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Spirit what are you saying?

Turn your ear and listen….Spirit what are you saying?

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches, To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God (Revelation 2:7 NASB).

How many of you dear brothers and sisters feel you are on a fast moving sidewalk, something akin to those in major airports? I am not speaking of striving to make things happen, or not entering the rest of the Lord. This is different. Our times turn into days, days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months and the year is over—just like that! We can do nothing to hinder this movement; it is set at break neck speed and will continue till eternity.

Our Pastor has been speaking the past few Sundays on preparing our hearts, making ourselves ready for this upcoming season, whatever that will be, we do not know. It is almost the New Year and these kinds of messages are the norm, right? But, I’ve been hearing similar warnings to prepare ourselves. I do not mean to store up food and water, but to prepare our hearts.

Draw closer to Jesus.

Make yourselves ready!

Spend time with the Father, and Jesus.  Get to know them very well, listen to the Holy Spirit, because He has important directives for you during this time in your life. Put down those desires that wage war with your spirit. Cast your cares on Him daily. Pray for your daily bread; depend on Him for He is your Provision.

A word of the Lord

There is a storm on the horizon. Ready yourselves through pressing into Me. Put on the armor of God, relinquish the fight, let me do it! Put on humility. Steady yourselves by standing resolute in Christ and on His Word

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning

(Luke 12:35 NASB)

I am looking out to our future with excitement and wonder. There is anticipation of what’s to come. Jesus has our times in His hands.

But as for me, I trust in Thee, O Lord, I say, Thou art my God. My times are in Thy hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me (Psalm 31:14-15 NASB).

A word of the Lord

Take courage, things are about to take off. A mix of things like unto a whirlwind. A whirlwind gathers objects of various kinds and it forms them into one unit. There are many different components that are making up this storm. Reliance on Me is the key!

  

But seek for His Kingdom, and those things shall be added to you. Do not be afraid little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the Kingdom (Luke 12:31-32 NASB).

Waiting in His Presence and listening to the Lord is always good and beneficial. We are enlarging ourselves as we wait and listen for His still small voice. Our faith is strengthened and courage comes.  He will teach us all we need to know and give us strategies to accomplish what He is directing us to do. It truly is His good pleasure to give us the Kingdom!

Digging Wells

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation (Isaiah 12:2-3 NASB).

A word of the Lord while praying for our son Micah:

I will go before you and level the mountains. I will cause springs to form in the desert places of people’s hearts, even those who were thought to be hopeless will come to life with my Spirit’s water. Deep wells are there, they need to be re-dug. Living water will run again where it once flowed. Abundance of mercy will be available to all who seek it.

Our son Micah along with his family will be moving to New England in the summer of 2013. This is through the prompting of the Lord. They initially had a long-term plan on staying in East Texas and serving at the Dayspring Youth With A Mission base. He is on staff and teaches in the School of the Bible. They have sought counsel and their leadership has agreed that this is the next step for them. They will begin a Youth With A Mission base in New Hampshire with an emphasis on School of the Bible and then additional schools will come about. This is both exciting, and you can imagine a bit overwhelming. God’s vision is always so big!

Today as Nate and I gathered to quiet ourselves this is the avenue the Holy Spirit took us in, to pray for our youngest son. I was so encouraged by the word the Lord brought forth, then when I began to study the Scriptures it was a done deal in my heart. You see, I feel like I could do anything, walk through all manner of difficulty, go wherever He says go, just so long as, I have the word of the Lord on it! This also includes bringing peace to a momma’s heart.

Nate and I are not being called to New England, but God uses His people to impart courage to those who already have a spoken word from God. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit who leads us into the truth of the word of God. I do believe this will strengthen Micah and Bethany’s faith as they hear this word.

Then Isaac dug again the wells of water which had been dug in the days of his father Abraham, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham; and he gave them the same names which his father had given them (Genesis 26:18 NASB).

There is a history of revival in New England. God has not forgotten the word that was sown through the revivalists of the past. Over the years the wells that were dug have been stopped up with humanism, liberalism, and occult practices. God wants these wells to be re-dug! God is raising up those who will go and give of themselves for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Nate and I are so very proud of our children, all of them who continue to wow us with their Kingdom mindsets!

Righteousness exalts a nation

Last evening I had a dream about the Amsterdam Harbor. I awoke thinking about Amsterdam being a gateway city. It is certainly a hub of sorts, if you are traveling in Europe or on to Asia you more than likely will go through Amsterdam to get to your destination.  Amsterdam has a rich history of many people groups immigrating to it.  In a 2011 census there were thirty-five percent non- European immigrants, and fifteen percent European immigrants. Half the population of Amsterdam is non-Dutch!

I would say God has a plan for this remarkable history-filled city and it involves His Kingdom coming in power to these Gentiles. My heart is being stirred more and more for this city and nation. We are praying for the knowledge of the glory of the Lord to cover this nation as the waters cover the sea, as stated in Habakkuk 2:14.

I believe that God has a unique plan and calling for each nation and city. A nation is made up of people who will ultimately influence their form of government.

My prayer and hope for all nations is to know the One who created them for His glory. They will recognize Him and step into their God-given destinies. People groups influence governments. Righteousness truly exalts a nation.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples, but the Lord will rise upon you and his glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Isaiah 60:1-3 (NASB)

As we position ourselves to hear God’s voice and are obedient to what He directs us to do, we take on more and more of His countenance. His glory begins to cover us. We reflect His goodness. We should not despair during these times of darkness that are already here and are becoming more intense. It is the church’s time to shine! Fix your thoughts more on Jesus and reflect Him to the world around you.

