Will his love change me?



Today I have monthly maintenance - hair maintenance that is.  ;-)

It's a day I look forward to each month!  Not just to be pampered, but because my hairdresser has become a dear friend over the years.

Tracey and I have been together through heartaches and joys.

Our favorite thing to do together is LAUGH!  Inevitably, every visit, we both end up laughing so hard our stomach's hurt.

We are similar in a lot of ways too.  One such way is our overwhelming need to eat when we are hungry.  I understand this about her and she understands this about me.  lol.

We share with each other stories of our Faith, encouraging one another.

I also always get excited about having a fresh cut and color.  I like to change things up often, so I am always pouring over Pinterest to get ideas, and inevitably, I explain, as feebly as I can, the desired look I am going for, and Tracey listens attentively and always produces exactly what I tried to convey.

I think you would all agree that when you go to the hairdresser, you have a desire, expectation and even excitement about your fresh cut and/or color, knowing that you will leave the hairdresser changed, and feeling good about your new cut and/or color.

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How often do we come into God's presence with a desire and expectation to be changed as a result?

I confess that I don't...

I am a checklist kind of person.  Whether it be for a vacation packing list or mentally ticking off things I've already accomplished in a day.  This seems to carry over into my Bible reading...

Currently, I am using my time in the Word to ask the Holy Spirit to lead me in prayer while I read the Scriptures.  I then record those prayers in a notebook.  It has been fascinating to see how much He is showing me the areas I need to work on spiritually.

You might say, well that sounds like you are coming to the Word expecting to be changed.  But sadly, I am not, as those thoughts aren't even occurring to me.   Because I am writing out my prayer, I am focusing on writing instead of spending time in deep groaning prayer, beseeching the Lord to change me.  A beseeching that would show evidence of a desire and expectation.

The Christian life truly is a learning process.  What works for others may not work for you OR may be a spiritual discipline to be developed.

It's almost as if we need to have an understanding of our learning style and how God has mentally wired us.

And Who knows best what our learning style is and how we are mentally wired?  Our Great God and Maker.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
Psalm 139:13

We go to the hairdresser with a desire for a change and expect that we will leave with a whole new look.

How much more should we come to our Heavenly Father with a desire to be changed into the likeness of Christ and the expectation that He will!

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled
 to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:19

His Love can fill us to overflowing with the fullness of God, changing our behaviors and attitudes to be like Him.

He is our Friend...

We can look forward to our time with Him with the clear expectation that He sympathizes with our weaknesses and rejoices over us in full Joy; weeping with us and laughing with us...

He listens to us attentively and understands our thoughts before we think them and knows our words before we speak them.  When we share our desire with Him to be transformed through the renewing of our minds and expect that He will transform us, He most assuredly will...

Jesus is our Great Encourager.   Come into His presence expecting to be filled up with Loving encouragement...

Our Heavenly Father understands our true hunger and need for His Word, manna from Heaven.  He is always ready to fill us with the fullness of God through His Wonderful Words of Life; Words that reiterate over and over His great Love for us...  We need only come to the supper table with desire and expectation... Desire and expectation born out of the knowledge that we are loved and that His Love will change us...

How many of us  truly  comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth of His Love.

I believe that obedience is spurred on by love.  You see it between husbands and wives, and between children and parents.  When we are encouraged in loving ways and feel that unconditional love, we naturally choose to obey.

But too often, I don't think that we, as believers, always truly comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth of the Father's Love, and as a result, hinders Christ-like change in us.

To truly know someone and to understand and feel their love, you would have spent lots of time with them.

Could it be that because we don't spend a lot of time with our Heavenly Father that is what prevents us from feeling and understanding His great love for us, and for allowing that great Love to change us?


Let us seek our Heavenly Father throughout the day with our whole heart, soul and minds, in prayer, the Word, memorization of Scripture, and putting feet to our Faith.

Let us allow ourselves to be Loved by Him.

Let us come to Him with the desire to be changed and the expectation that He will.

Let us walk out from His presence, with a fresh, changed look, so that all will know that we have been with Him, and are eternally Loved by Him.


You might find me on these link-ups:
Grace & Truth Link-upWoman to Woman Ministries,  Growing in Grace Link-up, 3DLessonsLif4eInspire Me Monday Titus 2 TuesdayA Wise Women Builds Her HomeA Look at the Book,  Sunday StillnessThe Weekend BrewSpiritual Sundays, Soul Survival,  Give Me GraceA Little R&RTestimony TuesdayWomen with Intention WednesdaysStill SaturdayGood Morning MondaysTell His StoryFaith & Fellowship Blog HopMotivate and Rejuvenate MondaysBe SaltyMonday's MusingsThe Art of Home-Making MondayTuesday TalkWaiting on Wednesday, Reflect His Love and Glory  Words of Comfort Link-upWholehearted WednesdaysTell it to Me TuesdayFaithful at Home Fridays, Faith 'N FriendsTGI SaturdaysSitting Among Friends Encourage Me Monday Words with Winter Essential FridaysSo Much at Home Family, Friendship & Faith House to Home Intentional Tuesday ,Wonderful Wednesday , Monday of Many BlessingsLiteracy Musings Mondays,Imparting GraceSHINE Blog Hop Dance with JesusGive Me GraceBooknificent Thursdays UNITE Cozy Reading SpotMaking Your Home Sing Monday Social Butterfly Sundays  Let Us Grow Small Wonder Link-up Winsome Wednesday Growing in Grace Thursday After My CoffeeRewind Friday Fresh Market Friday

Comments

  1. Let us come to Him with the desire to be changed and the expectation that He will. Yes, yes, yes. I teach a bible study every week and that is the theme of our study...expectation, expecting God to be true to His Word and for us to be faithful to what He shows us. Great post, chucked full of timeless truth.

