Holy Spirit would you show me areas in my life that reflect pride and idolatry?

(He affirmed me saying) “There is no stronghold of pride or idolatry but you should always be on guard against these evils. Attitudes of your heart will spring up and test the waters. Will you take them captive through confession and repentance; submitting yourself once again to our Lordship? Do not for a minute entertain these thoughts or dismiss them as a weak moment. You will know when something is said or done in pride. Little foxes spoil the vineyard!”

Song of Songs 2:14-15
My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.

What an incredible passage of scripture! This is a depiction of a love relationship that has been separated by sin. Christ is the lover portrayed in this passage calling out to his Beloved, the church. You have hidden yourself from me in the mountainside, in the cleft of the rock. Today he would say; you have hidden yourself in your work, with addictions to food and alcohol, in the busyness of your day. Please, my beloved, come out! Show me your face; I desire to hear your sweet voice! Do not let sin separate you from me any longer.

Look at this beautiful picture of Christ our Lord. He is so tender, so gentle towards you and me. This reminds me of the Garden of Eden and what took place there between Father God, Adam and Eve.

Genesis 3: 6-10
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Wow! I love the scriptures! They are so appropriate for twenty-first century believers. They are timeless in wisdom. Let’s take a closer look at this passage. Adam and Eve were conscious for the first time in their lives that they were naked. The glory of God that had been their covering had departed from them. God had given them free reign in the garden except for eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When they made the decision to eat from this tree; that is when sin entered and separated them from God.

Look at what they did immediately upon eating the forbidden fruit and discovering they were naked. They came up with a remedy for their nakedness. They sewed fig leaves together and made clothes for themselves. Can we all say yes and amen! I have been there and done that! We sin and there are always consequences to our actions; so we begin thinking of ways to remedy the problem. Sometimes it is lying to try and cover it up; other times it is going deeper into debt to try and fix the first mistake. All the time avoiding the very One who says, “come to me!” “I have the remedy.”

Let’s look at God’s remedy for Adam and Eve’s sinfulness.

Genesis 3:21
The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

God slaughtered an animal and covered their nakedness or sin with a bloody hide. In Hebrews 9:22 it reads, 'for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin." God was not only making provision for their sin, but he was instituting a new sacrament called Atonement. He is a good example of how we are to discipline our own children in patience and love. He basically said, “Yes, you messed up royally but I have made provision for your mistake.”

The bloody hide applied to them reinstated their position with the Father. They again had access to him. This is of course a type and shadow of what was to come in the New Covenant between Christ and his church. God set a precedent of what we are to do when we sin. Sin separates us from God. The Old Covenant given to Moses by God instructed him to appoint priests who would, on a yearly basis, make atonement for the people’s sin through sacrificing animals. The blood of Jesus in the New Covenant restores relationship between man and God. Going back to the original text in Song of Songs; Christ our Lover is saying to his Beloved in verse fifteen.

Catch for us the foxes the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards in bloom.

He is passionately saying to his Beloved the church - Do not let sin take root! The sins you consider to be little are those that chip away at your steadfastness, the attitudes of your heart, your actions in secret. These will spoil and taint our relationship. He is saying that you have fruit-filled lives that are so precious to him. Don’t leave sin unchecked. There has been given to us a remedy for sin. His name is Jesus and he shed his blood on the cross at Calvary to atone for our sins. Seek the Lord, repent, confess, and acknowledge your sin. He will apply the blood and restore you completely. You have never gone too far for his blood to cleanse you and restore you back to fellowship.

Isaiah 55:1-3
Come all you who are thirsty, come to the water; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come; buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me that your soul may live.

The above scripture reference out of Isaiah is a call to humanity from the LORD through the prophet Isaiah. He is declaring, very clearly I might add, that He is the better way! Come, come; He is beseeching us to draw near to him and accept what he has to give to us! A value cannot be placed on it. It cannot be purchased with money. Why? Because Jesus Christ has already purchased it for us! It is a gift of unprecedented proportion! He says come and eat and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. I have only been in a few venues where I would consider it the richest of fare. My spirit, soul and body will delight; I will be filled with joy beyond words to describe! To top it all off; my soul will live! In fact, I will live forever and ever with my beloved LORD!

The year was 1986. We were living in the beautiful state of New Hampshire. At the time, Nate was working for the FAA as an air traffic control specialist. We had moved there a year earlier in our big blue van. The government was not paying for this move so we traveled with only those things that were absolutely necessary for a family of five. We were young and excited about a new adventure, a new beginning!

