To Dwell or not To Dwell...

Dwell...

This one, simple word has been repeated and brought up to me again and again in the past few weeks... whether it be in my own prayer time or Bible reading... or at a Prayer meeting, or in a sermon on TV... it was spoken on a commercial, sung in a song, and whispered in my spirit...

Maybe, just maybe... God is trying to say something?!

According to Websters Dictionary, 'dwell' is a Verb - an action word... and it's definition is: "1 : to remain for a time 2 a : to live as a resident b : EXIST, LIE 3 a : to keep the attention directed b : to speak or write insistently." This definition astounds me... for every aspect of it I am able to personalize and see how God is calling me to "Dwell" in or through certain things!

To Dwell or not to Dwell... that is the question! We all know that we 'should'.... and yet - our days get filled up and our calendars overwhelmed... and days and weeks may go by before we realize we have forgotten to 'dwell'... to remain for a time... to live as a resident... to keep our attention directed on the Lord! We all do it... and there is grace for it! But - then... this is where it can get sticky for me... I so do not want to fall back into religion, and yet - my hearts desire is to Dwell with Him more and more. I know He is calling me, and calling you, to a deeper walk with Him - where we Dwell more consistently, without the trappings of religion & lack of grace.

The thing that amazes me is that even in this - this call to Dwell with Him... He is willing and wanting to meet us halfway! He desires to Dwell with us, as much or more so than we desire to dwell with Him! Some of these Scriptures speak of our dwelling... and some speak of His!

I pray that as you read through these verses, God will stir in your heart to come away with Him and simply 'Dwell' for awhile! am off with my husband for a weekend retreat of sorts with two other couples... it is something we do a few times a year and we so look forward to it! It gives us a chance to relax and visit, catch up, and pray... laugh, and worship, and just refuel! I plan on doing a little Dwelling of my own this weekend...

To help get you stirred up to do the same, here are just a few of the Scriptures He has put in front of me the past few weeks...

"In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling." Ex 15:13 NKJV

"Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place." ~Psalm 23:6 Amplified

"One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple." ~Psalm 27:4 Amplified

"Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me. 8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me— A prayer to the God of my life." ~Psalm 42:7, 8 NKJV

"How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah. Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah. O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!" ~Psalm 84 NKJV

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." ~Psalm 91:1 NKJV

“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the LORD." Zech 2:10 NKJV

"If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My command, Then you shall also judge My house, and likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk among these who stand here. " Zech 3:7 NKJV

and finally...

I pray that you will "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16 NKJV)

Blessings,
~Karrilee~