Lift up your eyes round about and see. They all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried in the arms. Then you will see and be radiant, your heart will thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, the wealth of the nations will come to you.

Isaiah 60:4-5 (NASB)

As I slept and dreamed, God focused my attention on The Netherlands and specifically the city of Amsterdam. It was then my choice to press into this more in prayer today.  He created the Dutch people in His image to reflect His goodness and glory to the many people groups immigrating to their nation. I believe God has prospered and blessed the nation of The Netherlands because of their generosity and care for those who have sought refuge there over the years.  In the above passage the Hebrew translation for the phrase the wealth of the nations is actually the strength of the people will come to you.


There is incredible blessing in the diversity of people. My husband and I delight in getting to know people from other nations and cultures. It fills our life with more of God. They are made in His image and reflect more of His characteristics that we have never seen before.  I think that is why we love Amsterdam so much. The people and cultures are so diverse.

There are many other cities in The Netherlands that are predominately Dutch. We love visiting these also, but our heart is in Amsterdam with the many colorful flowers, mixes of so many people coming and going, outdoor cafes, and of course strong Dutch coffee with milk!

The Heart of our Father for the Nations

I am overhearing the heart of our Father for the nations. He desires for them to know Him and to love Him. He wants them to recognize Him has their Creator. Haggai the prophet knew God to be The Desire of all Nations. He has purpose for every nation He created. Some have been stubborn and have turned from their created purposes. How this grieves the heart of our Father. In desperation they continue to kick against the One who loves them.

So, we intercede on behalf of specific nations that Father God has put on our hearts, let us continue to cry out for their eyes to be opened!

Earlier this week as I quieted my soul, God said this to me.

Are you willing to lay down your life for your brothers and sisters in Christ?I will fill you up to be poured out to mankind. So, we intercede for the global church until Christ is formed in them.

Ephesians 1:28 (NIV)
We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

A word of the Lord:

You are clothed in salvation. 

I have wrapped you in a robe of my righteousness. 

The fruit of righteousness is coming forth

Be still, do not fret 

I am your Shalom

God’s desire for His created is to be clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This is His intended purpose for the nations of the world. Righteousness brings true security and tranquility to the lives of people. Righteousness exalts and prospers a nation.

Isaiah 32:17 (NASB)
And the work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.

Righteousness is being in right standing with God. This comes only through Jesus Christ. This right standing brings us quietness, inner confidence, being undisturbed,  full of peace, and an absence of war.

Can we visualize a world with the absence of war? Can we see the nation of Israel in peace? I can see an Israeli father and child walking along the road with an absence of fear in confidence that all is well.

God has prompted me recently to consider Korea. What about North Korea? Can we stop and imagine them clothed with salvation, everything they need provided for. Can we visualize them bowing before their one true King Jesus? Even now I sense the anointing of the Father. He is stirring in my heart hope for the nations of the world. Let us not ever give up hope because of things appearing hopeless. It is only a shadow, it is not the reality. There is hope because God has a desire to see all men come into Christ!

Isaiah 61:10-11 (NASB)
I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as a garden causes the things sown into it to spring up, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all nations.

There is hope! Stir up this hope in the people of the world! They all are longing to believe in someone, something that gives them a promise for their future and the future of their loved ones! God has a remnant of people in every nation. Let us continue to quiet ourselves, looking outside of ourselves and pray for the lost in all nations of the world. Also, let us not forget to pray for the church of Jesus Christ globally.

A time to embrace

Ecclesiastes 3:5

A time to embrace and a time to refrain

There have been many seasons in my life over the past 53 years. Some have been incredibly memorable, and they were markers for a significant life moment. The most notable ones were graduation from High School, getting married, committing my life to Christ, water baptism, birthing our children, becoming empty-nesters, and the birth of our grand daughters. Another milestone stood out to me this week as I left my doctor’s office—menopause.

I knew things were dramatically changing with me. I am not blind to the fact that I am getting older, and I can say that I am content with this stage of life despite the maladies.  Life, and all the comings and goings of the people around me… stood still. It was a Selah moment. I wanted to share the news with Nate right away, like I did in times past announcing a new pregnancy! “We are in menopause!” That’s right—not just me, but we!

I’m sure he was thinking, Oh great! How is this going to play out in our lives over the next several years? It gives added meaning to the phrases that he and I have shared,” I am committed till death us do part,” and “Baby I’m in for the long haul!” These may be tried somewhat over this time, but I am confident in my husband—that he has what it takes to love me in spite of changes in my life!

 I remember another season in my life when I knew we would not have any more children. It was something that I gave much thought to, as I had five pregnancies in less than six years. I loved this season of child-bearing and nursing my sweet little ones. I took great delight in being momma to all of them. I had complications in three of the five pregnancies and had to have cesarean sections with the four live births, so I was strongly counseled by my doctor to not have anymore children.

You might say, “Well you have had four children, you should be content.” I was delighted with the four gifts that God had blessed us with, but there was sorrow in knowing this was the end of that era of my life. I remember so vividly talking to Jesus about this sorrow. He understood, and He was so comforting, but He didn’t leave me there in my sorrow. He encouraged me to embrace the next season that was already upon me—the one of loving and training my children. He had spoken to me several years before this, of a new ministry, and it would be to my children. I remember feeling an excitement of what this was going to entail.

