Marinate in the Word….

I am just in from spending time in the mountains with my hubby and bestfriend of 42 years. We really enjoy our children and our grandchildren and all our family, but to get away even for 24 hours like we do every 2 or 3 weeks is precious. We talk about things that there’s no time to discuss every night when we are tired after the day. Like most Americans, we spend time in front of the tv each night, and we calm down in order to sleep.

There’s only the 2 of us now, and we are very thankful that we have made to effort to be friends. After all these years, if we weren’t — if we didn’t like to do things together — that would be so sad. We know each other well, often anticipating the next move or conversation…we’re a good team. Discussing children, and grandchildren, and finances, and food, and whatever — sometimes both of us having to compromise to do that.

My husband and I are in relationship. We care about each other. He is very protective, to the point that I have missed his meaning at times and just thought he was being bossy. I didn’t want him to sound like my Dad. My mistake. As I look back at all the times, my submitting, even kicking and screaming, was always the right way to go…I did not want to give in…I thought my idea was just as good as his… but when I did, things turned out right.

I’ve always been able to count on my husband. I have sometimes thought he could work a little less and be with me a little more, or I’ve thought he could be romantic and send flowers or a card more often. However, this man has provided for me and my children all these years. Faithful to me! I have confidence in him, and I believe that he has that in me and considers me faithful.

Tonight, at 7:35 pm eastern standard time, in Georgia, in the US, I am comparing my marriage to my walk with the Lord. I used to see Him as way up in heaven, and I spoke elegantly to Him — Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father! Then, I heard, a prayer one day that caused my hairs to stand on end, when the young woman said, “Father, God,” and I knew that her Father filled my mother’s living room.

As the years have gone by, I can say with confidence, that He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. That’s no longer just a song I sang as a little girl. That is an anthem in my heart! My 5 minutes…or 10 min…or 20 min. a day has grown. Now, I don’t have quiet time, where I silently pray or Bible Study time where I just read the Word. All that has become one continuous walk. I spend 1 1/2 hours as I awaken with sisters in Christ, praying aloud…proclaiming God’s Word about all that He has told me to pray — all that concerns me — every area of my life.

When I leave that place each morning, I have marinated in the Word. So different than reading the Word and praying my words. My desire to love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind and my neighbor as myself — thus fulfilling the law — thus obeying the 10 commandments — and that is according to the Lord Jesus, Himself — has been accomplished! Glory to God!

As I go through the day, caring for my granddaughter, paying bills, grocery shopping, ministering on our website and our fb page, or talking on the phone, I respond differently than I did. You can’t marinate in God’s Word…You can’t remain in or abide in the Secret Place of the Most High and not see a change in yourself and your circumstances…causing change in those around you and their circumstances. It is infectious — contagious — to proclaim the Word all the time.

This intimacy I share with my Lord is much like that with my husband. I can count on Jesus. He never fails me. He knows me as I am and He loves me anyway. I love Him as He is and I love Him anyway. I hear people say, “I don’t want a God that will send anyone to hell.” Or, “What about all the starving children? Or the earthquakes, tornadoes, and psunamis?” Well, I can only speak of what I know! My god is good all the time. He sends no one to hell…we choose life or death…it is a choice! We are not promised tomorrow. We can only count on today. Today is the day of salvation. If we’re saved, we’re safe, and death is only a door away. Perfect love has cast out all fear!

I implore you to marinate in the Word! Come on in…it is wonderful!!!! 🙂

Love in Jesus’ Name,

Teddi