To Know Him

     Do you know your spouse?  Do you know your children?  If not, how do we get to really know them?  It is usually by spending time with them, doing things together, having conversations, sharing events of the day, and listening to each other. 
     It is the same with God.  Do we really know God and can we ever really know Him.  We can certainly try by truly seeking His presence.  We can get into His Word, pray and talk with Him, share our burdens with Him, give praise to Him, and listen and watch for what He reveals to us daily.
     One last thought!  How proud are we of each other when we do show our love and respect to each other? How proud are parents when their children listen to them and are obedient.  How proud are we when we see our children getting along with each other: laughing, sharing, and talking?  I can only imagine that it is the same with God. 

John 14:20 "In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in Me, and I in you."      

Ask and Receive!

     I believe we all wonder why God does not always answer our prayers.  Why? He tells us in scripture if we ask using His name He will answer us.  However, there is a "but" here.  Looking closely at John 14:13 He explains that whatever we ask should glorify the Father.  Is what we are asking for really being asked in order to glorify God or just to satisfy our own selfish desires?   

John 14:13(KJV) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 14:13(NLT) You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.

Live Within My Love

     When best friends let us down, we can really be hurt because they don't always accept us just the way we are.  Yet there is One who does.  Jesus will never let us down.  He is a friend who wants to live in us.  John 15, verse 4 tells us, "Take care to live in me, and let me live in you."   Then verses 13 and 14 tell us, "...the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends; and you are my friends if you obey me."  He has also told us that He will never walk away from us.  Jesus is the constant in our lives if we will only allow Him to be our friend.  He is never too busy to listen to our complaints; He wants to cheer us up and overflow our cup with blessings.  "You didn't choose me!  I chose you!  I appointed you to go and produce lovely fruit always, so that no matter what you ask for from the Father, using my name, he will give it to you." vs. 16
    

   Live Within My Love

Live within my love -

Let me cleanse your soul;
  make your life whole.    
I chose you;
  let us be one, not two.
I am the truth, the vine;
  you are mine. 
I will guide you through a life that has no end,
  always remaining your friend.
Walk and talk with me,
  for in me, you find joy and glee.    
Live within my love -
I have blessings to bestow;
  your cup will overflow.
I will never walk away-
  a constant in life every day.    
Live within my love-
Obey me and my Father
  Let us bless you farther.
I laid down my life for you;
  I am the friend that's true.
Live within my love.
                       Mary Crisp Jameson

John 15:9  TLB "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Live within my love."

The Mobile Call 24/7

      Since the evolvement of cell phones, I see people everywhere talking on mobile phones; in restaurants, in the car traveling, and even in the workplace.  We simply can’t “leave home without them.”

     This tells me that most people pick up the phone regularly to either talk with a close friend or family member.  We are either sharing some exciting event or complaining about the frustration of the day.  We simply need someone to listen, to console us, to provide re-assurance, to advise or give agreement. 

    How frustrated do we become when the phone rings and rings yet no one picks up?  Then if we should be so lucky as to have the call answered, I wonder how content and uplifted we really are at the end of the conversation.  If our call gets dropped, how much more frustrated do we become?   

     If our day has not been an amazing watercolor of events are we left fearful, anxious, or fighting back tears because our problems were not solved?  We needed a relaxing, reassuring calm voice from a loving individual.  Did we get it, or did our call get dropped?

     Take a moment to image a completely different phone call – a phone call to God.  What would He say?  It might go something like the following:

     Ring, Ring…

     “Hello my child.  I have been eagerly waiting for you to call.  Be still and know that I am with you.  Yes, I saw it all today, but I want to reassure you that I love you from the inside out.  Remember, I fashioned your heart and I know your works. 

     Rejoice in me!  Trust me!  All will eventually be well with you for I am your help and your shield. 

     No, you are never a bother.  I want you to feel free to seek me in all your times of need for I am always ready to listen and be with you through any heartache and pain.

     Have faith in me!  Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

     Please don’t feel rejected or lonely for I will not leave you comfortless.  I walk beside you every moment of every day, and I will always be with you.  In other words, I “have your back.”  There is no need for tears.  If you will focus on me, I will guide you onto whatever path you need to take.

     The earth is mine.  Be of good courage.  If you have a pure heart, you shall receive my blessing.    

     My desire is that you stay connected and don’t ever hang up the phone without joy in your heart, my child.  I loved you enough to die for you, and I am here for you twenty fours a day, seven days a week.” 

Psalm 33:15  He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

Psalm 28:7  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. 

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

John 14:18  I will not leave your comfortless: I will come to you.

Hebrews 13:5-6  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.   So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Psalm 24:4-5 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.  He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.  

Psalm 34:18-19  The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.