All who have been reading my blog for awhile know how much I love music. Growing up I developed a love for the oldies. I remember the first time I heard The Byrds sing Turn, Turn, Turn. I loved the song and then I learned something pretty amazing. This secular song was taken directly out of the Bible! Yep that's right, the song comes right out of Eccl 3:1-8.
The song was released during a time of war but it promoted peace. The last line of the song says; "A time for peace, I swear it's not too late." God's word declares that we are to seek peace and pursue it, we are to let it be the umpire of our lives (see Ps 34:14, 1 Pet 3:11, Col 3:15). I don't know about you but I don't always seek peace and pursue it. Often times I let the negative thoughts going through my mind get me in such a tizzy that I find it difficult to get back to a place of peace. Or I let my circumstances and situations rob me of peace because I only see the problem and not God's solution.
I seem to battle the same feelings of unworthiness, rejection, and unwantedness over and over again. Recently someone said something to me that made me think; they said I was constantly setting myself up to be rejected and maybe it was time I removed myself from some of those situations. Well I thought about that and prayed about it and I came to the conclusion that if I removed myself from everything where I felt rejected then I would never be able to leave the house, ever! I really did not want to become a hermit so I began seeking God to gain some victories for those areas in my life that were continually causing me hurt.
I am so thankful for those who have walked this path before me and who provide me with additional tools I need to walk in greater levels of freedom. God first led me to Beth Moore. Beth is great in helping woman discover all they were created to be. I began reading her book So Long Insecurity. I'm not far but a line in the very beginning made me think, "this woman has read my mail." "We're going to let the truth scream louder to our souls than the lies that have infected us." This had been the cry of my heart to God. I wanted the truth to become more real to me than the lies I have been believing.
God also took me to Dawna Desilva. If you don't know her she runs the Sozo Ministry at Bethel and her messages always speak truth to me of who I am. In her message on Hope she said something to the effect that God's Kingdom always expands or adds to. When you see yourself through the lense of rejection, unwantedness, unworthiness, etc than you are dealing with lack and that is not a Kingdom mindset. We need to place our hope in Jesus and it is through Him we can do all things.
She gives a great illustration in this message of how she wanted opal earrings for Christmas one year but her husband was always saying they couldn't afford things. God had been working with her to take down her walls she was hiding behind to avoid being hurt so she told her husband for Christmas she wanted the earrings. Of course the first words out of his mouth were we can't afford it!! When we are trying to walk in freedom the enemy will alway always always try and hold us back!!! Anyway christmas came and she opened her gifts and no opal earrings. She was getting more and more upset because she knew that she had stepped out as God had said, made herself vulnerable, and was not going to receive the desire of her heart. Well she came to the last gift which was a box inside a box inside a box, etc. Finally in the last box was her desired opal earrings but by the time she opened them she could not enjoy the gift because she had allowed all the negative thoughts to control her emotions!!!
Whether our desire is opal earrings or something else when we allow our self to believe that is not for us or could never happen to us then we look at the situation through a lens of lack instead of seeing the situation through the eyes of God. The lens of lack can rob us from the blessings that God has made available to us. One thing I have to continually remind myself of is that His every thought and intention towards us is for good. This is an easy truth to grasp but only if you don't see yourself through the lens of lack.
Gungor's song Beautiful Things was on my heart this morning, especially the line "He makes beautiful things out of us." So this is the reminder I will leave you with. God has made you beautiful, you are more than enough, and you are blessed and highly favored. Don't allow lack to hold you back! Don't allow the lies of negative thoughts rob you of God's best for you. Allow His truth to become so loud you cannot hear the lies anymore.
My desire and hope is that what I am learning may help you also. It may feel so hard and impossible when you are in the process but know dear ones that God is there with you holding your hand and seeing you through the process. Don't live in despair but begin to allow God's hope to invade your being. Jesus understands everything you are going through because He experienced it first and His live on earth gave us an example to follow.
Friday, September 18, 2015
Friday, July 31, 2015
Watch What You Say
Recently I had the priveledge of reading a friends manuscript. The manuscript was about her different experiences with God and is an amazing read that shows how good God is. In one of her times with God, God said to her that He HATES it when people talk bad about her. In fact she told me that God was very emphatic about this.
