Anyone Else Hearing the Fire Alarms?

 

So Joel was grilling burgers and we had everything else ready, so I stuck my bread in the toaster to toast.....and promptly forgot about it.  A bit later the fire alarm by the open stair case that goes either up or down went off.  We looked around, did not see any smoke, so Joel went downstairs to check the dryer.  Then the fire alarm in the dining room went off so now two were screaming alerts to us.  Joel ran upstairs and checked while I did a sweep of the main level.  Nothing.  Then the fire alarm in the kitchen went off and Joel checked the walls to see if they were hot before heading back into the kitchen.  He promptly said, "It is your toast!"  The toaster had not popped it up and it was very very burnt, and smelling enough to set off alarms in three rooms without us smelling it.  Since it started in the entry we did not think the problem was in the kitchen.  We were fooled by the alarm in the kitchen going off last.  After we got it taken care of I said, "Well, THAT was stressful and exhausting.."

It reminded me of other times in life where an alarm is going off, an alert to warn us but it takes awhile to figure it all out.  One simple example is this journey with lymphedema...I did not notice my upper arm slowly growing until I noticed my hand was puffy.  Then my arm drew my attention.  It was such a slow subtle growth it did not draw my attention until my hand alerted me..."Houston, we have a problem."  Stressful and exhausting.  Putting aside health or house issues, there could be other things in life that send out warning signals we may not catch right away.  I would say that one of those is the major issues with out government.  I am NOT speaking about the red or the blue here but how over many years things have slowly changed and become so divided, and half truths are thrown around by both parties, and those supposedly representing the people are more concerned about being reelected than being honest, and really caring about those they represent.  And lets not get started on how we expect our president to be our savior..........we already have one of those, His name is Jesus.  

Another subtle erosion of humanity is social media.  I think there is a lot of good in social media and I am on Facebook and Instagram.  I am careful what I read or watch, but it is not all bad to be connected.  Unfortunately it has also made it much easier to speak hate or division in such things as politics, science, and just how we do life.  Different opinions should be welcome, not trashed.  Again, a slow and subtle change caused a spiral down in how we treat each other.  It is a sad state of affairs we are in.  Stressful and Exhausting..

Most of what I have shared here is pretty negative, so where is the upside?  For sure there is one.  And it begins with us being more aware of what is going on around us, whether it is with something medical, political, social, or more.  It begins with seeking out the Word of God and what we can gather from the Bible to live a life filled with love and grace, forgiveness and peace.  I begins with how we treat each other, how we speak to each other, our neighbors, our community, etc.  And so much more.

Our fire alarms going off today were confusing at first, but eventually we figured it out. We are smart people created by an amazing God,  and we can figure out these other issues in our country too as we become aware and notice the "fire alarms" going off around us.  It's not too late. 

Today we are giving thanks for our fire alarms working so well..........and for our own inbuilt alarms that make us aware of what is happening around us, in us, and through us.  

The Impact Of Our Words

 Yesterday morning a Bible verse posted by a group on Facebook jumped out at me.  What some would call a Rhema word, highlighted by God.  Verse one of Psalm 144 stood out for me.  In fact it did feel like it leaped off the page going right into that place in my heart for aha moments.  

David was speaking about the battle ahead with Goliath, but for me these words gave way to recognition that what Joel and I write with our hands and our fingers fights against the enemy and gives God praise and glory.  Sharing our stories, our thoughts, is a way to fight those battles that come. God has trained us and is still teaching us to write about what He has done, what He has planned.  I believe we are all are "trained" and prepared. We all have power in what we say and what we write.....just look at the affects of social media.   Yes, the power of our words, written and spoken greatly impact others.

Lately I have felt a deeper conviction than ever about the importance of our words.  You can't turn on the TV, pick up a newspaper or book, scroll down Facebook, or read what people have posted on Twitter without being affected or impacted by the words of others. Good and bad.  There are several scriptures that either warn us or teach us about the power of the tongue...speaking "life or death".  So. very. true. 

When I feel convicted I try to pay attention and I believe God is speaking to me here.  Speaking about my words and the power they hold, whether spoken or written.  And what about the running conversations we have with ourselves in our heads?

On Sunday morning Alex Trebek, long time host of Jeopardy! died after battling stage 4 cancer.  We watched a special he had on ABC that same night that had been prepared knowing of his eventual death.  He seems to have died the way he lived, with hope, kindness, thankfulness.  He lived twice as long as predicted and one doctor at John Hopkins said (if I remember correctly) fighting terminal cancer is much about how you view and live your life now as treatments.  Trebek's words echoed how he was living each day seeking the good.  He worked up until 10 days before he died because he said going to work helped him to feel joy, gave him energy and inspired him to keep going. At the end of the special on his life, in his own words he says to viewers, "Thank you for a great life".  Powerful.  

For me his words connected to what God has been telling me about what we speak, think, and write. As people of God it all matters.  You may question the idea that we are often fighting a war........fighting battles.  Yet the Bible often speaks about it and tells us we are not fighting against people so much as the spirit realm.  Obviously it can't be our only focus....on what comes against us......on the negative.............on Satan who is very real, people.  No, it can't be our continual focus, but we cannot brush it aside either.  We need to take God's word seriously and He makes it clear that our words, whether written or spoken, are very important and have power to change our lives, and impact others.  

I am certainly mulling over this topic. A while ago I had a vision where I was riding on a white stallion with a large warring angel.  It is one of two visions God has shown me lately that have me paying attention. 

 As we were sitting with our eyes closed, I first saw a white feather that was placed in my hand.  It then transformed into a wing, an angel's wing that transformed into an angel on a white stallion.  An angel with white wings and bare legs that were bronze in color.  The feathers and wings I saw then transformed into armor.  At this point I asked Holy Spirit if this was all from Him and He responded in my mind, "Trust what you are seeing".  Then the angel pulled me up in front of him and then he raised a sword.  He handed me a sword too.  Looking ahead I saw many many creatures that looked like druids, with no faces just long hooded garments.  The sword I was holding suddenly seemed to come out of my mouth and as I spoke words from this mouth sword the druids began to melt down and disappear.  Then as I continued to speak from the sword it would actually come down and touch the ground, causing it to shake violently.  Each time that happened I saw the horse I was on take a step forward.  Another word came out, the sword would touch the ground and the horse would take another firm step forward.  This is where what I was seeing ended.

