Near the beginning of my trial, which started last June 22, 2007, I was given a word from a dear friend. She gave me this verse in hopes of helping me to understand things I do not know and also what God would do. I have since written it on my heart. She gave it to me in ESV. Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 I have since heard it said many times that Jeremiah 33:3 is God's telephone number. I have called to Him and He has shown me some wonderful things in the midst of this horrific trial. I don't believe He's revealed to me all the great and hidden things but I know as time goes, He will show me more and more.
So, why is this all worthy of penning? Many friends have told me that God has revealed or confirmed promises, directions, answers to them through their dreams. I know that I dream but I have a very hard time recalling most dreams. I can have a vague idea the morning to follow but my dreams have always been so fuzzy... in a strange house that is suppose to be mine, with family members who don't look like themselves. Very weird.
The morning of this past Wednesday, July 23rd, I tossed as I normally do. (Does anyone sleep a solid 6-8 hours without turning? I've never experienced that.) I must've turned to my right side for the 105th time and I saw a flash of my clock. It said 3:33. Now, normally, I would think quickly in my head "oh I have x hrs and x minutes left to sleep.) However, this time I recall I instantly thought of Jeremiah 33:3. It was the most weird and surreal feeling. Just as soon as I saw the 3:33 a.m., I saw Jeremiah 33:3 in my mind. I felt instantly it was a "message" from God yet, I didn't know what it meant. Is He asking me to call to Him? Is He comforting me that He will soon show me more great and hidden things? Will He be revealing to me some of the greatest mysteries of my aching heart for which I long?
I've yet to understand the fullness of His message but I do believe He said this to me for a reason. Is it to ponder on the great influence and affect this dear friend had on me during the early days of my trial? Is it to bring me peace that He is going to settle some of the uneasiness in my heart? Is He asking me to call Him more often? Is He asking me to call upon Him for those things which I feel are a burden to Him?
I do know this...this is one of the most amazing gifts. I had not been reading nor reflecting on Jeremiah 33:3 recently but rather it was far from my mind. I did rest my head upon my pillow that night with uneasiness and worry about an event occurring at work but was not necessarily seeking an answer.
I feel there is no real profound encouragement, revelation, application, or challenge that I can present to my wonderful readers regarding this. Rather, I want to shout praise to the Lord for this mysterious word. I would gladly accept any word from the Lord even if it is yet to be understood by this feeble servant of His.
I can only hope that someone would gleam a word from the Father through this message. I can only hope this verse is the exact scripture needed by one soul reading this. I can hope that a reader would be challenged or encouraged in a way only God would know.
I can encourage you to call the Father. Call Him. Text Him. Email Him. He wants to hear from you regarding all the issues on your heart. He is never too busy for us. Imagine, He is just sitting there, waiting on His glorious throne, wanting to so desperately hear from YOU...yes YOU. Imagine, the Father desires to tell YOU great and hidden things. He wants to tell YOU His secrets. Remember as a little girl hiding in the closet whispering secrets to our friends, either real or imaginary? That is what He is saying to you...come into My closet, come into My presence, come into My House and let Me tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not know. Oh to be graced with the Father's secrets.
Seek Him with all your heart. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 So many times Jeremiah 29:11 is quoted but what a beautiful and powerful verse that follows it.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:17 The truth is, He loves all of us, even those who do not love Him. But I believe He does love us who loves Him with a "special" kind of love. Most definitely anyone who seeks the Father will find Him. How glorious!
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
Calling Him,
41 comments:
Paula,
Beautiful hydrangea! Beautiful post as well! Being in the desert like I am, I find comfort in being able to call on God, Who I know is right beside me.
Since my post on my journey through the desert, God is beginning to be visible (felt) to me again! It is only after prayer and a deep sense of longing that I am gradually making my way out. Thanks to wonderful bloggers like you and others who are kind enough to leave a comment, I am feeling much better. It's amazing how a couple of days can make a difference!
Blessings~
Plant Lady
Hydrangeas are my favorite! I love that you are aware of God's messages to you..today I was driving and I thought to myself, I haven't spent time with God today. Then I looked and the van in front of me had a license plate that said "Si Jesus". Not the first
time that's happened to me. I love your blog! I will have to spend some time reading older posts.