Out of all that I read in the manuscript this hit home to me more than anything. I am guilty of saying and thinking wrong things about others but I am also quick to recognize it and ask for forgiveness. But, I am not so quick to recognize when I say and think wrong things about myself. In fact the wrong things I say and do tend to become a distorted truth to me that goes against how God sees me.
When I see myself as a goofup or a failure then I am not believing the truth of who God says that I am. His word declares that He has good plans for me to give me a future and a hope. His word also declares that I can do ALL things through Him, because He strengthens me. One translation words it a bit differently and says I can do all things through Him because He empowers me. So if God has good plans for us that cannot fail and His every thought towards us is good (see Psalm 139) then who am I to call what He created bad?
Your life may not look like you want it to but you are not a mistake and God does have a plan and a purpose for you! He loves you and He loves spending time with you. God has chosen and accepted you into the beloved.
I challenge you to watch the thoughts you have towards yourself and definately watch what you say about yourself. Get into the Word and find what God's word says about you. Begin speaking God's truth out of your mouth until His truth becomes a reality. Begin to laugh at the lies you thik about yourself.
One ministry that I have found that helps me speak God's truth about myself and whatever situation I am facing is Igniting Hope Ministries out of Bethel. Steve and Wendy Backlund have an amazing ministry to help others discover God's truth! Check out their website: www.ignitinghope.com for declarations you can begin declaring today. Their facebook page is also another great place to obtain Godly truth about yourself.
It is hard at first when you speak the lie out of your mouth and then laugh at it. When I began, I felt like crying more than laughing but I am keeping on until I have more of the joy of the Lord inside of me.
Last I challenge you to write down every lie you have ever thought, spoken, or believed. Also write down every lie that has been spoken over you by another or that you have perceived others felt about you.
Sometimes I think the words spoken to us or how we perceive others feel towards us can become the open door to what we begin to see and say about ourselves. All of my life I had felt unwanted and unchosen so a root of rejection began to grow within me. If I am not careful the actions and words of others can make me feel rejected and unimportant if I allow it to.
After you have written down all the lies take another piece of paper and begin writing down every truth that God reveals to you on how He sees you. Once you are done with both take the lies and rip them up as much as you can and throw the lies away! The lies are not who God says you are! Begin to mediate on the truth, speak the truth out of your mouth, speak what God's word says about who you are.
You have to replace the negative lies you have been thinking and speaking with the truth and the best way to do that is to replace every lie when it comes with the truth!!!! Above I have provided resources to begin speaking the trut of who God says you are: The Word of God, Igniting Hope Ministries, the truths about yourself that God gives you.
Out of all that I read in the manuscript this hit home to me more than anything. I am guilty of saying and thinking wrong things about others but I am also quick to recognize it and ask for forgiveness. But, I am not so quick to recognize when I say and think wrong things about myself. In fact the wrong things I say and do tend to become a distorted truth to me that goes against how God sees me.
When I see myself as a goofup or a failure then I am not believing the truth of who God says that I am. His word declares that He has good plans for me to give me a future and a hope. His word also declares that I can do ALL things through Him, because He strengthens me. One translation words it a bit differently and says I can do all things through Him because He empowers me. So if God has good plans for us that cannot fail and His every thought towards us is good (see Psalm 139) then who am I to call what He created bad?
Your life may not look like you want it to but you are not a mistake and God does have a plan and a purpose for you! He loves you and He loves spending time with you. God has chosen and accepted you into the beloved.
I challenge you to watch the thoughts you have towards yourself and definately watch what you say about yourself. Get into the Word and find what God's word says about you. Begin speaking God's truth out of your mouth until His truth becomes a reality. Begin to laugh at the lies you thik about yourself.
One ministry that I have found that helps me speak God's truth about myself and whatever situation I am facing is Igniting Hope Ministries out of Bethel. Steve and Wendy Backlund have an amazing ministry to help others discover God's truth! Check out their website: www.ignitinghope.com for declarations you can begin declaring today. Their facebook page is also another great place to obtain Godly truth about yourself.
