Seeking things above
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Welcome!  I pray the words I write will encourage reflection within and deeper study of the Word of God, which is able to build us up, equipping us to be victorious as we journey through this earthly life.
 May we all earnestly seek the things above, not the things of this world. 

Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3: 1-2

Beside still waters

7/9/2013

7 Comments

 
Picture
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me besides still waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of  death,
I fear no evil;  for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Thou has anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me
all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalms 23


You just read it, now read it again slowly, savoring each word.  Stop,  reflect and  
meditate upon the words that jump out at you today. Breathe the words in.  Reread it.


What beautiful words. They are His words, words meant to strengthen and comfort, words meant to be our daily bread, our sustenance.   Just as a physical body cannot live long without nourishment, a soul cannot live long without nourishment either.  We need the daily nourishment of God’s word, which is living and active
(Hebrews 4:12) and able to perform its work within you. (I Thessalonians 2:13)


 Please forgive my getting personal with you here, but are you being nourished in God’s word?  Are you  savoring His words, today and every day?


I ask this because I am beginning to prepare for a talk on Living Victoriously in Christ, and what I keep coming back to, is the Word of God.  It is
the  key, it is vital , it is what grows or nourishes our faith.  And it is our faith that gives us the victory to overcome this world and the trials life brings as we journey here.  (1 John 5:4)


 I observed a mamma bird recently.  She was very busy.  She went and got the food
for her young, chewed it for them, then regurgitated it out for them to eat.  Are we like those baby birds, who expect the preacher or the teacher to gather the word, chew it for us, then spit it out to us in the sermon or the lesson?  If we are, will we ever fly?  Will we ever live victoriously in spite of our trials?  Or will be always be dependent upon someone else for our spiritual nourishment and therefore flounder about spiritually.


 I have a passion for you young moms out there.  You too, like the mama bird, are busy  tending your nest. Their needs come before your own.  Just like the mamma bird, you prepare their food first, feed them first, before you ever think to sit down and feed yourself.  And you get worn out.  I read a post on social media just yesterday from a young mom wishing for life to slow down.  I wish I could tell you it will, very soon, but the truth is, while they are in your nest, under your care, it won’t slow down, not for a while. Not until you bid them farewell , and send them out into the world.
  

I also have a passion for all you women out there, those who tend to the needs of others, aging parents, ill spouses.  And for those who labor in the world of work and find themselves often in the lion’s den, and are exhausted by the demands on your time and energy, physically and spiritually.

You young moms, I know, it’s never really ‘still’ , except in the early early morning or late at night, both times when sleep is what you need and crave.  You caregivers, planning is not something you can do anymore, you are under the influence of a disease in a loved one, and the disease often dictates your day and minutes.  You that labor in the world of work, at home or in the world, your day goes by in a flash, and you wonder how you made it through.  Quiet and stillness are elusive.  
 
I know, because, I have been where you are, I have been a young mom, a caregiver to a sick parent, and in the throws of a job that demanded so much of my energy. (Thankfully not all at the same time!)  I didn’t always find the still waters, mostly because I did not make it a priority.  But I will tell you this, from experience, when I did find the still waters, and let the word of God refresh me,  I felt at peace, no matter what the chaos around me. 

 
So to all you women I say,


                                                Make it a priority in your life every day
                                      Find the still waters, and let Him restore you soul.
                                     Let the words of life,  the word of God nourish you.



The noise of this world will always crowd out the stillness of God.  That is why you have to search for it, you have to find it.  Make a time each day and turn off the devices, stop and reflect upon and breathe in His word. It is the ONLY thing that will refresh you.  Steal
moments each day just for yourself, and make those moments about basking in His love for you, and His desire to lead and nourish you.
                             
I pray you will diligently seek the still waters today and every day. I pray you will be refreshed by the word of God, and that you realize just how much your cup overflows. 

 And if you glance behind you, you just might see mercy and goodness following you ;)

7 Comments
Lindsay Mast link
7/8/2013 12:35:52 pm

“The noise of this world will always crowd out the stillness of God. ”
That is truth. Excellent encouragement about the need to be intentional in our walk with God. Thank you, Robin.

Reply
Jennifer
7/9/2013 12:45:25 am

I appreciate your thoughts. I'm especially drawn to the final sentence. I love looking back and reflecting on how all the challenges in my life have been nothing more than a brick on my path that have taken me to the place I find myself today and that without that part of my road, "ALL things" wouldn't have been there to "work together for good" in my life. Looking back I see so many prayers answered - not as I had asked, but as I had need in the big picture. Much goodness and more mercy than I deserve. It's humbling. It builds and reinforces my faith. It makes me love and want to serve God more each day. Thank you for helping me start my day off in such a positive way. I know it will make a difference in my life today.

Reply
Robin
7/9/2013 11:30:56 am

It was very edifying to me to read your comment. We must be kindred spirits! You said very eloquently what I feel. Romans 8:28 has always been one of my favorite passages, and the older I get, the easier it is to look back and see God's hand at work in those times that I did not think were 'so good'. And you are so right, it is not about what we want, but what we need. Thank your for taking the time to comment. I think we mutually inspired each other.

Reply
Stacey
7/12/2013 01:13:35 am

Wow, Robin. You keep driving that "nail" further and further in. As a mother of small children it really is hard to make time for God and me. Some mornings after the hubby goes to work I have that time to reflect on God's word and pray that my day will go well. But most mornings F gets up as soon as the garage door goes down... Thank you for the encouragement to make God a bigger priority in my life. To make my walk with Him my number one aim. Thank you.

Reply
Robin
7/13/2013 02:02:35 pm

Now don't you go being so hard on yourself! You are doing a great job.
Stealing moments to reflect on God, can come in many forms...in the garden, while doing dishes, in the shower, lots of places. It doesn't always come as a 30 minute quiet time in the word with no distractions. (I think I can see you smiling and laughing, quiet, no distractions, what's that?!) But you are right, what we make a top priority, we usually accomplish for the day...
Just don't be hard on yourself, Stacy. Through my eyes, you are making Him your top priority! Love you!

Reply
Tonya
7/13/2013 10:36:02 am

He restores my soul...I can't tell you how many times I've read those verses, and yet in these moments when my soul desperately needs restoring, how is it that I've not thought to search His word for it? My cup runneth over...I've been running on empty for too long and been trying to muscle through these challenges alone. Another post where I hear God speaking directly to me through your words. Thank you Robin!

Reply
Robin
7/13/2013 02:12:36 pm

Dear, sweet Tonya,
You are thought of and prayed for so often! It is HARD being a mom of little one's, and twins no less. I think God's grace covers young moms in a way that we don't quite understand. You are doing THE most important job of all...raising Godly children, shaping those little arrows! His presence is right there with you, always, sometimes it is just a matter of acknowledging Him, and the strength we need will come to us. Thank you for taking the time to comment. It means a lot to me! Love you so!

Reply



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