And behold one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet. and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, AND she shall live." So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.- Mark 5:22-24
While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher further?" As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler if the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult abs those who wept ans wailed loudly. When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were filled with great amazement."- Mark 5: 35-42
When reading the passage above the words in red struck a cord within me. The ruler not only desired to see his daughter healed, but he desired to see her LIVE (refer to Matthew 7:7-11~ If we ask for a thing, He gives it to us)! If this natural father could make such a profound request for his daughter, imagine what our Heavenly Father desires for us! God desires for us to live in a perpetual state of healing, wholeness, abundance, and freedom. When Jesus heals us, He heals us that we may LIVE! That we may forget those things which are behind and press toward the mark of our higher calling in Christ Jesus. He desires for his daughters to "arise" and live the beautiful life He has set before us! When He touches a hurt area in our life, He heals it, and simultaneously breathes new life into that area. That which was once crippled and disabled becomes new, whole, and fully operational!
Gone are the days in which we mourn past hurts, problems, and mistakes! I have purposed in my heart to remember the lessons that come along with my mistakes, but to FORGET the baggage associated with them! I am determined to silence the voice of the enemy concerning my past hurts because they are just that, the past! Most importantly I am resolute in my conscious decision to leave my every problem in the hands of the Father for I have learned it is not my job to solve them. My job is to serve the Father. His job, which I gladly give over to Him daily, is to take care of me!!!
I am healed, and I shall live in the fullness of LIFE God has planned for me! I encourage you to do the same. Do not let the enemy steal another moment of peace from you. You have been healed to LIVE!!!!! Arise, women of God........ AND LIVE!
God bless you!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
When He Comes!
A few different things have been rolling around in my spirit lately. Three in particular have led to the composition of this post.
1.) A song from Bishop T.D Jakes & the Potter's House that simply says, "His presence is here to heal. In the presence of the Lord, be healed."
2.) Something the Lord spoke to my spirit a while back- "I do not do or allow anything to happen without purpose."
3.) The thief cometh not, but for to kill, and to steal, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.- John 10:10
With all three of the above mulling around in my heart and spirit, I began to seek the Lord concerning what it all meant. I "know" John 10:10. I've heard it preached for as long as I can remember. I know God is not idle, and therefore is not "doing" things for the sake of "doing something. The song mentioned in number one is not new to me. I first heard the song over ten years ago. Why then Lord, is all of this coming up now? What are You saying to me through these things that are echoing so loud and clear in my spirit?
His response: "Whenever I allow my presence to be revealed unto you, it is for your benefit. I am always there, but I do not always allow you to "sense" me. When I reveal myself to you, there is a reason; a purpose, and it is not to be taken lightly. The reality behind my presence goes so much deeper then the tears you shed, the tongues you speak, and the shaking/trembling you may feel. When I allow you to realize I am there, it is to be a memorial for you that I have done something IN you! Every time you are in my presence, you are being transformed. My presence is transforming you into the image I originally intended for you to be; the image I see when I look into your future. Never forget the magnitude of My presence, for Your purpose exists through MY PRESENCE. Sit at My feet and learn of Me!"
I urge you women of God to pay attention when He comes. His presence is precious. We must not become overly confident and think we have "earned" the right to sit in His presence. We are only granted access to "see" Him through His grace and mercy. All that we will ever need has already been provided for us when Jesus died on the cross, but our capability to hold those things are enlarged in His presence. Our flesh dies and our spirit is strengthened. When He comes, He comes to prepare you and I to receive all the "LIFE" He has for us through Him! Our destinies are stored up for us in heavenly places, and is revealed to us through the presence of our Creator! Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.- Matthew 6:33
God bless you!
1.) A song from Bishop T.D Jakes & the Potter's House that simply says, "His presence is here to heal. In the presence of the Lord, be healed."
2.) Something the Lord spoke to my spirit a while back- "I do not do or allow anything to happen without purpose."
3.) The thief cometh not, but for to kill, and to steal, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.- John 10:10
With all three of the above mulling around in my heart and spirit, I began to seek the Lord concerning what it all meant. I "know" John 10:10. I've heard it preached for as long as I can remember. I know God is not idle, and therefore is not "doing" things for the sake of "doing something. The song mentioned in number one is not new to me. I first heard the song over ten years ago. Why then Lord, is all of this coming up now? What are You saying to me through these things that are echoing so loud and clear in my spirit?
