Most of the time, people start looking forward at the New Year. And many times, there’s the adage, “New Year, New You”. But as our family sat together and watched the ball drop this year, my son posed the question, “Why do people care so much about the New Year?” And of course, my husband and I explained that most people do exactly what I just described, they’re making resolutions, they’re putting the past behind them, they’re forging ahead, and making another New version of themselves.

But, I quickly added, “You don’t have to wait for the New Year, to change something about yourself.”

So, over the last couple weeks, I have been in this state of transition. But, I feel, that transitions are truly effective, when you really take into consideration – the past. Where have you been, doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with where you’re going… but for some reason, it seems really important to me to keep it in scope.

2022 for me, was a year of wilderness, of wandering around with God, wondering, “What are we doing?” “Where are we going?” “How long is it going to take to get there… wherever there is…” It was also a year of substantial growth. Sometimes, it seems that in the quiet of the wilderness, is where some of the most interesting growth happens. Growth, you didn’t know you needed.

And, as I write this to you, I’m also reminded that several times in the Bible, Jesus and the Apostles refer to the way it was, and to the fact that it was about to change. But the change would be a good thing. The ways of the past were gone, and a new Kingdom was coming. They discussed in Hebrews 10, how sacrifice was the old way, but Jesus Christ had made a new way.

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. ² Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. ³ But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. ⁴ It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

⁵ Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
    but a body you prepared for me;
⁶ with burnt offerings and sin offerings
    you were not pleased.
⁷ Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
    I have come to do your will, my God.’”

Hebrews 10:1-7

Here is perfect example, of looking back, to move forward.

It was interesting – at the beginning of 2022, I wrote down some very open goals for the year. By open, I mean, like “I want to read more.” Not – I’m going to read 10 books this year. Just like, these general broad-scope goals. And, in the last couple weeks, I realized, I had accomplished all of them. Now, this year, I’m challenging myself to give them more detail (Like, I want to read 20 books this year.)

Understanding where we’ve been, to help encourage us to define where we want to go.

I have also spent the last several weeks, trying to understand the growth that has occurred. Occurred within me as a person, and in my relationship with Jesus. What does that mean for the future? What are we doing next?

I am also in this deep dive of what my identity is, in Christ. Maybe, gaining a better understanding of who I am, because of what He says, will help clarify where we’re going.

As you could maybe tell, I didn’t have a clear outline, as I sat down here today, but I do know that I miss you. I miss spending this time together, and it has been pressing on my heart. And of course, as I bargained with God, telling him that I would sit down for my blog, if I had time, as always, His response was, “what else are you doing with your time?” What could be more important than reaching out here? That even though sometimes, I have no real concept of what we’re going to discuss, it never fails that words flow from my fingertips and here we are. That this year, I truly feel, there’s something here. That this blog is important, and it’s never stopped being important, and I need to get it back on my list where it belongs.

I can tell you, that I’ve spent more time than ever this past year, trying to understand where I’ve been. That I’ve tried to be open, and curious about how I’ve come to where I am. That I’m excited for the future, and all the incredible possibilities it holds. That, just before sitting down here, I went through all my answered prayers for 2022, and found that I had 98 tangible, answered prayers. That comes out to at least 1 answered prayer, every 4 days. That’s INCREDIBLE!! God is absolutely moving in my life, and yours.

I guess, I’m here today, to show you where I’m at, and maybe challenge you to consider the same. To look behind you, and see where you’ve been, and then decide, “Where are you going?” Is this the year, that you make A goal? Is this the year, that you challenge yourself to wander in the wilderness a while? Is this the year, that you finally do that one thing you’ve been waiting for? The year, that you dedicate more time to Jesus? The Year, that you realign your sails because you’ve been drifting? Ask God to help you? What’s on His Heart for your life?

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, I know that we can pick any day of the week to start anew. That You are always there, and always waiting for us, wherever we’re at. That you can guide us through anything Father God, and that You have good plans for our lives. I pray that you reveal these things to us. That you put it on our hearts and minds to do Your will. That You guide our steps, and keep us on the narrow path. That You are blessing us Father God, this day and every day. That You are always there to catch us, to watch over us, to listen to our struggles and our triumphs. That You are in each and every moment, and that we feel your presence all the time. That you bless the works of our hands, and the words from our lips. This day, and every day. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!

So, as I stated last week. Here I would like to propose to you, that you start to consider that Rest is a Weapon. A weapon God has given you. That He showed us, that everyone should rest. Enjoy what you’ve done. Appreciate your accomplishments. Take a breath.

And, although, rest, as we all know, is important. How is it a weapon?

Well, let’s think about it a little bit. How long is your fuse when you’re well rested? How much patience do you have after 8 hours of sleep? How clear headed are you, after you’ve been able to truly go to bed, sleep all night, and wake up rested?

What are those answers at the end of a long day, with little sleep? How well do you think at 9pm when you’re trying to problem-solve, or when your small child becomes philosophical because it’s bedtime?

How happy are you, when you’re rested?

How willing are you to help, yet another person, after a long day at work, and little sleep?

