remembering June 19th

Susanne posted this on her blog this week and of course I loved it... Our verse this month is from Colossians: "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness." 

So, Anna- just as you received Christ when you were little on June 19, 2008 and just as God's Spirit spoke to you through this picture below, may you continue to live in light of this truth and may you run to Him with all your heart everyday overflowing with gratitude..... 

Intimacy with God

After Easter Jesus spent precious, quiet time with the disciples, nurturing and teaching them in a new way. I hope that has been your experience during this spring season of new beginnings. We are either moving toward God or away from God. This picture from the Jesus Storybook Bible reminds me to run to God again and again with my fears and worries, my hopes and dreams, my questions and doubts. Like that little girl, I want to run freely into my loving Father’s arms—without hesitation.

Genesis warns us about hesitation in the story of God’s destruction of the evil city of Sodom. Lot’s family was commanded to “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back! Run away and don’t stop!” (Genesis 19:17) Lot’s wife was disobedient and became a pillar of salt, a reminder of the severe consequences of hesitating when God says “Go.” Describing the end times, Jesus later warns us to “Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it…” (Luke 17:32-33)

Perhaps the story is incomplete. Mrs. Lot had no idea who or what she was running toward. Thankfully we know Who we’re running toward – the One who calls us tenderly. In faith, we trust that God’s plans for us are good and right and perfect. Christians are told to “throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles…” so we let go of anything and anyone who might hold us back from knowing the One who created us for His purpose. How? We “fix our eyes on Jesus.…” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

This illustration expresses how we are not only running away from sin – but running toward the welcoming arms of our Father/Mother, Creator, Friend, Healer, Comforter, and Guide.

The Invitation:

Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28)

My deepest desire for you is that you learn to depend on Me in every situation. I move heaven and earth to accomplish this purpose, but you must collaborate with Me in this training…..Use your freedom wisely, by relying on Me constantly. Thus you enjoy My Presence and My Peace. –Sarah Young

The Result:

The father saw [his wayward son] and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)