Barometer of the Heart

"Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself,

but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded."

Do I grin and bear it?  Avoid it at all costs?  Hunger for it?  Recognize its value despite its offensiveness to my sin nature?

In the same way the readings on a barometer are an indication of future changes in the weather, the way I feel about and respond to the wisdom found in God's Word is an indication of the direction I travel in life and the status of my heart.  If I learn to interpret the atmospheric pressure measurements of a barometer, I can forecast the weather.  And if I pay attention to how I'm handling the Word of God, I can estimate where I'm headed in life based on the status of my heart.  Let's take some time to recognize the danger signs.

Avoid.  Whenever I hear the dreaded song, I quickly turn the channel.  I simply don't want to be faced with the doe-eyed animals who seem to be pleading for help from their desperate situations as "In the Arms of an Angel" by Sarah McLachlan plays in the background.  My heart breaks as I think of the suffering these helpless creatures endure and I feel helpless to rescue them.  While I could give a donation to the ASPCA to ease my mind, I'd rather avoid the effectively persuasive advertising campaign.  It's just too hard to see.

From time to time I take on this same mindset with God's Word.  I know it's powerful and living, able to get to the root of the dark places in my heart, but I don't always want to face it (Hebrews 4:12-13). Sometimes I'd just rather turn the channel and focus on something more pleasant.  While the discipline and training in righteousness that comes from exposing myself to the Holy Scripture is not always comfortable, it is good for me, useful for weeding out what is off in the way I think and operate in this world, and teaching me God's better way (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Even though it doesn't feel good, it is beneficial to my faith walk.  My willingness to expose myself to His valuable training tool tells me a lot about the state of my heart.

When I avoid God's Word it's a sign that I've hardened my heart against God's loving instruction.

Dismiss.  "It's not relevant.  It's outdated.  Maybe it made sense back in the day, but we've progressed beyond our need for such archaic ways; we have learned a better way and the Bible is no longer necessary.  While there may be some redeeming qualities, most of it does not apply to the modern mind and our unique condition."  So goes the line of thinking in today's mind.  While I don't claim to adhere to such a view, it's poison can easily seep into my psyche and influence the way I process the situations I encounter.

Therefore, when I find myself dismissing any part of God's Word as irrelevant to my current circumstances, I'd better sit up and take notice.  God does not change with the times, altering His perception according to cultural or political variations (James 1:17).  He does not take opinion polls and is never influenced by the tide of popular trends (Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:6).  He could care less about His popularity ratings.  Since He is so rock-solid in His character, His Word can be trusted as always relevant to meet me right where I am and able to speak to me exactly what I need to hear.  God's Word always accomplishes what He desires for it to bring about, therefore I dare not dismiss it as irrelevant (Isaiah 55:11).

When I dismiss God's Word it is a sign that I've diminished the powerfully influential nature of His ever-relevant Word.

Take Lightly.  It becomes a daily ritual.  As I read, my mind is drifting toward my to-do-list or I'm rehashing my current crises or I'm distracted by my surrounds.  Whatever keeps me from truly applying myself to the study of scripture, it succeeds in keeping me superficial, robbing me from the richness found there and the important truths I need each day.  Instead of being transformed by the renewing of my mind, I stay the same, stagnant as a mosquito-infested bog deep in the woods.

If I want to go deeper with God, I must treasure His Word as the prize that it is, taking in every word as a life-giving flow of spring water that refreshes my soul and points me to the way everlasting.  Instead of just reading, then, I can take on the persona of an explorer, picking apart each passage in a search for gems that will give me more insight into the Father I adore, His Son whom I can't live without, and the Spirit who empowers me to live abundantly.  As I come to know this great God through His infallible Word, I will find more insight into my own workings and how I fit into this world He created.  Therefore, taking His Word seriously is to my benefit.

When I take God's Word lightly it is a sign that I've hit a roadblock in my faith walk, ceasing the forward progress toward my heavenly goal.

The way I think of and receive God's Word tells much about the state of my heart and the progress of my faith walk.  Learning to read the warning signs helps me to forecast the direction of my life.  When I avoid, dismiss and take lightly God's Word, I had better take notice for I'm headed in the wrong direction.  The state of my heart is vital to my spiritual health.  Therefore, I'd be wise to use these warning signs as a kind of barometer of the heart.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God to use His Word to accomplish His plan for my life.

