Christian Writers Circle

by

Kathleen Shore

Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Self lingered in disguise as my hungry, thirsty spirit pressed into His presence. Feeling the resistance, I cried out to Him, “Oh God, search me and know me…show me what you see in me…I want You to have all of me.”

Self-protection shrunk back into the closet and clung to the cloaks of counterfeit within my heart-house as The Light of Truth, like a fluid, a permeating aroma, a radiating heat, slowly seeped into every space. Nothing could stop the invasion. It painted the walls. It replaced the insulation. It lit the basement and the attic. It washed all the linens in a costly fragrance that removed the stench and even put love letters in my mailbox.

Like a child, peeking out to see if anyone was near by watching, I began to follow the whisper of His voice, calling my name. As He spoke just that one word, my name, over and over, the warmth of His Love overtook me and lit a fire in my heart-house. I could feel Life entering the cold, core of my bones. GONE…was the chill of the evil shades of gray. AWAKE…was my life to His fire of Love, now here to stay.

Volumes of revelation seemed to lift my sights in understanding of who He was, how He adored me, and to whom I belonged. Yet as much as I knew in that moment, the unknown of His Love Mystery was far greater, leaving me wanting more.

Then I heard Him say, “Look for the evidence of…”

The evidence of ~ My Love:

Is that you are patient, kind, you do not envy, you do not boast, you are not proud, self-seeking, or easily angered. You keep no record of wrongs. You do not delight in evil but you rejoice in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. My Love in you never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)

The evidence of ~ Believing:

Truly I tell you! Signs and wonders will follow you. (Mark 11:23)

The evidence of ~ Waiting:

You are looking at Him. He is all your Hope. You are Expectant. You are blessed in the waiting. You are strong. You are not anxious. You continually find your salvation. The Lord turns to you in your waiting, and hears your cry. His name and renown becomes the desire of your heart. Compassion and justice is yours, because you wait for Him! (Psalm 130:5-6) (Proverbs 8:34) (Isaiah 25:9; 26:8; 30:18; 40:31; 51:5)

The evidence of ~ Trusting:

You ‘know’ His name. The Lord displays His might for you. You are very pliable in His hand. You have joy in your heart. You will not be shaken. You will not be put to shame. You will be delivered. You will attain all He has promised. You will honor His holy name with your life. You desire His Will being done, not your own. You are not deceived. You will have your full reward.

(Exodus 14:31) (Psalm 9:10; 13:5; 20:7; 21:7; 22:4-5; 25:2) (Rev. 22:12)

The evidence of ~ Abiding:

You are very restful. You are led by The Shepherd. You love to obey Him. You are planted of the Lord. You have clean hands and a pure heart. You bear the full fruits of the Spirit; Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, meekness, and self-control. You cultivate a place within you for Him to dwell. You keep yourself separated for His holiness. His goodness and love follows you. His glory rests down on you and others notice it. You flourish. (Exodus 15:13; 15:17; 29:45) (Psalm 4:8; 15:1; 23:6; 24:3-4; 91:1) (Hosea 14:7) (John 15:1-5)(Gal. 5:22-23a)

The evidence of ~ Surrender:

Peace is The Prince of your heart. You live your life in light of God’s mercy. You offer yourself to Him as a living sacrifice, knowing this is your true worship. You do not conform to the patterns of this world, but through the renewing of your mind you are being daily transformed. You do not think of yourself more highly than you ought. You love to just be ‘your piece’ in His whole body. You honor others above yourself. You keep your zeal for Him. You are joyful in hope; patient in affliction; faithful in prayer. You share with those in need. You bless those who persecute you. You associate with people of low position. You do not repay evil with evil. You are not overcome by your circumstances. You have an opposite spirit from the world.

(Matthew 5:1-12) (Romans 12)

This is the evidence of Me.

“Keep seeking Me, and you will find Me.” He still whispers. “Swing wide the doors of your heart-house, for you are My pleasure. I love what I made of you. I will do miraculous things through you! I will do all I have created you for. Just let Me in and you will see the evidence of Me.”