Something to think about as you start a new week

Monday Meditations are quick posts designed to get you thinking about God. They provide a fresh perspective as you jump into your routine.

The Lord is in this place and I did not know it

By Paula Wiseman

Not too long ago, I read about Jacob's vision of the ladder. The next morning, he said, "Surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it." Genesis 28:16

I didn't know. I wasn't aware. I didn't understand. I didn't realize it. I didn't grasp the implications. I didn't take the time.

Busyness. My schedule. My family's schedule. The seemingly urgent. Imagined pressure. Assigned priorities.

God did not call me to finish a to do list. He called me into a relationship with Him. That's what I need to know.

"O God and Father, I repent of my sinful preoccupation with visible things. The world has been too much with me. Thou hast been here and I knew it not. I have been blind to Thy Presence. Open my eyes that I may behold Thee in and around me. For Christ's sake, Amen." A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God (p. 41). Kindle Edition.

Reminders

By Paula Wiseman

And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever. Joshua 4:7

I wear a wedding ring to symbolize a promise made to me.

A couple of years ago I went to the beach for a retreat of sorts, some time alone with God, and I wear a bracelet as a reminder of the things God taught me on that trip.

Many times in Scripture God instructed His people to set up memorials for His mighty works on their behalf or as a reminder of His promises to them. Other times individuals set up pillars to mark an encounter with the living God.

In your life, what promises or encounters are worth remembering? Do you remember them in a special way?

Show Me Your Glory

By Paula Wiseman

This past week, I started reading The Pursuit of God, by A.W. Tozer.

I struggle with complacency when I crave passionate intimacy with God. Tozer cites a moment in Moses' life, on Mount Sinai.

(Exodus 33:17-18) So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.”

And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.”

I have found grace in God's sight. God knows my name.

I just need to ask.

Tozer ends chapter 1 with a prayer.

I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away." Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Tozer, A. W. (Aiden Wilson). The Pursuit of God (pp. 14-15). Kindle Edition.

His Promise

By Paula Wiseman

If you are an individual legal resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and are 18 or older at the time of entry, you are eligible to enter the Sweepstakes. Our employees, their immediate family members, our affiliates, advisors or advertising/promotion agencies (and their immediate family members) are not eligible to enter the Sweepstakes.

God didn't give us a set of conditions.

There are no eligibility requirements.

He doesn't restrict Himself to the first 5000 or even 5 million.

He doesn't take our information and promise to get back to us.

He doesn't even give us forms to fill out.

He gives us a promise.

Not just any promise.

His promise.

And whoever comes to me I will never cast out. John 6:37

Throw the Cloak Aside

By Paula Wiseman

Mark 10 tells the story of the healing of a blind man named Bartimaeus. In verse 50, there's a detail worth noticing.

Throwing aside his cloak, [Bartimaeus] jumped up and came to Jesus.

That cloak was his bedroll and his blanket. It was his sole earthly possession. It was essential to his life as beggar.

But he threw it aside.

He was about to have an encounter with Jesus, the Christ, and he knew nothing in his life would ever be the same.

He called Jesus by the same intimate, personal name Mary Magdalene used on Resurrection Morning. He knew the One he was talking to.

And he asked for healing.

That's the choice.

Keep the cloak, and all it represents

Or receive restoration.

A Blessing

By Paula Wiseman

Sometimes it's good to take a minute and tell people they bless you.

You bless me.

I hope you know what a blessing it is to write for you, to connect with you, to share with you. It is a holy trust I don't take lightly.

I treasure your emails and comments and the reminder they give that we are never alone in the body of Christ.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13