MORE

Today has been a beautiful Sunday.  There's just something about Sundays that is different.  Or at least it seems different to me.  I like the Sunday kind of different.

Time and time again I stand amazed at how my heavenly Father knows exactly what I need.  Spiritually, I mean....and all the other ways too.

For the past couple of weeks I've had something on my mind and in my heart and I have found myself longing and wishing and even praying for more of HIM.  Jesus.  The heartbeat of my spirit.

My Sunday School class has been studying Philippians.  If you read my blog and pay attention, you know that Philippians is one of my very favorite Bible books.  I can read it over and over and still get something new from it.  Today the teacher began by saying, "When one is saved, is that all there is?  Sure salvation takes you to heaven, but until then, is that ALL there is or is there MORE?"  Well hallelujah, there's my thought for the past couple of weeks.  More.  Of course there's more, but only if we as Christians want more.

The lesson went on and the teacher talked about being a citizen of heaven.  I'm telling you, the Spirit of the Lord was so real in that Sunday School class.  There were "Amens" from all around, there were tears of joy, there was the kind of filling of the Spirit I know that I needed.  Amazing is my Lord.  I found myself rejoicing that I, too, was a citizen of heaven and by golly, The King knows me by name!  Can I hear an Amen?

I continue to pray for more of Him.

When I'm discouraged, give me more of Jesus.  He is the encourager.

When I'm sad, give me more of Jesus.  He really cares.

When I'm happy, give me more of Jesus.  He loves to hear his children rejoice!

When I'm afraid, give me more of Jesus.  He assures me to not fear and he is there.

When I can't understand why things happen that happen, give me more of Jesus.  He is the faithful one who knows all.

When I am sick, give me more of Jesus.  He's the Great Physician.

When I've sinned, give me more of Jesus.  He knows how to discipline and love me at the same time.

When I seek wisdom, give me more of Jesus.  He is the wisdom builder.

When I need to be strong, give me more of Jesus.  He is my strength.

When I am unsure of the future, give me more of Jesus.  He's the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

When my heart overflows with HIS love, give me more of Jesus.  He's the one that my soul rejoices in, praises, and loves.

More.  Just give me more of Jesus.  How do I get more of Him?  I seek him through praise, prayer, conversation (yes we talk on a regular basis as friends talk),  and His Word.  More, just give me more.

"Rejoice in the Lord always:  and again I say rejoice!"  Philippians 4:4

Consider....

A-Z

So a few weeks ago I volunteered to teach the joint Adult classes for youth day.  No, I am no longer young and yes, there was a young person scheduled to teach but had an unavoidable conflict.   Since The Son-in-Law was in charge of the day, I decided to be a good mother-in-law and help him out.  The topic I got on my mind was The Bible A-Z.  Let me tell you....there are tons of options in this topic.

I decided to share with you my lesson.  The purpose is to give you food for thought in your own quest and study.  Here is mine that I had on that particular day.  Enjoy!

A — Answer—1 Peter 3:15:  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. ..

B—Blessed—1 Chronicles 4:10:  And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast and that think hand might be with me, and that thou wouldn’t keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!  And God granted him that which he requested.

C—Contentment—Philippians 4:11:  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

D—Devil—Ephesians 4:27: Neither give place to the devil.  Ephesians 6:11:  Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  James 4:7:  Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

E—Everlasting—For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

F—Fear not—Isaiah 41:10, 13:  Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness….For I the Lord God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

G—Glimpses of joy—James 1:2-4: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

H—Heaven—Revelation 21:23:  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.  Revelation 21 & 22

I—If—Isaiah 1:19: If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. But if you refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword.

J—Joy—Nehemiah 8:10:  The joy of the Lord is your strength.

K—Knowledge—Proverbs 2:3:  Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seek her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

L—Love—John 3:16:  For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

M—Mercy—Micah 6:8:  He hath showed thee, O man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

N—Name—Exodus 33:17:  And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that hast spoken; for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

O—Opportunity—James 4:17:  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doth it not, to him it is sin.

P—Prayer—1 Thessalonians 5:17:  Pray without ceasing.

Q—Quiet:  1 Thessalonians 4:11:  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.  James 1:19:  Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

R—Renewal—Isaiah 40:32:  But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.

S—Strength—Psalm 18:1,2:  I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, My strength, in whom I will trust….

T—Testimony—II Timothy 1:12:  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

U—Understanding—1 Kings 3:9:  Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge the people that I might discern between good and bad….

V—Vigilant (and Victorious)—1 Peter 5:8,10:  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour—(But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.)

W—Wisdom—James 1:5:  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  

X—“Xamine”—(okay, this one is a slight stretch) 2 Corinthians 13:5:  Examine yourselves…

Y—Yield—Romans 6:13—Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Z—Zeal—Ecclesiastes 9:10:  Whatever thy hand findest to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest.

Consider.......