Job 23:12 &14 says “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. For he performs the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.” The word perform there means to furnish. And as I read this, I think simply put, when I love His word more than any thing I believe to be necessary for me to live, whether it’s food, clothes, money, a car, a house….that’s when He is able to furnish those things that are appointed for my life. And the word says that many such things are with Him. Not that He is with the things! And I think that’s where lack sets in many times! When the things distract us from the true focus! You know, we should be aware of this each and every day but here we are in the Christmas season and there are so many “things” that we need and even want. Things, that if we don’t have them, could leave us in a place of devastation but you know what, as large a deficit as not have those things may leave, without Him, they are simply distractions. What I want for Christmas and for each and every day is first and foremost Him!
With Him...I have it all!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
My Cup Runneth Over
Proverbs 8:6 "Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things."
I was meditating on "words" and "things" again. And I found something very interesting. Years ago, I remember studying a passage and looking closely at the word "lips" in it and the meaning was "pouring place". And you know, then that made perfect sense to me because "out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water." I recognized that my lips were literally a pouring place for those rivers to come forth!
Today as I was reading and meditating on Proverbs 8:6...again I felt prompted to reference that word "lips" again and need I say, again, I learned something so profoundly beautiful! Of course, the meaning here is once again, the bank of a river but it also refers to the edge of a cup.
I couldn't help but think of Psalm 23:5....
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."
Never thought of my lips as being edge of the cup that God created to run over! Just loving the thought of that and falling in love with God all over again today!
I was meditating on "words" and "things" again. And I found something very interesting. Years ago, I remember studying a passage and looking closely at the word "lips" in it and the meaning was "pouring place". And you know, then that made perfect sense to me because "out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water." I recognized that my lips were literally a pouring place for those rivers to come forth!
Today as I was reading and meditating on Proverbs 8:6...again I felt prompted to reference that word "lips" again and need I say, again, I learned something so profoundly beautiful! Of course, the meaning here is once again, the bank of a river but it also refers to the edge of a cup.
I couldn't help but think of Psalm 23:5....
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."
Never thought of my lips as being edge of the cup that God created to run over! Just loving the thought of that and falling in love with God all over again today!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Remember out loud!
Deuteronomy 4:9 says "Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;"
I am so thankful for the foundational teaching that I have received for all of my Christian life, which would be about nine years now. I have been taught how to believe and speak the Word of God, which is equivalent to faith. Faith is believing and speaking the Word!
And just this past Tuesday, our bible study was based on this very subject and something that we learned is that in the Hebrew, the word that we use for "thing" in English, is actually "word". And we know that when God created the world, that He spoke in Hebrew because that was the language until the tower of Babel when the languages were confused. So when God spoke, in the beginning, He said "Light, be...." and it was! His "word" created a "thing".
Well, I have just been chewing on this word all week and I am so thankful for it! And it has me on a mission of sorts. It seems now that every time I read the word, and see the word "thing" or "word", they are completely interchangeable to me and it just keeps revelating to me! And this morning, I was reading in Deuteronomy, the passage above and this is how I see it now...
Deuteronomy 4:9 says "Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;"
It is so important right now that we keep our soul, guarding our heard and our mind, and tend to the precious Word that God has deposited there. We must set boundaries, forbidding fear, contrary imaginations, and words of doubt and unbelief to come in because what I am reading here is that it will cause us to forget the WORDS of God that we have already seen come to pass!
"Take heed to thyself"...It's written very clearly here that I AM RESPONSIBLE for keeping my self within the bounds of faith, guarding myself from fear, observe myself because why should anyone else have to keep an eye on me?...And then realize that I am the treasurer and the Word should never be wasted! Unprofitably used? And that's what will happen right? "Lest they depart from thy heart all the days of your life." And then my children would never be taught or my children's children.
And that's one last interesting point that I want to make here. I think that I have told at least four other people about the message I heard on "words" being "things" already and I have a feeling that is key! God was telling them...here's how you do it, "teach"! Teach someone...sit down on the couch next to your husband and tell him the exciting news...or at the lunch table with some friends and tell them what's at work changing your life or maybe even fill someone in who didn't make it out to church..."Man, what a great service, you have to hear this!"
