Morning Devotions

While everyone was preparing for their new years resolutions, I was reading #YoungTexasAdventist Facebook post. They publicized "Bible Challenge", encouraging us to commit time for God every morning, that we may get to know Him. I liked this idea. My work schedule gave me plenty of time to enjoy good literature, and as Nehemiah 8:10 reads, "... for the joy in the Lord is your strength". Now, at the time, I was in a sweet bliss era in my life, not realizing it was actually a calm before the storm. So I starting reading a Women's Bible Study by #ElizabethTalbot, #SurpisedByLove, given to me by the Women's Ministries at Dallas First SDA Church. Everyday was beautiful because I would start it in a graceful devotion to learning about our Heavenly Father's unconditional love for me. The details were captivating, defining God's skill in creating man, patience with man's disobedience, and ultimate plan to redeem us, through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I was emotionally connected to God, growing wisdom, knowledge, and most importantly, understanding of who He is. Then of course, a storm arose. Life changes were made, and I was distracted from my morning devotions with God. Our Heavenly Father saw my struggle and knows me better than I know myself. So He created time for me to dedicate myself to Him to create in me a new heart through His Word and Will. Now, I find myself not only understanding Him, from the deep devotions of His Word through The Bible guided by Elizabeth Talbot's bible study, but also growing in His Will as I read and clearly understanding Nehemiah and the lessons he taught through being obedient to God's Will.