today's choice " "

"Let a man become convinced that nothin can harm him and instantly for him all fear goes out of the universe. The nervous reflex, the natural revulsion to physical pain may be felt sometimes, but the deep torment of fear is gone forever. God is love and God is sovereign. His love disposes Him to desire our everlasting welfare and His sovereignty enables Him to secure it. Nothing can hurt a good man." ~A.W. Tozer

Bible be

I was thinking it is not enough for those around me to hear me say a verse...people reference the Bible all the time. That's good, and the Bible works of its own accord. I was thinking I need to be versed, that is, know what and why I believe it...then trust that decision. But not only must those things be hidden in the heart, those things must be seen, responded to. (responding is the trusting.) I need to be verse. …and that is telling the truth, talking about it, meditating on it, following it, doing it. Bible be me.

So, for example, when the Lord says to Israel, his chosen people, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” (Isa. 46:10) I read that as, the God beyond time, time I sit and wake and work and feel in, that God will make known something I can’t see. Probably many things. I will and I am realizing a few right now. God knows a lot of chronologies too: families, people groups, cities and nations, orphans and saints, revolutions, scientific advances, and complete desolation, famine, genocide, epidemic disease. He has some purpose and no one can keep him from doing it. …if we’re honest most of us don’t know what God is doing most of the time. But then again, it’s also clear that we are to ask God for wisdom, confess sin, believe, confess Jesus is God, love our neighbor, have mercy, persevere, pray because he cares, pray for the saints, imitate Christ, be salt, lay hold of the kingdom, look after orphans and widows. I think I'm part of that purpose. I'm in it. ...is it becoming me? Vayas conmigo?

Dear God

"Can I please be smart?"
"Why do you ask?"
"...because I want to be good at something."
"You think if you are smart, you will be good at something?"
"Maybe."
"Do you want all of whatever that is to come now?"
"Kinda."
"I made you smart enough. Why don't you enjoy it now?"
"I'm sorry. I'm impatient and I think I have difficulties."
"Tell me about the difficulties. I'm aware of them. Explore what interests you now. I direct men's steps. You were born into waiting for me. Do you see it? I am writing you. You aren't complete. Enjoy knowing that you won't be until I'm done, and I know exactly what you're good at. You're rather exceptional at it. Many many people, people I know all about, don't know to wait. These people go and go, hoping for the next thing. Others don't even know what's missing. Everything is there for the taking. Their lives begin and end so fast. Wait. Enjoy me."