One thing that stood out to me as I was writing this Cassia Offering is that whenever there is an ending to a season of time in our lives, there is absolutely a new beginning! This is a simple truth that brings such hope to us. God’s plans for us are so perfect and good. He is neither dull nor lackadaisical in His ideas for us. His plans on the contrary tend to be larger than we can imagine ourselves. They stretch our natural abilities so that we have to depend on Him for success. They bring such excitement and anticipation of people we will meet and Kingdom things we will be doing!

So, in both of these life changes I had a choice to make; will I embrace the new era with joy? Yes, I must go on with the wonderful life that God has given to me. I love the four distinct seasons every year, and I am learning to embrace and truly look forward to every season of my life.

Restless….. Rest in Me

Striving to make things happen through prayer, and nothing is changing. Then we talk, we talk some more and still we are no closer to a resolution!  I am so restless and discouraged. It is looking out at your future knowing God has an amazing plan and feeling like we are not able to attain it. This friend is the makings of hopelessness.  Have you guys been there in the past or maybe now there appears to be a mountain before you and your God given destiny?

Restless

Without rest—fall on Jesus

Don’t run or walk

Just fall into me

Trust

Fall—I will embrace you

Rest

I needed Jesus this way recently…

He is faithful when I have little to offer him in return. He knows my heart better than I know me. He allows me this vulnerability and offers me reassuring comfort. Many words were spoken but few that made sense to me. In times like these I tend to  filter everything through past and present hurts. I should just be quiet and let the storm pass, and take my own advice, pick your battles. Hope will return as surely as the sun rises in the morning. Although this morning in East Texas the sun never truly showed itself—it seem to be fitting for my frame of mind.

Deuteronomy 33:12 (NASB)

Of Benjamin he said,

May the beloved of the Lord

Dwell in security by Him,

Who shields him all the day, and

He dwells between His shoulders.

Our trip to church is a good thirty minutes and there is a fair amount of reflection going on typically. Nate and I are usually quiet, it’s the way we like our Sunday mornings, easy as the song from the past goes.  We had a new CD playing and a beautiful songstress was singing about resting in her beloved’s arms. The Holy Spirit was speaking tenderly to me through this song.  He was able to break through the cloud of distrust, and self-doubt long enough to impart some hope to my heart.

I love the above scripture and I return to it often for the picture it pens for me. Some of us have experienced the tenderness of a mother or father holding us close to their chest. There is much security in this posture. Trust, rest, and love are some of the good things Papa God wants to give us. He is always available—all we need to do is fall on him.

Our daughter and her husband are house parents for a local ministry for neglected children. They recently received six little ones. They are so vulnerable you can see it in their little dark eyes.  You can only imagine how afraid they must have been upon arriving at this strange new place. Nate and I went over on Friday to spend some time getting acquainted with them. Knowing somehow I was safe, two of the youngest boys separately over the course of hours, climbed into my lap and laid their heads against my chest. They snuggled close drinking in my warmth and security, after about five minutes they were on their way playing once again with the other children.

Tonight as we were there once again celebrating birthdays with two of them. One of the four year old boys ran and jumped into my husbands lap, wrapped his little arms around his neck and just laid there on his chest. Nate embraced him with a father’s love.

 

Can we relate to this behavior, to this need for retreat until we sense the security of the Father? I think we can say a resounding yes! I am reminded of a line from yet another song from the past—the warrior is a child by Twila Paris.

They don’t know that I go running home when I fall down

They don’t know who picks me up when no one is around

I drop my sword and cry for just a while

Cause deep inside this armor

The warrior is a child

He is all we need—our sweet Father, Papa God. I fell into him yesterday, today and I know that I will many more times on this journey called life. My circumstances have not changed, but I am able to trust him with them tonight.

Reckless Love Comes Easily Through Covenant

I John 4:19 
We love because he first loved us.

What brings deep satisfaction to a man or woman? To love and to know your love is returned, and preferred to all others.  This does not come through a one night encounter, but through making a commitment till death us do part!

Isn’t that an amazing statement—we love because Jesus loved us first.

Jesus exemplifies relational covenant love. He is faithful and we also are called to be faithful in our covenant to our spouses.  Simply, it is our promise before God and whoever witnessed our marriage ceremony to love, to lay down our rights, to serve, to be all that we can be for that one we are joining ourselves with, till death parts us. 

It is one thing to love, but to have that love returned brings great contentment. We share great joy with the newly engaged couple that is bursting forth with shared love. It is time to celebrate! The bride exclaims, “I have found the one who loves me in return!” The groom proclaims, “I have found the one who has deemed me honorable and trustworthy. She has chosen me above all other men, and her love is singularly towards me!”

I am reminded of a child’s game. You send a note to the one you like the best. They are to check the appropriate box, yes or no. Do you like me in return? Do you remember how hurtful this was though to see the no box checked or when the next week the one you liked checked someone else’s yes box? This is child’s play, but we are so programmed to love and to be loved. Our Heavenly Father made us in His image, His very nature is love, and He is true to His covenant with us.

It is probably one of the worst pains felt, to be betrayed by the one you love. If we could see into our hearts, I’m certain you would see a gash in it. You see when you enter the covenant of marriage you become one flesh with that person. The Lord said, this is a mystery—it is a little difficult to understand in our minds. Some know all to well how painful it is when this one flesh has been violated by adultery. Others have watched a loved one or dear friend experience this pain. I believe it must be worse than the death of a spouse. It feels as if your heart is literally breaking-in-two, a tearing of that one flesh.

