Did His calling on my life seem to take longer than I anticipated? Yes, but through the waiting, I came to know God in a deeper way. He showed me more about Himself and I realized that the preparation time was necessary for this season of my life. One thing I know is that we are always learning More about Him as we journey.

As I reflected on the different people from the Bible that had to wait, I was encouraged in my own journey with God.
Be encouraged:

• Noah built the arch for 120 years before the flood came
• Moses was in the dessert for 40 years
• Jacob worked for Rachel for 14 years
• David in the wilderness before he became King/22 years after Samuel anointed him King
• Solomon took 7 years to build the Temple
• Joseph in prison before salvation for his family
• Joshua in the wings of Moses before his leadership
• Jeremiah is still waiting
• Paul away with God for training for 3 years before he went to the disciples
• The prophets anticipation of the Messiah
• Us waiting for the glorious return of Christ

Remember Sarah and Abraham’s long awaited birth of Isaac? God’s very words in Genesis 21:2 It all happened at the time God had said it would.

Ladies, God has a plan for you and His timing is perfect! The wait is worth the journey.

As I was praying about moving forward with God, I was watching Charles Stanley on TV. Stanley said, “It is easy to obey God when we understand, but will we obey God when we don’t understand?” Wow, that was what I had been waiting to hear from God for over a year as I struggled for the green light. I don’t pretend to understand where God is taking me, just as you don’t understand at times. If we knew it all, we wouldn’t need God, now would we? All things are in His timing!

As you move forward with me, I covet your prayers and I am thankful for all your encouragement. God willing, this fall as both my daughters head off to college, there will be a stillness in our home. My hope is to begin to write a Bible study that I will be able to share with you .
Prayer needs:
I would hear from God.
Use my time wisely.
God will be bigger than loneliness.
Teach me more about Him.

Journeying with Him,
Jessie

Nehemiah 8 tells us how Ezra stood and read from the Word of God and how the people’s lives were changed, so changed that they wanted to hear it every day. This was “The Day of Renewal.” Spiritual hunger will produce a personal revival in our lives. 1Peter 2: 4 says, “Come to Christ, who is the living Cornerstone of God’s Temple.” “Come” in the Greek means a coming of personal, habitual approach, an intimate communion with the Lord. When we come to Jesus daily, truth is found and God unfolds both His power and His character. Then we are changed and we take on His personality. If we are controlled by Him, we will produce, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Gal. 5:22). His Holy Spirit, which lives inside of us, is all we need. He teaches us all things, so let us continue to live in Him (1John 2:27).
You will know when you are listening to God, when what you read in the Bible is what others see in your life.
Ezra was a man that sought the Word of God as a scribe, then applied it to his own life and then to the lives of others. He was successful because he had the right start, the Word of God.

If you find yourself reading this and you are convicted of your time in the Word, Praise the Lord! This is the “Day of Renewal” for you! As you come to know Him better, His divine power will give you everything you need for living a godly life (2Peter 1:3). Now…go and seek Him, He is waiting to be found. He has many nuggets of truth for you to discover, so you will be a mirror that brightly reflects His glory.

Jessie Seneca is a member of Ebenezer BFC, Bethlehem, PA. She is the Spiritual Growth leader for Truth for Women, a Lehigh Valley organization, which helps women embrace God’s Word as truth and networks churches and ministries together.
Getting into God’s Word and having it make a difference in women’s lives is Jessie’s passion. Jessie is available to speak at your women’s groups, retreats and seminars and share her testimony of her struggles with a life threatening illness. Other topics she focuses on are: Biblical Womanhood, Passing Biblical Womanhood Down to Your Daughters, Parenting Teens, How God Uses the Ordinary to Do the Extraordinary, or she will work with your theme. Contact Jessie at 610.866.4398, seneca20@hotmail.com or www.jessieseneca.com

“The Lord used Jessie to lead us to examine the Word of God in our lives and encouraged us to make His Word a priority.” Judy Cooper, Pastor’s wife

Sanctification seems like a big word but its meaning is simple- to cleanse or set apart for sacred use; to declare or make one holy.

Simple? I am not sure it is that simple- but what is for sure, is it is a process, one that we won’t complete until we meet Jesus.

As I have thought about this process, I wonder how prepared I am to meet Jesus? How prepared are you?

In Joshua 3, we see Joshua telling the people “to purify themselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among them.” This purification process pictures the importance of approaching God with a pure heart, of making one holy.

The meaning of holiness is to be totally devoted or dedicated to God, set aside for His special use and set apart from sin and its influence. The only way to accomplish this is to be connected to the vine, to live, dwell and stay connected to the power source, Jesus Christ. For apart from Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5)

As we wait in preparation for the coming eternal kingdom, I have learned the best preparation we can take is staying in God’s Word. There are so many places in scripture where God tells us how to act while we wait….How well do I/we listen?

Ephesians 5:15-21, Titus 2:11
• Live as those who are wise
• Make the most of every opportunity to do good
• Don’t be drunk on wine
• Be filled with the Holy Spirit and let the Holy Spirit control you
• Give thanks to God for everything
• Submit to one another out of reverence to the Lord
• Live in this evil world with self control, right conduct and devotion to God.

There are so many other places in scripture that you could add to this list, but the end product is how obedient are we to what we read?
May it not be said of us as said in the day of Hosea, “There is no faithfulness, no kindness and no knowledge of God in your land.”(Hosea 4:1)

Knowing God is priceless, the more we get to know Him the holier we will become. The more we will reflect Him. May He be enough light for the step we take as we draw closer to Him.

As this year draws to a close and the New Year begins
Ask Him to search you, and know your heat; test you and know your thoughts. Point out anything in you that offends Him, and lead you along the path of everlasting life. (Psalm 139: 23-24)