When do I avoid scripture because I simply don't want to hear what God has to say?

How am I fearing God's best for me? 

    

Wiser

"Oh how I love your law!

It is my meditation all the day."

Psalm 119:97

There's a lot that runs through my mind in the course of a day; the tasks at hand and how to do them efficiently and to the best of my ability, details I must handle, brainstorming of possible solutions to problems that have cropped up, past hurts and painful interactions with others, mistakes I've made, hurtful words I've said.  In short, there's a lot stirring around in this little brain of mine!

As I read today's passage, I see how different are the thoughts of this psalmist.  Instead of dwelling on the mundane details of life, festering sores, and past shortfalls, he thinks about lovely, pure, excellent and praise worthy things (Philippians 4:8).  He focuses his brainpower on God's instructions, His truths, and His revelations about Himself and His ways.  What benefit would I gain by doing the same?

Upper Hand.  It's often hard to know what to do or say.  I'm attacked, the object of slander and gossip, and my gut reaction is to defend myself, to go into damage control mode, to show everyone how wrong the rumors are.  I want people to know I'm not the person I've been made out to be.  I'm tempted to sink into the muck and join in the mudslinging.

Then His words flow through my mind.  I remember His goal; reconciliation of mankind with God (John 3:17, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19).  He reminds me of His pursuit of the lost and that apart from Jesus, there is nothing man can do but to do what comes naturally, to their own destruction (2 Timothy 2:23-26, Luke 19:10, John 15:5).  

Then it hits me; these gossips and slanderers are not my enemy.  I have an adversary who is craftily using people to do his evil bidding (Ephesians 6:12).  Now I have the right perspective.  Now I know the truth of the situation.  Now I have the upper hand and can allow God's love and grace to flow out through me, joining in with His pursuit of the lost.

God's commands gives me wisdom to handle difficult situations in a way that brings glory to God.

Best Teacher.  The model for learning in this world is that I sit under the instruction of a teacher.  As a student, I know less than the one imparting knowledge upon me.  I'm in need of instruction and am tasked with learning.

God has a different model.  His Word itself is the best teacher there is (2 Timothy 3:16).  This means there will be times when I may have more insight than my Sunday School teacher, the pastor who preaches each Sunday, or the dedicated leader of my women's Bible study group (Psalm 119:99).  This is something I must keep in mind when I'm in the position of leading.  The teacher does not always have all the answers for sometimes a new and deep insight can come from the student through the instruction found in God's own Word.

Steeping in God's Word throughout the day can give me great insight and understanding apart from man's normal pattern of learning.

Wisdom.  I used to think wisdom came with age, that the older I got, the more I'd have.  Then I learned from God's Word that wisdom has nothing to do with age and everything to do with one's relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.  He is the true source of all insight and understanding (Proverbs 1:7, James 1:5).

Therefore, it is possible for the young to know more about God and His will than the old.  As I grow older, it's important that I see young people who enjoy strong relationships with Jesus as sources of godly wisdom and be humble enough to learn from them.  On the flip side, I can't always expect my elders to have all the answers but I must test everything against the truth of God's Word.  When I submerge myself in God's teachings, I'll be able to discern the difference between godly wisdom and worldly knowledge.  Otherwise, I may get caught up following a faulty teaching simply because it came from someone older than I.

Soaking in God's wisdom throughout the day gives me wisdom beyond my years and discernment to distinguish godly messages from worldly ones no matter their source.

There is a lot my mind can ponder as I go through my days, but if I learn to meditate on the truth of God's Word I'll find I have the upper hand over my enemies, am learning from the best Teacher, and will gain wisdom that has nothing to do with age.  In these ways I'll gain more wisdom than any amount of experience or schooling could ever impart.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can train my mind on the nuggets of gold found in His Word.

When do I let my thoughts go where they may instead of guiding them toward God's Word?

How am I prejudice against young people, thinking they can't know more than I thus missing out on some godly wisdom they have to pass on to me?     

