It is not often enough that I look back, but last night I stayed up late and looked back a whole THREE months. I know ancient history- right? Some days it seems that way.
I was nearing the end of my journal. That is always a sign that I need to recap – everything I put in there. So I flipped back to September 24. My journal is mainly quotes that stir me as I read my devos, books and the Bible each day.
Some of the phrases were so inspiring, I had to rewrite them. I realized, here we are on the edge of a new year. These are things I hope to remember, and DO. So I include my favorites here for you.
1. Dwell in Christ
Do you not LOVE that word? Dwell, to remain. To exist. Hudson Taylor, the missionary to China, brings us all his great secret,
“Strengthen your faith not by striving after faith, but by resting (dwelling) in the faithful One.”
Dwell in Christ is the prayer of simple regard from monks. “Abba…I belong to you.” When you inhale say “Abba,” when you exhale say “I belong to you.” Do this often.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
2. Unhurried
“Life can be carried only in the hand of the unhurried.” – Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts
And oh, do I need to remember this. Here’s to an unhurried life!
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 2 Peter 3:8
3. Souls
God is doing a work in me to help me, really see people as souls. I try to walk around realizing people are so much more than bodies, but seeking, longing souls. Brennen Manning says in The Ragamuffin Gospel,
“Right now the Lord is in the person next to you, in front of you, behind you. When you go home tonight and open the door of your home, the Lord will be present in each person there. Sometimes He is buried there, sometimes He is bound there, but He is there. And you and I my friend have been given the gift of faith to detect His presence there, and the Holy Spirit has been poured out into our hearts that we might love him there, because the meaning of our religion is love.”
And the second is like unto it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39
4. See
When my glasses fall off the night stand I have to call for help. I cannot see any shapes without them. I often wondered why God allowed me to have such eyes. What I realize is how much I appreciate when I can see. I also appreciate when he opens my eyes spiritually to see a glimpse of the way He sees. I long to “see it God’s way”. As Oswald Chamber says,
“It is God’s Spirit that changes the atmosphere of our way of looking at things then things begin to be possible which were before impossible.”
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me? Jer. 32-27
5. Ask believing, keep asking
“But always we have to be praying, always believing. Expect great things from God and great things you will have.” – George Muller
“The great point is never give up until the answer comes. The great fault of children of God is that they do not continue in prayer.” – George Muller
When you ask you must believe and not doubt. James 1:6
—
Dwell in Christ.
Unhurried.
Souls.
See.
Ask Believing.
Interesting is it not that the middle three make the phrase “unhurried souls see”. These truths, I pray over my family and over my friends as we continue on our journey of life together.
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