One of the ways God speaks to me is by repeating himself. Some times I am completely overwhelmed by how much he loves me. That he doesn't just show it but he repeats it. In some cases, the first mention stands out and the second just confirms it. Other times the second reference makes the first mention light up in my mind and heart. As if God is saying, "I don't want you to miss this so I am going to say it again". When I see the same passage of scripture several times in a matter of days I am totally amazed. God is so big and so good. When you listen, he speaks.
*The other morning, I woke up in a total funk. Enough said. My Love and I read separately. I was completely humbled when I read Proverbs 15:1 (meant for May 11th...yes we are WAY behind), "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger". When my Love was finished, I asked him quietly if anything stood out to him in his reading for the day. "The verse in Proverbs," he said smiling. We both heard the message loud and clear. The next day I was reading a book for pleasure (three chapters behind the rest of the book club) and the author referenced the same verse "...a soft answer turns away wrath". Um. OK Lord. Work on my default responses. Got it.
*Last week I looked up on the wall and saw this
As if God was literally shining a light on a truth he wanted me to know, "With God all things are possible!" Thank you Jesus. This morning I opened up my God Calling devotional and read "I am Powerful enough to do everything,...that no miracle is impossible with me ("With God all things are possible" and "I and my Father are one")". Wow. Okay God. I hear you. All things are possible.
*Last night I was reading about peace, a timely topic for me. Both Sunday morning and this particular chapter in my book mentioned what it means if you aren't able to sleep well. My mind is always going. Am I letting the gift of peace that has already been given to me keep me...well...peaceful despite my circumstances? What is my mind really focused on? In The Fitting Room, Kelly Minter writes:
"I was reading the often-quoted passage in Philippians 4 the other morning: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things." I realized that peace is the culmination of these words found in the following verse: "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
"Paul encourages the Philippians to learn, receive, hear, see, and most poignant, put into practice the truths and lifestyle he lived as a result of Jesus Christ: a way of life that promotes inward peace.
"This is a compelling charge for us to have our thoughts consumed with all that is right and true, an unspoken call for us to lay aside whatever is not of those things."
This morning I opened up my awesome friend's blog to find Philippians 4:4-9 quoted with no explanation. Wow! Think about such things. Put it into practice. The God of peace will be with me. Yes!
Sometimes I go crazy repeating instructions to my three year old son. For some reason I think if he clearly heard me the first time, I shouldn't need to repeat myself [insert smiles from every parent reader]. Oh how thankful I am that my Father practices repetition. I would miss out on a whole lot of instruction if I didn't hear it a second, third, or fourth time.
5 comments:
Lex - Loved your post as always. <3 I laughed and got tears in my eyes to realize that the Phil. 4 verses I posted had been a repeat message for you. God is simply amazing and so kind. Perhaps I will send you an email and explain what it was for me yesterday. I didn't have the desire to share it all on the blog, and almost didn't post the scriptures. It was one of those moments though where the Spirit undeniably encouraged me to copy and paste that scripture with the thought that it was not just a reminder for me, but for someone else. God didn't ever have to confirm that for me, but He did by having you share this post. Another funny little tid bit - I nearly started or finished that post with something like, "Don't know if anyone else needs to hear this today, but I hope it encourages someone." Nope. No need for me to even open my lips. He speaks! :)
PS - Apparently I too needed to hear this multiple times since it has been repeated to me too :) THanks, God! I believe these verses might need to be printed and hung on my refrigerator and maybe even put on a 3X5 card in my pocket.
Lexi,
When my sweet Raegan has thoughts running through her mind at bedtime we have developed a routine that quiets those thoughts and lets her sleep: "Thank you God's". She quietly closes her eyes, and begins to thank God for everything! Scary dreams from a movie, sisters snoring, sharing a room, night-lights.... Every time I remind her of her "thank you God's" she smiles and lays right down.
It has become the one way she finds peace; by keeping her mind on things noble, right, true, praise worthy.
Love you!
I've been experiencing God's loving repetition myself lately. Once I get past the shock, gasp, and shiver of seeing the same verse 4 times in one week (all in the most random of places) I, too, feel overwhelmed by His gentle love for me. (I'll even admit that I cried out and dropped a Bible-like, "Aaahh!!"- after I opened up Addie's new Bible to the presentation page to see "my verse" at the bottom. What!? Since when do presentation pages even have a verse?)To be honest, I haven't experienced this in my life before recent months. I am just moved to trembling.
Don't get me started on Psalm 23 this past month.
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