He Delights In Me!
Psalm 18:19 "He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me."
I went to the Beth Moore Simulcast today and it was amazing! First off, amazing because it joined women, thousands of miles apart, in corporate worship for over five hours today. From Canada to Michigan, California to Texas, all the way down to Mexico City. That is astounding to me. Secondly, because God spoke and how can you not be floored by that?
Beth was speaking about God's deliverance, an expansion of sorts on her new book "Get Out of That Pit." Perhaps I forgot to mention it, but that is the book I have been studying with my small group on Sunday mornings. It has a study guide in the back so we read two chapters a week and answer the questions and then discuss them together on Sundays. It has been great so far so I was really excited about the simulcast.
There was so much she said today that really stirred something in me, but I think what I am really trying to let marinate is the verse I began with, Psalm 18:19. He delivers me, rescues me....whatever, not because He has to. He doesn't do it to shut me up, He doesn't do it with frustration, thinking, 'Here I go again.' He rescues me because He delights in me. How encouraging that is. Encouraging is an understatement.
I believe that my walk in Christ has made progress by leaps and bounds over the past six months. I believe, without doubt, that He is working in my life. Even things that have hung me up for years and years are beginning to be replaced with God's truth in my life...in my brain. I believe, however, that I still have great strides that must be made in transforming my heart so that it lines up with God's truth versus my ingrained lies. Is that my brain or my heart, I don't know. But it is still far removed from where I and God would like for it to be.
So, while I love that verse and all that it means, the fact of the matter is, it won't change my life, really, until it permeates my heart. Until I believe with all that is in me, that God is not disappointed in me. He isn't waiting for me to get my act together. He doesn't wish I could do this better or that not at all. He didn't save me because He's God, thus love, thus had a responsibility to His own character to do so. He rescues me because He delights in me. So far, all I know to do in order to make myself believe that is to just keep reminding myself that it's true and consistently reminding God that I simply can't do it alone...not because He forgets, mind you, but because I so often do. If there is some other way, I'd love to know it, but I'm not sure there is. I guess the fact that I realize this, that I am willing to do this, and that I am believing there is a point to it....well, that's growth. And I'm convinced, or at least keep trying to convince myself, that as long as I am in the process, He is pleased with me.
he rescued me because he delighted in me."
I went to the Beth Moore Simulcast today and it was amazing! First off, amazing because it joined women, thousands of miles apart, in corporate worship for over five hours today. From Canada to Michigan, California to Texas, all the way down to Mexico City. That is astounding to me. Secondly, because God spoke and how can you not be floored by that?
Beth was speaking about God's deliverance, an expansion of sorts on her new book "Get Out of That Pit." Perhaps I forgot to mention it, but that is the book I have been studying with my small group on Sunday mornings. It has a study guide in the back so we read two chapters a week and answer the questions and then discuss them together on Sundays. It has been great so far so I was really excited about the simulcast.
There was so much she said today that really stirred something in me, but I think what I am really trying to let marinate is the verse I began with, Psalm 18:19. He delivers me, rescues me....whatever, not because He has to. He doesn't do it to shut me up, He doesn't do it with frustration, thinking, 'Here I go again.' He rescues me because He delights in me. How encouraging that is. Encouraging is an understatement.
I believe that my walk in Christ has made progress by leaps and bounds over the past six months. I believe, without doubt, that He is working in my life. Even things that have hung me up for years and years are beginning to be replaced with God's truth in my life...in my brain. I believe, however, that I still have great strides that must be made in transforming my heart so that it lines up with God's truth versus my ingrained lies. Is that my brain or my heart, I don't know. But it is still far removed from where I and God would like for it to be.
So, while I love that verse and all that it means, the fact of the matter is, it won't change my life, really, until it permeates my heart. Until I believe with all that is in me, that God is not disappointed in me. He isn't waiting for me to get my act together. He doesn't wish I could do this better or that not at all. He didn't save me because He's God, thus love, thus had a responsibility to His own character to do so. He rescues me because He delights in me. So far, all I know to do in order to make myself believe that is to just keep reminding myself that it's true and consistently reminding God that I simply can't do it alone...not because He forgets, mind you, but because I so often do. If there is some other way, I'd love to know it, but I'm not sure there is. I guess the fact that I realize this, that I am willing to do this, and that I am believing there is a point to it....well, that's growth. And I'm convinced, or at least keep trying to convince myself, that as long as I am in the process, He is pleased with me.
posted by Bttrfly1976 at 9:53 PM
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4 Comments:
Dear Stephanie,
You have no idea who I am, but I came acrossed your blog response on the LPM blog about your attending Beth's Saturday simualcast.
I never click on profiles, actually I rarely read blog responses period, so I'm not sure why I read yours, but for some strange reason, I feel God directed me to it.
In just reading a few of your blog entries, I surmise that you are dealing with a difficult past and are seeking God's healing for your future. I'm a pastor (I'm obviously not Baptist!) and have the privilege of hearing the stories of many women in my congregation. While it's true that satan has been very busy in many lives, I also see the love, grace, mercy, and care of a Father who shows His delight for each of us.
Why am I saying all of this and writing to a perfect stranger? Honestly I'm not sure-but I wanted you to know that for some amazing reason, God has led me to pray for you. Pretty cool huh? When we consider the extent that God will go to show His love and offer His care, it can be overwhelming.
My name is Becky Ringler and I live in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I'm blessed to be the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at Southridge Reformed Church. I will continue to pray for you to experience God's presence and power in a way that you never have before as you look to Him for all you need.
Blessings,
Becky
That is awesome girl! That verse is wow-ing to me. Thank you for showing it again to remind me. Wrapping our brain around God desiring us, is something that can be quite difficult. I love seeing how you are growing and what God is teaching you. It is incredible.
Becky, thank you so much! Thank you for taking the time to read, to comment, above all, thank you for your prayers. I covet them, truly! God is continually astounding me in the lengths He goes to in order to get through to me, I think mostly I am astounded that after thirty years He not only hasn't given up, but He still eagerly anticipates each step toward Him that I take.
LL, I love you. Those aren't words I use much, but I don't know any other way to express what I feel. When I think of all of me that you have read over the past ten months, I am amazed that you have stuck with me. It is so out of character for me to say this, but man, God is so good. There is a song by Barlowgirl, I know you know it, but while I love the whole song, one line seems to be especially fitting here.
"You're a God who has all things, and still you want me!"
Thanks for sharing that verse. I really needed to hear that today.
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