Wait

Now that the Autumn season is upon us, I feel a growing anticipation for all this time of year brings as I pull out my hats and sweaters, enjoy the cooler air and notice the changing colors of falling leaves. So in looking forward to the year ahead I tap on an article I found posted in a Farmer's newsletter about successful Fall planting. It read,"Prepare the soil." I was intrigued that the recommendation did not start by saying to first select the herbs or vegetables you desire or to find the location you want to start your garden. No, it said that careful preparation of a garden begins with clearing the soil of any weeds, twigs and rocks.

It went on to explain how the next vital step in creating a productive garden is to feed the ground with nutrients such as mulch and fertilizer. All along, watering and turning the soil to reveal and remove any once hidden roots. It is only after this extensive and patient work - considering the climate and season - can the desired bulbs, seeds and seedlings be planted.

Now, the Lord began to speak to me, gently explaining that this is the same process we go through while waiting on Him. For example, since coming to the Lord, He has been tilling the soil of my heart by clearing it of the hard rocks, painful thorns and persistent weeds of the past. He has also been feeding me with His Word and 'fertilizing' my spirit with worship and the faithful, fellowship of the Saints. All the while uncovering and uprooting the tangled remnants of unforgiveness, guilt, shame and rejection. Though my repeated prayer was often, "God, are we there yet?" I see now He's been consistently, methodically and lovingly getting me 'there' all along!

I am encouraged! Perhaps the picture of a farmer at work speaks to you as well and if need be, refreshes your spirit for the journey. What might He be planting in your life? For me, I do not know entirely, I just have to wait and see, but whatever He's chosen will take root, bloom and bring a bountiful harvest!

Don’t be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you! Be brave, stouthearted, and courageous. Yes, wait and He will help you. Psalm 27:14 (TLB)

I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry. Psalm 40:1

To console 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 (NKJV)

Endeavoring to Love

This is a new season. We can sense it and we can feel it. It's tingly and even prickly in the air. Things are changing and God is doing something new. (Isaiah 43:19) Honestly this has been said all year long. It seems to be in every devotion, blog and podcast. Hope sprang up in me as I anticipated new perspectives, adventures and new relationships and even love. Then came life. And the wait. 

Ironically, I found it more difficult to stay the course with these promises pending than when I was going along, day to day - business as usual. I was as the verse says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." Has that ever happened to you? Is it happening now? Well, more than anything today God wants us to be encouraged. He IS doing a new thing and it's better than we can imagine! He is not only bringing love into our lives but expanding our capacity to love.

We are called to love. Not just our immediate families and the Brethren but also the alien, orphan, and the widow. And not just in the literally sense. The Lord is expanding our capacity (sensitivity and ability and availability) to care for the alienated, rejected and them without. I often feel like I'm at the top at that list, but that's for another blog!

Anyway, endeavor to love. It will be met with opposition, but all worthwhile pursuits are. We will succeed!


And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you. (1 Thes. 3:12)

#kindness #godliness #love #godislove #hope

We Need Rain

I pray for rain. I pray for spiritual rain. We need the rain to water the seeds of faith sown in the fields of our hearts and the seeds of His Word. The seeds of faith need to be watered. The heat of the sun is coming and the foul of the air will eat up the seed before it takes root. 

Also, Rain has a dual implication. First as refreshing where there has been dryness and barrenness (Joel 2:23-29). Second, as restoration where there has been loss (Isa. 28:11-12).*

"Holy Spirit, we pray for Your rain to water the seeds in the soil of our hearts so that  The Word of the Lord takes root, produces fruit and spreads throughout the earth. We ask for restoration and where there is dryness, barrenness or loss we asked for refreshing. 

Thank You Lord, in Jesus name, amen."

 “You heavens above, rain down my righteousness;
    let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
    let salvation spring up,
let righteousness flourish with it;
    I, the Lord, have created it.

Isaiah 45:8

*Jack Hayford  Symbols of the holy spirit 

The Grace Effect

Have you ever felt like your prayers were taking too long to be answered? Prayers for your family, for your marriage, your children, your health or your finances? Of course, we all have. I have asked the Lord for partnership, marriage and relationships that would honor Him and be a blessing to me.

