Turn your eyes upon Jesusand thethingsof thisworld will grow strangely dim InspiredbyJohn 8:12
The meaning of Gaze is to look steadily and intently at something, especially at that which excites admiration, curiosity, or interest:
As we gazed at His beautiful words we found eighteen verses that contain the word we were so diligently searching for…
Do we gaze with our soulful eyes? Or have we become so human that our souls have lost their way ???
How can we look for something to fill the void in our lives… and still not see… How do you fall in love with someone you can not gaze upon … How does our heart yearn to be in His presence? How does our soul thirst just to hear His beautiful whispers of love…
What is this magnetic pull He has on the amazing souls that He so loving created… Do we yearn to gaze into His eyes… Will we be lost in the moment? Will our words fail, as we fall deeper into His gaze?
As we continue on this journey of life… We can only imagine…
What will that day bring? Will I be able to contain my love for Him, or will my excitement seem like that of a child? Or will my soul be so overwhelmed by His beauty that I am not able to move? Will I be mesmerized by His inviting smile…
And if He opens His arms will I melt upon the floor beneath my feet… Or Will I willingly jump into His embrace ??
There is no greater love… that will engulf all of our senses…
It’s Him, It is always Him.
For now, we can only close our eyes and dream of being drawn into His Gaze…
If we've responded to His gaze by recognizing His love and by loving Him back, then He has given us the mission of setting the world ablaze with His love.
To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.
St. Augustine of Hippo
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Proverbs 4:25-26
“And fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter. He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him, and sat down at the right side of God’s throne.”
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us.” (1 John 4:10)
The meaning of personal - of or concerning one's private life, relationships, and emotions rather than matters connected with one's public or professional career:
The word personal is referred to 121 times in the Bible.
But what does it mean? Many of us have been taught that each man, woman, and child has their own personal space. And unless you are invited in it's best you stay out or be ready to defend your position.
(it could prove to be a painful experience)
Like me many of you have heard over the years we must have a “personal relationship with Jesus” to reap the benefits of His gift of life and love. So my question becomes ... How? Why? Where? And when?
1. How - deep do you want to feel His LOVE?
2. Why - because we will never be complete without Him in our lives.
3. Where - we think of where, as a physical location! But it is a spiritual walk of the heart and soul.
4. When - I feel the sooner the better. And like many, I have had a late start but I now feel that I am in the race.
It is my belief there are degrees of a “personal relationship” with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
I can only speak of my experience.. and How my walk went from head knowledge to feeling Him stirring in my heart, to a love I carry deep within my soul. I will attempt to simplify them into Personal Phases.
Phase 1
Over my many non-religious years, I knew the story of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit it was a clinical understanding derived from Hollywood Movies. And the very occasional visit to some church for reasons other than learning about the Trinity.
I knew of Him on a superficial level.
Phase II
I had a Holy Spirit encounter that planted a desire in my heart to know more about Him.. and the chase began. He became an important player in my daily activity. I began including Him more and more each day. I spoke to Him like a friend I have had all my life and a trusting relationship began to grow as I discovered deeper details about Him.
My heart and mind began to open to the possibilities of a greater love. It's a love greater than I have ever known. I began to appreciate His beauty, His grace, and His unconditional love. And as I study Him each day, I am finding that He is teaching me more about who I truly am. He has freed my bound heart and gave me wings to fly. I say I am a work in progress. And He is not finished with me yet. Isn't it a beautiful thought that our growing our knowledge of Him will never end?
Phase III
Like any relationship the more you invest of yourself the more vulnerable you become and the deeper you let them penetrate your heart. It’s at that very moment that you realize you are free to surrender your heart and you fall in love. It's no different with God, but His love is not of this world. It's a Love greater than you have ever known. It's HIM!
It’s a spiritual love greater than we have ever experienced. It’s a deep love from our soul. It’s when God becomes as important as the air we breathe. We will find that place of intimacy in our soul. We may be moved to tears of joy. We will feel this indescribable love, consume your soul. And life will burst into a beautiful rainbow of brilliant colors.