I mean, these things are all things to consider, when we’re thinking about how much rest affects how we act. We all know the answers, it’s the same for all of us. When you’re well-rested, you’re a better version of yourself. Less rest = lesser version of yourself.

But, can I also challenge you, that the Devil knows you’re tired, and that’s the moment that he takes the opportunity to pounce. He literally has nothing on his hands, but time, and one of his most effective tools – is to make you feel like you don’t have any.

Now, before you go beating yourself up and feeling guilty – please know, he does it to us all. But, we have to fight against it. We have to seriously look at our schedules, and do a couple things to really utilize this weapon. But, first, let’s read a story.

²⁰ So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. ²¹ Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

But the people said nothing.

²² Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. ²³ Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. ²⁴ Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.”

Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

²⁵ Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” ²⁶ So they took the bull given them and prepared it.

Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.

²⁷ At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” ²⁸ So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. ²⁹ Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.

³⁰ Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down. ³¹ Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” ³² With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs^[a] of seed. ³³ He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”

³⁴ “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again.

“Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. ³⁵ The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.

³⁶ At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. ³⁷ Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

³⁸ Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

³⁹ When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”

⁴⁰ Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.

⁴¹ And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” ⁴² So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.

⁴³ “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked.

“There is nothing there,” he said.

Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

⁴⁴ The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”

So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”

⁴⁵ Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. ⁴⁶ The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

1 Kings 18:20-46

Now, let’s pause a moment. If we run through this sequence of events, the prophets of Baal started their offering and sacrifice early in the morning and continued into the early evening – so approximately an 8 hour worship service on Baal. Then, Elijah, (in the evening, after giving the Baal prophets a fair chance) got his sacrifice started. Which means – at that time, after being up all day, then he started to prep a bull for sacrifice. Once he was done prepping – then they built the alter – then they doused it in water – 3 times. I can’t imagine this all went quickly – so it was probably well into the evening hours by this point. Then, God answering didn’t take but a few moments – completely disintegrated the sacrifice, the alter, the stones, and all the water. Then, they gathered up 450 prophets – and killed them all. Which, I can only believe, took at least a little while. So, it seems to be a full day for Elijah at this point. (Besides the fact, that this is a culmination of years of events). Then – Elijah climbed, back up, to the top of Mount Carmel to prophesy for rain. Which took 7 trips of his servant for confirmation – so this took a minute. No where in here, is it talking about Elijah taking a nap? Then – when the rain did come – he raced Ahab’s chariot back into town. He outran a horse….

Ok. So – Full Day for Elijah – at best. Sounds to me, more like at least 1 1/2 days, more so. And – then here is this critical moment:

Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. ² So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

1 Kings 19:1-2

Jezebel says – I’m going to kill you. And Elijah, after seeing what all God had done, and the fact that He had sustained Elijah in Cherith and provided for Him and the widow, and brought her son back to life, and performed these amazing miracles on Mount Carmel, and had brought back the rain after years of drought – told Jezebel, “There’s no way, My God will protect me….” ? Um, no. Not at all. You know what the great prophet’s response was?

 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, ⁴ while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” ⁵ Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

1 Kings 19:3-5

He ran. He ran far, far away, and then cried out stating that he was no better than his ancestors and to please just let this whole thing be over.

I don’t know about you, but that seems like a very human response to me. Everybody hates me, nobody likes me, I’m going to go eat some worms….

But – here is another beautiful moment, where God shows us exactly what we need.

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” ⁶ He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

⁷ The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” ⁸ So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. ⁹ There he went into a cave and spent the night.

1 Kings 19:5b-9

God’s like, “You’re alright, you just need some rest.”

With rest, comes perspective. With rest, comes strength. With rest, comes nourishment.

God just lets him rest for a bit. Elijah had just done a bunch of stuff. He had completed a marathon of years in the making. He was tired. I don’t blame him.

I also love, that this was intentionally kept in the Bible. For you and I to read. To know, that this great prophet, listed in the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11), was so human. This example that so many people love to quote and to use an example and to strive toward faith like that – was sooooo human. So real. And, left here, to be an example for you and me. That we can experience these incredible high notes of faith, and yet still get exhausted and worn out, and need to rest. That if you’re tired – that’s OK. If you feel like you’ve been running a marathon, that’s OK. If you feel like you’ve got nothing left in the tank – that’s OK. You just need to rest. And you should come to the Father – who gives you rest.

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Let’s Pray

Dear Father, Thank you for this day. Thank you for your amazing examples for us. Thank you for guiding us, for giving us a word in season. That you wish to bless us with rest. You want to restore our bodies and our souls. That you know, that the devil loves to keep us busy and running, to keep us away from You. But that You are the good, good Father who wants us to know that you want us to rest. To pause. To be in the intimate moments with You, God. That you are always there and waiting. That You want to guide us along the way. That you want to help us find out what rest looks like. That you are waiting for us to just pause and spend time with you. That your yoke is easy, and your burden is light Lord. That you will give us rest and refreshment for our souls. That your living water will pour into us, and through us, and into others. That you are guiding us. That you are, all that we need. That you help take our hands in the days to come – to show us what it’s like to rest. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!

