The Rebuilding Process

Ephesians 2:22 And in him you are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.  

Perhaps you have felt like a broken down wall at times like me.  I have dealt with my share of powerlessness, insecurity, feeling voiceless, effects of numbing and rejection in my life.  These are like holes on the walls of my life that the enemy uses to re-injure when a situation or person comes close enough. The Lord has been so good to me and given me hope in His promises over the years that He is rebuilding me and putting my life together again on His solid foundation and framework to be able to receive more of Him and His blessings and they don't crush me.  Like the old wine skin that cannot hold the new wine or it will ruin or spill it. I believe He is patient in our growth process and Faithful to see us through being built up until the end of our days here on earth.  This process could take my entire life but I'm grateful it is in process and I love it when He shows me when a brick goes back into place.  This week I experienced a sense of victory that felt like another brick was laid, closing a gap that was bigger than I realized.
I found myself in a position where I was doing too much and it was not working well for me. I was starting to get tired and risking burn out.  The test was evident that I needed to use my voice to make a request to be able to focus the best of my energy and efforts.   I felt the grace over me to pass the test this time around, to do what I had not been able to do before.  The opportunity came and I did it! I made my requests to the people in charge confident, assertive, peaceful, without emotional strings and even felt peace if the test was just about using my voice without the desired results.  I was surprised at how I felt when I heard that my request was granted because I did not expect it.  Why not?  When I prayed about it, I found my broken down walls had created a pattern of thinking and believing lies that were part of my history. I did not expect to feel heard, valued, safe to use my voice and express a desire or a need which made me vulnerable.  When you have a history of numbing your feelings, you don't run the risk to feel and be aware of your needs.   I'm still taking off the false strong, self-sufficient patterns from my life, that made me feel resentful, powerless, voiceless, disappointed, angry and more.  When my request was granted I knew He was redeeming my history with loving footprints over my old bloody ones.  Today, I can sing a new song of victory, rejoice over His promises and see the Holy Spirit's rebuilding process in my life.

Exodus 33:14 MSG My Presence with go with you. I'll see the journey to end.  

Jeremiah 31:4  I will build you up again, and you Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt.  Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful.  

Haggai 2:9 MSG  This Temple is going to end up far better than it started out, a glorious  finish, a place in which I will hand out wholeness and holiness.  Decree of God of the Angel-Armies.  

Prayer- 
Thank You Lord for Your promises to redeem me, restore my brokenness and giving me Your grace to receive more of You.  Thank You for showing me that You are not through with me yet and that You are Faithful to finish what You've started.  Amen!

Spreading Seeds

Song of Songs 4:16“Awake, O north wind,

 And come, south wind [blow softly upon my garden];

Make my garden breathe out fragrance, [for the one in whom my soul delights],

Let its spices flow forth.

Let my beloved come into his garden

And eat its choicest fruits.”

I love this picture of dandelions.  I like to pick them up and blow on them but I have to be mindful that it is seeds I am blowing all over my yard that will eventually grow into weeds. The stories that we as believers share of His love and faithfulness are as seeds in the soil of people's hearts. God loves to blow on them too.  His plan for the world to know Him is you and me and He called us to be witnesses.

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

I've had the opportunity to go on a few mission trips all over the world and I do look forward to going on more in the future, but if we look closer this scripture reveals the order in the places it mentions.  Jerusalem represents our homes and witnessing to our very own relatives first. Judea is the next region or the surrounding places outside of our homes, like our jobs, places we shop or places we eat.  Samaria represents our enemies.  The difficult people we have a hard time liking. We all have those, right? And to the ends of the earth which is all over the world.  

No matter where we go, we need to remember that we are witnesses.  He did not ask us to be salesmen, lawyers or judges.  A witness tells his or her version of the story.  

Definition of Witness: One who can give a firsthand account of something seen, heard, or experienced.

