Today begins our annual 21 Days of Sacrifice at our church. During this time I plan to put away all that distracts and distorts His voice. I want to hear more clearly what He is saying to me. This morning He led me to Deuteronomy 4:24 "For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
I feel Him telling me... "I desire ALL your affections. You will get out of this journey what you're willing to give yourself to. How much are you willing to die out and give Me your time? You desire so many other things ahead of Me. I long to be your first focus. Let me form you."
If you've read my posts for any amount of time, you know that I'm kind of "quirky" about the things I feel He uses to speak to me. Well, this morning was no different. We have a certain pair of nail clippers that have been missing for some time. Everyone has complained about this. Early this morning when I got down on the floor in my office to pray... (sidenote: this is the exact same place I pray EVERY morning)... anyway, there were the clippers under the desk. They've probably been there for weeks. I picked them up and continued with my prayer time. Then, there came that gentle whisper... "I will show you hidden treasures during this fast. You will find things that were once hidden to you when you seek Me with all your heart and soul."
I'm ready, Lord. I'm listening...
Monday, March 28, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Blessings
This post is completely dedicated to my friend, Kristi. I've seen her face so many difficulties but all of it has been faced with the spirit of Joseph that recognizes that God is faithful, just and sovereign no matter where the journey finds you. She has faced physical difficulties now that are causing her extreme, constant pain and altering her lifestyle. She hasn't once complained. She lost her dad this week. Again, I listened to her find the "God moments" in his sickness and his journey to the other side. I like to imagine her singing this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family,
protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand
to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger
when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness,
we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home,
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise
Be sure to read the story of Laura Story, who wrote this song. (http://www.laurastorymusic.com/bio)
It's an amazing testimony. It really puts things into perspective in my life! I have no right to complain about anything. I pray I can see things through HIS eyes!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family,
protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand
to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger
when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness,
we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home,
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise
Be sure to read the story of Laura Story, who wrote this song. (http://www.laurastorymusic.com/bio)
It's an amazing testimony. It really puts things into perspective in my life! I have no right to complain about anything. I pray I can see things through HIS eyes!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
I Give Myself Away
Isaiah 58:9-11
"Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."
This passage just grabs me. He seems to be saying that if we will remove the yoke, whatever is binding us, holding us back... if we'd stop looking at other people, judging what they're doing & NOT doing... if we would just give of ourselves to the hungry, hurting, afflicted (wounded) souls, THEN He will make the darkness in our lives as the brightness of noonday. He will guide us continually. Our resources will not end.
Let me ask you (& myself) this question: Do you have days when you feel sad, blue, somewhat depressed? In that moment, stop and ask yourself, "Am I giving of myself to someone else who is hurting? Am I trying to find ways to make someone else's journey less painful? Am I being a peacespeaker in someone else's life?" This is a definite cure to push back the dark days and let His light shine through us. If He's shining through us, there's no room for darkness for He is the light!
Another question... are you struggling financially? We all have those moments. Now I must ask, are you (am I?) giving of your resources to someone in need? I have personally found that when I am giving out of what He's given me, my resources continue to flow. Remember the widow lady in I Kings 17? God instructed Elijah to go to her for what he needed. She only had enough to fix for herself and her son.
I Kings 17:12 "And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die."
Times were hard. She didn't give unto him out of her abundance. She gave out of the very resources that were sustaining her life. Because of this obedience to the man of God and her sacrifice, verse 16 tells us,
"And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah."
These are hard economic times and most everyone is trying to be cautious and cut back all spending. This is a great plan, but I know that when we give even a cup of water to those in need, we are doing it as unto Him (Matthew 25). Try it. Don't wait until you have extra money. Take a portion of your grocery budget and help someone out. Cook a meal for someone. It is amazing how He replenishes what you thought would be a financial loss.
This reminds me of this song... if we would give ourselves away, He could fully use us as He pleases. I give myself away so You can use me...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha3JbND1Sqg&feature=related
"Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."
This passage just grabs me. He seems to be saying that if we will remove the yoke, whatever is binding us, holding us back... if we'd stop looking at other people, judging what they're doing & NOT doing... if we would just give of ourselves to the hungry, hurting, afflicted (wounded) souls, THEN He will make the darkness in our lives as the brightness of noonday. He will guide us continually. Our resources will not end.
Let me ask you (& myself) this question: Do you have days when you feel sad, blue, somewhat depressed? In that moment, stop and ask yourself, "Am I giving of myself to someone else who is hurting? Am I trying to find ways to make someone else's journey less painful? Am I being a peacespeaker in someone else's life?" This is a definite cure to push back the dark days and let His light shine through us. If He's shining through us, there's no room for darkness for He is the light!
Another question... are you struggling financially? We all have those moments. Now I must ask, are you (am I?) giving of your resources to someone in need? I have personally found that when I am giving out of what He's given me, my resources continue to flow. Remember the widow lady in I Kings 17? God instructed Elijah to go to her for what he needed. She only had enough to fix for herself and her son.
I Kings 17:12 "And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die."
Times were hard. She didn't give unto him out of her abundance. She gave out of the very resources that were sustaining her life. Because of this obedience to the man of God and her sacrifice, verse 16 tells us,
"And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah."
These are hard economic times and most everyone is trying to be cautious and cut back all spending. This is a great plan, but I know that when we give even a cup of water to those in need, we are doing it as unto Him (Matthew 25). Try it. Don't wait until you have extra money. Take a portion of your grocery budget and help someone out. Cook a meal for someone. It is amazing how He replenishes what you thought would be a financial loss.
