My sister visited a few weeks ago. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and she got to spend time with our Dad. One morning we were alone and began to talk about more than surface stuff. She began to say some things that had truth and revelation, things that could begin to change things if I listened. The problem that occured was "I knew all about what she was saying," Sometimes when we've walked with the Lord for a while, when we've studied the Word of God we can get to the place where we know the teaching that can help set us free...but in a weird way because we know it so well we miss out on really hearing it.
As I listened to my sister I could confirm everything she was saying...indeed I'd taught it to others, and I'd even lived it out in situations in my life. Yet God was reminding me through her that I needed to get back to basics. You see you can know something, you can even have walked the path previously, but in the now be having trouble implimenting it.
When the Holy Spirit speaks to you through the Word, through your spirit, a message, or through a godly friend don't miss the message through familiarity.
Maybe today you are going through somethings that are painful or troubling. The Holy Spirit desires to speak to you today. He wants us to be open to listen to Him and to what He has to say. Remember this:
1. God leads us in our everyday life. The Word says, "My sheep hear My voice" We can be lead of God. Jesus desires to us to allow His leading in our life. He does not abandon us...We've been given the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth.
2. There could be something so simple, something you already know that could be an answer to your current cirucmstance. I almost missed the words that would set me free...because instead of listening I was tempted to simply spout my "expertise" on the subject. What turned it around was the gentle spirit of the Lord speaking in my heart. "Ruth, you need this...truth to become alive again....listen afresh for the things you are facing in the NOW."
3. Expect to be lead by the Spirit. The Word says in Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.KJV and in Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD,Trust also in Him,And He shall bring it to pass.NKJV God still speaks in the 21rst Century to men and women who are willing to trust Him. The Holy Spirit lives within those who have accepted Jesus Christ. We have the joy of knowing that it is His desire to teach us all things and to help us walk the path of our life in a way that will bring about life and life more abundantly.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
My oldest son is twenty years old today
I'm looking forward to talking to my son Al later today when he gets home from work. He and his wife live out west as he is in the Airforce.
Time certainly stops for no man. To steal a phrase from my father, "Seems like yesterday" he was just born. It was Mother's Day and we thought his arrival was a few weeks away. We had some nice things planned for Sunday Service for all of the mothers, but it ended up that all our plans had to be postponed. I couldn't sleep throughout the night. I didn't have pain persay, but I was uncomfortable. We had prayed that I wouldn't have pain...and that was basically answered...yet I had no trouble understanding it was time to go. We called our parents (both sets lived about an hour away at the time) and went to the hospital. Well we didn't go straight to the hospital. My darling husband ever responsible couldn't get ahold of a few parishioners by phone to tell them church would be canceled so we went around town to tell them first. I was NOT HAPPY about that. I admit I YELLED at him.
When we arrived the kindly nurse saw I wasn't in great pain and thought I'd be several hours and so she didn't examine me. She told us, "Your doctor is in church. so we won't disturb her...okay." Meanwhile..I couldn't get comfortable and to make matters worse they put a machine on me to determine how far apart the contractions were and they wouldn't let me walk . I remember John and I were in the room alone with the nurse just outside....I said I've got to push...and like a flash she was there and determined I was ready to have the baby at any moment and my doctor still had not been called. Turns out Al was in a little distress and the birth had to happen quickly. Thankfully, within 10 minutes the Doctor arrived and we were on our way. Since I didn't have a lot of pain they told me...Okay your having a contraction it is time to push. So at 12:29 a.m. , about the time church would normally end, Al was born.
Meanwhile my Mother had arrived at the hospital asking for me...and accidently using my maiden name....only to be told there was no one by that name at the hospital. She finally came to herself in time to see me being wheeled from the delivery room. She rushed to the nursery where she was able to hold Al before John and anyone else....a fact she recalled with glee for years to come. John's folks were also on hand and thrilled at the new arrival. My Mom in law stayed and helped us for a little while after everyone else left.
Anyway...it is nice to remember. Both my boys are a treasure...and I know God will not forget that we raised them the best we could in the knowledge of the Lord. God will not have His Word return void.
Time certainly stops for no man. To steal a phrase from my father, "Seems like yesterday" he was just born. It was Mother's Day and we thought his arrival was a few weeks away. We had some nice things planned for Sunday Service for all of the mothers, but it ended up that all our plans had to be postponed. I couldn't sleep throughout the night. I didn't have pain persay, but I was uncomfortable. We had prayed that I wouldn't have pain...and that was basically answered...yet I had no trouble understanding it was time to go. We called our parents (both sets lived about an hour away at the time) and went to the hospital. Well we didn't go straight to the hospital. My darling husband ever responsible couldn't get ahold of a few parishioners by phone to tell them church would be canceled so we went around town to tell them first. I was NOT HAPPY about that. I admit I YELLED at him.
When we arrived the kindly nurse saw I wasn't in great pain and thought I'd be several hours and so she didn't examine me. She told us, "Your doctor is in church. so we won't disturb her...okay." Meanwhile..I couldn't get comfortable and to make matters worse they put a machine on me to determine how far apart the contractions were and they wouldn't let me walk . I remember John and I were in the room alone with the nurse just outside....I said I've got to push...and like a flash she was there and determined I was ready to have the baby at any moment and my doctor still had not been called. Turns out Al was in a little distress and the birth had to happen quickly. Thankfully, within 10 minutes the Doctor arrived and we were on our way. Since I didn't have a lot of pain they told me...Okay your having a contraction it is time to push. So at 12:29 a.m. , about the time church would normally end, Al was born.
Meanwhile my Mother had arrived at the hospital asking for me...and accidently using my maiden name....only to be told there was no one by that name at the hospital. She finally came to herself in time to see me being wheeled from the delivery room. She rushed to the nursery where she was able to hold Al before John and anyone else....a fact she recalled with glee for years to come. John's folks were also on hand and thrilled at the new arrival. My Mom in law stayed and helped us for a little while after everyone else left.
Anyway...it is nice to remember. Both my boys are a treasure...and I know God will not forget that we raised them the best we could in the knowledge of the Lord. God will not have His Word return void.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)