I’ve had a word in my heart for a few weeks now. Which is interesting, since the revelation was revealed to me a few months ago, but yet, the need to share with all of you stirred just recently.

I was burnt out. I know I’ve experienced this a few times with all of you, but it seems, I’m still learning – 1) How to avoid it 2)it apparently has more lessons to teach me.

So, here I was, yet again, reaching the end of everything I have, and your body kicks into survival mode almost. Just doing, just enough, to get you through each day, and that’s it. That’s all you get. No more, and maybe less. Your brain just isn’t cooperating with you anymore. It’s trying to tell you – you need to stop. SoMeThInG needs to come off your plate. You need to back up, and recenter. You need to realign with God.

So – that’s exactly what I did. I took 2 weeks off work. 2 weeks!! First time, ever, in 20 years of working and having a job, I have never, ever not worked for 2 whole weeks. And, it was refreshing, and restoring, and rejuvenating. It helped me get my bearings. It helped me dig deeper, into the things that matter. It got me in touch, with me. And, apparently, I had a lot of stuff to work out.

Which, is fine. And, will probably get played out here, to some extent for years to come. Since, during that time, I discovered I also had some healing to do. And, God wanted to do that with me, and that – is also fine. It’s where I’m at in my journey, and it’s something that I wanted to do. Which is all good things – and my Father wants good things for me.

But – circling back to taking time off, I also decided that this was a stay-cation of sorts, and I literally made almost 0 plans for 2 weeks. I would be flying by the seat of my pants. Which, for anyone who knew me – 5+ years ago (just a little before I started this blog) – seems insane. I was the literal definition of a control freak. So – 2 weeks, without plans?!?!? Who does that??

I did that. And, it was fantastic. I made 2 “plans” during that time frame.

1) Some camping would be involved, we did go camping for 3 of the 14 days.

2) I would be spending every morning with God, as long as I felt necessary, and more as needed.

With this second tidbit – I found a devotional, on burnout – kinda. Devotional on Resting. And, deep within the throws of this devotional, I stumbled across this information. And, it is – an absolute game-changer.

I would like to portray this information to you, the same way it pieced together for me.

²⁹ Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. ³⁰ And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

³¹ God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

2 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.

² By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. ³ Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Genesis 1:29-31; Genensis 2:1-3

We’ve all read this before. We know the story. God made the whole world, and on the seventh day, He rested.

He rested.

He rested.

He rested.

WHHHHYYYYYYYY??? Why, does the omnipresent, omniscient creator of the Universe – who never sleeps….. rest?

I don’t know about you, but the thought, never crossed my mind before. Why did He rest? If you really pause to think about it, it suddenly doesn’t make sense, does it? When you think about other people, it’s obvious, they need rest. But, for as many times as I have read the verses, and known the story, and literally read that scripture. Not once, did I pause to think, Why, in the good gravy, did God rest on the seventh day? He doesn’t need to? He never sleeps, he doesn’t get tired, or weary. It’s almost like your brain is on auto-pilot, just glosses right through it. And He rested.

But, can I pose this to you? He rested – to show us. To be a model for us. Because He knew that our little human lives get soooooo busy. And, we have to pick the kids up, and drop them off, and go to the games, and the concerts, and make the dinners, and schedule the plans, and DO ALL THE THINGS!! I mean! Come ON!! You have to do all the things, all the time, and there’s no time!!!

But, here God was, in his all-knowingness, showing us that He rested. That there is power in resting. That what is the point of doing all the things, if you never get to take a minute, to look at all the good work you have done and enjoy it?

That, dare I say, Satan would love for you to be soooo busy, that you can’t stop. That you’re too busy to go to Wednesday night church. That you’re too busy to go to that Bible Study? That you’re too busy to stop and ask people to pray for you because you’re really struggling? That you’re too busy to wake up 10 minutes earlier so you can have a quick devo or a short prayer with God before you head out on your day?

That, God is trying to show you, that rest is a weapon.

That people who work over 55 hours a week, have significantly higher health risks and their productivity drops significantly. Huh, the more you work, the less productive you are….

Do I dare to challenge you, what do you consider work? The 40 hour job you hold? Or are you also taking into consideration, all the other stuff you do? Because, I would like you to consider, that your body might consider that work too. What about all the driving?? Isn’t that work? You’re operating a machine, for some people it is a job, delivery driver, truck driver, etc. Are we taking it for granted? You have to be aware, and alert, and we all know it’s more dangerous to drive when we’re tired, so wouldn’t that be considered work too?

So – if you look at your life, like that… How much are you working?

Better question – how much are you resting? Not just sleeping, resting? How much time are you spending pouring back into you? Are you taking as good of care of you, as you are of your children? Of your loved ones? How do you think God feels about that? I mean, you’re His kid. Do you think, He might be asking you to go to bed earlier? He might be telling you to slow down, stop running.

That Rest is a Weapon. In Rest, we find strength. We find healing. We find purpose. We find God. He’s there, like a gentleman, just waiting for you to come take a seat.