For the first month we lived in a motel as we were searching for appropriate housing. God soon provided the perfect large house for our expanding family. We were living in a small town called, Cornish. It set right on the Connecticut River that divided New Hampshire from Vermont. It was the most picturesque place we had ever lived. The seasons were distinct and quite amazing for a Florida girl. We settled right in, making friends and becoming part of this rural community. Our children were ages four, two and a half, and 14 months. I was a stay at home mom with plenty to keep me busy! I loved my husband, my children and my life.

Within a year of moving to New Hampshire; we were tested in our faith like we had never been tested before. We also had many encounters with Jesus that strengthened our faith. I began with the scripture in Isaiah because had I not been in relationship with Jesus, I would have been emotionally distraught and without hope.

In September of 1986, I became pregnant with our fourth child. We were excited about a new addition to our family. I remember in one of my quiet times the LORD speaking to me about this child. He told me that she was a girl and to name her, Ruth. Things progressed quite well throughout the next few months. In my sixteenth week of pregnancy I began to show signs that something might be wrong with the pregnancy. I wasn’t feeling any life. I had been pregnant three other times and knew what it should be feeling like. I then began having pain; and went directly to see my doctor. They could not pick up any heartbeat and decided to do an ultrasound. He came back with the results no pregnant woman wants to hear, “this is no longer a viable pregnancy.”

We lost our little baby girl twenty-four hours later. It was very difficult for Nate and me; as we had already grown to love this little one. A few days later, I was putting our children to bed and still grieving terribly. I remember thinking that; I needed to get a handle on my emotions. I just couldn’t continue on with the sorrow I was feeling. I still had to be strong for my children. They were so small and didn’t really comprehend what had taken place.

That night, Nate was working a midnight to eight in the morning shift. I went into my bedroom after putting the kids down for the night. I took my medicine that had been prescribed for me, and laid down in my bed. I was crying and also praying to my Father to help me through this tough time. I specifically asked him to take my grief and also to wake me up at three a.m. to take my medicine again. I fell almost immediately into a sound sleep. The next thing I know; I am awakened by what sounded like a mighty rushing wind. Keep in mind; it was in the middle of January in New Hampshire. The windows were tightly shut! I leapt from my bed because I was so startled. I looked at the clock and it read two forty-five. I thought to myself and may have even verbalized out loud, “You are early!” I took my pills and lay back down. I sensed a strong presence; it was sweet and completely filling my room.

The LORD then spoke to me saying, “Do not grieve for Ruth anymore, she is with me and she is glorious! Blessed is the fruit of your womb, you will conceive again.” I accepted his words and fell back into a deep, peaceful sleep. I awoke the next morning completely changed. I no longer felt the pain in my heart that had become a constant companion for days after the miscarriage. I shared what had taken place that evening with my husband, Nate. We both were comforted by the sweetness and sensitivity of our Savior. We experienced Jesus in a new facet as our comforter.We did conceive only two months later; and God gave us our beautiful daughter Rebekah Victoria. In preparing for this today; I was seeking Holy Spirit’s guidance as I always do when writing. This is what He shared with me.

My ways are far above your ways. I have plans that cannot be explained or understood by you. You need to trust me. I mark your days and your nights. They are numbered. My strength is being perfected in you while you are here on earth. This is only a shadow of what’s to come. A momentary blink in eternity is what you are experiencing in your life. You taste my glory while you are here on earth; but when you pass to the other side you will be immersed continually in my goodness and my presence. That is why, I said to you, “Do not grieve for Ruth anymore. She is glorious.”

The LORD was telling me, “She is completely immersed in my goodness!” I could not mourn for her anymore. I look forward to being reacquainted with Ruth in eternity; but I know she is experiencing in fullness the glory of our LORD. I am forever thankful for the trials of life; for without them I would not have the assurance or faith that I have today!

Psalm 90:4
For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by or like a watch in the night.

There is a story in the book of Genesis that captures the gentleness and compassion of a father. This is a beautiful depiction of Jesus our Shepherd gently leading his flock who is the church. I would like to give some background to this story.

It is the narrative of two brothers, Jacob and Esau born to Isaac and Rebekah. Esau was the elder brother and rightfully should have received the father’s blessing from Isaac. However Jacob deceived his father and stole the blessing from Esau. So, for a number of years Jacob traveled about in fear of his brother Esau. Jacob looks up and sees Esau approaching him with four hundred men. Jacob quickly has his wives Rachel and Leah gather the children to protect them. He feared the worse case scenario, for he had treated his brother so poorly in robbing him of his inheritance. Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. Not exactly the reception Jacob was expecting. Jacob offers his brother Esau a substantial gift of livestock as a peace offering; yet Esau declines the gift saying that he already has plenty. Jacob insisted that he receive his gift and Esau concedes and accepts the gift.

The scripture that I am about to share with you is part of the dialogue between brothers.