Remember out loud!
I am so thankful for the foundational teaching that I have received for all of my Christian life, which would be about nine years now. I have been taught how to believe and speak the Word of God, which is equivalent to faith. Faith is believing and speaking the Word!
And just this past Tuesday, our bible study was based on this very subject and something that we learned is that in the Hebrew, the word that we use for "thing" in English, is actually "word". And we know that when God created the world, that He spoke in Hebrew because that was the language until the tower of Babel when the languages were confused. So when God spoke, in the beginning, He said "Light, be...." and it was! His "word" created a "thing".
Well, I have just been chewing on this word all week and I am so thankful for it! And it has me on a mission of sorts. It seems now that every time I read the word, and see the word "thing" or "word", they are completely interchangeable to me and it just keeps revelating to me! And this morning, I was reading in Deuteronomy, the passage above and this is how I see it now...
Deuteronomy 4:9 says "Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;"
It is so important right now that we keep our soul, guarding our heard and our mind, and tend to the precious Word that God has deposited there. We must set boundaries, forbidding fear, contrary imaginations, and words of doubt and unbelief to come in because what I am reading here is that it will cause us to forget the WORDS of God that we have already seen come to pass!
"Take heed to thyself"...It's written very clearly here that I AM RESPONSIBLE for keeping my self within the bounds of faith, guarding myself from fear, observe myself because why should anyone else have to keep an eye on me?...And then realize that I am the treasurer and the Word should never be wasted! Unprofitably used? And that's what will happen right? "Lest they depart from thy heart all the days of your life." And then my children would never be taught or my children's children.
And that's one last interesting point that I want to make here. I think that I have told at least four other people about the message I heard on "words" being "things" already and I have a feeling that is key! God was telling them...here's how you do it, "teach"! Teach someone...sit down on the couch next to your husband and tell him the exciting news...or at the lunch table with some friends and tell them what's at work changing your life or maybe even fill someone in who didn't make it out to church..."Man, what a great service, you have to hear this!"
Remember out loud!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Today's Bonus
What a wonderful morning in prayer we had together! There are no words to explain what it was like, so I won't try, I'm sorry but God showed me a clear picture. As we were praying for someone, one of the intercessors prayed about not entertaining thoughts and this is what I saw...
There was a huge buffet table laid out...every kind of wonderful food I could imagine, prepared just for entertaining! There must have been a party planned and that's when I saw what I believe was the spirit of poverty. He wasn't the one the layout was intended for but he was the one that was being entertained. And he was FAT! With one thought, he was offered something from the table and as more thoughts came, it wasn't very long and everything was gone....table linens, napkins, china, silverware, wine glasses...it was all gone. He even began to devour the table.
You see, that table is the one God has prepared for me in the presence of my
enemies but my enemy should never be entertained! Psalm 23:1 says "The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack." and verse 5 continues, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."
I intend to eat everything on that table...the enemy is only there to watch!
There was a huge buffet table laid out...every kind of wonderful food I could imagine, prepared just for entertaining! There must have been a party planned and that's when I saw what I believe was the spirit of poverty. He wasn't the one the layout was intended for but he was the one that was being entertained. And he was FAT! With one thought, he was offered something from the table and as more thoughts came, it wasn't very long and everything was gone....table linens, napkins, china, silverware, wine glasses...it was all gone. He even began to devour the table.
You see, that table is the one God has prepared for me in the presence of my
enemies but my enemy should never be entertained! Psalm 23:1 says "The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack." and verse 5 continues, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."
I intend to eat everything on that table...the enemy is only there to watch!
"Don't hold your breath!"- fat chance
Last night...a long awaited answer to prayer came. It's been a year and a half really and of course, my friend and prayer partner and I have agreed many times concerning this issue...so I called her right away to tell her the good news and when the words came out of my mouth, this huge sigh was released from out of my belly. A few minutes passed and it happened again and again. And then, the Lord said, "You have been holding your breath!"