The blind man said "He put mud on my eyes, and I washed and now I see."  He didn't add more to the story, just what he experienced.  Simple and clear.  This is so good because we try to make things difficult and we tend to overthink just telling the truth. All we need to do is give an answer to what you heard, saw or experienced.  

I remember the day I sat next to a woman on a plane back from Germany.  I was so tired and really looked forward to sleep but with only a few hours into the flight I knew the Lord had a purpose for me sitting next to her.  The way our conversation began and then continued was different and it was just a few hours later after I shared my story with her that we were praying together.   

Can we allow the Lord to blow on our testimonies? He knows where His sons and daughters are and He wants us to go and bring them home.  You may ask, "just by telling my story?" Yes, it's that simple.  Connecting with people right where they are is not complicated, especially when the Holy Spirit is in it guiding our steps and our hearts.  It's not everyone He is calling us to but know that when He does, you will know and be amazed at how simple sharing your faith is.

John 17:18 As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.

You are a good good Father.  It's who You are.  I thank you for changing our lives forever and I thank you for Your Holy Spirit giving us the power to go out and be witnesses of Your love all over the world.  Give us the grace to respond to You when we enter those divine moments that can change people's lives forever.  In Jesus' Name, Amen!

The True Joy of LIfe is the Trip

Sunny with Pancreatitis?!



I've been in the hospital 3 different times for Pancreatitis since 2006. Doctors have not been able to find an explanation and have run every test imaginable, with no results.  There are no symptoms for this before or after.  On the last attack, they decided to remove my gallbladder even though it showed no sign of stones.  I got to hear a Dr. specialist tell me that if it was to happen again, at least we know it's not the gallbladder. Yep.  I had to hold back tears when he said this.   I've seen God's faithfulness during the difficult and through the unexplained and I can say with confidence that my Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals, has healed me.  We have learned to use our authority as believers and taken back what is rightfully ours in and through the blood of Jesus. 

Last week our precious 10yr old Sunnye, was not looking well.  She laid in her bed and would not move.  She stopped eating and Jef had to lift up her head to give her a drink of water.  We were concerned, and decided to take her to the Doctor.  He wasn't able to find any obvious reason, but decided to draw some blood and send it to the lab.  Her condition was the same since this started on Monday, and it was now Thursday afternoon when we finally got the lab results.  The Dr. said that it was Pancreatitis.  When I heard this, the scary movie theme song was loud on the background.  I honestly didn't know how to process this. 

The good news is that Sunnye finally began to recover by Friday, and by Saturday she was a 100% back to normal. 

I still didn't know if I should be mad or sad.  I could not explain what I was feeling and I needed the Lord's help in processing all of this.  When I don't know what to do, I will still praise Him and thank Him because it is important for me to find a point of praise no matter what.  To find something good rather than concentrate on what is so wrong and allow unbelief to creep in.  I sensed the Lord's peace as I was reminded of the story in Matthew chapter 8, about the healing of the two demon possessed men.  Jesus drove the demons out but they begged Him to send them to the pigs instead. 

I believe that the Lord protected me and that this thing had to ask for permission to go into our dog instead.  I praised and thanked the Lord for His goodness towards me and our precious Sunnye in her recovery.  He knew she would be fine and He gave us the wisdom in caring for her that week. 

I have a covenant of Peace with the Lord who healed me and this was a sign of His love and protection over me, and this is how I will see this.  The enemy would love for me to be intimidated and stay in confusion allowing fear to rule my mind but instead I choose to believe that the Lord is very present in my life and no weapon formed against me will prosper! Amen!

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength! Nehemiah 8:10

Joy is not the absence of difficulties or trials.  It is the Presence of some One. 

Thank You Jesus that through You we are filled with inexplicable joy no matter what we go through! 

...you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy!  John 16:22

Where Two Ways Meet

Mark 11:1-4 KJV And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.

