Be Still and Know

Good morning prayers.  So sorry for the lack of activity on the blog, this is an exciting week for us.  We are attending our first event with the prayer beads and of course have lots of last minute details to firm up. 

This morning I was prompted to blog on the phrase Be still and know that I am God.  What exactly does it mean to know that He is God?  Maybe it is that the character of God does not change in times of great challenge and great joy.  There are many characteristics of God that we are familiar with but God is revealed in all of scripture in many ways that don't readily come to mind.  Scripture teaches that God is All-Powerful, All Knowing, All Caring, Exalted in the Heavens but it also teaches He is our shepherd, our nurturer, our justice, our hope, our provider, creator, gate to eternal life, light in the darkness......shall I go on??  There are references to God that are high and lofty and remind us of his kingly status, then there are references that make Him personal and present, and available to our everyday lives.    Psalm 46 starts out with the exclamation God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble; therefore we will not fear.   Let's call on the God who wants to personally touch us with compassion for our daily lives and ask him to open our hearts and minds to accept His nature of love toward us. 

Psalm 46:10
 “Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.”

Father,
Draw us to a time of being still with you.  Bring peace to our hearts and open our minds to contemplate and rely on a characteristic of your nature that is new to our experience with you.  Thank you that we can know you more fully through scripture.  I pray that as we meditate on these thoughts today that you would reveal yourself to us in very specific ways to strengthen our hearts and our faith. 
In Jesus' name. 

Blessings,
Carol

The Riches of an Inheritance

Ephesians 1:18 - 19

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

I love Shelley’s honesty on the subject of prosperity which is almost a taboo subject in the church.  There are some subjects that the church shies away from in an effort not to be misunderstood; prosperity is one of those subject.  Why??  I think because prosperity is most often interpreted as asking for dollars and as Shelley has pointed out there are references where that request is biblical. 

However, Jesus even mentions that the people he fed with fish and loaves began to seek Him, not because of the signs which pointed to Him as the Messiah but because their bellies were filled and they wanted more (See John 6:25 – 27).   He instructed those followers to spend their energy on seeking the spiritual food that endures to eternal life rather on the “food” which perishes after ingested.  He knows our need for the daily requirements of life and it is obvious from scripture that he willingly meets those needs.   I asked myself after Shelley’s blog if I turn my heart back to the Father with heartfelt thanks when my needs are met or do I ask God to search my heart when they seem to be out of our reach.  Questions, questions.     

The passage from Ephesians gives us incredible detail regarding what God identifies as riches for his people mainly the riches of the glorious inheritance of eternal life AND the greatness of His power TOWARD us who believe; such power as we have never known and such an inheritance that we cannot begin to grasp it.  How are the eyes of our heart enlightened??  Well, you know where I’m going with this – it is through time spent in prayer; seeking God for His direction and guidance in the simple, daily needs of life and for the eternal needs of our souls.  Both are equally important to sustain life. 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”   John 3:16

Blessings on your journey,
Carol