March 1 2016

March 1 2016 Greetings My Friend I have always been a “word” person. I love to play with words using them in a way to discover their meaning. I love word pictures too in word pictures I learn to relate an event or a situation to a story that shows how I feel about something so another person understands. “Behold You delight in truth in the inward being and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” This statement in Psalm 51 helps me to move closer to God. I am learning that God’s truth filters to my heart when I allow myself to “listen” with my heart. Many times in literature the heart is the focus of a different way of relating to the world. Our mind absorbs many things but there are moments that only the heart can absorb the true intentions of others or even of ourselves. I continue to learn that God speaks to the “heart of the matter” which is a part within me so deep and hidden. He is searching that deep part in me to see if I am true to Him. In this world we may fool others with our words and our actions for a time anyway but God always sees us as we truly are. I grew up in a home where we were one way at home and then another way in public. I carried this trait into my own family life. I remember I had to constantly think about the way I wanted to present myself. This is one of the first things God challenged me on. He wanted me to be the same at home and out in the world. That was scary because I had built up walls to keep myself safe or so I thought. I remember praying and asking God to teach me to be the same at home and out the front door. As I was learning to present myself the same in all situations I was and found a freedom I had never known. I quit using foul language at home and it felt good because I tried not to use foul language when I was out with others. The more I understand that my heart is the “inmost part of my being” or “heart” I am learning that part of the “heart” is my spirit. It is here that I meet God and I find my true self. It is the heart that learns to walk with God. I am convicted by the Holy Spirit in the depth of my heart. My cleansing comes from the inside to the outside. I grasp what Jesus taught when He taught us to “clean the inside of the cup, not just the outside of the cup.” I can dress myself as a wholesome women with clothes. I can even speak kindly or reach out to help others but if I have not allowed my heart to desire these things then I am only putting on a show of being a Godly woman. I need to desire to want to be clean from the inside to the outside. The more I read my Bible and pray I find old things in life not as important or as fun as they once were. It used to be fun to gossip, to tell an off color joke or to take a piece of candy from a display and eat it. Now when I enter into those things I have a feeling very deep inside of me that makes them not feel so good. While writing the above paragraph I had a “quickening” in my heart (spirit). I can allow legalism to shut the door to reaching out for Jesus. I don’t desire to do these things anymore. I see many words I would rather not see or say now on Facebook. I can preach and fuss or I can read past the words and to the heart. When I accept a heart where the person is at I am touching another person as God touched me. Once I felt acceptable to God I started to desire to change. If I can love a person where they are at God will work on their heart as He did mine. I am learning that some people “act” like they want help. All I can do is reach out and if they don’t reach back there is nothing I can do so again I leave it to God and I move on. It is a lesson I am still learning with God directing me. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Jane