In Ephesians 6 we are told that one of our weapons of warfare is the sword of the spirit which is the word of God.   I believe that as I, as we all speak the word and declare the truths of God's promises, it affects us and the world. Look around us, it is quite evident how words impact us and others.  During this time, this season in our country where there are continual battles being waged with words (and actions) in our government, our states, our cities, our neighborhoods, and even in some homes, we need to be intentional about what we say and what we write. Be intentional about what we listen to and Whom.  Let God be the final Who.  Let Him always be our guide.  Don't get caught up in it all, don't let others tell us what to believe, trust God and let us prayerfully be an instrument of peace one word at a time. 

Often I ask God for peace to come into my corner of the world.  More than ever I need to be active in releasing that peace, through what I write, through what I speak, through what I believe.  Let my words reflect His Word.  Always.

The River Runs Through

I first wrote this four years ago but felt the need to repost it.  During this season of all our lives, we need Holy Spirit more than ever.  Come Holy Spirit, come. 

God has been highlighting Ezekiel 47 to Joel and me the past week.  In this chapter the prophet Ezekiel is shown by an angel the water that was flowing from God's Temple.  The angel first shows Ezekiel where it is coming from, and then he measures it..... first ankle deep, then knee deep, then chest deep, and then over his head.  On either side of this river 12 fruit trees are growing and they produce new fruit every month of the year because they are watered by the Temple river.  The leaves on these trees are used for medicine. It is a very interesting prophetic vision given to the prophet Ezekiel for Israel.

 God's references to a river first started on September 19th (2016), a few days before our river flooded here in town. While meditating  I saw Joel by a river, fishing on the side of the bank.  He then put his pole down and took off his boots and socks, rolled up his pants and got into the river.  He waded around for a while and then immersed himself in the river.  While in the water Joel noticed a small waterfall where a fresh stream was flowing into the river.  He climbed out and started walking up the hill to find its source.  He came up to a huge boulder flecked with gold that was at least a 60 feet high. The water reflected off the dark colored rocks as it trickled down, forming a stream and then ending up in the river.  I then saw God's hands come out from the rock and He laid them on Joel's head.  As He did so I noticed that Joel's hair was dark black, like when he was young.  I heard "I have anointed you to preach the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead."  Joel then turned around and he could see his life from this starting place and as it went down to the river.  On either side he could see things that he had been protected from, and as his life journey progressed the path got wider and wider.  At the end the path split looking like arms raised in praise to God.  I then heard the prayer of Jabez..."Oh Lord, that you would bless me indeed.  Enlarge my territory.  Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." (And God granted him his request.)   

What God showed me that morning led me to read Ezekiel 47 again, and then another devotional we read also mentioned the river of God.  I remembered something similar in Heidi Baker's book, "Birthing the Miraculous" so Joel and I went back and read the chapter "Deeper Still", based on Ezekiel 47. We prayed that God would keep revealing to us what He wanted us to know about this river, because when we get the same message more than 2-3 times we know we are to pay attention.

Later that same day I went to Bethel Church's site and noticed that they were premiering the movie "Holy Spirit Reborn", so Joel and I decided to watch it.  I mentioned it in a previous post.  About half way through an evangelist from a South African villages spoke about how God came to him as a boy and led him to become a Christian.  He spent his time bringing Jesus and His healing power to the villages.  He talked about how Holy Spirit came into his life, sharing that Holy Spirit is like a flowing river.  He went on to that that when we are in a river we cannot control where it takes us, the current does that....and it is the same with Holy Spirit.  He takes us with Him and we are not in control, but we can trust Him with the journey.  He ended by saying "God is our Father and Creator, Jesus is our Savior, and Holy Spirit has been placed here in us and on earth now to empower and love us.   He wants us to surrender and let Him work through us in others."

So we know when we are just wading in a river ankle deep we can be in control of what is going on. When we are in knee deep we still have that control.  Waist deep as and it gets harder to go where we want to go.  Then when the water is up to our necks, we are not in control of where the river current takes us.  It is also the same with Holy Spirit.  When God asks us to surrender to Him and His plans for our lives, do we just wade in that, or do we immerse ourselves, trusting God to take us where He desires us to go.....trusting Holy Spirit as He blesses us.  Loving us, empowering us with that river of Living Water to be used by God for His plan and purpose.

Pastor Seth Dahl says that Holy Spirit is never shown to be a depersonalized force.  He is God.  He wants an intimate relationship with us. He is not an "it".  He is Holy.  Part of the Trinity.  Not just a wind.....but God's breath, living, powerful, and personal.  When Jesus left this earth he told the disciples that God was sending them someone to help them do even more than He had done.  Come Holy Spirit, come.

He Sent His Word

A few weeks ago I woke up at 4 a.m. to God saying, "You need to pray scriptures over Joel's body."  I shared this with Joel the next morning, but at the time he was doing fine and I am sorry to say we let it go by.  Until......

A few days later Joel asked me to pray for his hand.  It was really hurting and was very painful, even to touch.  I prayed and the pain increased.  I prayed again and it seemed to increase even more.  We continued to pray over it but right before bed Joel declared, "Tomorrow it will be gone!"  A few minutes later he asked me to look at his hand and I could see the thumb and palm area were really swollen.  What in the world?

The next morning his hand was back to normal, but by that night his hips hurt......and then his shoulder.  His hips hurt so bad he was coming downstairs in the middle of the night to sleep in the recliner.  We kept praying, but it was not until his shoulder became painful that I remembered what God had told me in the middle of the night.  "Pray scriptures over Joel's body".  So, we began to do so.  Morning and night we prayed.....'It is written........by His stripes we were healed. It is written.....Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own  understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.  Indeed, fear God and stay away from evil.  Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones."  It is written....... It is written.......

I continued to pray several scriptures regarding healing and the power of the Word over Joel and he joined in. Morning and evening we prayed over his body as God had instructed.   As of now the pain in his shoulder is 90% gone and his hips have improved greatly too.  The hand is good.  We are praising God while continuing to speak scriptures.

According to the Bible, God's Word is living and powerful, sharper than "any two edge sword".  We read in Deuteronomy,  "He (God) sent His Word and healed them and delivered them from the pit."  His Word.  So powerful.  How great is that?!

                        

Jesus used scriptures to come against the enemy when He was tempted in the wilderness.  "It is written" is how he responded to every temptation.  He knew God's Word is powerful and He set an example for us when the enemy comes to "kill, steal, and destroy."

One of my favorite verses that speaks to the power of God's Word is found in Proverbs 4: 20-23

"My child, pay attention to what I say.  

Don't lose sight of my words, 

let them penetrate deep into your heart.  

For they bring life to those who find them 

and healing to all their flesh.  

Above all I else guard your heart 

for everything you do flows from it."

I just love that God, the Creator of everything including words, chooses to impregnate His scriptures with power and healing.  And I love it that God expands our own faith in Him by asking us to step out in obedience and pray in new ways.  Remembering, there is power in His Words.