We all of course have heard the saying, "Don't hold your breath!" It's an idiom of sorts, something that you say in order to tell someone that an event is not likely to happen. Well, you know what I have to say to that...FAT CHANCE!!! With God, it's not likely to happen that it's not likely to happen!
I'm still holding my breath...anticipating, anticipating, anticipating for yesterday's prayers and tomorrow's as well!
We all of course have heard the saying, "Don't hold your breath!" It's an idiom of sorts, something that you say in order to tell someone that an event is not likely to happen. Well, you know what I have to say to that...FAT CHANCE!!! With God, it's not likely to happen that it's not likely to happen!
I'm still holding my breath...anticipating, anticipating, anticipating for yesterday's prayers and tomorrow's as well!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Plan B Society?
As I was getting ready to blog yesterday, I was signing in and saw the blog titles flashing up and two of them were, "Hey, you should..." and the other was "alternative ideas" something or other.com and it occurred to me that we live in an "alternative" driven world. In this world full of choices, we are constantly faced with the question of "what are my alternatives?"
Alternative, by definition are an expression of choice, different or functioning outside the cultural, social or economic system and since we are citizens of heaven, this in terms of that would be defined this way:
An alternative is choosing, differing or functioning outside of the Kingdom's system, outside of God's plans and purposes and His unchanging will for each of our lives and the "body of Christ" as a whole.
I find it interesting that God's will never changes but somehow, when presented with alternatives, ours does. Let me say it this way. God's will is something He chose and created it and now, it is established and unmovable. It is what He made it to be! And He has given us the very same ability....to use our will in the very same way. To look at God's word and say, "Yep, that's my will too...finished! Done! It won't change, no matter if someone says, "Hey, you should..." or send you the address to "alternativeideas-something or other.com"
There of course, are alternative lifestyles that define us relationally. A pretty word for what is better known as homosexuality maybe but really...if the truth be said, any relationship that can be determined to be outside God's will, deviating from His original plan for relationship can be defined as alternative.
Also, there are alternative tastes in music...something other than what is conventional or standard. Christian radio is often described as alternative by many by according to the Kingdom of God, it's anything but because in truth, every musical gift was created to give God glory and if it doesn't, clearly it's alternative. In the "rock" world...alternative can be "punk rock" or "hard rock"...anything adding to or taking away from it's original value. So, there's another form of alternative. We can have the will of God in our heart and in our mouth but if we add to it with our opinion or in error or rather take what we want and leave other parts of the word out...it's alternative.
And of course, should I mention that there are alternative medicines? Various systems of healing, which by definition would suggest that "faith" healing is alternative. But in reality, in the Kingdom...whatever method we use to treat a ailment outside of "by His stripes, you were healed"...it's alternative. Now don't hear what I am not saying! Medicine is helpful, effective and necessary but how often does prayer for healing end up being the alternative?
Last but not the least of the alternating alternatives...I'm sure....schooling! This of course refers to elementary or middle schools with a non-traditional curriculum. In most cases, these are homeschooling and Christian based education! Here we go again! These are just the opposite!
But the real point here is that there is too much alternative thinking going on! Searching for plan B. When it really gets down to it, any thing that has influenced our perception of God...an opinion, misfortune, misrepresentation, misinterpretation, malpractice, injustice, false witness, and anything off center...leaning more to self-centered, that would make us think that God is anything but good, right fair, just, healing, prospering, forgiving, faithful, truthful and loving at all times is ALTERNATIVE!
God spoke to my heart, even as I was writing this and said,
"If you fashion Me according to what you think and feel and serve what you have fashioned, you are serving nothing more than an idol. I AM THAT I AM but I'm not what you think. I AM MY WORD! Emotions are never foundational. Word is Spirit and Spirit is foundational. Know Me by My Word."
Bottom line...here's what will result from "alternative"...
Deuteronomy 22:9 "Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled."
