Yesterday, the devotional ‘Seeking Him’ from Nancy Leigh DeMoss at Revive our Hearts.com was delivered to my inbox. It was the first thing I read before getting out of bed. One more reason why I love my ipod touch. I have several devotionals right at my fingertips – first thing in the morning – when my mind, body, and spirit is totally resting in HIM. If He hasn’t given me a dream to scribe, this is how I start my day. It helps me focus on Him throughout the day.
The Lord spoke to me before Nancy ever mentioned the word TRUST….passing from my spirit to my tongue…as I pondered her first few lines concerning FAITH. She titles this devotional ‘FAITH in the DARK’
Nancy writes:
"There are times when God withholds the conscious sense of His presence—times when God seems far away and less real. I think that’s because He wants us to walk by faith and seek Him with all our hearts.
Isaiah described it this way: “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.”
If you’re feeling like you’re walking in the dark today, let me encourage you. Trust in the Lord, rely on God and keep going. God is pleased with faith that’s exercised in the darkness."
Now I knew My faith was strong…or so I thought.
But God…
Suddenly, I loudly discerned the weak element of my FAITH.
T R U S T
Immediately, the Holy Spirit delivered these words to my spiritual ‘inbox’ – the message center of my relationship with God….
“TRUST IN THE LORD with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Prov. 3:5
Trust that I AM who I say that I AM.
Do not DOUBT. Doubt is the opposite of FAITH.
In your strength, you think that your FAITH is strong - your BELIEF in who I AM is indestructible. You trust in my LIVING WORD to you; my gift of SALVATION to you; my PRESENCE in you; my HOLY SPIRIT with you; my work of the CROSS in your place; my RESURRECTION, ASCENSION and my RETURN for you – my BRIDE.
You SING your songs to me and offer your sacrifice of PRAISE and THANKFULNESS. Your FERVENT INTERCESSION reaches my tender ears before you ever open your mouth, for I know these things stored within your heart. Did I not gift you this way?
But your TRUST in my PROVISION – my Divine GUIDANCE in the dark – in ALL things - my Perfect TIMING … is hampered by your misdirected - learned style of relating. In these things, YOUR FAITH IS WEAK
IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO STEP UP!
This DOUBT within you prevents your total RESTING in my PEACEFUL PRESENCE - every day, in all ways. Your FAITH is strong until the wait in long, and you feel the darkness slowly creeping in. It is in these times, that you are vulnerable to the enemy of FAITH which is DOUBT.
Don’t lose sight of my LIGHT in you.
FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS
Do you not see that I am the LORD, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea? I am about to do a brand-new thing? I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a way for you! Isa 43:16;19;
I AM MAKING ALL THINGS NEW!
To Be Continued......
Post Note:
Unbeknown to me, as I prepared and typed this post, my e-mail secretly hid 4 incoming e-mails in my SPAM folder. All 4 were from comments at Denise’s blog ‘The Quiet Quill’.
Her post of 11 months ago was suddenly republished. I had commented on her post and subscribed to follow up comments. Today, I receive 4 e-mails from comments on her post. I hadn’t visited her in a very long time. I didn’t remember commenting. Apparently, my mail client wasn’t aware of my comment either - so it labeled them ‘SPAM’. Strangely, her post carries the title “Proverbs 3: 5-6”.
Coincidence?
Confirmation!
BIG SMILE!
I AM HIS AND HE IS MINE,
MY BELOVED
HIS WARRIOR BRIDE
Good morning, Patrina. I have found in my life that it requires constant growth and focus to edge ever nearer to Him. I know I will never really "arrive", but I continue to make progress by focusing.
ReplyDeleteI like your post very much. You never know how much impact your words may have on others. God bless.
Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I read such inspirational posts, I really feel UP LIFTED!
Stay bless.
Before scrolling down, I already knew what to say in my comment that I don't believe in coincidences...You mentioned it anyway...I know that God directed me here today. Prov.3:5 is my life verse and I always share that with my son everyday, to start our day with the Lord. End our day with the Lord. There is nothing like having Him in everything that we do. It's not easy and like what you said, we learn to trust...Knowing we are so limited.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouraging post today. God bless you sister.
I really needed to read this today....I've been struggling with doubts...and fears. I'm using the uni computer so can't hear the song but will play it tonight at home. Thanks for this.....
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, when you wake up with a song in your heart, it is from God. God loves you and he knows your thought, the song playing on my blog this morning by Smokie norful is the one I woke up with this morning....God was telling me that I can't carry my struggles alone, I need him , call on him, to help me along the way...hope you doing great...:=)
ReplyDeleteHi Patrina -
ReplyDeleteI'm smiling with you. Of course, it is not coincidence... Glory to GOD.