One Teacher's Words Shaped A Life

This past week Joel and I listened to a sermon Paul Manwaring spoke at Bethel Church about our past, present, and our future.  It was especially encouraging for us as he talked about the prophetic words that are spoken over us and what that means for our future.  Doubt likes to come in and steal what God has planted in your heart, but there is no room for doubt when we realize Jesus has already seen our future and He is speaking into that future.   He has already been there!  He knows the ending of our movie!!

Prophetic words/words of knowledge from God are used to encourage and build up, confirming the present and speaking the future in us and in others.  Bethel Church in Redding CA has a school for Kindg. through 8th grade.  Part of their school policy is to keep a folder on each child that is filled with encouraging words that have been spoken over the boys and girls that attend school and Sunday School there.  By the time they are through high school they have in their hands all the beautiful words of knowledge from God that have been given to their teachers to write down.  Amazing.

Paul Manwaring reminded us to also be aware of how we speak over ourselves.  Words matter.  I am completely convinced that God created the "words matter" idea!  His word is living...healing...powerful...saving........and so. much. more.  We need to be aware of how we speak over others too.  Our words hold power.

One great example of that is with the teacher Joel had for the first 8 years of his life.  He went to a one room school house and had the same teacher the whole time.  Joel had a difficult time reading.  He had some form of undiagnosed dyslexia or learning disability.  His teacher would encourage him all the time, supporting him, working with him, and telling him he could grow up to be anything he wanted to be!  No limitations.  He believed her and grew from a young boy who could only read with great difficulty to a man with 12 years of college behind him and a calling that requires a whole lot of reading and writing!

We need to take the negative words we hear, weigh and discern them, asking ourselves, "What would Jesus be saying?"   What are we to speak into others lives.....what are we to speak over ourselves?  This is NOT just positive thinking.  This is taking the Word of God and speaking it into your lives and the lives of others.  This is believing the Word is living, the Word heals, the Word saves.  This is believing our words do matter, that they do shape others. They shape lives. 

Try Again

On our first Sunday in Redding CA we spent 11 hours at Bethel church with worship services in the morning and at night, a class called Firestarters, and an afternoon prophetic session with two amazing people, Joel and Lori.  Yes, another Joel!

The free prophetic session for the two of us lasted only 12 minutes but certainly gave our world a spin.  We had struggled to make the appointment, having to go online at a certain time of morning to sign up ~while we were traveling.  With God's whisper in my ear to "TRY AGAIN" after I was told the sessions were full, I went back online and we were able to sign up for later in the afternoon on the 10th.  Yay!  Some of what was said confirmed for us that these were words from God. God likes to let us know He is in the midst of our seeking.   It was life changing..........did I say that already?

The prophetic is not something that is always understood in our world.  Even though it is one of the gifts, and Paul tells the churches they are desire it before some others, it can be misunderstood.  Prophetic words are given for wisdom, encouragement and confirmation.We are not talking about prophets here, like Elijah or Jeremiah.  We are talking about those with the gift of prophesy. Prophetic words speak of the present and the future, releasing God's purposes.  It is described as God speaking to us through others with pictures and words. 

We have not shared with many people what we received, precious gems given to us for this season of our lives.  Yet even with the trusted few that have heard our session, reactions have been from excitement to amusement, indifference and a few" uncomfortables" in between.  I was pondering this when God reminded me that these specific words were not for others, they were and are for us.  They would not mean to others what they mean to us.  God was speaking to our hearts.

Pastor Bill Johnson from Bethel has a spiral notebook filled with the words spoken to and over him.  Years of promises from God that build and encourage him daily and provide hope. It is what compelled me to listen over and over again to our recorded prophetic session when another health issue surfaced.

Have you noticed how our world seems a bit off kilter?  It can be scary.  North Korea alone can make us shudder.  The suffering of others is heavy in the atmosphere around us....the air if filled not only with the ash of fires, but with the grief of others.  Hurricanes, floods, threats, destruction, and death.  It is during these times that we have a choice to focus on the "what ifs" or the "we know's". 

We are given the opportunity to quiet our souls and remember what God has spoken over and to us.  We know God promises to give us beauty for the ashes....We know that all things work together for good...  We know that God sent His Son...........We know that Jesus came so that we may have abundant life......... We know His Word says He will give us back our health and heal our wounds......We KNOW and can stand firm on whatever promises He has highlighted and whispered into our individual lives!   The promises that encourage and release hope. Keep your own list of promises from God.  The Bible is full of them.  Pay attention to what is spoken to you and over you. Just hearing "TRY AGAIN" opened a door to others sharing God's words for us.  Be bold, listen for God's voice, and let the words penetrate deep into your heart.  They bring beauty for ashes in a much needed world. 

Making My Pen A Weapon

It is not my intention to dwell on Satan and his followers, but at the same time we need to be prepared for what he sends our way.  Certainly the scriptures don't brush aside his desire to kill steal and destroy us. (John 10:10).  God in all His wisdom has provided us weapons of warfare for the spirit realm such as found in Ephesians chapter six. We can also add to the helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, sword of the spirit, shoes of peace, shield of faith and belt of truth those of praise and prayer.  A wonderful book explaining the weapons found in Ephesians is "Dressed To Kill" by Rick Renner.

Yesterday I read an article that opened my eyes to yet another weapon of warfare we can add to our arsenal. That weapon is a pen.  Or in today's world a keyboard!  It never dawned on me that by writing what Holy Spirit leads us to write, we are actually fighting against the enemy's strategy.  Like I mentioned before, his  purpose is to kill, steal, and destroy.  Period and exclamation point.  God's purpose is to bring his children Home.  As writers, our purpose is to let others experience God through our words, between the pages of a book or across the Internet world.  Words as weapons of warfare against the enemy's deceptions..

"Putting pen to paper lights more fires than ashes could ever do."

We already know that God's Word is living and "sharper than any two edged sword".  We know that His scriptures "brings life to those who find them and healing to their whole body".  That God "sent His word and healed others".  Words are powerful.  In any shape or form, to build up or tear down, words hold power.  If we have the gift of writing, whether it be books, blogs, songs, or poetry, when we use that gift for God's glory, that in itself fights against Satan's plans for evil.

Today I am addressing pens as weapons, but I believe any gift we have, when used for God's purpose, is a weapon.  Like to paint?  Enjoy singing?  Love to teach?  Each time we step out in faith to use our gifts, I believe Heaven rejoices and hell trembles!  Not all weapons of warfare put us in a battle stance, but they do bring Heaven to earth and joy to our Lord.  What is your weapon?

