First, I encourage you to read Luke 11 [click the link to read the chapter] for yourself. All the gospels, really!They have been such a major blessing to me! I am currently meditating on Luke 11:5-13 and Luke 11:16-26.
It is cool because in the beginning of Luke, Jesus teaches us how to pray [vs. 2-4]. Then He goes on to teach a parable to teach us how often to pray.
As you all know, I often have spoken about how I have trouble getting up in the dark, cold, early mornings of the winter days we've had to spend time in prayer and reading God's word. I have to confess that the Lord has been repeating to me that 630a is the time He wants me to get up, and He's been repeating it for months, but I have been ignoring it. Making excuses that I'm way too tired because I stay up late. I can't because I'm cold. I knew in my heart those were all lies. The verse in James 4:17 kept coming to my mind, over and over and over again. The Lord was calling me to partake in His goodness and my flesh wanted to have nothing to do with. I wrestled daily with the Lord in my thoughts and prayers. He reminded me the treasure that awaited me in His presence. Yet, I still ignored.
Praise the Lord for being patient as I rebelled. I will never grow spiritually if I never seek the One who has the power to change my wretched heart. So I talked with a friend [check out her blog], and we are working together to be obedient to the Lord's calling in spending sweet time with Him.
Two days into the early morning wake up calls, we pray for one another and our time in the word, we both have been abundantly blessed by the Lord's response!
I told her today, how awesome my time yesterday was. By the verses I read in Luke 11:5-13 the Lord was just confirming that this time is right where He has been calling me to for the months I have been rebelling. And now, how could I ever want to NOT spend time with Him?! His word is living and it is ALREADY changing me. I am overjoyed and blessed that His mercies are new every morning, for His love, and His patience with me as I fought with my flesh and against the Lord. I was definitely in sin because I knew what He wanted and I basically went the other way. But Praise Him still for His forgiveness and His grace upon my life.
So, Readers, I encourage you to dig into God's word and let it change you. Search for Him and His goodness in the pages. Do not miss out because of your flesh. He has power over it and He offers it to you.
Be encouraged today that He loves you and He is selfish for you. We all want love and to be loved, but we all are. Let the Savior of the world into your heart today, let Him reign there, and there will be victory!
Love, Jess xo
[p.s] enjoy a song that encouraged me yesterday :]
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