Better Than Gold

"It was good for me to be afflicted

so that I might learn your decrees.

The law from your mouth is more precious to me

than thousands of pieces of silver and gold."

Psalm 119:71-72

"I can't even begin to try to understand why He saw it fit to allow me to be afflicted with this aggressive, unpredictable breast cancer.  I can't explain why I've chosen traditional medicine to a natural approach.  I know that God's hand has been guiding me.  I know that there is a testimony in the works.  I know that God is able to heal me. . . God has impressed me to share this here.  I pray that whatever anyone who reads this is going through, they will find encouragement.  God has not forsaken me and He hasn't forsaken you!  He is about to show out!  Stay tuned.  -feeling encouraged."

This is a post from a friend who is going through the unthinkable, every human's darkest nightmare.  She is facing the worst, yet she calls it a privilege to undergo such torture.  Even though she suffers so, she has hope and is thinking of how to use her experience to lift up the faith of others.  

As I read this precious sister's testimony, I realize that I often have it backwards.  I treasure success, the high regard of many, meaningful experiences, even all the comforts of good health and home.  But none of it really matters.  It's all empty and beside the point of my purpose, as my friend has discovered.

I need God to show me what is truly valuable and of greater worth than gold.

Affliction.  I do whatever I can to avoid it.  I make every effort to keep myself healthy, to circumvent trouble, to sidestep suffering.  How can I complete the ministries God has placed before me if I'm sick?  If I'm under attack by my enemy, how will I serve effectively?  Don't I need to be healthy and whole in order to do my best for God?  So goes my line of thinking.  And so I spend much time in self-preservation.

But God has a different plan.  He desires that I am true to Him and His Word.  His plan includes teaching me obedience through suffering (Psalm 119:67, Hebrews 5:8).  He knows how quickly I stray toward my own way, and only He knows what it will take to teach me loyalty to Him.  And so He allows this hard thing into my life.

God shows me the value of obedience to His Word by taking me through times of affliction.

Persecution.  It's hard to be the object of malicious gossip, of lies spread for no other reason than to hurt me and damage my reputation.  When going through such times I search for the reason for such ill-treatment, but I can find none.  I wonder why I must hurt so.

Then God does a remarkable work on my heart.  He uses such pain and disgrace to develop a new appreciation for His instructions.  I begin to pay attention to the truth of His Word, to drink it in like a life-giving elixir, to cherish His provision of daily Bread found in the pages of scripture as the stuff of life itself.  His Word becomes precious to me and I heed every warning, savor every morsel of understanding, look forward to each nugget of insight.

God shows me the value of the truth of His Word by allowing me to be the target of persecution.

Conclusion.  At first I see other things as more valuable.  I seek earthly prosperity thinking that will give me satisfaction.  I buy into the belief that the love of man will send me into a state of bliss.  I trust the fallacy of security that comes from building up my bank account and surrounding myself with all the trappings of a successful life.  Then God gets a hold of me.  

As He takes me through His training program, weathering affliction and persecution, I come to a new conclusion.  I discover that sitting at His feet as His well-loved child is the best place I could be.  I determine that His instruction is worth more than all the riches I could ever acquire.  I deem His Word as my most valuable possession.

God guides me to conclude that His Word is the greatest treasure that could ever be acquired.

My friend is facing the worst of the worst, but her value system is changing as she goes through it.   I am inspired greatly to see affliction as a teaching tool in my Father's hands, and persecution as nothing more than an object of His training.  As I weather the storms of life, I will conclude that even a morsel of His Word is better than possessing all the gold in the world.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God with the hard times of my life, knowing He has a great plan.

When do I despise the suffering I now face, refusing to see how God is using it to alter my perspective and value system?

How am I failing to comprehend the purpose behind the suffering?  

Love His Word

"I reach out for your commands,

which I love,

that I may meditate on your decrees."

Psalm 119:48

In order to live by God's Word, to allow Him to use His holy scriptures to change me, I'll need to see the Bible as more than just a collection of wise teachings.  I'll even have to go beyond the idea that His Word is a way for me to obtain head knowledge about Him, or even that it is a beautiful love letter written to me.  

