Jesus, Friend of Sinners-
There is a big difference between placing an order with God and taking the time to get to know Him. Jesus calls us friends.
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 NKJV
Friends don’t only talk about themselves- they sow to invest in the other person. The Creator of the universe calls us friends and wants to let us in on His plans for our lives. Every day. But I don’t always stay still long enough to hear what He has for me.
Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: Matthew 7:24 NKJV
He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. Luke 6:48 NKJV
Sometimes I am offended by how others treat me, their ungratefulness, insensitivity or lack of willingness to listen, or just slow down and spend some time together. Then I realize that’s how I have been treating God. Their treatment of me is sometimes God’s object lesson to me. “Hey,” Jesus says. “You do that to me.”
Praying amiss is not only praying for wrong things but it’s also praying for right things but with a wrong motive.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:3 NASB
I prayed for someone to change and God asked me, “Are you praying for them to change because it will make your life easier, or because you really care for their soul and want me to touch their lives? Are you praying for yourself, or for them?”
Jesus calls me to love others in their imperfection. That’s how He loves us.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; Psalms 139:23 NKJV
Dr. Jesus-
Sometimes I’m broken and need fixing. Jesus offers me the prescription but I don’t always pick it up, or I only take some of it. Sometimes the prescription is delivered in prayer and sometimes it’s found in the Word of God.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
Sometimes I try to go on my own strength, ignore the warning signs and wait until the pain is intense before I remember to ask for help. When the Great Physician tells me I need heart surgery, I say okay, but I run off before He can do His work. “Later.” I say.
Do you know what “I’m busy right now, God,” means? It’s saying “There is something more important right now than receiving what you have to say to me, God.” And there isn’t. Ever. We need to stay on the operating table long enough for Jesus to do the work.
I am altered when I place my heart on the altar of repentance and receive His forgiveness. Jesus is the remedy.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 NKJV
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 NKJV
Prayer is the altar. A repentant heart, thanksgiving and praise are my offerings. He is Holy.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalms 100:4 NLT
In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. 1 Timothy 2:8 NLT
Romancing The Rock-
I am insatiable. Nothing this world has to offer totally satisfies. Even the good things eventually run out, get old, or let us down. When the going is rough, He is the only true solace for my soul. Jesus is enough. I am complete in Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. Psalms 62:6 NKJV
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV
Imagine a date where you showed up, tossed a list of what you wanted from your date at them, and then left without even partaking of the meal.
“Look,” He says, “I’ve prepared a table for you.”
He invites me to drink in His presence, to feast at His banquet table. He invites me to commune with Him, to enjoy His company. The menu: Lamb of God, Bread of Life and Living Water
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:35 NKJV
Jesus calls the Church His bride. This is a divine romance. It’s The Prince and the pauper. I have nothing to offer, but He wants me anyway. So here I am, Lord.
In my destitution, He has clothed me in His righteousness. I am my beloved’s and He is mine. His banner over me is love.
You are Holy
I am unworthy
Show me Your glory, Lord
Come what may,
This dust shall praise Your name, oh Lord.
Wash me in Your blood
Wrap me in Your grace
Clothe me in Your righteousness
Jesus, You are my refuge,
My Rock
The river from whom I draw strength.
You are my joy. I love this Light meets dark, meets Holiness and all consuming Power.
Yes, I’m in love with the great I Am.
Yes, I’m in love with the great I Am.
Yes, I’m in love with the great I Am.
© 2016 Rachael M Colby
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Tattoo It On Your Heart 
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17: 17, KJV).
I meant to read this much earlier, but I had some life interruptions that got in the way. Thank you for reminding us to slow down and take time with God. As I was reading your post, all kinds of thoughts came to me, and I could probably write much more about the things you brought up, but for now, I would like to talk about what it means to be invited to a friend’s banquet from the perspective of the culture Jesus came from and spending time with God.
Today an invitation would be RSVP and then you send an acceptance and show up, but being invited to a friend’s banquet in Jesus’ culture is a lot different. Just being invited was a big honor, and making light of it was offensive. When you arrived, the host you greet you by saying “shalom alechem,” and you respond with “alechem ha shalom.” The host would then give you a cup of cold water, anoint you with oil, and expect your feet to get washed. The banquet in Jesus day was not something that lasted a few hours and then everyone goes home. Banquets in that culture could last for days. I mention all this because you wrote about taking time with God. If we come into His presence in prayer, we should treat it like being invited to a banquet in the home of a very important person in Jesus day. It wouldn’t be proper or respectful to just get down to business in that situation.
I would like to recommend a DVD about this called “The Biblical Dinner.” This presentation will take you through what banquets were like in Jesus’ day, and it will also give you insights about actions in the last supper that were significant in that culture, but are lost to us today. If you can’t get access to this presentation, maybe I could lend you a copy. It’s really well done.
Thank you again for your post!
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You really touched the heart of God with this post, Rachael! God bless you!
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your best work yet!
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Thanks so much Rachael. Every time I read your stories, God speaks to me, challenges and inspires me. God has truly given you a great gift and I am glad you are sharing it with others. Your friend, Kelly Z.
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“I am altered when I place my heart on the altar…prayer is the altar…” Love this, Rachael!!! Thankful for the reminder to pray today. Thankful for you, sister and your encouragement!
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