Ephesians 5:31-33 (NKJV)

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”  ³² This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. ³³ Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

In a healthy marriage there is a trust dynamic at work. You have confidence in the character of your spouse. This sets in motion the husband freely giving of himself to his wife and she gives herself freely in return. He does not lord over her in a demanding way—on the contrary he serves her. The wife’s desire is to be submissive to her husband as she would be to the LORD. It is a beautiful mystery, a beautiful symphony of giving and receiving. I said this statement recently about my husband. “I know that he would literally lay his life down for me.”  This assurance has come through seeing his commitment to our marriage and his deep love for me. 

A woman and a man will respond with a reckless abandoned love for one another when they love and that love is returned. With time we have confidence that the one we love is committed for the duration of life.  It is a safe place within the marriage covenant and the marriage bed is undefiled. Your children also recognize and feel the security and sense the peace that comes from this beautiful union between their parents.

Precious Father,
I ask that you would teach us to love the way you love. I ask that you would give us good understanding of what it means to be in a marital covenant with our spouse.  Show us the little things that we can do to demonstrate our unconditional, committed, passionate love to our spouses. Help us work on the areas that cause us conflict in our marriages. Perfect us in your love. 

Autumn comes but once a year...enjoy!

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven

I am so very thankful that we are made in the image of our great God. He had a great idea when He decided to create our world and our lives! You know how it is, when the wheels start turning in your head about a project around the house. Or how about when He stirs in your heart and gives you a glimpse of your special gifting or calling. You have excitement and anticipation of what it will progress into. You can hardly wait till your husband gets home to share the idea with him. Can we just for a moment stop and meditate on, He spoke the world into being, He made the night and the day, and He set the seasons in motion. Wow! This is where our creativity comes from, we are made to create and His amazing plans for us continue on throughout our lives even as the seasons continue to come and go.

I love that God made the world to have seasonal changes. This has been an excitement for me since I was a little child. You see, I grew up in Northern Florida and it was warm most of the year, but around October things would change ever so slightly. I loved the cooler mornings, the yellow mums and pumpkins sitting out on the porches.

I have been in fall mode for about two weeks now. I absolutely love experiencing this season for the first time since we moved to Texas. Living here is a little like Northern Florida as the temps are just slightly cooler, but I can see that people are loving it. I saw a man today at the post office wearing a sweater vest and I had to smile even though it’s going to be 90 degrees today. I can imagine him saying, “ I can wear this it’s fall!”

Nate and I just moved from Albuquerque. You can smell green chili roasting all over the city this time of year. It is the most amazing scent and one that I miss. I remember last year purchasing a bag of these delightful peppers, and after they roasted them for me they were put into my car. My Kia smelled like green chili for weeks! I loved it!

Today I will bake an acorn squash, along with sweet potatoes, apples with cinnamon and brown sugar. That’s the menu at our house today. You could say that this is our culture, but more than that it is an outward expression of God in me. I want to give Him credit for this beautiful season we call autumn. I am so thankful for change because it breaks the monotony of our lives. I believe God’s influence in our lives is ever changing also. He is at work always posing the question, “would you consider this?” Let’s take time to listen and see what He is saying in this season of our lives.

How can the Apostle Paul be so certain of God’s good work in us?

Philippians 1:6  (NASB)
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Paul was so convinced of their amazing future that there was no timidity in writing the letter to the church at Philippi.  This church was dear to Paul’s heart as it was the first church established in Europe. God had directed Paul through a vision to go to Macedonia.  I love this passage of scripture. It details the intercession of the Macedonian people crying out, “Come help us!”

Acts 16:9-10 (NASB)
A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy set out immediately for Macedonia.  They had the word of the Lord and did not delay. As Paul was speaking to a group of people down by the riverbank, one of the first people they met was Lydia.  The Lord opened Lydia’s heart to believe the gospel message Paul was sharing. The church at Philippi was birthed in Lydia’s house. This was the beginning of the Gospel and the church in the western world! Oh how thankful I am for this first journey to Rome.

Paul sent this letter to the church in Philippi from a Roman prison a decade later. He loved the church, the body of Christ so very much that he desired to encourage and exhort her. These were not fanciful, empty words. He knew salvation would have its perfect work in the person who surrendered completely to Jesus. Jesus the Author and Perfecter of their faith would complete it!

A word of the Lord:

I will bring you through to the end. I will perfect and complete all that concerns you. Do not become weary and give up in the process. I am patient and I see the end result. You are beautiful in my eyes. The intended outcome is quite spectacular!

Are you greater than the One who created you?

A ridiculous question and yet we often take on tasks that are only meant to be handled by a righteous God, or we take credit for the wisdom and justice that flows through our lives. These are both wrong postures to take. We are not becoming a god. Can I suggest that we learn to rest in God’s sovereignty and trust His voice to move us when we need to move?

Isaiah 10:15(NASB)

Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw to exalt itself over the one who wields it?

I love living and moving in the Kingdom of God. We should be actively advancing the cause of Jesus in every aspect of our lives. God is the One who gives us the ability to do just those things. He has given us life, breath and even the desire to pursue Him! He has brought salvation through Jesus His Son. He has put the Holy Spirit inside of us to lead and guide us throughout this journey on Earth. Reflection on those things alone causes praise to well up inside of me!

But, He has more to offer… the question is, can we handle it without pride rising up?

Isaiah 61:3 (NASB)

So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord.

