"Experiencing God"

Hey Everyone, 

I haven't had time to update, been too busy going through a job transition.   Here is a pic of Mickaela & I in Kemah.

I'm reading an awesome book.  Here are some of the nuggets I'd like to share with you:

*God created you for a love relationship with Himself.  He yearns for you to love Him.  The call to relationship is also a call to be on a mission with Him.

*God's kind of love always seeks the very best for a person.  Therefore, He can never give you second best.  His nature will not let Him.

*I never look on circumstances without seeing them on the backdrop of the cross. (John 3:16)

*When you come to know God by experience, you will be convinced of His love.  When you are convinced of His love, you can believe Him and trust Him.  When you trust Him, you can obey Him.  When you love Him, you have no problem obeying Him. (1 John 5:3)

*God has given His commands so you may prosper and live life to its fullest measure.  If you do not obey Him, you do not really love Him (see John 14:24).  God is love.  Because of His love, His will for you is always best.  God also is all-knowing, so His directions are always right.

SUMMARY - "KNOWING GOD'S NATURE"

Three characteristics of God's nature have a significant influence on your knowing and doing His will. 

Because God is love, His will is always best.  As you follow and obey Him, He will always direct you in ways that are best for you and for the world into which He calls you. 

Because God is all-knowing, you will never have to question the rightness of His directions--even when they don't make sense.  His directions are always right. 

Because God is all-powerful, you do not have to doubt your ability, strength, or resources to complete His assignments for you.  He will enable you to accomplish all that He calls you to do.

This was all from Chapter 2 in "Experiencing God" by Henry T. Blackaby & Claude V. King.  We're studying this book in my Small Group on Friday's.  I hope it has blest you.

Take Care & God Bless,

Sherry

Currently Listening This Type Of Thinking Could Do Us In By Chevelle Vitamin R see related

"At that time Jesus answered" (Matthew 11:25)

This is a remarkable way in which to begin a verse.  If you look at the context, you will notice that no one asked Him a question, and He was not in conversation with any human being.  Yet, it is written, "Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father." 

When a man answers, he answers a person who has been speaking to him.  Who, then, had spoken to Christ?  It is His Father, of course.  Yet there is no record of it.  This should teach us that Jesus had constant fellowship with His Father.  God spoke to His heart continually.  It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with God. 

May we likewise have silent fellowship with the Father so that we may often answer Him.  Though the world will not know to whom we speak, we may respond to that secret voice unheard by any other ear.  Our own ear, opened by the Spirit of God, recognizes it with joy.  God has spoken to us. 

Let us speak to God--either to confirm that God is true and faithful to His promise or to confess the sin of which the Spirit of God has convicted us or to acknowledge the mercy which God's grace has given. 

What a privilege is intimate communion with the Father of our spirits?  It is a secret hidden from the world, a joy which even the closest friend cannot share.  It we desire to hear the whispers of God's love, our ear must be ready to listen to His voice. 

This evening may our hearts be in such a state that when God speaks to us, we, like Jesus, may be prepared to answer Him at once.

C.H. Spurgeon 

C.H. Spurgeon

"And these are ancient things" (1 Chronicles 4:22)

These things are not as ancient as those precious things which are the delight of our souls.  Let us recall them, telling them over as misers count their gold.  There is the sovereign choice of the Father, by which He elected us for eternal life. 

We were chosen by Him from before the foundation of the world.  Everlasting love went with the choice.  It was not an act of divine will alone which set us apart, but divine affection was also involved.  The Father loved us in and from the beginning. 

The eternal plan to redeem us from our certain destruction, to cleanse and sanctify us, and at last to glorify us was conceived from the beginning.  It runs side by side with immutable love and absolute sovereignty.  The covenant is always described as being everlasting. 

Jesus made His commitment to the sacred promise long before the first star began to shine.  It was in Him that the elect were ordained for eternal life.  Thus in the divine purpose, a most blessed covenant union was established between the Son of God and His people.  It will remain as the foundation of their safety when time is no more. 

It is shameful that these ancient things are so often neglected and even rejected by most believers.  It they knew more of their own sin, they would be more ready to adore His grace.  Let us both admire and adore Him tonight.

Mickaela & Bryan.... something I'm trying to get used to.

"Together We Can Love People One at a Time" - Rick Stedman

Acts 8:26-40

Every day can be an adventure when:

1.  I allow God to direct and guide me.  (26)

*God guides us when we listen.

*God guides us one step at a time.

*God guides us with His perfect timing.

Personally:  God is willing to direct me, but am I willing to listen and obey?

2.  I love people one at a time. (27)

*God leads us to individual people and relationships.

*God leads us to divine appointments.

"Stay near it" = "join, be glued to it"

Personally:  God has divine appointments already scheduled for me in my future!

3.  I treat others with sensitivity and wisdom. (30-35)

*Start by listening.

*Ask questions.

*Explain by starting where others are.

*Know the Scriptures.

*Always tell the Good News about Jesus.

Personally:  Of the above six areas, the one I need to grow most in is: ___________

4.  I help them take the next step. (36-40)

*Expect others to respond positively.

*Why wait?  Theres no good reason to wait!

Personally:  The Ethiopian said "Stop the Chariot!"  In my life I need to stop the ____________ (ex:  excuses, delays, arguments, hesitations, etc.)

This past week, how often did you pray the "How and Who" prayer?  How did God love you and who did He love through you?  Do you agree that God has "divine appointments" waiting for you every day?