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| Mercy Me Concert (LaDawn, Laura Sheffer, Rhonda Rexrode) |
He shared that it doesn't matter where we have been, what we have done, nor can our services or deeds save us and give us eternal life in heaven. It is our hearts that God is after. He wants an intimate relationship with us and Bart said that we should spend Sabbath rest with God. Sabbath rest doesn't mean that we relax by playing golf or sit in front of the tv on Sunday watching our favorite sport. Sabbath rest means coming to the Father regularly each and every day by spending time with God revealing to Him our inner most thoughts and concerns. It is during this time that we create a space for God to whisper to us to hear His leading and direction for our lives. Coming to God each and every day shows our reliance and dependence on God that we trust Him, and that He will provide for all of our needs before we even know what that may be. Bart also stated that "we are to believe that we are also redeemed and holy. If we don't trust and believe in God's grace and the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, we are saying that his death was not sufficient enough or for nothing".
I left weeping Saturday evening with a new perspective and a heart of gratitude. Even though I have had intense pain and suffering, I see how God is working in my life and He has been with me the entire time. I am grateful that He can use my pain and suffering to minister and lead others to God. I am grateful for the new opportunities, new experiences, the people that God has placed around me and the vision He has placed upon my heart. I am grateful for my new relationship with God that has allowed me to experience the Holy Spirit in ways that I never knew possible with visceral body sensations, hearing His voice and gentle nudges to direct and lead me. It is these experiences and my heart of gratitude that continues to seek and encounter more of God. On January 1, 2013, God gave me affirmation to "stay so close to Him, that I lose sight of everything else that I see." As I continue to focus and bow down at His feet daily, I am relinquishing more of myself so that I can be more for God. He will sustain me, He is my defense, and He will give me rest. He has torn the veil and removed all of my inequities.
That evening God revealed to me that a heart of gratitude crushes the expectation of entitlement, it diminishes selfish pride, and fills me with a content heart of trust that honors God that I do believe that He is working all things in my life for the good of those that love Him.
Put on your heart of gratitude by scheduling God in your calendar every day. It is at this place that you will be fulfilled where He will provide you what He has intended for you. With your presence, by His grace and a heart of gratitude God can transform you each day to be in His perfect will. That is what I am seeking. With Gratitude!
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