Here is a conversation that took place between a man named Mack and Jesus, as he was preparing to walk on water with Jesus. It it taken from a book that I have just completed reading..."The Shack". The reason I am posting this is because the concept of this has evaded me until now, it has changed my way of thinking and I believe it is worth sharing. Enjoy....
"Will my feet get wet?" queried Mack.
"Of course, water is still wet."
Again Mack looked down at the water and back at Jesus. "Then why is this so hard for me?"
"Tell me what you are afraid of, Mack."
"Well, let me see. What am I afraid of?" began Mack. "Well, I am afraid of looking like an idiot. I am afraid that you are making fun of me and that I will sink like a rock. I imagine that-"
"Exactly," Jesus interrupted. "You imagine. Such a powerful ability, the imagination! That power alone makes you so like us. But without wisdom, imagination is a cruel taskmaster. If I may prove my case, do you think humans were designed to live in the present, the past or the future?"
"Well," said Mack, hesitating, "I think the most obvious answer is that we were designed to live in the present. Is that wrong?"
Jesus chuckled. "Relax, Mack; this is not a test, it's a conversation. You are exactly correct, by the way. But now tell me, where do you spend most of your time in your mind, in your imagination, in the present, the past or in the future?"
Mack thought for a moment before answering. "I suppose I would have to say that I spend very little time in the present. For me, I spend a big piece in the past, but most of the rest of the time, I am trying to figure out the future."
"Not unlike most people. When I dwell with you, I do so in the present-I live in the present. Not the past, although much can be remembered and learned by looking back, but only for a visit, not an extended stay. And for sure, I do not dwell in the future you visualize or imagine. Mack, do you realize that your imagination of the future, which is almost always dictated by fear of some kind, rarely, if ever, pictures me there with you?"
Again, Mack stopped and though. It was true. He spent alot of time fretting and worrying about the future, and in his imaginations it was usually pretty gloomy and depressing, if not outright horrible. And Jesus was also correct in saying that in Mack's imaginations of the future, God was always absent.
"Why do I do that?" asked Mack.
"It is your desperate attempt to get some control over something you can't. It is impossible for you to take power over the future because it isn't even real, nor will it ever be real. You try and play God, imagining the evil that you fear becoming reality, and then you try and make plans and contingencies to avoid what you fear."
As I read this, I realized that in no time that I have ever "pictured" tomorrow, whether good or bad, have I ever pictured it accurately. And I think the best advice I can take it to always remember when I am imagining...am I doing it together with Holy Spirit and do I see God there with me? Because if He is, regardless of whether what I picture becomes reality or not or even plays out exactly the way I think it should, that is one thing that will never change, His presence, in the present! And if He isn't in my imaginations...they are purely just fiction...fairy tales and horror stories.
If you would like to learn more about the book, "The Shack", go to www.theshackbook.com.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
A Larger Place
Psalm 118:5 “I called upon the Lord in distress, the Lord answered me, [and set me] in a large place. ”
I love what I read here! David had called on the Lord when he was distressed, hard pressed, in a place where there was no where else to turn and the Lord answered him and set him in a large place. When I began to look at this “large place” that this passage is speaking off…according to several commentaries, it is the same place that Jesus was received to after he was raised from the dead and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father. Into the heavens! And that is a large place indeed! God actually set his mind, his thinking and his understanding in a realm of all the possibilities of heaven, revealing everything that was available to him, causing those things he was facing to pale in comparrison. And if that was available to David, it is certainly available to us.
A place has been made accessible to us, where we can walk at liberty, where our goings are established. A place where we can get a large view of the love of God. The place where we are answered with more than we have asked for…a sufficiency and an abundance that exceeds what we ourselves could even begin to think of. A place where all the possibilities of heaven are waiting for us and there is no larger place than that.
There's so much...exceedingly...abundantly...to be thankful for!
I love what I read here! David had called on the Lord when he was distressed, hard pressed, in a place where there was no where else to turn and the Lord answered him and set him in a large place. When I began to look at this “large place” that this passage is speaking off…according to several commentaries, it is the same place that Jesus was received to after he was raised from the dead and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father. Into the heavens! And that is a large place indeed! God actually set his mind, his thinking and his understanding in a realm of all the possibilities of heaven, revealing everything that was available to him, causing those things he was facing to pale in comparrison. And if that was available to David, it is certainly available to us.
A place has been made accessible to us, where we can walk at liberty, where our goings are established. A place where we can get a large view of the love of God. The place where we are answered with more than we have asked for…a sufficiency and an abundance that exceeds what we ourselves could even begin to think of. A place where all the possibilities of heaven are waiting for us and there is no larger place than that.
There's so much...exceedingly...abundantly...to be thankful for!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Taking Joy
Reading from the amplified bible, Psalm 97:11 says. “Light is sown for the uncompromisingly righteous and strewn along their pathway, and joy for the upright in heart, the irrepressible joy which comes from consciousness of His favor and protection.” Doesn’t that just bring you encouragement today? God has given us irrepressible joy! No amount of pressure can take it from us! And it comes simply from being aware and mindful of God’s favor over our lives and His protection! So take joy today! Take it by putting your mind on all the graces of God! Know that today, He is guarding you, covering you and defending you. The pressures of life can't even compare!
I am so thankful!
I am so thankful!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The Lord, Most Vehement
Psalm 94:12 & 13
"Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked."
What I love is what the amplified bible actually says-that the Lord gives us the power to keep ourselves calm in the days of adversity. Isn't it good to know that God has actually give us the power we need, a supernatural calm, through His word and His instruction, that will keep us through the hardest, most difficult of times?