Angela
My! How we sometimes get so caught up in the ways of life and the busyness that we lose focus. I am guilty of losing focus getting caught up with everything that is going on around me. GOD, however, is a merciful GOD. I have not been seeking HIM how I should, but I repented and plan on making it a priority to spend time in HIS prescence. Thanks for the blessed word. OUCH! I had to get a band aid for that one. :)
Blessings
LaTonya
Surely you are deserving of this award and much more. May GOD smile upon you and grant YOU favor!!! Thanks for the sweet comment you left on my recent post.
Oh, Paula,
You have reminded me of a time when I was struggling to re-establish a steady quiet time...
I had committed to meet with Him at 6:30 am every day. I would set the alarm for 6, get up and get coffee going, and be ready in my kitchen by 6:30.
I had developed a habit of asking the Lord at night when I went to bed to help me out of bed in the morning. One morning, I over slept. I kept hitting the snooze until I just dozed completely back out.
My husband and I used to use those battery operated radios (walkie-talkies) to communicate between me in the kitchen and him in the workshop.
He was supposed to be gone from work, but at EXACTLY 6:30 that morning, I heard the radio in my kitchen beeping. I thought my husband was locked out and was trying to wake me. I ran to the kitchen and looked out the window. He wasn't home.
I looked at the radio, and it was on channel 7 (we ALWAYS used channel 2)! So I kept looking around outside thinking he was out there somewhere, and I tried to talk into the radio.
I then turned the knob to increase the volume and turned the radio on.
You read that right: I was wide awake that that point. I KNOW that it was lit up and I SAW channel 7, but the radio was off the whole time.
Believe me when I say, I had the BEST quiet time EVER that morning!
Sorry so long, but I just had to share that with you! He is speaking to you...keep listening!
Beautiful!!
It sure sounds like he is telling you something, something we all want to hear, and finding time sometimes can be difficult. I noticed with myself I am finding more time in the evening.
I work with numbers all day at work, and when I get certain ones and they repeat me all day that number then I have to look up scriptures to see what I am being told. It's awesome!
I love reading your posts.
Have a great weekend
Sharon
Paula,
I tagged you come see my blog to explain. How are you. I've kept to my prayes.
Loves,
Lynn
Paula,
How did I miss this post? I'm not sure but I maybe I needed it today. I think you're right about needing to call oh Him - in ALL things. Sometimes I only do it when I am really desperate.
Very cool that God gave you that spcial message.
-Sheryl
I wish I had a green thumb. :(
Of course to grow pretty flowers, one must remember to water them, huh? I do well during the spring when I first buy plants and flowers and then I slip. The hydrangea is beautiful.
I love the verse in Jer. and I love this post.
Thanks for sharing my vacation with me by looking at my blog.
We did have a good time and it was a much needed get-away.
Love & blessings,
Valerie
Paula,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful and encouraging glimpse from God. I so love when He chooses to mysteriously make His presence known through something like this. I identified with what you wrote about going to bed with something on your mind, but not really even seeking an answer...in my life, those are often the times the Lord speaks most profoundly. Before I've even figured out how best to pray about a situation, He was already at work and showing me what I needed to do. Amazing. The miracle of His very personal love for each of us never fails to stagger my imagination.
Blessings,
Tracy
I have had God wake me in similar ways, and it's powerful.
I love that verse too, because without God telling you, there is no way to even begin to imagine what He has in store.
With so much bed rest lately, I have asked God, "Are you trying to tell me something?"....."Is change coming?"...."Are you preparing us for our promise?".....Of course the list is endless, but you get the point.
I told Shannon yesterday, I keep asking, but right now, I'm not getting any answers, or if I am, I am simply not comprehending them.
So thank you for the reminder of this verse. I will pray this verse specifically, and maybe then I will see.:)
You are a blessing, friend.
God Bless,
Amy:)
I just think it is very neat that you have the assurance that God is thinking about you in the middle of the night! He just wants you to remember YU are on His mind...all the time!
Isn't He just the coolest to send us little messages when we least expect it?
Hey, paula! YOu've been tagged!! Hop over to my blog as soon as you can to see what happens next!
Hugs,
Susan
This is really encouraging, Paula. Thank you.
Oh friend, what a blessing to have his Word written on your heart both while you sleep and while you toss.