In order to live by God's Word I'll need to see it as my life line, my daily bread, my sustenance; only God can bring about such a hunger within me (Psalm 119:18).  When He does, I will truly love His Word.

Trust.  "You think you're better than everyone else!  No one is impressed, Goody Two Shoes!"  The words hurt, although I knew my mocker could not understand my reasons for following Jesus.  Neither could he comprehend why I would live such a radically different life.  While my flesh cried out for revenge, to hurt as I'd been hurt, my heart knew there was a better response.

When in difficult situations when my faith is being attacked, it is important to trust God to give the best answer from the depth of His own Word.  Since I study His Word often, steeping my soul in it's goodness, the words are there, hidden in my heart and waiting for their Master to bring them to my mind.  And when He does, I can speak the Truth in love to a weary and broken soul, bringing healing to his bones (Proverbs 16:24).

When God cultivates in my heart a love for His Word, I will be able to trust Him to bring it forth in times of taunting.

Hope.  In the face of such a dark and discouraging world, it's easy for me to lose heart.  I may feel like giving up, especially when the going gets rough and rocky.  I may wonder, what's the point of living for Jesus?  I'd rather just drift along instead of struggling against the current of this world.  

Then I remember the Truth of God's promises found throughout His Word and I find courage to continue my press toward Jesus.  "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)  "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." (Romans 8:28)  "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:18-19)

When God cultivates in my heart a love for His Word, I will find hope upon which I can depend.

Seek.  "Obedience brings much blessing."  The young man proclaimed these words as truth as I shared the difficulty of doing God's bidding.  His way is so much different than the way I naturally am inclined to follow so living with Jesus as my King is not a natural thing to do.  But when I let Him have His way, seeking out His guidance, His best for me, His desires for my life, I find a certain freedom there.  Surprisingly, instead of being weighed down with a burden to obey, I find that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).

Maybe this is part of the blessing my friend was talking about, this free and straight-forward way of living where I simply follow my Shepherd.  He knows the right way to go, He has all the resources to provide for my needs, He carries the burdens of my soul.  My only concern is to keep in step with His Spirit.  As I do, the responsibility for choosing correctly is off of me and placed squarely on my Lord's shoulders.  This is the blessing of obedience; the liberty to live as a well-loved sheep of the Good Shepherd's pasture!

When God cultivates in my heart a love for His Word, I will walk in freedom as I seek His best for me.

The Bible is more than just an instruction manual or words to live by.  It is the living, breathing Word of God that is able to transform my life.  When I ask God to give me a love for His scriptures, I will find a growing trust in His ability to give me the right response to my attackers, hope when it seems there's none, and a desire to seek His way above all others.  This is what will come from a love of His Word!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that God will give me a love for His Word.

When do I depend on man's wisdom instead of God's?

How do I neglect the very Word of God, or see reading it as simply a good habit?

Our Advantage

Today's devotional comes from my book, 52 Days of Grace, available now on Amazon.

“What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?  Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.    What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?  Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:

‘So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.’”

                                                                                                                                                   Romans 3:1-4

There are many religions man uses to try to get to God.   Each has its own list of requirements to fulfill in order for a follower to climb closer to the ultimate goal.  Each uses a standard set by man to measure a disciple’s progress and many followers claim to have found peace and meaning in this process.

So what advantage do we, as disciples of Christ, hold?  We have the very words of God to use as our blueprint for building a meaningful life and to employ as a standard with which to measure our hearts.  Many times we fail to use God’s Word in this way, but simply read it as part of a ritual or as a daily habit.  The amazing thing about God is that this lack of faith on our part does not at all change His character.   If I claim that the maple tree in my front yard does not exist, that does not make it true, as evidenced by the shade I enjoy in the summer or the leaves I rake up each fall.  The tree is there no matter what I believe in my heart about it or how many times I ignore it as I walk past it on the way to the car.  In the same way, God’s faithfulness to fulfill his promises and to love us as only He can is not invalidated by my “lukewarmness.”    If I simply go through the motions of doing “religious things”, but make no real investment in my relationship with my Father, it does not diminish one iota His character.  He is still the same today as He was when He created all things. (Psalm 102:25-27)

Knowing that God is there waiting for me to place Him in the center of my life, and that He won’t be a different God once I finally appreciate and acknowledge Him, is comforting and inspiring.  I want to know a God who doesn’t change!  Everything else around me is constantly changing: My relationships, my family, my garden, my home, my job.  Nothing stays the same.  Nothing, that is, except God.  That is our advantage as the people of the One True God.       

