Question.
In which direction are you extending your hands more towards Him, up or out? Let’s be honest because I’m quite sure as we have grown in the Lord, we all have been guilty of wanting His “presents” more so than His “presence”. Don’t get me wrong…God loves to bless us with the desires of our hearts, but He also wants us to be in His presence fellowshipping with Him. Wouldn’t you want someone who you love to spend time with you rather than to always be expecting something tangible?
Photo Credit: Divine Creations Photography
Christ tells us in the Book of Luke : “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12: 34)
What brings me to this post today has been my away time in solitude. While I thought that entitling the post about solitude would fit, I seen that above title His Presence or Presents: Which Are You Asking More Of ? pretty much summed up the same thing. Believe it or not, the draft with the question has been sitting since the early part of last year I believe. ( the date changed as I began to type so I cannot say exactly when. Sorry!)
So there has been many moments lately that I have found myself speechless, typeless and clueless in regards to reaching back out to the multitude which is YOU the audience. Back and forth I became stumped so I withdrew once again. There is a season for everything and God’s timing is evidently right when we walk according to His plans. In my solitude over the past month I have drawn closer to the Lord unlike any time that I can remember. Some of it felt like going through a wilderness experience while others have been just about being before Him simply because I need Him, simply because I want to learn and gain some wisdom. With that said my hands have been up towards the heavens praising Him for Who He is and being thankful that He has loved me enough just because I am His child and that He chose ME flaws and all!
Lately I have been behind the lens. Behind the camera lens that is. While I am a big fan of the great outdoors loving to enjoy the beauty of the Lord through His creations, I have found myself deep in thought and awe of His love and His care for those that He loves. I captured these pictures in sport mode (rapid shooting) one day while my family and I was at a local park with walking trails. My heart was calling out to the Lord while my lips did not utter much, yet He knew just what I needed. God has a way of speaking and comforting us in the least obvious ways. I can only hope that I am spiritually sensitive and alert to all these times though I know I will miss some opportunities because of my human nature to expect things in a certain way that’s very apparent and logical in our own thinking. My prayer is that I will seek Him more intimately and more sensitively as I move forward in my daily walk. I pray this for you too.
Here are a few scriptures that continue to feed my soul every time I glance at these pictures or think back on how His lovingkindness has wrapped me in the gentleness of His love and in the security of His love, truth and promises.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7 NKJV)
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:26, 34 NKJV)
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life ? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. (Luke 12:22-31 NIV)
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10 NKJV)
To my brothers and sisters in the Lord as well as those seeking and in need of a Savior, I beseech you to always trust in the sovereignty of God for He is most faithful and our very best friend in times of need and comfort. Every day will not be sunshine but trust and believe that if you stay under His cloud of direction that you will come out just fine no matter the situation whether it is a matter of the heart or worldly needs that He has not taken a blind eye to. Seek His presence more than His presents and remember that all other things will be added unto you. It is good to suffer for righteousness and holiness when we want to live out our lives for the Lord and to deal with matters in a way unlike the way the world would. Jesus went away many of times to pray often to His Father. We should too so solitude is not always bad when we have perspective. Allow your tears of mourning to become tears of joy and the aches of your heart to become rays of sunshine overflowing into the lives of others as you walk in midst of the Most Holy One. In that they will see that God is more than able to provide. (Jehovah- Jireh) Be patient in all things and wait on the Lord.
Blessings, love and prayers to you all in Christ Jesus,
Terra
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This was beautiful Terra! Thank you for sharing your heart.
Thanks T! It was emotional but I was happy to share. God is wonderful! Bless you sis!
Seeking His presence and enjoying the presents.Terra, whenever I stop by your blog I love being in this room… definitely visiting your mansion in Heaven!
Amen! Seeking and enjoying both… Yes Lord!
I love the room too! The jewel tone colors are warm and inviting. C’mon in and have a cup of tea with me and lets chat a while! I look forward to seeing you in my mansion in heaven.
So glad that you have enjoyed my blog. It’s all about my love and obedience to and for The Lord!
Wonderful wisdom and reminders of what matters most…being close to God’s heart. Blessings. Thank you.
You said it well Susan. It’s about being close to His heart. Amen. I am so thankful for the wisdom He has given. Nothing I have is my own. Glory to His name! Thank you sister for blessing my heart as you always do.
I never expect much in a tangible way except safety for family. Just pray for strength and understanding. But re that “the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away” thing. Do you think it might be possible to make an agreement with God that he does not have to giveth me anything? I’ll getteth my own stuff, just don’t taketh it away.