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    1. Betty,

      Thank you so much for joining in the conversation and sharing about your Bible Study content. I'm sure it is so encouraging!

      And thank you for encouraging me with your kind words!

      Delete
  2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  3. "...filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Oh, that I would be steady and ready to be filled each and every moment of the day. I want to grow to be more and more like Christ. I must do my part and you have given me much to think about as to what that exactly means. Thank you so much. This is a fine post.

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    1. Amen!

      Thank you for your kind words of encouragement.

      Delete
  4. It's true. We want God's help, as long as we can keep doing things our way, right? Oh for His grace to actually WANT to change into His image!

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    1. Carol,

      Amen! Sadly, that is so true. Thank you so much for adding that insight here! :-)

      Blessings,

      Delete
  5. It is so true. We can approach God sometimes not even realizing it like it is a checklist instead of time with him. Yesterday the sermon was life altering. The pastor said, don't leave at the end, use the song as a time of reflection and listen to God. I did and I was almost in tears. It was amazing.

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    1. Amanda, Thank you so much for sharing in the conversation.

      What a wonderful idea your Pastor suggested. I read a blog post about how we can imprint positivity into our thought process by meditating on something for 15 seconds. How much more should we stop and truly soak in a sermon, our Bible reading, a meaningful blog post.

      Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.

      Delete
  6. I LOVE this post, sweet friend. It made me think of the disciples and how, even though they were described as uneducated men, others could perceive that they had been with Jesus! Oh, that just blesses me each time I read it! I LONG for this to be true in my life. Just as your physical appearance can only be changed by entering your hairdresser's salon and spending time with her and allowing her to change you, we can only be changed by our dear Savior by entering into His presence and lingering there as He changes us from the inside. Oh, I do love Him, and I love you, dear Karen, and so appreciate your heart for God and the consistent encouragement you are to me! Thank you!

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    1. Cheryl, Your words always means so much to me, and your comments always enrich my blog posts. Thank you dear friend.

      Your love for our Lord is evident through and through. You are a beautiful mentor!

      Blessings to you sweet friend.

      Delete
  7. Intrigued by your thoughts on the melding of Scripture and prayer, partly because I'm reading a book by Jen Wilkins, and partly because I'm finding that the two are so enriching taken together. Thank you.

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    1. Michele,

      I love when the Lord works a lesson and weaves it together in several aspects of our lives.

      Thanks for sharing that here. :-)

      Delete
  8. Yes, may we come to Him with expectancy and wonder and gratefulness because of all He's done for us. May we listen and be changed as we read and meditate on His word. Thank you for this very thoughtful post, Karen! I'm your neighbor at #TestimonyTuesday. Blessings to you!

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    1. Gayl, Amen!

      You are very welcome.

      I have been blessed by your visit! :-)

      Delete
  9. Thanks for sharing, I always enjoy seeing what other people are praying about!

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    1. Gabrielle, You are very welcome!

      Thank you so much for visiting!

      Delete
  10. Karen,
    Inspired to enter His presence and expect transformation! Thank you for these words today. You definitely blessed me!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

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    1. Lori,

      Praising God for using my humble blog to bless you.

      Happy 4th!

      Delete
  11. This is a beautiful message to bring and reflect on for the weekend. May we always enter His presence in grace and leave to share the grace we received to others.

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    1. Lux, Thank you so much for your kind words!

      Amen!

      Thanks so much for stopping by. Your visits are always a blessing!

      Delete
  12. Such a great message of how precious all of our time spent with God is. Love the concept of eagerly expecting this time and all the shaping and molding He has waiting for us. Now I need to make an appointment with my hairdresser also:) I'd love for you to share your intentional heart and passion for God on Fresh Market Friday. It's a perfect fit!

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    1. Crystal, Thank you so much for leaving such kind words and for inviting me to your blog hop.

      I visited your lovely blog. I LOVED the peaceful music. I look forward to being part of the Fresh Market Friday fellowship. :-)

      Delete
  13. Hi Karen,

    I found you through the Family, Friendship and Faith Friday's link up, and so glad I did. I so enjoyed reading your encouraging post. Yes, a desire to be changed - oh yes Lord!
    God bless
    Anita

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    Replies
    1. Anita, And I'm so glad you did! :-)

      Praising God that you found encouragement through this post.

      Amen!

      Blessings to you.

      Delete
  14. Spending time with Him in both reading and prayer does help us see His great love for us! I think it's human nature to make God like us... when that is the thing we should never do. God is bigger than we could ever think or imagine and we can never put Him in a box!

    Thank you for your kind comment over on my blog. I replied but just in case wanted to leave it here in case you missed it. :)

    "You just don’t know how encouraging YOUR comment has been to me Karen and I am so grateful you stopped by and took the time! Much love and hugs to you my friend."

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    1. Lil,

      Thank you so much for sharing your heart here in the comments. I appreciate it!

      And thank you for sharing your reply to my comment. For some reason I hadn't been notified of it and very much appreciate your writing it here. I'm so glad that I was able to be an encouragement.

      Blessings to you friend. :-)

      Delete
  15. I desire that my heart carries an attitude of expectation every time I meet with the Lord. I know that I must come empty so that He can fill me. Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart at the Let Us Grow link up!

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    1. Barbie,

      You are very welcome! I enjoy the fellowship at Let Us Grow! :-)

      Delete
  16. I love using God's word in my prayers! And my hairdresser is also a very good friend of mine! Thanks for sharing on Grace and Truth.

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    1. Aimee, Thank you so much for sharing here in the comments. We have a lot in common! :-)

      You are welcome!

      Blessings.

      Delete

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