Unlikely Candidate

I tend to think that I have nothing to offer God. I am flawed by sin. I am paralyzed by fear. I held captive by past memories. I have an unproven track record. Yet God wants me. He is asking me to take those things that I most regret, dislike, and fear about myself... and throw them before Him. He can then make it as tools to refine me to a perfect candidate to display His power and might. I am NOT THERE YET, but I must give up what is not in my power to change... that He might reign in power through the change He can make in me.

The Heartbeat of God

I am being challenged like never before in my life. I can hear a rhythmic booming in my ear. It is ever increasing. I have tried to ignored it and even run from it. I can't. It is the heartbeat of God. It is beating to move me to live... to really live! It is telling me to march on in boldness and go wherever God may send. It is telling me to love without restraints. I want to make God's heart glad. I know I am very slow to give God all of my heart... my passions and desires. Instead I need to seek to do His passions and desires, then He will do more than could ever imagine or dare to desire. I am NOT THERE YET... I am not where I was... I am anticipating what is ahead and rest in Him for strength now.

My Shepherd

Lord, You are so good to me. I cannot believe all the wonderful things that You alone can provide for me. You guide me. I can hear Your voice because I belong to You. You give me restoration in those hard times when I need comfort, healing, and rest. You even challenge me to trudge ahead through the valleys with perfect assurance that You are faithful. I know that You are preparing a home for me with You that I may dwell in securely in Your presence. I am NOT THERE YET, but You are leading me there. In Your name, amen.

Exposed

I have read that the Bible is sharper than a double-edged sword. Its blade is used to open me up and expose my every thought and deed before God. I am laid bare by it. That may seem like a terrifying thought but it is a thought that feels me with confidence. The One holding the blade is the Great Physician. He is examining my life to expose the cancer of sin and then cut it out before it can spread. He has saved me. Now He is sanctifying me because I am NOT THERE YET. I can have total boldness to approach God because I know He knows the battles of temptation that I have to fight. He chose to battle similar temptations Himself. He knows and is now interceding for me.

Send me?

I am often very self-seeking. I find myself trying to build up my own kingdom a lot of times. Do I even think about God's kingdom and His will? God is looking for someone to stand up and say "Send me!" He wants an individual to step out in faith and trust Him at His Word. My response is too often "Bless me!" Yet He does every single day without me taking time to notice. I am NOT THERE YET, but maybe it's because I haven't allowed Him to take me where I need to be.

Road Signs

I have been thinking a lot about signs. I admit that I don't always pay attention to road signs. I have missed my fair share of exits, and I have acquire a few speeding tickets along the way. I have even driven the wrong way down a one-way street. God has placed several road signs in my life. Yes, I have missed quite a few because I just wasn't paying attention. I even missed several because I disobediently ignored them. God would be better off using billboards instead of road signs with me at times. Right now, I feel like the road of my life (remember: I am NOT THERE YET) is a construction zone. God has put up caution signs to slow me down. He has even thrown in a few detour signs. I know He has great plans to use me for His service but right now He is working on me.

The Soil of My Heart

A seed has been sown. It is a precious seed that produces amazing fruit. It would enable me to live an abundant life in the Spirit. The problem though is soil. I know there has been times when I have had a hard heart of rejection to hear God's Word. I have also been weak in faith to trust God at even His smallest of promises. I am constantly letting the world distract me with noise, temptation, busyness, material items, and worldly goals. I need to break up the soil of my heart and let God's Word really take root. I want to be used to produce a crop more than my own efforts can produce. I am NOT THERE YET... God is still plowing up my heart conditions to be used in His harvest fields.