About hydrangeas, mine are getting black spots on the leaves and look sick/wilted? Do you think it's a fungus? If so, what do I need to do?
God's mercy is sure and reliable. You are right we can call on Him and know He will respond for our welfare. In recent months I am learning His mercy is not what I had imagined before.
Sometimes His mercy is swift and protective. As a mother I was quick to snatch up my child to save her from harm like a moving car when she was in the street. Likewise I see God snatching up His children when they are playing with harmful things.
Trust Him even when it seems like He's not moving as we would.
He is trustworthy and perfect in all things. Holy Holy Holy
Hey, Paula!! Thanks for respondinf to me at my blog on being tagged!! That's fine, my friend. And....Decolores yourself!! (If all Emmmaus retreats are the same, we need to talk via email!!!) I'm at carolinahoods@charter.net.
Love ya,
Susan
You've been tagged.
Here are the tag rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
Paula,
Wow those verses are great I needed them so much at the point I am at... I hope you get to go to the simulcast, I cna't wait, I'm meeting up with Fran, I'm excited...
Oh and about the sleeping, my hubby says it's not fare I sleep any where from 6 to 10 hours every night, with out waking up... I posted abot that the other day, go take a look it, it was funny...
You are in my prayers...
Connie
GBU
Paula-I love it when God does these things in my life. I needed that verse this morning. There is something in my life I have been struggling with and I think this has been a sweet reminder I need to be on my knees more with it to God. Thank you friend.
Sometimes we get too comfortable knowing He is always there and we just assume He will handle our hearts/life stressors (and He will). But He desires us to call out to Him, seek Him, rely on Him...not just solely assume. I have been living in this mind set that He is in control and He is yet I have not been as vocal with Him as I should have been. There is a difference in a relationship that assumes and keeps the communication lines open at the same time. The two go hand-in-hand.
You are a blessing. Thank you.
In His Graces~Pamela
Great post! Beautiful picture, beautiful heartfelt post. I love Jeremiah 33:3. Thanks for the reminder that we can always call upon Him!
By the way, you've been tagged! Hop on over to my blog to find out more!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
Trials. Some seem like they'll never end and others you forget that you're in a trial and not just a way of life. If it's encouraging to you at all think of your trials as like a spelling mistake. They are trails that we never walk alone on. He guides us through! Some of the things we learn through trials are the best trails in life we've ever walked.
Mine have red lids and are oh, so handy! What connections! :)
Amen Sister!
Annette
Jer. 33:3 is almost my favorite scripture. It is so reassuring to know that no matter what is going on in my life I can call to Him. He can tell me things I would never have been able to imagine grasping. Wonderful post.
Thank you so much for showing me Jer. 29:13. Like most people I often quote 29:11 and was totally unaware that such a beautiful verse was only two verses away. Today I feel like I am entering into a desert. Ever have days like that where everything is going fine and then all of a sudden you feel the hot, dry air on your face and the next thing you know you're sitting paralyzed on the couch? It's not pleasant. On days like this I long for tomorrow and hope it will be better or I pine for yesterday if it was a good day. Today I just sort of ache all over. I think it's my age. That's the real bummer. I wanted to go contentedly into old age but instead I'm going kicking and screaming the whole way. Leaving broken nails and drag marks all the way. Oh well, the human body/mind/spirit is a complicated thing. Some days it just plain works better than on other days.
I usually blog on Mondays but just couldn't get up the energy to write. I think I'll go read for awhile. I loved your post. We all go through hot, dry spells and your post was nourishment for me today. A drop of cool, sweet water on a parched landscape! Thanks.
Marj
You have been tagged! Check out my post for further instructions!
Blessings,
LaTonya
The hydrangea is truly beautiful!
I read your random statements on another blog. When you said that you would rather not post them on your blog I smiled to myself, because I had already thought that!
I didn't think you would want to break the continuity of your post.
"A Word in the Night" showing 33:3
on your clock was certainly something to get your attention!
And from the reponse of your readers,the message is indeed getting through!
And if there is more to come, share it with us and we will rejoice together!
mary
Beautiful post, Paula! How wonderful that you are listening for Him even when it is sometimes difficult to discern the message. Blessings to you, my friend.
Paula,
I have never heard Jeremiah 33:3 referred to as God's telephone number. What a wonderful way to remember this important scripture! Thanks for the post!