Gelatos, Pigment Pens, and the Resurrection Story

Proverbs 31

About a year ago a younger woman at church shared with me the art work she was painting in her Bible.  I was amazed at the beauty of it, but never thought it was something I could do.  I did not even know that it had a name......"Bible Journaling", nor did I imagine I would find it one of the greatest ways to meditate on the Word. Recently a friend mentioned that she was taking a class in Bible journaling, which sent me researching Google, Pinterest, and more.  The result of that first google search has turned into something delightful for me. The next day I began to freehand drawings in one of my older Bibles.  Taking a verse or verses from the Bible, then creating art on the pages of the Bible, has opened a door for me to a new kind of meditation on God's Word.  It feels like a form of worship.  All of our daily living is a kind of worship, as we work, play, read, connect.  It is all a form of worship as we connect with our Creator.  Today I am grateful for Bible Journaling, not doing this from a place of performance, or perfection ( as you can see!), but from communion with God and reflecting on His Word.

You are a lamp unto my feet

and a light unto my path....

Lately I have received 9 "open door" references, and I have been looking for those doors to open in areas I had already preconceived in my brain.  I quickly realized Bible Journaling is an open door from God that has totally surprised me.  I love it!  It brings me closer to my Lord, helps me soak in the Word, and gives me an expression of worship.  Thank you God!

On a side note, after visiting a few blogs I have come to realize that there are a few people out there who would never write or draw in their Bibles.  Others write all over their Bibles ......and now they draw what they see when reading God's Word.  I am in that latter category and so thankful for this way of visualizing God's Words.

Anyone can do this!  I am not an "artist" but I can visualize what God shows me.  I do need "help" in getting it drawn out so I have used Pinterest and other places to give me something to look at when I draw....I pray and think about what the verse means to me, to others......and then I pick up a pencil to pdraw....then use gelatos (not ice cream) and watercolor and colored pencils, pigment pens, etc.  Oh what fun!

So back to the open doors.....I wonder how many times God has sent me a message and because of my preconceived idea of what that should look like, I miss what He is showing me....giving me.....

My chains are gone....

I've been set free......

As I drew what I saw about Galatians 5:1 above, I was drawn back to Holy Week.  A week of great importance in the life of a Christian.  The last days before Jesus was crucified.  As we walk through this week let us sing with praise....let us speak with love.....let us worship in all we do.........focusing on the Resurrection Story........My chains are gone!

Friday Photo Reflection: Walking

Our daughter took this photo as we were walking to our car after the wedding and reception of our niece and her husband.  It reminds me so much of our life together.  We met in the fall of 1966, and began dating in January 1967.  We married the end of June 1968, and what a journey we have been on! 

It is truly a surprise to me when I see our images reflected in a photo or the mirror.  We are so different that those young kids who said I do.  I was 20 and Joel just 22 as we walked down the aisle of my home church and out into the world.  And here we are, 48 1/2 years later, still walking out into the world and still crazy about each other.  I cannot image this journey with anyone else.

So many years stretched out together to make our marriage, so many joys and sorrows, laughter and tears.  Sickness stole time, death bruised our hearts, loss grieved us deeply..........but God.  God never left us.  God gave us beauty for ashes, He restored health, He showered us with His love.  He blessed us with children and then in-loves, and the grandchildren that grace our home and bless our lives.  He gave us purpose and so many great adventures in the many places we have called home.  He offered His Son and Holy Spirit.  

We are so grateful that we are able to continue to walk together on God's path for us.  Never alone.  God always guides and directs us.  He lights the way!  

"Your Word is a lamp unto my feet

 and a light unto my path."

Psalm 119:105

Living in Obedience

"I don't want to preach or teach anything 

that does not make someone want to crucify me".

Bill Johnson

My response to Bill's radical statement is, "No worry there, Bill."  Some call Bill Johnson a healer. Some call Bill Johnson an anti-Christ.  Some call him a cult leader.  Some call him pastor.  It never ceases to amaze me how some "crucify" what scares them.....or what they don't understand, or believe. Verbal crucifixion......not to take away from what our Savior went through.   Whatever this 5th generation pastor is labeled, I think it comes from the filters the "some" use to live life.  We all view life through filters.  Joel and I have listened to him for 4 years now, and have not found anything that would make us feel he is not Biblically sound and authentic.  We don't always agree with everything he preaches, but we have seen a humble man who love the Lord with all His heart and is obedient to God.

But some are quick to condemn.  To criticize.  To judge.  Some are especially eager to judge if someone is sharing a new way of thinking, outside of their areas of comfort.  Joel and I have worked hard to be discerning when hearing something out of our comfort zone.  We ask Holy Spirit for guidance and affirmation of what we are hearing. God is always teaching us more and we are eager to learn, but it is not always easy to keep criticism out of the equation.

Getting back to what Bill Johnson said about what he is called to...............revival and the healing movement.  They have a membership of around 8,000 in Bethel Church, Redding CA, but also have people come from around the country and the world on a weekly basis.  Several of their staff speak and teach around the world.  It was not always so.  When Bill took over the church 20 years ago, he felt God tell him this church was about revival, Holy Spirit, and healing.  Many people in the church disagreed with him.  One long time elder told him, "I know that what is happening here is from God, but I just can't handle it."  He left along with about 1,000 other church members.  Bill stood his ground and slowly they saw the church thrive, healing come, and the presence of God respond in powerful ways.  Bill, Kris Vallotton, and others still take a lot of flak, but they prayerfully continue forward in their desire to serve God and His people.  What they teach as a whole is Biblically sound, but it would be a full time job to answer the questions of critics, according to Bill.  He is obedient to God not man.   I have to respect that.  We have seen that on a smaller level in another church out in CT.  Pastor Teske was healed by God and told to bring healing and Holy Spirit into his Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. He often had healing gatherings where no one showed up, but he continued to be obedient to God and now has a thriving congregation which even holds its own healing conference.  We went there in 2013.  Bethel is next on our list.

I believe Joel is like Bill Johnson and Paul Teske.  I know, I know, I'm kind of prejudice....but that is okay.  He is obedient in telling his healing story.  He is obedient in sharing his strong convictions about Holy Spirit, and on healing and deliverance being connected to salvation.  He has unwavering belief even when he sees his wife challenged by sickness. He does not let what others think or say get in the way of speaking his beliefs and praying for others.