As I was reading further in this passage, I was introduced to and spent time with the Lord, in a way I never have before. Verse 17 of Psalm 94 says, "Unless the Lord, had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence." I asked Father, "What part of your personality is this talking about?" and as I began to search it out, I found that "Lord" in this passage is the Lord Most Vehement. I am so thankful to have been in His presence. You see, the Lord Most Vehement, is the characteristic of the Lord that is marked by strong feeling or expression, and this is the part of Him that is passionate, so much so that this name describes the duration of time in which Jesus lived from the last supper to the Cross. This is the part of His character that saw Him through and now determines our outcome! This is the part that can also be translated "soundness of mind".
And when I began to explore this word, I wondered what it meant for my soul, my mind, will and emotions to dwell in silence. To be silent is equal to living in a place of death. When our emotions are shut down,ruling us to the place where we can't seem to even be able to set our minds on God's word, this is where we will find ourselves. But what I love is that regardless of how "vehement" or strong our emotions may seem to be, whether it be sadness, grief, depression, anger, etc., the Lord Himself, is the MOST vehement and is able to help us! His "strong feelings" & passion for us have superceded every influencing emotion and His soundness of mind is available to us! And if Christ is in us, we too have the "Most Vehement" stronger emotion living and working through us...if we will acknowledge Him.
I know how important my words are...that they influence every aspect of my life...EVERYTHING! I can't emphasize that enough and I don't know how many times recently, despite knowing that, that I have caught myself saying, "I just can't do this anymore. I can't continue like this...and woe is me...pity me, it's my party, pity me!" And don't you know, God wouldn't have it any other way than to sit me down in church and make sure I didn't get away with it! Even the guy taking up the offering didn't realize it but all of his meditation and the time he spent studying was so that I would get the picture. But condemnation had found opportunity and I was again thinking I had failed.
But then there was Psalm 94:18, written just for me. "When I said my foot slippeth; thy mercy O Lord, held me up." First, let me point out "when I said", that's important to note here. The foot represents our ability to endure and to slip means to "waver, fluctuate in opinion, allegiance or direction" and to give an "unsteady sound". This passage can be read like this, "When I said, my ability to endure is wavering! My opinion is not steady...where is my allegiance, what is my direction? I have made an unsteady sound and I have betrayed myself but thy mercy O Lord, held me up!" In His mercy, He will even bend down and stoop to me and grant me grace and hold me up! He loves me enough to say, "Oh no...I'm not going to let you slip" and He doesn't mind at all telling me when it's time to take up the offering!
"Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked."
What I love is what the amplified bible actually says-that the Lord gives us the power to keep ourselves calm in the days of adversity. Isn't it good to know that God has actually give us the power we need, a supernatural calm, through His word and His instruction, that will keep us through the hardest, most difficult of times?
As I was reading further in this passage, I was introduced to and spent time with the Lord, in a way I never have before. Verse 17 of Psalm 94 says, "Unless the Lord, had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence." I asked Father, "What part of your personality is this talking about?" and as I began to search it out, I found that "Lord" in this passage is the Lord Most Vehement. I am so thankful to have been in His presence. You see, the Lord Most Vehement, is the characteristic of the Lord that is marked by strong feeling or expression, and this is the part of Him that is passionate, so much so that this name describes the duration of time in which Jesus lived from the last supper to the Cross. This is the part of His character that saw Him through and now determines our outcome! This is the part that can also be translated "soundness of mind".
And when I began to explore this word, I wondered what it meant for my soul, my mind, will and emotions to dwell in silence. To be silent is equal to living in a place of death. When our emotions are shut down,ruling us to the place where we can't seem to even be able to set our minds on God's word, this is where we will find ourselves. But what I love is that regardless of how "vehement" or strong our emotions may seem to be, whether it be sadness, grief, depression, anger, etc., the Lord Himself, is the MOST vehement and is able to help us! His "strong feelings" & passion for us have superceded every influencing emotion and His soundness of mind is available to us! And if Christ is in us, we too have the "Most Vehement" stronger emotion living and working through us...if we will acknowledge Him.
I know how important my words are...that they influence every aspect of my life...EVERYTHING! I can't emphasize that enough and I don't know how many times recently, despite knowing that, that I have caught myself saying, "I just can't do this anymore. I can't continue like this...and woe is me...pity me, it's my party, pity me!" And don't you know, God wouldn't have it any other way than to sit me down in church and make sure I didn't get away with it! Even the guy taking up the offering didn't realize it but all of his meditation and the time he spent studying was so that I would get the picture. But condemnation had found opportunity and I was again thinking I had failed.
But then there was Psalm 94:18, written just for me. "When I said my foot slippeth; thy mercy O Lord, held me up." First, let me point out "when I said", that's important to note here. The foot represents our ability to endure and to slip means to "waver, fluctuate in opinion, allegiance or direction" and to give an "unsteady sound". This passage can be read like this, "When I said, my ability to endure is wavering! My opinion is not steady...where is my allegiance, what is my direction? I have made an unsteady sound and I have betrayed myself but thy mercy O Lord, held me up!" In His mercy, He will even bend down and stoop to me and grant me grace and hold me up! He loves me enough to say, "Oh no...I'm not going to let you slip" and He doesn't mind at all telling me when it's time to take up the offering!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Current Situation vs. Eternal Location
Romans 8:18 says "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
When I read this, I realized that this very passage was meant to help me put my "problems" in perspective because let's face it, we are always going to have problems. When we chose to become a die hard, no matter what, follower of Jesus Christ, (which is the best decision you could ever make, by the way! ) you will find yourself going against the grain...rubbing the cat the wrong way... swimming upstream.
Let me just be plain here. It doesn't matter if I think my problem is the end of the world! It doesn't matter if anyone else agrees that what I am going through is the end of the world! The truth is, if I don't want it to be the end of the "world" for me, that's when I have what should be defined as a real problem! Romans 8:18 says, and I don't believe I am taking this out of context, "the sufferings of this present time ARE NOT WORTHY!" And it's not worthy compared to the glory which shall be revealed in me! And the thing is, the glory isn't about me, it's for...
