Picked for a Purpose…

Posted on February 27, 2012 by fromtheheartofj

You were chosen…

image via goinswriter.com

And your being chosen was in accord with the Heavenly Father’s purpose.

Do you remember a time when you were chosen? How did it feel?

Perhaps for a sports team? Perhaps for a special award? Perhaps you won a raffle or a draw down?

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There was a joy…a happiness.

And yet you were chosen by God…by your Heavenly Father!

A purpose dedicated…a purpose approved…a purpose affirmed…yes all by your Heavenly Father.

CHOSEN by your Heavenly Father.

PICKED FOR A PURPOSE by your Heavenly Father.

Let us renew and rest in this truth…in this joy.

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“In Him we were also CHOSEN, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of His will, so that we might exist for the praise of His glory, we who first hoped in Christ.” Eph 1:11-12

Heavy Breathing…

Posted on February 24, 2012 by fromtheheartofj

There must be empty…in order to fill.

image via wenryett.blogspot.com

Fill up with gas, fill out an application, fill an empty canvas with paint, fill our stomachs, fill the vacancy.

All start with empty….with a hollow space.

Our breathing reminds us of this. We exhale our breath within and our lungs deflate. We inhale and our lungs expand.

image via fotolibra.com

We exhale to release…We inhale to increase.

In the desert we exhale letting go of all that stands in the way of union with the Lord.

We inhale His life, His grace, His love, His mercy, His will for our lives.

We inhale “Fiat”….”Let it be done to me according to Your Word.”

We exhale “surrender”…all that stands in the way.

Inhale “Fiat”….Exhale “Surrender”.

Inhale “Fiat”…Exhale “Surrender”.

image via vividlife.me

This is our heavy breathing while wrestling on our journey in the desert.

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your kind spirit guide me on ground that is level.” Ps 143:10

TIckets to the Desert…

Posted on February 23, 2012 by fromtheheartofj

Have you ever traveled to the desert?

There is a strange beauty about the desert that is foreign to our eyes.

image via danielim.com

Our eyes are not accustomed to its beauty so we easily dimiss it.

And yet the desert is a place of discovery.

We begin a journey now into the desert as we prepare our hearts for Easter.

No need to pack anything for this trip…we bring with us our own baggage of false self and strongholds.

image via globaltravelinsurance.com

The Spirit drives us into the desert through the restlessness of our hearts…

and gives us two questions that quicken our steps…

What keeps me from giving everything to Jesus?

What am I going to get out of the way that blocks Jesus’ merciful love in my life?

These two questions are our entrance tickets into the desert.

Here we will come face to face with our false self and our strongholds…

And we will wrestle…yes we will wrestle.

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But in the wrestling there is a letting go…

And in the letting go we will discover the beauty of the desert…

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and in the discovery of the beauty we will be filled with the LOVE that molds us into our true selves.

“Streams will burst forth in the desert.” Is 35:6b

A Reflection…

Posted on February 19, 2012 by fromtheheartofj

Who do you look like?

image via amazingdata.com

Like your mother? Like your father? Like your Great Aunt Bessie or your Uncle Troy?

Genesis 1:27 says, ” God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.”

We favor our Heavenly Father.

image via inheaven.name

In the depths of who we are…Yes we favor our Heavenly Father.

For we are stamped with His Divine image.

Gaze deeply into the mirror…Ponder the whole of you…

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Know that YOU are a reflection of Him, your Heavenly Father.

Now live your life in confidence of this truth…

You are a Son or Daughter of GOD!

Your Proud Papa…

Posted on February 16, 2012 by fromtheheartofj

Think of all the ways you profess your faith….

openly whenever necessary…sometimes in words, mostly in actions.

image via delmelinscott.blogspot.com

Think of all the ways you confidently bear witness to your faith…

spreading it to those who cross your path.

Think of all the ways daily you acknowledge Jesus before others.

“Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.” ( Matt 10:32)

Therefore you, who acknowledge Jesus before others, know that the Father acknowledges you!

Your heavenly Father, your Abba, sees you not just as part of a crowd…

image via biometricsyou.com

He knows you intmately, individually, uniquely.

As children often seek attention from their earthly fathers…

how glorious to think that Jesus speaks of you to the Father.

(Yes, we know the Father knows all, but sometimes to cultivate joy and gratitude from the heart, we need to become that little child again).

Jesus at the right hand of the Father speaks to Him of you!

You are a topic of their conversation.

Receive this joy deeply of how proud your Heavenly Papa is of you…

Let it sink within adding fire to your steps of charity.

Yes, you have acknowledged Jesus before others…and He has acknowledged you before the Father.

Your Heavenly Papa is proud of you.

He sees you. You are not just hidden in a crowd.

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You are His child – a son or daughter of God.

May this day you know the powerful embrace of love that comes from your proud heavenly Father.

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Encircled…

Posted on February 15, 2012 by fromtheheartofj

“Behind and before You encircle me and rest Your hand upon me. ” (Ps 139:5)

image via achildofgod2010.blogspot.com

Oh God you are my PROTECTOR.

“Behind and before You encircle me and rest Your hand upon me.”

image via marklabutis.wordpress.com

Oh God you are my STABILITY.

“Behind and before You encircle me and rest Your hand upon me.”

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Oh God you are my FOUNDATION.

“Behind and before You encircle me and rest Your hand upon me.”

image via trainer.kim.com

Oh God you are my SUPPORT.

“Behind and before You encircle me and rest Your hand upon me.”

Like the seamless garment Jesus wore upon the earth…

I am encircled in Your love. Clothed in Your presence.

“Such knowledge is beyond me, far too lofty for me to reach.” (Ps 139:6)

Will You Be My Valentine?…

Posted on February 14, 2012 by fromtheheartofj

image via onehearthomes.com

Will you be my Valentine? Will you be my friend?….which is to say…

Will you let me give you my unconditional Love? Will you accept my peace for your tired and worn self?

Will you receive my mercy and forgiveness? Will you believe in my Love when everyone else has gone away or given up on you?

Will you be generous enough to take my love to others when they need you?

Will you be bread to the hungry, love to my needy, hope to my desolate?

Will you trust me to always companion you? Will you lay down your life for me?

image via willysamson.blogspot.com

Will you be my Valentine? Will you be my friend?

I listen to the invitation…I look within and find “yes” answers in my own February heart.

image via christart.co.uk

“Yes” because of dear friends who have graced my days with love.

Their hearts are plainly flesh and earthen, yet they touch me to Your goodness.

Their hearts are weak and wounded, yet they mend the torn in me.

Their hearts are tired and troubled, yet they’ve time to give me rest.

My friends are loving pathways leading home.

Home to where You are. Oh Lover of all hearts.

And so, I respond humbly, gratefully,

“You know everything. You know I want to be Your Valentine.”

(Joyce Rupp)

“He said to him a third time, “Simon, son of John do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” John 21:17