Speak to my Heart

Speak to my heart, Holy Spirit
Give me the words that will bring new life
Words on the wings of the morning
the dark night will fade away
If you speak to my heart

Speak to my heart, Holy Spirit
Message of love to encourage me
Lifting my heart from despair
How you loved me and cared for me
If speak to my Heart

Speak to my Heart Lord
Give me your Holy Word
If I can hear from you,then I'll know what to do
I won't go alone, I'll never go on my own
Just let your Spirit guide and let your word abide
Speak to my Heart

I love the Word of God! It is a book that I can read over and over and each time the Holy Spirit may reveal something new to me.  Most recently verses that I have known since I was a child now have new meaning.  It is such a wonderful thing when the Word becomes a huge part of your life and you allow it to serve as that two-edged sword.  Sometimes it pierces and other times it heals.   Take for instance the scripture..Romans 8:28. You are familiar with this verse. 'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose'.  It is one of the verses quoted most often when you are going through something and someone wants to encourage you to 'fight on'.  I remember my first thoughts on this verse.  I thought it meant that if God is working it out for my good then I am getting what I want.  After all a loving God wouldn't deny me what I want.    So I was going to get the job, the house,  the car,  the man,  the woman. Whatever I was asking for I should receive. Give me, give me, give me what I want! And not in God's time but in my time.  I have been living a pretty good life.  However, as Christians we know that is not always the case. In fact, sometimes it is the exact opposite. The question that I want to pose to you today is one very similar to the one the minister posed last night. Is this scripture talking about comfort or maturity? Is it truly about us getting what we want in the end? And if it is about getting what we want....do we only want material things? And if we don't get what we want, how do we respond?

Those of you that have been reading this blog from the beginning know that one of the things I stress is that our lives on this earth should be used so God can get the glory. And this should be done by any means God's deems necessary. Even through our trials and tribulations. Even in the eye of a storm. We have heard the preacher say time and time again that you are either in a storm, coming out of a storm or getting ready to go into a storm. But have we come to grip with this reality? Yes, God blesses us and hopefully we thank Him for His blessings. Do we thank Him, on the other hand, that the storm that we are in is going to used as a testimony that will help someone else? Or are we looking for that silver lining? That end result that means I have a better job...a bigger house...a nicer car. For me, it depends. On what? How bad the storm is? Did I get a breather in between storms? How badly wounded was I in the last storm? I think about all of this. Am I sitting there thinking that God is going to get the glory? Am I thinking that I am going to be STRONGER, WISER, BETTER, SO MUCH BETTER? Not at all. But I should be....because His promises are true and it will work out for my good. And if I faced every storm, every obstacle with this very attitude, I do believe things would be better. If I could say like David said, 'I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging for bread'. If I could 'hold to God's unchanging hand' or if I could just 'Keep Swimming' (Finding Nemo) I have often times heard myself say that 'I can make it through this situation because I know God has something better for me when it is over'. I have even made out my list of what that better should be. But the things on that list are things I can see and touch. They are not intangible things. Although it is those intangible things that make us survivors.

It's time to change it up.  Instead of always looking for the next big thing, learn to be content with what you have.  And if there is something that you stand in need of ask God to speak to your heart and give you the patience to HOLD ON until your change comes.  Life is difficult at times but God did not leave you out there to fend for yourself.  He left resources for you to pull from anytime you need it.  It doesn't cost to pray.  It cost you nothing to pick up your Bible and read it.  Stop looking for that temporary fix. That thing you want at the moment instead of what will be with you for a lifetime.  Allow God to make permanent changes within your heart and help you to see things from an eternal perspective.  It then end you will not only have comfort but maturity also.

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

stretched in order to receive.  Whatever the cost Lord, your will be done.  In Jesus' Wonderful name I pray Amen.