When he feels a nudging by Holy Spirit, he obeys.  Like the time we were in a Amish touristy type store in southern Iowa and as we were browsing the aisles, Joel turns to me and says, "I have to go back and pray for that woman."  "What woman" I asked?  "The woman back there having lunch", Joel responded.  In all my great confidence and faith I replied...."Okay, then, you go ahead and I will wait here." Yeah.....not my best moment.  After wrestling a few minutes with my own thoughts, I decided to go support Joel.  He was already on his way back to me....... He had asked her if he could pray, explaining that he noticed her head shaking and that he felt God wanted him to pray for her.  She cautiously said yes.  So he did.  A brief prayer at which time her head shaking went down to barely noticeable.  It did not totally go away, but he felt he had done what God had asked him to do and he moved on.  Just like that.    He has prayed with a stranger in the aisle of Menard's.  He has prayed in tongues over someone who wanted speaking in tongues defined and then to hear it.  He prayed and the man felt heat go into his body.  Thank you Jesus.  He is always courteous and respectful, asking permission first.  He often tells his healing story.  He also tells people they can speak to their own health problems in Jesus name and by His authority.  He has had people think that we believe our prayers are better than theirs.  Not a chance of us believing that, but he does want to share what we learned about healing and prayer.  He has not had out right criticism to his face, here in the Midwest things come across sideways....but it would not stop him if he did.

So I have been pondering what Bill said today.  Do I write and speak in a way that would make others want to "crucify" me?  I know when I write about healing or Holy Spirit manifesting, people get stirred up, but sometimes I am too careful in what I say.......food for thought.

As Christians we know ISIS would love to kill us all.  Does it stop us from proclaiming Christ? What about Kayla Mueller who was kidnapped, tortured, and killed by ISIS over in Syria.  The second in command of that terrorist group told other captives she had converted to Islam but she adamantly denied it.  She was made a sex slave to this leader, and eventually killed when Jordan bombed the place she was staying. She would not give up her beliefs even to stop the torture. She died faithful to God.

We do not have to worry about such things here, and we may never be challenged as Bill Johnson and Paul Teske are, but maybe, just maybe, we need to step out boldly and speak what we believe without worrying about being criticized or "crucified" by the "some". Maybe we need to be a voice.   Maybe we need to speak and live out our faith with courage and love, and most importantly out of obedience to Jesus, who is not only our Savior, but Lord over our lives.

I Refuse To Partner With It!

I fell this morning.  I was ready to go walking, and went out the back garage door to find Joel.  The step there is awkward and I fell off the step going down on my knees hard on the cement.  I did not stop there though, as gravity quickly took me down on my hands and arms into the rocks.  On the way down I started yelling "nooooooo" but was still stunned to find myself laying flat, or as flat as you can with my belly and top half.  I had to yell for Joel because I knew I could not get up by myself.  My core strength is weak, and it would have been a challenge with nothing to support me.

My first reaction was to cry.  Yep.  I'm a cryer.....and then I just got mad.  After the anger came a bit of fear for the "what ifs" and then along came poor me.....The poor me person likes to visit if I am not careful.

After a brief check to make sure no bones were broken, Joel got me into the house and on the sofa where we went over a check list.  No broken bones...no twisted ankles......Knees red and right one swelling...bruises quickly forming.   When I knew nothing was broken, I said to Joel.  "I refuse to partner with this!"  I am walking and he said he would go along.......just in case.  Well, I got only half a mile in, but I walked.  Came home and iced my knee and tried to ignore the arms and wrists aching and the pelvic bones that hold arthritis talking loudly.  After a rest, my upper left arm is complaining when I lift it above a certain level, a few muscle aches are settling in.   All from a little ol' fall.  It causes me to pause and take stock of this broken body....So much of it has healed, but it still has further to go.

It would be easy to get discouraged.  It has been a rough week, heck, it has been a rough year.  IF I focus on all the situations we have found ourselves in......but that is not where we are to put our focus.  Today I am refusing to partner with any of that anymore.

Refusing to partner......I first heard that from Bethel church in CA.  It is usually used to combat the spirit realm.  Before you feel creeped out, remember the scriptures that tell us specifically with warning that we are not fighting with people but with principalities in the spirit realm.  That nasty devil is real.  His co-horts are real. No details given here, but Joel and I have encountered enough of the dark side of the spirit realm to not take it lightly.  But there is another spirit realm.....the good guys!  Angels that watch over us......Jesus and His power that lives in us ~ saves and heals us........Holy and His comfort and "dunamis"power that empowers us....God and His love and wisdom.  Yeah those are the good guys.  The Word says Jesus never refused to heal anyone.  Jesus said to speak to your mountains just like He did.  He told us He never did anything the Father did not tell him to do.  Jesus said He would send us a comforter...a dynamite Spirit that empowers.

It helps me to speak it aloud, what I am rejecting.  Refusing to partner with a bad attitude, a spirit of fear, the ranting of politicians, the bad reports on TV.  I refuse to partner with sickness or disease.  I refuse.

So today I refuse to partner with all that has gone on, is going on, and keeps demanding attention in our world or my broken body.  I refuse to walk in fear or pity or anger.  I speak to it all, commanding with the authority given to me by Jesus.   I remember His Word and take it to heart.  I refuse to partner with it.

In The Midst of it All

I woke up this morning after 9 1/2 hours of sleep and thought.....I don't really want to go to Bible study today.  I have no energy, I am down and out, and lets add a little "poor me" to that.  I hurt and I don't like going out in public without a bra.  Seriously, I am way to over-endowed for this kind of free living!  I told Joel I was not sure I was going and he said, "Well just ask Holy about it. "  I knew I was not in a good place when I resisted asking.......

I showered, dressed and then asked.  I asked Holy if He wanted me to go to Bible Study......He said, "It is up to you."  I then asked if it would help me if I went and before I could finish asking I got a strong, "Yes!"  Okay then.

I went in down and came out up.  Isn't that just how it goes when we study the Word, share with fellow believers, and are able to lay hands on and pray over those in need.  Hearing the faith stories of others is always uplifting.  Seeking wisdom found in His Word encourages.....Getting the perspectives of others enlightens.  Praying for others brings our focus on the One.  God is in the midst of His people.

.  This morning I saw on the TV a written statement concerning this latest mass murder in CA.  "GOD IS NOT FIXING THIS"  I don't know what it means and I am not so sure I want to know either.

Where is God in the midst of it all?  In the midst of a newborn baby who's brain is dying............in the midst of a waiting room with women suffering from the affects of radiation............in the midst of a group of people celebrating Christmas who are gunned down by senseless violence...in the midst of it all.......

God is in the midst of it all.  It is much easier to see God at work in a room full of women studying prayer, and actively praying, then in the midst of a senseless  act of violence or a baby dying.  God does not want this baby dying, women suffering, mass murders.  NO.  It is Heever from God.  It is the enemy that has come to kill, steal, and destroy.  Not God.

