Further Still

In the Bible study by Beth Moore titled “A Heart Like His. Seeking the Heart of God Through a Study of David.” Beth discusses a place she calls the place of further still. When Christ was on earth He walked with the multitudes. He walked with the twelve disciples. In very difficult times He confided in only three. Yet when it was time for Christ to fulfill His purpose and go to the cross, before He went to Calvary, He went to the place of further still. “Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. Abba, Father, he said, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:35-36

The place of further still is a place that only you and the Father can go. Others can stand close by and pray, but they can’t go with you. It’s a place to go when you are overwhelmed. It’s a place of honesty, where you may wrestle with the will of God. A place where you may ask if your thorn can be removed. Where you can accept and settle the matters in your life. It’s a place from which you must emerge changed. Christ knew that His time left on the earth was short. He asked God to take the cup from Him, yet He prayed for His Father’s will, not his be done. However, when He left the place of further still Christ had a peace knowing what to do. He also knew God’s glory would be seen throughout the world.

If God is calling you to the place of further still, go. Don’t hesitate. Even if you must stay for a season you will never return the same. Give God the opportunity to settle whatever matter is burdening your heart. Pour out any bitterness of soul you may have. God is calling you further, further still.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

Lori

Believing God

“Jesus asked the boy’s father, how long has he been like this? From childhood he answered. It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. If you can said Jesus. Everything is possible for him who believes. Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” Mark 9:21-24

This passage of scripture is one of my favorite stories of the Bible. I love the honesty of the father, telling Christ I believe, yet help me overcome my unbelief. Many times my life mirrors that of the confession of this ailing boy’s father. Lord, I believe. Yet many times my prayer life doesn’t reflect it, my actions don’t show it and my mind is not confident that I believe God. I have no problem believing God for my salvation or believing God to do something in the life of others, but my faith tends to waiver when it comes to my own life issues. Webster’s dictionary defines believing as putting one’s confidence in; to be assured of or to know to be true.

Many times we believe God based on His actions, what He is doing in our lives rather than who He is. Ephesians 1:17-19 says, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

There is power in believing God. Many times unbelief creeps into our lives when we are waiting for a particular prayer to be answered or have been disappointed when we don’t receive what we ask for. We need to learn to believe God based on His character, his personality. What is God’s character? It is love, truth, consistency and the fact that He knows ultimately what is best for us. We can have confidence that God can be fully trusted with every area of our life.

Believe God, He will not fail you.

Lori

Throw Off

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:1-2

God has brought this verse to me many times in my reading and study of His word over the past couple of months. One time it came up in a reading and the author talked about how the race is not against others. It is the race God has for us. There is no need to compare. Some times our race requires us to jump hurdles. Other times we are sprinting. It’s our race between us and the Lord. Another time this verse came up I was discussing it with a friend of mine. She challenged me with the question of what do you need to throw off? What are the sins that entangle me? Maybe its pride or anger that is currently hindering us. Possibly it’s a relationship we know God does not want for us. Maybe it’s an addiction. My challenge for you today is the same one my friend gave me that day. Honestly ask the Lord to show you what needs to be thrown off or what entanglement do you need to get out of? Then let Him lovingly help you to run the race He has set out for you.

Lori

Matthew 11:28-29

As I write this message to you I have a thousand things going on in my mind. My job has been so busy and takes so much of my time that I’m afraid that I might be on the brink of burn out. I am an accounting person by trade. I have always liked that in accounting everything balances. However, since I converted software systems in June of 2004 nothing has been the same and nothing has balanced. As I look at my life I can see the same things. There is tons of stuff going on but it just isn’t in balance. My prayers have dwindled down to just pleas of help. I wonder if you can relate.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

God wants us to rest. Take some time with God and ask Him to refresh your life. Maybe a day away with just you and God or even an overnight silent retreat. Maybe we need to examine our life and find out if we are putting time and energy to things we value. Ask God to show you what changes you can make this week to take some stress out of your life.

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5

Lori