Now I know that walking the Christian walk has its challenges enough and entertaining doubting thoughts that God has abandoned me or forgotten my prayers for love, home and marriage don't help. He said "it's not good for man to be alone" so I know it's in His will. So, any other thought that contradicts that comes from the enemy. Boo! Hsss, hsss, boo!

However, for a few days now I have felt frustrated and more solitary than ever. Last night I went to bed, after saying my prayers as usual, bowl of popcorn in one hand and iPad in the other, sighing yet again - still waiting, still hoping.  But when I woke up, I knew that my heart, my mind and body and every intimate detail of life, are all part of the things the Lord has in mind to take care of.  His Word promises that "He has come to give us life and life more abundantly." (John 10:10) Even more assuredly, His grace is sufficient for me. (2 Corinthians 12:9-12) 

And so, the effect of grace in my life sustains me today. His mercies are new every morning and I can draw near to His throne with confidence. (Hebrews 4:16) I have unmerited favor. His grace strengthens me through Christ. (2 Timothy 2:1-2) 

So, I have decided to believe (to fix my mind) on what the Word says about God's provision for me and to not fret (get twisted, bent out of shape, or stressed)! Today I will trust the Lord for many things but most importantly today for His grace in my singleness. Feel me? 

Do you need to recommit a thing to His care,  His timing and His grace?

Let's pray: "Heavenly Father, I believe that You love me and that Your gift of grace provides everything we need. Therefore, I decide to re-focus on what your Word says about Your promises for my life. I commit to stay in the mindset of the 'Grace Effect' and its provision for my life, thank you Lord, in Jesus name, Amen."

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138:8 (KJV) 

The Climber

As I strolled into the gym I saw a large mural-type photo on the wall. It was a birds-eye view of a women scaling a steep wall. She was looking up with assurance, intently into the lens of the the photographer. As she gripped the goads with her fingers, her toes were also found their place in the clefts, as she worked her way up the face of the rock. Beneath her, miles away, was the valley in the distance. Because of her altitude, the field below looked like a patchwork quilt, with blurred, undefined features. She had apparently climbed for miles and I bet did not want to look down!

It made me think of the ascending climb of the Believer. The path we take often leads up a steep incline too and one must look intently upwards as well to find the rungs and clefts, or the verses of scripture where the promises of God give us sure footing and the wise counsel of those that have traveled that way before, in order to scale the walls and mountains we will encounter on our journeys.

Most importantly we have to keep our eyes on our guide, Jesus Christ. Down below, our past, our sins and the valley left behind is not worth gazing back at either. It's actually dangerous to look down or look back for the reason that one could lose their footing and the grip so carefully acquired.

 Finally, as I kept looking at the photo I noticed something I had not seen before: a thin rope or line attached to her harness that was anchored from high above. Something or someone strong enough to keep her from falling was on the other end of that rope. Oh, praise the Lord; now that'll preach!

The LORD God is my strength— he will make my feet like those of a deer, equipping me to tread on my mountain heights. Habakkuk 3:19  

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,  Jude 1:24

A Walk by Calvary

I've been by Calvary and saw my Savior on the tree;
So I am set free,
for now I see -
that because of my sins, 
He died just for me.

Luke 23:33–34 

33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing”…

Ephesians 1:7–8

7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins…

Freedom

It is Mother’s Day and I am grateful for the sober live I live today in Christ and in recovery. Though I am happy, my relationship with my own mother and my daughter is healthy today, I seem to feel a yearning for more. Is it for another greeting card or more texts wishing me "Happy Mother's Day?"

Perhaps the desire to have more is the longing to be ‘complete' because some need remains unmet and some goal unattainable. It is a natural part of the recovery process. The catch though is that I have pledged to live in the ‘supernatural’ - in the kingdom of God. So why is it then that with all His blessings the shameful sense of loss still lingers?