Genesis 33:12-17
Then Esau said, “Let us be on our way; I’ll accompany you.”But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. So, let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.”Esau said, “Then let me leave some of my men with you.”“But why do that?” Jacob asked. “Just let me find favor in the eyes of my lord.”So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir. Jacob, however, went to Succoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Succoth.

This is a great story of forgiveness and humility between Jacob and Esau. The point that Holy Spirit highlighted for me in 1995 and again today is the shepherd’s heart for his sheep, represented in Jacob’s concern for his flock and his own children.

Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

This is a picture of Jesus our Shepherd and how he leads his children. He is faithful to walk with us through all the stages of our life. When I first received this picture in my quiet time, it was 1995. I was in the middle of raising our four children, caring for our home and being a wife to my husband. I enjoyed this so very much, but it was not without trial. I needed the Lord to build a shelter, to cover and protect me. There are times that we experience a delay to our prayers being answered or he causes us to be sidelined for a while in order to give us rest or to fulfill another purpose we are not aware of yet. I believe those times are indicative of Jesus our Shepherd providing these protective shelters. We are not absent from life. In the midst of adversity we are covered by his grace and endued with wisdom and power. I needed wisdom on how to nurture and prepare these precious children for life. I was very dependent on Holy Spirit; but not anymore dependent than I was when all four of those children left the nest between 2004 and 2006; or when I was diagnosed with a rare cancer that should have taken my life in 2004; or when my husband almost had a heart attack and had to take an early medical retirement in 2004; or when we moved to Florida to become caregivers for my elderly parents. Wow! That is just a portion of my life. I want to repeat, He is a shepherd through all stages of life. He gently leads and yes, at times carries us.

This is a word from the LORD that came to me in my quiet time that September day in 1995.

I hear your cry; I have not turned a deaf ear to you. You are mine. I know the ones that belong to me. Call after me and I will hear you. You are dear to my heart. Jacob did not want to push the animals and the children hard. Likewise, I will not drive you hard. I will walk with you, show you the right paths; and I will build shelters along the way as Jacob did at Succoth. I am your shelter so run into me. I will shelter you through storms of many kinds. I am you peace and your shelter. I love you. You are mine.

2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription. “The LORD knows those who are his.”

He knows who you are and is intimately acquainted with the details of your life! I remember twenty-eight years ago now; I was consumed with a new baby and at the time wanted so badly to be a part of the ministry of the Women’s Aglow. The Lord specifically spoke to me about this season of my life. He said, “This is a very important season and it will be over before you know it.” Another time, He said, “I have a new ministry for you, it is to your children; teach them.” Seasons are interesting in that they are certain to change. We are to flow with them and of course with the directives we are receiving from the Lord.

I was obedient to the Lord’s directives for my life and such fulfillment came through our precious children. There wasn’t a ministry that compared to it in my estimation. I loved every minute of their growing up. The way the Lord orchestrates things are beyond what we could imagine. In 1996 Nate and I started a youth group in our home that expanded into an urban ministry with a couple of hundred kids. Our children were our worship team and they were an integral part of the ministry. Our children went on to be missionaries with Youth With A Mission. God’s plan is always superior to our own. He foresees what will be the best for us. It is our place to listen and do what he says; then watch the amazing plan unfold as he directs us, for his glory and praise!

Deuteronomy 33:12
Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long and the one the LORD loves rests secure between his shoulders.

Seeking wisdom from Holy Spirit today; and He never disappoints me!

Abstain from all that defiles you. I am calling you to live a life set apart unto me; a life worthy of my name. You represent me, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. Be holy as I am holy.

You have heard the old adage; birds of a feather flock together. Let’s look at this through our kingdom eyes. You become like the one you spend the most time with. You take on his or her characteristics and mannerisms. Likewise as we are ever before the Lord of grace we become more like him.

A few days ago before going to church the Lord spoke these words to me:

You are a reflection of my glory. As you gaze at me, you become more like me.

2 Corinthians 3:16-18
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

When we come into the knowledge of knowing Christ as our Lord and Savior; a spiritual veil is taken down. So that we have better understanding of whom he is. We see clearly what was hidden before our conversion. The Holy Spirit makes this possible as he is the one that leads us into all truth. He directs us to Jesus, always.

So, as we are led into this truth, faith rises in our hearts. Once our hearts were shut up and dead to the things of God. We are now alive and transforming daily as we sit before him. Our acquaintances begin to see a difference in us. You may even hear that you look more rested, you are taking on a youthful glow! This is reflecting his glory! His ever-increasing glory!

Psalm 34:5
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Many years ago Nate and I were leading worship in our church. I had struggled with being obedient to doing this, because I felt it was such an intimate act to worship. I did it reluctantly, but soon understood why Holy Spirit had asked us to do it. Holy Spirit told me:

You are an example of worship to these people. As you enter in to worship before me; you are reflecting my glory.