Alternative, by definition are an expression of choice, different or functioning outside the cultural, social or economic system and since we are citizens of heaven, this in terms of that would be defined this way:
An alternative is choosing, differing or functioning outside of the Kingdom's system, outside of God's plans and purposes and His unchanging will for each of our lives and the "body of Christ" as a whole.
I find it interesting that God's will never changes but somehow, when presented with alternatives, ours does. Let me say it this way. God's will is something He chose and created it and now, it is established and unmovable. It is what He made it to be! And He has given us the very same ability....to use our will in the very same way. To look at God's word and say, "Yep, that's my will too...finished! Done! It won't change, no matter if someone says, "Hey, you should..." or send you the address to "alternativeideas-something or other.com"
There of course, are alternative lifestyles that define us relationally. A pretty word for what is better known as homosexuality maybe but really...if the truth be said, any relationship that can be determined to be outside God's will, deviating from His original plan for relationship can be defined as alternative.
Also, there are alternative tastes in music...something other than what is conventional or standard. Christian radio is often described as alternative by many by according to the Kingdom of God, it's anything but because in truth, every musical gift was created to give God glory and if it doesn't, clearly it's alternative. In the "rock" world...alternative can be "punk rock" or "hard rock"...anything adding to or taking away from it's original value. So, there's another form of alternative. We can have the will of God in our heart and in our mouth but if we add to it with our opinion or in error or rather take what we want and leave other parts of the word out...it's alternative.
And of course, should I mention that there are alternative medicines? Various systems of healing, which by definition would suggest that "faith" healing is alternative. But in reality, in the Kingdom...whatever method we use to treat a ailment outside of "by His stripes, you were healed"...it's alternative. Now don't hear what I am not saying! Medicine is helpful, effective and necessary but how often does prayer for healing end up being the alternative?
Last but not the least of the alternating alternatives...I'm sure....schooling! This of course refers to elementary or middle schools with a non-traditional curriculum. In most cases, these are homeschooling and Christian based education! Here we go again! These are just the opposite!
But the real point here is that there is too much alternative thinking going on! Searching for plan B. When it really gets down to it, any thing that has influenced our perception of God...an opinion, misfortune, misrepresentation, misinterpretation, malpractice, injustice, false witness, and anything off center...leaning more to self-centered, that would make us think that God is anything but good, right fair, just, healing, prospering, forgiving, faithful, truthful and loving at all times is ALTERNATIVE!
God spoke to my heart, even as I was writing this and said,
"If you fashion Me according to what you think and feel and serve what you have fashioned, you are serving nothing more than an idol. I AM THAT I AM but I'm not what you think. I AM MY WORD! Emotions are never foundational. Word is Spirit and Spirit is foundational. Know Me by My Word."
Bottom line...here's what will result from "alternative"...
Deuteronomy 22:9 "Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled."
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Shielded
Genesis 15:1
"After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying , Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."
Jesus Christ is our shield! He has already provided the shield that resists the onslaught of sickness and disease, mental and emotional attacks! He covers every part of our lives…even our finances! He is our shield but we have to understand that the shield is held up over our lives by the hand of faith! Our hand has to hold it! We have to hold it up by agreeing with and believing every thing God has spoken over our lives and by speaking it! It’s not there unless you say it is! So today, if you find that you’ve been under attack….how high are you holding your shield? Have you covered your life with it?
What I love is that the word of the Lord, came to Abram in a vision. He let Abram see Him as his shield! "He said, don't be afraid! Look at me!" I believe He gave him a clear look at what he had been protected from. How often do we say, "We'll just never know what has been prevented today..." (Guilty as charged, by the way.) And maybe that is so but I think we can see and are meant to see what has been averted! He showed Abram exactly His position as Redeemer...who both forgives and then puts himself in a position to take every punishment and weapon that has been formed because of it! And if that wasn't enough, He showed Himself as his exceeding great reward! Not only will He cover us...no matter what we have done or ever will do but He will also recompense us, compensate us for any damage that has been incurred or even compensate us for any service we have done for Him in holding Him up! He will reward us for holding up the shield with our hand of faith...simply believing and speaking of what He has done and what is in already in position in our lives! Glory!