I'm amazed that before Jesus goes to the cross, He knows that there's a donkey tied up in another village where two roads meet and He tells His disciples to go and loose him and bring him back to Him.  He knows the location and his condition.  He knew that this donkey had never been ridden before and had not lived to his full potential, yet Christ would think of him and call for him to carry the Lord Jesus into the city.  Tied up until the time had reached its fulfillment.

And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment.  Ephesians 1:9

Until the time comes, He is EL ROI, the One who sees me. Gen. 16:13.  The God who sees and knows that sometimes we feel like the tied up donkey that's waiting, that has not yet lived to its potential.  Tied up in the constant conflict between "what is" next to "what could be".  This place of conflict and tension is for many unbearable and it is where we face the temptation to turn off the image of the future and slide back into the "status quo".  If he knows the condition of this donkey, then I rest on the truth that He sees us and knows the reason we have felt like this when we are also deciding between two roads.  Maybe if he would have been loosed earlier, he would have taken the wrong road and would have missed his destiny.  I can relate to this and maybe you do too. 

We are all created with great purpose and chosen to carry the Lord inside each of us everywhere we go. There was a time that what drove me to different roads and making decisions was friends, the discount, more money, the status, the title or the badge.  The motives are different for all of us in the decisions that we make in life. 

I am thankful for a God that will wait, that He may be gracious to me, Is.30:18.  I am thankful for the desire in my heart to follow the way that leads to Him, trusting that He protected me from myself and protected my destiny when I have felt like I was tied up at times.  To be able to say like Moses if your Presence does not go with me, do not send me up from here Ex. 33:15 or have the desire to choose the best when the times have reached their fulfillment to move forward.

I believe the Lord to break the yoke off of our necks and to take us by the hand, just like this donkey, so we don't miss our moments.  I thank Him for the times that He didn't allow us to be loosed sooner but trust that when He looses us, we are ready!

Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,“This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

The movie was hard to watch but good.  I saw it totally different a few days after we saw it in the theatre.  I could see the hidden message through it and it came suddenly in my sleep. It was as if He was pulling the curtain back giving me fresh insight into what I could not naturally see before: 

"Come up higher My beloved. As you follow Me, you will conquer your fears and be able to go out with greater courage to reach new heights that will eventually lead you to discovering the key to your destination. You could settle and not go. Not conquer your fears and stay. But you would never find the hidden treasures and amazing victories I have in store for you. In the search, (in the journey) you have found some things that otherwise you would never know about people, places and about yourself. That you could do what you thought you couldn't do. You will also find that even though you think you're alone, I know where you are and I know the way that you take - in fact, I went before you and prepared the way. I know that some received you and some didn't. I also send you people to walk alongside you so that you are not alone, which also unlocks great treasure, if you really look and love them where they're at. I know you and I know how you think, so I knew which way you'd go. I know that you have faced many difficulties along the way but in the end I knew that you would seek Me and find Me. I died to set you free. I want you to know that I've always been extremely loud (not hard to hear) and incredibly close to you this whole time".

Song of Solomon 2:10; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Samuel 22:34; Zephaniah 1:12; Isaiah 45:3; Hebrews 13:5; Job 23:10; Mark 1:2; Matthew 10:40; Acts 13:2; Psalm 139:15-16; 2 Timothy 4:18; Jeremiah 29:13; Hebrews 9:15; John 10:27; John 14:26; Matthew 7:7

The Christmas Trees

Men are like trees planted by the rivers of water.  Green and fertile because of faith in Him, producing fresh and bountiful fruits in season.  Gifts that are well preserved. Never dropping a leaf and always in blossom. Fat and full, chewing on Scripture day and night.
God leads them from place to place in victory parade. Through them, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere they go, people breathe in the exquisite, sweet fragrance. Because of Christ, they give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation.  Shining brighter in darkness, never hiding what they hear or how they live.  Each lit like a Christmas tree on a window, planted by God to display His glory.  Decorated with ornaments that are old.  The memories of who they were and where they came from. Sharing their stories.  The new ornaments embrace the new life they now live and speaking of hope for the future.  The stars a the top of each tree point the way to those that are looking for the One True King, born inside of them.  The angels join them in praise and worship all around.  Joy being fulfilled!


