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My Dwelling Place

Nov20

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

My Dwelling Place

My child, where you live is not important to me—but where I live is. I make my home in you. If your house is not suitable for you, you may move. But if my dwelling is not suitable for me, I must stay. See to it that my temple, your body, is a suitable dwelling place for me. Do not fill your body with unhealthy food and drinks. Do not overindulge in the spirits of alcohol, but overindulge in my Spirit. Do not be gluttonous with your food intake, but eat only what you need to sustain a healthy body. Is your body fit for a King?

Be careful what sights your eyes take in. It would be better to be blind than to fix your eyes on inappropriate things. Be mindful of what you listen to. The prudent woman filters what she hears. Do not listen to unwholesome talk and gossip. Let them pass by you, and do not concentrate on those things. Most certainly, do not further the rumors by repeating what you have heard. Hold your tongue when necessary, and make sure that the words you speak are pleasing to me. Let your words be an encouragement to another. Build up your sister, do not tear her down.

 Run your thoughts through my holy sieve. Take every thought captive, and do not hold on to immoral ideas. See to it that your thoughts are pure and blameless. Discard any notion that is not worthy of me. Live an upright and virtuous life. Others are watching every move you make, every step you take. Live into my perfect will, and enjoy the abundance of the life I offer you. When you remain in me, I will remain in you. Will you honor me with your body, my dwelling place?

Crazy Good

Nov14

Lord, the work you would have me do causes some people to think I am crazy. You are asking me to climb out on a limb for you, and deliver an unusual message.
A limb, yes, but you are attached to the oak of righteousness. I have planted you firmly in the ground. Your foundation is sure in me. I am the vine; you are the branch. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. You will not walk this road alone. I will go with you. You are not crazy. Do not worry about what others think. Dwell only on the task I have given you. Contemplate who you are serving. Seek me alone for your assurance. Find your peace in the knowledge that I am with you always. I do not leave you to fend for yourself. My light will shine through you in the message I send you out with. Crazy, they may think. A new idea produces much fear and apprehension in those whose hope is uncertain. I am not predictable; but I am trustworthy. I will work in any way I desire. Your obedience is my delight. Continue down the path I have set you on. You do not go it by yourself. I will guide your steps and strengthen you for the task I have given you. Persevere; do not give up. Climb out on that limb and proclaim the word I have given you. You will not fall. I am with you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Trust me to produce the fruit of your labor. I will use you to bring my message to a world that is lost. My words will not return to me void. This is not crazy; it is crazy good.

He Speaks…

Nov10

My passion for sharing the whispers of the Holy Spirit is the driving force behind the writing of this blog.  Each time I sit down to write, I pray that I will hear the voice of God, and that he will use me as the pen he holds in his hand, to convey his message to the world. It is my earnest prayer that the words you read on these pages will bring you comfort and encouragement, as you feel the love of the Father and the Son poured out to you.  I pray that hearing the voice of God in this blog will inspire you to make time regularly to listen to God on your own, if you are not already doing so.

As Christians, we all have access to God through Jesus Christ who willingly, obediently gave his life for us to redeem us from our sins.  When we confess Jesus as our Savior and Lord, God sends his Holy Spirit to take up residence in our hearts.  As believers, we all have the ability to hear the voice of God within us. (See John 10:2-4)  It may not be an audible voice, but all of us have the promise of knowing and hearing his voice, at least in our thoughts.  This fact alone does not make you or me crazy. I believe that the message God wants you to hear from him today is this:

My dearest child, I love you more than you will ever comprehend. I created you to love you. You are my precious one. I desire to have a meaningful relationship with you. I am with you always. I will never leave you or forget about you. I am here. I want to hear from you, and spend time with you. I will not force myself upon you. I wait patiently for you to seek me.

Will you make time for me? Find a quiet place, away from the noise and confusion. In the silence, you will hear me speak. My voice is powerful, but not loud. My voice is majestic, but not obvious. Do not give up on me if you do not hear me the first time you listen. You will learn to hear my whispers. You will hear my voice in your thoughts.

Sometimes I speak to you, but you do not recognize my voice. Listen with both ears and everything in between. Do not feel the need to fill the silence with your voice all the time. Make room for mine. Leave space in the conversation for me. I have given you two ears and one mouth. Please listen twice as much as you speak. In doing so, you will hear me when I whisper.

My Spirit lives in you. My Spirit joins with your spirit inside your heart. In me, you live and move and have your being. My Spirit and your spirit live and move as one. My thoughts become your thoughts, when you abide in me. It is difficult to discern my voice from your own thoughts, because we are bound together so tightly. Hold fast to me and I will hold fast to you. Practice listening, and soon you will hear and recognize my voice. I love you, my child. Hear me and believe it.