I’m going to try to really dig into this with you in the coming weeks. But I just want to let that settle in for a while. I really want you to consider what slowing down or rest might mean for you.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you. Thank you for being a role model to us. Thank you, for showing us, how you want us to be. That there is rest within you. That you want rest for us. That you are guiding us through this season, and our lives, to know that we need rest. Rest that you give. That your yoke is easy, and your burden is light. That you are guiding us, and protecting us, Father God. That you are in the gentle whisper, and the quiet, still, small voice. That you want good things for us. That you are guiding us, in your will and your way. Bless Us Father God. Restore us. And let us live, in Your Rest, and Refreshment. That you may fill us with your living water all the days of our lives. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!

Across all the podcasts, all the sermons, in the devotionals, every where I seem to turn – I’m hearing that “God is on the move.” And my Spirit longs for it. I hear it, and it speaks truth to my soul. That I agree – God is on the move. He is doing a new thing. Revival is on the tip of every tongue.

And, I hear in this crying out, this proclamation, that it’s like never before. It’s the crying of God to our flesh. “Hear me.” “Listen.”

That He is speaking to each and everyone of us – in our own ways. That He is downloading into our Spirit what we’re supposed to be hearing. That He’s moving each and everyone of us, in His way, to bring it all together. To bring the fire and the love for God.

That we are bringing our cares and our burdens to Him, and He is lightening our load, and making way for a new thing. That His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. That we need just follow it. To accept it and obey. That He is really fortifying and building these, oh so personal, relationships with Him together. That our souls, and the earth, is crying out for Our Creator. He is whispering back – “Hear me, I’ve got you.” That all He wants is this relationship to dig deeper, to be stronger, to be so evident that no one can miss it.

That He’s leading us to be His light. His light to bring in others. That He’s calling – “Come follow me.” That our walk and our faith should be so wound tightly with Him that no one can miss it. That people are asking – What have you got, that I don’t have?

The Answer: Jesus.

There are these new commercials out, talking about Jesus having anxiety, Jesus wanting fellowship, Jesus being human, and it ends with “He gets us.” And, every time I see these commercials, tears well up in my eyes – because He does. He does get us. God sent the Son of Man, to come to earth, to live out the human life, and become the ultimate sacrifice, not just to perform his will and fulfill the prophesies – but to show us – that HE GETS US! He is our Creator.

He put all these feelings and emotions and logic inside of us, in His own image. He gets us.
He gave us an instruction manual, The Bible, to help us, every step of the way, with real knowledge and understanding of what to do in all our situations.
His Word – was with Him in the beginning and it will never pass away.

I had this deep stirring this morning as I listened to His Word.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:1

It felt like – this other part of God – that I had missed.

God, Jesus, Holy Ghost… and the Word. The Word was God. As we have received the Holy Ghost, and He is working within us – we are to get into His Word. And His Word – is made true within Us. That we have hidden His Word in our heart. That we meditate on His Word, and it will guard our hearts and minds. That there is this deep connection between the Word and hearing the Word and the connection it is making with the Holy Ghost within us – that is bringing all together.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin  for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (emphasis mine)

He has given us this direct insight into Him. The Almighty.

No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

John 15:15

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

1 Corinthians 2:12-13

That we are to be using the Word to grow our Spirit man. And, I mean I’ve known this aspect all along – but this deep revelation – that the Word is God, just occurred today. That I don’t even know how many times I’ve read the verse, but today – the Word dropped in and spoke a new thing into me. The Word Is God. That it shall never pass away. That our Spirit is crying out to us, to read the Bible and get into the Word – because it’s God connecting with Himself – through us. That as we read – the things of God will be revealed. That as we’re in the Word (in God) that the Holy Spirit living in us – connects and uses our brain to understand in our knower what God is trying to say.

As one of my favorite pastors likes to say, “You know, in your knower.” Which is when that connection occurs – the Word and the Spirit agree.

But the manifestation of the Sprit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:7-8

Hear Him. Listen. Get into His Word and let Him speak directly to you. Pull in closer. Follow. Let the shepard guide you. That you may flourish and do well.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day. Thank you for your Word. Your Word in season, your Word stirring within us. Lord, bless us that we may open our eyes to a New Thing. That you may make us so observant, that we are watching for it at all times. That we are sharing it, and knowing it. That we may be ready with the answer of Jesus at all times, on our hearts and in our minds. That you may bless us, Father, this day and every day, by the works of our hands, and the words from our lips. That we are drawing others in to what we’ve got. That we may be the lights and the fresh fire for Your Revival. That you are doing a New thing, and that we are so blessed to be a part of it. That you may guide our hearts and minds in the way for them to go. That You may protect us and lift us up, that we may shine for all to see Your light and Your love. In JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!

I have found myself wandering in the wilderness, as of late. And, one of the things I am constantly hearing, and being reminded of, through this season, is to remain. To be diligent. To just keep showing up. That the breakthrough is in the consistency.

I have never heard the story of Abraham so many times in my life, in such a short period of time, as of late. The subtle nuances of Abraham’s story, that he believed. That he was faithful. The constant note that it was years, YEARS, from the time the Word was spoken to him, to the time it came to fruition. And yet, he remained. That at one critical part of his story, ends with him being 80 something years old, and suddenly the next verse – it’s 13 years later.

