Two posts in one day.... that's what happens when you spend 2 hours in the Word!
God has renewed my hunger for His Word... and I am so grateful. What sweet conversations we have when I shut out the world and sit down to talk with Him. He has so much to show us... often we barely skim the surface because we are rushing on to the next thing on the to-do list.
I have been struggling lately with trust. I know my faith is so small. I do not trust Him as I should and it breaks my heart, because I know He is worthy... I just don't live like it.
One of the (several) Hebrew words for faith is Batah which means "trust in, trust or rely on; feel safe, trust, be full of confidence"
Batah-faith finds confidence in God, and does not worry about the trivial... instead she fixes her heart on His righteousness and finds rest in Him alone. She is confident that He hears when she calls to him. She clings to Him in every trial, and hopes in Him regardless of the storm.
Batah is used for the word trust in Psalm 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him, God is a refuge for us. Selah." Selah means to pause, reflect on all He has done, remember his faithfulness.
Also the trust in Psalm 9:10 is batah-faith "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."
other verses that contain batah as the Hebrew for trust: Psalm 37:3,5 & 40:3 & 56:3-4 & 91:2,
Proverbs 3:5, Isaiah 26:4, Jeremiah 17:7
I don't pretend to be an expert on Hebrew or the meanings of these words, but this is what God has shown me.
How silly we are to forget and try to seek security in our own strength/abilities, other people, or material things. He is faithful and worthy of all our trust.
Follow the Forever Faithful. Batah
This song goes with Psalm 62, by Aaron Keyes, and so true.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Dayenu
"Dayenu" in Hebrew means "it would have been enough"
Google it for a clearer explanation of the history and context, but let's just say I was blown away by this one little word...
Dayenu. It would have been enough. Even if Jesus only died for our sins and rose again... it would have been enough. However, He didn't stop there. He offers us a personal relationship with Christ. He is involved in our daily lives. Dayenu. He doesn't stop there... He could've held back, but instead He has given us so much.
This is my personal journey into the ocean of meaning that is Dayenu...
I challenge you to get alone with God and see what He shows you about dayenu in your own life...
"Your mercy, Father. Dayenu. It would have been enough. But you didn't stop there, you showed me grace. Dayenu. Your grace gave me salvation. You forgave my sins. You died for me. Dayenu. And you LOVE me. Me. The wretched, filthy, good for nothing sinner that I am... You, the King of the Universe, Creator of all, the One who holds everything together... YOU love me. Dayenu. You are the Bread of my life. You speak to me through your Word, through others, through song, through a still small voice... Dayenu. You move through me. You use me to do your work, you allow me to be a part of your family. You use me to bring you glory. Dayenu. You chose me, you called me to be a medical missionary and bring health and hope to those who haven't heard. I am such an unworthy vessel to carry the Good News, and so flawed- yet You have chosen to let your healing and hope flow through me. Dayenu. You are equipping me. You didn't just call me, you are daily preparing me for the mission field. Dayenu. You are my Provider. You provide the funds for me to attend UM. You provide strength for me to get through each day. You provide peace in the middle of my worry and confusion. You provide for all my needs. Dayenu. You lead me. You show me where to go, you direct my path. You help me find my way. Dayenu. When times get hard, you are my comfort. When I have no where else to turn and I've searched everywhere else for help, You are there waiting. You never leave my side even if I wander away. When I finally turn back to you, You are there patiently waiting... and you lift me up and carry me. I am so unworthy. Dayenu. You are my best friend. The One I can always run to, who will never leave me. Dayenu. You are the Lover of my soul. You are my Only. You hold the keys to my heart. Even if you never send my Prince Charming, still I will trust you. You are my Only and I will be satisfied in You. Make Your desires mine, Father. Dayenu. You are my everything. Dayenu. You are more than I could ask for, imagine, or ever dream. You know me, you know my needs, and you care for me. You care about me... You love me. Even when my faith fails and I don't trust you as I should, You still love me unfailingly, unconditionally. You are my all in all, Father. Dayenu.
Dayenu sounds like "die anew"-- Each day I have to die anew to myself and my desires and run after His will and His desires. We all have to die anew, and rest in His faithfulness.
Dayenu, Father
Google it for a clearer explanation of the history and context, but let's just say I was blown away by this one little word...
