces God and finds joy in Him.  None of which can be accomplished on our own.  A pure heart comes from God.  It is an attitude we desire.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10.

It is heart knowledge, not head knowledge…
and must be experienced inwardly before we can share it outwardly.

Proverbs 21:2
People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.

Proverbs 4:23
Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.

Matthew 12:34
For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 15:18
But whatever comes out of the mouth comes from the heart,

Luke 6:45
…for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks.

Being pure in heart is WHO we are, shown in WHAT we do

The blessing of being pure in heart is the ability to see God.  Many people believe this speaks to the future when we will actually, physically, see God face-to-face. What a joy that will be!  But we can also see God now.

The promise of seeing God in the present is twofold as well. We are able to see God inwardly by experiencing greater intimacy and communion with Him. God will make Himself known to us through His Word and we will become more aware of Him and His companionship. We will see His hand over us, in our lives. And as we see Him more clearly inwardly, we will begin to recognize Him more outwardly.  We will see God in the ordinary and recognize His favor on a daily basis.

When You give it to them, they gather it up; You open Your hand and they are filled with good things.
Psalm 104:28

Purity of heart leads to the inward desire to “see” God. “Seeing” God enables us to recognize the outward daily blessings and favor of God upon us.  Are you gathering up the good things God has for you?

*  ~  ♥  ~   ✞   ~  ♥  ~  *

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for the blessing of being able to see You in our lives.  Increase our desire to be pure in heart so we can experience greater intimacy with You.  We recognize that being pure in heart is not something we can achieve on our own but comes through our faith by knowing You.  We lift up praise to You for the favor You rain down upon us each and every day.  In Your precious Son’s name.  Amen, so be it!

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Girls with Swords: Chapter 8 Weekly Review – “Sword Words”

May 17, 2013 by

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Welcome to Campground USA

Log Cabins, Nature Trails, Canoes,

Paddle Boats, Bikes, Fishing

Our review of Chapter 8 in Girls With Swords by Lisa Bevere, will be a little different than usual.  I am going to “pretend” that after Teresa, Jennifer, Tonya, and Diane spoke around the bonfire, they gave each of us a “handout sheet” summarizing what they had spoken about.  They encouraged us to take it back home with us once we departed from our stay together.  It is the summarized “handout sheet,” that I wish to post. Great information to keep with your Bible.

Teresa

Lisa’s Quotes:

  • We are ministers of hope whose words are seasoned with salt and light and sound foreign in a world peppered with darkness.
  • Words are invisible, but if misused, they can prove deadly.
  • If we knew we were going to live out the rest of our days in a foreign country, we would take the time to learn the language to communicate.  It makes sense to learn heaven’s language NOW.
  • We lift swords when we lift His Word.

Teresa’s Questions:    

  1. If the Bible is my guide book to life does that mean I should follow all the ideals set forth?
  2. Do I pick and choose which ones I like and which ones I don’t?
  3. If I do have to follow all of them, how do I translate those stories to apply to modern day living?

Challenge: It’s time to break camp, Warriors! We have been called. We have been trained. We have been forged into a weapon to be used against the forces of darkness.

Scripture:  Death and life are in the power of the tongue.  (Proverbs 18:21)

 

Jennifer

Lisa’s quotes:  

  • Out of the abundance of God’s heart, He spoke the universe of galaxies into existence; this power lives within us.
  • When we truly have something to say, God finds a way to interpret it for all who need to hear. When we yield ourselves to speak His words by the power of His Spirit, astonishing things can happen.
  • For far too long the Word has been interpreted rather than proclaimed.
  • Our God Most High is triumphant. His glorious love and wondrous mercy know no bounds. The gift of salvation is through faith in Him alone, and all who seek Him find grace and hope.
  • Unifying ourselves with our Father’s purposes and language will initiate, or begin anew, God’s plan and unify a people around His purpose.
  • When we root ourselves in God, in His Word, our sword grows stronger.  It finds substance.

Jennifer’s Questions: 

  1. Have you unleashed God’s power in your life?
  2. Will you choose to use your words in a way that removes yourself from the picture and glorifies God?
  3. Will you speak in your flawed manner or tell of His flawless works?
  4. Will you be part of a unified voice by allowing His Spirit to fill you?

Challenge: Have a conversation with the Lord and be honest when answering each question I have posed.

Scripture:  Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  (Matthew 12:34)

 

Tonya

Lisa’s Quotes:

  • Far too much is lost in interpretation when we pass the words through the filter of earth rather than fashion the earth with the words of heaven.

Tonya’s Questions:

  1.  Are we allowing our words to become earth-based?
  2. Are we allowing them to become catchy or cliché?  
  3. Are we trying to make the sacred words common?  
  4. Are our words lacking wisdom, and hurting instead of healing?
  5. When we say things, are we saying them because they sound good and will grab the attention of others?
  6. Or have we passed what we are going to say through God’s filter?  
  7. Have we asked His advice about what to say and how to say it?  
  8. Have we sought out His Scripture?

Challenge:  What are we doing with our words? 

Scripture:  The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18)

 

Diane

Lisa’s Quotes:

  • How awesome that our Father not only gave us a language but gave us Jesus, the example of how to live what we speak.

Diane’s Questions:

  1. When is the last time you have prayed God’s will for your life over your own desires?
  2. Do you desire to be the tract lady for Jesus, giving people His words that they are in desperate need of?
  3. What words are we using when we fearlessly share the saving grace, love, and power of Jesus Christ with the lost and the hurting—God’s words or our words?

