PTL

Not in the sense of God's wisdom, understanding (sense) etc; but in the sense of "sensing God"...

(Had to clear that up first)

I've been trying to discipline myself into reading a little from the Bible again each day. I am innately aware of my need to do so, in fact, I started writing down scriptures again that I had once memorized but since forgotten. I've gone through a long season of not reading His word, and let me tell ya, I can tell the difference.

As is God's way, He spoke to me through His word once again with the first scripture I had transposed from my old bible. It comes from the book of James, and I will break it down here:

Js 4:5: "..or do you thik that the Scripture says in vain ""The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? (the NIV I think reads "God Jealously yearns for the Spirit he caused to live inside us" - loose translation).

So, after a long day at work, driving home through the gridlock & rain (I'm sure many can relate), I had the choice to hang out & watch the tube or take a short nap before I had to go out again in a half hour. Then I noticed my bible sitting on the table where I had left it, and the Spirit prompting me to look inside. God was jealously yearning for my Spirit to connect to His...

6: But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble".

7: Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

8: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

One by one, I could write about what these scriptures mean to me for an hour or more. There is so much there. This last scripture reminded me of something I read or heard someone say yesterday about God's voice being quiet & soft. (His still soft voice). The thought of God drawing near to me is very uplifting to say the least, and humbling. I know when He does I can sense it, if I listen for it. It often brings me so much peace, the peace that I can't understand but is none-the-less there. (Peace that passes all understanding).

But then I thought about the many times I have not sensed his presence, and the Holy Spirit drew me back to the previous verse, #6: "Therefore, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the "humble". I am convinced that this is a key to happiness. Not that I'm always in the "humble" state of mind, but when I can take an objective view of my life, character, behavior, and ask God to take the reigns & help me in that way, He is always faithful.

Anyway, just thought I'd share that. As always, the Word becomes alive when I really take the time to "hear".