Dayenu. It would have been enough. Even if Jesus only died for our sins and rose again... it would have been enough. However, He didn't stop there. He offers us a personal relationship with Christ. He is involved in our daily lives. Dayenu. He doesn't stop there... He could've held back, but instead He has given us so much.
This is my personal journey into the ocean of meaning that is Dayenu...
I challenge you to get alone with God and see what He shows you about dayenu in your own life...
"Your mercy, Father. Dayenu. It would have been enough. But you didn't stop there, you showed me grace. Dayenu. Your grace gave me salvation. You forgave my sins. You died for me. Dayenu. And you LOVE me. Me. The wretched, filthy, good for nothing sinner that I am... You, the King of the Universe, Creator of all, the One who holds everything together... YOU love me. Dayenu. You are the Bread of my life. You speak to me through your Word, through others, through song, through a still small voice... Dayenu. You move through me. You use me to do your work, you allow me to be a part of your family. You use me to bring you glory. Dayenu. You chose me, you called me to be a medical missionary and bring health and hope to those who haven't heard. I am such an unworthy vessel to carry the Good News, and so flawed- yet You have chosen to let your healing and hope flow through me. Dayenu. You are equipping me. You didn't just call me, you are daily preparing me for the mission field. Dayenu. You are my Provider. You provide the funds for me to attend UM. You provide strength for me to get through each day. You provide peace in the middle of my worry and confusion. You provide for all my needs. Dayenu. You lead me. You show me where to go, you direct my path. You help me find my way. Dayenu. When times get hard, you are my comfort. When I have no where else to turn and I've searched everywhere else for help, You are there waiting. You never leave my side even if I wander away. When I finally turn back to you, You are there patiently waiting... and you lift me up and carry me. I am so unworthy. Dayenu. You are my best friend. The One I can always run to, who will never leave me. Dayenu. You are the Lover of my soul. You are my Only. You hold the keys to my heart. Even if you never send my Prince Charming, still I will trust you. You are my Only and I will be satisfied in You. Make Your desires mine, Father. Dayenu. You are my everything. Dayenu. You are more than I could ask for, imagine, or ever dream. You know me, you know my needs, and you care for me. You care about me... You love me. Even when my faith fails and I don't trust you as I should, You still love me unfailingly, unconditionally. You are my all in all, Father. Dayenu.
Dayenu sounds like "die anew"-- Each day I have to die anew to myself and my desires and run after His will and His desires. We all have to die anew, and rest in His faithfulness.
Dayenu, Father
Monday, December 19, 2011
Talitha koum
I really shouldn't go this long without blogging, because then I wind up with entirely too much I want to say... but with life so busy with papers and finals... I'm just now stopping to rest and breathe.
Thought of the day? I hate saying goodbye. Especially when it means that I don't know when I'll see my best friend again...
I know goodbyes are a part of life, but that fact does not make them any easier. But He never said this life would be easy, did He?
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord who has compassion on you. -Isaiah 54:10
This is his promise. He is faithful, even in the middle of the chaos and confusion.
I just want to share some of the scripture God has shown me... and I want you to know that I did not pray for strength, because I don't know how to use the strength He gives. No, I prayed for Him to carry me. Let this be your prayer, especially if you feel like you are stumbling through the desert... because I'm stumbling through it too.
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8
"Be my rock of refuge to which I can always go... Your righteousness reaches to the skies, Oh God, you who have done great things. Who, oh God, is like you? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again." -Psalm 71: 3, 19-21
Why do we forget so quickly how faithful our God is? He has brought us through so much, and even if we must walk through a trial for this short time, He will restore our lives again. He IS our comforter, even when we try to push Him away. His love is unfailing, and his wisdom is incomprehensible. Even though the road is hard, there is a reason He is leading us down it. So we can either look impatiently for the end, and close our eyes tightly to the pain along the way... or we can see the pain, accept it as part of the journey, and look along the path among the pain for the lesson He is trying to teach us.
My heart's cry in this time:
From when I wake up until I lay down again,
May my every moment be lived in submission to You.
Let me seek You first
and come to You always
with every tear, need, smile, and joy
You are my Only.
Song of my heart: Be Thou My Vision
"Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light
Be thou my wisdom and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I , Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one
Riches I heed not nor man's emptly praise
Thou mine inheritance now and always
Thou and thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven my treasure Thou are
High King of heaven my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun
Heart of my own heart whatever befall
Still be my vision O Ruler of all"
Mark 5:41 "He took her by the hand and said to her, 'Talitha koum!' (which means, 'Little girl, I say to you, arise!')
