Psalm 145:19 (NKJV) "He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry and will save them."(verse 20) "The Lord preserveth all them that love him..."
This morning I felt Him asking me, "Do you trust my rewards? I won't leave you wanting for anything. Lay aside every worry and fear. All things in your life will be perfectly cared for by Me. Continue to give Me your time and watch Me multiply the seeds you are sowing."
He then led me directly to this verse... (I just LOVE when He confirms what He's saying through His Word!)
Psalm 34:9 "O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him."
Psalm 84:10 "...they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing."
Here's our problem... we have a beggar mentality! We don't realize who we are in Him and all the access we have to Him. We feel condemned that we aren't deserving of all He has for us. He wants us to see Him as our Father. ...a loving Father who wants the absolute best for us. Give Him all of yourself, every inch, every hidden place of your heart. Once you've done that, recognize Him as the Father who adores you, wants you to have the desires of your heart. He places dreams and visions within all of us... even the things that we don't think of as spiritual. He has a purpose for our visions and dreams. When they are surrendered to Him, He can fulfill His purpose through all of it.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Successful Day 101
Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever."
Good understanding here also translates "good success" or "insight". He causes us to succeed when we seek and strive to do all He's asked us to do. He desires obedience more than sacrifice (I Samuel 15:22). When we seek Him early in our day, He brings direction and wise decisions.
Give Him your day and watch Him work out all the small details... things you would have otherwise missed. Who wouldn't want special insight into their day? It reminds me of one of those advertisements where you can pay this fee to receive a little something "extra"... information that others don't have. Bryan recently had to take a course to become certified in mortgage lending (or something like that). We were willing to pay all the extra to get all the "extra information" that was out there. That's what prayer early in your day is... it's the small fee to be paid for secret insight on how to get the most out of your day.
Good understanding here also translates "good success" or "insight". He causes us to succeed when we seek and strive to do all He's asked us to do. He desires obedience more than sacrifice (I Samuel 15:22). When we seek Him early in our day, He brings direction and wise decisions.
Give Him your day and watch Him work out all the small details... things you would have otherwise missed. Who wouldn't want special insight into their day? It reminds me of one of those advertisements where you can pay this fee to receive a little something "extra"... information that others don't have. Bryan recently had to take a course to become certified in mortgage lending (or something like that). We were willing to pay all the extra to get all the "extra information" that was out there. That's what prayer early in your day is... it's the small fee to be paid for secret insight on how to get the most out of your day.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Open Hands and Open Doors
Matthew West has a new song called "My Own Little World" and it just speaks to me on so many levels. One of my favorite lines is:
"Father, break my heart for what breaks Yours
Give me open hands and open doors
Put Your light in my eyes and let me see
That my own little world is not about me"
We forget that it's not all about us. He does things for us, through us and in us and we so often keep it all to ourselves. We owe it to Him to speak of all the things He does. ...to share what He's given us... not just in word but in deed. Do we give away our time and resources that He's blessed us with? Just this morning in prayer I felt Him saying...
When personal gain is not your aim, I will open unlimited doors and resources to you. Accomplish My purpose and I will bring personal accomplishment to you. Go beyond yourself. Be My pure vessel. See the vision I have for you. Outer influences can't touch you here in the safety of My presence.
It's time we stop thinking of what's best for us. We need to lose our agenda and sight of ourselves. He miraculously healed my son and recharted his course on a day that I lost myself completely in intercession for him. It's high time I remember that and lose myself for someone else. I'm asking myself the hard question, "when's the last time you gave yourself completely in prayer and fasting for someone besides your own?" It's been way too long. I want to give until there's no more to give... knowing that He restores in ways that are so much higher than me and my own vision. Give me your vision, Lord!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvSwcMp9vU4&ob=av2e
"Father, break my heart for what breaks Yours
Give me open hands and open doors
Put Your light in my eyes and let me see
That my own little world is not about me"
We forget that it's not all about us. He does things for us, through us and in us and we so often keep it all to ourselves. We owe it to Him to speak of all the things He does. ...to share what He's given us... not just in word but in deed. Do we give away our time and resources that He's blessed us with? Just this morning in prayer I felt Him saying...
When personal gain is not your aim, I will open unlimited doors and resources to you. Accomplish My purpose and I will bring personal accomplishment to you. Go beyond yourself. Be My pure vessel. See the vision I have for you. Outer influences can't touch you here in the safety of My presence.