Read verse 19! It says "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." The world is waiting for me to stop worrying about my problems, talking about my problems, crying about my problems and comparing my current situation with my eternal location! When will the world ever get to see just how big my God is unless I let Him handle it? The question is, where do I really live? That's what the world wants to know!
I love the teachings of Andrew Wommack (www.awmi.net) and here's a few quotes of his, some of which really made me laugh today, after crying long enough that I knew I needed to get some put you in your place (in Christ) & get a hold of yourself (in Christ) Word of God in me!
"Today people think happiness is a result, instead of a choice."
"Happiness is not a state of being, it's a state of mind."
"If you are all wrapped up in yourself, you make a very small package."
"If you never bump into the devil, it's because you are going the same direction!"
When I read this, I realized that this very passage was meant to help me put my "problems" in perspective because let's face it, we are always going to have problems. When we chose to become a die hard, no matter what, follower of Jesus Christ, (which is the best decision you could ever make, by the way! ) you will find yourself going against the grain...rubbing the cat the wrong way... swimming upstream.
Let me just be plain here. It doesn't matter if I think my problem is the end of the world! It doesn't matter if anyone else agrees that what I am going through is the end of the world! The truth is, if I don't want it to be the end of the "world" for me, that's when I have what should be defined as a real problem! Romans 8:18 says, and I don't believe I am taking this out of context, "the sufferings of this present time ARE NOT WORTHY!" And it's not worthy compared to the glory which shall be revealed in me! And the thing is, the glory isn't about me, it's for...
Read verse 19! It says "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." The world is waiting for me to stop worrying about my problems, talking about my problems, crying about my problems and comparing my current situation with my eternal location! When will the world ever get to see just how big my God is unless I let Him handle it? The question is, where do I really live? That's what the world wants to know!
I love the teachings of Andrew Wommack (www.awmi.net) and here's a few quotes of his, some of which really made me laugh today, after crying long enough that I knew I needed to get some put you in your place (in Christ) & get a hold of yourself (in Christ) Word of God in me!
"Today people think happiness is a result, instead of a choice."
"Happiness is not a state of being, it's a state of mind."
"If you are all wrapped up in yourself, you make a very small package."
"If you never bump into the devil, it's because you are going the same direction!"
Friday, November 21, 2008
God's Channel
3 John 1: 2, a passage many of us know well, says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that you will prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers." And as I was praying the other day, the Lord spoke this word to me and I saw this passage in a whole new way. What is the soul really? I know that it is our mind, will and emotions but as I was referencing it, here’s what I found out. The soul, by the right use of aids offered it by God, can attain it’s highest end. I began to see this passage with the word "as" being like a mirror. The state of my health and prosperity being a reflection of what’s in my soul. If I am looking in the mirror and I am sick in my body or am lacking some way in any area of my life, I have to ask...what does my soul look like? Am I using it the way God intended to attain my highest end...which would be to prosper and be in health? That’s a good question today...worth exploring.
Something interesting I discovered also about this passage was that the word health of course is dealing with our physical well being but it also speaks of Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error, of one who has not deviated from truth. And to prosper is to have success based on what we think, feel or decide. So read this passage in light of that, in the Stacey Blubaugh Translation, of course. Beloved, I wish above all things that you will have success and be free from any mixture of error or deviation from the truth, even as your soul finds success in it’s way of thinking, feeling and deciding. You see, when we, with our mind and our will take on God’s way of thinking, feeling or deciding, every part of our life can be free. To be in lack, to be sick, to be depressed, is a mixture of error...a deviation from the truth and God wants us to be free from that! Amen?
Many of us are facing hard times today...walking through something, whether it’s physically, emotionally, relationally or even financially. But God’s word holds the answer, no matter what and God was so gracious to illustrate His word for me and show me why some things look the way they do in my life. You see, if true prosperity, as defined in this passage is a way a thinking, feeling or deciding. It’s a choice and is a direct result of what I chose to think on, how I chose to feel and what I decide to believe. Our soul is intended by God to be a channel for health and prosperity to pass through but every thought contrary to His, every feeling that yields to anything other than His word and any decision we make that would go against what He has decided to be "right" for us, through Jesus Christ, begins to build up in that channel and the flow begins to slow until it is like a clogged pipe. Sure, we may get a drop here and there but until we renew our mind, the flow is stopped up. And in order to do that, we must intentionally direct our thoughts toward God and all of His goodness & renew our mind in His word!
Something interesting I discovered also about this passage was that the word health of course is dealing with our physical well being but it also speaks of Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error, of one who has not deviated from truth. And to prosper is to have success based on what we think, feel or decide. So read this passage in light of that, in the Stacey Blubaugh Translation, of course. Beloved, I wish above all things that you will have success and be free from any mixture of error or deviation from the truth, even as your soul finds success in it’s way of thinking, feeling and deciding. You see, when we, with our mind and our will take on God’s way of thinking, feeling or deciding, every part of our life can be free. To be in lack, to be sick, to be depressed, is a mixture of error...a deviation from the truth and God wants us to be free from that! Amen?
Many of us are facing hard times today...walking through something, whether it’s physically, emotionally, relationally or even financially. But God’s word holds the answer, no matter what and God was so gracious to illustrate His word for me and show me why some things look the way they do in my life. You see, if true prosperity, as defined in this passage is a way a thinking, feeling or deciding. It’s a choice and is a direct result of what I chose to think on, how I chose to feel and what I decide to believe. Our soul is intended by God to be a channel for health and prosperity to pass through but every thought contrary to His, every feeling that yields to anything other than His word and any decision we make that would go against what He has decided to be "right" for us, through Jesus Christ, begins to build up in that channel and the flow begins to slow until it is like a clogged pipe. Sure, we may get a drop here and there but until we renew our mind, the flow is stopped up. And in order to do that, we must intentionally direct our thoughts toward God and all of His goodness & renew our mind in His word!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
I know the Father of Invention! He's my Daddy!
