Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Have you ever read something and felt like the author was speaking to you? That they had somehow crawled into your brain and read your thoughts and come up with a response? Is that what the Holy Spirit is doing? Guiding me to these places where I feel my heart thirst is satisfied?

Here is what I read in my devotions this morning from Sarah Young's Jesus Lives:

"I understand you perfectly and love you eternally. It is your soul I love, rather than your appearance or performance. Sometimes you are so dissatisfied with both of these that they become your focus. To break free from this self-preoccupation, relax in My loving Presence and let the Light of My Love soak into your entire being. Rest deeply while I massage your thoughts and feelings, helping you change your focus from yourself to Me. Remember that I created you to know Me: to enjoy Me and center your life in Me. Cease striving and know that I am God.

The world abounds with idols - things you turn to when you want to feel better about yourself: eating, entertainment, exercise, mastery of something or someone. However, none of these things can slake the thirst of your soul, which yearns for Me alone. Idolatrous substitutes may suppress your appetite for Me, mainly by distracting you, but they provide no satisfaction. When you get that gnawing sensation around the edges of your soul, return to Me. Your soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods."

Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. - Psalm 63: 3-5

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Encouragement from St. Augustine


Alas for me! Through your own merciful dealings with me, O Lord my God, 
tell me what you are to me. Say to my soul, I am your salvation. 
Say it so that I can hear it. My heart is listening, Lord; 
open the ears of my heart and say to my soul, I am your salvation. 
Let me run towards this voice and seize hold of you. 
Do not hide your face from me: let me die so that I may see it, 
for not to see it would be death to me indeed.
This, friends, is perspective.