I believe this is interesting terminology that this writer chose to use. It’s a figure of speech calling us a tree. Not just any tree though, a mighty righteous oak. So, Isaiah under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit says, you will be known by your strength for you will have a root system that goes really deep enabling you to stand during crazy storms of life. Isaiah undoubtedly had heard the story of when Abraham parted company with Lot, he moved his tent and came and dwelled in Hebron by the great Oaks of Mamre.  He would have been familiar with these immense trees, maybe even lounging under them to keep out of the scorching sun. Like the oak we are to be a shade for people, to keep the sun from harming them. We are called to offer shelter for God’s people and also to the world as they ask for it. We will be given the ability to walk in a right relationship with the holy God. Jesus acquired this for us through the cross.  A righteous standard is laid out for us to walk by, it is outlined for us in the Bible.

God brings this beauty and glory to His people. The above scripture speaks of us being planted by the Lord. He is our Creator. He is the One who gives us life and who causes us to grow into what He has purposed for us to be! That is being a planting of the Lord.  Let’s be filled with gratitude and give Him the glory!

A word of the Lord

You will be as the great oaks of Mamre. I will make sure of this. I will cause you to stand strong in times of despair and adversity. Raise your head up… you are beautiful in my eyes. A planting of the Lord, I did this for a display of my glory and splendor.

Till I have your goodness, I can never have your happiness

This is a quote of Miss Elizabeth Bennet from the movie Pride and Prejudice. There is a measure of truth in this statement, as we press into God the fruit of His Spirit matures in us. Goodness is ours absolutely; joy most definitely, but not always happiness, as this is contingent on outward circumstances and not our position in Christ. Goodness shapes our character; joy is an amazing fruit of living a God-filled life.

2 Chronicles 7:3(NASB)

And all the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the Lord upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground and they worshiped and gave praise to the Lord saying, Truly He is good, truly His loving kindness is everlasting.

The sons of Israel were moved to thanksgiving and praise because they witnessed a supernatural act of God. Seeing the fire burn up the sacrifice was a pretty amazing sight to see, I’m sure of it! But, I think the climax of the day would have been the Presence of God’s glory! All they could do is worship and praise their God who is completely and selflessly good to His creation.

God is completely good, like he is completely love, and completely holy. To experience the glory of the Lord is unbelievably wonderful. Once you have tasted of His sweet goodness truly nothing else compares! So, wonderful in fact that it consumed the Israelite’s in their humanity and pressed them to the ground. They became weak in the flesh under this incredible goodness being displayed. I have heard an easy explanation of God’s glory as being a measure of His goodness covering you or passing before you. I don’t think we can truly comprehend what this means. God’s glory can also be described as weighty. Perhaps this is why it’s hard to stand under the glory of God.

Everything God does is motivated from a position of goodness. When you experience goodness in any aspect of your life it is because God is in it. You give thanks when you experience His goodness. This in turn brings glory and honor to Him.

Simply put when we see the beauty of God’s Creation, or the birth of a baby, we cry out…Oh my goodness! When a depraved person, held in the captivity of sin, turns to Jesus, the One who brings freedom, we stand in awe of God. He is perfectly good and is so willing to share His glorious creation with us, His created.

Genesis 1:31 (NASB)

And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.

Buttermilk biscuits, a cup of strong coffee and my sweet memories

Biscuits were almost a daily staple for breakfast as I was growing up. We loved the Southern delicacy that was soft on the inside with a crust browned to perfection. Momma was from Tuscaloosa Alabama and could make the best scratch biscuit you have ever put into your mouth. I have vivid memories of her teaching me how to make them. I can hear her voice as if it was happening today, “Janet Renee, get into this kitchen and help your momma.”

 She would start with some flour, and I mean some, because momma never measured anything. Then she would make a well in the middle of the flour and add her oil. To this she began pouring in the goodness of buttermilk. Oh my! This is what gives them the amazing flavor! Swirling round and round she would stir not with a spoon but with her hand. She would make it into the most beautiful mound of soft, supple dough you have ever seen. She would pinch off about a hand full and shape them somewhat into a biscuit.  A greased cast iron pan would hold the creation and into a very hot 450-degree oven they went. The aroma of hot biscuits baking and strong black coffee brewing is a comfort akin to being all wrapped up in your coziest blanket and sitting by a wood burning fire.  In just minutes we would be putting a slab of butter in them with jelly oozing out all around the edges.

On those special occasions where we had visited my dad’s relatives in Shreveport Louisiana we would return home with dark cane syrup. This combination was something close to Heaven, I am sure! I guess my most favorite way of having them served to me and one of my earliest memories is sweetened coffee milk with a biscuit in it. We would eat it with a spoon to make certain we got every last drop of this perfection. Daddy never gave it a second thought giving his little ones coffee. It was part of his culture growing up in Spanish Lake, Louisiana and he passed it on to us kids. I can hear him saying, “It is good” in his best Cajun accent.  We loved it!

So, my memories flooded me this morning as I was standing in my kitchen making momma’s scratch biscuits. I miss momma and daddy terribly and it is so odd that they are no longer part of my life. I can still feel their love as I remember those mornings around our kitchen table. The many things that they taught me will live on through my children. I can see myself with my little grand daughters step by step showing them how to make momma’s scratch made biscuits, as we reminisce about days gone by!

Proverbs 17:6 (NIV)

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

He is able…are we willing?

 

Zechariah 4:6 (NASB)

Then he answered and said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.

When the Lord requires a new level of holiness from us, it is not to be obtained by our own strength or merit. It is only through humbling ourselves before Him and relying on His strength and power to achieve what He has asked of us.

