Food for thought

" He that believeth in Me...out of him shall flow..." John 7:38

The Sacrament of Sacrifice
Are we ready to be poured out at any moment ? If we believe in Christ we must be still and learn to listen . Just this weekend I was brought spiritually aware if I'm going to walk with Christ, I must always be listening. We get into our daily routines and our to do list and for many of us and this is when subconsciously we turn off our listening ears and jump into the drivers seat. I was getting ready for church on Sunday, in a hurry as usual when the Holy Spirit's nudging was so evident that I just stopped what I was doing and listened. Yes my blood pressure was up and stress had escalated ; I did not want to be late! There were several things I felt a need to do and they were all for people I love and I didn't see how I would accomplish it all. I had spent a wonderful time just before with my Father in quiet time,and now He wanted to know why I was letting go of His peace ? Did I want to be in church ? yes. Did I want to keep my promises to loved ones ? yes ; but how would I ever be able to do this without losing the peace of my Fathers presence. I some what sad and bewildered knew the truth. Jesus would love those in front of Him, for He was never in a hurry and was always about His Fathers business. For me it was a six year old neighbor up the street and my son home from college . I walked in the kitchen hardly believing my own ears and said to my husband , " honey I won't be going to church today, instead I know for this day God has given me the peace to walk with Him even though my common sense side says,You should be in church! My spiritual sense told me "my peace I leave with you."
Going to church is an awesome privilege to be in a family of believers ,to serve, and to be fed.I am thankful to have that and the freedom to go. God let me see where I had become legalistic , church was not just a privilege but also a duty . My duty , my all in all is to Christ alone. I often have the joy of serving Him in and through the church but am I willing to listen if He has somewhere else for me to be? I must desire to hear more than anything His will or I can not be His hands and feet. When we assume we must do this that is when as Christians we have turned off our ears and entered into legalism. When we hear we must be obedient , knowing many will not understand. Our joy however remains full because our focus is on Jesus and not what others think. "It is time now to break the life , to cease craving for satisfaction and to spill the thing out. Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him ?" Oswald Chambers

Lord I pray that you would give us ears to hear, so we may pour out rivers of living water and your peace and joy may remain full in us so others may see You. In your son's Jesus name amen. Love to all in Christ Jesus C:)