Challenge: Let God’s words transform your actions to line up with what He is showing us to do.

Scripture:  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

**********

After the ladies spoke, there was a hush all around the bonfire.  It seemed as though every woman was in serious thought and prayer concerning the handout sheet that they had received.  And then, as if to confirm the whole message that had been spoken to us, Christi stood before the group and began to speak.

Christi

I want to share something with all of you today. It is a message that I hope and pray ALL parents grab a hold of and meditate on. For years, words have scarred my life. From the time I was 5 years old words have produced scars and they have created me to be who I am today.

I can remember the first time I was called a whore by a loved one…I was 8 years old. I didn’t even know what the word meant, but I knew it had to be bad because of the look on her face when she said it. For years, I was told I was stupid, and worthless; I would never amount to anything. I grew up “knowing” I was all of those things, and more.

My actions throughout my teenage years were, I believe, the product of the words that were spoken over me. I became very promiscuous. From the age of 15 to 25, I honestly can’t tell you how many men I slept with. I’m horrified to even admit that, but it is truth. I was so naive to believe that a guy “loved” me, only to find out that he only wanted one thing. It just began to prove to me over and again that the words this loved one spoke over me were truth. I was unlovable, and I had actually become what my loved one, and many others would call a whore.

When Jesus came into my life in 1984, I devoured God’s word day and night. I was learning something totally new: God Loved Me! Within time, my thoughts began to change; I began to allow God’s word to go deep into my heart. I began to see that I was truly worthy, and lovable! I’ve never experienced a love like that before! I began to start loving myself because God was showing me that I was lovable.

My message to parents today: PLEASE watch the words you speak to your children. They truly will form the belief that your child will develop in themselves. Tell your kids how proud you are of them. Make sure they know that you love them! Make sure you tell your daughters just how worthy and special they are! Make sure you speak truth, God’s TRUTH, into them! I truly believe that by doing this, it will definitely make a difference in how they believe in themselves, and in the choices they make in life!

**********  

 Let’s Pray: 

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my thoughts be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”  Only then can we be the warrior that you have called us to be.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.  

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Girls With Swords: Chapter 8 – “Sword Words” (pgs 126-129)

May 14, 2013 by

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34)

God’s love is limitless. It overflows in abundance. Our author says on page 126 that “… because out of the abundance of God’s heart, he spoke the universe of galaxies into existence.” He spoke the world into existence! This power lives within us through the Holy Spirit when we proclaim Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives (Acts 1:7-8). Did you know that? The Word, this Power, knows no boundary. It is available to anyone, anywhere.

With that said, I have some questions for you.

Have you unleashed God’s power in your life?

When we truly have something to say, God finds a way to interpret it for all who need to hear.
When we yield ourselves to speak His words by the power of His Spirit, astonishing things can happen (pg. 128).

Will you choose to use your words in a way that removes yourself from the picture and glorifies God? (pg. 128)

For far too long the Word has been interpreted rather than proclaimed. We have gotten into the habit of passing it through the filter of human experiences, social preferences, current prejudices, and the limited counsel of the human mind rather than simply declaring what was so powerfully and eternally spoken and recorded. We’ve interpreted the gospel rather than expressed it (pg. 129, emphasis mine).

Will you speak in your flawed manner or tell of His flawless works? (pg. 128)

Our God Most High is triumphant. His glorious love and wondrous mercy know no bounds.
The gift of salvation is through faith in Him alone, and all who seek Him find grace and hope (pg. 128).

Will you be part of a unified voice by allowing His Spirit to fill you? (pg. 128)

Unifying ourselves with our Father’s purposes and language will initiate or begin anew God’s plan and unify a people around His purpose (pg. 129).

It was out of this love for us that He sent His one and only begotten Son to die a sinner’s death on a rugged cross. That kind of love is beyond human understanding. I find myself wanting to understand the ‘whys’ and the ‘hows’ so often! But, in my limited human understanding, I know it is impossible. As Lisa Bevere states on page 129, “it takes faith to declare a language we do not understand.” I have to trust that God is who He says He is. I have to trust in His sovereignty. I have to trust in His goodness. I have to trust even when I do have questions and I do not understand why things happen. I have to believe in God as my Father, who wants to hear my questions and concerns. He wants to hear from me. He wants me to turn to Him and study His language, our SWORD, His Holy Word. Through it, He will guide and direct me and answer those questions and soothe those doubts.

Because He is GOD.

GOD IS LOVE.

GOD IS GOOD. ALL THE TIME. EVERY TIME.

When we root ourselves in God, in His Word, our sword grows stronger. It finds substance (pg. 129). We are able to stand firm with confidence.

Have you thought about the answers to those questions I posed above? What are your answers? Be honest! Have a conversation with the Lord about them. They are not easy to own up to. But, God already knows the innermost parts of us. We just need to recognize it in ourselves, too, so we can work on whatever needs fixin‘! We are all just a work-in-progress til the day we meet our Savior face to face. Oh what a day that will be!

Let’s Pray:

Father, your Word is perfect. You speak truth and light into a dark world. Help us to shine brightly for your Kingdom in our sphere of influence. Convict us where we need to be convicted and help us own up to the things that may be hindering our growth. Our only desire is to follow You, Lord, wherever You lead us. We love You so much! In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

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