His response: "Whenever I allow my presence to be revealed unto you, it is for your benefit. I am always there, but I do not always allow you to "sense" me. When I reveal myself to you, there is a reason; a purpose, and it is not to be taken lightly. The reality behind my presence goes so much deeper then the tears you shed, the tongues you speak, and the shaking/trembling you may feel. When I allow you to realize I am there, it is to be a memorial for you that I have done something IN you! Every time you are in my presence, you are being transformed. My presence is transforming you into the image I originally intended for you to be; the image I see when I look into your future. Never forget the magnitude of My presence, for Your purpose exists through MY PRESENCE. Sit at My feet and learn of Me!"
I urge you women of God to pay attention when He comes. His presence is precious. We must not become overly confident and think we have "earned" the right to sit in His presence. We are only granted access to "see" Him through His grace and mercy. All that we will ever need has already been provided for us when Jesus died on the cross, but our capability to hold those things are enlarged in His presence. Our flesh dies and our spirit is strengthened. When He comes, He comes to prepare you and I to receive all the "LIFE" He has for us through Him! Our destinies are stored up for us in heavenly places, and is revealed to us through the presence of our Creator! Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.- Matthew 6:33
God bless you!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Love.... do I give it expecting to receive it in return?
Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don't want what you have- I want you. After all, children don't provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, and even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.- 2 Corinthians 12:14-15 (New Living Translation)
During a recent sermon my Pastor preached, he said something that stuck out to me. It was not the main topic of his message, but the one line struck something on the inside of me. He said, "You love, you get hurt, you get healed. That's why you have Jesus."
So often we hold our love hostage, afraid to share with people out of fear of being hurt. Once we feel the pain, we decide it's not worth loving if pain is the result, so we pick and chose whom to love and to what extent to love them. After hearing the statement my Pastor shared, I began to ask God about this. Is it really that simple? Can I just learn to love trusting you will perfect all things concerning me in the end? Should I love even though this person has shown me no signs of loving me in return? Do I put my heart out there knowing there is a good chance it will be crushed? If so, will You heal me of ALL pain?
All of those questions led me to the scripture listed above. When Paul visited the church at Corinth, he did not go because in the past they had showered him with love and kindness. He did not go because he expected to be loved AFTER this visit. He did not go looking to be loved and accepted. In fact, it was quite the opposite. He went with NO expectation of the people whatsoever! His desire was to see the people of God grow in the knowledge of God and in their relationship with the Savior. He was willing to mortgage his own life and all that he had knowing full well that the more love he showed the less he'd receive. His purpose for showing love was not attached to his own destiny, desires, wants, or needs. He went out of obedience to God with no regard for what the people gave him in return. He loved purely and unselfishly, from a place outside of his flesh. How can we achieve this perspective? How can we love despite the pain and lack of love in return?
When we speak of love from this perspective, it is not an emotion to be felt from a natural standpoint. It is not the love we have towards our family and friends. It is the love that only God can pour into our hearts. It supersedes all human intellect and reasoning. It is not something we can conjure up or develop. To love God's people enough to be willing to mortgage your own life though they show you no love in return, you must be IN love with God. When we fall in love with Jesus, He teaches us to love. He becomes the teacher, and we the pupils. With out His vital tutorial, it is impossible for us as humans to love one another the way He desires for us to love. Human love is based on emotion, relationship, give and take, how well we "get along", reciprocation of said love, and on some level although it may be just a trace of a slither, how much we may have to gain from that love. God's love on the other hand has nothing to do with any of that. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The harder we run away from Him, turn our backs on Him, ignore Him, and shun Him, the more grace and mercy He shows us. The harder he goes "after" us to love us into the fold. Hence Jesus' teaching regarding leaving the 99 sheep to go after the 1 (Matthew 18:11-13). The shepherd rejoices more over the 1 than the 99 that never went astray! Doesn't that say something about God's love towards us?
God's love toward us is so pure, it can't be understood from an intellectual or emotional standpoint. To "know" it, you must experience it in your spirit. You must walk with God and allow Him to reveal the truth of His love to you. There are many instances when God shows us portions of the magnitude of His love towards us. To see them, we must quiet our surroundings and yield to His promptings. There is so much He desires to teach us. Our job as the pupil is to remain available and focused during our tutorial sessions! No daydreaming when class is in session!
Returning back to the original question, should I give love expecting to receive it in return? Absolutely not. I give love knowing that just as there have been times that I have not returned Jesus' love towards me, there will be times when others will not return my love towards them. I can not love from my emotional human nature. I must love from my spirit with NO natural emotional attachment. We can not be "emotionally" invested in people. We must look at this from a heavenly perspective, and ask God to help us love the pure spirit despite the polluted actions. A concept that seems difficult for most to understand, is so easily understood after time is spent gleaning from the Master Professor. To further understand this, one must go to God for personal direction, revelation, and conviction. It's not enough that another human tells you to love, you must get your own marching orders from the Father. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. If you desire to love from a pure place, seek to love the Father, and He will teach you to love your neighbors!
