Pack Your Bags!

Welcome to 2015 and Welcome to our new blog.  We are glad you stopped by and hope you are ready for the journey!  Each day, as you open up the new post, you will be given a passage of Scripture to read.  Remember, this is an endeavor to get to know God, so it is important for us to read what He wants us to know about Himself.  

We will take turns posting each day, and since age comes before beauty, Mom (Sharon) will take the first post. It's okay, you can laugh, Lord knows we do.  

Since this is a year long road trip, we are going to give you Saturday and Sunday for your own private weekend get aways with the Lord.  We will post Scripture for those two days so that you can read for your own personal time or add to whatever study you may be doing.

Feel free to share with us anything that the Lord helps you with along the way.  We would love to hear from you. 

Okay, are you ready?  Let's go!  

Pack Your Bags!  by Sharon Loyd (a.k.a. Mom)

Read II Chronicles 6: 2, 21, 30-42. 

Psalm 91:1 & 2 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:  my God; in him will I trust.”

Your bags are packed and our journey begins. In order to receive all that the Lord has for us this coming year, we must begin in His Dwelling Place!

I Kings 8:49 reaffirms God’s dwelling place as Heaven, “Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause.” 

We can’t travel up to Heaven (yet), but God is with us through Jesus Christ His Son, our Savior. The Holy Spirit of the Living God resides in those who have received Him as Savior. So, how is your soul doing? I’m sure after cleaning your house, mowing the grass, changing the diapers….no wait, we just throw them away…..and checking the pantry with menu in hand, you are worn down and it doesn't seem you are anywhere NEAR the Lord, or care where He dwells.  You just want to put your feet up before you have to load the washer again.  Am I right?  Our bodies definitely require a comfortable dwelling place.  

But you know what?  Our souls need a comfortable dwelling place even more than our bodies. This inward comfort, as you well know, is of far greater importance than the outward.  The inward, your soul and my soul, can be full of peace, joy and rest.  God tells us so.  And if we want to get to know Him better, we are going to have to realize that it requires 

something from us.  There isn't a magic dust we can sprinkle!

 (I know, what a real downer!  That would be so easy!) 

Now, imagine we are pulling up to Starbucks, or your favorite coffee shop. While you take a quick break, read more about this “Dwelling Place of God” in II Chronicles 6: 2, 21, 30-42. 

This part of our trip will require two things:

1. We must dwell in Him if we want to claim the promises He gives when we do surrender to Him this year!  

2. We must commit to Him. Release yourself from the worry of what surrounds you. This will be impossible if you do not trust in HIS DWELLING PLACE.

These are two simple thoughts for you to take with you on this first day of the New Year:  

Dwell and Commit. 

Dwell on God and in God by reading and obeying the Truth that is His Word.  He has the welcome mat out and the door open.  He is inviting you to get to know Him. 

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:  and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Commit to the fact that God wants you to know Him.  He wants to be that safe Dwelling Place for you, no matter what kind of baggage you are bringing with you.  But you have to be willing to commit to what He tells you to do.  Are you?

Keep your bags packed as we travel together and enter into God’s Dwelling Place. The load will become lighter, I promise!  Just remember, dwell and commit.  You aren't alone on this trip.

Tomorrow we are going to look at the map and find out just where we are, so come back!

- Sharon