Christ in the Clouds

Monday, February 24, 2014

Ardent for the Lord!

I've never read the book, but the first time I watched the movie "Pride and Prejudice", I fell in love with it! There were many aspects of the movie that I loved, but the most outspoken theme throughout was the great emotional conflict and passion between the the characters.

I think of the part of the movie where Mr. Darcy finally can't hold it back any longer. After pursuing her throughout the movie, he tells Lizzy how he feels about her, no matter what his family or friends said, no matter what society told him, and even when she turned him down at first, ..but he didn't care. I like this brief summary of his ardent devotion. (I only ask for you to watch the first 50 seconds, especially if you've not seen it and don't want to spoil knowing the storyline..but if you're like me, you most likely will watch the whole scene.)

I think of my relationship with Jesus, my Lord and Savior! Oh, that I would hold nothing back, but passionately pursue Him without consideration of what others say or think. To desire to be devoted to Him and let nothing hold my heart and emotions back...

I long to know God. And God desires this connection as well.The longing in our souls can only be quenched by an intimate relationship with our Savior.

With enthusiasm, may we be ardent witnesses of the faith which we have received! Make the loving face of the Saviour shine in every place, to show all who hear us proclaim our love for Him know truth, life, and hope in a difficult world!
Just as Mr. Darcy proclaimed, so let's proclaim to our God...

Those who are ardent in faith-

seem to show a burning faith - in itself a true and evident token of God's divine Presence ! For they truly know their Lord in the Breaking of Bread, whose hearts burn so ardently when Jesus walks with them. (Luke 24:32)
display such devotion and affection, such unfeigned love and fervor, to have a heartfelt desire of His love in sacred Communion, that faith may be strengthened, that hope in His goodness may be fostered and that love once perfectly kindled, having tasted the Bread of Heaven, may never fail.(source)

We in our souls all long for a personal, deep relationship. Who better to have one with, than the person that knows us best because He created us?

___________________

Continuing to give thanks, listing the many gifts from the Lord! Linking over at "Multitude on Mondays".

1,621 - Bible verses that reminded me what it means to be ardent for the Lord...

"For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you." 2 Corinthians 2:4
"What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops." Matt. 10:27

1,623 - Sierra Mist soft drink
1,624 - Celebrating my father-in-law's 86th birthday.
1,625 - Electric heating pads - for those backaches that won't go away!
1,626 - Beautiful sunrises on a cold winter day!

1,627 - Youtube, where I can listen to music and watch some of my favorite Christian speakers. (Like Ravi Zacharias)
1,628 - Attending my two granddaughters basketball games.(6th and 8th grades)
1,629 - I know I share a lot of pictures of them, but I just adore my two canine companions!

Now, they are best friends

Taking a ride in the car.

My hubby, talking to Cheyenne

1,630 - Talking with my son tonight on the phone, even if it was just a brief conversation.

Linking over to these blog hops:

Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday
Sunday Stillness (He Cares For You)
Weekend Brew (My Freshly Brewed Life)
Soli Deo Gloria Party (Finding Heaven)
Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)
Titus2sdays (Time-Warp Wife)
UNITE (Rich Faith Rising)
Winsome Wednesday(My Daily Walk in His Grace)
Word-Filled Wednesday (Woman to Woman)
Tell Me a True Story Blog Hop
Faith Filled Friday (Missional Women)

Friday, February 21, 2014

New Weekly Post - "Honey for the Heart"

I have felt a tug lately to share a weekly post that encourages you, my readers to Trust in God , praise God for His love, rejoice in God as Jehovah, learn about His mercy, and seek God's forgiveness, when we have sinned. As you'll discover, all these can be found in one particular Old Testament book.....

The Book of Psalms actually means "Book of Praises" in Hebrew. It is a book of the Bible, where we not only learn all about God’s character, but also where we can explore all the parts of our lives and say who we are and what is in us—guilt, anger, salvation, praise—to the God who loves, judges and saves us in Jesus Christ.

Calvin called them "an anatomy of all the parts of the soul." Everything that anyone can feel or experience in relation to God is in these prayers.

As I share different verses from the Psalms every week, remember that the Psalms are to be read with your heart, as well as your head. Truth about God, ourselves, and living life will be found in images, word pictures and emotions. Many of the Psalms meet us where we are, in the nitty-gritty of everyday life, and they point us to our compassionate Creator who is our King, Warrior, Fortress, Shepherd, and Rock. Let the beauty of these Songs sink deep into your soul and they will become

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Remember God's Faithfulness

photo source

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?

You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

Psalm 77:11-15

One of the first symptoms of old age is "forgetfulness". I have to admit, the older I get, the more forgetful I am becoming. I lose things all the time. I always forget to buy something I meant to get at the store when I go to town.(Even when I have a list!) And, yes, I even have walked into a room to get/do something and forgotten what I walked in for. (So frustrating!)

