Welcome, dear friends and family, and all those who might happen to stumble upon my blog. I can say with all that I have in my heart, I am happy you are here. As always.

The words I speak are from the depths of my heart in Christ.

Here are two important points to keep in mind with today's writing:

1. You will always be found by the Holy Spirit.

2. My search for God is to be based on His will, not my own.

Throughout the year, there are varying times that I struggle with emotions.

Anyone? I see you.

There can be obstacles in the second point above. More about that shortly.

Emotional management is a challenging skill to learn as well as practice for personal growth and application. In my seasons of life, following my surrender, intention is there. I believe that this is a promising first step of many in walking in faith and following Jesus. My prayer life, reading, and study of The Word are all ways I seek and absorb the Lord's guidance. Among the things that are visible, there is always one that stands out. It is the human condition.

Jesus was the best person to know, right?

Feelings that are framed by God are inherently different. Jesus calls us to live differently. If I have absorbed anything, this is one compelling element of my thoughts that has imprinted my heart and mindset.

The word inherent is the best word to describe the meaning behind it.

Let's look:

Defining: in a permanent, essential, or characteristic way. Built-in, deeply rooted and seated, fundamental and integral.

The ingrained understanding that I have come to gain in the past five years is the way God wants me to live this life is pointless without Him. There is nothing good about my way of doing things.

Despite all the messiness, brokenness, sorrow, and pain, I only know one way to provide abundance.

Consequently, reading this passage in the bible provides an entirely new perspective as when I read it formerly. In John 14:6, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

To me, what had been so difficult for me for so many years has finally reached a point of ease as a result of being connected to God the Father and the Holy Spirit through Jesus. My understanding was disconnected. In my case, I asked Jesus to enter my heart when I was twelve years old, so it takes more on my end. Now I get it. Oh okay, so I get this at 47 years of living on this earth. :) Even with this timeline, God does tell me and you not to look at it in a dim light. So, if you are there. It is good. It is really good. God so generously knows when everything will take place. Being impatient in the process at my age can be typical. It's so wonderful to trust His Word regardless of my age. This means that I am His Child. Have you ever gotten into a conversation with anyone (of course you have :o) that you might refer to being a kiddo or child again? I always had said, "Lord no, I never want to go back?" I now find this to be untrue in my relationship with God. I accept Your offer with gratitude and thank you.

Every time, it is the Holy Spirit who finds you, sees you, and hears you. My first point is to emphasize that our emotions can be manipulated without our consent. Or can come like a thorn out of nowhere. It doesn't matter what the situation is, whether it is a date that is just around the corner that your heart breaks each year, a lingering memory from the past, pain that comes up, or whatever else it might be. Emotions influence me in ways that aren't good, there are times they've been detrimental to my life. If any are currently walking in the desert. (If so, read John 7:37-39 and remember it in your heart.) God gave us the Holy Spirit to be our comfort and walk us through the hard stuff. This is an opportunity not to be missed.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26)

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

My search for God is to be based on His will, not my own. Implicitly, our will is all over the place. Agree?

Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. (1 Chronicles 22:19)

Obstacles

Conscious choice

Some words from John Piper, that I had to share with you:

"This setting of the mind is the opposite of coasting mentally. It is a conscious choice to direct the heart toward God. This is what Paul prays for the church: “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5). It is a conscious effort on our part."

Everything is yours to choose.

In my experiences, I am increasingly attentive in staying away from what offends me and blurs my perceptions. Yes, I know, not an easy task. His presence is my longing and makes my soul content, even so much more than I can understand but this clears my decision. Taking the high road definitely has its merits here, huh? In order to see God, I must move away from all these things and go around to see Him in all my situations. It might help you to keep this in mind as you seek Him further.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. (Psalms 34:10)

Seeking involves calling and imploring.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. (Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭4)‬ ‭

“One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple” (Psalm 27:4)

But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay. (Psalms 70:5)

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. (1 Chronicles 16:10)

The importance of humility

In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. (Psalms 10:4)

Another obstacle is the pride within me. All of us may be affected by this in different ways. I look at it this way. Some may not have this view, some may see my reasoning. I am a child of God. What He says is the truth. If I continue to harbor pride, (too many scenarios to write :o) initially, I know it does not please my Father. Secondly, it does not bode well in any relationship I have. It does me, my life, the people whom God wishes for me to have in my life, and the ones he gifted me, no good. When God made us, it was very good. That is all He wants for us is goodness and to love Him as he loves us.

those who have turned back from following the Lord, who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him. (Zephaniah 1:6)

Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility, (Zephaniah 2:3)

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)

Psalm 105:4, says, Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. (Psalm 105:4)

God Himself is our greatest reward.

My Lord,

Thank you for being a good, good Father, and giving us Your Son. Thank you to the Holy Spirit who comforts us and tells us what You want us to hear and see. We know what truth You tell, let us believe it and honor You in Jesus' Name. Trusting You in all life's stumbling blocks, and obeying what You know will grant us favor and Your beautiful peace as we continue to seek Your face and welcome Your love so it will fall to others in need.

In the Love of Christ,

Your sister,

Kristie