Proverbs 21:5 says this and I love what it says, by the way, “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness, but everyone that is hasty, only to want.”
First of all, let me say this! Thoughts are wonderful...the way God intended them because thoughts by definition are “inventions”. And an invention is nothing less than the product of an imagination or thought. Lately I have been warring with thoughts but I am so thankful that I know the "Father of Invention"! He's my Daddy! God is a God of thoughts! Psalm 40:5 says that God’s thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered. Do you know what that means? If He is that way, we are that way, because we have been made in His image! There are just multitudes of inventions, more than can be numbered, just waiting to be produced on the inside of you and on the inside of me! So, rather than think of the things that can’t happen or won’t happen and produce a whole lot of nothing...think about what’s possible for us because we believe and get creating, making, and bringing into being! What haven’t you thought of yet? It’s waiting!
I feel like I could just explode with how awesome God’s word is! As I studied that word "diligent", I learned that to be diligent is to be deliberate or intentional in the way we think! When God created us, He was very deliberate in making us His companion and He never intended for us to ever be apart from Him! And I love how diligent God is! When sin entered in, God deliberately thought... “ I know what they have done but I chose them and I still choose them! They are mine! I love them! I want to save them! I want to heal them! I want to deliver them and give them peace! I want to prosper them and give them an abundant life!” And just look what His thoughts invented! He, through Jesus, produced this beautiful fellowship with the loving Father we have today. How great is our God? Let me count the ways!
And to think that “God’s thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered.” When the gravity of Psalm 40:5 hit me, that God’s thoughts toward me, what just the thought of me causes Him to want to invent or produce and that those thoughts can’t even be numbered! How exciting is that? That God is continually producing His intentions and His purposes for my life! He is constantly inventing good things for me! And you know what’s even more exciting...what can I invent every time of think of Him. What can my meditation on God and His word produce? It’s my privilege and yours...to find out! I encourage you! Open your mind today and just think and allow God to think of you...invention in the making!
First of all, let me say this! Thoughts are wonderful...the way God intended them because thoughts by definition are “inventions”. And an invention is nothing less than the product of an imagination or thought. Lately I have been warring with thoughts but I am so thankful that I know the "Father of Invention"! He's my Daddy! God is a God of thoughts! Psalm 40:5 says that God’s thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered. Do you know what that means? If He is that way, we are that way, because we have been made in His image! There are just multitudes of inventions, more than can be numbered, just waiting to be produced on the inside of you and on the inside of me! So, rather than think of the things that can’t happen or won’t happen and produce a whole lot of nothing...think about what’s possible for us because we believe and get creating, making, and bringing into being! What haven’t you thought of yet? It’s waiting!
I feel like I could just explode with how awesome God’s word is! As I studied that word "diligent", I learned that to be diligent is to be deliberate or intentional in the way we think! When God created us, He was very deliberate in making us His companion and He never intended for us to ever be apart from Him! And I love how diligent God is! When sin entered in, God deliberately thought... “ I know what they have done but I chose them and I still choose them! They are mine! I love them! I want to save them! I want to heal them! I want to deliver them and give them peace! I want to prosper them and give them an abundant life!” And just look what His thoughts invented! He, through Jesus, produced this beautiful fellowship with the loving Father we have today. How great is our God? Let me count the ways!
And to think that “God’s thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered.” When the gravity of Psalm 40:5 hit me, that God’s thoughts toward me, what just the thought of me causes Him to want to invent or produce and that those thoughts can’t even be numbered! How exciting is that? That God is continually producing His intentions and His purposes for my life! He is constantly inventing good things for me! And you know what’s even more exciting...what can I invent every time of think of Him. What can my meditation on God and His word produce? It’s my privilege and yours...to find out! I encourage you! Open your mind today and just think and allow God to think of you...invention in the making!
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Year of His Preservation
Tonight as I was praying, God reminded me again of something He spoke to me at the beginning of the year. He had told me that this was the year of His preservation. And the scriptures that He had given me were these Psalm 121:8
"The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore."
coupled with Hosea 2:6
"Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths."
Preservation & thorns....hmmmm. Hardly sounds like they should be used in the same sentence but they are. You know, sometimes true love requires the hedge of thorns. You see, in Hosea, the husband loved his wife, so much so that he was willing to hedge her in, so that she would once again find her first love, the one she had lost sight of.
As I was meditating on preservation tonight, the Lord took me to this passage in Proverbs 2:11."Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:" When I began to study out those words, here is what I found. Discretion is equal to a purpose, plan or plot. And not just any purpose...it's the very purpose God created me for. The plans that He knows for me...that sometimes I miss. That's why this passage says that discretion preserves me. When I stay within the boundaries of His purpose for me, His plans, that's when I am preserved, protected, defended and guarded. But what is it that keeps us within those boundaries? Proverbs 2:11 says that it's understanding that will keep us. We must understand what His purposes are and I think I am beginning to know what that means. In order to understand things...we must feel the hedge...the prick... of anything outside of those carefully laid plans for us.
And I love what Hosea 2:15 says, "And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt."
If your looking at this saying "Uh...OK, Stace...so what about it?" Well, Achor means trouble or disturbance! God said that is our door of hope! These things that are troubling us and disturbing us are none other than an entrance to the things hoped for...the outcome! Glory to God! Thank the Lord for His direction and for making these troubles and disturbances a door! And didn't He say, "I will preserve thee in thy going out and thy coming in"? Isn't a door just the place for that?
"The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore."
coupled with Hosea 2:6
"Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths."