It is hard at first when you speak the lie out of your mouth and then laugh at it. When I began, I felt like crying more than laughing but I am keeping on until I have more of the joy of the Lord inside of me.
Last I challenge you to write down every lie you have ever thought, spoken, or believed. Also write down every lie that has been spoken over you by another or that you have perceived others felt about you.
Sometimes I think the words spoken to us or how we perceive others feel towards us can become the open door to what we begin to see and say about ourselves. All of my life I had felt unwanted and unchosen so a root of rejection began to grow within me. If I am not careful the actions and words of others can make me feel rejected and unimportant if I allow it to.
After you have written down all the lies take another piece of paper and begin writing down every truth that God reveals to you on how He sees you. Once you are done with both take the lies and rip them up as much as you can and throw the lies away! The lies are not who God says you are! Begin to mediate on the truth, speak the truth out of your mouth, speak what God's word says about who you are.
You have to replace the negative lies you have been thinking and speaking with the truth and the best way to do that is to replace every lie when it comes with the truth!!!! Above I have provided resources to begin speaking the trut of who God says you are: The Word of God, Igniting Hope Ministries, the truths about yourself that God gives you.
Here are some confessions to begin with on who God says that you are:
- You are special and unique! One of a kind!
- You are chosen!
- You are accepted!
- You are loved!
- You are healed!
- You are an overcomer!
- You are valuable!
- You are beautiful!
There are so many more truths you can begin decaring about yourself today! Go find the truth and begin declaring it over yourself today. May you begin to walk in more freedom, peace, and joy and may you begin to experiece the abundant life that Jesus died to give you.
Blessings and peace.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Hold onto Hope
When hope’s dream seems to drag on and on the delay can be depressing, but when at last your dream comes true, life’s sweetness will satisfy your soul. Prov 13:12 TPT
The first part of this verse seems to have become my life for the past year. I continually ask God when will I experience a longing fulfilled or life's sweetness? At times I have not weathered the storm well. I have gotten to a place of worry and fear. I have lost hope and have just wanted to give up. I have even gotten mad at God and asked Him why and when. I know this last statement may shock some of you, I am not proud of the fact but God used this to show me another side of how good He is.
While I don't understand why this season continually stretches out before me I know God is using this season to grow my hope and trust in Him and to work out all the fears, worries, and insecurities still residing within me. At times I have wanted to go at this battle alone because after all I seem to be saying the same things over and over again and it gets old, well that and I get tired of it being all about me.
Recently as I began to loose hope again God began speaking to me through different songs and the picture that is shown below. When I first saw this painting I could not stop looking at it because it seemed God was speaking to me through this painting. I believe this painting represents a seedling of hope that is being grown and developed in the Master's hands. In this place the seedling is safe and secure and has been planted in such rich soil that will allow it to grow and develop into what it was designed and created to be.
No matter what you are facing don't lose hope! There is no failure in God, His promises are true, and He is more than able. His nature is one of love, hope, and joy. His every thought and plan He has for us is good. While I don't understand why people deal with lifetime illnesses without seeing healing, or have physical needs that don't seem to be met, or even why promises spoken don't seem to come to pass I know God is still able and He is more than enough.
If you too are struggling with holding onto hope; begin to meditate on His promises, begin to verbally speak out of your mouth His promises, and begin to praise and worship Him for the promises yet fulfilled. Find something in your situation to be thankful for and begin to declare your words of thanksgiving to God.
Lastly, don't go at it alone! I know when I hold it in and don't talk about all that is happening within me is when I face some of my toughest battles. It is not always easy to share but make sure you are planted in a good church and find at least one person you trust who you can share all of your struggles with.
I am beyond thankful for the community God has blessed me with. Even when I don't want to talk they ask just the right questions to open me up and allow the light of who God is to shine once again down inside of me. They are great to restore me to a place of hope, even when they don't know it. Eccl 4:10 & 12 has been proven true for me over and over again within this community.
