My Spirit

I have decided that I have stepped away long enough from spending time with God everyday. It has been a forever since I have opened up the bible and read his word. It has been a long time since I actually spent time talking to God. It wasn't but a couple of years ago I was heavily into his word, wanting to live every bit of my life for him. Recently, my intentions have been there, but I distract myself with other things. Days go by then months and I find myself drawing farther away.

So I have decided that I am going to blog every day what I have read from the bible along with any thoughts that come along with that. I figured that it should be a sure fire way for me to stay into Gods word.

After blowing the dust away from my Bible, I opened it up and fumbled through the Index looking for something that would catch my interest. After a few seconds of not finding anything specific that I wanted to read about I decided to open up the Bible somewhere in Psalms. Psalms or Proverbs are always a good fall back. Sure enough something stood right out.

Psalms 143: 3 The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground;he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. 4. So my spirit grows faint in me; my heart within me is dismayed. 5. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. 6. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirst for you like a parched land.

This is so what I was talking about. With out the the Lord my life is so Dark. When I draw close to him, when I make the effort to know him and listen to him the happier I am. Unfortunately, I have let my life get overwhelming. I don't allow time for God as much as I should. Then as time goes on, day after day and month after month, I am no longer living my life for God, but for myself. What is the result of that? Well first of all, God can't use me as effectively as he would like if I am not where I need to be spiritually. It wasn't all that long ago that I was working in the Alpha Ministry at church. It's a very awesome program. www.alphausa.org. I was in this ministry for years as a facilitator. There was countless times I'd see how God used me to relate and spread his love. It was exciting to get to know the people he placed at my table and how our lives would sometimes parallel each others. He wanted someone who could relate to them and he used me. It was awesome! There were other times he had his ways of touching my heart and helping me through situations and circumstance. I could tell countless stories of how his love had effected me directly. Secondly, the farther away I am from him sin creeps into my life. The Devil knows my weaknesses and how to prey on those weaknesses. He will work his way in gradually till I am consumed with it. Then he will throw guilt my way and what do we do when we sometimes feel like we let someone down? We tend to back away. At least I do and have. Thirdly, for me, when I am not seeking God depression sets in. I get this unsettled anxious feeling that I battle constantly. Insecurities surface and I tend to fret over the small stuff more. Nothing good comes from separating myself from God. Why it is so hard to pick up the Bible, pray and spend just a few minutes of my time with him? Why is it hard for any of us?

So to continue out some of Psalms: 143: 8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. 9.. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you. 10.. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your spirit lead me on level ground. 11.For your name sake, O Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. 12. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies and destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

To be used by God to serve Him! Is there anything, more fulfilling? Perhaps not, but there is something more basic: to meet with God! To linger in His presence, to shut out the noise of the city, and in quietness, give Him the praise He deserves. Before we immerse ourselves in His work, let's meet Him in His Word... in prayer... in worship. Chuck Swindoll - Living Insights Bible