TRUSTING IN THE MYSTERY OF GOD

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

The serpent told the Woman, " You won't die. God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil." (Genesis 3:4 MSG)

And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew ... (Genesis 3:7 NASB)

Other translations say: 
... then they both saw clearly...
... suddenly they became aware...
... at that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame...
... suddenly their eyes were opened to a reality previously unknown...

None of us are like that, right? None of us question God with why's and how comes... needing to know, understanding more from Him before we are free - to trust.

Their eyes were opened and they realized much more, had more knowledge than they really needed to live the God-perfected life. They will be like God was the serpent's promise but it really falls so very short. More knowledge brought disaster, didn't it? Not power or supremacy. They had blissful trust in the Father. Now it was destroyed.

The mystery of God, His greatness in all things, beyond comprehension should be a reassuring safety net to His beloved children. A power and wisdom not needing to be explained or understood. Trusting in the mystery. Adam and Eve  had it once. Small children have it. They don't waste time wondering about security issues.

Life is safe in the arms of the Father. Why do you need to know more? Rest your head. In love and grace God, GOD!, has a plan. And power. And all the wisdom needed. He will surely take care of you.

How precious it is, Lord, to realize that You are thinking about me constantly! I can't even count how many times a day Your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, You are still thinking of me! (Psalm 139:8 TLB)

Live in His presence. Live in the bliss of that garden - where He walks with you and talks with you.

Is it really so wrong to not pursue more knowledge of Who God is?
Hasn't He already proven Himself a million times over?

I have told you these things so that you may have peace. I give you peace. The world will trouble you much. But be glad. I have power over the world. (John 16:33 WE)

Is it enough to have GOD as your loving Father?
Can you be at peace, live in peace with that?

Jesus replied, "You do not understand now what I am doing, but later you will understand." (John 13:7)

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." (Isaiah 55:8 NLT)

So... what are you thinking?

PASS THE PEACE...

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

It is true there is much to fear and be upset about in this world. There will not be complete and total relief until we get to heaven. Until then, when we can, as often as we possibly can... rest and peace are offered - when we turn our eyes upon Jesus. Imagine being enfolded in the arms of peace. Where distractions of this life have been obscured for however long you are able to keep your heart, mind and soul on Jesus. In Jesus, there is peace and rest. There, you can dwell on His goodnesses past and believe with certain hope He will continue to carry you through this life into the glorious next life, after life, forever life.

Remain in Me. 

Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. (John 15:4 CSB)

Produce fruit. I usually think of good works. But what if - we refer to the fruit as the fruit of the Spirit?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love... joy... peace... patience... kindness... goodness... faithfulness... gentleness... and self control... (Galatians 5:22-23)

If you are joined to Me, remain in Me, stay with Me ...
then you will have these fruits. Enough for yourself and enough for sharing.

You should continue to purposely abide with Christ. Stay connected. The vine is alive! You, the branch, can stay alive by remaining connected. Be watered regularly (remember your baptism), be fed regularly (remember His Word). Get your very lifeblood (sap, nourishment) from Him.

Connect.
Receive.
Produce.
Pass the peace.

Jesus-up close and personal

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

This passage in today's devotional caught my eye, or maybe I should say my breath:

He can ...grant to those who seek it, the power to subdue their selfish desires and passions

I had to pause and think about that.
But it was the ending that shifted my attention:

Those who continue to seek for purpose and meaning along other corridors of this temporal existence may ultimately find the door to eternal joy and abundance closed shut.

O God, I never want to lose sight of You. I want to lean into You forever. May my connection with You grow stronger. My thoughts, my choices - may I consider You. In my haste I forget to seek Your counsel. In the moment, it looks right, even IS right - but I trusted my own wisdom and counted it as enough.

Should not every questioning thought we have, great or small, begin with - Jesus?

If we would but add that one single word, that Name, to preface our every choice today ...

• Can I afford to buy a few extra groceries this week for the food pantry?
• Can I find the right words to write that long overdue note?
• Should I eat that last piece of cake and just enjoy it?
• Is it okay to say no, stay home, and just relax?
• Should I try to make it to the gym this morning?
• What should I make for supper?

Did you answer those questions easily, quickly, in your mind as you read them? How often do we think the answer is obvious? "I don't need to know what Jesus thinks; what God might have planned..." Or maybe the question is too insignificant to "bother" the Creator with.

How would adding the name of Jesus influence your decisions?

God came down to rescue us, to help us. To infiltrate every aspect of our lives - in love. To bring a joy the world cannot give. And He wants all of you. Not just a specified prayer time, quiet time - then off you go to face the day.

God is ever-present for you.
Will you be ever-present to Him?

Jesus, should I really post this - our conversation?
Jesus, don't you think my examples are lame?
Jesus, is the closing question too direct?
And, Jesus, what's for breakfast?


(the devotional I've been referencing is called Jesus Now by Leslie Brandt)

New day - same heart

As I reflect on a passage from today's morning devotion ...

Hear His words, Hear them carefully
for they are not His alone
they are the very words of God

...I can't help but be reminded of how I feel when I hear that Christmas song about Mary knowing that when she kisses her little baby, she's kissing the face of God.

When you read your little bible,
you're reading the word of God.

Lord, I have been remiss in my duties as Your servant. I have been remiss in loving You as beloved Father. But I desire change in my ways. O Lord, I desire to be a living testimony of You. One step at a time. Only in looking back may I realize I've humbly left a legacy of Your love. I am lovable and capable. I have Your blessed assurance. Thank You, Jesus. May I say yes to You more often, live in Your blessed assurance more often, live out my calling more often. And say, "I love You" - more often. I fully believe You know my worries and concerns. Thank You for prayer. Help me to accept change. It may be slow in coming but Lord, as best I can, the desire for living for You is there. Love and appreciation for You is there. By Your grace I'll see the sunny side. I am lovable and capable and I have Your blessed assurance. I will breathe. I will seek Your face in all circumstances. I will smile in assurance of Your loving involvement.

And I will not let the rocks "out-praise" me.