It's time we stop thinking of what's best for us. We need to lose our agenda and sight of ourselves. He miraculously healed my son and recharted his course on a day that I lost myself completely in intercession for him. It's high time I remember that and lose myself for someone else. I'm asking myself the hard question, "when's the last time you gave yourself completely in prayer and fasting for someone besides your own?" It's been way too long. I want to give until there's no more to give... knowing that He restores in ways that are so much higher than me and my own vision. Give me your vision, Lord!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvSwcMp9vU4&ob=av2e
Friday, September 24, 2010
Bread of Adversity
Psalm 35:15 "But in mine adversity they rejoiced..."
Job had to have adversity to receive his double portion. He had to endure all of this to show others the "right way" to walk through trials. Sometimes our trials are for the greater good... Kingdom purpose. God allowed it. He trusted him with it.
Isaiah 30:20 "And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction..."
Sometimes God allows these things to come... what is my reaction to tests and trials? I don't know about you, but I'm no "Job". Help me, Lord. I want to do better.
Job had to have adversity to receive his double portion. He had to endure all of this to show others the "right way" to walk through trials. Sometimes our trials are for the greater good... Kingdom purpose. God allowed it. He trusted him with it.
Isaiah 30:20 "And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction..."
Sometimes God allows these things to come... what is my reaction to tests and trials? I don't know about you, but I'm no "Job". Help me, Lord. I want to do better.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
In The Midst With Us
In Mark 4 the disciples awakened Jesus (who was sleeping on the ship) because of their fear in the midst of the storm. He rebuked them for their lack of faith and trust. He asked in verse 40, "Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" He did calm the storm by saying “Peace…be still”.
Even if He doesn’t calm our storm, as long as He is “in the midst” we will still come out where He planned all along. They had Him in the boat with them. They were going to be ok. So many times we don’t want the storms to blow… just keep everything calm, Lord! Many times He has spoken in the whirlwind, in the fire, in the storm. Don’t let the storm cause you to think He isn’t there and isn’t working on your behalf.
Don’t be afraid to walk into the midst of the sea when God parts the waters—He will make sure you cross over safely.
Don’t run from the storms, the pressing in… just be sure that He is your hiding place. Be sure you’re hidden away with Him so that a great fragrance of His Presence can come forth… there’s no greater peace than bringing ourselves as a sacrifice to Him.
Even if He doesn’t calm our storm, as long as He is “in the midst” we will still come out where He planned all along. They had Him in the boat with them. They were going to be ok. So many times we don’t want the storms to blow… just keep everything calm, Lord! Many times He has spoken in the whirlwind, in the fire, in the storm. Don’t let the storm cause you to think He isn’t there and isn’t working on your behalf.
Don’t be afraid to walk into the midst of the sea when God parts the waters—He will make sure you cross over safely.
Don’t run from the storms, the pressing in… just be sure that He is your hiding place. Be sure you’re hidden away with Him so that a great fragrance of His Presence can come forth… there’s no greater peace than bringing ourselves as a sacrifice to Him.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Sweet Aroma of His Presence
2 Corinthians 2:14 “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”
This verse alone tells me that God desires that we be triumphant & victorious in Him and that we give off a sweet fragrance of His Presence everywhere that we go.
Have you ever been around someone who smelled bad? It’s kind of hard to ignore. We can put on our friendly face and pretend not to notice but you find yourself trying to move away from the smell. Worse than that, have you ever been around someone who was so negative and discontented? …having a bad attitude… we often describe this as having a “stinking” attitude. Our means of escape is the same with this smell as it is with the literal smell. We don’t want to stay too long in their company.
Have you ever gone into a restaurant where they were serving food and you come out smelling like that? This can be good or bad… there are certain places where it smells good before you eat but really bad on your clothes when you leave.
Lingering in His Presence should leave us with an aroma of His Presence. Our spirit should give off the sweet fragrance of the one who makes all things new. There’s no substitute for being in His presence. We can talk about prayer all day but until we actually make time to come before Him EVERY DAY we will be doing just that… speaking in theory but not being changed into His likeness.
This verse alone tells me that God desires that we be triumphant & victorious in Him and that we give off a sweet fragrance of His Presence everywhere that we go.
Have you ever been around someone who smelled bad? It’s kind of hard to ignore. We can put on our friendly face and pretend not to notice but you find yourself trying to move away from the smell. Worse than that, have you ever been around someone who was so negative and discontented? …having a bad attitude… we often describe this as having a “stinking” attitude. Our means of escape is the same with this smell as it is with the literal smell. We don’t want to stay too long in their company.
Have you ever gone into a restaurant where they were serving food and you come out smelling like that? This can be good or bad… there are certain places where it smells good before you eat but really bad on your clothes when you leave.
