Intentionality

"Godliness is never accidental. Neither is victory coincidental. Both stem from up-front, daily resolve." -Beth Moore

If we are not intentionally pursuing God, we will accidentally be pursued and caught by everything else. Not making a decision is a decision in itself. Are you actively seeking God or passively being ensnared by the world?

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." - Hebrews 12:1

The nearness of God

What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?
Deuteronomy 4:7

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
Psalm 73:28

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 145:18

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Isaiah 55:6

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:5

"...a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God."
Hebrews 7:19

Come near to God and he will come near to you.
James 4:8

I could, and should, ponder this one for a long time. He is the God of all the universe, uncreated Creator of all things, all-powerful, almighty, and yet He is near to those who trust in Him and turn to Him. What a gift, what a life, to live near to Him all of my days!

All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way.

-Fanny Crosby

Doing life together

It's been a while since I last wrote-- I took a couple of weeks off of work to take part in the wedding of two friends in California, as well as to spend some sweet time in fellowship with friends there, in Oregon, and in Washington. What a blessing! I am (now that I have caught up on the sleep I did not get while traveling) refreshed and rejuvenated, encouraged and joyful. I have been blessed with wonderful friends. It's hard to remember this sometimes, as it's been a while since I had the opportunity to live near any of them, but I do have really wonderful friends.

I hadn't realized how much I had felt the lack of peer fellowship this winter until I was surrounded by an abundance of it again. It makes sense, though-- we're created to be in fellowship and to do life together. I pray for an opportunity to live this way again soon. For now, I'm thankful for the time I got and the encouragement it gave me to continue on.

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Let us not give up meeting together... but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25