God bless you all!!!
During a recent sermon my Pastor preached, he said something that stuck out to me. It was not the main topic of his message, but the one line struck something on the inside of me. He said, "You love, you get hurt, you get healed. That's why you have Jesus."
So often we hold our love hostage, afraid to share with people out of fear of being hurt. Once we feel the pain, we decide it's not worth loving if pain is the result, so we pick and chose whom to love and to what extent to love them. After hearing the statement my Pastor shared, I began to ask God about this. Is it really that simple? Can I just learn to love trusting you will perfect all things concerning me in the end? Should I love even though this person has shown me no signs of loving me in return? Do I put my heart out there knowing there is a good chance it will be crushed? If so, will You heal me of ALL pain?
All of those questions led me to the scripture listed above. When Paul visited the church at Corinth, he did not go because in the past they had showered him with love and kindness. He did not go because he expected to be loved AFTER this visit. He did not go looking to be loved and accepted. In fact, it was quite the opposite. He went with NO expectation of the people whatsoever! His desire was to see the people of God grow in the knowledge of God and in their relationship with the Savior. He was willing to mortgage his own life and all that he had knowing full well that the more love he showed the less he'd receive. His purpose for showing love was not attached to his own destiny, desires, wants, or needs. He went out of obedience to God with no regard for what the people gave him in return. He loved purely and unselfishly, from a place outside of his flesh. How can we achieve this perspective? How can we love despite the pain and lack of love in return?
When we speak of love from this perspective, it is not an emotion to be felt from a natural standpoint. It is not the love we have towards our family and friends. It is the love that only God can pour into our hearts. It supersedes all human intellect and reasoning. It is not something we can conjure up or develop. To love God's people enough to be willing to mortgage your own life though they show you no love in return, you must be IN love with God. When we fall in love with Jesus, He teaches us to love. He becomes the teacher, and we the pupils. With out His vital tutorial, it is impossible for us as humans to love one another the way He desires for us to love. Human love is based on emotion, relationship, give and take, how well we "get along", reciprocation of said love, and on some level although it may be just a trace of a slither, how much we may have to gain from that love. God's love on the other hand has nothing to do with any of that. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The harder we run away from Him, turn our backs on Him, ignore Him, and shun Him, the more grace and mercy He shows us. The harder he goes "after" us to love us into the fold. Hence Jesus' teaching regarding leaving the 99 sheep to go after the 1 (Matthew 18:11-13). The shepherd rejoices more over the 1 than the 99 that never went astray! Doesn't that say something about God's love towards us?
God's love toward us is so pure, it can't be understood from an intellectual or emotional standpoint. To "know" it, you must experience it in your spirit. You must walk with God and allow Him to reveal the truth of His love to you. There are many instances when God shows us portions of the magnitude of His love towards us. To see them, we must quiet our surroundings and yield to His promptings. There is so much He desires to teach us. Our job as the pupil is to remain available and focused during our tutorial sessions! No daydreaming when class is in session!
Returning back to the original question, should I give love expecting to receive it in return? Absolutely not. I give love knowing that just as there have been times that I have not returned Jesus' love towards me, there will be times when others will not return my love towards them. I can not love from my emotional human nature. I must love from my spirit with NO natural emotional attachment. We can not be "emotionally" invested in people. We must look at this from a heavenly perspective, and ask God to help us love the pure spirit despite the polluted actions. A concept that seems difficult for most to understand, is so easily understood after time is spent gleaning from the Master Professor. To further understand this, one must go to God for personal direction, revelation, and conviction. It's not enough that another human tells you to love, you must get your own marching orders from the Father. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. If you desire to love from a pure place, seek to love the Father, and He will teach you to love your neighbors!
God bless you all!!!
Friday, January 1, 2010
A Personal Moment
Well Ladies,
The time has come for me to share something I hold very dear to my heart. Occasionally God gives me passages that speak of the relationship He and I share. The following really doesn't have a title. It's not a poem, or short story, it is simply a journal entry. Something that poured out of me last night as I prepared to end my time with the Lord. Some parts may rhyme and others do not, that's just how it came out. I've done no additional editing. It's straight from my very personal journal to my not so personal blog. Some may not understand it and others may find it trivial. I pray that at least one sees it as useful in understanding the intimacy God longs to have with each of us. When you look past all of the church services we attend, all of the "works" that we do, you realize that what matters to God most is at the center of you. It's your heart. The real you. The you that no one else has access to. The naked you. As a close friend of mine would say, "God is not concerned with the fig leaves. He's concerned with what the fig leaves are covering!" God bless you!