Revelation 2:7 (The Message)
Are your ears awake? Listen.  Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the Churches.  I'm about to call each conqueror to dinner.  I'm spreading a banquet of Tree-of-Life fruit, a supper plucked from God's orchard.


Mark 8:24, Psalm 1:2-39(MSG), Galatians 5:22(MSG), John 15:5-8; Song of Solomon 5:1, Song of Solomon 7:13(MSG), 2 Corinthians 2:14-16(MSG), Matthew 25:7, Luke 8:16, Isaiah 61:1, Matthew 2:2, John 17:13

No Room in the Inn

Offense and rejection came rushing in like a flood. Just like two friends that are warmly welcomed in my house of pain. They know exactly when to knock on my door and I always end up needing help from my Savior to get them out.


I interviewed for the position and afterward was told that they chose someone else. The first time I went for it I felt like I hit a wall so hard my face was soar. It hurt to smile.  I was inspired and encouraged by all but in the end I was told it was not the right time for me. When the time finally came, I was invited to go through the process again. All seemed just right. This time I actually got to go through the interview process and grateful to be getting another shot, I took a chance. I felt great about it but when I left the interview I took a deep breath and realized that I had braced myself as if about to be punched in the stomach. The blow did come the very next day when I got the phone call and was told that someone else more qualified was offered the position.


As I began to process all of this, I remembered the story of Mary before giving birth to Jesus. How she had to travel a long and bumpy ride on a donkey to another town but when they arrived were told that there was no room in the inn for them. Here she is, pregnant and in labor with God’s only Son and getting the door shut in her face. Any one of us would have expected prior reservations and the welcoming arms of the King and Queen in the palace, because that makes sense to us. But that’s not the way God chose.  The good news is that no room for them in the inn could not stop God's promised Son from being born, but it is probably not how they expected it. 


I may be feeling like a woman who’s pregnant with twins, Purpose and Destiny.  Pregnant with promise.  Feeling uncomfortable and in pain from the hard and bumpy long ride. Needing and looking for a place to rest and give birth but also hearing the screeching loud voice telling me that there’s NO ROOM in this inn for YOU!!!


Not that any desired job or position is the ultimate destination here.  God really cares about the atmosphere that surrounds the people in the place you go to everyday because it has the potential to change everything.  It may not turn out the way we think or planned but it will be perfect in the end.  Trusting in God’s plan to direct us in the right direction requires patience because He’s not in a hurry and He has a time and a purpose for everything. 


I pray to the One Who is True, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens. Rev.3:6-8, to be the One in charge of all the doors in my life.  I have to admit that it’s very hard on the flesh to see doors shutting before you.  I have to trust in the Lord’s protection over me and those that are mine. He knows what's best.  My spirit may know and recognizes the Lord’s peace about this not turning out the way I thought.  However, my flesh needs more time understanding why things happen the way they happen and is a constant work in progress.


It is here that His Spirit brings me comfort and tells me not to be afraid. He is with me to bring divine purpose and destiny into my life safely. He will fill the voids of my heart and any sense of emptiness resulting from the changes that are taking place, as I put my trust in Him.


My prayer is that anyone reading may be encouraged in their journey.  To know that the Lord has a great plan and purpose for everything we go through.  The hard places are not in vain and you can choose to see Him directing your steps if you ask Him. It may not be easy at times because we really don’t know the end from the beginning. But, we can trust in a God who does.  And He reminds us along the way that the road we travel is the path of triumph, no matter what.


Revelation 3:8 I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My Word, and have not denied My name.

4 Oaks Goes to Lima, Peru!

You who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice! Song of Songs 8:13

4 Oaks is preparing for Peru! A great time of ministry to women and moving forward with what was only a dream 2 years ago is coming up in January. 