A word from the Lord:

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

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. I submit to the Holy Spirit and wait and see how He prompts me. It may be as simple as adjusting an attitude of my heart, or possibly repentance. It is His job to uncover these issues and to lead us into all truth. It is not for me to put regulations and rules on myself and certainly not on others!

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NASB)

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have abundance for every good deed.

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

Seeking wisdom from Holy Spirit today, and He never disappoints!

I quieted myself, shutting out the noise of everyday living. I need to hear His voice today. Holy Spirit you are so faithful to share the wisdom of Jesus.

A word from the Lord:

Abstain from all that defiles you. I am calling you to live a life set apart unto me, a life worthy of my name, one that represents me, the King of Kings, and 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 I heard this from the Lord.

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

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB)

But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

When we come into the knowledge of knowing Christ as our Lord and Savior, a spiritual veil is removed.  We gain a better understanding of who He is. We see clearly what was hidden before our conversion. Holy Spirit makes this possible, as He is the one that leads us into all truth. He directs us to Jesus…always.

 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, but are now alive and transforming daily as we sit before Him. Our acquaintances begin to see a difference in us. You may hear that you look more rested; you are taking on a youthful glow! This is reflecting His glory! His ever-increasing glory!

How to stand in faith when the vision God has given is slow in coming

How do we stand in faith when the vision God has given to us tarries?

To answer the above question you simply press into Jesus and you pray without ceasing.  I do this to keep in faith and to not give into fear. It is so hard especially when others know of your plans and they are waiting with you. I often wish it was just God and myself walking this out without anyone else having knowledge of me hanging onto the precipice.

  

Psalm 27:13-14  (NASB)

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.

  

Holy Spirit will you meet with me today? This is my prayer most days, but on this day I guess you can say I was desperate.

You know how it is when the God of the Universe speaks to you this amazing plan for the next phase of your life and you believe him. It begins small but then it grows and consumes your thoughts, your dreams, and your plans for your future. Then you wait! God’s timing is perfect, but really does it have to take this long? Sometimes it does.

I was not idle in the waiting.  I knew that there were many things that needed to fall into place.

So…what do we do?

• We believe what He says…HE Will DO!
• We believe God is always motivated by goodness and love.
• We believe we will see His goodness now, where we live, and where He is calling us to minister His Kingdom!
• We wait prayerfully.
• We gain courage through reading the word of God and praying in the Spirit.

Hold fast and don’t give up! I have a plan and it will come to pass. Don’t lose hope in it tarrying. Trust me in the process. Guard what I have entrusted to you. The call on your life is precious again I say guard it. I have set before you life…Take hold of it with all of your might!

Is the fountain of life flowing through you today?

What does that actually mean?

Jesus is the Living Water, when you spend time learning from Him, you will be filled with Holy Spirit and satisfied with good things and a victorious life. You will also be a conduit for this life giving water to flow through you to the world.

  

Jesus is the answer…always.

Psalm 36:9 (NASB)

For with Thee is the fountain of life; In Thy light we see light

I want the life of Jesus flowing through me. This speaks of a non-stagnant flow. It is fresh and relevant. When we take time to sit in His Presence we take on His characteristics. In His light or His Presence we see our way clearly! The path of life is illuminated for us.

Psalm 34:5 (NASB)

They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed

Moses glowed with the Presence of God and had to cover his face so that Aaron and the Israelites could look at him. I want to radiate Jesus and never have my face turned downward in shame again.

Jesus is this fountain!

I am the fountain of life. All who come to Me for strength and purpose will not be turned away or disappointed!

Proverbs 8:7-9
For my mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverted in them. They are all straightforward to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

We have been in Tyler, Texas for about a month now. It has been an interesting beginning to this next phase of God’s continuing plan for Nate and me.  It is remarkable to be walking out what has been spoken to me in the secret place of prayer.  Our passion is for the Body of Christ, to see them healed, trained, equipped, and mature.  This has taken shape since we arrived the first of June in our House Church.  I don’t know that I expected it so quickly. I guess I felt like we were still transitioning, but God said, It is time!

I can’t state the details, but I can tell you that Nate and I did exactly what we have passion for and that is to bring truth into the lives of God’s people. The enemy would twist and pervert the Word of God, but Jesus is Truth.  He requires truth from His holy people!

Psalm 145:18-19
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.

I love this scripture! We must come to God with truthful lips! To say that we love God and then twist His Word is deceitful. It lacks the fear of the LORD! To walk in the fear of the LORD is to hate what is evil. Lying is sin and it is evil.  So, as we have had to confront some of these issues, we are falling on the LORD for grace. We do not in any way want to injure God’s people, but to ignore sin is not a loving response either. 

So, we seek Wisdom to lead God’s people. We ask to be clothed in humility and compassion as we speak truth. Wisdom is supreme the proverb states, and I believe it. As we seek the LORD, He brings His wisdom to the situation.

A couple of days ago, I awoke feeling heavy in heart.  I did an introspective look at my heart. I needed Jesus, plainly and simply.  I had been so caught up in the counsel and issues of the church that I had neglected my quiet times. I had grabbed a word here and a quick prayer there, but just enjoying the lover of my soul? I had neglected Him!

He is so faithful when we are faithless! He restored my soul.
I began reading a verse that has become a life verse for Nate and I.

Zechariah 4:6-10
Then he answered and said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of Grace, grace to it!

Also the word of the LORD came to me saying, the hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.