It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, but if there's no one to help, tough! By yourself you're uprooted. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped. Ecc 4:10, 12 MSG
A special thanks to my community! You all have been such a blessing to me. More than even my words can say. When I have wanted to give up in despair you have unknowingly restored me to a place of hope and trust. I love each of you so much and am extremely thankful to be doing life with you.
Here are some songs that you can listen to and mediate on that will strengthen your hope: Take Heart by Hillsong, God I look to You by Brian and Jenn Johnson, and Nothing Wasted by Elevation Music. I know there are so many others but these are a few that God has given to me personally.
There is nothing to hard for our God!
Blessings.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
You are Precious in His Sight
"Red and Yellow, Black and White they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world."
Who remembers singing this song when you were young? God brought this song back to me the other day to remind me how precious and unique we are to Him. We all have our own strengths and weaknesses and we can all learn something from those around us. Are you weak in relationships? I bet God has placed someone in your life that is great at relationships in order to show you how to grow stronger in this area. I know He has for me.
The other day I was dwelling on this and I realized how great a group of people God has surrounded me with. Some are great at outreach, their boldness is amazing and challenges me to come up higher in this area. Some are great at seeing the needs of others, physical or not, and praying for them every chance they get. Some are amazing intercessors. Still others are amazing worshipers. I am thankful for each of them. We are called to do life together, not by ourselves. So today begin celebrating the strengths you see in those around you. Encourage that person, support them, speak life to them. Step out in a greater level of boldness as you go about your business today. Ever heard the phrase actions speak louder than words? Show someone the love of Jesus, this could be a smile or an act of kindness. Get creative and just open yourself up to all the good God has in store for you.
Stop looking at the negative! Stop looking at the storm! Stop looking at what you are not or how far you still have to go and just begin looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Allow Him to mold and shape you into the person that He has created you to be and remember above all else He loves you and is for you!!!!
Who remembers singing this song when you were young? God brought this song back to me the other day to remind me how precious and unique we are to Him. We all have our own strengths and weaknesses and we can all learn something from those around us. Are you weak in relationships? I bet God has placed someone in your life that is great at relationships in order to show you how to grow stronger in this area. I know He has for me.
The other day I was dwelling on this and I realized how great a group of people God has surrounded me with. Some are great at outreach, their boldness is amazing and challenges me to come up higher in this area. Some are great at seeing the needs of others, physical or not, and praying for them every chance they get. Some are amazing intercessors. Still others are amazing worshipers. I am thankful for each of them. We are called to do life together, not by ourselves. So today begin celebrating the strengths you see in those around you. Encourage that person, support them, speak life to them. Step out in a greater level of boldness as you go about your business today. Ever heard the phrase actions speak louder than words? Show someone the love of Jesus, this could be a smile or an act of kindness. Get creative and just open yourself up to all the good God has in store for you.
Stop looking at the negative! Stop looking at the storm! Stop looking at what you are not or how far you still have to go and just begin looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Allow Him to mold and shape you into the person that He has created you to be and remember above all else He loves you and is for you!!!!
Monday, February 23, 2015
One Thing Remains
Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
This one thing remains
Your love never fails it never gives up
Never runs out on me
On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains
In death and life I'm confident and
covered by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid, there's nothing that can
separate my hart from Your great love
How would you like going through every trial, storm, or situation with joy and happiness? Sounds impossible doesn't it, especially when you see how big the storm is. Well joy and happiness in the midst of the storm is not impossible because with God we have the victory even if the victory doesn't look like we think it should.
Do you remember the story in the bible about Paul and Silas in prison? They praised God in the midst of the storm and the doors to their cell where thrown wide open. That stuff didn't just happen back in the day it is for us right now too! When we turn our focus, attention, and praise towards God and then we have the power through Jesus to move that mountain in front of us and make it no more.
Here are a few scriptures that proclaim that promise!
Therefor no mountain, however high, can stand before Zerubbabel! For it will flatten out before him! And Zerubbabel will finish building this Temple with mighty shouts of thanksgiving for God's mercy, declaring that all was done by grace along. Zec 4:7 TLB
Jesus replied, I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, .... you can say to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matt 21:21-22 NIV
Wonderful promises from God's word. Begin to speak these promises out of your mouth over every trial and circumstance you are facing. You will begin to see your mountains made flat as you focus all of your attention on God and His word.