We have so much to do to finish but I'm right in the middle of conquering the inner voices of doubt and fear, the little foxes that ruin the vine. (Song of Songs 2:15)

In the midst of the mountain of preparation, I realize that it's the reaffirming faith in Him and in His Word that enforces the triumph and victory of our Lord Jesus Christ in everything.

I'm asking Him to sanctify my ears, making them sensitive to hear what is holy and right.  Giving me the ability to remove myself from anything that would distract me from my focus.

To hear what He wants to say not what my flesh wants to hear.  Ears that are anointed to hear His voice with clear discernment. 

In Exodus 29, God had Moses cover Aaron by putting the blood on his right ear, thumb and toe. The ear to hear clearly and not be deceived, the thumb, so what he laid his hands to would be right and blessed and toe so that everywhere he went would be blessed and sanctified. 

I know this is God's desire for each of us and it's my prayer and declaration in faith today as we prepare for Peru.

I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him (her).  I will bring him (her), and he (she) will succeed in his (her) mission.. Isaiah 48:15 Amen!

LOL (laugh out loud)

Hebrews 11:11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

Sarah gave birth to Isaac when she was 90 years of age because she looked away from her physical inability and judged God faithful to keep His word. But I can remember reading in the book of Genesis, that when God spoke to Abraham telling him they would have a son in their old age, Sarah was listening behind the tent door and laughed to herself. When the Lord asked her she denied it because she was afraid.

Sarah also suffered the danger of taking God’s promise in her own hands, suggesting that Abraham take her handmaid as wife in view of her barrenness, resulting in the birth of Ishmael. Not the promised son.

As I read her story, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and I’m encouraged because of the many times when I feel like have blown it with doubt and unbelief. He does not bring up the time I laughed when He called me to be a Pastor, “really Lord? Me?” and the time that I thought I needed to help Him speed things up, making the assumption that it was all about a position instead of a calling. I thank the Lord for protecting me from the right thing at the wrong time with a possible outcome of heartache and an Ishmael in my hands. Instead, He’s forgiving and pleased when I turn and believe.


They'll get to know me by being kindly forgiven, with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean -Hebrews 8:12 (The Message)

I believe we will have a chance to read the books of remembrance that the Lord has on each of us, with the details of how we went through our tests and trials while on earth.  I believe they will read very similar to Sarah’s story in chapter 11, “By faith, (your name) received strength to conceive seed (My Word) when everything looked impossible, because she judged Him Faithful who had promised.

Every time I look at the clock and it says 11:11, I’m reminded of that scripture. I stop and thank Him, judging Him Faithful just like Sarah did, choosing to forget all obstacles and impossibilities that oppose His promises in my life.

What has God promised you? Just like Sarah, I pray that we all receive strength to conceive seed, His Word, and bear the fruit of His promises because we too judge Him faithful who has promised. But, if we laugh, I pray that it's in faith and out of the joy inside in expectation of all the great and mighty things that He said He would bring about.

Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)  She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

His Bride

"Sometimes the treasure of our vision is buried so deep in the soil of disappointment, discouragement or disollusionment that we need help unearthing it.  We need to ask the Holy Spirit to give us a prophetic word to restore our vision and encourage us to press past the pain to obtain the prize".  Heavy Rain by Kris Vallotton

I love the Lord's bride.  We are all His bride but I feel a special love for His women.  John 4:4 says that He had to go through Samaria to meet the Samaritan woman at the well.  This speaks so clearly of His pusuit of her.  Reminding me of when He found me, and how pleased He was to go there.  Loving me before I ever knew Him or did anything right in my life. Just like the Samaritan woman, the invisible women, hiding for different reasons but with a deep cry that only He hears.  A cry beyond words or tears.  Patient with our fears.  He comes to reveal Himself. 

He came to His diciples following the resurrection.  He even invited them to examine His wounds now so completely and miraculously healed.  He pressed in the reality of His victory to them.  They touched the tangible evidence of a resurrected, victorious Savior!