God weeps with us.  I had someone ask me once where God was when I was being sexually abused as a young child.  I told this person that God was with me, holding my hand and crying with me.  God weeps today too.  He waits in expectation for us to seek Him.  God weeps with those who mourn the loss of life yesterday in CA.  He walks with those who endure the radiation in the hope of restoring their health, and provides the wisdom and care of the medical world.  He comforts the baby who's brain is dying.  He heals.

I don't pretend to have answers to the whys of sickness, disease, pain, abuse, and murder that comes against people.  BUT when the world seems to be losing its senses, when the enemy of God seems to be winning the battles, what I do have is His Word and His promises. And His Word is truth.  I do have His truth.  I hold tightly to His truth.  It is all there, inside those pages. And the truth sets us free.

More, Lord, More!

When we traveled last April to SW Minnesota to give a seminar on healing and Holy Spirit, we prayed for a man who had been diagnosed with Parkinson's five years earlier.  A farmer, who loved to work the land, he was now very limited in what he could do.  Medications were not helping much and they were discouraged.  He came forward with his wife for prayer during the healing service.  As I shared before, Holy Spirit gives me images, and that day I saw an image of the man jumping down from his tractor, laughing, strong and healthy, with the sun shining on his hair.  Then Holy brought to mind that this man had Lyme.  I asked Joel to talk to Holy Spirit about it and he got the same thing,  Lyme.  We prayed for the man and his dear wife, but we also strongly suggested that he go get tested for Lyme! 

They really touched our hearts that day, and we kept thinking about them over the weeks, but had not heard from them until last night. The man had just been diagnosed with 2 strains of Lyme and probably co-infections.  Of course we were sad for them, as after so many years it would be a tough battle.  But the doctor believes  the Lyme is mimicking Parkinson's.  There was hope.  More, Lord, more.

I won't share our conversation here, but will say we encouraged them to hit it hard with antibiotics and healing prayer.  We spent a long time talking and praying with them.  It is easy to become frightened when you read the horror stories of this nasty disease.  We call it a disease of fear.  BUT we cannot focus just on the disease.  We need to focus on Jesus and HIS healing power. 

Maybe your battle is with cancer, with depression or anxiety, loneliness, or a situation that causes fear to rise up inside like bile in your mouth. Try not to focus on it.  We can't run from what we are challenged by, but we don't live there.  No one says it is easy, I attest to that, but what we are called to do is live in truth and that truth is found in the Living Word.   We shared with this couple what we share with others who come to us, what we share with each other, and would share with you.  We suggest to others that they learn what they need to know about what they are facing or living with right now, but we also encourage others to spend MORE time reading about what God says in His Word on healing.  Read all you can on healing, listen to videos, watch conferences.  Soak in God's promises.  Be persistent.  Fight like hell to get well, and when you are weary rest in Jesus arms and let him fight for you.  Get support from others who believe and speak about healing and will encourage you.  Rest in God's arms and rely on His promises.  

We are so happy to hear this couple is now on a journey to healing.  We believe God wants this man well and healthy.  That we could be a small part of their journey is a such great blessing.  It is empowering and makes us even more persistent on our own journey to share about Holy Spirit and healing.  More, Lord, more!

Word Power

We are still sorting and purging.  This week we pulled tubs out of the storage area and started going through papers from the office and years of life for Joel, me, and each of the kids.  We also found another big box of cards!  In explanation, we have so much stuff, because for so many years I did not have the physical energy or cognitive clarity to go through it all.  We just dumped things in tubs and moved it with us.  Yes, I do have a love affair going with paper and the written word, but now that I have the fortitude.....things, they are a changing! 

Cards, I confess, are my weakness.  I love cards, always have and I love these cards because of the words from the heart that have been shared by our kids and each other.  So here I was with yet another box to sort through.  I knew it was time to let them go.  Seriously.  Let them go.

It took me two hours to read each card and decide what to keep and what to throw.  I ended up keeping a small pile and tossing two brown grocery bags full.  It was painful at first, but then it got easier and easier.  So, the box Joel said to just keep because it was impossible to choose?  I am going to go through that one next.  With courage I will read each one, give thanks and then toss it.  Sigh.  My goal it to have one small box left from 47 years worth of cards. 

What makes them so special is what is written in the childish scribble, the teenage scrawl, or adult penmanship.  Those words of love from their hearts that fill ours. 

Words are so important.  They hold so much power. Whether we speak, read, or write them, they have power in our lives.  They can define who we are.  They encourage, discourage, destroy, or build up.  Words. have. power. 

I was listening to someone speak about the words we read in the Bible.  He asked us to consider what we feel, see, experience, or understand when we read the word Holy.  Just Holy.  Then think about the word Jesus.  Oh, what comes to mind when we say the precious name of Jesus.  Those two words, and so many other words in the Bible hold such deep meaning. 

The Bible tells us that the Word has great power in our lives. . The Word is living, more powerful than a two edge sword.  It has Living Waters power.   Saving power.  Healing power.  Comforting power.  Armor of God protection power.  Yes!

Whether words of love on a card, or words of love from the One who loves with a perfect love....there is power in the word!  Wear it like armor, treasure it like gold, defend yourself with it like a sword.  Receive and release it as living and powerful. 

"My child, pay attention to what I say.

Listen carefully to my Words

Don't lose sight of them

For they bring life to those who find them

And healing to their whole body."

Proverbs 4:20-22

Climbing Ladders and Releasing Fear

Joel told me this morning that he was going to be trimming trees today.  It is one of his favorite things to do.....and one of my least favorite!  It is the vision of him on a tall ladder or the roof that has me concerned.  I think it is the farm-boy-who-climbed-silos that periodically rises to the surface. Add to that the fact that he is now healed from that which held him prisoner and he is more than able. Even though when in his thirties he fell off a roof in winter fracturing a hip and partially dislocating a shoulder, he is not deterred.  Back then he preached from a chair with injuries.  Just who he is.

At the top, the tiny man...

my husband

Trimming tree branches

Sure enough, it was not long before he climbed up the extension ladder and then carefully walked up our steep roof with tree trimmer in hand. Usually I close the living room drapes, pray, and distract myself until he is done.  Not today.  With some anxiety rising, I went outside, watched, prayed, declared the "no weapon will prosper" verse....and took pictures.   Then I gave thanks that he is well enough and strong enough to be on a ladder and a roof, gave thanks that the neurological symptoms all left with the Lyme instantly, gave thanks for the joy and satisfaction I saw on his face.

And then later I gently reminded him it may be time to give up steep roof climbing. I suggested that the bones of some nearly 70 year olds may not be as strong as when they were 30....I was not speaking to him of course....Just saying...maybe.