And, of course, we can only infer what happened during that time, but there is a theory – that he just remained. He just stayed the course. He just kept believing in God, and knew that God wasn’t done with him yet.

I know that just a few short years ago, literally just before the pandemic started, our local ladies Bible Study, started a book of Waiting. And we went through several stories throughout the Bible, of women, who were waiting. And all the different levels of waiting. Those who waited well, and those who weren’t as good at waiting. All the waiting….

Sadly, I’m not quite sure what I’m waiting for. I am in this mysterious period of limbo it seems. I do know that for the last two years, I have had a hard time with goals. And, today we also received a message of having a vision, to dream big. And, it brought me right back to the fact, that I’m really not sure what I’m dreaming for. I feel a crux of this life I have worked so hard to achieve, to put together, of all this work and effort to have this job, that I do have…. and yet, my heart is with Jesus. I want to do missions. I want to do this blog. I want to continue to outreach to my community and ladies’ Bible study. My husband keeps telling me to write a book… I feel like this job is supposed to help enable me to do that somehow, but I just don’t know how all these pieces fit.

I do know, that God has given me this feeling and this longing for a reason. That these are the desires of my heart. I know that He knows how this all fits together. And, I just need to trust in Him to get me there. But, oh the pain of waiting, the angst of not knowing. This season of digging deeper. Of going back to the basics. Of truly understanding who I am, to know how I’m supposed to be reaching others… and yet, continuing to do what I’m supposed to do. Showing up. Being there, every day. Living and breathing His Word, that I may know Him better. That others may see His light through me.

I am suddenly reminded of the Israelites wandering the desert for 40 years. Of Jesus, in the wilderness for 40 days. Of Elijah in Cherith for approximately 2-3 years (we’re not exactly sure). Of Abraham. Of Anna (who waited her whole life to see the Messiah & gets a whopping 3 verses in the Bible). Of Hannah (who had Samuel). Of Joseph (and his brothers)… and the soft whisper that God is faithful. That in the midst of all these stories, no one knew how their lives were turning out. No one knew what the next chapter looked like. But, they did trust God, and they remained. As boring, and inglorious as that can be sometimes. They waited. They persevered. That sometimes, we’re on fire for Jesus, and sometimes it’s the still soft whisper. That not everything is going to be fun and exciting, and we don’t know where we’re headed, and the vision is not simple and plain, but we show up. We trust God. He is the author and finisher of our faith. And, as all these stories remind us, He is faithful.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Great is thy Faithfulness. Blessed be Your Name, O God. Thank you for the fruits of the Spirit. Thank you for knowing what we need. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for growing us, and pruning us. Thank you for watching over us and guiding us Father God. That your word never returns void. That you sustain us, no matter where we are, deep in the trenches or out in the wilderness. That you are blessing us. That you know the plans you have for us, that you prosper us and are working things together for the good of those who believe. Thank you for your living water, that pours into us, that may overflow and pour into others Father God. Blessed be your name. That you are enriching us, each and every day. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!

Recently, I have been in a strange place. I have just been struggling emotionally, and trying to get back to where I need to be.
I was listening to the Lord one morning, earlier this year, after my initial prayer time. Just sitting in silence, and listening. Being still in the presence of our Lord.

And, He whispered to me, in my soul. “Growth”

I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t really thinking – like I need to grow more (although I completely understand that we are in a state of constant growth). But, regardless, when the Lord speaks – we listen.

So, I buckled up, for a ride that would be nothing how I anticipated. Because, you know, whenever the Lord speaks to you, you have your own ideas about how things are going to go. And, that is never, at all, what the Lord meant when He said it.

All year, I have kept my eyes open, and my flesh willing, to what the Lord meant, when He said “Growth”.

And, all year, He has been stretching me, and pulling me – sometimes with tears in my eyes and the proverbial kicking and screaming that you can imagine. But, dragging my feet every step of the way, I have still made the steps. Because I know that what is on the other side, is incredible, and worth it, and the only way I can get there – is His way. Not my will, but yours be done Lord.

So, one of the things that He has challenged me with, is being more open and honest with people. I will admit, I think – here – it’s a little easier to be open and honest, because I’m just putting myself out there, but I don’t have any control over who reads it. And, I’m still mindful of what I’m putting out here – but still trying to give you the rough and raw, in’s and out’s of it all. Because this is part of how we grow, and share the Spirit of the Lord – by knowing that we’re not alone. By having the comfort and solace that we’re all making these steps. But – in real life, in my circle, I’m way less likely to be open about the battles I face sometimes. I have a hard time letting people in. I have been burned so many times, I’m quite timid about who I’m allowing to be in my space.

So – you know where this is going… right? God was like, let’s grow that a bit.

Ugh, leave it to our Heavenly Father to know just what our weaknesses are. But I will say this, He does always know what’s best for us, and He really is just helping us in our walks. How can others know, how God is showing up in your life – if no one knows anything about your life?

