Deep Purpose Has Arrived Page 80

Lord, I need to know that this is from you.

I see you; I hear you –I know that I do!

You lead me; you guide me. I follow your will!

But, I wonder; I pause and I hesitate, still!

I stand at the shore while you stand in the gap.

It is here where my confidence and fear overlap!

Waves of thought crash in and move out with the sand.

It’s just like that with Your Will and Your Hand.

Your arrival in my life seems to ebb and flow.

I need your constant presence so that I’m sure; so I know.

I begin to wonder if I’m hearing it right.

Is this your Spirit or mine? Is this your voice and insight?

Everyday this world just mixes me up!

It causes me to stumble, and discernment just stops.

Lord, have your way; do not leave me alone!

Holy Spirit blow in; change this heart made of stone.

I surrender; I do! Let the education begin;

I need a counselor who is also my friend.

Pour forth your wisdom; replenish my cup!

May my heart, mind and soul just drink it all up.

Though my heart is fallible; wicked above all...

I know it’s time to make adjustments; to answer your call.

So, I ask that you not leave me standing alone on the sand.

Sit with me as I speak to you; tell me your plan!

Your blessings are purposed; I’ve seen this for years.

They arrive when I surrender so I release all these fears.

You speak when I seek; your Word is your voice.

Your answer will be as certain as the level of faith in my choice.

I’ll move from the beach into deep waters of insight

And be comforted that whether I go to the left or the right…

I’ll hear you and see you; this time I’ll pay heed!

You are the compass; the navigator; I’m in good hands, have God’s speed!

Spiritual blessings abound as I lose sight of the shore

I’ll depart on an adventure like never before.

Lord, you've gifted and prepared me! You've done all that you can.

So, I'll turn my face to the sun and move further from land.

Here I go! “Here am I”! God has chosen to send me!

Deep purpose has arrived as I depart by sea!

RvH

About God's Voice -Scripture says: 

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
"Whom shall I send? and who will go for us?" 
and I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Isaiah 6:8

“Whether you turn to the right or the left,

your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Isaiah 30:21

Scripture says: 

“The Spirit of God has made me;

the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”

Job 33:4

The words of the mouth are deeps waters,

but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.”

Proverbs 18:4 NIV

About the human heart-scripture says:

“The heart is wicked above all else:  who can understand it?”

Jeremiah 17:9

Gratefully, scripture says this about our hearts: 

"You will seek me and find me
when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:12

                 

This is what the Lord says:

“Call to me and I will answer you

and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Jeremiah 33:3

This is who the Lord is:

"And he will be called wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6

This Writing is in honor of Leisa-
my Best friend from 2nd grade; our recent beach trip.....
and the voice of the Lord who spoke to me on the shore of the sea! 

Song Recommendations:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mAvt3CxEQM&list=RDGfVd5x9W1Xc&index=21

In Over My HEAD
By:  Jenn Johnson


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfVd5x9W1Xc

So Will I (100 Billion X)
By:  Hillsong Worship 

Micah 6:8 PAGE 79

“He has shown you, O man, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

And to walk humbly with your God.”
MICAH 6:8

Foot notes of the NIV Bible for Micah 7:18-20 say this:

“In an age where “religion” was making very little difference in people’s lives,

Micah (the prophet) said that God expected his people to be

just, merciful and humble.

God requires the same of Christians today.

In a world that is unjust, we must act justly.

In a world of tough breaks, we must be merciful.

In a world of pride and self-sufficiency, we must walk humbly with God.

Only when we live according to God’s way

will we begin to affect our homes, our society and our world.”

These footnotes speak directly to us in the here and now and that is the amazing part of how God’s Word remains constant and relevant year after year into decades that form centuries- and throughout all ages!

To peer a little deeper in Micah 6:8 let’s look at the key words and their definitions:

Just- defined:

Right, reasonable, honorable, truthful, fair, impartial, & moral!

Mercy -defined:

Compassionate, forgiving, kind, sympathetic, understanding, generous, & lenient.

Humble- defined:

Respectful, modest, unassuming,  & unpretentious

Re-read all the words from the definitions above!  Man, that is a mouthful of delineation!  Let’s put this information into a practical summation so that we can use and apply it in our lives:

God say’s it is good to “act justly”- meaning that as we live our lives we are called to be reasonable with others, to respond with honor and fairness to those around us; to be purposely impartial toward others- representing what is moral and right- to the best of our abilities.

We are called to “love mercy”! Meaning, we should totally enjoy extending compassion, sympathy, & understanding toward others.  As we do this God expands our own heart with what we are giving away and we find joy and blessings! Unfortunately, this world distracts us everyday with busyness and we forget all about Micah 6:8!  We must refresh our minds and remember that with compassion and agreeable kindness we are to interact with others.  Our hearts and actions should instinctively beat & bend with leniency when it is in our power to do so.  The gift of forgiveness should be a natural extension of our everyday responses to those around us; surrendering our own strong will and spirit in order that others may see & feel God’s gentle, kind Spirit when they are in our presence!   

We are directed to “walk humbly” in this dire world.  Instead of being bold and boisterous we are to be unassuming.  In a world of splash and sass we are to be unpretentious.  In this world where modesty has long since been left behind we are to be reasonable and simple in our actions and dress.  What a lovely calling from our kind-hearted God!