What stood out for me was Joel's lack of fear.  He was careful, calculated his movements, and then enjoyed the process.  No fear.  I was watching a teaching on fear when this all began.  Seriously.  Cross my heart and all.  The pastor who spoke said, "Fear connects you to the thing you fear."  It gives the "thing" power over your life.  He suggested we find scriptures that relate to the thing we fear. .He suggested praising God to release that fear and put our focus on Jesus. That works for me.   

A voice whispered in my ear....it's not that easy.  The fear and the thing that creates it.  But maybe it is.  Maybe it is as easy as turning to the one who loves us perfectly and remembering "Perfect love casts out fear."  God knew the power of fear to control, you can find 365 verses pertaining to fear in the Bible.  One for every day.  Maybe there IS power in the Word.  Maybe His Word is true.  There is really no maybe.  There is just a resounding yes.  We either believe it or not.  The Word.  Releasing fear will change our lives dramatically.  It sets us free!  Maybe I will even find myself joining  Joel and climbing that ladder.  Well, maybe...Just saying.

H!e Really Means It!

If you recall from a former post, on June 14th Joel and I went to a healing service up in Minnesota where Joel and I both were prayed for.  Joel experienced a hearing increase in one ear and the healing of dyslexia.  I was prayed over, fell under the power of God, and believed for healing of my nervous system, eyes, and thyroid.  We saw nothing change in my eyes or neuropathy, but we saw significant energy changes in me~ with the results showing up in how far I can walk ~ one miles~ and how much I can do at home....and going to church and traveling.  I am also no longer taking thyroid medication.  (When I go in for my physical I will have it confirmed).

Today as I sit in my recliner again with a nasty increase of joint and nerve pain, to avoid focusing on this turn of events I have been catching up on writing letters to friends.  As I wrote about the past few months I realized how much has changed.  Trips to WI, Des Moines, Minneapolis twice, southern Minnesota, and northern Minnesota are interspersed with going shopping in stores again, attending church on Sundays, and walking a mile daily.  Things have improved and especially since the June 14th healing service.  In my quest for something more, I had forgotten how much more I already have!  With humility I am giving thanks.

Then today as I was reading a post written by Debbie over at Jeremiah 29:11 I heard a confirmation to a question I had put before God.  It, too, involves healing.  Debbie wrote about how she spoke about her knee being healed before it actually was.  How she stood on God's promises.  She was declaring what was not yet seen because she believed it was going to be.  It was powerful for me.  Let me explain......

You see, about 10 days ago Joel and I watched a healing conference live stream in Orlando Florida.  Randy Clark was having the annual Voices of the Apostles Conference.  During the final service people from his team were sharing words of knowledge about those in the audience or online who were in need of healing.  Only twice that we heard did they say people's names along with the healing taking place.  We watched and listened until about three minutes to ten when we decided it was time for bed.  It was almost over anyway...........Three minutes to 10...........

I decided to check my emails before heading to bed and there was one from my friend Katherine who had also been watching the conference from CT when her schedule allowed.  She said, 'Did you hear it??  At 10 o'clock as they were finishing up the service a man said, "There is a woman named Renee, and God is healing your eyesight."  Katherine went on to share that others spoke about eye twitching being healed. too.  She ended by saying, "I hope you were watching, but if not I am claiming that for you!"

I burst into tears when I read this.  Joel came over asking me what was wrong and as I shared it with him.  He said, "I had asked God for someone to actually say your name tonight."  I replied to him, "I had asked for the same thing, but then decided it was not practical since no one was using specific names when sharing words of knowledge."  When we were asked to pray for something specific for ourselves I had prayed over my left eye that was twitching all the time, and for healing of the glaucoma and cataracts.  At the time I did not experience any changes.

We were so disappointed we had missed hearing this specific word of knowledge, but God made sure we did by having my friend Katherine hear it and let us know.  Only God.

I have struggled with sharing what I believe was a word from God that night because the cataracts and glaucoma are not gone yet, and I was worried more about what people would think than what God was whispering to me on several occasions.  ~Speaking about it before seeing it came to pass!~
So here I am, speaking about what is coming!  Healing is coming for my eyes!  What a glorious day that will be!  I no longer have the eye twitching...that left soon after, and I believe that my eyes are healing and that some day soon the glaucoma and cataracts will be a thing of the past.  God spoke to me using my name~ Renee~ and I am holding tight to His promise!

At the beginning of the service on the last night, a young woman came up and shared her healing story.  She had been healed of numb legs and feet from a back injury I believe.  She said she did not feel anything at first and thought she was probably not healed....but she went into the bathroom and while in the stall the feeling came back in her legs and feet.  She said something so powerful ~ "When God says you are healed, He really means it!"  Joel and I had burst out laughing at the time, but her words echoed in my head.  Especially after getting Katherine's email.  What God has told me I can trust.  He really means it!  What God has told you? ~~He really means it and you can trust Him.  His words are trustworthy.  His Word is trustworthy.

In gratitude and obedience I am sharing today.   It is not the final report.............that will be coming when I share the rest of the story.

"My child, pay attention to what I say

Listen carefully to my words

Don't lose sight of them

Let them penetrate deep into your heart

For they bring life to those who find them

And healing to their whole body."

Proverbs 4:20-23

Living Waters From God

When God sends me a Bible verse more than twice I pay attention, because this an important way God communicates with me.  If you are a follower of my blog you may recall that last fall I received Matthew 11:28-30 around 26 times from many different sources.   God was hitting me over the head with the living Word from Matthew~~ It truly held a message I needed to hear.  I.m.p.o.r.t.a.n.t.  I am still learning about resting in and trusting God from that time. 

Since July 31st I have received verses and writings on "living waters" nine times from nine different sources.  God is speaking loudly to me once again.  The first 4 times I was given John 7:38 through different devotionals and a book of scriptures.

"Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink. 

For the scriptures declare,

Rivers of Living Water shall flow from the heart

of anyone who believes in Me."

 

Then as Joel and I were reading aloud the book, "Healing For Today" by Pastor Paul Teske, I turned to the next chapter to read and it was titled, "Rivers of Living Water"!!! 

 

Tuesday I read two separate blogs that spoke of living waters and streams of waters.   One written by Heather Lewis Powell over at InCourage had a quote that resonated for me. 

 

 

"If I believe and trust in Him, streams of living waters will flow from me

and I will not fear the heat or worry

because I will be firmly rooted in Him."

 

 A second post by Lisa over at Lisa Buffaloe's site spoke of  "letting God's living waters flow in and through you.  Of us needing to put down deep roots in the Word."
 

I also came across a scripture that Linny over at A Place Called Simplicity shared personally with me over a year ago from Job 11:16...

"You will forget your misery.....it will be like waters flowing away!"