As you speak to your mountain recognize the lies that the enemy is speaking to you. God's word says that the devil is the father of lies so he cannot speak any truth about you or your situation. Besides a liar the enemy is also a thief and he wants to rob you of all the blessings and promises of God. Don't let him.
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. 1 Pet 5:8-9a
In a recent study I started,, with a few others I was reminded by Bill Johnson that the enemy can only have access to us through our agreement with the lies he is speaking. We empower him, the devil, when we come into agreement with his lies. Makes you think, doesn't it?
Want to change who you are giving the power and authority to? Well begin to recognize those lies. Speak them out of your mouth and laugh at them. Won't be easy at first, you may even feel like crying a time or two but don't give up because when you begin to laugh at the lies you can back the power and victory from the enemy. Joy and peace begin to flood you spirit and soul as you come back into alignment with Gods word and His truth and promises.
In fact there are many scriptures that tell us how good a cheerful heart is. Below are a few.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Prov 17:22
A heart at peace gives life to the body but envy rots the bones. Prov 14:30
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Prov 15:13,30
So begin laughing at the lies. Recognize the negative that is coming at you and know it is not from God! The situation and circumstances may not change but how you view them will change as you laugh at the lies and focus on God's promises.
May you know today how great God's love is towards you. May you feel more deeply and intimately in love with Him. May His love for you overwhelm and satisfy your soul, may it drown out all your fears as you know that nothing absolutely nothing can separate you from God's love.
If you have given your heart and life to God then you are children of the day because God is light and in Him there is no darkness. Jesus came to this earth and He died to give you everything you would need for this life here on earth. God's nature is good and His every thought towards you is good.
You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 1 Thes 5:6-8
Walk in God's amazing blessing. I feel I need to sign off with a tagline I heard on a radio program when I was a teenager called the King's Hour with Robert Cook. He always ended his program with "walk with the King today and be a blessing." The "One thing" that will always remain is how much God loves you. Never ever loose sight of that.
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
This one thing remains
Your love never fails it never gives up
Never runs out on me
On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains
In death and life I'm confident and
covered by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid, there's nothing that can
separate my hart from Your great love
How would you like going through every trial, storm, or situation with joy and happiness? Sounds impossible doesn't it, especially when you see how big the storm is. Well joy and happiness in the midst of the storm is not impossible because with God we have the victory even if the victory doesn't look like we think it should.
Do you remember the story in the bible about Paul and Silas in prison? They praised God in the midst of the storm and the doors to their cell where thrown wide open. That stuff didn't just happen back in the day it is for us right now too! When we turn our focus, attention, and praise towards God and then we have the power through Jesus to move that mountain in front of us and make it no more.
Here are a few scriptures that proclaim that promise!
Therefor no mountain, however high, can stand before Zerubbabel! For it will flatten out before him! And Zerubbabel will finish building this Temple with mighty shouts of thanksgiving for God's mercy, declaring that all was done by grace along. Zec 4:7 TLB
Jesus replied, I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, .... you can say to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matt 21:21-22 NIV
Wonderful promises from God's word. Begin to speak these promises out of your mouth over every trial and circumstance you are facing. You will begin to see your mountains made flat as you focus all of your attention on God and His word.
As you speak to your mountain recognize the lies that the enemy is speaking to you. God's word says that the devil is the father of lies so he cannot speak any truth about you or your situation. Besides a liar the enemy is also a thief and he wants to rob you of all the blessings and promises of God. Don't let him.
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. 1 Pet 5:8-9a
In a recent study I started,, with a few others I was reminded by Bill Johnson that the enemy can only have access to us through our agreement with the lies he is speaking. We empower him, the devil, when we come into agreement with his lies. Makes you think, doesn't it?
Want to change who you are giving the power and authority to? Well begin to recognize those lies. Speak them out of your mouth and laugh at them. Won't be easy at first, you may even feel like crying a time or two but don't give up because when you begin to laugh at the lies you can back the power and victory from the enemy. Joy and peace begin to flood you spirit and soul as you come back into alignment with Gods word and His truth and promises.
