Faithful Fridays ~ Be Still

How is everyone this Friday?  I have a special post for you today!

But before I begin, I want to invite you to join me, my mama, Ms. Retha, and Ms. Patty (see below) in posting about our Faith every Friday...it doesn't have to be long, or deep (but it can be); it can be a verse or a passage of Scripture, or maybe just some encouraging words that the Lord has laid on your heart or maybe a devotional you've read lately!

I started Faithful Fridays so that Christians could have one designated day a week (although I don't think they should keep it to just one day) to share something about their Faith--a prayer request, answered prayer, Bible verse, something God's laid on your heart, etc. To participate in Faithful Fridays, just grab the button above for your post along with a link to my blog somewhere in your post, too. After you've published your post, please come let me know in your comment that you participated and leave me a link to your blog. I'd love to come read your post!

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My mama participates in Faithful Fridays on her blog, Country Girl at Home.

Ms. Retha also participates on her blog, Retha's Rambles.

Ms. Patty also participates on her blog, Blessings Beyond.

You could be next!

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There are tons of things that we as Christians can do and use to draw closer to God.  Two of those things are, of course, our Bible, and then a devotional book. 

Whoever came up with devotional books was a genius.  :)

I love the way the books combine Scripture and a short, daily message to give you encouragement for the day!  As my friend put it, "It's like what you read about is what you face during the day!"

For Christmas, my parents gave me two devotional books.  One of them was the kids' version of the devotional by Sarah Young (adapted by Tama Fortner), Jesus Calling.  Jesus Calling is written like Jesus is talking directly to you!  I love it!  I've read the adult version and I like the kids' version better, even for adults as it could go for both levels.

And like I told my mama the other day, sometimes it's like God sticks my face in the devotional and says, "Read this, Joy!"  :)  This is one of those.  It was my devotional for January 2nd:

Choose Me

But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are getting worried and upset about too many things.  Only one thing is important.  Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will never be taken away from her."

-Luke 10:41-42 (ICB)

You are so very busy.  But I want you to stop for a minute.  Put down the game, hang up the phone, turn off the computer.  Spend some time with Me.

Even now your thoughts are racing ahead to today's plans and problems.  But put those thoughts and worries aside.  Just think about Me and how much I love you.  I know exactly what is going to happen in your life today.  Don't worry.  I will give you everything you need to face your day.

Please don't skimp on our time together.  The computer and the telephone and the homework will still be there when our time is through.  Choose Me first--and the blessings I give you will not be taken away.

(Read on your own Scriptures are Psalm 105:4 and Luke 10:39-42)

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Have you ever heard the song Word of God speak by Mercyme?

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say


Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

Sometimes, when our thoughts are racing and everything is going wrong and we need to straighten things out and pour it out to God, it's great to just go into a room by yourself and pour everything out to God.  Tell him exactly how you feel; if you're angry, confused, torn, or sad.  Or maybe you're jubuliant, happy, joyful, excited, and anticipative.

And then, sometimes, we need to just sit in the still and quiet, maybe write in a journal, or maybe just listen and ask God to speak to your heart; just be still and know that He is God!  Sometimes it's hard to hear Him (I remember thinking that when I was little!), but if you try really hard, you can feel Him laying different thoughts on your mind.  It's such a wonderful feeling to be talked to by God!  You may not be able to hear Him out loud, but you hear him in your mind and in your heart and it feels great!  Sarah Young wrote in Jesus Calling:

As a Christian, I have prayed, kept prayer journals, and spent quiet time with God for years.  But I came to realize that I was doing all the "talking" when I wrote in my journal.  I really wanted to hear what God had to say--not only in the Bible but also in my mind and heart.  So I decided to listen to Him and write down whatever I thought He was saying to me.  At first this felt a big strange, but I did "hear" something from him.  The message was simple and short; it was biblical, and it helped me with things that were going on in my life.

Since then, I have practiced listening a lot.  Usually I write his messages in a notebook, but sometimes I just spend time with Him for a while--and write nothing.

...I hope that you will find a quiet place and read these messages slowly each day.  You might even want to keep your own journal, to record your thoughts and any words Jesus whispers to your heart.

You have probably heard that Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins.  If you have never asked Him to be your Savior--forgiving all your sins--I encourage you to do that very soon.

Remember, Jesus is Immanuel--God with us.  So he is God with you.  I pray that you will feel His presence and His peace as you spend this time with Him.

I could not have said it better myself!  Matthew 6:6 says:

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

So take some time today and just sit quietly with God; maybe write down what you think He is softly saying, or just listen!  Please don't make the time something you dread, but don't skimp!

Have a wonderful weekend!