Number nine came yesterday morning in the Daily Light, a scripture where Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well:

"If you only knew who you were speaking to

 you would ask me and I would give you living water." 

John 4:10 

 

 Couple all this with my visit to the garden of my heart in meditation, and I cannot nor would I deny that God is in the midst of this.  In the garden I walked with Joel and Jesus to a pool.  Surrounding it on three sides were high rocks with waterfalls cascading down into the pool.  Jesus and Joel took my hands and I went into the pool with them.  I need to be honest here, during the meditation I saw myself somewhat resistant to Jesus wanting me to go into pool, but I cautiously went in at the encouragement of both, and Jesus poured water over me with His hands.

Yes, God is at work. 

How does God work in your lives?  Through His Word, devotionals, the voice of others you are connected to?  For Joel he is often through nature.  And one friend of ours says that whenever she sees or hears a cardinal she knows God is speaking to her that all is well.  However He comes to you, we can rest assured He comes in love.

Do I understand all that is being shown me? Absolutely not.  I do see some direction, though.  Words like roots, living water, flowing, and the Word are coming up with frequency, and I have heard whisperings from Holy Spirit. For now I am trusting God to reveal to me at the right time just what I need to learn.

It is an adventure in faithful living to walk with Jesus through this life!  Don't you agree?   

 



Tenacious Linus!

Yesterday Joel brought to my attention the peanuts cartoon in the Sunday comics!  I don't usually read the comics, but he knew this particular strip would speak to me.  Lucy and Charlie Brown were discussing his......tenacity. She called it stubbornness...he called it being tenacious! 

It made us laugh and it also brought me back to when the director of the healing and worship school at Charis Bible College was praying with me at a healing service.   He told me that in the spirit realm he could see I was very faithful and had great tenacity. This was not a word I have used to describe myself, although Joel agreed wholeheartedly.  I kept it close to my heart.

Tenacity:  to stick with something, even when the going gets tough, to never give up and never surrender.  To hold fast and be determined.

In the cartoon Lucy tells Linus he is stubborn....but he tells her he has tenacity just like George Washington at Valley Forge.  He goes on to say...."stubbornness is a fault, tenacity is a virtue!"  the cartoon ends with Lucy socking poor Linus in the face at which point he admits he may be  bit mule-headed.  I have taped it to the front of our fridge as a reminder to me of what was spoken over me regarding healing.  I am tenacious.  I don't give up.  Thank you Jesus.

You see, it was three years ago, that a dear friend who hears from God on a regular basis told me these words:  "God wants you well."  It was six months later that a woman who runs a prayer ministry shared with me the same words:  God wants you well.  And it was then just 18 months ago that an online friend and prayer warrior shared with me a teaching that she felt we would be very interested in, entitled "God Wants You Well."  Those messages along with scriptures, Biblical teachings, and some healing that has already taken place have given me the determination to never give up as I walk this journey. I know that not all people are healed, but I do not let that deter me. 

Yes, there have been physical setbacks, there have been times I have been discouraged and confused.  I have questioned God more than once on why Joel was healed overnight and I have had an uphill battle.  The why questions will destroy you if you let them.  What we can depend on is God's promises.  What we need to focus on is our Lord, our Healer, our Provider, our Father.

When questions arise, when tenacity is difficult to muster, we go back to the Word.  When the enemy tries to shake our faith, when confusion makes our mind mushy, or when the battle seems to difficult.............always, always go back to God's Word.  God's Word is truth, and the truth will set you free. 

"For the Word of God is living and powerful,

sharper than any two-edge sword."

Hebrews 4:12a

"If you keep my Word you are truly my followers. 

You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

John 8:31b, 32

Digging Deeper

Every year we order the new Daily Guidepost devotional to use as a part of our morning devotions. After more than 10 years, we feel like we have gotten to know the variety of writers that grace it's pages. This year at the bottom of the page they have added a new component~ where they share other Bible verses that would go along with the devotional and verse at the top of each day's writing. They have called this "Digging Deeper".

These two words have resonated with me since I first saw them on January 1st. They are a daily reminder for me to go another level deeper into the Word in 2013. We know that God's Word holds power as we read it, declare it, and live it! Several months ago God shared the following verses with me while I was meditating with Him in the "Garden".

"My child, pay attention to what I say

Listen carefully to my Words

Don't lose sight of them

Let them penetrate DEEP into your heart

For they bring life to those who find them

and healing to their whole body."

 

Proverbs 4:20-23

 

These verses are very powerful and give us a promise for reading and studying His Word.  Following in obedience God's directions, brings LIFE and Healing!  Think of it!  God's promises are always yes and amen.  He never goes back on His promises.  And he tells us here, that IF we listen carefully to His Word, and let it go deep deep inside, THEN it will bring life and healing for our whole body.  

I desire that.  Does that sound selfish?  I don't think so.  God offers it.  I want all He offers~ salvation, forgiveness, healing, love, provision, and more........and I want to share it with others. Where do we find what He offers?  His promises?  Where?  In His Word.  So when I read those words "digging deeper" they are reminder of what God has asked of me.  Read My Word.  Study My Word.  Become more like Christ.  Dig Deeper.

Letting God Define You

I was watching Joel Osteen this morning...I often call his preaching the dessert of my Sunday services menu.  My meat and potatoes come from Rick Warren, Charles Stanley, and others, and then Joel   Osteen gives me the personal boost I need...the dessert.  Today he was talking about the power in the words "I am".  We know in the Bible that God uses those words to describe Himself.  I AM.  Powerful!  

We also release power in our lives with these words.   I like what Joel Osteen says, "What follows the "I am" will follow us!" We can bless or curse our lives with our words!  And what we say about others also affects our own lives.

It is not "positive thinking" that I am talking about here.  The Bible speaks often of the power that is held in the tongue...for good or for evil.  In Proverbs 18:21 we are told "there is life and death in the power of our words."  We need to take that verse very seriously. 

Don't let anyone define us but God!  We insult God when we speak negative about ourselves or believe the negative things others say over us. We are in affect telling God He did not do a good job creating us! He created you and the Bible says in Zephaniah 3:17 that God delights in us! 

He knew us before we were formed in our mother's womb.  God created us with unique and special gifts for His purpose.  It would be a very sad and stunted world if we all were alike.  God loves us enough to make each of us unique and one of a kind.  Ask yourselves these questions: Who does God say you are?  Who does God's Word say you are?  This is what needs to come out of our mouths.  This is what we need to meditate on.

Let God define you.

He delights in you!

~~

I am loved by God

I am unique and special

I am a mighty woman/man of God

I am who God and His Word says I am

I am God's Masterpiece!