In fact there are many scriptures that tell us how good a cheerful heart is. Below are a few.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Prov 17:22
A heart at peace gives life to the body but envy rots the bones. Prov 14:30
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Prov 15:13,30
So begin laughing at the lies. Recognize the negative that is coming at you and know it is not from God! The situation and circumstances may not change but how you view them will change as you laugh at the lies and focus on God's promises.
May you know today how great God's love is towards you. May you feel more deeply and intimately in love with Him. May His love for you overwhelm and satisfy your soul, may it drown out all your fears as you know that nothing absolutely nothing can separate you from God's love.
If you have given your heart and life to God then you are children of the day because God is light and in Him there is no darkness. Jesus came to this earth and He died to give you everything you would need for this life here on earth. God's nature is good and His every thought towards you is good.
You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 1 Thes 5:6-8
Walk in God's amazing blessing. I feel I need to sign off with a tagline I heard on a radio program when I was a teenager called the King's Hour with Robert Cook. He always ended his program with "walk with the King today and be a blessing." The "One thing" that will always remain is how much God loves you. Never ever loose sight of that.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
It is Well
It is easy to loose hope, especially when it seems all you do is wait and wait to see the promises of God fulfilled in your life. You know He has a good plan and purpose for you but you never see it come about and you feel as if "the process" will never end.
Late last year I went down into that place. I felt that nothing good was ever going to happen and I felt very discouraged and hopeless. I felt that my hope was deferred and when in the world was I going to experience the other side of that verse that talks about a longing fulfilled
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Prov 13:12
I told no one, not even those closest to me, how I was feeling and in mid September I went to a Tenacious Love conference in Tulsa. I received a lot of encouraging uplifting words from total strangers at this conference but the word that effected me the most was when one of the prophets at the church said I see the words hope deferred over you and that my hope would no longer be deferred that my time of harvest had come.
Obviously I left that conference full of hope of all that God was going to do! A week or two later I was told my position was eliminated and thanks for the four years. My world was completely rocked and I was devastated. I barely made it home that day because of the tears, agony, and the total unexpectedness of what happened. Thankfully I have a great support group and a friend made sure I was not alone that day which I greatly appreciated (thank you friend, you know who you are). :)
Through out this time of unemployment my hope level has been up or down depending on where my focus has been. Recently my focus went to the problem again and I cried out to God "you said my hope would no longer be deferred." "When is this going to end!" I was mad at God even if I did not want to be because I was too focused on the problem.
During this time I listened to a teaching on Bethel TV called Living the Blessed Life and one of the speakers Dawna DeSilva said something that caught my attention. She said if you were in a terrible car accident, one so bad they had to open the car with the jaws of life to get you out, and when you woke up in the hospital you found your dad slumped over your bed asleep would you be mad at your dad for the accident? Obviously the answer is no you would not.
Thankfully this teaching provided a turning point for me in this process and it shifted my focus back to God. I asked forgiveness for being angry with Him and from that point on mentally and emotionally things began to change. Peace flooded my spirit like never before, peace that remained no matter what my circumstances looked like, no matter what was taking place. I could apply for a job in the morning and by the afternoon I could receive an email that they went with another candidate. The old tried to come to make me upset and depressed and then it would immediately leave as I turned my focus back on God and the good plans He has for me.
I began to realize it is well with my soul. Nothing around me had changed the storms still raged, I still have no idea when my job will come and how long the money will last, but this is what I know God has this covered. He has this whole situation, no matter how big it appears to me, at His feet ready to step on it and make it no more. See it is a totally small thing to Him. He is the God of the impossible and He is my provider. As difficult as this time has been it has provided me opportunities to help and bless others that I could not have done if I had a job.
I know so many good things are coming out of this besides the opportunities to bless others. Slowly I am also seeing how my behind the scenes gifts are valuable and important. I don't have to be out in front of others for me to be important and valuable or for God to use me. I think sometimes we all think that is the only way to be important to others and to God but the recent Superbowl helped me change my view on this. The Patriot's Player who caught the ball on the one yard line was an unknown, he was not chosen in the draft because he was an unknown, in fact he had to join the Patriots as a free agent to be a part of the team (forgive me if I have any of that incorrect, my football knowledge is limited) but look how He was used! He won the game for his team and God elevated him to a known person. He just continued to do his best and glorify God with the gift and talent that God had given him.
