The Wonderful thing about Jesus is. . .

This week I started a Summer Bible Study on the book of Revelation. Even though we have only eight weeks to study 22 chapters, I thought it best to study Chapter One all by itself. Now that I have gotten into it, I'm so glad I did. Chapter One is full of good stuff, most verses overflow with the attributes of God.

When John starts to describe Jesus in verse 12 (of chapter one), I was reminded, yet again, how knowing who he is fills us with an inexpressable and glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8). Here are a just a few of the ways God fired me up while spending time in his word.

The first thing John mentions is the seven golden lampstands. Seven represents completion and perfection. Our Jesus is perfect in every way.

Among the lampstands, someone "like a son of man" was dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet with a golden sash around his chest. Jesus walks among us as royalty. Our Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow. Our Jesus is pure.

His eyes were like blazing fire. He sees everything. Our Jesus is omniscient.

He feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace. Bronze represents judgment. Our Jesus is the Just Judge.

His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. His voice can be heard by all who will come to him (Isaiah 55:3). Our Jesus is a communicator.

In his right hand he held seven stars. This one has two: We are in his grip. Jesus engraves us on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:15-16) and in his right hand, majestic power (Exodus 15:6). Our Jesus is not forgetful. Our Jesus is powerful.

And out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. Our Jesus sifts and analyzes the very thoughts and purposes of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12). Our Jesus is discerning.

His face shown like the sun shining in all its brilliance. Those who look to Jesus shine, their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalm 34:5). Our Jesus is the S-O-N who saves his people from their sins.

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come. . .and To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood. . . to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:4-6.

Have a blessed day full of Jesus, Susan

The Shortest Psalm

During my quiet time this morning, I read the shortest Psalm, number 117. It goes like this:

Praise the LORD, all you nations;

extol him, all you peoples.

For great is his love toward us,

and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.

Praise the LORD.

Taking a moment to think about his love and faithfulness turned into a whirlwind of thoughts. My list of things to praise and thank him for kept going on and on. When I do this, I usually come back around to the same thought, which is also from a Psalm. I place my name in Psalm 8:4 as I pray it. "What is Susan, that you are mindful of her, the daughter of man that you care for her?" His grace never ceases to amaze me.

Dear Lord, You are worthy to be praised. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! You are my God and I am but one of your peoples. Thank you for your faithfulness and your enduring love. When I mess up, you love me despite my selfish, stubborn ways and bring me back to praise you once again. In the high and lofty name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

Getting Focused

Just returning from the Blue Ridge Mountains Writer's Conference, I am fired up! But while there, realized I needed to become more focused to accomplish my goals. A good place to start would be to become more faithful to this blog, which is what I plan to do.

I have also been inspired to write a mission statement with objectives for Listening Hearts Ministry that I want to share with you:
MISSION STATEMENT:

TO ENCOURAGE CHRISTIANS TO GET ALONE WITH JESUS AND HELP THEM MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR TIME WHILE THERE.

OBJECTIVES:

• CONNECT CHRISTIANS TO THE LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE OF GETTING ALONE WITH JESUS.
• MENTOR NEW AND EMERGING CHRISTIANS WHO HAVE A DESIRE TO HEAR GOD’S MAGNIFICENT VOICE.
• HELP CHRISTIANS OBEY THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT: TO LOVE THE LORD OUR GOD WITH ALL THEIR HEARTS, WHICH INCLUDES SCRIPTURE MEMORY, WITH ALL THEIR SOULS, WHICH INCLUDES JOURNALING AND PRAISE, WITH ALL THEIR MINDS, WHICH INCLUDES BIBLE STUDY, AND WITH ALL THEIR STRENGTH, WHICH INCLUDES SERVICE TO THE LORD.
• CREATE BIBLE STUDIES, BOOKS, SEMINARS, AND CONFERENCES THAT PROMOTE SIMPLE CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINES IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY.
• INTEGRATE THE LISTENING HEART WAY OF LIFE INTO THE LIVES OF ALL CHRISTIANS.

