2.25.08 Calm Delight

2Pe 3:13  But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2Pe 3:14  Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

This winter has been a season where I have seen first hand the blemishes of my nature. In seeing these things the need for God has in my life has been amplified. When I am in this season it is so easy to get complacent  or to think that since I cant feel the Lord like I used to that I am doing something wrong. Just like a tree in the winter loses its leaves you see the naked tree and all its blemishes. Now instead of producing leaves all the energy the tree has goes to the root of tree. This time is so important because the roots are being strengthened. So in this winter season may all the energy be focused on the inner man, the purity of character. At these times 2 thing can happen. One you stay with the Lord and get stronger or two you disconnect and go farther away from the Lord. So in this season let the roots go deeper than they ever have before. His strength produces Joy. One definition for Joy is Calm Delight. May that calm delight be the fruit of your life-

Neh 8:10b for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
To you I give my life, not just the parts I want to
To you I sacrifice these dreams that I hold on to

Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
This is no sacrifice
Here’s my life

To you I give the gifts
Your love has given me
How can I hoard the treasures that you’ve designed for free?

To you I give my future
As long as it may last
To you I give my present
To you I give my past

Because

Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is staronger than mine
This is no sacrifice
Here’s my life