Preservation & thorns....hmmmm. Hardly sounds like they should be used in the same sentence but they are. You know, sometimes true love requires the hedge of thorns. You see, in Hosea, the husband loved his wife, so much so that he was willing to hedge her in, so that she would once again find her first love, the one she had lost sight of.
As I was meditating on preservation tonight, the Lord took me to this passage in Proverbs 2:11."Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:" When I began to study out those words, here is what I found. Discretion is equal to a purpose, plan or plot. And not just any purpose...it's the very purpose God created me for. The plans that He knows for me...that sometimes I miss. That's why this passage says that discretion preserves me. When I stay within the boundaries of His purpose for me, His plans, that's when I am preserved, protected, defended and guarded. But what is it that keeps us within those boundaries? Proverbs 2:11 says that it's understanding that will keep us. We must understand what His purposes are and I think I am beginning to know what that means. In order to understand things...we must feel the hedge...the prick... of anything outside of those carefully laid plans for us.
And I love what Hosea 2:15 says, "And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt."
If your looking at this saying "Uh...OK, Stace...so what about it?" Well, Achor means trouble or disturbance! God said that is our door of hope! These things that are troubling us and disturbing us are none other than an entrance to the things hoped for...the outcome! Glory to God! Thank the Lord for His direction and for making these troubles and disturbances a door! And didn't He say, "I will preserve thee in thy going out and thy coming in"? Isn't a door just the place for that?
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Some things just aren't an option!
You know, I have been in the midst of making hard decisions lately. The things I have been dealing with may be seemingly insignificant in comparrison to what others are facing but in my waking up and laying down, getting down to the world I live in, within the parameters of my existence...where no one else can or ever will live, except me and God, I have included too many things. When I say this, I mean the things like "but..what if"...not wanting to give up the things, that though they are no doubt, "God things", aren't God's thing for me.
I heard Charles Stanley say this...
That if we find ourselves "burned out", we are in disobedience because we know what we are and are not capable of. And the sad thing is, I have toyed with disobedience because I have entertained burn out. I'm not yet but believe me, it knows where I live and as far as I'm concerned, it's not a welcome guest. There's only room for me and God!
Psalm 38:10 describes "burn out". "My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me."
But God is faithful and I will address my "soul" accordingly as many times as is necessary. Psalm 43:5 "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."
I heard Charles Stanley say this...
That if we find ourselves "burned out", we are in disobedience because we know what we are and are not capable of. And the sad thing is, I have toyed with disobedience because I have entertained burn out. I'm not yet but believe me, it knows where I live and as far as I'm concerned, it's not a welcome guest. There's only room for me and God!
Psalm 38:10 describes "burn out". "My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me."
But God is faithful and I will address my "soul" accordingly as many times as is necessary. Psalm 43:5 "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."
Friday, November 14, 2008
A RECIPE FOR "HAPPY"!
We all want to be “happy” right? Well, if happiness seems to evade you and if you are feeling particularly unhappy and you've bought the lie that Christians can't always be happy and it’s left you craving something more…I have just the recipe for you! Some say that you can have joy without being happy but I say not so. Why settle for that? If we are going to have the full course life that God has prepared for us…we need to have happiness on our plate. Joy without happiness is like mashed potatoes without the gravy or French fries without ketchup!
Our problem is that we've misunderstood what happiness really is! The world and our flesh can give us all sorts of recipes for happiness but here are the ingredients for it according to God’s word. Enjoy!
A RECIPE FOR HAPPY:
Get saved!
Deuteronomy 33:29
Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.
A generous portion of correction and chastening-
Job 5:17
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
Children-( If you don’t have any, borrow the neighbors or help in the Children’s Church!)-
Psalm 127:4 &5
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them…
A healthy dose of fear…a whole walk…and work, work, work-
Psalm 128:1 &2
Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Do some finding & getting...this one's a specialty item!-
Proverbs 3:13
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Invest in the tree...it'll keep-
Proverbs 3:18
She (wisdom) is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Enough mercy to go around-
Proverbs 14:21
…he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Tap into your “trust” fund, this one’s on Him!-
Proverbs 16:20
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
Do what’s right because it’s right…that’s what my pastor always says & don’t forget to season it well with grace!-
Proverbs 29:18
…he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Be ready to serve…this recipe is for everyone! Jesus even cooked it up at the last supper!
John 13:12-17
So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Good meals come to those who wait…or is it endure?-
James 5:11
Behold, we count them happy which endure.
Suffer…suffer…suffer! This thing requires more than an oven mitt and a pat of flower to the cheek…if you know what I mean...-
1 Peter 3:13 & 14
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
Allow it to stand through times of reproach!-
1 Peter 4:14
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Seconds anyone?
It seems as though...what I thought I was ingesting as a good healthy helping of happy...and what I've really been eating are two very different things! Nothing more than a "sugar high" really! I think I'm going to go get some ingredients for a real "happy" meal!
Our problem is that we've misunderstood what happiness really is! The world and our flesh can give us all sorts of recipes for happiness but here are the ingredients for it according to God’s word. Enjoy!
A RECIPE FOR HAPPY:
Get saved!
Deuteronomy 33:29
Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.
A generous portion of correction and chastening-
Job 5:17
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
Children-( If you don’t have any, borrow the neighbors or help in the Children’s Church!)-
Psalm 127:4 &5
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them…
A healthy dose of fear…a whole walk…and work, work, work-
Psalm 128:1 &2
Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Do some finding & getting...this one's a specialty item!-
Proverbs 3:13
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Invest in the tree...it'll keep-
Proverbs 3:18
She (wisdom) is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Enough mercy to go around-
Proverbs 14:21
…he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Tap into your “trust” fund, this one’s on Him!-
Proverbs 16:20
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
Do what’s right because it’s right…that’s what my pastor always says & don’t forget to season it well with grace!-
Proverbs 29:18
…he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Be ready to serve…this recipe is for everyone! Jesus even cooked it up at the last supper!