Everything I am is a direct reflection of all You've done in me!
I am not a mirror of the world, but rather a glimpse of my Father
Though I may stumble, I will succeed
For I am backed by the One who sent me
Though a host rise up against me
I am not afraid
I am confident in the strength that my Creator exhibits through me
Though the path is thick with brush
and my windows covered with muck
My vision is clear
For I do not look through the eyes you see
I look from the inside, the real me
When the clouds roll in and the rain begins to fall
I fix my eyes on things above
and practice my victory dance when I'm all alone
I am called, chosen, set apart for the Master's use
Too different to fit in the with the world
Too much unfulfilled purpose to leave it
So please remember when you look at me
There's so much more brewing than you will ever see
And it's okay if you don't understand me
Because I am me and I don't always understand me
The only thing I can be sure of
Is the Father's love for me
It's because of this love I can boldly say
No matter what I'll march on to Victory!
His love is so pure
Unlike anything I've ever known
There are no words to fully describe it
It's better than any story ever told
My God is my all, in Him I place my trust
I cast not my cares on these things that rot and rust
As my pencil slides smoothly across the paper
So does His love flow through me
It went into the deepest parts of my body
Healing every inch as it went.
The results have been breath taking,
It's the greatest feeling I've ever felt.
I take no Glory in what my Father has done
In fact through most of it
I was clueless to what was going on
Thank God that didn't stop Him
from putting me on the operating table,
For now I have been made whole by the Almighty One.
He keeps making me over, and I promise that's the best part
For when I think He's reached the end
I realize He's back at start.
So it's true that everything I am
is a reflection of what He's done
But that reflection is ever changing
I've got a long way to go before I'll look like His son!
The time has come for me to share something I hold very dear to my heart. Occasionally God gives me passages that speak of the relationship He and I share. The following really doesn't have a title. It's not a poem, or short story, it is simply a journal entry. Something that poured out of me last night as I prepared to end my time with the Lord. Some parts may rhyme and others do not, that's just how it came out. I've done no additional editing. It's straight from my very personal journal to my not so personal blog. Some may not understand it and others may find it trivial. I pray that at least one sees it as useful in understanding the intimacy God longs to have with each of us. When you look past all of the church services we attend, all of the "works" that we do, you realize that what matters to God most is at the center of you. It's your heart. The real you. The you that no one else has access to. The naked you. As a close friend of mine would say, "God is not concerned with the fig leaves. He's concerned with what the fig leaves are covering!" God bless you!
Everything I am is a direct reflection of all You've done in me!
I am not a mirror of the world, but rather a glimpse of my Father
Though I may stumble, I will succeed
For I am backed by the One who sent me
Though a host rise up against me
I am not afraid
I am confident in the strength that my Creator exhibits through me
Though the path is thick with brush
and my windows covered with muck
My vision is clear
For I do not look through the eyes you see
I look from the inside, the real me
When the clouds roll in and the rain begins to fall
I fix my eyes on things above
and practice my victory dance when I'm all alone
I am called, chosen, set apart for the Master's use
Too different to fit in the with the world
Too much unfulfilled purpose to leave it
So please remember when you look at me
There's so much more brewing than you will ever see
And it's okay if you don't understand me
Because I am me and I don't always understand me
The only thing I can be sure of
Is the Father's love for me
It's because of this love I can boldly say
No matter what I'll march on to Victory!
His love is so pure
Unlike anything I've ever known
There are no words to fully describe it
It's better than any story ever told
My God is my all, in Him I place my trust
I cast not my cares on these things that rot and rust
As my pencil slides smoothly across the paper
So does His love flow through me
It went into the deepest parts of my body
Healing every inch as it went.
The results have been breath taking,
It's the greatest feeling I've ever felt.
I take no Glory in what my Father has done
In fact through most of it
I was clueless to what was going on
Thank God that didn't stop Him
from putting me on the operating table,
For now I have been made whole by the Almighty One.
He keeps making me over, and I promise that's the best part
For when I think He's reached the end
I realize He's back at start.
So it's true that everything I am
is a reflection of what He's done
But that reflection is ever changing
I've got a long way to go before I'll look like His son!
Monday, December 21, 2009
What About My Plans?
By nature I am one that loves to plan everything out. I have been known to spend hours preparing and plotting out courses of action for future success. I have lived by the motto, "to fail to plan is to plan to fail". Oh how untrue and incorrect this saying is.