His love is amazing and His pursuit for His bride is the same today.  Only now He sends you and me to go through the Samaria's of our time by the leading of His Holy Spirit in us.  Through places we don't wish to go, but He does.  In the process, we are making it all about us and wondering if we did anything wrong to have to go through this path on our way to our destiny.  A detour we did not expect making us feel frustrated and impatient, to say the least. 

Just like He asked our Bible heros in the faith, He's asking us, Will you go? Can I take you through this unpleasant experience and we're still friends? Can you trust Me?

I was reading the book of Genesis, where Abraham was sending his servant to find his son's wife.  Telling him that the angel of the Lord will go with him to make his journey successful, and to take a wife for his son from his relatives.  Abraham's father's house.  The servant went and prayed to the Lord asking for success on his journey with a specific sign.  And it was just as he had prayed, that the Lord showed him Rebekah with the sign he had asked from the Lord.  Gen. 24:13-27

I'm believing that we are sent out just as Abraham's servant was.  Jesus is now sending us to bring His bride back to Him, and through this scripture is inspiring me to pray the same prayer as Abraham's servant.   Asking the Lord, to make the journey on which I go successful everyday.  To help me stand by the spring He chooses where his daughters are coming out to draw water.  The place they come to get their needs met, wherever that may be.  To watch for His chosen ones and bring them back to Him.  To see Him in signs and wonders discovering glimpses of His glory in her.  He waits.....  To bring her back to the place where He reveals Himself to her and shows her the tangible evidence of a resurrected, victorious Savior!!  O' how He loves us!

there's something about women in one place with one accord that creates a Mary and Elizabeth thing. the babies leap, the visions come back and encouragement occurs ~ TD Jakes

Revelation 22:17 ‘And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!”

Help is On the Way!

Help's coming, an answer's on the way and everything's going to work out.  You are abundantly free!  He thought of everything you could possibly need and He let you in on the plans He took such delight in making.  Before you heard of Him and got your hopes up, He had His eye on you, had designs on you for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He's working out in everything and everyone.  Remember that He gets the last word.  You're not the only one plunged into hard times.  keep a firm grip on the faith.  It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for you in Christ, eternal and glorious plans they are! - will have you put together and on your feet for good.  Amen!

Psalm 20:6 (The Message); Ephesians 1:7-12 (The Message); 1 Peter 5:8-11 (The Message)

I Want More

Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Psalm 115:14 May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children.

Luke 2:40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him

Prayer

Lord, we pray to know more practically, through experience for ourselves, Your love, which surpasses mere knowledge.  We pray for increase in capacity to receive heaven and deliver heaven.  In ability and service.  Sensitivity of God and His direction.  In wisdom, tenderness and capacity of love and cultivate love and honor.  Increase in skill and experience.  Introduce us to the experience of love bringing benefit, freedom and healing.  Grow us unto maturity.  Strong in spirit.  To build on what we've been given, complementing our basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love.  To learn how to be content whatever our circumstances.  Lacking nothing.  Amen!

2 Peter 1:5-9 (The Message); Phlippians 4:12 (The Message)

No Expiration Date

Word at Pink Impact 2011

My promises don't expire for you.  I want to resurrect promises that you think I'm through with.  Sarah received strength to conceive even when she was past the age because she judged Me Faithful.  Always hope.  I'm looking for faith.  My eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Myself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are committed to Me.  What is man's help when you can have My help.  Do you believe Me?  Is anything too hard for Me?  At the appointed time.  Don't put a due date or an expiration date on what I have for you.  My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.  If you laugh, laugh with joy in expectation of what I will do for you. 