When all else is shifting, I can stand firmly on the Solid Rock.

How have you fallen into the beliefs of this world regarding “religion” and character of God?

How much time do you spend in learning more about the One True God by reading His Word, meeting with His people and talking to Him?

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for being a God who does not change like shifting shadows.  I can always count on you.  I want to make You and Your law my foundation through faith in Jesus, giving me a solid rock to stand on during life’s storms.  I ask for strength and faith to make this commitment.  Thank you for your faithfulness to stay the same even when everything else around me is changing.  Help me to trust in your never-changing character.

I pray these things in Jesus Name,

Amen

If you were challenged by today's reading and would like to own a copy of 52 Days of Grace, click here to order 

Power of God's Word

"When the king heard what was written

in the Book of the Law,

he tore his clothes in despair."

2 Kings 22:11 NLT

God's Word is not like any other book; there is power found in it's words.  (Hebrews 4:12)  This power is not a strength or a force but more of an influence.  When I come into contact with the very words of God, they meddle with my spirit of independence, my sovereign nature, and my proclivity for sin.  I can either submit to it's authority or rebel against it, continuing to live as usual.  What happens when I humble myself before the Lord as king Josiah did?  (2 Kings 22)

Eyes are Opened.  There is a price associated with agreeing with God's Word.  When I submit to His ways, I begin to see the error of my own ways.  Until then, I think I'm doing a pretty good job of living my life in a way that is respectable and honorable.  I do what I think is good, measuring my behavior with my own yardstick.  When God's standard is revealed, however, it becomes apparent that my deeds are an offense to Him.

I used to think I was free from worry until God exposed my focused analysis of problems and the pursuit to find a solution for what it was in His eyes: anxiety.  Now I'm aware of my tendency to fret.  I also foolishly thought gossip was not something in which I indulged until God opened my eyes to the topic of conversation I often chose: talking about others and their problems.  Today I understand that my tongue is quick to gossip.  

When I humble myself before the Lord and submit to His Word, He will open my eyes to the true nature of my heart.

Action is Initiated.  Once I realize how much my behavior and heart attitudes offend God, I can't just let everything stay as it is.  Reading God's Word begs for change.  Unfortunately, I am powerless to modify my own behavior as evidenced by my many failures in this department.  The real transformation can only come when I cooperate with God's indwelling Spirit.  When I allow God to change my way of looking at things as well as the actions that follow, I will find a more organic conversion taking place.  (Philippians 2:13) 

Instead of behavior modification, then, I will find total transformation as I let God have His way in my life.  (Romans 12:2)  Fodder for worry is transformed into opportunities to pray as I find a peace filling my heart.  (Philippians 4:6-7)  Time spent with friends and family becomes a chance to share deep issues of the heart as well as reveal the power of God at work in my life instead of focusing on chit chat or other meaningless blather centered around the details of others' lives.

When I humble myself before the Lord and submit to His Word, I will find it necessary to turn away from what is offensive and allow God to alter my perception and transform my behavior.

Blessing is Received.  As I realize the darkness of my heart and cooperate with God's transforming power, I will find God's blessing in abundance.  When I respond positively to His Word, He counters by turning on the flow of His blessings into my life.

God's reaction to Josiah's humble response to finding God's Word and His warnings toward a wayward people was to postpone the promised punishment.   Thus, Josiah would enjoy a life of peace and would taste God's favor as he yielded to the Word of the Lord. (2 Kings 22:19-20)

Similarly, as I live in a world that neither acknowledges God nor seeks to please Him, I can taste God's mercy when I choose to turn away from the sin this culture embraces.  Taking God and His Word seriously when I am surrounded by many who regularly mock Him will bring much blessing.

When I humble myself before the Lord and submit to His Word, I will discover God's blessing upon my life.