*I read a devotion this morning that said early experiences with shame in childhood are tough to uproot. "First in is often last out.” For example, memories of bullying, failing an exam or being left back a grade often result in shame. Another common source of shame in our culture is sexual abuse. I know this well and it has only been an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ and His finished work at the cross that has freed me from the pain of the horrible scourge of abuse and trauma.

That shame is no longer mine because Christ has taken my shame when He endured the awful scourging for my sake. So, I can rejoice today. Feelings are not always an accurate barometer of the climate in my heart. It’s bright and sunny!

If you’re holding a sense of remorse or guilt, take a moment to write about it. No one has to read it but you and Jesus. Letting it out takes the steam out of it so it won't load you down or take the wind out of your sails. Go for God because Jesus has liberated us from shame!

1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness."

Psalms 103:12, "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, Luke 4:18 (KJV)

Healer of the Brokenhearted by Derek Prince Ministries

There is an ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit that is very special—a ministry to the brokenhearted. It is a ministry to those whose hearts are wounded. If you carry a wound inside you, turn to God and say, “God, this is a time of restoration. It is a time of regathering. You are healing the brokenhearted. You are binding up their wounds. Lord, You know the wound I have carried so long in my heart. Will You heal me?”

And the invisible finger of God, the Holy Spirit, will reach down where no surgeon can reach and touch that wounded place in your life to bring you healing and restoration.

http://derekprince.org/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=1000088297

High Octane

The Lord is saying "High Octane". 

It seemed like a strange word to hear while praying. Now, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, this has been a season traveling a bumpy road. It's like I could barely catch a breath when here comes another dip or hurdle - one after another. So while I'm on my face before the Lord about this and He says, "High octane," and not being mechanically inclined, I have to ask for understanding.  

Octane ratings or an octane number is a standard measure of the performance of the engine fuel. The higher the octane number the more compression the fuel can withstand before detonating or igniting.  In broad terms, fuels with high octane ratings are used in high-performance engines that require higher compression ratios.*

Whoa, okay then, these pressures of the world, these attacks of the enemy and the oppression is actually having a distillation and refining effect. This testing, the successive evaporation and condensation process, is purifying my faith, gifts and prophetic calling. This compression is the very thing that is distilling 'jet fuel' in my spirit to launch me like a rocket into the heavenly realms of the supernatural to pull down strongholds, to have victory and to 'occupy' for Christ-sake.

Praise the Lord! Church, hear what the Lord is saying I'm sure to you as well. Concerning your ministry and your calling, He has declared and has decreed unto thee "HIGH OCTANE".

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:8-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways.

Job 22:28

*Wikipedia

The Valley

In this blog I have talked about a lot of things. Some topics have been nice, some have been sweet, and all have been nicely wrapped up into a neat 'scriptural bow'. But actually and candidly speaking, I've been in a place of disarray that has been anything but tidy, spic or span. It's been bitter and felt gritty. May I explain? 

First let me say that I have found that when one writes a blog, column or a devotion you want to inspire, encourage and maybe even entertain your readers. You at least don't want to lose your audience. So you attempt to sound witty, be profound and always say something positive.  For example, when I have experienced a distressing event or felt depressed, I endeavored to talk about how I found a verse in the Word that brought light to my situation or how I received encouragement in an unlikely way and everyone lived happily ever after, as the saying goes. It's like I have been compelled to put a happy 'Facebook-ish' post in each blog and conclude with a warm and fuzzy Snapchat grin.

Not today my friends, there will be no "Don't you wanna be like me?", Instagram photos or stirring "This revolution will not be televised," epilogues here. No, because that has rarely been my reality and it's never that simple and answers to my prayers have seldom come quickly. 

So to keep it real – straight 100 - as the saying goes, and to be sincere, I've been in a valley. It has been the valley of decision and the valley of the shadow of death. Grief, depression and loss. Not so pretty words right? However, it is an honest appraisal of what I been going through. 