You will find that this intimate place is reserved for a party of two you and your Creator. He knew that one day we would find Him waiting there to love you on such an amazing spiritual level. He has instilled a hunger within us from birth. To crave an intimate communion with Him that only He can satisfy.
A friend asked me today who in the Bible had an intimate relationship with God, and How did we know that they did...
I will turn to a favorite quote by Nicholas Sparks.
The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that's what you've given me. That's what I'd hoped to give you forever.
I believe that the ones we have grown to know in the Bible and in our lives have had or are in an intimate relationship with God. Are the ones that show it in their daily lives. With His strength, they forge the way for others. They openly speak of His greater love. They realize they are not perfect, but walk in His mercy and grace. Even with doubts they listen and act on His direction. They are a witness for Him by their actions and they above all share His amazing love with anyone that will listen.
I found this quote spoke to my soul many months ago.
To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement. St. Augustine of Hippo
It’s Him, it’s always Him.
The question becomes just how deep do you want your
Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.
Meaning of long-suffering having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.
This word is not a word that I wanted to research or even feel…
When we look at Galatians chapter 5 verses 22:23, we will find the “Fruit of the Spirit” listed as follows: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;.
Life has its beauty but how do we learn to appreciate the beauty? I believe we must have opposite feelings, so we have a base of comparison…
For instance, how could we recognize Joy without knowing sadness? Peace without conflict? Patience’s without impatience? kindness without unkindness ?? And the list goes on???
Strangely enough, when I looked up the opposite of long-suffering, I found the word blessed!!
But how can we find the blessing in Long Suffering? If I transpose the words they would read Suffering long!!!
No one in their right mind would want to own these words... But for this exercise, I will put my mind on hold and look at this word with my heart and soul...
How could that be a blessing?
Long-suffering is a heart-crushing feeling that leaves scars... It has no defined timeline.
But what life has taught me is Long-suffering is a great teacher!!! Those scars serve a beautiful purpose.
We live in a beautiful but challenging time. So many things to experience in one’s lifetime.
The pain and suffering are real but always remember you are not alone... He stands by our side through all our trials. He wipes every tear... And His beautiful peace will engulf your soul and joy will come in the morning...
It's Him... He is our joy, our love our peace...
However, do we even think of His suffering on the cross? Do we think of His daily suffering?
When many souls do not even acknowledge Him. (sad)
Do we not love Him as much as He loves us?? I believe It wounds His soul and breaks His beautiful heart...
How deep? How long? Will we let His Long-Suffering go on??
He had to ask Peter 3 times in order to get the true answer “ Do you love me? “
If He asks you today! Do you love me? How would you answer??
Would you hesitate or would your answer roll off your tongue like sweet honey...
Yes!! I love you. You know I love you.
I feel it is in each one’s power to lighten His long-suffering one heart at a time...
It's truly about Him! It's about loving Him with all our heart, soul, and mind...
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. “This is the first and great commandment”
This is the greatest blessing a person could ever achieve!!
After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10).
Written and Art by Lori Garner(Image Enhanced by AI)
“The only way you can reach your full potential is if you open up and allow yourself to be exposed to how you really feel.” ― Turcois Ominek
Meaning of exposed: open to view: not shielded or protected
The word exposed is in the Bible approximately 74 times
When we expose our true raw feelings to the world it can be a difficult, heartfelt task. We share and then hold our breath. We sometimes start to second guess ourselves ...
But then we ask ourselves what is our motive? Why are we opening our hearts for possible rejection, ridicule, or negative comments?
I can only speak from experience... God gave me a story to share... and not sharing His story would grieve His soul... and that would wound my heart for longer than I care to even imagine.
As I began to study this word my mind drifted to my youngest grandchild. She is such a refreshing delight... But the one thing I have discovered about children is that they do not hold back they will tell you what’s in their hearts and on their minds.. without any filter.. even if it scares, hurts, or makes you laugh... and then they let it go .. without another thought.
So what happens as adults? And why do we find it difficult to talk openly about so many subjects? Subjects like God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. This subject makes many uneasy. Or uncomfortable. Some engage willingly and it brings joy to their soul, some run. The conversation about our Creator should be as natural as enjoying a beautiful breakfast or taking a shower. But it is not. So many hide and many do not talk about the most important relationship in our lives.