Prov 13:12 in The Passion Translation reads like this:
When hope's dream seems to drag on and on the delay can be depressing, but when at last your dream comes true, life's sweetness will satisfy your soul. Prov 13:12 TPT
So as you wait for your hope's dreams to be fulfilled know it can be well with your soul also. Keep your focus on God, continue to live for Him, and use the gifts and talents He has given you to glorify Him.
Late last year I went down into that place. I felt that nothing good was ever going to happen and I felt very discouraged and hopeless. I felt that my hope was deferred and when in the world was I going to experience the other side of that verse that talks about a longing fulfilled
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Prov 13:12
I told no one, not even those closest to me, how I was feeling and in mid September I went to a Tenacious Love conference in Tulsa. I received a lot of encouraging uplifting words from total strangers at this conference but the word that effected me the most was when one of the prophets at the church said I see the words hope deferred over you and that my hope would no longer be deferred that my time of harvest had come.
Obviously I left that conference full of hope of all that God was going to do! A week or two later I was told my position was eliminated and thanks for the four years. My world was completely rocked and I was devastated. I barely made it home that day because of the tears, agony, and the total unexpectedness of what happened. Thankfully I have a great support group and a friend made sure I was not alone that day which I greatly appreciated (thank you friend, you know who you are). :)
Through out this time of unemployment my hope level has been up or down depending on where my focus has been. Recently my focus went to the problem again and I cried out to God "you said my hope would no longer be deferred." "When is this going to end!" I was mad at God even if I did not want to be because I was too focused on the problem.
During this time I listened to a teaching on Bethel TV called Living the Blessed Life and one of the speakers Dawna DeSilva said something that caught my attention. She said if you were in a terrible car accident, one so bad they had to open the car with the jaws of life to get you out, and when you woke up in the hospital you found your dad slumped over your bed asleep would you be mad at your dad for the accident? Obviously the answer is no you would not.
Thankfully this teaching provided a turning point for me in this process and it shifted my focus back to God. I asked forgiveness for being angry with Him and from that point on mentally and emotionally things began to change. Peace flooded my spirit like never before, peace that remained no matter what my circumstances looked like, no matter what was taking place. I could apply for a job in the morning and by the afternoon I could receive an email that they went with another candidate. The old tried to come to make me upset and depressed and then it would immediately leave as I turned my focus back on God and the good plans He has for me.
I began to realize it is well with my soul. Nothing around me had changed the storms still raged, I still have no idea when my job will come and how long the money will last, but this is what I know God has this covered. He has this whole situation, no matter how big it appears to me, at His feet ready to step on it and make it no more. See it is a totally small thing to Him. He is the God of the impossible and He is my provider. As difficult as this time has been it has provided me opportunities to help and bless others that I could not have done if I had a job.
I know so many good things are coming out of this besides the opportunities to bless others. Slowly I am also seeing how my behind the scenes gifts are valuable and important. I don't have to be out in front of others for me to be important and valuable or for God to use me. I think sometimes we all think that is the only way to be important to others and to God but the recent Superbowl helped me change my view on this. The Patriot's Player who caught the ball on the one yard line was an unknown, he was not chosen in the draft because he was an unknown, in fact he had to join the Patriots as a free agent to be a part of the team (forgive me if I have any of that incorrect, my football knowledge is limited) but look how He was used! He won the game for his team and God elevated him to a known person. He just continued to do his best and glorify God with the gift and talent that God had given him.
