Being Still

Being Still

by David Brenneman 

Perhaps one of the greater difficulties for me is to whittle down my thoughts to a single thread.  When I am intent on doing something with God is when it's possible. 

In my experience I have discovered many people get the wrong impression of me because of how at times I can be serious looking.   

Those who persist, with I'll admit great patience, will find that there's something more to me underneath. 

While in my times with Jesus in the mornings and the evening my mind isn't so cloudy or complicated. 

Be still and know that I am God. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. 

Believe in God, believe also in Me. 

Teach me and I will be taught. 

Love me and I will know love. 

He searches my heart. 

He knows my going out and my coming in.  My ways are ever before Him. 

I am His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that I might walk in them.  

In those examples...my thoughts slowed down and the noise of life fades for a time. 

We have noise around us all the time. Our world is demanding more of our minds in order to gain what Satan wants of it.  We really understand it better when we listen to the examples of Jesus when He insisted that the Disciples stop and get away with Jesus.  

When we are not slowing down to be with Jesus we don't listen for His voice so much.  We WILL listen to someone because we were created for relationships that we were designed for.  If we don't get alone with Jesus intentionally we will get alone with whomever has the voice our sin nature listens for. 

That voice that feeds our sin nature is just as calm and assured as the voice of Jesus to the Believer.  It mimics what Jesus does.  It's why we need time alone with Jesus to learn truth from the lies.  On our own we will puff up self. We will put our interests above others, rather than the other way around.  

The danger of self arises when we focus on self rather than on Jesus.  We are warned of this in the letter to Timothy when Paul said people would be lovers of self.  

We cannot learn true Godly wisdom or truth without spending time with Jesus through the Spirit.  We cannot learn to discern good from disguised evil without time with Jesus. We cannot learn of how puffed up we are without time with Jesus. 

Be Still and Know that I am God. 

He has never failed anyone at any time in Human history.  His love has proven time and time again to be more than a match for anything Satan's thrown.  

Many people waste the life that they've been given on getting what they want out of life rather than finding what it is that God's wanting for them.  Countless billions of dollars wasted every year on fruitless endeavors.  We do need to rest.  But society pushes us to go beyond that.  Products and services are intentionally being kept at a level of low quality on purpose so that we spend more and get less.  So that we think we need to spend more to get a better rest. Our Doctors these days do not heal people, they maintain people.  Convincing people to be on and continue in maintenance drugs. Our foods are designed to cause the consumer to need maintenance drugs. Peaceful living is slowly taken away.  Being able to think coherently is slowly taken away.  Mentally we begin to accept what we're told for a reason. Satan's reason.

This to say...we're told to in all things pray. 

We read here to be still.  We are to spend time with Jesus on purpose not just because disaster strikes.  Not just because we weren't paying attention and here came life.  Satan's not wanting people who listen to God.  He's not wanting the people of God to be about the Father’s business as Jesus was. 

As long as we are not living for Jesus in all that we do...Satan's getting what he wants.  He knows enough to stall the work of God, erroneously thinking he will keep the return of Jesus Christ from happening.

Life is going to try to keep you from living the life that Jesus desires for you.  

Stop and be still with Jesus. Make time to be with Him.  Don't let the worries of this world be the only reason you are on your knees before Jesus.  Jesus said His sheep hear His voice.  Do you listen for Him?  

I can very easily attest to the truth that Jesus speaks to people today.  

Many people today are disillusioned into thinking they are saved and will be among those left behind. They love being warmed by being near what lives do belong to Jesus.  Make sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus, then cultivate your relationship with Him.  Be intentional. 

Then you will be able to be still with Him.