A Time For Rest

It has been a couple of weeks since I last wrote. My husband and I took a very needed vacation. I knew God would show me something during that time to share with you. So here it is.
While on vacation my husband and I both feel it is very important to continue to study the Word of God and spend time with Him. As time went on I found it so difficult to get into a study pattern. I found myself staring out at the beauty God created and thinking how He had so much creativity. From the flowers to the birds to the butterflies to the mountains and valleys. It was breathtaking.
I knew going into this vacation that my body, physically, would suffer. Riding in the car for 10+ hours for 2 straight days would take its toll on my damaged spinal cord, legs and back. But we were going south to warm, fresh air, and to our son and daughter in-law's home. Nothing will keep me from that.
Now I am sure some of you are thinking where was my faith that I would not experience those difficulties. Trust me, I always believe God will do a miracle in me and trust He has His best for me. But I also walk in reality, knowing this is my "fleshly" body in the condition it is now. And God will get me through. It is a miracle in itself that I can travel that far. I will take that.
With that said, back to vacation. For me vacation means a restful rejuvenation with God. A renewing of my spirit with the Holy Spirit ministering to me. So every morning I sat with my tea, my Bible, my journal, prepared to fill the pages with my notes. I would read Scripture, I prayed, and pen in hand I sat. And I sat. And I sat. Nothing on the pages. I said to my husband, what is going on here. He said soak up the rest and peace the Lord is giving you. Oh my goodness, a revelation. Yes, the Lord will fill us up, He will give us peace, He will rejuvenate our spirits. So I sat, and glared out at God's beauty, mind you, still with pen in hand just in case He gave me something to write. I looked out at His creation. I looked out at God's beauty. I gazed at the flowers I don't usually see here at home. I enjoyed the birds I don't usually see or hear at home. The more I soaked up that peacefulness, the fuller I felt.
Yes I was on vacation, but not on vacation from God. I was still in His presence. I was still being filled. Jesus was giving my body the rest it needed to endure the rest of our trip. I truly felt rejuvenated.
We went to Easter Service at our son's church. That was incredible and a story for another time.
But my husband and I both came away knowing our son and daughter in-law are being well ministered to. Another blessing from God while we were on vacation.
Vacation! What does it mean to you? I encourage you, whatever it means, do not leave God out. He will give you more than you can fathom. He will give you a vacation to remember forever.
We all need rest and rejuvenation at times. Take it, soak it up, be filled by the Holy Spirit. Then come home with your running shoes on to run and share what God has done.
Matthew 11:28-
Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
11:29- All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.
Jesus' very own words, "Come to Me".
My husband and I both came home feeling rested, rejuvenated, and filled in our spirits. My physical body is tired and beat up. But my spirit is filled and full of freshness from God. I will take that and run with it.

From the Inside Out

I was thinking about Easter drawing close and asking God what he wanted me to share. Of course my mind went to the usual topics about Jesus' death and His resurrection. But I really felt there was something else He wanted me to share.
I will start with the Scripture I had for today:
 Psalm 40:1-2
1. I waited patiently for the Lord,
and He turned to me and heard my cry for help.
2.  He brought me up from a desolate[a] pit,
out of the muddy clay,
and set my feet on a rock,
making my steps secure.
When I focused on these verses I began praying for my life to reflect what God has done for me. Most of that occurs on the "inside". God desires our hearts to change and for our lives to reflect what He has done within us.
The above verses say how David waited patiently for God to come rescue him. To come and change him, forgive him, and make his life secure in Him.
I think most of us feel that way. We want God to come and rescue us out of the mess we created, we want His forgiveness, and we want our lives to reflect that.
That all starts on the inside. We all battle different things in our hearts and minds. We may be able to hide them from others but we cannot hide them from God. The sooner we come to that realization, the sooner we can walk in victory.
When we have been rescued, brought out of that muddy pit, cleaned up, and finally standing on solid ground, then we can have our victory. And I believe our faces will show it. How often do we hear the phrase "your face is glowing", or "you look radiant". That is God shining through us. That is the fruit of His Spirit alive in us and shining through.
When we finally set aside our pride, and let God do a work in us, it is then that He shines through us and on us for others to see His glory.
That is what "from the inside out" truly means.
How does this fit for Easter? Without Jesus dying on that cross and shedding His blood for our sins, going to battle and fighting the devil, and defeating the devil, and then rising on the third day, in victory, for us, we would not have the victories we have, we would not have the freedom from the bondage of sin, and we would not be glowing on the outside.
This is truly being changed from the "inside out".
As you celebrate this Easter Season, or some say Resurrection Day, remember to be thankful for what God has done in your life. And also when you see someone who has been changed, bless them and tell them they are truly glowing.
Happy Easter faithful readers.