Prov 13:12 in The Passion Translation reads like this:
When hope's dream seems to drag on and on the delay can be depressing, but when at last your dream comes true, life's sweetness will satisfy your soul. Prov 13:12 TPT
So as you wait for your hope's dreams to be fulfilled know it can be well with your soul also. Keep your focus on God, continue to live for Him, and use the gifts and talents He has given you to glorify Him.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
We Will Not Be Shaken - Trust
So then, my soul, why would you be depressed? Why would you sink into despair? Just keep hoping and waiting on God, your Savior. For no matter what, I will still sing with praise for living before His face is my saving grace. Ps 42:5 TPT
Then I will say to my soul, don't be disturbed, for I fully expect my Savior-God to break through for me. Then I'll have plenty of reasons to praise Him all over again. Yes, living before His face is my saving grace. Ps 43:5 TPT
Through Your glorious Name and Your awesome power we ca push through to any victory and defeat the enemy. Ps 44:5 TPT
It is so cool how these scriptures line up, twice the author had to remind himself not to be downcast because of His circumstances and situations. Twice he knew that God was going to come through for him and bring the victory and then in the third verse he reminds himself where the victory comes from.
Hope and trust are two words I am hearing and seeing a lot lately. I sense and feel such hopelessness within the body of Christ lately including myself. We are we hopeless? Why are we not putting our hope and trust fully in God? Why are we not standing upon and claiming the promises of God?
I believe some of the reason can be found in Proverbs 13:12; a hope deferred makes the heart sick but a longing fulfilled is a tree of live. One of the words I have heard recently on hope is that it is not a wish that we hope would happen but it needs to be an eager anticipation of what God will do in that situation. Sounds pretty easy to me but I think sometimes we get a little weary of the process we must go through to see God come through in our situations. Our emotions get involved as we see the problem and situation remaining the same. We begin to give up on God and the fact that He is still who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do.
This is where trust comes in. When we put our hope in God alone no matter how long the process is we can trust that He has not changed and He will do what His word declares. Personally it helps build my faith when I declare that word over the situation. It also reminds God of His promises, not like He forgets but I think He just likes for us to tell Him what He said. Maybe it shows we are paying attention to His word and His promises. I mean hello God promised to prosper us in all our ways and I sure like to remind Him of that promise. Does this mean I want God to shower tons of money down on me? No! I just want Him to give me more than enough in my finances that I can meet all my financial needs, advance the kingdom, and be a financial blessing to others. I also want Him to prosper me in other areas as well such as my relationships. This is just one example of a promise that is in His word that we can remind Him about.
So trusting God is key to building our faith and our hope. Life is full of many troubles but Jesus told us to take heart because He has overcome the world. Speaking His word and His promises over our situations helps keep our focus on Him or as the psalmist says "living before His face" and not on the situation or problem. When we remain steadfast and secure in Him then whatever life may bring our way will not shake or move us as we rest secure in Him.
So put all of your hope and trust in God today and allow the peace of God to settle over you as you allow Him to bring you the victory.
At the end of the month Bethel will release a new cd with a song titled We Will Not Be Shaken. Since God speaks to me a lot through music this song has been my anchor during my time of unemployment. A couple of places in scripture that go so well with this song are Is 54:10 and Ps
My prayer for each of you is that you will find your hope in God alone and not allow your situations and circumstances to bring despair, defeat, and agony. Lift your eyes to the hills from where you help comes from, your help comes for the Lord the maker of heaven and earth.
"We Will Not Be Shaken" Lyrics
For we trust in our God
And through His unfailing love
We will not be shaken,
We will not be shaken,
We will not be shaken
[x2]
Though the battle rages
We will stand in the fight
Though the armies rise up against us on all sides
We will not be shaken
We will not be shaken
We will not be shaken
For in the hour of our darkest day
We will not tremble, we won’t be afraid
Hope is rising like the light of dawn
Our God is for us He has overcome
All those against Him will fall
For our God is stronger
He can do all things
No higher name we can call
For Jesus is greater
We can do all things
And through His unfailing love
We will not be shaken,
We will not be shaken,
We will not be shaken
[x2]
Though the battle rages
We will stand in the fight
Though the armies rise up against us on all sides
We will not be shaken
We will not be shaken
We will not be shaken
For in the hour of our darkest day
We will not tremble, we won’t be afraid
Hope is rising like the light of dawn
Our God is for us He has overcome
All those against Him will fall
For our God is stronger
He can do all things
No higher name we can call
For Jesus is greater
We can do all things
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