Hi sweet friends! 

O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? Psalm 139:7

I know it’s not Sunday, but I just had to write to you to thank you for all of your prayers. Since my last message, I have received so much encouragement, love, and prayers. My heart is full!  

Who would have known what my aching heart needed? God knew. He always knows. And I am so thankful. 

As a child, I was always told “God is watching. He knows everything about us.” This produced fear in my little heart. Our great big God is watching to see if I would make a mistake. And I always made mistakes, missteps, and bad choices.  

I am extremely socially awkward! I often don’t know the right words to say and when I do say something, it tends to come out all wrong. For years, I have tried to control what others think, know and say of me, keeping a strong guard over my heart.  

It took me a while to know that the watchful eye of our loving Father is such a blessing. He looks lovingly after His children and cares deeply for us. He knows about all of my mistakes, missteps, and bad choices.  

We don’t have to be that way with God! Psalm 139 is an invitation to be authentic before the one who fully knows you and fully loves you. He already knows the good, the bad, and the ugly that we tried to hide from everyone else, but He chooses to love us anyway. His thoughts toward us are precious (Psalm 139:17).  

When we live in the truth that we are fully known and fully loved, our hearts will be less prone to be plagued with anxieties and worries. We will pray with authenticity because our Father already knows! In a very intimate place with God, we can ask Him to search our hearts and to show us the things that offend Him. He will lovingly show you how to walk in paths of righteousness. 

Ponder these questions in your journal or think about them during your Bible study time as you consider Psalm 139.

• How can you come clean with God, knowing that He already knows all about you? 
• Ask the Lord to search your heart for any anxious thoughts that may reside there. 
• How can you cultivate an authentic prayer life?  

Your friend in the journey,

Erica

REMEMBER: The Word W.O.R.K.S. Walking in Wholeness, Obedience, Righteousness, and Kingdom Success

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