I have to learn to trust people. And, I know, that I’m still going to get burned sometimes – but you never grow where you’re comfortable, and you can’t open yourself to the miracles and wonders of life, if you’re never willing to open up.

SO – I started trying to open up more. I opened up to my ladies at church. Openly admitted that I am struggling in life, and needed prayer. I openly admitted to my friends and family that I am having difficulties not being a constant hot mess, and I’m not really sure why. I just let some of those raw emotions out. And, they were met with concern and comfort. And, I will admit, sometimes I didn’t really feel it right away. And sometimes I was questioning – why did I even tell those people that? Ugh! But, then in the days to follow, I felt more supernatural peace. I felt solace that people were praying for me. And where two or more are praying in agreement, God is answering.

It opened my eyes to the fact, that I was not supposed to be fighting this battle alone.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2

That I was over here, growing in God. Trying to fill my cup, trying to let Him fill my cup, and I was neglecting this whole aspect of His ministry. This is not a solo journey.

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together in him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:10-11

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His son, Jesus Christ… But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 1:3,7

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Provers 27:17

And, the outpouring that has occurred from my stepping out in faith, has been overwhelming.

Thank God, that He loves us where we are, but always love us too much to leave us where we’re at.

This past week, I have had all these seeds, that I didn’t even realize were being planted, just pour out into a beautiful bouquet into my lap. That, people have been coming out of the wood-work to tell me, how much they love me. How they have missed me. How grateful they are to have me in their lives. That I am not alone.

The enemy’s lies are powerful, that you can be surrounded by people at times, and still feel alone. I have been so moved by the outpouring that I am shocked that I could’ve ever felt alone. And, I should clarify, I don’t mean alone in the sense of like I’m all by myself, but more that I have to do everything by myself. That because I’m sad and overwhelmed, I’m the only one who can pull me out. And, I should know better. That it’s way easier to grab a hand reaching down to pull you out, than to try to do it on your own. That you should always take help when it’s offered, AND you have to be open and honest – that you need the help. But, funny how, it’s always hardest to take our own advice.

I’m just blown away by the fellowship. That by allowing other people in, they can shine a light in all these dark places. They are wiping out the cobwebs of my soul and helping me get on the more fulfilling path. And, God has been showing me, that I can trust people. I can be open and honest about things, and not only are people not going to look down on me because of it, they’re going to share their own testimonies of being overcomers, of digging out of the darkness, or they’re going to ask if they can hold my hand – look me in the eye – and we can get through this together. Wow. I receive it, the great and glorious love of God. Right here, in my life. The outpouring of His moving, comforting, and supernatural soul – looking me right in the eye – through a friend or loved one, and just being there with me. That I’m not doing this alone. That I just need to be yoked to Jesus, and to realize all the incredible tools that Jesus is using – some of which comes in the form of fellowship & friends.

I feel it’s important to mention, that part of what showed me this outpouring of fellowship – was my birthday, this past week. I have a few different friends who decided to get me birthday gifts this year. And, these are all independent friends – like they’re not friends with each other necessarily, but they’re my friends. So – I noticed a theme among them all. Everyone gave me affirmations. Every single friend gave me some gift that said good things about me. Each in their own way, but every single person was pouring into me for my birthday gifts. And, I took a moment, to recognize – that God had a theme for my birthday this year – that I am loved, I am beautiful, I am alive for a purpose, I am wholly and dearly loved, and that I am not doing this alone. #Godshowedup

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You. Thank you for making me the member of a body. Thank you for opening my eyes to the fact that I have people who love and care about me, and who want to help me. People who want to be a part of my life, and my journey. That I am not an island, but a body, and that I can depend on and reach out to the other parts of the body to help me when I’m struggling. That You will use them to help me stand firm in my faith. You will use them to encourage me, and give me affirmations of your love and your faith in me. That you will pour out your love and your soul through all of them. That you move Holy Spirit in incredible, and wonderful ways. That you are the Great God of ALL Hope and ALL Comfort. That you are guiding me every step of the way. Thank you God for growing me, even when it’s uncomfortable, even when I don’t like it. Thank you for pouring out your love and grace into my life, to never leave me where I’m at and to continue this incredible journey with you, and with your body. IN JESUS’ NAME!!! AMEN!!

It has been a minute, dear friends.

I have just gone through an interesting situation. It was the result of my last post, months ago. The storm approaching on the horizon… It was a little rainy, some thunder, but definitely not the originally anticipated storm I had imagined, or feared.

And here we are, on the other side. Sun is shining. Almost like it never happened. But the results are there, the feelings. So you know it happened, but no real tangible effects, it seems. And from all this, I am reminded of so much.

Of all the times, I ran around like the sky was falling (years ago now). Of all the times, I doubted God. Of all the struggles. Just everything. This whole walk we’ve been on. Where He had just been ever present, ever patient, just waiting for me to understand, that I don’t need to understand. To figure out, that I don’t have to make sense of anything, I just have to trust and obey. And he’ll guide me through.

