Journal note: “Feeling thirsty for God…like the deer panting for streams of water. ‘My soul thirsts for God, for the living God’” (see Psalm 42:1-2).

This thirst only God can quench. And that can only happen by spending time with him.

The Lord instructed Moses to have the Israelites “make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8 Amplified).

After laying out the construction plans, he said, “There, I will meet with you…I will speak intimately with you…” (Exodus 25:22 Amplified). The same opportunity is available to us.

Imagine! The Creator of the universe welcomes us into his presence!

Imagine! The Creator of the universe welcomes us into his presence! Click To Tweet

I found this penetrating question in Jeremiah 30:21: “…who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?”

Jesus said, “…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment…” (Matthew 22:37-38).

How do I know if I love the Lord with all my heart?

This verse shows how I measure up. “…The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him” (Deuteronomy 13:3b-4).

Do I follow him? Do I revere him? Do I keep his commands and obey him? Do I serve him and hold fast to him?

It’s a matter of devotion.

David, the young giant-slayer who became king of Israel, wrote much about the benefits of heeding God’s words.

“They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:10-11).

Jesus was big on hearing the Word and putting it into practice.

Jesus was big on hearing the Word and putting it into practice. Click To Tweet

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mind and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).

“But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matthew 7:26-27).

Picture a tsunami!

Although I invited Christ into my life as Savior at age seven, I didn’t begin growing my faith until young adulthood. As a new mom striving for perfection, I began seeking the Lord with all my heart, desiring wisdom for this awesome responsibility. Mature believers stressed the importance of memorizing Scripture.

Commercial for Bible study:

As I stored Bible promises in my heart, something amazing happened. I started believing God!

As I stored Bible promises in my heart, something amazing happened. I started believing God! Click To Tweet

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17).

Filling my life with truth compelled me to live it out—to apply it to my daily walk.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

Believing God and applying his Word changed me.

The more time I spent with him, the more I wanted to be in his presence.

Today, more than ever, my soul thirsts for God, for the living God!

(Scriptures from the NIV unless noted.)

© Dianne Barker 2018

Please tell me how a Bible promise has impacted your life! And I’d appreciate your sharing this article with your friends.