Hebrews 11:11; Isaiah 55:8; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Genesis 18:14

Between The Roaring Waves

Step up to the plate, I've already done My part.  I've gone behind the scenes and worked it out so that you are set up to win!  I always lead you into triumph.  You feel like you can't escape but don't be afraid.  Stand still and see what I'm about to do.  I fight for you while you keep silent.  In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.  I know this looks bad but don't allow yourself to be afraid.  Don't sit in fear or it will overtake you.  Just like the ones that were afraid of the fire and did not come up the mountain, the enemy wants you to be afraid of the fire so that you don't come up to a mountain experience with Me.  I don't want you depending on someone else to get the Word for you.  To stand still, is not a passive assignment but stand with deliberate attention.  Just be still and know that I AM God.  I can multiply a little obedience.  Small to you but huge in My eyes.  Follow the pre-lit path for you.  If you step where I lead you, you will see that it will light up for you.  Facing your Red Sea moment is the only way you will see Me do something and in a way you've never seen Me before.  Don't be so busy talking and complaining about this difficult situation or you'll miss seeing Me in it with you.  Don't miss My hand at work around you. 

For I am the Lord your God, the Lord of Hosts, who dried a path for you right through the sea, between the roaring waves.  And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safe within my hand.  I planted the stars in place and molded all the earth.  I am the one who says, "You are mine." Isaiah 51:14-16. The Living Bible

Deuteronomy 5:5; 2 Corinthians 2:14; Exodus 14:13; Daniel 3:25; Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 30:15

The Lord Is My Keeper

As I read the scriptures I felt I heard Him say:

I lavish My attention on you.  I keep you as the apple of My eye.  As an eagle that hovers over its nest, overshadowing its young, then spreading its wings, lifting them into the air, teaching them to fly.  I alone lead you and lift you up to see as I see.  You will feast on the best of the land with no foreign god in sight.  I bless you with the precious things of heaven and the precious things of the earth and all its fullness.

Psalm 121; Deuteronomy 32:10-12; Deuteronomy 33:16

He Provides

As I read the scriptures I felt I heard Him say;

It is impossible for you to have a need that I cannot meet.  As you seek Me, you will begin to see that problems will finally reach solutions.  Every ditch will be overflowing with My love and grace for you.   I never run out.  I knew your every need before you were born and there's nothing that I can't give you.  But there is no peace for the one who blesses himself in his heart and then follows the dictates of his own heart.  Let not your heart turn away from following Me and you will see that I will make things go well for you.  Choose life; choose Me.  I AM Life and length of your days. 

Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:33; Deuteronomy 29:19; Deuteronomy 29:18; Deuteronomy 30:5 Deuteronomy 30:9; Deuteronomy 30:20

His Glory is Weighty

As I read the scriptures today, I felt I heard Him say;

You matter.  I AM your substance.  The One that can fill you with the weight of My worth and working into your life.  I know your afflictions, your labor and oppression but don't be afraid because I AM in you and for you. My glory is the only force that can tip the scales of any circumstance, from emptiness to fulfillment.  Be filled with joy and rejoice for every good thing that I give you.  I lead you to what you want and what you need.  Pursue Me with all your mind, heart and soul.  Trust that you hear My voice.  See yourself the way I see you, lifted up in praise, name and honor for you are Mine.  Some may question and wonder just as some questioned and wondered about Me, but do not let any distraction turn your thoughts into doubt.  Be faithful with what I have given you to do.  Trust Me with all of your prayers and requests for it is always My will to heal and to set the captives free. 
I love your undying love for Me.  Receive My Peace.  

Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Deuteronomy 26: 7-19; Luke 6:2; Luke 6:8-19; Ephesians 6:24

Clarity

Through a series of scriptures I was reading today, I felt this word impressed in my heart:

I see your faith, and how you have broken through the clouds to clear skies.  Your faith pleases Me.  To see your precious heart moves Me.  I love you and I have so much for you.  Get ready! You will love it and will have so much fun.  I prepared everything coming to you, with you in mind.  I AM with you and I'M always found by you because you seek Me with all of your precious heart.   You are My channel through which I flow.  Don't let reasoning in your heart keep you from giving or receiving.  You are a good steward of that which I pour in you and both you and the new wine are preserved, just like the new wine in the new wineskin.  Remember that I AM taking care of you and I AM in your midst to deliver you and give your enemies over to you.  Watch what you say for in guarding your mouth you preserve your life and you will eat well by the fruit of what you speak.  You will then taste and see that I AM good!  Pray for peace and prosperity over your city because you too will have peace and prosperity.  