John 13:12-17
So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Good meals come to those who wait…or is it endure?-
James 5:11
Behold, we count them happy which endure.
Suffer…suffer…suffer! This thing requires more than an oven mitt and a pat of flower to the cheek…if you know what I mean...-
1 Peter 3:13 & 14
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
Allow it to stand through times of reproach!-
1 Peter 4:14
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Seconds anyone?
It seems as though...what I thought I was ingesting as a good healthy helping of happy...and what I've really been eating are two very different things! Nothing more than a "sugar high" really! I think I'm going to go get some ingredients for a real "happy" meal!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
What's your position?
Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.
What two immutable things can God not lie about? In what do we have a strong consolation? Take a look at Hebrews 16:14...
"Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee."
...and then at the original context in which this was said to Abraham in Genesis 22...
"And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice."
I lay in bed early yesterday morning after having a dream and God spoke to my heart that I needed to understand my position and His position. And these words were like a broken record playing in my heart. "Surely, in blessing I will bless thee and in multiplying, I will multiply thy seed!" And literally He was emphasizing the word IN and I realized that there were two elements to this passage. And when I looked at Genesis, I saw that Abraham knew his position. He was standing on that mountain and was "in" position! What position? He was literally "in" blessing! You see, he was ready and willing...he had entered into that place of blessing God and what I have always pictured to be "sacrifice" was really "obedience" and that was what had put him in that location of blessing! You see, we all want the blessing of God but we have to be in the right location. And the thing is, location is in the heart. You see, Abraham's heart was in the mountain, long before he was!
In prayer a couple of weeks ago, when we were praying over the ministry...God gave me what I think is a vision of this. I saw Abraham on the mountain in whole new light. God said to me, "That ram was a seed. I give seed to the sower." Abraham had taken Isaac to the mountain, knowing that that young man was the "vision" God had set before him, following God's instruction. He took him to the mountain, to sow a seed because the vision didn't belong to him anyway and if God wanted him, God would have him. And just when he raised his hand in obedience, the angel of the Lord stayed his hand and spoke the word. Isaac was in a sense a seed but the ram in the thicket wasn't the harvest...it was a far greater seed that God sowed into this earth, to produce the greatest harvest the world has yet to even know. And every time we obey, we are sowing a seed that allows God to issue seed back into our lives, just like that and it will produce far greater than we have yet to know. Just look what was in Isaacs loins! And keep looking...there's still more! Salvation is in the loins of every vision of the God kind!
"In" blessing, I will bless you! "In" multiplying, I will multiply thy seed." There's a ram in the thicket!
What two immutable things can God not lie about? In what do we have a strong consolation? Take a look at Hebrews 16:14...
"Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee."
...and then at the original context in which this was said to Abraham in Genesis 22...
"And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice."
I lay in bed early yesterday morning after having a dream and God spoke to my heart that I needed to understand my position and His position. And these words were like a broken record playing in my heart. "Surely, in blessing I will bless thee and in multiplying, I will multiply thy seed!" And literally He was emphasizing the word IN and I realized that there were two elements to this passage. And when I looked at Genesis, I saw that Abraham knew his position. He was standing on that mountain and was "in" position! What position? He was literally "in" blessing! You see, he was ready and willing...he had entered into that place of blessing God and what I have always pictured to be "sacrifice" was really "obedience" and that was what had put him in that location of blessing! You see, we all want the blessing of God but we have to be in the right location. And the thing is, location is in the heart. You see, Abraham's heart was in the mountain, long before he was!
In prayer a couple of weeks ago, when we were praying over the ministry...God gave me what I think is a vision of this. I saw Abraham on the mountain in whole new light. God said to me, "That ram was a seed. I give seed to the sower." Abraham had taken Isaac to the mountain, knowing that that young man was the "vision" God had set before him, following God's instruction. He took him to the mountain, to sow a seed because the vision didn't belong to him anyway and if God wanted him, God would have him. And just when he raised his hand in obedience, the angel of the Lord stayed his hand and spoke the word. Isaac was in a sense a seed but the ram in the thicket wasn't the harvest...it was a far greater seed that God sowed into this earth, to produce the greatest harvest the world has yet to even know. And every time we obey, we are sowing a seed that allows God to issue seed back into our lives, just like that and it will produce far greater than we have yet to know. Just look what was in Isaacs loins! And keep looking...there's still more! Salvation is in the loins of every vision of the God kind!
"In" blessing, I will bless you! "In" multiplying, I will multiply thy seed." There's a ram in the thicket!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Don’t overlook the “AND”!
Last night during the church service, after a particularly wonderful hour of prayer, our teacher began to share that there had been a song in her heart all week, “Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus.”, referring to the gift of prophesy…that God will put a word in our heart to encourage us. Then a few moments later, there was a word of prophesy that came forth and part of that prophecy was “I am God and I sit in the heavens and laugh......there is a time to laugh.” There was much said in between and even afterward but the moment I heard those words, God spoke to my heart, “Don’t overlook the “AND”. Immediately, I was turning the pages of my bible to Ecclesiastes 3 and what I read, took on a whole new meaning.
First let me begin with...
From the beginning of this year, God has been speaking from Isaiah 9:6 & 7. This was the very scripture that came to me when Melissa shared that she had been hearing that song. And God said, “Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus. The government shall be upon His shoulders and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace and of this government, there shall be no end. Yes, lean upon the everlasting arms, lean upon His shoulders now. Lean upon this government... it is everlasting.”
