Yesterday morning Richard grabbed his computer, his water bottle, and his coat. He had a busy day ahead of him with several young clients that need a good counselor, and a listening ear.
I was in my pajamas, but my mind was already whirring with plans for the day.
Let him know you love him.
I slipped into his arms and pulled him close.
Isn’t it funny how we race through our day and how taking only a few moments to let someone know that we appreciate them, or to just hold them close with no expectations, just doesn’t happen?
Let Him know that you love him.
That’s your assignment today. Let scripture rest. Let it have time to marinate in your heart and thoughts. As you do, intentionally walk close to God today.
Shut it all down for a few minutes. Turn off the cell phone. Just sit with Him.
Tell Him something that you’ve learned this week that brought joy. Tell Him if you are starting to understand that it brings Him pleasure to call you daughter.
Whisper the words you’ve been wanting to say. For some of you, writing those words in your journal is the way you share your prayer.
He sees those words.
Isn’t it exciting to think that studying the Word can become a conversation between you and God? Yeah, just like it was meant to be.
Suzie
Tomorrow:
- Re-read Day 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the study. You might be surprised how different it seems on Day 6. ♥
Clarification: *In the video I mentioned the verse as 12, when it’s actually 11. Oh word, this girl needs grace.
Aw. Sweet. I’ll keep that advice in mind. 🙂
The more I read, the more I want to learn. I want to understand the depth of what Christ has done for us. I want that wisdom from God. And I want to know how great the power of God is. I can feel myself being shaken by God and I yearn for more.
It’s the spiritual hunger factor! It’s the exact opposite of how hunger works in real life.
If I’m hungry and I eat a big ‘ole lunch, I’m no longer hungry. My hunger is satisfied.
If I’m spiritual hungry and I eat, my hunger intensifies. I want more. That’s what you are experiencing. That’s life-shaking faith!
That’s what I love about God’s word too Suzie! Such amazingness. Thank you for allowing God to use you.
Proorizo…. THANK YOU for sharing that word and bringing clarity to that aspect of the scripture, Suzie! I love how you described God as saying, “Underneath my name, this is my family.” I love the thought of being His adopted sons and daughters, and that it brought Him PLEASURE! What a beautiful truth. Thank you again, for bringing some clarity to this passage, and for the study this week. It has been exactly what this girl needed! <3
The FF girls are enjoying the study! So glad they get to keep hearing your sweet voice! Our conference team meets this weekend and we pray over all the ladies who will come to conference and all those who have touched our hearts previously…that includes YOU! Love and hugs!
Oh Jodie, that means a lot.
I’ve been catching up from my week and have been re-reading and sharing my thoughts on the week. Thank you again for challenging and leading and loving so well. That’s my fav!
It’s friYAY!
Enjoy your people (little + BIG), see you Monday 🙂
<3 a
You too, Amy.
I just realized that ‘predestined according to His plan and will” is in verse 5 and verse 11. I have really enjoyed this slower pace to get a deeper understanding. I am so grateful that He chose me to be His daughter before I even knew it!
LOVE seeing your share your beautiful words of encouragement on video, Suzie! What a blessed way to start my day.
I love it too. Suzie your voice is warm and welcoming.
When re-reading verse 11 and stepping back a bit from it, a light bulb moment happened for me and I remembered that this is a letter that Paul wrote to the Ephesians. Therefore, it could clearly be portrayed that Paul was saying that he and the Ephesians that he was writing to were the ones predestined for the spot they were in at that moment in history. That God put things into place so that Paul would be the one to be writing the letter from jail to the Ephesians who were to receive the letter so that “they” would be the ones (who were chosen/predestined) at that time to begin living His plan of salvation so that they would praise and glorify God. In verses 12 & 13 it goes on to describe the order of that plan. The “we” and “us” in the verses are Paul referring to himself and the people he was writing to. I think, sometimes, us Christians get caught up in wanting to make what we read be all about us and forget to put what we are reading into the historical context that it was originally written in. We substitute our names into the passage when we maybe we should be stepping back in time to see what the author was saying to the people he was actually writing to 🙂
In Acts 14, Paul is speaking to the Jews and he says (paraphrased), “You had a chance to hear it, and now it’s God’s will that everyone hears it.” I love how your insight lines up with those scriptures.
Scripture confirms scripture. It cannot contradict it or we have to go deeper. You are doing just that.
But we can also glean practical and spiritual application as we listen carefully to the teachings and ask God, “How do I live this today?” So much good teaching in this first chapter!
Loving this, Suzie! 😘 Thank you!!
“Whisper the words you’ve been wanting to say. For some of you, writing those words in your journal is the way you share your prayer.”
I am so glad you said that!! When I write I feel like it I can get it what I need to say instead of letting stuff distract me. But then I feel like it isn’t REALLY passing if I just wrote it. What suggestions do you have for someone who desperately wanted to hear from Good but is afraid she won’t be able to hear or recognize His voice?
I would say just keep doing what you are doing. When you realize that sharing in your journal is just as impactful as speaking the words out loud (for God sees the prayer you are writing from your heart), that’s hearing from the Holy Spirit. That’s a tiny nudge forward or deeper.
Celebrate every one of those small nudges and whispers. That’s faith. Listening for the voice of God and responding daily. <3