“One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.” Psalm 27:4 BSB

WHAT ARE YOU BEHOLDING?

Be·hold /verb/ 1. see or observe (a thing or person, especially a remarkable or impressive one):

Recently, I felt the Lord ask me a question. He asked, “What are you beholding?” This question caused me to stop and ponder. If I am honest, many things have been competing for my attention in this season. In my heart, I want to behold the Lord with everything in me. However, I can truly relate to what Paul says in scripture.

“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.” Romans 7:15-21 ESV

SPIRITUAL BATTLE

We are in a spiritual battle and the struggle is real. The enemy of our soul seeks to lure us away from the secret place with distractions, the lust of the flesh, and many things that are not necessary. The sin nature and the pull of the flesh would seek to draw our attention off of the Lord.

PURSUE ME!

I hear the Lord saying, “My bride, now more than ever before, pursue Me! There are many tactics and things of the enemy that would seek to draw you away in this hour. Press in! Lean in and inquire of Me for I seek to draw near to you!”

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8 ESV

“This will require something of you. It will require you saying no to your flesh. Are you willing to get up early in the morning and travail in prayer when I am calling you to intercede? Are you willing to turn off the outside world and sit quietly in My presence and listen for My still small voice? Truly, as you press into Me, you will find Me! I am near!”

THE STIR OF HOLY HUNGER

“I have not left you! Rather, I am creating a holy hunger within you! Surely, you will truly know that I alone can satisfy you! I am the living water that you are thirsty for! Hear My call, for I long for intimacy with you!”

“Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy grain and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost [simply accept it as a gift from God].” Isaiah 55:1 Amplified Bible

CASTING YOUR CARES

“Cast your cares upon Me, for I am the good shepherd who cares for you! I will lead you beside the still waters, I will give you the true rest that your soul is craving for” (Psalm 23).

GREATER INTIMACY

“There is a place of greater intimacy with Me that you have not yet experienced. You have asked for it. You have longed for it. Assuredly I tell you, It is available as you come to Me and seek Me with your whole heart!”

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 BSB

“As you abide with Me in this deeper place of intimacy, you will find that the cares of this world will lose their grip on you. Watch as I give you your daily bread. You will discover that I am your all sufficient one! In Me, you will have all that you need! Truly, come to Me, My child! I am your good shepherd and I will give you rest for your weary soul. Behold Me and pursue Me“, says the Lord of hosts!

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 BSB