And then He spoke to me concerning Ecclesiastes 3. He said, “There shall be simultaneous happenings. There will be occurrences in the world and simultaneously, in My church another occurrence. You see, to everything there is a season and this world has entered into a new season but there are times to every purpose under heaven and My church shall begin to bring those forth. You see, there is a time to be born AND a time to die. A time to plant AND a time to pluck up that which has been planted. A time to kill AND a time to heal. A time to break down AND a time to build up. A time to weep AND a time to laugh. A time to mourn AND a time to dance. A time to cast away stones AND a time to gather stones together. A time to embrace AND a time to refrain from embracing. A time to get AND a time to lose. A time to keep AND a time to cast away. A time to rend AND a time to sew. A time to keep silence AND a time to speak. A time to love AND a time to hate. A time of war AND a time of peace.
I hope that I can convey what this means to me because it has brought an overwhelming comfort to me. We are in this world but not of it and you see, there was a prophesy that Kim Clement brought forth the night before the elections (you can read this if you like...go to http://www.kimclement.com/) and he said that we are to have an "occupational view point." That we should have a vision to occupy this earth from a kingdom standpoint. God's kingdom come & His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. And God spoke to my heart that He is raising up "occupational therapists". Those who will "enable or encourage participation in such (KINGDOM) activities despite impairments or limitations (OF THIS WORLD)"
And this is how I see Ecclesiastes 3....from an occupational standpoint. In the midst of the dying....there will be birthing into the Kingdom! In the midst of the killing....there will be healing! In the midst of the breaking down....there will be building up! In the midst of the weeping...there will be laughter. In the midst of the mourning...there will be dancing! In the midst of the casting away stones....there will be a gathering of stones together! And while the world is embracing who knows what....there will be a refraining from embracing! And while there may be a time to keep silent...according to man's judgement, there will be a people who will speak! In the midst of the hatred....a people who ARE love! In the midst of the war....a people of peace!
I know I missed a few simply because I am seeing only in part...even in what I have just mentioned above, I am certain but HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD? I am thankful for His word!
First let me begin with...
From the beginning of this year, God has been speaking from Isaiah 9:6 & 7. This was the very scripture that came to me when Melissa shared that she had been hearing that song. And God said, “Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus. The government shall be upon His shoulders and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace and of this government, there shall be no end. Yes, lean upon the everlasting arms, lean upon His shoulders now. Lean upon this government... it is everlasting.”
And then He spoke to me concerning Ecclesiastes 3. He said, “There shall be simultaneous happenings. There will be occurrences in the world and simultaneously, in My church another occurrence. You see, to everything there is a season and this world has entered into a new season but there are times to every purpose under heaven and My church shall begin to bring those forth. You see, there is a time to be born AND a time to die. A time to plant AND a time to pluck up that which has been planted. A time to kill AND a time to heal. A time to break down AND a time to build up. A time to weep AND a time to laugh. A time to mourn AND a time to dance. A time to cast away stones AND a time to gather stones together. A time to embrace AND a time to refrain from embracing. A time to get AND a time to lose. A time to keep AND a time to cast away. A time to rend AND a time to sew. A time to keep silence AND a time to speak. A time to love AND a time to hate. A time of war AND a time of peace.
I hope that I can convey what this means to me because it has brought an overwhelming comfort to me. We are in this world but not of it and you see, there was a prophesy that Kim Clement brought forth the night before the elections (you can read this if you like...go to http://www.kimclement.com/) and he said that we are to have an "occupational view point." That we should have a vision to occupy this earth from a kingdom standpoint. God's kingdom come & His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. And God spoke to my heart that He is raising up "occupational therapists". Those who will "enable or encourage participation in such (KINGDOM) activities despite impairments or limitations (OF THIS WORLD)"
And this is how I see Ecclesiastes 3....from an occupational standpoint. In the midst of the dying....there will be birthing into the Kingdom! In the midst of the killing....there will be healing! In the midst of the breaking down....there will be building up! In the midst of the weeping...there will be laughter. In the midst of the mourning...there will be dancing! In the midst of the casting away stones....there will be a gathering of stones together! And while the world is embracing who knows what....there will be a refraining from embracing! And while there may be a time to keep silent...according to man's judgement, there will be a people who will speak! In the midst of the hatred....a people who ARE love! In the midst of the war....a people of peace!
I know I missed a few simply because I am seeing only in part...even in what I have just mentioned above, I am certain but HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD? I am thankful for His word!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Net worth....exposed!
In a conversation with a friend recently, the night before the elections, she asked, “Doesn’t the Word say that gross darkness shall cover the earth?” As soon as the words came out of her mouth…I saw a pay check with a gross amount & a net amount. Anyone who gets a paycheck knows that the gross amount is what you receive before any deductions.
Now, I know that the word “gross”, as referred to in Isaiah 60:2 has nothing to do with a paycheck…or does it? Take a look…
Isaiah 60:1 & 21
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
As I was reading here, of course I see that there are two darkness that are spoken of…
a darkness that covers the earth and a gross darkness the people. It disturbs me that the “gross” darkness is upon the people. The full amount…to the greatest extent…upon the people!
The darkness that is first referred to here is what is referred to in Matthew 15:14 "Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit." It is a blinding, deceiving darkness…a seemingly massive darkness that looms over our government and even covers eyes of the people BUT just as the government taxes us in this world, it’s time for the Kingdom of God to tax the government of darkness! The world needs to see the net worth of the darkness and it ain't worth much, believe me! And it's definitely not going to pay out the way the people expect it to!
Acts 26:18
But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.
It’s time for the church, to get up and stand upon our feet! He has appeared to us and has appointed us to be a minister and a witness of light to the darkness. To make massive deductions from the darkness and to tax it, opening eyes so that they may see and turn from the darkness to the light and from the dominion of Satan to God and into their inheritance…to shine!
