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DELIGHT In Listening to GOD!

        Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right
hand.
  Isaiah 41:10.
What message do you see in this verse?
Is this a sea of words?  No! It contains promises from God for each one
who reads these words.  It is not for another person, but for the person
who reads.  When we meditate on just one verse or a paragraph at a time, a
phrase or repeated words take our attention.  
This God—his way is perfect; the
word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those
who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30.
Read Isaiah 41:10 again.  Do you
see the comfort in the first seven words? How often messengers from God comfort
with a message beginning “Fear not!”
        Who
is speaking? God himself, He underlines “for I am with you,” with His
identification, “for I am your God.”  Three promises follow: “I
will strengthen you,” “I will help you,”
and “I will uphold you with my
righteous right hand
.”
So often we fear what is, what
could happen, or the consequences of the future. Yet we hear the confidence in
these words from God. It is only when we believe these words, we can understand
what freedom in God’s love is. We cannot see Him, yet He is with us, He sees
us, and He knows our every thought and word.  Our response to Him is all-powerful and invites Him into our hearts.  He directs our thinking and our
choices when we respond to His Love.
        This
is walking with the Lord. I understand more clearly when I visited my
brother-in-law. No matter what happened, he quoted a verse of scripture to
enlighten the moment. 
How important is the Word of God? What
do you see about you? Consider this from Hebrews 11:3. By faith, we
understand that the universe was created by the Word of God so that
what is seen was not made of things that are visible
.  One
morning I glanced out the front door and paused when I saw an intricate
creation by our Father God, a hummingbird. Complete with hovering and sipping
ability near the hanging plant. So tiny and yet so complete. I praised God
for allowing me to witness his creation.  All around us is the world God
created.   When I see a vibrant sunset, I realize it is not just an occasion
for a lovely picture, but it is a love letter sent from God. Each lovely
creation is worthy of praise. 
Oh, what wonders God has wrought with
His never-ending love, to teach us and guide us to learn to love.  The
greatest heartache or pain is a reminder of this ‘I Am’ God as He holds us up
with His righteous right hand. There is no end to His glorious love.
Is it any wonder that the Bible, God’s
Holy Word, is more than a series of words racing in and out of our minds, as
our eyes move from side to side on each succeeding page?  By reading His
Word, we renew our minds and learn God’s Way to live.
Do not be conformed to this
world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by
testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and
acceptable and perfect.  
Romans 12:2.
This Book of the Law shall not depart
from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so
that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For
then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good
success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do
not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is
with you wherever you go.” 
Joshua 1:8-9.
To meditate day and night is to fill
one’s mind with God’s Words.  How quickly we forget. One way to meditate
day and night is to choose one book to begin to read daily.  One
chapter at a time, mark the verses that ‘speak’ to your heart. Pray to
God for guidance as you ponder each word.
         I
thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of
mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in
the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he
who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the
day of Jesus Christ.  Philippians 1:3-6.
Memorize scriptures verses that speak to
your heart.  Proverbs 7:1-3. My son, keep my
words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments
and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your
fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
When new temptations and heartaches
appear, the memorized verses of scripture bring comfort and hope.  The
words from God embody our Lord God.
         Meditating
on scripture is the Holy Spirit following and whispering in our ears, reminding
us of God promises on earth. Knowing He is near, helps us through the dark and
difficult moments of life and keep our eye on the glorious Savior who loves
with abandon. And I sing with joy:
I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee, I exalt
Thee, O Lord,
For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the
earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods.
I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee, I exalt
Thee, O Lord.
 
        (Songwriters Sanchez Pete)
                           Thank you for “Always Near”, Robert J Morgan. 

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