But you know what I have learned? If things had not been so bad I wouldn't have the appreciation of how good my God is. If I hadn't carried such a heavy burden I wouldn't cherish the lightness of His yoke. He's been doing the heavy lifting ya'll. And what I've also realized is that in the valley is where the rain falls and the water pools. It's where the washing occurs and it's where the meadow is most green.

Here is the path to the higher life: down, lower down! Just as water always seeks and fills the lowest place, so the moment God finds men abased and empty, His glory and power flow in to exalt and to bless.” 
― Andrew Murray, Humility

Unstuck

At the beginning of this year I had determined to see some drastic changes take place in my life. You know, "Out with the old and in with the new?" But, can I get honest? Since January1st I haven't felt so motivated or even been very disciplined. It's kind of like my 'get up and go' has got up and went. I have been stuck.  So I asked the Lord, "What's up?"  His answer surprised me - unforgiveness.

Unforgiveness, me?! And what is it about unforgiveness that’s causing me to stay stuck anyway? Is it because I can't be truly thankful for all the Lord has done for me and how He has forgiven me when I'm not really letting other people's past transgressions go? Ouch!

Now, maybe I'm taking a leap here but since the Word says, And they overcame him (the enemy) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; (Revelation 12:11) and another leap, during Passover, the hyssop was used to apply the blood on the doorposts so that death would  passover, it worked.  They were saved – they were delivered.  Okay, then since I'm looking for answers to get past this "stuckness" I will go a little further and ask why was hyssop used to apply the blood?  I understand the power of the blood but why use hyssop? Was it merely because it was readily available to the Hebrews or maybe the Lord had a more profound purpose. Perhaps a far reaching and deeper meaning can be applied to our lives today?  I think so.  Hyssop, a herb from the mint family, is aromatic, bushy and wild,  just like our praise should be.

Therefore, I believe my unrestrained, sweet-smelling and undignified wild and thankful praise (my testimony) offered to the Lord of what the  blood of Jesus has done for me, like my sobriety, deliverance, redemption and forgiveness will cover, save and deliver me - and get and keep me unstuck, hallelujah!

All right, here I go, "I am forgiven, whoa! I forgive others and I forgive myself too!  Yes! Thank You Jesus, thank you!"

In Him [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. (Ephesians 1:7)

A Truly Happy and Prosperous, New Year

Happy New and Prosperous Year to you, Beloved of the Lord!

 Looking back over this past year, as you have surely read in my blog, I have had my share of bouts feeling  'blue'. I cried out to the Lord in prayer and asked for many things but most oftenly a relationship and a love I could call my own. And as the year came to a close I again could hear myself saying "Finally, Lord, please?!" in this new year.  Well, it's always amazing to me that when I finally get serious with the Lord and pray in earnest, I always get my answer. (James 5:16)

So today, as I began to read about the blood of Jesus in a newfound devotion*, it talked about a lavish love poured out for all of us. It referred to the blood sprinkled on the mercy seat to obtain our freedom from sin so that we may draw close to the Lord. Jesus gave all He had for a relationship with me - with us. In the devotion it explained:

On the Day of Atonement, the blood of the sacrifices had to be sprinkled seven times before God the Father. (See Leviticus 16:14.) We see this regulation exactly fulfilled in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross in the New Testament. First, His sweat became blood. Second, the Roman soldiers struck Him in the face with their fists and with rods. Third, they flogged Him with a Roman scourge. Fourth, His beard was pulled out. Fifth, thorns were pressed deep into His scalp. Sixth, His hands and feet were pierced with nails. Seventh, His side was pierced with a spear. 
That is the measure of Christ’s love. Think about that staggering reality and know that it is the measure of God’s love. It is extravagant, to say the least.

Wow, that picture of blood, actually love, being poured out, really transforms my thinking.  That blood that was poured out from the foundation of the world still calls out today to me saying, "Beloved."

So in this new year I truly will prosper - in my heart and in my soul (my mind, will, and emotions). The love I prayed for so earnestly, and has atoned for so much, has been extravagantly offered to me,
and to you.

 Until next time have a very happy and PROSPEROUS new year!

 Matthew 27:28-50

*  Courtesy Derek Prince Ministries