Now, I know that the word “gross”, as referred to in Isaiah 60:2 has nothing to do with a paycheck…or does it? Take a look…
Isaiah 60:1 & 21
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
As I was reading here, of course I see that there are two darkness that are spoken of…
a darkness that covers the earth and a gross darkness the people. It disturbs me that the “gross” darkness is upon the people. The full amount…to the greatest extent…upon the people!
The darkness that is first referred to here is what is referred to in Matthew 15:14 "Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit." It is a blinding, deceiving darkness…a seemingly massive darkness that looms over our government and even covers eyes of the people BUT just as the government taxes us in this world, it’s time for the Kingdom of God to tax the government of darkness! The world needs to see the net worth of the darkness and it ain't worth much, believe me! And it's definitely not going to pay out the way the people expect it to!
Acts 26:18
But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.
It’s time for the church, to get up and stand upon our feet! He has appeared to us and has appointed us to be a minister and a witness of light to the darkness. To make massive deductions from the darkness and to tax it, opening eyes so that they may see and turn from the darkness to the light and from the dominion of Satan to God and into their inheritance…to shine!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
God has issued a statement!
Last night after watching after listening to President Elect, Barrak Hussein Obama address the nation, the words that were ringing in my ears were “Yes we can!”
Joe the plumber may not have been his best friend but Bob the Builder must have done OK.
No, please, I am just kidding! He was speaking with what I presume to be sincerity to the American people.
But as I was driving home, talking with God…both of my children sleeping securely in their seat belts, I couldn't help but ask questions and all of the sudden, it was like God issued a press release statement directly to my heart and He simply said this, “Tonight, you heard the world make a statement, ‘Yes, we can!’ but I have also issued a statement and my church must decree it, ‘Yes, we will!’
You see, saying “Yes, we can!” and “Yes, we will!”, though they sound the same, are very different things! A great door of opportunity has just swung wide open to the church and suddenly now I understand why God has said, Be instant in season & out of season (please look at 10/24/08 blog entry.)
For many, it seems we have now exited the “in” season but not so. It’s open season! Revelation 3:8 “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” You see, the Christian vote, for those of us who voted God’s principles, morality and integrity had little strength at this time but we have kept His word and have not denied His name! Be assured…it is open season! This door God has set before us is open and no man can shut it!
Now, take a look with me for a moment at can vs. will since God so clearly spoke to me concerning this!
Here’s what Merriam Webster has to say about “can”.
Can and may are most frequently interchangeable in senses denoting possibility; because the possibility of one’s doing something may depend on another’s acquiescence (to accept, comply with tacitly or passively), they have also become interchangeable in the sense denoting permission. The use of can to ask or grant permission has been common since the 19th century and is well established, although some commentators feel may is more appropriate in formal contexts.
The word tacitly means to be expressed or carried on without words or speech.
And passive means to lack in energy or will. To be inactive or submissive.
It doesn’t matter how many times one issues the statement of “Yes, we can!”, the possibility of one’s doing something depends on another’s acceptance and we still have a choice! Will we comply tacitly…allowing it to be carried out without words or speech? Will we be passive…lacking the energy…the zeal of the Lord of Hosts…that will perform God’s will? Or will God’s people, we the people, stand up and say, “Yes, we will!”or won’t will…it to be granted?
Isaiah 9:7 says,
Of the increase of this government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this!
God is calling now for the change to come by an act of will! God’s will is not a cute little noun! It is a verb! An action word! The term “will” is used to express futurity! It is used to express what is inevitable!
God’s kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven! “Yes, we will!”
Where there is God’s will, there is THE WAY! The door is open...walk through it!
Joe the plumber may not have been his best friend but Bob the Builder must have done OK.
No, please, I am just kidding! He was speaking with what I presume to be sincerity to the American people.
But as I was driving home, talking with God…both of my children sleeping securely in their seat belts, I couldn't help but ask questions and all of the sudden, it was like God issued a press release statement directly to my heart and He simply said this, “Tonight, you heard the world make a statement, ‘Yes, we can!’ but I have also issued a statement and my church must decree it, ‘Yes, we will!’
You see, saying “Yes, we can!” and “Yes, we will!”, though they sound the same, are very different things! A great door of opportunity has just swung wide open to the church and suddenly now I understand why God has said, Be instant in season & out of season (please look at 10/24/08 blog entry.)
For many, it seems we have now exited the “in” season but not so. It’s open season! Revelation 3:8 “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” You see, the Christian vote, for those of us who voted God’s principles, morality and integrity had little strength at this time but we have kept His word and have not denied His name! Be assured…it is open season! This door God has set before us is open and no man can shut it!
Now, take a look with me for a moment at can vs. will since God so clearly spoke to me concerning this!
Here’s what Merriam Webster has to say about “can”.
Can and may are most frequently interchangeable in senses denoting possibility; because the possibility of one’s doing something may depend on another’s acquiescence (to accept, comply with tacitly or passively), they have also become interchangeable in the sense denoting permission. The use of can to ask or grant permission has been common since the 19th century and is well established, although some commentators feel may is more appropriate in formal contexts.
The word tacitly means to be expressed or carried on without words or speech.
And passive means to lack in energy or will. To be inactive or submissive.
It doesn’t matter how many times one issues the statement of “Yes, we can!”, the possibility of one’s doing something depends on another’s acceptance and we still have a choice! Will we comply tacitly…allowing it to be carried out without words or speech? Will we be passive…lacking the energy…the zeal of the Lord of Hosts…that will perform God’s will? Or will God’s people, we the people, stand up and say, “Yes, we will!”or won’t will…it to be granted?
Isaiah 9:7 says,
Of the increase of this government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this!
God is calling now for the change to come by an act of will! God’s will is not a cute little noun! It is a verb! An action word! The term “will” is used to express futurity! It is used to express what is inevitable!
God’s kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven! “Yes, we will!”
Where there is God’s will, there is THE WAY! The door is open...walk through it!
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