The ones that bravely step out and open their hearts and souls. Take that chance, but they do feel exposed and have moments of insecurity.. they feel vulnerable.. a word I have grown to respect.
But there is a beauty in exposing one's true self if you can share the most incredible love to anyone willing to listen ... It is like taking a deep breath of fresh air into your congested lungs. Your heart becomes lighter and your soul feels freedom like never before. I find it’s much like childbirth... there are pain and suffering but when they lay that beautiful child in your arms, and you look upon their tiny beautiful face... the pain and suffering become a faint memory and soon fade from existence... He heals our hearts, loves us through the pain ... He loves us far beyond our imaginations!
He has exposed hearts with His love since the beginning of time... it’s what we do with this love that matters most...
It’s Him, It’s always Him.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-15
So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtakes you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. John 12:35 ESV
Isaiah12:2 - “Behold,Godis my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; forthe Lord Godis mystrengthand my song
The meaning of gird: Prepare oneself for action.
I have been given the task of tackling this very odd word…
“Gird”…
I find this word rolls off my tongue much like a guttural sound or growl.
I believe this word is not used in today's modern world… So let’s roll the clock back to a time long ago.
When men were men and women were viewed as inferior souls… But we’re we?
I know of a man that walked the earth, humbled Himself but had and still has the power within his soul to fight and win any battles… He is a Kingly warrior in every sense of the word… He has that unique power under the control aura that surrounds Him.. He is a beautiful site to behold!!
Through His life and teachings, He has taught us that we are all equal and loved dearly by this great and noble warrior… but does this love have a cost?
Many say it free …. But is it?
Do we need to gird our path with His pillar of strength? Is this life we are living our daily battle cry? Is it a journey that we all must embark on? Our souls are born with a beautiful soulful mission to discover the path to our Savior's heart. Each of our paths is uniquely our own... There may be stumbling blocks, trials...and challenges...
Have you ever heard the “ Roomer” that one day soon He will return? It will be an amazing time. But I wonder how many will be ready??
What did he mean in the following verses?
Jesus is quoted in Mark 8:34-35 “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
And then in Philippians 4:6-7, He is quoted
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
So when we make that commitment to pick our cross, we must ready ourselves for the battle ahead... He never said it would be easy. But He has promised gifts that are not of this world…
When we accept the gift to follow Him. He will gird our lives... He is that inner strength that most of His followers do not even know they possess.. until they are tested … Others will witness this peace, this strength, this love … And this life event is God's messenger’s opening to share his amazing love story !!
To feel His strength and love well up in your soul… will leave you awestruck and your life will never be the same..,
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.Colossians 3:14...
His mission on earth left a legacy like none other. His life and love were so grand they could not be stopped even through death...
It is documented that He uttered these words “It is finished” But as He was reborn into the spirit perhaps, He uttered “It’s just the beginning.” His work of loving unworthy souls will never be finished!! His love is new, fresh, and everlasting not even death could contain it!
Most paint this moment to show the agony and suffering He endured. My heart is wounded by this moment, but my soul revealed that yes feel His pain… remember His beautiful sacrifice. But paint the peaceful moment when the fragile human body could no longer contain the amazing gift of the soul…
The soul is Free… Free to return to its first love … There is a sad somber moment for those that are detained on earth within their human existence ...
Are we sad for them because we will miss them? Or does our soul have that unique understanding and yearning to return home hidden deep within.
Perhaps we should celebrate our soul’s freedom as that marvelous moment when we are no longer bound by our human frailties, limitations, and our body's inability to sustain life.
It’s that awe-inspired moment when we can finally gaze into His loving eyes, as He smiles, opens His arms, and welcomes us home. And the earthly souls will witness a bodily facial expression of a beautiful peaceful surrender that comes from falling into His arms.
For those that have felt His great love on earth, I feel it is only a fraction of what we will experience on that destined date with our beloved Savior…
We can only imagine!!! ❤️❤️❤️ The BEST is yet to come!! And it’s only the beginning!!!
