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Short Messages from God

Trust

Several of my blogging friends have written lately about the word that God has impressed upon them for the New Year. It has taken me a while to sort through my thoughts and search my heart to arrive at one special word for me for this year.

When I had what could have been a major problem several years ago, I kept hearing this word in my mind as I tried to work. I later ran across a scripture that told me to take heed and follow the advice of the wisest man on the earth. Here's what he said.

"TRUST in the Lord your God and lean not on your own understanding; / In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

A few years later, I came up with an acrostic for this word.

Totally 

Relying

Upon the

Savior's

Timing

We all know that God's ways are not our ways. We also know His timing is not our timing. I have been concerned about my management of time. I have decided to plan my days with God being in control. I have spent the past few days making a list of the things I would like to accomplish in my house. The things I don't get to become a priority item for the next day.

I recently told a friend about God giving me this word for this year. He comment was interesting. She said, “That goes deep.” I agreed with her. At the end of January, I have barely scratched the surface of what it means to apply this word to my heart.

I believe God will guide me through all that comes my way in 2012; all I have to do is TRUST Him.

Submit

"Submit yourselves then to God, resist the devil and he will flea from you." (James 4:7)

To submit means to yield control or power to another to another; to surrender. {Webster’s New World Dictionary} We submit to the law of the land when we drive the speed limit. Agreeing to terms of service of a website is another act of submission.

What does it mean to submit to God? I have a dear friend who, from time to time, had to remind me that she wasn’t in control-God was. What happens is we realize we can’t do something because it’s too big for us and we ask Him to take over and carry out the work. Since then, I have found her thought freeing when I get frustrated.

Obey-

"TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE "(1 Samuel 15:22)

To obey means we carry out the orders of others. {based on Webster’ New World Dictionary}

In the military, the lower ranked personnel receive training on procedures in performing tasks to do the work assigned. Those subordinates are under orders to complete the assignment as they have been instructed.

In the marketplace, supervisors allot tasks to be executed as part of a job description. Those responsible to the supervisors are charged with performing their tasks in a timely manner.

God wants our obedience. As we walk with Him, He prefers us to follow Him even though we may be alone in following Him.

Come-

"COME TO ME, ALL WHO ARE WEARY AND BURDENED." (MATTHEW 11:28a)

The word come is defined as; “to move from a place thought of as ‘there’ to a place thought of as ‘here.’ {Webster’s New World Dictionary}

We all use the word “come” in a variety of senses. When I was a child, my parents and I would see someone we hadn’t seen for awhile. As we were parting, my mother would say, “Come over.” She was inviting them to our house for a game of monopoly or cards. Maybe, she’d fix a meal. My aunt used to tell her girls, “Come to me.” She used this expression to let them know they had done something wrong and would receive a form of discipline.

Jesus is saying, “Come over.” He wants us to draw near to Him. His invitation isn’t just to those who have it altogether. It’s to the walking wounded of life, those who have their last nerve stepped on. He opens his arms to those who believe they are wrung out, those who have no respite from the travails of day to day living. He invites us to sup with Him, to enjoy time together.

Rest-

“ . . . I WILL GIVE YOU REST." (Matthew 11:28b)

Rest means ‘refreshing ease after work or exertion.’ {Webster’s New World Dictionary}

In the past, a lot of illnesses required a great deal of bed rest. The thinking might have been that exertion would cause the disorder to hang on or worsen. The medical profession today recommends people get at least eight hours of sleep each night. Today the neuro-muscular diseases/disorders require rest as a part of a patient’s daily regimen.

When we experience stressful events on our lives, we may find ourselves extremely weary. It helps us to take some time and do something calming in order to recover from the after-effects.

God gives us the best relaxation. He clears our minds and hearts and allows His words to refresh us. Those words might be scripture; they might be a praise chorus or a special hymn.

As we walk with the Lord, let us all be alert to hear the small messages that God has for us.

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

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