The verse given to us from the prophet Micah is so godly that it fulfills its own directive.  Walking humbly with God is an answer to many a prayer; justice and mercy logically fall into place when we do the “humble walk” with the Lord.   If you’re looking around for answers to your problems…. perhaps the remedy is to implement inward change by following the written directive found inside Micah 6:8!    

Lord, make it so!

Song Recommendation:

Here

By:  Kari Jobe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQnBvUiAGsI

THE LIFE OF SAMSON PAGE 78

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a life of godliness

through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

II Peter 1:3

I watched a film last night about the Life of Samson, which the Bible discusses in Judges, Chapter 13.  It was intriguing to be reminded how this man was set apart for God’s service.  Through a divine announcement from an Angel of the Lord, Samson was to carefully follow a set of rules in order to fulfill the calling of a Nazirite. Because of this God's hand was on Samson’s life….but, when push came to shove he missed or misunderstood God’s voice and directive, over and over again. 

It made me think of myself, as I watched Samson mess up his life; miss obvious cues, and totally disregard his loved ones as they pleaded with him to rise to his calling or at least to the occasion.  With a human nature we are all familiar with, Samson chose to consistently flounder, to his own demise!

Even knowing that he was set apart by God, Himself, Samson, at times, quieted that power and then  inadvertently had to watch as his wife was murdered and his people were starved.  In the end, he literally had his eyes burned out of his head and finally died in chains; though he took down the Temple, the king of the Philistines, all their rulers and 3000 additional people in that moment (see Judges 16: 21-31). 

There were times in Samson’s life when he would finally wake up and understand what he needed to do…but it was usually when he found himself knee deep in trouble or neck deep in literal chains of imprisonment.  I wanted to feel sorry for the guy but with eyes of a 21^st century citizen I could easily see where he was going astray.  It was revealing to watch as the movie showcased Samson’s personality flaws.  Honestly, I felt the presence of the Lord and I was given a glimpse into the mirror; meaning, that certain things about myself, that seem so obvious to those around me, are sometimes blatantly oblivious to me.  This was the trait I saw most in Samson and recognized in myself.

Here is the life-lesson for me:  God could have and would have fulfilled Samson’s calling in many other ways and on many other days….IF Samson would have just listened, made wise choices and moved forward in faith! As Samson illustrated over and over; using wisdom is sometimes easier said than done!  My life parallel’s his in exactly this way!   

Interestingly, through this ancient story on modern film, I watched Samson’s life and a vision of my life flickered before me.  I saw my past and the decisions I’ve made… and where I went astray; I saw how God attended to me, like Samson, no matter what the circumstance.  He guarded me, re-routed me and went with me when I turned to the left instead of going right!  Down every path of my life God was and is fulfilling His design and putting all the puzzle pieces of His plan together, through my ever-changing mind and life; like Samson!

I saw God’s gracious patience for Samson and I felt blessed knowing that the Lord does this for me as well.  I saw God’s holiness as He waited, whispered and then showed up- always at just the right time- and with this I recognized my own salvation.  I saw how the Lord was ever-present, even when Samson felt alone and powerless, and how God compassionately showed up every time Samson humbled himself and prayed... and I KNOW for certain that God does this for me as well!

I PRAY that you can see how God works, using the life of a man named Samson, who's example comes to us from the year 1063 BC or so!  Let's don't chronically miss God's calling, as Samson did.  Spend time in reflection over all the things that God has already spiritually provided YOU.  He has given ALL that you need for a life of godliness, just as scripture promises in II Peter 1:3  

Learning about God’s consistent compassion through the story of Samson, we each need to be motivated to be consistent as well…and RISE to the occasion!  Certainly we need to pay heed to the Lord’s blessed calling on our lives! 

 Lord, may we know you, like Samson!  RvH

“Sow for yourselves righteousness,

reap the fruit of unfailing love

and break up your unplowed ground;

for it is time to seek the lord,

until He comes and showers righteousness on you.”

Hosea 10:12

”The Lord will open the heavens,

the storehouse of his bounty,

to send rain on your land in season

and to bless all the work of your hands.”

Deuteronomy 28:12

“Whether you turn to the right or left

your ears will hear a voice behind you saying

“This is the way, walk in it.”

Isaiah 30:21

Song Recommendation

What Love Is This

By: Kari Jobe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzLRyZMKbb0

Seeing God In All Things Page 77

The Clouds say you’re whimsical

The stars say you’re magical

The sun says you’re powerful

And Lightening says you mean it.

Joy says you’re happiness

Laughter says you’re humorous

Circumstance says you’re ironic

And time says you’re management.

Spring says you are motivational

Summer says you’re recreational

Autumn says you’re revitalization

And Winter says you’re exhilaration.

The winds says you’re comforting

Rain says you’re refreshing

Nature says you’re artistic

And life says you are interesting.

The birds say you’re freedom

The firefly says you’re gleesome

The ants say you’re humongous

And the Holy Spirit says you’re anonymous.

Music says you’re inspirational

Rest says you’re habitational

A heartbeat says you’re rhythmic

And breath says you’re persistent.

Love says you’re the answer

Peace says you’re an anchor

Forgiveness say’s you’re the remedy

And Salvation says you’re an eternity.”

RvH

“The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

Night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language

Where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

Their words to the ends of the world. “

Psalm 19: 1-4

Song Recommendation:

How Great Thou Art

By:  Carrie Underwood 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2T1csHUgF4