Through time spent in fellowship with the Lord, I have learned (through trial and lots of error I might add) that all the natural planning in the world is pointless without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is very easy to lay out a map to success, but if Jesus is not in the driver's seat there is no guarantee we'll end up at God's desired location. And let's face it, if we are not aiming for God's desired location then what's the point of the trip?
We often say to God, "Lord, I'll go where you want me to go. I'll do what you want me to do." Well what if He wants to you to go to a remote country and devote yourself totally to mission work? Are you willing to go? What if He wants you to quit your job and devote yourself to ministering to the homeless? Are you willing to do it? Are you willing to abandon ALL of your plans for God's plans?
When I was first asked this question, I could not readily answer it. Not because my heart did not want to do the will of the Father, but because I have recently gained a deeper understanding of what that means. It is easy to say yes Lord when we only have a surface level of understanding as to what He is calling for, but what about when we gain a deeper level of understanding? Remember, in all of our getting, we are to get an understanding.
For me, saying "Yes Lord" means laying down my every desire, hope, and dream for the future. The home I've dreamed about since I was a teenager. The career that is literally at my fingertips. The "good life" we see here on Earth. It means going to God DAILY and laying those things down. It means turning down opportunities that the Father says turn down. It means moving to a place I had no desire to move to so that He could be glorified through my service. It means serving the people with no hope or expectation of anything in return. It means forgoing my favorite movies and television programs to spend time alone with him. It means doing the hard things he presses upon my heart to do. It means making the conscience choice to be obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It means literally burying ALL of my plans, and asking the Father to impregnate me with His. I am no longer my own. I have been made new by the Father, and it is my prayer that He will continually make me over until I look like Him.
Because my view of the future is limited, I cannot make the BEST decision concerning my future. Me planning my future is like a person attempting to draw a strip map to a location to which they have never been. God however, in His infinite wisdom is all knowing, and all seeing. He sees what lays ahead, so when draws the strip map, He takes me directly to the location He has called me to. When he leads, I will never make a wrong turn, and I will reach His desired location in His perfect timing!
What about my plans? I ripped them up. When I reviewed them in better lighting I saw mistakes all over the blueprints. They were worthless. I have adopted Heavenly blueprints, and though I can not see or even understand every phase, I know the result will be a beautiful masterpiece for I know the Master's thoughts toward me. He has thoughts of peace towards me and He desires to give me an expected end! (Jeremiah 29:11)
Through time spent in fellowship with the Lord, I have learned (through trial and lots of error I might add) that all the natural planning in the world is pointless without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is very easy to lay out a map to success, but if Jesus is not in the driver's seat there is no guarantee we'll end up at God's desired location. And let's face it, if we are not aiming for God's desired location then what's the point of the trip?
We often say to God, "Lord, I'll go where you want me to go. I'll do what you want me to do." Well what if He wants to you to go to a remote country and devote yourself totally to mission work? Are you willing to go? What if He wants you to quit your job and devote yourself to ministering to the homeless? Are you willing to do it? Are you willing to abandon ALL of your plans for God's plans?
When I was first asked this question, I could not readily answer it. Not because my heart did not want to do the will of the Father, but because I have recently gained a deeper understanding of what that means. It is easy to say yes Lord when we only have a surface level of understanding as to what He is calling for, but what about when we gain a deeper level of understanding? Remember, in all of our getting, we are to get an understanding.
For me, saying "Yes Lord" means laying down my every desire, hope, and dream for the future. The home I've dreamed about since I was a teenager. The career that is literally at my fingertips. The "good life" we see here on Earth. It means going to God DAILY and laying those things down. It means turning down opportunities that the Father says turn down. It means moving to a place I had no desire to move to so that He could be glorified through my service. It means serving the people with no hope or expectation of anything in return. It means forgoing my favorite movies and television programs to spend time alone with him. It means doing the hard things he presses upon my heart to do. It means making the conscience choice to be obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It means literally burying ALL of my plans, and asking the Father to impregnate me with His. I am no longer my own. I have been made new by the Father, and it is my prayer that He will continually make me over until I look like Him.
Because my view of the future is limited, I cannot make the BEST decision concerning my future. Me planning my future is like a person attempting to draw a strip map to a location to which they have never been. God however, in His infinite wisdom is all knowing, and all seeing. He sees what lays ahead, so when draws the strip map, He takes me directly to the location He has called me to. When he leads, I will never make a wrong turn, and I will reach His desired location in His perfect timing!
What about my plans? I ripped them up. When I reviewed them in better lighting I saw mistakes all over the blueprints. They were worthless. I have adopted Heavenly blueprints, and though I can not see or even understand every phase, I know the result will be a beautiful masterpiece for I know the Master's thoughts toward me. He has thoughts of peace towards me and He desires to give me an expected end! (Jeremiah 29:11)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Not Seeing A Change?.... What are you Praying?
