On Christmas, I received a journal. At the bottom of each page is a personalized Bible verse. Here are my first few entries --
Dec 31,2011: "And I pray that you, Marjan, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high is the love of Christ for you." - Trying to grasp the love of Christ, my math mind imagines 3 infinite planes intersecting in a single point: 3-dimensional infinite space. An image of the triune-ness of God enters the recesses of my mind - how wide? how long? how high? Why these choices of measurement instead of "how much?" Why is power needed to grasp this deep awareness of Christ's love for me? "Rooted and established" reminds me of the majestic tree that I can see out of my back window. There is a solidity, a power, and almost a quiet confidence that exudes from that tree. Nothing much fazes that tree, because it is firmly established - it withstands periods of storm, drought, and heat and flourishes in times of God's nourishment. Lord, I want to be rooted and established like that tree and I pray for the power to grasp the inifinite love of Christ.
Jan 1, 2012: "Marjan, blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." - Purity, pure in heart, I immediately have a mental picture of a newborn child. There is a newness, an innocence that draws people and melts hearts. Yet even a newborn is born under condemnation. Only God can create a pure heart. I'm reminded of psalm 51:10 "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." David wanted to be in right relationship with God - he wanted to see God and live in communion with Him. There are so many songs that are popping into my head right now - such gifts of the Holy Spirit. Phrases like: ...I want to see You.../...create in me a clean heart, O Lord, my God, and renew a right spirit within me.../...more of You.../and (strangely) Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, O what a foretaste of glory divine.../ ... now we see through a glass dimly, but then we will see him face to face." All glory and honor and praise to You, o Lord, for your indescribable gift. I am blessed!
Jan 2, 2012: "Marjan, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." - the Kingdom of God is mentioned 40 times in the Bible. I've sung the song: seek ye first.., I've read the scriptures - but when confronted with this journal entry, my first thought was, "what is the Kingdom of God? - a place? a person? a new life? or perhaps a combination of all three?" Seek first God's glory... heaven is filled with God's glory, Christ will come 'in glory'. First, before anything else - priority - what has priority in my life? is it seeking the Glory of God? Can I say that nothing else takes precedence - nothing else matters? I want to see Jesus glorified above all else, so how does that make my life different? I desire for my children and grandchildren "to the 3rd and 4th generation" to know God, to live for Him, to walk with Him as He leads them - for the Glory of His Name. Ps 22:30-31: "posterity will serve Him, future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn - for He has done it." Lord God, your kingdom and righteousness you have given me as a gift in my heart - may I live out your gift to Your Glory.
Jan 3, 2012: "My grace is sufficient for you, Marjan, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." - God's grace - songs race through my mind: grace greater than all my sin.../...your grace is enough, your grace is enough... The reminder that God's grace is sufficient brings me quietness, a deep serenity and joy. My mind was racing this morning, even before I was due to wake up, with all that needed to be accomplished today, this week, this month, this year. An almost overwhelming panic and sense of failure filled me...until I was reminded that God's grace is sufficient. Nothing in this world is as important as my relationship with God - my Father, my Lord, my Savior, my Healer, my Provider, my Comforter, my Protector, my Redeemer, my Friend, my KING! His grace - His strength - His plans - His guidance - His will - His love is all that I need, sufficient, perfect. Thank God for his indescribable gift!! song: all I need is You...
Jan 4, 2012: "Be still, Marjan, and know that I am God..." - This is my life verse - and there is an immediate joy that wells up inside of me when I read it. So often God's Spirit brings me back to this verse. Sometimes it is to stop me in my tracks when I'm frazzled and have become self-consumed. At these times, the voice is loud and persistent. I will hear 2-3 different songs on the radio about this verse, it will be part of my devotional reading and so on. At other times, it is to comfort me - to assure me that God is always in control, that He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. During these times, the voice is calm - almost a whisper - and brings me a deep sense of peace. Then there are times like these when the sight of the verse is like a wonderful surprise, such joy these words bring - reminders of His love for me. He won't ever let me go - He will use this verse to remind me always. Song: "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, O what a foretaste of glory divine...
Each page in this journal is such a gift to me. I'm looking forward to what words God has for me this year.....
