begin a new work in me...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I think that one of the things I love most about walking with God is that He is continually teaching me. He is continually growing me up spiritually. There is always more knowledge to glean. More of Him to discover. More of His power to tap into. More of me to decrease.

I read a quote by Oswald Chambers that said, "Begin to know Him now, and finish never."  That spoke so loudly to my heart that I wrote it on an index card and carry it in my bible.

We can never be so learned in the things of God that we know all there is to know. There will always be something more that He longs to show us. There will always be new things that He desires to reveal to us. But we have to be open and receptive to His timing and His will.

In our passionate pursuit of Him, we have to yield to our Father. That's not always an easy thing to do. I can be impatient in my quest for desiring more of His Presence in my life. I want things now and sometimes God has things for me to learn before He is ready to take me to the next level of my walk. There may be things in my spiritual life that need to be refined before God can entrust me with more.

He has shown me this past month that I need to be more focused on satisfying Him. Too many times I realize I am trying to satisfy my flesh when I need to be crucifying it instead. My goal needs to be bringing my Savior glory. Is He the one that I am pleasing? Is He the one that my words honor?

"I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do" (John 17:4)

Just as Jesus knew that His life had to bring glory to the Father, I know that God deserves and expects the same out of my life.

I learned this past month that I need to allow God to continue to mold me and change me into what He desires for me to be. I need to be seeking more desperately to reach my full potential in Him. I need to read the Word more passionately. Study the scriptures more intently. Embrace my prayer life more greedily.

I want more. I need more.

"And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

I've learned that there is no place we can go and be hidden from God. He is always there. He is there in the good times and the bad times. He is there in our praises and in our despair. He is in our weakness and our strength. God is always right there, ready to reach down and minister to our hearts and our needs.

"Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD." (Jeremiah 23:24)

And what is God showing me now? Nobody is beyond the reach of God's infinite grace. Oh, praise You, Jesus, for this.  I am so thankful that we are all within grasping distance of God's mighty Hands. We are never too far out of His reach. He is always there, ready to rescue. Ready to receive. Ready to restore. When He hears our humble cry of confession, repentance or surrender, He is there.

"And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return unto me with their whole heart" (Jeremiah 24:7)

I seek to go to a higher place with my Lord. I desire to walk more intimately with my Savior. I want a heart that yearns deeply for the things of Christ. I want to bring Him glory in all that I do, to be focused on satisfying Him and Him only.

I am ready for Him to begin a new work in me. I'm willing to do whatever it takes, go wherever he leads and follow Him all the days of my life.

Seeking Him with a new passion,

Beth