The Open Door

The door swings wide open. I am excited, curious, fearful. I have seen others enter and exit, yet they are not the same when they leave. Change. Transformation. Alteration. I have been told I cannot help but be changed once I enter. Is it worth the risk?

The door swings wide open. I take one step forward but shrink back from the intense light that is emitted. Yet something compels me to enter. I hear a voice. “Absorb the moment. Relish the moment. Live the moment.”

The door swings wide open and I cautiously tiptoe in. I cannot peel my eyes away. Beauty. Majesty. Power. I open my mouth to speak but I cannot utter a word. Sound ceases. The world fades. I am standing alone. I am uncovered, exposed, vulnerable. I begin trembling, shaking to the core, yet peace surrounds me. I am in the presence of a Mighty Lion and I am safe.

The door swung wide open, I entered, and I never want to leave. I drink in its glory, bask in its loveliness, bathe in its truth. I find purpose, and for that moment all that matters is that I am here with You.

Prayer: A Sweet Fragrance

Indescribable Power
Unceasing Praise
Heart Leaps with Joy
Kneeling Before the Throne
Boundless Grace
Faith Strengthened
Wounds Healed
Trials Accepted
Love for God Grows
Intimacy Deepens
Hope Realized
Answers Revealed
Change
A Quiet Heart’s Cry
Unrestrained Passion
Incense/A Sweet Fragrance
Creation Communicates with Creator
My Will Joyfully/Humbly Surrendered
My Eyes Turned toward Heaven
My Ears Attuned to Your Call
Admitted Helplessness
Utter Dependence on You
Sacrifice
Dead in Transgression
Alive in You
Rebirth
Transition
Continual Growth
Being Still and Knowing He is God





Explanation:

Prayer is a sweet fragrance lifted up before our omnipotent Father. We can barely grasp the power of prayer, but we know it is a connection with God Almighty. The words above are the images that come to my mind as I ponder this beautiful communion with my Savior. As I stared at the shape of the words on paper, I noticed they resembled a vase. Though this was purely coincidental, how appropriate that they resembled that which holds a sweet fragrance—for that is the essence of prayer.

The Waiting Room

Here I am again tonight in a place that seems all too familiar.
I am praying for a sign that you still hear my little voice—
That You still care.

I am tired and weak and weary.
I fall before Your throne and cry out to You.
My head knows You’re sovereign,
But my heart has such a hard time believing.

What if my will does not line up with Your will for my life?
What if I cannot come to a place of total surrender,
No matter how hard I try or how many unsuccessful attempts I make?

I need to be reminded that You’re in control.
I need Your strong, gentle, loving arms to envelop me
And Your sweet words to comfort me.

I need to know that You are God, I am man.
You are the Master, I am the servant.
You have my best interests at heart
And know me better than I know myself.

That is what You reveal to me
As I wait silently in this place tonight.

His Love is Deep

As I think about my own sinfulness, and how often I willingly sell myself to other gods and worship idols while claiming that my heart belongs to Jesus ALONE...
And as I think about the nation of ancient Israel, whom we are studying in Come Thirsty each week...
And as I realize with shame that I am not much different from them...
I am struck by these song lyrics.

May they encourage you today, not because of who you are, but because of the One who called you by name to serve Him.

"Your Love is Deep"

Jami Smith

Your love is deep

Your love is high

Your love is long

Your love is wide

Deeper than my view of grace

Higher than this worldly place

Longer than this road I travel

Wider than the gap You filled

Who shall separate us

Who shall separate us from Your love

Nothing can separate us

Nothing can separate us from Your love