12/1/19 Scripture Challenge

First, I have had "my verse" since the 12/1, but I was flipping between two - even though my heart knew it was this one.  Sometimes in my childishness I will whisper to God, "but it's so LONG Lord" and I proceed to battle myself until He wins.  Surly I am not the only one who does this? 

My journey this year has been extraordinary & there is a part of me that cry's out saying, "I'm not done Lord!  I'm not ready!  Truly, I want to stay until who He has called me to be is so rock solid that I cannot be swayed. There were 3 things that came from my Grow Setting Journey at the beginning of this year.  He was calling me to be Fully Dependent, Fully Surrendered & Fully Empowered.  But, to be "that woman" meant a shift in my walk.  Something deeper than I have ever gone or done. I've shared with many that there was this one common denominator among believers that God had used to grow my faith - they all spent an extraordinary amount of time with God.  Which makes sense why as this year winds down that I would be pondering this word: linger.  It means to remain or stay on in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave.  That is where God has taken me deeper!

There was a time very early in my walk that though I loved studying the Word, I couldn't imagine how anyone could spend "an hour" with God & now can't imagine how anyone cannot desire that and MORE.  I don't say that out of judgement, but out of necessity.  Survival depends on two things:  Knowing God [the holy & victorious Trinity in all His fullness] and knowing His Word.  When you study the Word it is VERY clear - If you do not know His voice, if you do not know His character - there is a STRONG possibility that you will be deceived.

I guess that is why this verse is speaking so clearly to me.  It is in the lingering that my love has grown, it is in the lingering that I know Him more, deeper.  But, lingering doesn't just "happen".  You have to pursue God with all your heart.  You have to want to be who He purposed you to be.  That doesn't mean attending a million-and-one Bible studies where someone else is feeding you - because I can promise you -you were meant for more than "milk".   This journey also wasn't meant to be handed to you on a silver platter - it was meant to be a treasure hunt - a hunt in which you discover that God Himself IS the treasure.  So this verse is my hearts cry: to dwell in His presence forever - to gaze on Him - to meditate on His Word while sitting at His feet.

Psalm 27:4 Amplified Bible (AMP)
One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life,
To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord
And to meditate in His temple.

Sometimes God will give me a picture in my mind that is so vivid that it feels real.  My oldest son is a painter & I was desperately wanting Him to paint it because I believe that it will speak to so many others out there of what is possible - not in yourself - but [in] Him.  He is the Rock.  In Him and in His love is how you become so securely rooted that no matter what battles wage around you - no matter how hard you are being hit - you can stand BOLDLY with arms open wide in total abandonment.  Trusting who you are IN CHRIST.  He is your identity. 

So, one evening in early November, I was sitting in my living room - having just described what was in my head to someone and I had this prompting.  Although I may not be able to "draw" it in the classic sense, I had been gifted to be a graphic designer.  I literally went immediately into my office & shortly after that I had created the image.  I wanted to share it in hopes that your desire for security would become focused not on the world & what it offers, but on Christ - the solid Rock upon which you can stand.

All my love ~Cheryl
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