Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand. (Psalms 73:23 NKJV)
While watching the news with my hubby,we were overwhelmed by how many shows pertained to vacationing during the summer. I mean,it seemed to be on practically every station we switched over to view. It was at the precise moment when we were looking at a crew of people on a cruise, who were singing ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall that made me realize, “I never want to be on a vacation from God.”
No matter where we may or may not go, I will always want God in my life. And, while it’s certainly warranted for people having worked so hard during the year, to look forward to their family vacation…I pray they don’t take a vacation from God in the process.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. (Psalms 73:25 NKJV) How amazing is God..So amazing that when faith and His glorious Spirit reside in you, you will feel the tranquility that one would get from an ordinary vacation, or a spa…only better.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:1 NKJV)
God is where ever you are, and where ever God is there is “heaven.” A friend of mine, whom I hadn’t heard from in quite some time called recently. We caught up with what’s been happening in our lives, and in so doing, she made a derogatory reference to “Hallelujah” people. I winced, but let her finish her message of discontent. After some time she’d noticed I hadn’t said one word in response to her “mocking” of one’s beliefs. She asked, “what’s wrong? Oh, don’t tell me you’re one of those?” To which I responded with , “To what do you refer? If you’re asking, am I one who fully believes in His word, then yes I am. If you’re asking, am I one who worships fully inwardly and outwardly, then yes I am. And, if you’re asking, do I raise my hands in exaltation to Him? Then, yes I am.”
She sounded off for a second or so, not wanting to hear about God, and choosing to say, “well as long as you’re a good person God will love you no matter what.” Which is the temperance of most “non-Hallelujah” people. That is my friend’s term, not mine by the way. Do I consider myself wiser or better than my friend? Absolutely not, we’re all equal in God’s eyes, but I fear the Lord and revere Him, and to that I say, “Thank you Lord, for opening my eyes and ears, and bringing forth the wisdom of Your Spirit which sustains and nurtures me on a daily basis.”
But the Proverb “to fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” is so true. Most people don’t want to “hear” about it, because their flesh thinks it’s foolish what the Spiritual self is saying. And, most people don’t want to be accountable for their actions, so they do what they need to do without “accountability” or the consequences of their actions.
God is a patient and loving Father. He has openly expressed His desire to receive our love. He has demonstrated in so many aspects, in and out of the Bible, how much He loves us. He gives us chances, over and over and over and over, to repent, to draw close to Him, and He will draw close to us. But, those who have their nose out of joint, who don’t want to hear, or learn of the affirmations and miracles of God, will one day realize He DOES EXIST, and He is with US every single day. And, to those who choose to ignore Him, He is waiting, watching, and loving them from a distance, and wanting to come closer.
Asking for His help, guidance, and His will, is an integral part of Christianity. The power of His love is within the landscapes of our soul…His abundant love overpowers the nuances of the world. His eyes and His perfect divine presence is with us constantly. Do you feel it? Do you reach out to Him? Do you understand the full scope of His being or the place He has in our lives?
Ask, learn, delve into His character. Open His book, the greatest love letter of all time. His book, telling us everything we need to know, from the beginning of time, to this time, and the time to come. No surprises, it’s all there, in His powerful and beautiful book. He tells us what we need to do, and how we can be a part of an abundant lifestyle rich with His blessings and rewards, in this lifetime and the one to come. It’s all there! His love, His grace, His miracles, His warnings, His guidance…all there for us.
Are you interested in knowing about our creator and our Father? Open His book, and then open your heart. You’d be surprised at how magnificent TRUE LOVE really is. Oh yes, indeed!
28“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 They would have none of my counsel
And despised my every rebuke.
31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,
And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil.” (Proverbs 1:28-33 NKJV)
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As always a big “Thank-you” to Scott Birge for his gorgeous picture~