It didn't feel hard. In fact, I was excited. It's a much different feeling than going on a diet. I felt hopeful and confident. Not in myself, but to know that no matter what happens there will be fruit. I love that! It's win-win!! It didn't take as much time as I originally thought and maybe that's because I'm reading out of the New Living Translation. But I did have my NIV near by so that when something stuck out at me I could refer to that translation as well.
NOTES TO SELF:
Take better notes. I can't rely on being able to go back and remember everything I felt impressed upon my heart at 8:30 this morning. I need to really let it sink in, write it down and continue to meditate on it. My brain doesn't hold much for very long.
HERE'S WHAT:
- NLT states in GEN 1:2 "The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface."
- That's exactly how I feel sometimes. Like an empty, formless mass cloaked in darkness. But what I didn't think about was that the Spirit of God is hovering over me. He is waiting to speak light into my life. But, unlike the earth that is dependent upon God to change it, God is often times waiting upon me. He does not want to leave me as He found me...as an empty, formless mass cloaked in darkness. He wants to leave me filled with his light, bearing fruit.
- GEN 4:6-7 When God is speaking to Cain about the offering situation. Cain is pouting and God gives him a good scolding: "Why are you so angry?" the Lord asked him. "Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it."
- Zinky's Bat Man! This really caught my attention this morning. I can remember times when I've been talking to my children and I've discussed consequences with them about lying to me or being disobedient and I've said similar words..."Watch out or you will be in BIG TROUBLE." It's interesting that God not only asked about the way he was filling but also the way he was LOOKING. Not only do we have to take care interiorly what we are feeling but also exteriorly God isn't real happy when we walk around pouting because life isn't going according to MY plan. He sounds kind of ticked off at Cain. Like "Look, either pull it together and do the right thing or things WILL get bad." Our thoughts and attitudes that are negative lead to an open door of sin. It reminds me how important it is to take every thought captive. But the challenge is that when I've been on the same road for such a long time, it's really hard to change that thought process and behavior. But I'm a bit freaked out now by the "then watch out" thing. It made me realize that I need to be very careful about grumbling against God, and not bringing my "best" to the Lord. It's a huge deal to bring our best.
- What does that look like practically? I don't know 100%. I know I can't always be chipper 24/7. And what does bringing TANYA GORE'S BEST look like? Not my friend's BEST, but my best.
- Some thoughts: For me, it might be knowing truly what MY gifts are and doing my best to operate in those more times than not. Doing my best to not allow myself to be distracted by the world so that I have the energy necessary to give to the Lord in a way that He's called me to. I'm still praying about this one. But as my best friend says, "I need to chew on it for a while."
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for allowing your Word to touch our lives. Thank you for Your Creation, for sending Your Son and for Hovering over us when we feel empty and formless cloaked in darkness. I pray that you will come and fill those places that need new life breathed into them, areas that have not been used or have been shoved aside. Please fill us with a bold, new freshness that gives health to our spirit, mind and body. Where we feel weak we ask that you would make us strong. Where we are tired we ask that you would give us renewed energy. Where we feel like giving up we pray that you would give us new hope. Lord, just as you spoke the world into being from nothing, we ask that those areas that are dead would come to life. Just as you breathed life into Adam, will you breath life into us where there is none? Be with every woman on her journey whether it's reading through the Bible in 90 days or studying something else. Touch our lives this summer and let us emerge different, stronger, healthier, and more like You! I confess that I need your guidance and wisdom and that you reveal all these things to us according to Your Will in Christ Jesus.
AMEN