During a recent conversation the Lord gave me a question to ask the person I was speaking to. Have you asked God to help your husband yield to the Holy Spirit? A simple question, however, I could tell by the person's response that the idea of asking God to help the individual yield had never crossed this woman's mind. Often times when we are married to an unbelieving spouse or a spouse that is young in the Lord, we spend most of our time praying and/or rejoicing over our spouse's salvation, but we neglect to ask God to assist them in the yielding process. The Lord gave me very specific instructions to share that I believe will be of benefit to anyone praying for the salvation of a loved one.
1. Pray that God draws the individual by His Spirit.
No one comes to the God unless God draws them in. Just as Jesus pricked each of our hearts, it will take that same prick for the next unbeliever to come into the knowledge of Christ.
2. Pray that God tills the ground of the individual's heart. (Mark 4:3-20)
Just as soil must be tilled and/or prepped before it is ready for seed, so is the ground of our hearts. Often times when we are in church (the place most of us hear the Word being preached) our hearts and minds are focused on other things. The cares of the world, the daily "to do" list, past hurts and scars, sports, etc. When our hearts and minds are focusing on these things, we are not in a place to receive and digest the Word of God. Those of us that are more mature understand the need to cast down imaginations and everything high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, but an unbeliever does not understand this concept for they have not been taught. This is why many come to the church building Sunday after Sunday and leave the same. Their bodies are there, but the soil of their hearts have not been made ready for the seed.
3. Pray that God strengthens the individual in his/her innerman that he/she will be able to yield to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Because God has given man free will, He will not force us to obey Him. He comes and makes impressions upon our hearts and it is up to us to trade our fleshly desires for His heavenly ones. Often times individuals hear the voice of the Lord, but the flesh is so strong that they are not able or willing to yield to what the Lord is saying. In order to defeat the flesh, we must feed our spirit. When praying for those that have not yet come into the knowledge of Christ I often ask the Lord to give him/her the grace to say yes to Him, and to strengthen their innerman that they may be able to yield. While we may think we yield of our own accord, if God does not strengthen us, none of us would be able to yield.
When praying for someone that has not come into the knowledge of Christ is it important to begin to "see" that individual the way God sees them. Again, this can not be done without the help of the Holy Spirit, so I often ask God to help me see people the way He sees them. I don't want to see with my natural eye because then all I would ever see is the imperfections of our humanity. Instead, I ask God to show me what he sees. God sees the condition of our hearts. When you begin to see that unbeliever from God's eye, it will be so much easier to love them into the Body. This is a perfect example of God helping us to yield. God commands us to love one another, yet it is difficult because we see with our natural eyes. Our humanity wants to rebuff that which it does not like or understand. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can begin to see the hearts of men and women making it easier to yield when the Holy Spirit says, "Go love on that drunkard".
Yielding to the Holy Spirit is a day by day, step by step process. As we grow in the knowledge of Christ and deeper in relationship with Him, yielding becomes as second nature. Even when God asks us to do the seemingly hard thing that we may sometimes wrestle with, if our heart's desire is to please the Lord, we eventually yield and move closer to the Lord. For an individual that is just coming into relationship with the Lord yielding is still a foreign concept. We all crawled before we walked. Praying that the Lord helps the babes and unbelievers to yield may be the very thing that pushes that individual out of wrestling and into yielding! Remember, Jesus Himself (when wrapped in humanity) needed help in yielding even though He already knew the will of the Father (Luke 22:42-44)
I pray that this post helps you in your intercession for the babes and unbelievers around you. Those of us that are stronger should bear the infirmities of the weak (Romans 15:1). Let's carry this burden of prayer as the Lord leads that more will be able to come into the knowledge of Christ. May God richly bless you!
1. Pray that God draws the individual by His Spirit.
No one comes to the God unless God draws them in. Just as Jesus pricked each of our hearts, it will take that same prick for the next unbeliever to come into the knowledge of Christ.
2. Pray that God tills the ground of the individual's heart. (Mark 4:3-20)
Just as soil must be tilled and/or prepped before it is ready for seed, so is the ground of our hearts. Often times when we are in church (the place most of us hear the Word being preached) our hearts and minds are focused on other things. The cares of the world, the daily "to do" list, past hurts and scars, sports, etc. When our hearts and minds are focusing on these things, we are not in a place to receive and digest the Word of God. Those of us that are more mature understand the need to cast down imaginations and everything high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, but an unbeliever does not understand this concept for they have not been taught. This is why many come to the church building Sunday after Sunday and leave the same. Their bodies are there, but the soil of their hearts have not been made ready for the seed.
