When The Heart

"When the heart of man touches the heart of God, miracles happen!" Chet Murrell

That quote from my pastor is what came to mind this morning when I read the following verse:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Do you hear what God is saying through Jeremiah? Do you hear His heart? 

He sounds so much like the parents I hear everyday, mourning their children of whom they have little or no contact! The anguish they feel; the isolation; the aloneness! The promise unrealized. We love our children and after raising them, we anticipate sharing their success in adulthood, in fellowship. However, often that companionship is unknown. The kids are busy, living the life we helped them make. They might call. We hope for get-togethers on special occasions. Sometimes they occur; sometimes not. We hope for a phone call. A visit. We get them, when there is a need, but occasionally "just because" would be nice.

Do you hear it in the above verse? God's heart for His wayward children? His longing for fellowship? His love and desire to commune with those He created? We are so busy; we give Him so little. Oh, we offer a prayer in crisis, but to just set aside time, "just because" . . . 

Our relationships with our kids - 

a reflection of our relationship with God?

Unlike most parents, God allows us to go our own way! To fall down and learn from our mistakes, if we wish. However, most of the time we insist on making the same mistakes over and over. He's there when we call to Him! But He allows us to grow and encourages us to mature, so we will realize that His ways are the best for us! 

In contrast we often enable our children, in their rebellion and keep them dependent on us, because of our need. Not letting them go. That is our rebellion against God! For we make them to be idols and seek love to meet our needs that our children are unable to provide! This is love twisted, and it is prevalent in the world! In fact, the world ONLY knows twisted love. It's basis for love is "self";  what's in it for "me!"

Because we, have not repented of our idolatry, God allows the trials and storms of our captivity to escalate to the point we will call out to Him! He, ever the loving Father, is there listening for the broken hearted cry, of His child finally turning to Him in submission; so that He can establish the relationship we have avoided!

When will we realize our happiness only comes from obedience to our Father/Creator's commandments, and He allows our waywardness till we come to the end of ourselves? Then we find Him!

Why do we have to end up broken before we find Him? Why so much pain and suffering before we turn? Because there can be only One God, and we are not Him! As long as we vie for control, He is not our LORD.  

If you are tired and battle weary, get off the throne and let Him take His rightful place!

Let your heart, touch His heart and see the miracle occur; new life, joy unspeakable, peace that passes all understanding in the midst of life's storms; fellowship with The Lover of Your soul; the very One Who gave His life for you! What a Miracle!

You want a purpose for your empty life? Make Him your Principal Purpose! Then and only then will you know why you are here! He has work for His servants, and it's time to get busy!

Repent while there is still time!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From: 3/9/16