A Quest For Intimacy With God

Thinking of what you have lost?

November 1, 2016 By Christina Cook Lee Leave a Comment

I have received many blessings from Your hand. If I were to count them all, the list would be long. Sometimes, I need to remind myself of those things which I have been given, as a means of comfort against the things I have lost—for that list is also long.

Thinking of what you have lost? In the light of salvation, no losses are permanent. Romans 6:20-23, christinacooklee.com — Praise Him as the Giver of the Greatest Gift of all

“For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” —Romans 6:20-23

Blessed and Holy Redeemer,

I have so much for which to be thankful. In my lifetime, I have received many blessings from Your hand. If I were to count them all, the list would be long.

Sometimes, I need to remind myself of those things which I have been given, as a means of comfort against the things I have lost—for that list is also long

I don’t claim to understand Your system, but I know that it works. What You are working out may not always be apparent on the surface. Often, Your ways are hidden, and some things I may not comprehend until the end of time.

As I think of what I have lost, I often begin worrying about what else I may lose.

In this life there is only one gift which carries an everlasting guarantee. That gift will redeem all of the sweet things that have been taken from me. In the light of salvation, no losses are permanent. All that has momentarily disappeared will be eternally restored to me one day when I see Christ.

All photos and design work by Christina Cook Lee.

Are you in the middle of a battle?

November 1, 2016 By Christina Cook Lee Leave a Comment

I can know all about doing battle and the necessity of armor, but if I am not willing to actually wear it and be covered by it, its potential protection is of no benefit.

“Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” —Luke 9:1-2

Holy God, All Powerful,

Thank You for giving me boldness in the faith. Most of the time I make good use of my power over the forces of darkness. I used to be whipped by the enemy over and over because I was not dwelling in Your Word—which is much the same as heading into the face of a battle, having left your armor at home.

I can know all about doing battle and the necessity of armor, but if I am not willing to actually wear it and be covered by it, its potential protection is of no benefit. I must put the armor on and keep it on (2 Corinthians 10:4-6).

You have given me Your Word for protection; it is I who must decide to use it. It is just the same with spiritual authority. I can know it is mine, without taking full advantage of it. Some days I may look around myself in the flesh and decide I am not able to oppose the forces that set themselves against me.

In my hour of weakness, all I need to remember is Your Word. It says: “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved, Acts 2:21. Luke 10:19 says, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

In the Name of Jesus, and according to His Word, I always have the victory!

All photos and design work by Christina Cook Lee.

Can your great need be filled?

October 29, 2016 By Christina Cook Lee Leave a Comment

Breathe new breaths of life into my nostrils. Cause my strength to be renewed. For You are the giver of life. You are the God who is able to provide above all I could ask or think.

“When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” —Isaiah 41:17-18

Most Holy Fount,

I come to You, knowing You are the source of all that I lack. My heart is hurting and my soul is parched. My mind lacks understanding.

Pour Yourself forth, oh God of righteousness; pour Yourself forth. Breathe new breaths of life into my nostrils. Cause my strength to be renewed. For You are the giver of life. You are the God who is able to provide above all I could ask or think.

I rejoice at the remembrance of Your holiness and ability. Without Your touch I cannot survive. You are high above all the earth and greatly exalted. You preserve the soul of Your saints and deliver them from all their fears. You have promised to give light to the righteous and gladness to the upright in heart (Psalm 97:11). I claim Your mercy. I reach forth to seize that which You have promised to give.

I drink from the well which You have said would never run dry (John 4:13-14). Satisfy Thou me, oh Lord, Satisfy Thou me.

All photos and design work by Christina Cook Lee.

Do you sometimes feel invisible?

October 28, 2016 By Christina Cook Lee Leave a Comment

You see everything that happens to me as progress; in Your eyes nothing is a setback. As a child of Yours, I am ever advancing toward my eternal reward.

Do you sometimes feel invisible? God is always watching you with love. Psalm 139:15-17, christinacooklee.com — Praise Him as the One Who watches over me

“My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did yet see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” —Psalm 139:15-17

My Faithful Guardian and Friend, You have been watching me since before I was born. At the moment of my birth—You were there. When I skinned my knees for the first time, You saw and cared. You were not blind to my pain each time my heart has been broken. Through all of my joys and sorrows You have been a constant observer. You have seen every event in my life occur from start to finish.

While some have watched and given up on me, You never have. You know what is behind and what is ahead. You know where I stand even in this hour. You see everything that happens to me as progress; in Your eyes nothing is a setback. As a child of Yours, I am ever advancing toward my eternal reward. There may be times when I am unable to see the way ahead of me, but I have no doubt as to Your faithfulness, and that Your eye is ever upon me. Absolutely nothing is able to block me from Your view (Psalm 33:18-19).

All photos and design work by Christina Cook Lee.

Feeling ignorant?

October 27, 2016 By Christina Cook Lee Leave a Comment

There is nothing wrong with feeling ignorant. I will never be more than that, compared to You. If I get to where I think I am pretty capable, I will not need to call on You … so keep me feeling ignorant.

Feeling ignorant? God has all the intelligence you need. John 14:26, christinacooklee.com — Praise Him as my Teacher

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, who the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” —John 14:26

Master of All Things,

Sometimes I feel so ignorant. I wonder how You could love me and how I will ever amount to anything … and that is just the way I should feel. I forget so frequently that You don’t expect me to be a master of achievement, but instead to look to You, as my Master.

If I lack knowledge, I may seek You for it. If I lack wisdom, You are able to provide it, also (James 1:5). If I don’t know how to do something, I can ask You and You will show me how.

You are the High and Holy One, possessor of all intelligence. The wisest man in all the earth still cannot create life—or come close to You in skill and resources.

You enjoy it when I come to You with my questions and problems. You have time to hear each need—and will always reveal the answers and solutions I was unable to find on my own.

All photos and design work by Christina Cook Lee.

Feel like no one really listens?

October 26, 2016 By Christina Cook Lee Leave a Comment

Even if it is the one hundredth time I have come to You crying about the same thing, You are just as interested in my pain as You were when my very first tear drop fell.

Feel like no one really listens? God does. Hebrews 2:9-10, christinacooklee.com — Praise Him as the One Who understands me

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” —Hebrews 2:9-10

My Steadfast Lord,

You know me better than anyone. When I am hurting I can be sure You will always receive me with open arms. You never grow tired of my complaints. You take my feelings seriously, no matter how many times I have come to You with my concern about the same thing.

You know the depth of my wounds and are willing to stand by me patiently, as I recover. Only through suffering long—can I become longsuffering.

Some Christians want to bypass suffering and are quick to judge one who is going through a time of heavy testing. They tend to not look deeply enough into the situation, in order to consider what You may be working out. That is why the one who is being tried frequently feels You are his only friend. I am so thankful that You see great worth in the one who is in the furnace of affliction.

When I am in the midst of a long and tedious trial, I can be sure You will see me through to the end of it. If no one else will hear me out, You will. Even if it is the one hundredth time I have come to You crying about the same thing, You are just as interested in my pain as You were when my very first tear drop fell.

All photos and design work by Christina Cook Lee.

A Quest For Intimacy With God

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