For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel, these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth

This is an excerpt from the book of Zechariah. He was a prophet during the first generation after the Babylonian exile had ended.  God wanted the temple to be restored and He used Zechariah as a voice to the people of Judah to get this accomplished.  He also used Zerubbabel the governor of Judah to begin the work. It says in the above passage that Zerubbabel laid the foundation of the Temple, but construction ended for a number of years. Why? Because Temple worship, the law of the LORD was not popular among the people of Judah. They were comfortable in their sin. They did not want a righteous standard brought back into Judah.  God’s word to Zerubbabel was one of encouragement; don’t give up, don’t despise this small beginning, it’s not by your might or your power that this Temple will be finished. My Spirit will accomplish it through you! I know we can all relate to this passage. It also says that these seven will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. The plumb line was used for measuring a wall so that it is built true to plumb. It is a carpenter’s tool for making something square. It is symbolic to God bringing in a righteous standard to a situation. His righteous standard is His Word.  God will rejoice! Man may or may not rejoice when they see a righteous standard coming into their city, or coming into their church, but God will! He will also empower you for the work! He will accomplish what He has planned and He will be glorified through us!

It is not always a popular place to be used of God to speak truth. To set things straight in the lives of God’s people is tricky, but Nate and I know we are called to do this. This is not our only calling, but for this Cassia Offering this is the topic.

I read this entire book as I was studying this topic, and I uncovered something in Chapter three that I want to share.

Zechariah 3:7
Thus says the LORD of hosts, If you will walk in My ways, and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge of My courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here.

This is such a beautiful promise from the LORD spoken through Zechariah to Joshua the High Priest during that time in Judah. Christians are all priests according to I Peter 2:9.  We are to walk in His ways by patterning ourselves after Jesus, the good Shepherd.

Performing service in the Hebrew lexicon states, to safeguard, to watch, take charge for, and to protect. Govern my house in the Hebrew means to judge, to minister, to plead the cause, and to rule.  Having charge of my courts would be to walk in God’s authority.

God speaking through the prophet Zechariah then says, I will grant you free access among these who are standing here. Who is God speaking of? Read this in context and you will discover the angel of the LORD was there. I would say He is speaking of Jesus. We have access to Jesus. This is earth and heaven coming together.  I will say, Nate and I love the Body of Christ, and we are sometimes required of the LORD to take a stand against sin in the Body. Why? To safeguard her, to protect her, to plead the cause for her.  God is faithful to bring forth the fruit, we are only required to be obedient and love.

In my footnotes regarding the above passage it stated. 
Joshua the High Priest was given authority to govern, render justice and judge the house of the LORD on the condition that he himself walked in the ways of the LORD.

That is very good counsel! I love, love the Word of the LORD!

A word of the LORD from my quiet time on June 28th

I have begun a work in you that will have a lasting effect on generations to come. Wisdom is Supreme and you have chosen well. Wisdom has called aloud in the streets and you have responded to Her call.  Steadfastness has been the fruit of seeking Wisdom.

Exchanging yokes with the Father today was absolutely remarkable! I believe with all my heart what it says in Matthew 11 about yoke exchange. But when a substantial heart change happens to you personally it shakes your world. Maybe it doesn’t literally shake your world, but if you could see into the spirit world, things were rocking! All because of coming before Jesus and letting Holy Spirit lead the way to freedom!

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my load is light.

Jesus is instructing us how to get free through a detailed scripture. It requires an action out of us. We must first come to him. We do this through quieting ourselves before the One who created us and who knows us better than anyone else. We then are told to take the Father’s yoke in exchange for our heavy weight; the things that are pressing on us physically or emotionally. In doing this we receive wisdom to know how to change our circumstances, we also receive grace to walk things out till they change. His yoke is always better, easy, full of grace, and kind.

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is no law.

Let’s continue to humble ourselves before God; even when it is not our problem but the other persons. In doing this we are receiving more of God’s nature as our character, our soul is being transformed in the process. The fruit of this is God’s way of thinking, God’s way of communicating, and God’s way of loving people who are not so loveable at times.

When studying the above scripture there were two Spiritual fruits that stood out to me: one was kindness, and the other one is love. It seemed to be the two things Holy Spirit was emphasizing. Kindness means to be fair, justly dealing with others, doing that which is good. We all enjoy being around people who are kind. They are uplifting in their conversations.

When Jesus said my yoke is easy, He is saying it is my nature to be kind and willing to help. That is the Greek meaning of easy. I have been in conversations with people and have had a momentary loss of thought, and the person I’m talking with fills in the blanks for me. It is comforting and there is a healthy ebb and flow to the conversation. This is a simplistic example to being kind, but for me it’s huge and stands out. The Lord is never cynical and He is never sarcastic. I love the way he is and I want to be just like him! I believe we can take on more and more of his character through exchanging our yoke of insecurity, which produces the bad fruit, and receive a transformed mind that abounds in good fruit!

God is love. He is our source of love. He teaches us how to give and receive love in a healthy way. If we are producing the opposites of kindness and love in our lives, we should welcome Holy Spirit to take a closer look at the root of our bad fruit. I believe a poor self image and negative self talk is one source of bad fruit. God is our source of kindness and love and it is only right to go to Him to help make the lasting changes we need.

I John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

Fear of many things also keeps us from experiencing God’s love and keeps us from giving love in a healthy way. Many who have experienced salvation continue to struggle with fear, and the fruit of fear does not know how to love the way God loves.

For many years it was my prayer, to be perfected in love. I came to Christ with a fractured soul; fearful of so many things. As God began to heal me emotionally, I began to learn from him how to give and receive love. He is so patient and kind with us. He knows how we are made, and he knows our beginning and our ending. He wants us to experience freedom!