Luke 5:19; Hebrews 11:6; Jeremiah 1:12; Jeremiah 29:11-14; Luke 5:22; Luke 5:38; Deuteronomy 23:14; Proverbs 13:2-3; Psalm 34:8; Jeremiah 29:7

The Center of The Target

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. 

Matthew 6:33

Just recently I had the honor to speak to a very special group of women.  I was sure on what I was going to speak to them about, until I had a dream.  In the dream I was asked by someone walking by me what I was going to speak on, and I answered "first things first".  I woke up at 1:55am to write and was surprised that I wrote 4 pages.  I sought the Lord for confirmation on this and the signs just got even clearer. 

I was reading Bob Hamp's book, Think Differently, Live Differently, where he mentions the above scripture as "the center of the target".  However, I read this 2 weeks after I spoke to the women but it continued to expand and solidify this word for me. 

In the times I prayed and thought about how this scripture applied to my life, I was moved to tears remembering how easy it was for me to seek the things of life first and not His kingdom.  Many decisions were made with life's stuff in mind and as a result I was anxious and worried a lot.  I couldn't understand how the kingdom of God and my world merged.  To me, there was separation.  His and mine. 

When I experienced the Lord in a personal and loving way,  the two worlds merged.  I knew that I would never be the same again.  Suddenly I experienced Him, not just knew of Him.  I got to feel His Spirit speaking to me through the scriptures as I was reading.  Letting me know that He knew me and loved me.  In this encounter with Him I repented of my sin because for the first time I saw my sin as sin.  His love for me was tangible.  I've written of my salvation experience before but I see this in a new light with this scripture Matthew 6:33 in mind, and now as "the center of the target".

I found my journal where I had written about this life changing day with the Lord in 2005, and there was a long list of requests and prayers written down.  I realized that what I asked of the Lord was not just a little.  There was a lot that I desired.  But I was able to let go of the lists and opened my heart to Him.  He wanted all of them and He wanted all of me.  I released the things that I thought made life work for me and for the first time I was free. 

He made this easy because what I got in the exchange was so much more than what I gave Him.

Today, I continue to be the same girl who still wants to stick both hands in the candy jar and what I still desire of the Lord is not just a little.  But I can trust Him with my wants, needs and desires for me and my loved ones with open hands more and more, as I have sought His kingdom first and trust that everything else is added to me.  Believing that any and all obstacles are being removed as I continue to learn to "keep the main thing, the main thing."

Psalm 5:3  In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly.

I continue to press in to Him and all clogs and hindrances dissapear for me so that I can break through into more freedom.

In the process I am experiencing how to live from a place of desire, instead of duty. 

Becoming a lover who works, not a worker who loves.  The worker always has a checklist and I had mine. 

Seeking His presence not His presents.  His Precence comes with gifts. 

Hebrews 11:6 He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

The truth is that He desires for us more than we even desire for ourselves.  But He is pleased when we want to spend time with Him just because we love Him.  Everyone likes their being celebrated, not just their doing.

No one wants friends who are only interested in what we can do for them.  We want them interested in who we are and like us for who we are.  I believe that since we are created in His image, He might feel the same way.

He promises that as we delight in Him, He gives us the desires of our hearts.  Psalm 37:4

Close your eyes and picture yourself with the Lord.  Give Him your lists and expectations that you are holding in your heart.  He knows each one and trust that He has more good for you than you're even asking for. 

WE CAN'T OUTDESIRE GOD SO KEEP STICKING YOUR HANDS IN THE CANDY JAR.  IT'S OKAY.

Proverbs 8:17-18

I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me find Me.  With Me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. 

AMEN!!!