The Psalms give us many reminders of the things that we must take heed of. One very important thing we must never forget is the faithfulness of God. No matter what happens in our personal lives, or what occurs in the world and events around us, we must unswervingly hold onto His faithfulness. How can we trust in Him to always be faithful, though?

In Psalm 77, it says we are to remember....

When we remember the works of God, it is a powerful reminder against distrust of His promise and goodness. In the Old Testament, we can remember how He redeemed the decedents of Jacob and Joseph. Today, His works and wonders may be personal things in our lives that we have seen Him do or they can be public acts of God saving and protecting His children.

As we remember the blessings of God, these remembrances will be a glorious message of encouragement!

Lord, help us remember your faithfulness to those from the days of old and in our own lives today. Give us strength and faith to hold unswervingly to Your promises! Amen.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Who/What Are You Devoted To?

WHAT is devotion?

When I listen to the song below, I'm reminded that often we are taught that devotion is a part of falling in love. I am a 70's girl, so the first thing that came to mind when I thought about the word, "devoted" was the song by Olivia Newton John. (Were any of you fans of the movie, Grease, like I was?)

In this world, we are bombarded by so many temporary and materialistic things We are encouraged to admire movie stars and athletes and elevate them to a status of extreme honor and adoration. We become devoted to political parties, ideologies, causes, and even cars. Some of it is good, but much of it is not. Good examples of devotion can be found in the love of a mother for her children and of a father for his family. Bad examples can be found in extreme devotion to things, like cars, houses, appearance, money, and possessions. It is in our nature to become obsessed with things.

But God calls us to be devoted only to Him.
Exodus 20:3 - You shall have no other gods before me.
Luke 14:33 - In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples...

To be DEVOTED to God...is to be zealous – enthusiastic - ardent – fervent - passionate in attachment, loyalty, or affection to GOD. (source)

When you look at your own heart and look for what is most important to you, what you devote the most time to, what do you find? To what are you most devoted?

When I look inward, I become a bit uncomfortable. Though there are things that require greater amounts of time than worship and adoration to God (i.e., work, sleep), what is most critical? What is most important? I find that sometimes that the thing I feel most intensely devoted to isn't the Lord.

It is very easy to get out of sync regarding the Christian walk. It is easy, very easy, to become devoted to something so much that it infringes on one's relationship with Christ. When we realize that, we must take a step back, reassess what is most important to us, and once again look to the cross of Christ where His love and patience abound.

"Your greatest single difficulty in following God may come at this point of full surrender." from Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God, Revised and Expanded

Thankfully, being devoted to God doesn't mean we have to chance being hurt or get pushed aside by the One we are devoted to. It doesn't mean we are "hopeless". In fact, when we devote our lives to the Lord, we have the good news that our labors and sacrifices are not in vain.

All who are devoted to God will readily and frequently experience God's promises

Psalms 91:14-16 CEB

God says,

"Because you are devoted to me,

I’ll rescue you.

I’ll protect you

because you know my name.

Whenever you cry out to me,

I’ll answer.

I’ll be with you in troubling times.

I’ll save you and glorify you.

I’ll fill you full with old age.

I’ll show you my salvation."

These verses tell us that we can expect supernatural rescue, protection, hearing, responding, presence, glory, continuous salvation from now until we are filled with old age.

God has promised to reward us, if we believe and seek Him. "Anyone who comes to Him [God] must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him" Hebrews 11:6
Mark 10:29–30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for Me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life."
We will be in the presence of God, and we will be happier than we have ever been. Isaiah 35:10
"and those the Lord has rescued will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away."
1 Peter 1:3-9 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." source

As you can see, being devoted has SO many benefits!

Jesus, I pray that my heart will be deeply devoted to the One from whom all blessings flow. I pray that by the grace of God my devotion would please You alone and that I may inspire others to do the same.

Continuing to give thanks, listing the many gifts from the Lord! Linking over at "Multitude on Mondays".

1,613 - Knowing that our reward is found, as we walk with Jesus through this life and find joy, in having a relationship with Him!
1,614 - Knowing that there is hope for eternal reward in being fully devoted to the Lord!
1,615 - Spending Valentine's Day with my hubby!
1,616 - Shopping and bargain-hunting in a local Amish town...finding a beautiful quilt for our extra bedroom.(I'll be sharing a photo of it soon! :)
1,617 - Eating a homemade Amish dinner at a favorite restaurant.
1,618 - Getting to go to see our grandson play basketball on his high school team.
1,619 - Finally being able to attend church again...weather conditions stopped us from going the past few weeks.
1,620 - The Lord protecting me, guiding my car, and letting me get home from work safely today...another snowstorm hit our area!