As The Deer Pants For The Water . . .

We serve a loving God and on any given day He knows and understands, EXACTLY, where you are at, even better than you do! He knows what you need and He will meet you where you are. We, often are under the belief that we have to get it altogether to come to God and that's where we missed all of what God's come to do.
God has come to save sinners, He's come to die for our sins and to give us freedom, not make us slaves to a bunch of dos and don'ts. Just like we have rules for our children, that aren't meant to be a burden for them, but to be beneficial to them; God's truths were given to us to set us free, not to take away freedom! They were given out of love, just like the rules we've set for our children~to help them.
I don't know where you are today, whether you are hurting or elated; whether you are facing something overwhelming or are feeling, completely, blessed! Maybe, you are facing the fears of the future or maybe, you are, completely, and totally confident you are held in the palm of God's hand! But know this, God knows! And He's ready to meet you today, right where you're at, whether you are coming to Him elated and praising Him for great blessings or whether you are coming to Him with a heavy heart and fear ~ the important thing is to come! He longs to hear your praises, He longs to carry your burdens and be an ever PRESENT help in your troubles. Be truthful with the Lord about where you are today, talk to Him like you would a best friend.

Psalm 119:28-32 says,
"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands for you have set my heart free."

Psalm 119:45 says,
"I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts."

If you are struggling to read His Word, tell Him, be honest, and ask Him to give you a passion for His Word, to show you the treasures hidden in it's pages. He will!

Psalm 119:18 says,
"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." (Ask)

John 14:21 says,
"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father and I too will love him and show myself to him."

Ask God to show you Himself today! To show you Himself in His Word! He came that we might have fellowship with Him, will He not show you how to have a deepened relationship with Him if you ask? ASK! You are only asking what God already desires!

I'm grateful that God loves me unconditionally. He knows my heart, He knows as  I do, that I don't have it all together, but He also knows I desire to obey Him, will He not help me when I stumble? Sure He will! He will reach out to help us up, to strengthen and He will draw us near. We are as close to God as we want to be! How close do you want to be?

Ask God to give you understanding of His Word. What we have understanding of, we are more likely to carry through with. With our children, we explain why they shouldn't step out into the road without looking or why they must hold our hand. It gives them a deeper understanding and because we love them so much, we try to warn them about on coming cars, to impress them with the importance of following these rules to keep them safe.

Psalm 119:34 says,
"Give me understanding and I will keep yor law and obey it with all my heart."

Psalm 119:2 says,
"Blessed (happy) are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart."

God has your best interest at heart, my friend. Put Him first today, spend time pouring over His Word and seeking it's treasures. Ask God to give you a passion for His presence, a longing to be with Him. He will hear your request, will He not answer, what He already seeks? He's seeking you!

Psalm 42:1-2 says,
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go meet with God?" (He's looking for those who seek Him)

Pour over the Psalms, my friend, especially, those written by David. Hear the intimacy and be comforted that God can be known by you! Seek Him with all of your heart, He promises to be found by you!

Make God your stronghold, your fortress!

Psalm 27:1-2 says,
"The Lord is my light, my salvation~whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life~ of whom shall I be afraid?"

I'm excited for you to know the God I love so deeply! I want you to know how much He cherishes you and loves you, even when you aren't being faithful, He is! Seek Him, my friend, search for the treasures hidden in His Word! He wants them to be found by you! I'm praying that you will come to know Him more deeply! Have a great day!