I Corinthians 13: 1-8
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

Wow, we can have spiritual gifts operating in and through us and still not be perfected in love! Basically, that is all of us who call ourselves believers. We are in the process of being sanctified, but Jesus still allows us to preach, teach, and prophesy. He is a God of patient endurance in regards to his children. In saying that we must also say this, we are nothing without love. The gifts of the Spirit profit us and our hearers little if we are not motivated by God’s agape love firstly.

Colossians 3:12-15
And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

This is a priceless scripture! Put on compassion, this is yet another action we are required to do. I do this by simply saying or asking, Lord would you clothe me with compassion? I put on compassion, love, and kindness. I choose to walk in these.

We are to forgive the one we have a complaint against. Why? Jesus forgave us and continues to forgive us. I would add, be quick to forgive. Go immediately into your secret place and ask the Lord to reconcile your heart towards that person. Speak blessing over the one who has offended you. Then watch what happens. There will be a transformation of your thinking and your actions. Jesus does this through the yoke exchange He spoke about in Matthew 11.

Finally we are instructed to put on love. Here we are called to action once again. We do this the same way we did with compassion. It is by faith that we say, I choose to put on love!

Holy Spirit spoke this to me in my quiet time today.

Be quick to forgive when the offense comes. Press into Me. You will gain strength to love without conditions attached. I will perfect you in love. Love given from a surrendered heart is perfect love. Love not seeking its own gratification but love given, freely given.

Psalm 68:11
The Lord gives the command; the women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host

In this Psalm, David is actually pulling words from Deborah and Barak’s victory over the Canaanite King and his army.




Before looking at the story of Deborah in the book of Judges, I want to look at the Hebrew meanings of a couple of words in this verse. In the verse we see the Lord giving a directive and the women responding to it.

To proclaim the good tidings means to be fresh, full, cheerful and rosy! It is a verb meaning to bring good news.

Wow! I have felt this joy after hearing God’s heart beat for the nations and knowing He wanted me to go. I have been full with the pregnancy of vision for a people group. I believe I have glowed with the Holy Spirit and expectancy of greatness coming forth!

A great host speaks of a mass of persons organized for war. Can we just for a moment think about all the mighty women of God we know standing shoulder to shoulder ready for battle? We have heard our Commander-in-Chief’s directive and we say, YES! Lead us into battle, lead us on to victory! I know through intercession God has re-routed spiritual powers of darkness. I also know through praise and worship God has set ambushes against our enemies. As we raise our cries up to the Most High, He moves on our behalf!

Looking at the story of Deborah in the book of Judges begins with God’s judgment against Israel. Israel had once again done evil in the sight of the Lord. The Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan. Sisera was the commander of his army. So, after twenty years of being oppressed severely by the Canaanites, God heard their cry and spoke to Deborah a prophetess who was judging Israel at that time. Deborah sent for Barak and told him God’s plan for delivering Israel from this Canaanite King. She had very clear instructions from the Lord as to how they were to defeat Sisera and the Canaanite army. He clearly told Deborah, “I will give them into your hands.” Barak did not receive this word with great joy or faith. He said, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.”

When you have been in the presence of the Lord you are filled with faith for the battle. Deborah knew who her Commander-in-Chief was. She knew the Lord would be true to his word to her. She was pregnant with the message, full of faith, and I believe it showed on her face. She was confident in the authority God had given her. Barak on the other hand wasn’t fresh, full, cheerful or rosy!

Deborah answered Barak by saying, I will go with you; nevertheless, the honor shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman. This is interesting to me, as Barak did trust Deborah and was obedient to the word she received from the Lord, even though he was not brave enough to go on his own.

God led them beautifully and defeated Sisera and the Canaanite army just as He told Deborah He would. It says the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army, with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera took off on foot. All the Canaanite army fell by the sword, not one was left! Sisera’s outcome was a little grisly, but is worth mentioning because of who killed him.

Sisera ran to the tent of a friend. The friend’s wife Jael told him to come inside and basically she would hide him from the Israelite army. He was exhausted and asked her for a drink of water. She gave him milk to drink and he lay down to sleep. Jael covered him with a blanket. When Sisera fell asleep, Jael took a tent peg and hammered it into Sisera’s temple. She sent the peg through his temple into the ground and killed him. The Israelites pressed on and destroyed Jabin the King of Canaan. God did what He told Deborah he would do!

God is looking for women and men who will take time to listen to his thoughts; He desires for nations and people to know him intimately. God desires for the oppressed to finally find freedom in Christ. God wants to partner with you in faith and intercession for many things. He will re-route armies because of your prayers.

Most of the Bible is written by men about men who have done crazy exploits for God. Today in my quiet time, He focused on two women Deborah and Jael who did his bidding. In the song of Deborah and Barak in chapter 5 of Judges, they sing, most blessed of women is Jael. King David also speaks of Jael in verse 12 of Psalm 68. Kings of armies flee, they flee, and she who remains at home will divide the spoil.

Jael was not just a mere woman. She was obedient to God and helped defeat the Canaanite army. Deborah a judge for the Israelites had wisdom and above all believed what God told her and was obedient!

I want to complete this Cassia offering with a word from the Lord to the mighty women of God.

I have a mighty company of women who want to do my bidding. They are courageous and persistent in their love for me and my Kingdom. They sit at my feet to receive their marching orders to go here and there. They receive grace and strength from me for the task. My heart is full of pride and love for each one of you. You are like Deborah and Jael, strong, full of purpose, knowing your Commander. I am able to accomplish great exploits through each of you!