Invitation To The Thirsty (by Margaret Duran)

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and receive the purpose for which I sent it.'” (Isaiah 55:6-11)

© 2010 Carolyn Marshall, Living Life Photography

This scripture reminds us that God can bring forth beauty and grace where evil once flourished and turn sarcasm to gentle words. Where lust grew rampant and unrestrained, pure love can spring up. There is a thirst built within us that nothing in this world can satisfy. God did that purposely so that we would want to love and worship Him. He wants a relationship with us and, until that thirst for God has been satisfied, we can never be content or at peace with anything. It doesn’t matter what choices we make to satisfy that thirst, it cannot be until we turn our heart and mind over to God in worship and praise for who He is.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

Reward For Obedience (by Margaret Duran)

©2010 Carolyn Marshall, Living Life Photography

“Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for He acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”       Psalm 91:14-16 (NIV)

God's gift to us for our obedience, worship and praise is so great. When we make time to sit alone with Jesus, there are great rewards that we know not of. Here are just a few of the many ways we are blessed:

Ø      Peace that passes all understanding;

Ø      Joy that fills our hearts to overflowing;

Ø      Rivers of living water will flow through and from us to everyone we meet;

Ø      Financial needs are met;

Ø      Our life begins to come together.

When we love someone, we want time alone with them, and so does Jesus. We must show Him that we love Him through our obedience.

 “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.” 1 John 5:3 NIV

Our purpose in life is to give Him love and praise. That is why He created us … a real, personal relationship. It's time now to test our hearts because Jesus is coming again. Will our lamps be filled with oil so we will be ready when the Bridegroom comes?