Always Listen, Susan

The Listening Heart Desires to Be Searched Out

"The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being" (Proverb 20:27).

God uses this verse to challenge us to be ready for the lamp of the Lord to begin its search. Actually, God's lamp shines all the time. Our part of the search entails looking with him into our hearts to see what is holding us back from a vibrant, on fire relationship with God.

God tried repeatedly to get me to cooperate with him in this process, but I refused to dig up the anger, hurt, and frustration over my brother's murder. During the grieving process, my anger at God over the whole ordeal was buried deep in the caverns of my heart. My relationship with God suffered and my hearing of his voice muffled. I ignored him completely for almost ten years, but things changed at the birth of my son twenty years ago. I returned to God and our fellowship was restored.

My spiritual life began to grow and flourish, but not to the fullest degree God promises. A problem remained. I still hadn't dealt with my anger. God would not allow my issues to block the abundant life he went to the cross for me to have. He was like a miner digging for gold, lighted helmet and all. He never gave up. Finally, his lamp shown so bright into the eyes of my heart, I had to look inward. Through lots of prayer, and different books and conferences he led me to, my eyes were opened to my anger at God.

Finally out, the anger melted in his hands and. He spoke to me through his word saying, "Take heart daughter, your faith has healed you" (Matthew 9:22). Since then, I have been tempted to bury anger again, but now I catch it quick before it sinks into the depths. I don't want anything to hinder his plans for me ever again. Up to that point, I didn't understand that life to the fullest means hearing his voice and listening brings more than one could ever imagine. But now I do.

Dear Lord, Keep your light shining, search me and know my anxious thoughts. Thank you for your healing and forgiveness. Lead me in the way you planned for me before the beginning of time. There is nothing in this world like hearing your magnificent voice. I love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.

The Listening Heart Answers God's Invitation

To study The Listening Heart way we answer seven questions and respond to seven reflections on a chosen passable of Scripture. Since I have just completed studying The Listening Heart with two groups of ladies at my church, I was inspired to blog the answer to one of my study questions (from each chapter). The question I chose is--How can I use this passage in prayer? Since the first chapter involves answering God's invitation, the chosen Scripture is Isaiah 55. God not only gives us an open invitation to come any time, but he also reveals the grand adventure our lives will be if we answer his call and spend time with him in study and prayer.

My heart's cry is that I continually answer God's invitation every day and listen to his magnificent voice. I pray this prayer not only for myself, but also for you, the readers of this blog. (To get the most out of this prayer you may want to read Isaiah 55)

Dear Lord Jesus,

Keep me thirsty. If there is anyone reading this blog who is not thirsty, I ask you to strike her or him with a holy thirst for your word. Help us to understand that if we look for satisfaction in anyone or anything besides you, we're looking in the wrong place and wasting our time.

I thank you, dear Lord, that feasting on your word delights our souls as in the richest of banquets. I pray that anyone who reads this blog who has not given their ear (their heart) to you, made an everlasting covenant with you, that you would draw her or him to yourself right now. We all need you as our witness, leader and commander. Please fill us with your Holy Spirit, endow us with your splendor, so nations will hasten to us. And when they do run to us as your word promises, make us bold to share your gospel, the good news, for you have glorified us. Help us not to leave anything out. You have died to pay the penalty for our sins, which is death. You were buried and rose to life on the third day to give us life that lasts forever.

Thank you, Jesus, for your availability, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. May we take advantage of your closeness and choose to spend time with you every day. Please grant your repentance when we turn away.

Even when we don't understand how you work, you are trustworthy. Your sovereignty stands firm. You supply our every need, seed for the sower and bread for the eater. Use your word to accomplish what you desire in our lives and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.

I pray that we remember who we are--children of the King and we won't allow our enemy to steal the joy and peace you have promised to us. We stand firm on your promises and believe you will turn our hard times, our thorns and briers into everlasting works for all the world to see. All of this will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed. In your precious name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

The Love Connection

“Ruby, come.”