Now, it is God himself who has anointed us. And he is constantly strengthening both you and us in union with Christ. He knows we are his since he has also stamped his seal of love over our hearts and has given us the Holy Spirit like an engagement ring is given to a bride—a down payment of the blessings to come! 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 TPT
“Age wrinkles the body; quitting wrinkles the soul.” - Douglas MacArthur...
Meaning of quit leave (a place), usually permanently.
We located twenty-five verses that talk to our hearts about the word quit.
I QUIT!!!!!
Things are just too hard... I cannot take another step... People just don’t understand!!! What am I doing wrong? Where am I failing??? Is it me? Is there just one person in my world that understands??
They say we should be happy.... but they do not finish the statement by saying not all are happy...
It’s been a trying time for so many hearts these last couple of years... Many of us struggle just to put one foot in front of the other... medical? financial? jobs? pandemic?? variants?? LIFE? ... Where and when will it end!! Problems seem to be magnified this time of year...
How do we go on.. our world is so fractured... My heart is heavy... The air is thick, am I drowning... How do we heal? How do we mend our own hearts?? What can we do to settle our minds and soothe our souls...
Have you heard that nagging whisper in your soul...?
Quit!!! Thrown in the towel... Life is too complicated to continue!
We know these are not the words that God would whisper... Get to know God's voice ... Do not be fooled.. by the imposter. The imposter will rob you of the beauty of life.
Let’s open the book that contains God's own words and see where His words lead our hearts...
I feel I must go to the man I have grown to love and trust... Many have heard the stories of His life trials and what He had to endure.
Do you ever wonder how many times Jesus felt like saying to our Heavenly Father,
I am tired of trying... they just don't get it !! They just do not understand!
"I quit!"
There is a saying ... Do not judge until you have walked in their shoes...
He was a gentle kind soul with a mission to love... He was persecuted, shamed, spit upon, tortured?? I cannot even imagine?? The thought crushes my soul. But I thank God and love Him for having the strength to persevere...
But what was it that set Him apart???
His mission looked like an enormous mountain, way too difficult to climb... He indeed must have felt discouraged, depressed, and perhaps overwhelmed... He even asked His Boss (God) to take this cup from me...
Why didn’t He just say I quit?? He could have quit so many times... He could have just walked away... He could have taken the easy way out...
But where would that have left us ??? All of humanity would have been lost and our existence may have become extinct ...
However, there is good news.
He knew that one day you and I would need Him... There would be a day that we would cry out bewildered and confused. HELP ME Lord, I can not face this alone.
He knew without a doubt that He LOVED us far beyond our own human understanding. He knew in His heart that He held everything we could ever need in the palm of His scared hands.
Can you even imagine being loved by this kind of love ?? He loves us more than He loved His own life... How were we so blessed to receive this beautiful gift from heaven?? How did He find the strength to endure life struggles on earth?? How did He show such strength during His death?? How? Do ever ask “Where did this inner strength come from??” He felt pain and shed blood and He carries the scars of life just like you and me.
But what made Him different, What set Him apart?
He carried a secret in His heart ... He knew He was special in the eyes of God... He was chosen ... His Heavenly Father loved Him with a love that defies all human logic... Before He arrived here on earth, He must have felt His Father’s, great love. He felt how amazing this gift of love can be. He knew that He craved it and would do anything within His power to return to His Father's arms. He never wavered He kept His eye on the prize.
But that was not all He knew...
He knew all of God’s children are special in God’s eyes. As a child of God, we were also chosen, and He loves us far greater than any love on earth...
And when we turn our page to Jeremiah 1:5 we can see that we felt our heavenly Fathers' great love... even before we were born... How amazing is that!
So when the imposter whispers in your ear “quit”!
Remember God loves you... Keep your eyes on Him ... He will give you the gift of inner strength. He is the magnificent prize that awaits...
He is whispering in your ear...
Follow me!!! Follow me our Father awaits ...
It’s Him, It’s always Him!!!
He never will quit loving us far greater than we even deserve...
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
A fountain of life was in Him,for his life is light for all humanity.And this Light never fails to shine through darkness. Light that darkness could not overcome! John 1:4-5 TPT
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
Don't quit - Help is available ... Talk to someone... YOU ARE LOVED!
