Burn for You

Photo Courtesy of Jody Stuart

Valentine's Day has passed, but my heart beats for Jesus throughout the year. This morning, while reading my Bible, I came across this verse:

"And they said to one another, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?'"
~ Luke 24:32

Does my heart burn within me as I read the Word or talk with the Lord? It sure does!

How about you? Can you relate to any of the following?

• While reading the Word, a scripture verse jumps off the page at you, and your heart leaps with excitement as you learn a new facet of who God is.
•  While reading the Word, you melt and a tear wells in your eye as God speaks words of comfort and love into your heart.
• You're standing in the shower, talking to God before your day begins, and God whispers a plan into your heart that you can't help get excited about. You feel it start down in your belly and rise through your heart and up into your throat, knowing this is of God. You can't contain the anticipation and long to announce this new plan to the world. Cutting your shower short, you quickly dry off and throw your clothes on, nearly tripping over your pants as you race to your desk to start an outline of said plan.
• You hear His voice in your friends' phone calls, Facebook posts, Tweets, or pins. And when you do, you feel a little tingle inside.
• God speaks to your heart, and it feels like you just laid eyes on your beloved for the first time. You get all jittery and nervous-like. You glance around to see if anyone else notices your sudden reaction.
• You're praising Him on Sunday morning, and you get swept away to another world. Suddenly you're ballroom dancing in a palace hall with arched golden windows. You meet your lead's eyes, and it's Jesus. Suddenly, you're no longer just a person in a sea of people.
• Your husband (or parent, pastor, close friend) brings your attention to an area of lack in your life, and despite your urge to kick him (her), you feel conviction weighing down on you. God is speaking, even though He's using someone else. Instead of kicking the person, you run off to your prayer closet and bury your face in the carpet, because your heart is burning in the Refiner's fire.

These are just a few examples to consider. How else can you describe that burning in your heart that only Jesus' presence brings? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

~ Monday Musings ~

This Monday, I am musing over finances. For awhile we were doing fairly well, the tithes were in the storehouse, the bills were paid on time and we were slowly chipping away at debt. The only thing lacking was saving, but we were even able to set aside a little here and there, once in awhile. 


I've read Dave Ramsey's material, taken a Crown Financial course through our local church and listened to or read the advice of many. Unfortunately, I lack in the application area. I try really hard for several months and then throw my hands up in the air in frustration when we have a tight month. The cupboards are barer than I like, the kids are outgrowing their shoes and pants at beanstalk rate and the checkbook is spent before the paycheck arrives in our account.


This month, we are making it a point to straighten out our finances. We aren't horribly in debt. Fortunately, we've never gotten ourselves buried under credit card debt. No. Our thousands owed are on my student loan and our mortgage. Our only unnecessary debt is our truck payment, which we deem a necessity due to moving with my husband's job. We rely on our vehicle to tow our belongings and comfortably seat our four growing children. At least we did our homework and purchased a used vehicle that won't lose its value as quickly as others.


In my recent worrying over money matters, God has reminded me of several scriptures that deal with finances and heart-itudes. I've been reminded that I need to seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto me. (Matt. 6:33) I've been reminded that I can't love both God and money, lest I love the one and despise the other. (Matt. 6:24) I've been reminded that when times get tough and I want to buy food for the table rather than tithe, I need to give God his money first and let Him provide our physical needs. (Malachi 3:10-11) I've remembered that God does not give His children stones when they ask for a piece of bread. (Matthew 7:9, 11) 

To top it off, our pastor preached on Revelation or Situation this Sunday. His message was about whether we were allowing our circumstances and situations to determine our position in life. This applies to finances, as well as any number of things. Am I going to allow the appearance of my bank account determine where my faith lies? No. God is my Jehovah Jireh, My Provider. His grace is sufficient for all my needs, including those financial. I am a daughter of the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the One who owns all things. When I recognize that all I have is His, I need not worry about what I will eat, drink or wear this week. He knows I need these things. I will concern myself with eternity instead. 

The kingdom of heaven is at hand. What will we do with our eternal riches this week? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to comment and invite your friends to join in!