My border collie perked her ears and came running. The moment she took notice of the treat in my hand, she repeatedly leapt into midair. If Ruby could talk, she would say, “Hurry up, tell me what to do. I love you and want to please you.”

Ruby went on to her other trick of grabbing her tail and spinning in circles at lightning speed. I finally gave her a command, “Ruby, jump and spin.” After a leap combined with a 180° turn, with most of the turn airborne, I delivered the tidbit which she gobbled down.

My family and I love Ruby as much as she loves us, maybe more. She adds a special joy to our home that is precious.

Thinking about her love brought a truth planted throughout the New Testament to mind. Jesus tells us that if we love him, we will obey Him. Then why does the word obey conjure up a negative picture of a master and his dog, which turns most of us off? We humans balk at being told what to do and when to do it.

Jesus tells us his love is proven by obedience to God, his Father. Does Jesus make it possible for us to follow His example? He does, even on those days when we feel like an old dog that can’t learn anything new. Otherwise he would not have said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15).

As long as we take some time out of each day to spend with Jesus, we are never too old or set in our ways to learn what genuine love is all about.

Jesus, I praise you for being my perfect example. Teach me the secret of the love connection by helping me to obey what you command. I do love you with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.

Living Prepared to Hear

". . . And he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God" (Psalm 50:23).

While thinking about living prepared to hear, my mind went to the life of Joseph in Genesis (Chapters 30-50) His preparation was being sold into slavery by his own brothers and then being unjustly imprisoned in Egypt for years. While stuck in the dungeon, Joseph correctly interpreted the dreams of two fellow inmates, one the Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer, the other his chief baker. The interpretations delivered good news and bad news. The cupbearer returned to his position under Pharaoh, but the baker wasn’t as fortunate—he was hanged.

Forgotten in prison, Joseph’s dry spell appeared to be never-ending. Two more years passed, yet Joseph never gave up. He continued to act honorably in all situations, even while in a dank prison.

Then one starlit night Pharaoh had two dreams. Pharaoh told his dreams to all of the wise men and magicians of Egypt, but no one could interpret them.

Meanwhile, Joseph finally pops into the cupbearer's mind. The cupbearer reminds Pharaoh of the events two years prior and how a young Hebrew man interpreted his and the chief baker’s dreams with accuracy. Joseph was immediately dragged out of his jail cell, cleaned up and presented to the ruler of Egypt.

The Pharaoh told Joseph his strange dreams. Joseph responded to the Pharaoh by saying that he was not able to interpret dreams, but God could. Through Pharaoh’s dream, Joseph delivered a warning from God to prepare for seven years of famine that would occur after seven years of plenty. Because the Pharaoh recognized the spirit of God in Joseph he trusted his interpretation as accurate and elevated Joseph from lowly prisoner to second in charge of the entire nation.

Joseph’s new job entailed governing the nation’s food supply. During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. Joseph wisely stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea. There was so much that he had to stop keeping records because it was beyond measure.

God’s promises which came to Joseph in a dream as a child, held him to a higher standard of living. No matter what Joseph did or where he was, both as a slave or a prisoner, he did his best and God rewarded him. Joseph knew God as the promise-keeper and trusted him with his life no matter how bad it got.

God’s promises work for us the same way they did for Joseph, but now his promises are in the complete and perfect Holy Bible. For us, just like in Joseph’s life, what is intended to bring us harm, God intends for good (Genesis 50:20). God uses all of life’s experiences, bad and good, to give us plans to prosper and not harm us, plans to give us hope and a future (see Jeremiah 29:11). He shows us his salvation as he promises in Psalm 50:23.

God loves to work in the lives of those who continually prepare to hear from God. Like Joseph we, too, can act nobly no matter what situation we find ourselves in. Where are you? Are you in the waiting stage? Experiencing a dry spell? Reaping a harvest? Storing your harvest for the famine ahead? Take some time to ponder where you are today.