WHEN IT PLEASED GOD...

"But when it pleased God...

to reveal his Son in me..."

Galatians 1:15-16

The above words are from Paul the Apostle giving his testimony about his life and how God revealed Himself and His created plan and purpose for Paul's life.  You might like reading the whole story in chapter 1 of Galatians.  Paul had an amazing life.  He had a unique encounter with meeting Jesus and his life was changed forever.  He did something quite different than most of us do when we meet Jesus; he went on a personal retreat to be alone and get to know God.  It was about 3 years before Paul presented himself to the other Apostles in Jerusalem and began his ministry.

This Scripture has brought me to desiring that same kind of intimacy with God.  I think this is when God has great pleasure in those who come to Him through Jesus and their lives are changed.  He sets us apart to spend time with Him getting to know Him personally.  This has to be a great time of prayer and soaking in God's Words in an uninterrupted atmosphere.

Prayer is the vital connection with God.  John 15:7 tells us that prayer releases the power of God to those who ask.  (I would suggest you read the whole Scripture; "asking" does have conditions.)  For the point of this blog and to lift you up to reach a greater relationship with God, I suggest that prayer should be a delight not a duty.

I have been greatly influenced by the words of a man who has inspired great spiritual minds; his books were written after he died!  He was also a great praying man, and his prayers have inspired me the most.  His name is Oswald Chambers, and you will probably hear me refer to his writings and prayers more than once.

Today I want to share one of his prayers that inspired me in connection with this Scripture:

O Lord, enchain me to Yourself with great bond of adoring love;

enwheel me around with Your Providence for Your purposes;

enlarge me until I am more and more capable of being of use to You.

Breathe on me until my frame is knit to Your thought.

Lift me until I see Your face and trust Your Almightiness

without fear or insidious unbelief.  ~O.C.

This is my prayer as I was inspired for a closer relationship with my God as well:

Lord, as O.C. asked, so do I.

Breathe on me until my life is knit to Your thought.

Lift me until I see Your face and trust Your Almightiness without fear or doubt.

Amaze me for Your glory!

Etch Your image as a permanent identifying visual aid so that I can

reflect Your love and merit Your pleasure.

Thrill me so that I can thrill You... ~b.n.