I heard more than once that my face was glowing. I tell you this was not outward beauty as much as it was the glory of the Lord manifesting as we honored and lifted him up. The people in this church lacked understanding of what worship really was. They didn’t know how to enter in. Holy Spirit used Nate and I as an example to them. I tell you the more time you spend in the presence of the Lord the more you will look like him. This in turn will cause hunger in the people you come in contact with. I hear questions like, “Are you always so peaceful?” “Do you never become impatient?” This opens doors of opportunity to minister Jesus to them.

Zechariah 4:6
This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel; Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

When the LORD requires a new level of holiness from you and me; it is not to be obtained by our own strengths and merit. It is only through humbling ourselves before him and relying on his strength and power to achieve what he has asked of you. When I heard him speak to me this morning about being more set apart; it did not cause alarm or dread. I can’t possibly accomplish holy living on my own. I believe that’s how we get over into wrong thinking; it is called legalism in the church. I do not begin putting restrictions on myself or my diet. I submit to Holy Spirit and wait and see how he prompts me. It may be as simple as attitudes of my heart or actions towards my friends. It is Holy Spirit’s job to lead me into all truth. It is not for me to put regulations and rules on myself and certainly not on others.

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Grace has the power to change every circumstance. You only need to appropriate it. Apply this amazing grace to your present circumstance; and watch what God will do with it. He is able and willing to change that which concerns you. Holy Spirit will begin to show you and me what needs to be tweaked in our lives. We submit to his leading and apply grace to the area of need; then wait and see the beautiful transformation take place. I don’t know how long this process will take. There is no formula or timetable; so be patient and wait. You will see the deliverance and salvation of the LORD in your life!

Holy Spirit, I welcome you. Speak to my heart; treasures from Heaven.

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I am opening up beautiful pathways into the heavenly realms. Still yourself once again and listen

I am singing, I am singing
singing for the King of Kings.
I am singing, I am singing
singing for the King of Kings

Bring forth shouts of joy
Bring forth shouts of joy

For the Great King
For the Great King
He has defeated our foe!

Psalm 20:1-8 Amplified Version
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high (and defend you); Send your help from the sanctuary and support, refresh, and strengthen you from Zion; Remember all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifice. (Selah) pause and think of that! May He grant you according to your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans. We will (shout in) triumph at your salvation and victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; He will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in and boast of chariots and some of horses, but we trust in and boast of the name of the Lord our God. They are bowed down and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright. O Lord, give victory; let the King answer us when we call.

This is an amazing declaration from King David. It speaks volumes of his relationship with God. He had been anointed King of Israel, but the present King named Saul would not step aside from his throne. To make matters worse, Saul was relentlessly pursuing David to kill him. So, we can safely say David needed to be encouraged in the LORD. There are times when we are going to have to press in and declare as David did in Psalm 20; the Lord is my strength! Life is difficult and there are many assaults on it, but we can walk in strength and in the favor of the Lord!

2 Samuel 22:50-51 Amplified Version
For this I will give thanks and extol You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing praises to Your name. He is a Tower of salvation and great deliverance to His king, and shows loving-kindness to His anointed, to David and his offspring forever.

I read this entire chapter in 2 Samuel, and I would recommend that you take some time to study it in completion. It is again a declaration of victory by David when the Lord delivered him from the hands of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. We are included in this blessing as we are David’s offspring; we are accepted in Christ at salvation!

Thank you Father: For your great examples of strength put forth on behalf of your servant David and also us! I delight in you; I rejoice in you, I will extol your name forever! Your praise will continually be in my mouth. Who is God that He thinks of me? He is great and powerful; Awesome in his deeds for man!

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I will bestow honor and favor where it is due~
Rejoice~ be filled with joy!
I have overtaken the plow and the one sowing the seed.
A great harvest is coming!
A great expansion is coming!
Sowing the word of the Lord brings great fruit and bounty.

Amos 9:13-15
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “When the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills. I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God.

I know that this is a promise to the nation of Israel, but I receive it also! I say to you the days are coming that you will see your petitions, your intercessions being answered by the Lord. The cries of your heart for a broken humanity satisfied with God’s heart manifested in them. New wine represents being filled to overflowing with the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit. The broken people torn by the enemy will be whole again. Once they were alienated from God; but now they are being brought back into relationship with Him. These precious people made in the image of their Creator will once again have hope! They will begin to rebuild what has been destroyed by the enemy. The outcome of all of these beautiful promises is fruit. We were all created in God for good works! I can speak from experience; having been very torn and broken. I am restored completely! This is God’s heart’s desire for his creation. He wants us whole, complete and fruit bearing. In response to his word, God says to our enemy, “Never again to be uprooted!”