Lingering in His Presence should leave us with an aroma of His Presence. Our spirit should give off the sweet fragrance of the one who makes all things new. There’s no substitute for being in His presence. We can talk about prayer all day but until we actually make time to come before Him EVERY DAY we will be doing just that… speaking in theory but not being changed into His likeness.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Deep Places
If only there were more hours in the day! I would be a much more faithful blogger because I really have a lot I want to share lately. It just seems that I can't find the moments it will take to type it all out. So, if you're a faithful follower of The Cook Clan, please forgive the sporatic posts. These are the whispers I've heard from Him about going deeper...
To know the deep places of the Spirit you may have to walk through deep valleys... have deep waters overwhelm you. But if you will be led by My hand, be pliable in My care, I will show you deep things... things only revealed to those who will pay the price.
In Luke 5:4 I told Simon to launch out into the deep. They had toiled all night having nothing with their own efforts. After obeying Me they saw a great harvest. I long for people to go into the deep. It must be at My beckoning, guided by My hand, at My timing, in obedience and alignment with My way.
To know the deep places of the Spirit you may have to walk through deep valleys... have deep waters overwhelm you. But if you will be led by My hand, be pliable in My care, I will show you deep things... things only revealed to those who will pay the price.
In Luke 5:4 I told Simon to launch out into the deep. They had toiled all night having nothing with their own efforts. After obeying Me they saw a great harvest. I long for people to go into the deep. It must be at My beckoning, guided by My hand, at My timing, in obedience and alignment with My way.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
My Plans or His Plans?
Proverbs 19:21 "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand."
The Amplified versions says, "Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand."
So many times we think we have it all figured out! We make our big plans of how we think everything in our life should be but are we seeking HIS purpose for us? His plan and purpose is the only thing that will stand. I want His plans to be my plans, His ways my ways, His vision my vision... change me, Lord!
The Amplified versions says, "Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand."
So many times we think we have it all figured out! We make our big plans of how we think everything in our life should be but are we seeking HIS purpose for us? His plan and purpose is the only thing that will stand. I want His plans to be my plans, His ways my ways, His vision my vision... change me, Lord!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
All To The Glory of God
I Corinthians 10:31 "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NKJV) "If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success."
If we seek Him daily, His counsel, and then do all things to His glory, He will bring wisdom that will ease our efforts and bring greater success than what our greatest efforts combined could possibly bring. I don't know about you, but I'd rather work smart than overwork, tiring myself out. I want Him to show me the best way to accomplish the tasks set before me each day.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NKJV) "If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success."
If we seek Him daily, His counsel, and then do all things to His glory, He will bring wisdom that will ease our efforts and bring greater success than what our greatest efforts combined could possibly bring. I don't know about you, but I'd rather work smart than overwork, tiring myself out. I want Him to show me the best way to accomplish the tasks set before me each day.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
The Author & Finisher
It seems that life is just too busy lately... no time to even blog what I have felt Him saying. In the midst of all this, I felt that I heard Him so clearly yesterday and had to share. These were His words to me early yesterday morning...
I never change. It is man who changes. Your filter of how you perceive Me changes. I long for you to take away the filter. Take the limits off of Me in your mind. Let Me work for you. Let Me show you things you've never seen or imagined. I am the unchanging God. I am no respecter of persons. What I did for My disciples and the early church I long to do for you. Do you see Me big enough? Do you recognize Me as your source, your supply, your everything? ...or you have become too "American-ized", humanized... relying on your own plan and fixes? I'm looking for wild faith, unwavering faith that looks beyond the "seen" to what CAN and WILL BE! Keep listening. Be ready. I am the sovereign God. When My people doubt, worry, and fear, they continually dethrone Me from their lives. I can't reign where I'm not given full control. I won't force My way in. I made man with a free will to choose Me as Lord. Are you choosing Me for the solutions you need or do you look for another?
Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
I paid too high a price for you to try your own way. Come to Me... with everything. You will find no fear or condemnation from Me.
I never change. It is man who changes. Your filter of how you perceive Me changes. I long for you to take away the filter. Take the limits off of Me in your mind. Let Me work for you. Let Me show you things you've never seen or imagined. I am the unchanging God. I am no respecter of persons. What I did for My disciples and the early church I long to do for you. Do you see Me big enough? Do you recognize Me as your source, your supply, your everything? ...or you have become too "American-ized", humanized... relying on your own plan and fixes? I'm looking for wild faith, unwavering faith that looks beyond the "seen" to what CAN and WILL BE! Keep listening. Be ready. I am the sovereign God. When My people doubt, worry, and fear, they continually dethrone Me from their lives. I can't reign where I'm not given full control. I won't force My way in. I made man with a free will to choose Me as Lord. Are you choosing Me for the solutions you need or do you look for another?
Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
I paid too high a price for you to try your own way. Come to Me... with everything. You will find no fear or condemnation from Me.
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