Uninspired

Today is one of of those days that I feel uninspired. I have had such a busy week that I haven't spent time in the Word. But as I think about my "busy" week, I can see where I had opportunities to spend time with Him and I didn't. I let my physical and mental exhaustion take over. If only I had remembered Matthew 11:28. Jesus is telling us that when we are weary, tired, and exhausted to come to Him. I did exactly the opposite. In those times that I feel so overwhelmed, I need to pray. I need to have a little Scripture snack! When I am at school I may not have time to read a long passage (a full meal) but I do have time for a little snack. I am going to commit to reading a little bit of Scripture every day this week while I eat lunch at school. One or two verses. I am going to really think about what God is saying to me through His Word. I can't wait to have lunch with Him! :)

Quiet time on the front porch

I have been waiting for a morning like this! I sat out on the porch and read my bible and had my coffee. I listened. I really listened. To the birds. To the dogs barking. To the leaves rustling in the trees because the squirrels were playing in them. I listened. I listened to God as He spoke gently to my heart through His Word. I thought I would read in the Psalms this morning and so I randomly opened my bible to Psalm 106. The first line of Psalm 106 is "Praise The Lord!". So I did!! I have so much to praise Him for!
"Who can list the glorious miracles of The Lord? Who can ever praise Him enough?" (vs. 2 NLT)
That is how I feel. He has done so many miracles in my life that I could never list them all. But as I was reading, I came to verse 7. My bible says "They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them". This grieved my soul. Because I too, like the Israelites, sometimes forget his many acts of kindness toward me. Verse 8 begins with precious words. "Even so, He saved them--". When I read those words, I cannot explain the feeling that I have. Even so.
There are other verses in this psalm that tell how they (and I) forgot what great things he did for them. How he rescued them over and over. How they rebelled and disobeyed him. Then, there are those sweet words again....even so. "Even so, he pitied them in their distress and heard their cries". He remembered his covenant with them. He remained faithful even though they did not. He is always faithful even when I am not. That is such a blessed assurance. I make choices every day to disobey. I sometimes forget all the amazing things he has done for me. But those sweet words will be a reminder to me that my God is faithful. Even so...

Pursuing Him

Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love
will find life, righteousness, and honor. (Proverbs 21:21 NLT)

Reading this Scripture this morning really made me think about the word "pursue". Pursue means to go after, to seek, to follow as an example. I want to pursue Jesus. I want to go after Him. I want to seek Him daily. I want to follow Him as an example for my life. So far, I'm not doing so great. Last week I said I was going to get up 15 minutes earlier to read the Word. I did get up 15 minutes earlier. But satan did everything he could to distract me. The dogs...in and out the door. Facebook. Not knowing where to start reading. Not having a plan. Thoughts of work. I am not giving up though. I just need a plan. I not only need a plan for bible reading but I need a plan for prayer. I gotta get moving. I am getting so tired of treading water. You know what I mean? It seems like I am always in planning mode. I have to start moving. Start pursuing actively. I have to knock the walls down. The wall of my flesh. The wall of my emotions. I have to knock them down so I can get moving. Like the Scripture says, if I pursue righteousness, I will find life. Life in Jesus. Abundant life. I can't wait!!

Saturday morning!

Saturday mornings in the fall are my favorite times. I am not sure why but I love the time to relax and stay in bed as long as I want. I love reading the Word and praying especially when I have the house to myself. October brings the beginning of deer season. I love October through the end of December because I have every Saturday morning to myself! I use that time to refresh myself and reflect on the week. I want to hear from God.

I received such a blessing this week. Scott and I went out to eat with Anna. During dinner, she shared with us a meeting she had with the college pastor at the church she is attending. Hearing her so excited about the Lord and explaining to us what he told her blessed my heart and I know God was using her to tell me what I needed to hear as well. Knowing your children are saved is one of life's greatest blessings!

My blog is called "Changing from the Inside Out" for a reason. My heart's desire is to be more like Christ every day. Every day it seems as if I don't make it. I think about all the times I failed Him and I get discouraged. I want to change on the inside and then I know my outside will follow. Changing comes from spending time in the Word and giving it priority. I fail to do that. It seems as though everything else needs immediate attention and God and his Word get pushed down the list. By the time evening comes I am so tired and usually fall asleep reading. This week, I am going to focus on making one change for the better. I am going to get up 15 minutes earlier and spend a little more time with Him at the beginning of my day.

I am going to use this blog to help me change from the inside out. I am going to write about the changes God is calling me to make and hopefully along the way, I can encourage someone else. I am going to be open and honest with the struggles I have. No shame or embarrassment. Just an average woman trying to be more like Jesus.
Change is good!! I definitely want more of it!!

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NLT)