3. Pray that God strengthens the individual in his/her innerman that he/she will be able to yield to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Because God has given man free will, He will not force us to obey Him. He comes and makes impressions upon our hearts and it is up to us to trade our fleshly desires for His heavenly ones. Often times individuals hear the voice of the Lord, but the flesh is so strong that they are not able or willing to yield to what the Lord is saying. In order to defeat the flesh, we must feed our spirit. When praying for those that have not yet come into the knowledge of Christ I often ask the Lord to give him/her the grace to say yes to Him, and to strengthen their innerman that they may be able to yield. While we may think we yield of our own accord, if God does not strengthen us, none of us would be able to yield.
When praying for someone that has not come into the knowledge of Christ is it important to begin to "see" that individual the way God sees them. Again, this can not be done without the help of the Holy Spirit, so I often ask God to help me see people the way He sees them. I don't want to see with my natural eye because then all I would ever see is the imperfections of our humanity. Instead, I ask God to show me what he sees. God sees the condition of our hearts. When you begin to see that unbeliever from God's eye, it will be so much easier to love them into the Body. This is a perfect example of God helping us to yield. God commands us to love one another, yet it is difficult because we see with our natural eyes. Our humanity wants to rebuff that which it does not like or understand. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can begin to see the hearts of men and women making it easier to yield when the Holy Spirit says, "Go love on that drunkard".
Yielding to the Holy Spirit is a day by day, step by step process. As we grow in the knowledge of Christ and deeper in relationship with Him, yielding becomes as second nature. Even when God asks us to do the seemingly hard thing that we may sometimes wrestle with, if our heart's desire is to please the Lord, we eventually yield and move closer to the Lord. For an individual that is just coming into relationship with the Lord yielding is still a foreign concept. We all crawled before we walked. Praying that the Lord helps the babes and unbelievers to yield may be the very thing that pushes that individual out of wrestling and into yielding! Remember, Jesus Himself (when wrapped in humanity) needed help in yielding even though He already knew the will of the Father (Luke 22:42-44)
I pray that this post helps you in your intercession for the babes and unbelievers around you. Those of us that are stronger should bear the infirmities of the weak (Romans 15:1). Let's carry this burden of prayer as the Lord leads that more will be able to come into the knowledge of Christ. May God richly bless you!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wearing the Garment of Praise
"To console all those who mourn in Zion. To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."- Isaiah 61:3
A couple of months ago I learned a family member of mine had been killed instantly in a car accident. I hadn't seen or spoken to this family member in years, yet grief gripped me within moments of hearing the news. Within half an hour I was curled up in a ball in my husbands arms crying until I felt I had no tears left to cry. The grief and heaviness crippled me nearly the entire day. The plans I had made to spend quality time with my husband and children were traded for hours spent in bed. While grief is a very real and normal part of life, it puzzled me that this particular incident had rendered me nonfunctional for the better part of a day. Death is not new to me. I have been losing family members since the age of 8, and until this most recent death, I was under the impression that I handled death well. It wasn't until I woke the following morning and had to will myself out of bed that I realized something very different was going on with me. It went much deeper than the death of a loved one. I knew God was showing me something in the midst of my pain.
Eager to grasp an understanding of what the Father was trying to show me, I went to Him and asked for clarity. I admitted the depth of my pain to Him and asked Him to not only heal me, but also give me an understanding as to why I was unable to shake the pain. It was in that moment that the Lord reminded me of Isaiah 61:3; the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
God has given each of us a garment of praise. What we do with that garment is up to us. When I made the decision to put on my garment of praise, immediately the spirit of heaviness left and I felt whole again. The reality of the loss is still very present with me, but the grief and heaviness that were holding me captive released the moment I began to praise God. I danced, sang, and shouted all by myself in a tiny room giving God all of the praise I had from the inner most parts of me. It was to date one of the single most freeing experiences I have had the honor of experiencing. The revelation of the power of praise has once again changed my life forever.
It wasn't that I didn't know to praise God. Actually, it was quite the opposite. I've always believed in praising God no matter what. Sadly though I would often carry the burdens and pains of life until I was able to get to church to release it. After moving around with the military and being in numerous situations where my house was "the church" I have learned to put on my garment of praise immediately. There is no need to carry pain and sadness simply because we are waiting on a church service. Anyone can praise God through pain in the midst of a Spirit filled service, but can you put on that garment when it's just you and Jesus and that pain is fresh? I've learned and I am still learning that the greatest measure of my walk of faith is not what goes on when others are around (my husband and children included), it is what goes on when it is just me and Jesus! Those are the moments that determine who I really am. When faced with hurt and pain, do I wallow in it, or do I go directly into praising my King?