Times like these I take comfort in everything I’m learning from the Bible. All these examples God has given us to live by. Like the great prophet Elijah – who went to the king and declared a drought, then was led into the wilderness. Where he spent a couple years being fed by ravens day and night, next to a creek that never ran dry in a drought…. Then, he went and lived with a low class widow for a while, and God fed all 3 of them. And when the son died, Elijah raised him from the dead. Then, Elijah went to the top of Mt. Carmel where God put on a spectacular display and Elijah killed All the prophets of Baal. Then, he announced the rain that God was bringing. Soooo incredible!! I mean, I feel like if you and I had seen wonders like this, we would never, ever, ever stop telling everybody about our God.

……and yet, when the Queen Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah for what he has done, he ran for his life. He absolutely lost all sense of mind, and bolted. The great prophet Elijah.

And when he finally stopped running, God just sent an angel to take care of him. Gave him food and water and tucked him in for a nap, twice! And reassured him that the journey was too much and he needed to rest and recharge.

Then, when Elijah arose, he went about doing the Lord’s business again. (1 Kings 18 & 19)

I think it’s really important to know these examples from the Bible that God has given us. That when Abraham and Sarah were told that they would have a baby, finally, at their ripe old ages, they laughed. Laughed out loud. That during their same story, they took matters into their own hands and had Ishmael with Sarah’s servant because surely, this is what God meant? No, God said what he meant.

When Elizabeth and Zechariah we’re told they would have a child, the angel muted Zechariah until the baby was born because of his unbelief.

That stories like this are all through the Bible. Because, the Bible is about people, who are let’s face it, being people. But what’s so incredible, is through all of it, God still does his will. He meets everyone where they’re at. He forgives them anyway. He blesses them anyway.

And their miracles don’t always show up on their timing. Don’t always happen the way they expect. Sometimes, they don’t even get to see their miracles. You get to see them now, thousands of years later.

The one thing these people do have in common, is they still had their faith. Even when it was really small, or maybe wasn’t blatantly obvious. They kept praying. Kept going to God. They may give into their circumstances in the moment, they maybe we struggling to understand where the story was going, but they still had a mustard seed of belief down on the inside.

Even the apostles thought all was lost when Jesus died. And didn’t believe Mary right away when she claimed to see him. It took the apostles seeing him 2 more times before they believed. Even the apostles. Because they couldn’t understand how God was possibly going to turn this around – even though they had seen Lazarus raised from the dead. Somehow, 2+2 didn’t equal 4. That if God raised Lazarus, he might just raise his own Son too??

I guess, what I’m trying to get at here is that we’re all just humans. And we’re never going to understand what God is doing all the time, but through reading His Word and prayer and fellowship – we can TRUST him. He is blessing us. He is answering our prayers. He does not forsake us. He is all that we need, we just need to trust and obey, and He will be the Great God that’s he’s always been. There’s a whole book of stories to tell you about his great love, and that he’s here, and that he’s always going to be here. We just need to keep following him and having faith that is all going to work out, and it will.

And, let’s just take a moment to acknowledge that while God was putting this whole book together, he could’ve left all these moments out. He could’ve just edited them right out. But He didn’t. He purposely left it all in there, to show us that we’re all human. That none of us are perfect, and that they’re are people all through the ages who been struggling and battling the same things we are, and God showed up for each and every one of them too.

Let’s pray

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you!! Thank you for your Word. Thank you for compiling all these examples for us. Thank you for loving us so much that you gave us an instruction manual for life. That you know every single need we have, and you are providing for them all. Thank you for your patience with us, as we are still learning, and we will be every day of our lives until we reunited with you. Thank you for blessing us with the faith of a mustard seed, that we may grow it and cherish it, and use it to grow ourselves to be more like you. But to also know that even when we fall short, that you’re supernatural grace washes over us and you will still be our God and show us the way anyway. Thank you, for all that you have done, and all that you will do. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!

I was listening to some podcasts/sermons recently and I heard the words, “Your faith is for your trials.”

I know I’ve referenced before that “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”

All of this was settling in to tell me, that I am growing my faith for my trials. I know as a believer, not only will I have trials, but I might have more trials than most actually. Satan is actively trying to bring you down. He’s going after you. And, it will either shake your faith, or solidify your faith.

I recently painted a picture that I have hung on my war board, that states, “I have learned to kiss the wave that slams me into the Rock of Ages.” Because I feel that I have. I feel like that’s where I’ve finally reached in my personal relationship with Jesus & Our Father & The Holy Spirit.

That I’m going to have trials. But that God is always going to be there for me. That He’s always going to have a good word for me. That His love never fails. That He is going to give me strength, endurance, and understanding for each day. That He will sustain me.

I’m currently going through quite the set of circumstances. I have a broken down vehicle that’s been in the shop for over 30 days, with no real update to when it will be available again. I have experienced some crazy error that has left me without over half my tax return. All my close friends are going through some real, serious life situations. I’m also currently living through the storm we were watching on the horizon and all the changes that has brought forth (which is a lot). So, needless to say, I have trial or two. I also recently survived the crazy storm that wiped a swath through the Midwest. And, my work is currently going through a whirlwind of changes, as well.

