Monday, March 21, 2022

New Creation





"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."
Psalms 143:8

At Bible study last night I was flipping through my Bible to get to where we were going and in doing so I "randomly" ran across this starred verse.

I say randomly but I don't really believe that. Nothing is random when you are a Christ follower. Nothing is coincidence. Nothing just happens. Nothing is just an accident. Every minute detail is a teaching moment, a healing moment, a moment from which joy comes, a moment when correction is needed. I must always remember, God IS my Father and His Word is breathed out by him..... and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that I, a servant of God, may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16‭-‬17)

Before my husband died the Bible I was using was tattered, highlighted, underlined, written in....there were people's names and dates... prayers....sometimes I would just hold it as the priceless gift it was.

After my husband died I could barely hold that precious gift let alone read it. I soon realized that every verse that was emphasized in some way directly matched my life BEFORE tragedy struck.

It made me so sad... I'm still sad....I attached to that Bible all that was good in my life, all that I was blessed with, all the answered prayers, all the blessings..... especially those last, amazingly beautiful months I had on this earth with my beloved. Now, that Bible, God's very word sits on my shelf...like it was another lifetime. My interim Bible (after loss but before a semblance of healing) while still precious and tattered finds the book of Job well worn.

Sudden loss, sudden changes, life changing tragedies takes ones focus and directs it to the relational. I felt a kindred spirit to Job.....still do.

But here's where that head knowledge begins to transform my heart:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
2 Corinthians 5:17

I am a new creation....not made for the ups and downs and the tragedies and sorrows of this life which are going to happen...but a new person, created in the likeness of Jesus...to become like him...to suffer like him....and to RUN to him. That is hard stuff....But he isn't just the God of joy and laughter. Why am I surprised when hardship comes? IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE, but I have overcome the world!! If I am being transformed into His likeness I will suffer as he did for me. But the beauty? He is my comfort and strength and my courage and wisdom....

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN; YOU WERE BOUGHT AT A PRICE. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
1 Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20


I was bought at a price, the precious blood of Christ! He gave his life that I may LIVE!!!

Last night a switch flipped when I saw that verse in Psalms.....

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love..."


"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God IS love."
1 John 4:8


"When we say God is love, we are not saying everything about God. Love is an essential aspect of His character, and colors every aspect of His nature. But it does not eliminate His holiness, His righteousness, or His perfect justice. Instead, we know the holiness of God is loving, and the righteousness of God is loving, and the justice of God is loving. Everything God does, in one way or another, expresses His love." (EWC)

"......for I have put my trust in you."

Have I? Do I? Am I using the myriad of ways that he's proven his trustworthiness to me? Do I wake each morning with his words on my lips and a song in my heart? Am I filling myself to the brim with his promises? If not, why not?

"Show me the way I should go..."

"In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
Psalms 5:3


Do I inquire, "Lord, what would you have for me today?"

Do I wait with great expectation? Am I missing the boat? The blessing? The gift?

".....for to you I lift up my soul "

"The soul is basically our mind, our emotions, and our will. It is who we are as human beings. While the soul is the source of our expression through our humanity, it has its limitations and the only way we can experience God is through our spirit. The soul is merely a channel." (Christianity.com)

The whole article can be found here:

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/salvation/difference-between-a-soul-and-a-spirit.html

Interesting that my soul is my mind, my emotions, my will. Not surprising....

But the switch flipping moment isn't about KNOWING. If you've followed Christ for a time the knowing is the easy part. It's the putting into action that's hard. It's being intentional that's difficult. It's a quick turning from that which seeks to derail faith, trust and confidence in the One who says, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I WILL give you rest.......rest for your SOULS". Out of my own head into the heart of Christ.

My Yoga instructor says, "When you wake up, before you hop out of bed, give yourself a good stretch." It's good for the body!

Jesus got up very early, before dark and met with his Father...."your will not mine." It's good for the soul!!

This morning I woke and before my feet touched the floor I inquired of the Lord, "What would you have for me today? I'm listening." Then I gave myself a good stretch, hopped out of bed, made my tea and opened my Bible. I couldn't wait to get there. So as I wait expectantly for him to show me his will for me today, I carry on....but always being mindful of Him. He, who is able to do immeasurably more than I could ever ask or imagine.....and I'll be joyful...not because everything is going my way...not because life is great, not because everything is perfect but because the joy of the Lord IS my strength!!

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
Psalms 16:11

Every moment of every day I AM in his presence no matter what my circumstances. He is mindful of all my struggles. He is present! Why would I choose not to rest in Him?

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