I much enjoyed this piece, Patrina. It is full of potent truth, wisdom, and encouragement.
Thank you for sharing this.
In particular, I love this that you expressed, "Do you not see that I am the LORD, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea? I am about to do a brand-new thing? I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a way for you! Isa 43:16;19;"
Precious sister...
ReplyDeleteI don't even know what to say. Tears are flowing with your words here, and then to look down on your side bar and to see some of my own words looking back at me.
Too much love in this one moment; so much conviction.
The Spirit of God is in this place. Thank you for making sure of that.
peace~elaine
Hi Patrina!
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely God making His message clearer, this month, I have been learning how to trust in God despite the circumstances that surround me and your post/devotion today and Prov 3;5 is a great encouragement to me.
Blessings,Patricia
thank you for the good word.
ReplyDeletewww.secretlilies.blogspot.com
Welcome back, glad to hear from you.....things happen for a reason, though it might look like a coincidence to us ..i have doubts & fears everyday, which i must deal with, by HIS grace & power.
ReplyDeleteSuch an encouraging post, thank you for sharing so timely. Blessings.
ReplyDeletePatrina:
ReplyDeleteThis is such a confirmation of what God is showing me right now. He is telling me to trust HIM, to move forward in the full assurance that HE controls all of my life... I am taking new steps of faith each day, and realizing that this is exactly the walk He wants for me. It's always interesting when the same old things become the NEW things that are still the same old things!! Did that make sense?? :)
Beautiful words my friend, I just absorbed them tonight.
xo
I absolutely love (and am humbled by) the way the Lord speaks to us, then confirms in a variety of way & forms what He wants our hearts to grasp.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful weaving of song & scripture, confirming voices & life lessons.
Blessings,
Kathleen
Dear Patrina,
ReplyDeleteHow much we need to step up to the next level of our faith journey! It is amazing how God is giving you the same words but in a different setting.
In this new season, God when there is much turbulence and shaking all around, God is looking for those who will remain strong and steadfast. You are so right, doubt weakens our faith! God is preparing hearts that have been made strong by faith for the outpouring of His glory!
What an inspiration this post has been to me - your obedience, and your sensitivity.
I am looking forward to reading part 2 of what you have shared here.
Love
Lidj
Patrina,
ReplyDeleteYou had a now word for me:
"There are times when God withholds the conscious sense of His presence—times when God seems far away and less real. I think that’s because He wants us to walk by faith and seek Him with all our hearts.
Isaiah described it this way: “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.”
If you’re feeling like you’re walking in the dark today, let me encourage you. Trust in the Lord, rely on God and keep going. God is pleased with faith that’s exercised in the darkness."
I am studying this in Isaiah in my BSF class. I have to keep going in the dark. That's what faith does. Thank you for sharing this post and all the ways God spoke it. May God continue to anoint your pencil girl! B
Hi Patrina, I had a divine coincidence happen today as well. I had been thinking of you and your blog only to discover your comment earlier today. Then I come along here to receive just what I needed today. God bless you for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteOh, Patrina - How I needed this wonderful word on TRUST today!
ReplyDeleteToday I've felt like darkness invaded my life - and I lost sight for a while. But, as you have so wisely said, faith walks one step at a time, as the Lord lights our paths. Focusing on Him, we will not lose our way.
GOD BLESS!
Patrina, I love how God leads you by the hand! Hallelujah! Beautiful, encouraging words here. So glad I stopped in...
ReplyDeleteHi Patrina,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your lovely words of encouragement always. *Bug hug*
I love this post, I have been learning that even in the still moments when it seems nothing is happening, we should keep trusting God because He is always working quietly behind the scenes for our good and the good of others.
your whole blog is beautiful and really inspiring
ReplyDeletei remember the first time i heard the song by mark schultz i got goose bumps
and on bad days i just listen to it over and over again until the tears stop
thanks
Hi Patrina -
ReplyDeleteThis so ministered to me! Our Lord led me to your blog this a.m.
I'm so glad that He did, and that I obeyed.
You expressed, "IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO STEP UP!"
I so needed to hear that today. Thank you for this rich, meaningful and helpful message, dear sister in Christ!
Just beautiful! Needed those precious inspirational and encouraging words.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone, for visiting me on the bridge and for picking up the pencil to let me know that you were here. I am honored that you took the time. By some of your comments - I know I'm not alone with this issue of "faith-in-the-dark. I have been praying for those who have identified with the post. May God bless you all in your continued walk - with the Savior.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Patrina <")>><
"Blessed are all who have their trust in him", Psalm 2: 12
ReplyDelete