Eleven: Break 1

I finished my 4 weeks of study yesterday!  I am so glad that I started with the foundation of God's word.  Every morning I was able to spend time doing my study, reading God's word, and praying.  It was good to get into the routine (I know some may not appreciate that) of having time every morning with God and His word.  I would love to be able to continue my "study" time, but I hope to make a few changes.  I want to get to bed earlier at night so that I can get up earlier in the morning.  It would be nice to have an hour, give or take, every morning to just connect with God.  I also want to find a book or method to bring me deeper into His word.  Sometimes although study books are a good jumping off point, they can be a bit limiting.  I want to study the things that are on my heart, that I face every day, that nag at me, etc.  I also want to make Scripture memory part of my study time.  I feel very strongly that I (and others) need to hide God's word away in my heart.  It is the rock on which everything else rests.  Make it a point, friends, to hide God's word away in your heart.  You will never regret doing so.
I find that as I go through a study multiple things speak to me, but I struggle to put those things into practice.  Finding a way to revisit concepts that spoke to me is really a necessity for me because otherwise all the study time in the world will be for naught.  If I don't take the initiative to make the changes that God wants me to make and to ask Him for His help in doing so, what was the point of delving into the meat of the Bible.  If we ignore the blueprint, our house will fall.  We won't know where to put walls, windows, doors, sinks, closets, etc.  Where would we be without windows to see God's beauty and doors to welcome others into our lives?  A sad reality happens when we do not build our lives on the firm foundation of God's precious word...when a storm comes the house crashes down.
Seek God for a renewed heart, seek Him for wisdom in all your choices (little or big), and seek Him knowing that He has NEVER left you.  He HASN'T!  He has pursued you, He has surrounded you with His amazing creation, and He has comforted you in times of trouble.  He will NOT stop doing those things for you!!!  Run to Him, cry out to Him, tell Him what you're thinking, feeling, experiencing, ask Him to help you!  You are loved, you are cherished, you are a one-of-a-kind, unique design!  There is NO ONE else like you!  You are a precious, beautiful, special, amazing treasure!  Hang on to God, cling to Him!  He will never leave you or forsake you!
Take time to look back over the last few years and see the awesome circumstances that He has faithfully brought you through.  Write them down, file them away, share them with others, thank God for them.  Blessings, friends!