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.