Hi Paula..
Thank you for this encouraging post. There is so many experiences I've had with dreams and experiencing gently nudges from the Lord in the midnight hours. I journal them away and share them when he speaks to my heart to do so. He is so welcomed by me during those precious midnight hours when sleep is no where to be found and he lets me know he is there. I hope you got my email about the Jacaranda Tree pics I sent it to you.
Hugz Lorie
Paula:
Thank you for the good word. I love the night whispers of God. They often speak the clearest truth of his heart to mine.
Thank you, also, for leaving a comment on my son's reflection. Your thoughts are beautiful and go a long way to bless this mother's heart today.
Keep listening to our Father. He has so much to tell us each one.
peace~elaine
Paula,this is my life verse...seriously!
I was just reading over at "BeStillandKnow" about camp meeting...you'll just have to drive down here and we'll show you the way there!
It's a week like NO OTHER...her words were sincere and true. We meet each other, new friends, old friends, family, visitors, kids, teens, elderly, some even bring their little puppies...and we all meet the Holy Spirit as we worship, eat, sing, study, rest and fellowship!
Women's bible study in the morning, preachin' right before noon, youth activities in the afternoons, eating from cement serving tables to our folding chairs and picnic tables, worshiping from 7:30-9pm and then a special treat of some kind (s'mores, watermelon, homemade icecream, live bluegrass gospel music) after preaching!
You know Heaven is going to be like this except there won't be 'skeeters biting us!
You sweet thing! I finally sat down and read your post! It's wonderful! I had never thought of texting God to hear what awesome plans He has for me! I do that with my husband and friends, but I had not thought of it in this context. Love it!!
I appreciate your letting me know about my name tag on my blog! I can't open your email address--sorry! Go back to my previous comment and just type in my email address as you normally would.
I had to laugh at your comment about what do I do when it snows. You are too cute!!! We rarely get snow where I live. If we are blessed with it, it lasts maybe a day before it turns to rain and then freezes overnight! We southerners are a hoot about snow. I'll do a post on it at some point!! Hope to hear from you soon.
Love ya,
Susan
Hi! Your blog layout is very gorgeous! First-timer here, so I thought I would just say hi! :)
paula,
what a beautiful post and beautiful hydrangea! how did you get them so pink? i planted one right after joe and i bought our house and it has lived! here in central tx! can you believe it? hydrangeas are my favorite and they have special meaning to me. they were the flowers in my wedding. the blue/periwinkle ones. my father told me to nail old rusty nails around the base of the plant and it would turn them blue because of the acid/rust in the nails. guess what? it worked! they are just as blue as they can be!
i love it when the Lord speaks to me and i know it is Him. sometimes i wonder, well i know that He has tried many other times to talk to me but i have been to wrapped up in myself or my circumstances to hear Him. i am so glad you were listening. i cant wait to hear and see what He has in store for you!
blessings ~
Paula,
Loved this post. How many times does God speak to us that we have a deaf ear. I know I can list a few. Thanks for posting on my blog. Katherine is 7. She will be 8 in Jan. The visits with her were short lived. I'm so thankful for the few visits we had. For the life of me, I don't know what makes people be so ugly and hateful.I pray that Katherine will always remember the love we have for her.
Tommie
Hi Paula,
I tagged you yesterday. I hope that you enjoy!
These are the rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged you
2) Post the rules on your blog (Exactly like you see me doing right now.)
3) Write 6 random things about yourself
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them (This is only a game)
5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog
6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up
Blessings,
Cheri
Hey, Paula! Just stopping by to let you know you're in my thoughts and prayers! I love to read your comments on my blog, and others'. You are so insightful and your heart is so precious. I am so thankful that God has brought you into my life.
Hi Paula,
How are you? I've had you on my heart today, and then I found out you commented. Yes those confessions good and bad. :) I'm praying for sweet dreams for you.
Hugs,
Lynn
LOVE your blog Paula. VERY powerful and insightful truths. I was just reading thru Jeremiah 33:3 yesterday! And am writing about it tomorrow.
Blessings,
holly
Paula,
Thanks for your kind words on my blog. It looks like you have quite the following! I love your writings, great inspirations for everyone.
Yes, looks like we have the same hydrangea!
God's Blessings, Janet
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