This reminds me of this song... if we would give ourselves away, He could fully use us as He pleases. I give myself away so You can use me...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha3JbND1Sqg&feature=related
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Pray + Believe = Receive!
Matthew 21:22 "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
We all have probably quoted this verse at some time or another, but lately, it has become so real to me. The key word is "believing". Remember what the Word says in Matthew 13:58: "And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief."
I believe one of the reasons our prayers go unanswered so many times is because we don't truly believe He is going to do it. Of course, I have a story...
About a week or so ago on a Sunday morning, I got up early and had my morning prayer time. That particular morning I asked God to mend a friendship. I have two friends who have really had a strained relationship over the last six months or so. I had even tried to think of ways that I could help the mending process along, but God keeps reminding me to let Him work. Leave it with Him. He can do more in a few minutes than we can do with all our best time and efforts. I asked Him to let me see just even a small sign that He was working in this situation. Later that day... NOT the next day, not a week later, but THAT day my sweet husband told me he had seen them together. The next day I ran into one of them in the store and found out that things were miraculously beginning to heal. PRAYER WORKS!
We all have probably quoted this verse at some time or another, but lately, it has become so real to me. The key word is "believing". Remember what the Word says in Matthew 13:58: "And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief."
I believe one of the reasons our prayers go unanswered so many times is because we don't truly believe He is going to do it. Of course, I have a story...
About a week or so ago on a Sunday morning, I got up early and had my morning prayer time. That particular morning I asked God to mend a friendship. I have two friends who have really had a strained relationship over the last six months or so. I had even tried to think of ways that I could help the mending process along, but God keeps reminding me to let Him work. Leave it with Him. He can do more in a few minutes than we can do with all our best time and efforts. I asked Him to let me see just even a small sign that He was working in this situation. Later that day... NOT the next day, not a week later, but THAT day my sweet husband told me he had seen them together. The next day I ran into one of them in the store and found out that things were miraculously beginning to heal. PRAYER WORKS!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Transporter of the Treasure
Can you believe today starts the month of March? I have no idea where all the time goes, but I am going to be more diligent about posting on this blog. I have written enough stuff in my prayer journal to write several books, but I never take the time to sit down and put it here. I am making a "Spring resolution" today... I WILL do better!
Last night I had a prayer shift at our church. I love those times because you're shut away for a few hours and have lots of time to meditate. I went back through my journal and that's when I realized how much I haven't shared and how much I had forgotten of what He has been speaking to me. I will randomly start posting some of these days in no particular order. This one is from almost six months ago.
Psalm 141: 2-3 "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips."
I felt Him say to me...
You are pushing through, pushing back the forces of darkness when you pray in the Spirit. Allow Me to flow freely through you, speak through you. Be My earthen vessel. I've placed treasure inside of you. Be a transporter of the treasure. Let My fragrance flow forth from your innermost being. Be filled with My truth in your inward parts, through and through. Let the fire of My Presence burn out self. I've given you access into the most holy place. Flesh can't abide there. Push past your flesh. You decide how much anointing you allow to flow in your life by how much flesh you're willing to die to. Leave it behind with it's demands and desires. Let Me fill your desires.
The things of earth can't touch you, can't affect you in this secret place. Here I align all things in your life perfectly according to My will. Get caught away in the rapture of My Presence. Rest in the shadow of My wings. Fresh anointing, fresh oil of My anointing here...
New authority
new territories
new favor
healing for you mind, body & spirit...
I am healing you. Things gained in the Spirit are pressed for, sought after diligently. You must always press on to new dimensions in Me. Deeper depths than before... they require a greater sacrifice.
2 Corinthians 4:7 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
You MUST read this whole chapter! We don't even realize the treasure He has placed within all of us who have given our lives to Him. It is no longer you, no longer me, but...
Colossians 1:27 "...Christ in you, the hope of glory"
I know this post is lengthy, but I can't begin to tell you what it's like to go back and read this and then know what has happened in the six months since then. He has done so much! I'll tell more later...
Last night I had a prayer shift at our church. I love those times because you're shut away for a few hours and have lots of time to meditate. I went back through my journal and that's when I realized how much I haven't shared and how much I had forgotten of what He has been speaking to me. I will randomly start posting some of these days in no particular order. This one is from almost six months ago.
Psalm 141: 2-3 "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips."
I felt Him say to me...
You are pushing through, pushing back the forces of darkness when you pray in the Spirit. Allow Me to flow freely through you, speak through you. Be My earthen vessel. I've placed treasure inside of you. Be a transporter of the treasure. Let My fragrance flow forth from your innermost being. Be filled with My truth in your inward parts, through and through. Let the fire of My Presence burn out self. I've given you access into the most holy place. Flesh can't abide there. Push past your flesh. You decide how much anointing you allow to flow in your life by how much flesh you're willing to die to. Leave it behind with it's demands and desires. Let Me fill your desires.
The things of earth can't touch you, can't affect you in this secret place. Here I align all things in your life perfectly according to My will. Get caught away in the rapture of My Presence. Rest in the shadow of My wings. Fresh anointing, fresh oil of My anointing here...
New authority
new territories
new favor
healing for you mind, body & spirit...
I am healing you. Things gained in the Spirit are pressed for, sought after diligently. You must always press on to new dimensions in Me. Deeper depths than before... they require a greater sacrifice.
2 Corinthians 4:7 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
You MUST read this whole chapter! We don't even realize the treasure He has placed within all of us who have given our lives to Him. It is no longer you, no longer me, but...
Colossians 1:27 "...Christ in you, the hope of glory"
I know this post is lengthy, but I can't begin to tell you what it's like to go back and read this and then know what has happened in the six months since then. He has done so much! I'll tell more later...
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