Hello Carl,
It is understandable to pray for the safety of family as well as asking for strength and understanding. I do the same. I do know that the Lord gives and takes away. I honestly would not want thoughts or words to go forth from my mouth asking God through an agreement to not give me anything so that I can “get my own stuff ” because He is GOD and He is the Creator of all things and I am mere dust that He gave life to. Nothing we have or get is truly our own because He gave it to us whether we wanted it or not. We deserve nothing yet He gives even to those who do not receive or acknowledge Him. His mercies are anew and His grace is abundant. To give me life, to breathe daily into my flesh, to love me unconditionally, to place His One and only Son upon the cross for my sins to make a way for us to be in union with Him on earth as well as our eternal home in heaven… I could not ask for nothing greater because tangible stuff comes and goes in a blink of an eye. May we not be deceived by our thoughts and understanding of what we perceive to be possible truths for things we want to gain without Him taking them away. It’s a snare in the waiting.
What joy you bring to my heart when you share yours. I know how bountiful your solitude with the Father must have been. I love those rare moments when I get away with the Father and I feel in His presence and it’s just me and Him. I also love the passage from Luke you use. I memorized that years ago and it has been a pillar of my own faith for years. Not saying I always do it, but I feel I’m in his presence when I read it or meditate on it. I am so blessed by your words and have missed your heart. However, I am so grateful that God’s presence has been His present to you. What a wonderful gift. Solitude and His presence. My wife and I read Jesus Calling and we noted that on almost every page Jesus beckons us into His presence with every message. What a wonderful place to be. God bless you and may God continue to give you the gift of His felt presence and solitude. Wonderful to hear from you. In His Love, Steven
My my my….. how wonderful it is to be a friend and sister of yours Steven. You flood my heart with emotions of love and gratitude. I become overwhelmed with joy and smiles and I am humbled. Your friendship, words of encouragement are always uplifting to me and for me. I give myself away to you all pouring out as I only know how to do never really expecting such a pour back. We bless each other so it all works for the good! Praise God!
I looked up the book that you and your wife read. I plan to get it and read it. Thank you for sharing that with me. It sounds very inspiring.
It has been good to be away in solitude with The Lord yet I have missed the company of my brothers and sisters in the process but I needed to do what was needed. I don’t regret it but I can say that it’s good to be back and to know that I have been missed!
Thank you always for being who you are and opening your heart to me!
Love your sister,
Terra
Beautiful, Terra. Thank you. His presence and His love are the greatest gift. I pray He guards us all against the temptation of seeking “things” instead of Him.
Thank you Natalie. God has been so good to us. I pray He keeps guard over us and we remember to give thanks for all He has done and will do. His Presence is everything and we need it daily. What a friend is He. Faithful for eternity.
Love and blessings to you dear sister! Hugs!!
This post is wonderful! Wanting more of Jesus (becoming the person God wants us to be) is the “one true Gospel”. Wanting more of what God can give us materially is a perverted Gospel we are seeing. I thank our Father and the Lord Jesus for you sharing the truth with us Terra.
Be blessed
Stephanie
Your sweet words of truth is powerful Stephanie. Such truth you have spoken! Thank you! It is good to hear from you. I appreciate you reading the post and sharing your heart. Glad you liked it. I seek to do what God had me to do. Blessings come back to me though you and those who pour back into me. It is well in my soul. I thank you for it!
Love you much in The Lord,
Terra
very great post Terra! Very powerful…
Thank you Walter! It is The Lord indeed working through me!
Beautiful post, ty for sharing! God Bless 🙂
Thank you much! You are most welcome. God bless you too!
Blessings, Terra! Good to see you posting again. 🙂
Blessings to you too Patti! Thank you dear!
It’s a good reminder to all of us.. Thank you for this 🙂
You are welcome. God bless!
Beautiful. And I love your photographs!!! Blessings Terra!
Thank you about both! I appreciate it. Blessings to you too!
Lovely Terra! I want more of God’s PRESENCE in my life. I want the Holy Spirit to lead my life… Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Amen Edith! Glad you liked the post. Blessings to you always!
Thanks for writing that post Terra…..It’s always good for us to take stock to see whether we are seeking God’s presents or presence…..I thank God for His presents, but need and seek His presence; can’t live this life without Him…..love your pics and slideshow; looking at them made me feel as if I was right there watching the ducks with you….:)……blessings!…Kim
Amen! You are welcome for the post. God truly enlightens me to share with others…. and I am so glad about. Blessed indeed and delighted to share with all. He’s a Wonderful Counselor! Hallelujah!! So glad you enjoyed the pictures as well! It was quite a show as they ( the ducks ) do what they naturally do!
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