Inward Transformation leads to Outward Manifestation

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

Hebrews 4:12-13

"Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, an how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our heats, and he knows everything."

I John 3:18-20

God is so good. He prunes us so that we will be more fruitful and the fruit we produce will be beautiful and pleasing in His sight, glorifying Him. Pruning, when we submit, comes in seasons. He prunes, I grow, fruit is produced, He is glorified, I am forever changed, then the process begins again. He prunes another area of my life that is in need of new growth, change, His beauty. It is never all at once. It is never over. My life, my heart will always need pruning. Though the pruning process is usually painful, most often emotionally, I know it is for my own good. But just like the pains of childbirth, after the baby is born the anguish and pain are forgotten and only joy and rejoicing remains.

I have always known The Word is powerful, but God has given me just a little more understanding of HOW powerful in this study of John. The Holy Spirit is such a mystery, but as I have been reading, studying, submitting, obeying and trusting I am being led by Him into all truth. The Word does change hearts, the Holy Spirit convicts, guides and teaches. Inwardly I am being transformed into His image. Outwardly that manifests not only in my words and tongue, but in my actions and truth. I feel it and it feels incredible. I do not have to fear anymore. I do not have to rely on my own strength, power, abilities anymore. I get to rely on Him. He will speak the truth through me. He will work His will through me. It is He who does all things not me. But how lucky I am that sometimes I get to be His chosen instrument. How grateful I am that before pride can set in, the pruning begins. God is so good to me!

Serving My Purpose

"For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed." Acts 13:36

Rick is preaching a series called "Called." This week he talked about Esther. We are made to live for a purpose. How easy it is to drift to our default mission when we are not intentional. At this time God has a purpose for me. You don't get to choose your time, we get to choose our answer to God's call. I do not want to be tempted to drift to my default mission when the call seems hard. I do not want to miss out on the joy and blessing that comes with doing the will of the one who created me. I want my tombstone to say that I served GOD'S purpose in my own generation.

Awake

It is early. LIttle Presley came downstairs unable to sleep at 3. She tossed and turned. She told me she was scared. Sacred of what? The crumbs she said that were at the foot of the bed (no doubt from her eating in my bed), cactus, scorpions, and snakes (she is fascinated with animals and looks at her animal encyclopedia her Pop Pop got her for Christmas). In the light, none of these things scare her, but in the darkness her mind cannot help but wander to scary places. Isn't that how it is for all of us, when we are not in the light, we find ourselves in the darkness, our minds wandering to all the things that scare us, unable to relax, unable to find comfort or peace. We talked about focusing on the happy things: flowers, playing in the backyard, dogs, and her upcoming birthday party. Yet still no peace, no sleep. Presley requested two things, a small light be turned on and a prayer. So I turned on a light in the bathroom and said a prayer over her. She was asleep in minutes. God is light. God is good. Though I am now awake, my plan is to spend a bit of time in His light and in prayer and I know peaceful sleep awaits.