Reading God's Word is not like studying any other book I find in this world.  The words written on the pages of the Bible are powerful, meant to teach, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness.  (2 Timothy 3:16)  When I humbly respond, God will open my eyes to my sin, giving me an opportunity to cooperate with His transforming power, resulting in a flow of blessing into my life.  This is the manifestation of the power of God's Word.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will take God seriously as I am surrounded by many who do not.

When am I most apt to brush over the sacred Word of God?

How do I resist God's transforming work?

Unaware

" 'I am with you and will watch over you

wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.

I will not leave you until I have done 

what I have promised you.'

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought,

'Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.' "

Genesis 28:15-16

How many times is God with me and I'm not even aware of His presence?  When I'm worried about the future,  angry at my loved one, grieving over a loss, or brokenhearted at the thought of past sins. . . He is there with me.

After Jesus gave what we call "The Great Commission" as recorded in Matthew 28, he ended with the declaration that, ". . . surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  (v 20)

God is with me, even when I don't realize it, but if I don't acknowledge Him in all my ways, I will not recognize His presence.

In His Word

There are many people who read the Bible as a book of wisdom and guidance.  It is chock-full of good advice and helpful hints on how to live a good life.  But the Bible is so much more than a self-help book or a manual of guidance!

The Bible is God's Word.  Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  

God is present in His Word!  Once I accept Jesus as my Savior, His Spirit dwells within me.  As I read God's Word, His indwelling Spirit teaches, rebukes, corrects and trains in righteousness.   

It is important to be steeped in the Truth that is found in God's Word so that I will recognize the lies that our culture constantly puts forth.  As poet Ralph Waldo Emerson penned, "Truth is beautiful, without doubt; but so are lies."  I am so easily deceived and led astray!

If I will take the time to study God's Word, His Spirit will painfully point out the deceptive beliefs I have taken in as gospel and will convict me to purge my thoughts of those deceiving teachings.  

In order to recognize God's presence in His Word, I must take the time to study it as His living Word, giving Him access to my spirit so He can use it to sever ungodly thoughts and attitudes.

Directing My Footsteps  

I remember an old proverb that goes, "He who fails to plan, plans to fail."  While it is good for me to think about my future and plan wisely, I must realize that God is the one in control.  As Proverbs 16:9 reminds me, "We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." (NLT)

I am easily frustrated when things don't go my way because I forget this truth.  Like when my car won't start, causing me to be late for an appointment.  As I fume in aggravation, God is patiently protecting me from an accident I would have encountered if I had left on my schedule. 

Or when my pregnancy is not going as planned, keeping me on bed rest instead of giving me a chance to continue working as I had intended.  While I sit like a giant incubator, God is teaching me lessons about trusting Him that I could not have learned any other way.

Or when I wanted to eat my favorite dish for lunch, but it didn't work out like I had planned.  As I pout in disappointment, God is working to shield me from food poisoning.  

Plans are good, but trusting God is better.  He is the One that knows the directions for my life so if I follow Him, I won't get lost!

Patiently Waiting

God does not force His way into my life.  Instead, He waits to be invited.  Revelation 3:20 quotes Jesus as saying, "Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with Him, and He with me." 

The picture is of Jesus standing on the threshold of my everyday life, waiting to be invited in among the ordinary things.  He wants to be part of my meals, my conversations, my work, my home, my vacations, my thoughts.  But He won't enter in unless asked.

God is not just a God of the big stuff; weddings, graduations, deaths, births, crises.  He is also a God of the little things: scraped knees, hurt feelings, lost kitties, loneliness, dead batteries.  God cares about me and He wants to be a part of every piece of my life!

God loves me and is with me in so many ways, but I don't even realize it.  In order to become more conscious of His loving presence, I must make an intentional effort to acknowledge Him.  He is present in the reading of His Word, in the direction of my footsteps, and as He waits patiently to be invited into the everyday parts of my life.

Fifteenth Century Catholic theologian Teresa of Avila recorded her thoughts about the concept of God's presence in our lives.  She wrote, "The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too."  

Yes, He's there . . . even when I'm unaware.  

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will learn to open my life freely to the God who loves me.

How do I unknowingly block God from certain parts of my life?

How do I knowingly block God from certain parts of my life?