Tuesday, October 28, 2008

A Heart Abiding in God's Word -- Part 3

How does a woman draw near to God's heart? What is our part in the relationship that God desires with you and me?

1. Schedule a personal quiet time for drawing near to God.

Only through routine, regular exposure to God's Word can you and I draw out the nutrition needed to grow hearts of faith. Developing the habit of drawing near to God helps make our devotional life what we need it to be, and what God wants it to be.

Pick a time. When do you think you could be most consistent in having a quiet time each day? Examine your schedule and pick a time. Set the appointment and then write it on your daily to-do list.

Pick a place. Where do you think you could enjoy the peace and quiet you need for your quiet time? (You might have to try out a few places.)

Pick a plan. Do you prefer your Bible only? How about a concordance, or a notebook; sticky notes, or highlighters. "Personal" means that it's yours alone, and you know the things that will enable you to keep on track and pay attention. You also know the things that will provide distraction!

2. Develop goals for your growth.

Motivation is key when it comes to nurturing a heart of devotion, and dreaming helps motivate us. God will take you as far as you want to go, as fast as you want to go. And so, where to you want to be spiritually in one year? What kind of woman do you want to be?

Now, think about ten years from now. How big is your dream?

Here we stand, staring at the very core of God's heart -- God's own Word.

Romans 11:33, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!"

Psalm 33:11, "The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations."

1 Peter 2:2, "...as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby."

Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Lord, just for today, help me to draw near to you. I have a deep desire to be the woman that You want me to be, and I realize that it takes one step at a time. Help me, Lord, as I purpose to spend a daily quiet time with You. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

On the Subject of Roots

Excerpt from Charles Swindoll's "Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life."

Strong roots stablize growth. If that's true of trees it is certainly crucial for Christians. Roots strengthen and support us against the prevailing winds of persuasion. When the mind-bending gales attack without warning, it's the network of solid roots that holds us firm and keeps us straight. Beautiful branches and lacy leaves, no matter how attractive, fail to fortify us as the velocity increases. It takes roots, stubborn, deep, powerful roots, to keep us standing.

That explains why the Savior said what He did about the plant that withered. It had a root problem, so it couldn't handle the blistering rays of the sun. And why Paul's prayer for those young energetic Ephesian believers included the thought, of "being rooted and ground..."

But before you get excited about whipping up a strong set of roots, better remember this: It takes time. There's no instant route to roots. And it isn't fun 'n' games either. It's hard work. Nor is it a high-profile process. Nobody spends much time digging around a tree trunk, admiring: "What neat roots you have!" No, the stronger and deeper the roots, the less visible they are. The less noticed.

Check it out in the Bible:

Mark 1:16-17, "These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble."

Ephesians 3:14, 16, 17, 18, "For this I [Paul] bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...that He would grant you...to be strenghened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love...may be able to...know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Take note

Spending time with the Lord deepens our root system which readys us for the inevitable turbulence of everyday life. Five minutes a day. When we read in our Bibles for just five minutes daily, the Lord nourishes us with His food, His strength, His power. Just five minutes.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

A Heart Abiding in God's Word -- Part 2

Our Heavenly Father loves you and me so much that He desires that we spend time with Him. In addition, He has created a deep need in each one of us -- a need for Him. Therefore, it is necessary for us to slip away and be alone with God, especially when the pressures of life mount. When we place Him at the top of our list of priorities, He then chooses to bless us beyond measure.

As we take a look at Isaiah 58:11 in the Message Bible, notice how God describes the blessings that will be poured out upon those who seek after God in the right ways.

"I will always show you where to go. I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places - firm muscles, strong bones. You'll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry."

As women of God, we draw life from God's Word just as surely as a healthy fruit tree draws nourishment from its hidden root system. Let's consider two more facts about this vital part of a tree that grows downward into the soil.

3. Roots are for storage.

As we soak in needed refreshment from God's Word, He creates in us a reservoir of hope and strength in Him. Then, when times are rough, we won't be depleted. We won't dry up, disintegrate, or die. Instead, we will simply reach down into our hidden reservoir of refreshment and draw out what we need right now from what God has given us.

4. Roots are for support.

Without a well-developed root system, we become top heavy -- lots of leafy, heavy foliage appears above ground but nothing supports it from underneath. Without a network of strong roots, sooner or later we have to be staked up, tied up, propped up, straightened up -- until the next wind comes along and we fall over again! However, with firm healthy roots, no wind can blow us down.

We know that the healthiness and strength of a tree is dependent upon the root system. In the same way, our spiritual healthiness and power is dependent upon what goes on "underground" in the quiet solitude of time spent with the Lord. This is where the beginning of abiding takes place; this is where our relationship with God thrives; this is where the real work is done.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

A Heart Abiding in God's Word -- Part 1

Jeremiah 17:7-8, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit."

Psalm 1:2-3, "But his [the righteous man's] delight is in the law of the Lord,and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

If God is going to be first in our hearts and the "Ultimate Priority" of our lives, we must develop a root system anchored deeply in Him. We must seek to live our lives near to God -- indeed, hidden in Him!

Join me as we consider two facts about roots.

1. Roots are unseen.

We are going to compare the root system of a tree to your private life -- the life that you enjoy with God out of the public eye. The underground root system of a tree causes the tree to thrive when it is planted in rich, moisture-laden soil. The tree grows strong, with green healthy leaves, and abundant fruit.

In the same way, if you and I want to thrive as Christians and impact others, we must spend a great porportion of our time hidden in quiet, in reflection, in prayer, in study. Our strength (or lack of it) in public is explained by what goes on in private between us and God.

2. Roots are for taking in.

Do you know what happens when you and I are able to slip away to be with God in study and prayer? We receive. We take in. We are nurtured and fed.

Away from public view, we can go to the Lord with our weakness, with our weariness, and with our darkness, and we can be renewed.

We find great benefit when we purposefully make time to read and study His Word. We must willfully choose Him over the "good" things of life.

We can alter our schedules and, when we do, the blessing are abundant!