And here's a little bunny trail for ya...
The shield is actually a demonstration of Christ’s activeness on our behalf. As I was meditating on this, God reminded me of when I was a little girl and riding with my grandfather in his pick up truck and the car in front of us slammed on it’s breaks. Instinctively, my Pappy threw his arm across me! God spoke to my heart that it’s like this with He and I. I was in my Pap’s presence, riding in his truck, seatbelt on, heading toward our destination together…not a question in my mind that we wouldn’t make it to where we were going. But at the very possibility of danger, it was his reflex to shield me! And just think about his intentions here. Unconsciously he was most willing to take the impact and also to keep me in place! God’s shield works the same way and all I have to do is just be in His presence…enjoy Him, put on my belt of truth, which is His word and believe it….and then with my words, my vehicle fueled by agreement, I move with God toward His plans and purposes and whatever happens…I find myself shielded and I know I will get there! He took the impact and I am still in place!
You see, the thing is, the reason I remember this day was not really so much about what happened in the truck (even though that is so precious to me)! My Pappy was taking me to Hershey Park! He said he was going to and I believed him, end of story! That shield he threw over me was something that happened on the way. Possible trouble diverted by his ability as driver…child safely in tow and we arrived at Hershey Park and the rest is history! How awesome is that?
And speaking of history...what is HisStory for you? What has God said will be in your life. Buckle yourself in with that!
"After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying , Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."
Jesus Christ is our shield! He has already provided the shield that resists the onslaught of sickness and disease, mental and emotional attacks! He covers every part of our lives…even our finances! He is our shield but we have to understand that the shield is held up over our lives by the hand of faith! Our hand has to hold it! We have to hold it up by agreeing with and believing every thing God has spoken over our lives and by speaking it! It’s not there unless you say it is! So today, if you find that you’ve been under attack….how high are you holding your shield? Have you covered your life with it?
What I love is that the word of the Lord, came to Abram in a vision. He let Abram see Him as his shield! "He said, don't be afraid! Look at me!" I believe He gave him a clear look at what he had been protected from. How often do we say, "We'll just never know what has been prevented today..." (Guilty as charged, by the way.) And maybe that is so but I think we can see and are meant to see what has been averted! He showed Abram exactly His position as Redeemer...who both forgives and then puts himself in a position to take every punishment and weapon that has been formed because of it! And if that wasn't enough, He showed Himself as his exceeding great reward! Not only will He cover us...no matter what we have done or ever will do but He will also recompense us, compensate us for any damage that has been incurred or even compensate us for any service we have done for Him in holding Him up! He will reward us for holding up the shield with our hand of faith...simply believing and speaking of what He has done and what is in already in position in our lives! Glory!
And here's a little bunny trail for ya...
The shield is actually a demonstration of Christ’s activeness on our behalf. As I was meditating on this, God reminded me of when I was a little girl and riding with my grandfather in his pick up truck and the car in front of us slammed on it’s breaks. Instinctively, my Pappy threw his arm across me! God spoke to my heart that it’s like this with He and I. I was in my Pap’s presence, riding in his truck, seatbelt on, heading toward our destination together…not a question in my mind that we wouldn’t make it to where we were going. But at the very possibility of danger, it was his reflex to shield me! And just think about his intentions here. Unconsciously he was most willing to take the impact and also to keep me in place! God’s shield works the same way and all I have to do is just be in His presence…enjoy Him, put on my belt of truth, which is His word and believe it….and then with my words, my vehicle fueled by agreement, I move with God toward His plans and purposes and whatever happens…I find myself shielded and I know I will get there! He took the impact and I am still in place!
You see, the thing is, the reason I remember this day was not really so much about what happened in the truck (even though that is so precious to me)! My Pappy was taking me to Hershey Park! He said he was going to and I believed him, end of story! That shield he threw over me was something that happened on the way. Possible trouble diverted by his ability as driver…child safely in tow and we arrived at Hershey Park and the rest is history! How awesome is that?
And speaking of history...what is HisStory for you? What has God said will be in your life. Buckle yourself in with that!
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