A word from my Father:
"Little girl, I say to you, arise! Shake off your chains of sorrow, and step into the freedom of my peace. Yes, there will still be pain. I need to refine you. I want you to be more like me, and for that you have to be tested. I know it hurts. I know. But I will carry you if you let me. All you have to do is ask. Turning to others for comfort in this time will only get you so far. You have to turn to Me. Run to my arms, daughter! I'm waiting on you. I love you so much, and I know you feel forsaken by me. But I promise I have never left your side. Will you trust me? Will you obey even though it's hard? Will you follow me? The road only gets harder from here. You have no idea how much harder... but if you take the easy path you won't grow. If you don't grow how can I use you for all I made you for? Arise, daughter. You know the way to which I have called you. It will not be easy, but it is the only way for you. My way. Take up your cross. You are beginning to see what it feels like to leave everyone behind in order to run after me. I promise you it's worth it. Please stop thinking only of your own discomfort... think of all those I'm sending you to who need the hope that you have in your heart. Run the race with endurance. Do not lose heart. Put your confidence in Me. Let me be your Only. Follow me.
Talitha koum."
Let Him steady your heart.
This new song by Kari Jobe is the music to what this post expresses...
Thought of the day? I hate saying goodbye. Especially when it means that I don't know when I'll see my best friend again...
I know goodbyes are a part of life, but that fact does not make them any easier. But He never said this life would be easy, did He?
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord who has compassion on you. -Isaiah 54:10
This is his promise. He is faithful, even in the middle of the chaos and confusion.
I just want to share some of the scripture God has shown me... and I want you to know that I did not pray for strength, because I don't know how to use the strength He gives. No, I prayed for Him to carry me. Let this be your prayer, especially if you feel like you are stumbling through the desert... because I'm stumbling through it too.
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8
"Be my rock of refuge to which I can always go... Your righteousness reaches to the skies, Oh God, you who have done great things. Who, oh God, is like you? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again." -Psalm 71: 3, 19-21
Why do we forget so quickly how faithful our God is? He has brought us through so much, and even if we must walk through a trial for this short time, He will restore our lives again. He IS our comforter, even when we try to push Him away. His love is unfailing, and his wisdom is incomprehensible. Even though the road is hard, there is a reason He is leading us down it. So we can either look impatiently for the end, and close our eyes tightly to the pain along the way... or we can see the pain, accept it as part of the journey, and look along the path among the pain for the lesson He is trying to teach us.
My heart's cry in this time:
From when I wake up until I lay down again,
May my every moment be lived in submission to You.
Let me seek You first
and come to You always
with every tear, need, smile, and joy
You are my Only.
Song of my heart: Be Thou My Vision
"Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light
Be thou my wisdom and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I , Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one
Riches I heed not nor man's emptly praise
Thou mine inheritance now and always
Thou and thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven my treasure Thou are
High King of heaven my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun
Heart of my own heart whatever befall
Still be my vision O Ruler of all"
Mark 5:41 "He took her by the hand and said to her, 'Talitha koum!' (which means, 'Little girl, I say to you, arise!')
A word from my Father:
"Little girl, I say to you, arise! Shake off your chains of sorrow, and step into the freedom of my peace. Yes, there will still be pain. I need to refine you. I want you to be more like me, and for that you have to be tested. I know it hurts. I know. But I will carry you if you let me. All you have to do is ask. Turning to others for comfort in this time will only get you so far. You have to turn to Me. Run to my arms, daughter! I'm waiting on you. I love you so much, and I know you feel forsaken by me. But I promise I have never left your side. Will you trust me? Will you obey even though it's hard? Will you follow me? The road only gets harder from here. You have no idea how much harder... but if you take the easy path you won't grow. If you don't grow how can I use you for all I made you for? Arise, daughter. You know the way to which I have called you. It will not be easy, but it is the only way for you. My way. Take up your cross. You are beginning to see what it feels like to leave everyone behind in order to run after me. I promise you it's worth it. Please stop thinking only of your own discomfort... think of all those I'm sending you to who need the hope that you have in your heart. Run the race with endurance. Do not lose heart. Put your confidence in Me. Let me be your Only. Follow me.
Talitha koum."
Let Him steady your heart.
This new song by Kari Jobe is the music to what this post expresses...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)