Filling Up

I've been reading through the book of Proverbs. It amazes me how simple some of these verses are. The simplicity leaps off the pages and turns my thinking to wonder how humanity has gotten so far away from laws and commandments that our Creator put in place to keep us safe and make us good citizens on this earth, and one day in eternity with Him.

When did things go awry? I guess we have to go back to the Garden of Eden and examine the hearts of the first created humans. Eve thought God was keeping something from her-something good. The serpent whispered silky lies in her ear, seducing her to believe lies that would wound all of humanity.

It still happens to us today. God's Word tells us we are made in His image (Genesis 1:27), yet many of us tear ourselves apart and speak terrible things about one another. God's Word tells us that if we are in Him, we have the fruit of the Spirit which is, "love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control." (Galatians 5:22-23) Yet how many of us truly have all of these. These fruit are there, ripe for the picking if we would just reach out and accept the gifts Jesus died to give us. "Abundant life," John 10:10 says. That is what Christ came to give us. Yet, like Eve, we scorn it and toss it back as a worthless trinket.

The daily practice of Bible reading opens the mind and the heart to grow more like Jesus. That is truly our calling. I encourage you to begin reading daily, prayerfully for Jesus to fill you with the Spirit allowing the truth of God's Word to penetrate your heart and make a lasting change from the inside out. Claim the fruit of the Spirit, walking daily in it and see the difference living in His will can make. Why not start right now!

May the joy of Jesus fill your heart and soul to overflowing. With blessings,
Natalie

In His Hands

                                   


Hannah is quite a lady. Last week, I spent quite a bit of time reading and researching her biography in 1 Samuel chapter 1. She was barren, unable to have children. Her husband took a second wife who was able to bear him children. Because of this, she was a constant source of aggravation to Hannah. Year after year, Elkanah (their husband), Hannah, Peninnah, and their children would take the journey to make their yearly sacrifice at Shiloh.

During this time, Peninnah would pick at Hannah, making her miserable. After eating, Hannah went to the temple and poured her heart out before the Lord. She was desperate. She had come to the end of herself and could no longer take it. She prayed from misery and heartache so deep down that her mouth was moving, yet no words would come forth. When Eli the priest saw her, he rebuked her for being drunk. Hannah explained the ache within her being. This hurt ran down inside the core of her heart. He responded telling her to go in peace and asked the Lord's blessing to be upon her.

This is where God calls us to be (Psalm 57:2). This is where Jesus called his disciples to be (Matthew 16:24). We are called to be clay in the Potter's hands (Jeremiah 18:6). Hannah lived in a time when having children was looked upon as a blessing from God and a barren womb a curse. Yet, they failed to see God's timing. We see in verse 5 that the Lord closed her womb. Then inversely we see in verse 19 that she conceives. God's timing is perfect; it was in Hannah's and it is in yours.

What is He calling you to today? Is there something you know God is asking of you? Is Jesus asking you to follow Him? Is the Holy Spirit nudging your soul? Allow Hannah to be a messenger of hope to you today, take a lesson from her life and cry out to Him from the depths of your heart and listen for His answer. Remember, His timing is perfect and there is nothing He cannot do.