The enemy does not deserve a single moment of my time or attention. With that knowledge I chose to wear my garment of praise continuously. I will not give the enemy an inch. In my praise, God destroys things. My praise is a weapon that shakes the very foundations of the kingdom of darkness for when I praise, Jesus shows up! My praise creates an atmosphere for God to dwell. When He steps on the scene, everything else has to bow!
Since this situation, I have found myself going into praise so much faster now, and that alone has saved me so much emotional stress and frustration. It is liberating to focus on God rather than the situation. I have also found my resolutions come much faster, and even if the manifestation is delayed, I rest in the knowledge that Jesus heard my cry and it's only a matter of time before I will see natural results! I have learned to ask God to help me see the situation from His perspective. God never allows anything to happen to us without purpose. If I grasp a glimpse of purpose, it is all worth it, for I know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to glory that will be revealed in us! To God be the glory!
Women of God, be encouraged. Wear your garment of praise like it's your favorite and only suit! Never take it off, not even to clean it.... in His presence we are made clean anyway!
God bless you, and as always, leave a comment if you desire!
A couple of months ago I learned a family member of mine had been killed instantly in a car accident. I hadn't seen or spoken to this family member in years, yet grief gripped me within moments of hearing the news. Within half an hour I was curled up in a ball in my husbands arms crying until I felt I had no tears left to cry. The grief and heaviness crippled me nearly the entire day. The plans I had made to spend quality time with my husband and children were traded for hours spent in bed. While grief is a very real and normal part of life, it puzzled me that this particular incident had rendered me nonfunctional for the better part of a day. Death is not new to me. I have been losing family members since the age of 8, and until this most recent death, I was under the impression that I handled death well. It wasn't until I woke the following morning and had to will myself out of bed that I realized something very different was going on with me. It went much deeper than the death of a loved one. I knew God was showing me something in the midst of my pain.
Eager to grasp an understanding of what the Father was trying to show me, I went to Him and asked for clarity. I admitted the depth of my pain to Him and asked Him to not only heal me, but also give me an understanding as to why I was unable to shake the pain. It was in that moment that the Lord reminded me of Isaiah 61:3; the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
God has given each of us a garment of praise. What we do with that garment is up to us. When I made the decision to put on my garment of praise, immediately the spirit of heaviness left and I felt whole again. The reality of the loss is still very present with me, but the grief and heaviness that were holding me captive released the moment I began to praise God. I danced, sang, and shouted all by myself in a tiny room giving God all of the praise I had from the inner most parts of me. It was to date one of the single most freeing experiences I have had the honor of experiencing. The revelation of the power of praise has once again changed my life forever.
It wasn't that I didn't know to praise God. Actually, it was quite the opposite. I've always believed in praising God no matter what. Sadly though I would often carry the burdens and pains of life until I was able to get to church to release it. After moving around with the military and being in numerous situations where my house was "the church" I have learned to put on my garment of praise immediately. There is no need to carry pain and sadness simply because we are waiting on a church service. Anyone can praise God through pain in the midst of a Spirit filled service, but can you put on that garment when it's just you and Jesus and that pain is fresh? I've learned and I am still learning that the greatest measure of my walk of faith is not what goes on when others are around (my husband and children included), it is what goes on when it is just me and Jesus! Those are the moments that determine who I really am. When faced with hurt and pain, do I wallow in it, or do I go directly into praising my King?
The enemy does not deserve a single moment of my time or attention. With that knowledge I chose to wear my garment of praise continuously. I will not give the enemy an inch. In my praise, God destroys things. My praise is a weapon that shakes the very foundations of the kingdom of darkness for when I praise, Jesus shows up! My praise creates an atmosphere for God to dwell. When He steps on the scene, everything else has to bow!
Since this situation, I have found myself going into praise so much faster now, and that alone has saved me so much emotional stress and frustration. It is liberating to focus on God rather than the situation. I have also found my resolutions come much faster, and even if the manifestation is delayed, I rest in the knowledge that Jesus heard my cry and it's only a matter of time before I will see natural results! I have learned to ask God to help me see the situation from His perspective. God never allows anything to happen to us without purpose. If I grasp a glimpse of purpose, it is all worth it, for I know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to glory that will be revealed in us! To God be the glory!
Women of God, be encouraged. Wear your garment of praise like it's your favorite and only suit! Never take it off, not even to clean it.... in His presence we are made clean anyway!
God bless you, and as always, leave a comment if you desire!
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