So, you know, just a few things happening. Just a couple things that could get me a little sideways. And, I feel like the recent, actual storm that wiped through the Midwest really helped bring home some of this tidbit for me. During the actual storm, I was separated from my family. I watched a 2-story substantial barn, disappear before my eyes. And, I ended up taking shelter with a nice family that allowed me into their home, by the grace of God. And, during this storm, it never occurred to me quite how dangerous the situation was. I was not in fear for my life, or my family’s lives. There was a calmness within me. There was a peace about me.

Instead, in every situation with prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6 

And, I feel like this real, actual physical storm is representative of my current spiritual trials. There is a calmness about it. There is a peace to it.

When I found out that our truck was utterly broken, miles away from town. I was like, “Oh ok. Well, I guess we’ll just have to get that towed and find out what’s wrong.” And moved on. When I saw that my tax return was 1/2 of what I expected, I was like, “Whoa, that’s weird. I’ll have to find out what’s happening there.”

Every time I’m talking with my close friends about their situations, all I’m feeling is love and empathy. Words that are not my own, are comforting them. I pray with them, I pray over them, and I’m trusting that God is doing the rest and guiding them through these situations, and that He will help me to be the wisdom and comfort they need from me.

With all the trails that are occurring, every time I feel my feet starting to falter, I just double-down in the scripture and prayer. I pray for a Word. I read the Bible. I listen to podcasts & sermons. I continue to pour into others as much as I’m able, and I’m focusing on my own self-care. As I understand that the more that is getting poured out, needs to be poured in. That in order to get through these trials, I just need to keep returning to the Source. Just need to keep plugging into the Almighty that supplies all my needs. That He knows what I need each day, and as I’m more important than the sparrows, so He will take care of all my needs. That He will give me the wisdom and understanding I need for each day. That He will guide me and shelter me through these storms, and the next ones, and the ones after that.

That what I need to do, is stay with the Source. To continue to plug in, and show up. That the more drained I feel, the more I need to drink from the everlasting fount of eternal life. That He will guide and supply everything I need. That He will make me new and renewed each morning. That I am so grateful that I do not need to figure out what I’m doing next, I just need to keep taking steps in faith. That I just need to keep trusting Him, and He will guide me. He will lay opportunities before me, that He will speak to me – through His Word. That all I have to do is trust Him, and He is forever faithful. He has given me everything I need to grow my faith, and now that I’m truly experiencing some real trials – that my faith is here to guide me through them. That I have hidden His words in my heart, that I might call on them in my hours of need. That He restores my soul and grows my faith. That He is always there, and I just need to release my faith into these moments. To speak to my problems. To admit that no matter what, I always need a Savior, and Thank God – I have a Savior who has a personal relationship with me. That He is walking me through these moments, and I am not facing them alone.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your amazing grace. Thank you for being all that we need. Thank you for being the source of everything we need, in every circumstance. Thank you for giving us The Word, that we may read it and be renewed and refreshed. Thank you that you are constant. That you are faithful. That You never leave us or forsake us. That we need only to trust in you. Thank you Father God that you help us grow our faith, so that when we need you, we know what to do – to trust in You. That you are growing us that we become more like you every day. That we may shine your light to others. That they want what we have, and we can turn them to the Source, that they might also be refreshed & restored, Father God. Thank you Father, for being faithful. For sending Your Son to die, that we might have a personal relationship with you. Thank You for being all that we need, this day and every day. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!

I want to share with you one of the most supernatural breakthroughs I’ve experienced since I’ve re-established my walk as a Christian.

God is Love. I know, we say this, and we seem to act like we know this.

But, truly, I tell you, to really start to understand, to begin the supernatural breakthrough in your life. You have to learn to love. To Love as God loves.

I feel there a couple scriptures that we tend to gloss over, but they are truly at the heart of God, and should be in our hearts too.

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ²² And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

John 20:21-23 (Emphasis mine)

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,^[a]
    but deliver us from the evil

Matthew 6:9-13 (Emphasis mine)

To truly understand and love one another anyway. We must forgive as God forgives…. which is wholly, completely, as far as the East is from the West, pure as snow, washed completely clean.

Imagine, if we were all to love that way – what a world that would be. (Thy Kingdom come!)

God has commanded us – to love like He loves. To Love like the love we expect to receive from the Father, we’re also supposed to give to others.

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

¹³ This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. ¹⁶ And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. ¹⁷ This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

¹⁹ We love because he first loved us. ²⁰ Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. ²¹ And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

1 John 4:7-21 (Emphasis Mine)

That if we love one another, God makes us complete. He continues to prune us into His image. As we know that God Is Love. That He showed us the ultimate love by sending His Son to die for our sins – while we were still sinners & enemies. That we have to learn how to embrace this love. We have to learn how to make it ever present in our lives. We have to forgive debts, and sinners, those who have wronged & offended us. That We have to pray that God just continue to show us how to love.

This past summer, I had something occur. Something where I was so grievously offended, that others who witnessed this event were offended for me. That someone had hurt my child’s feelings. (ooooh, I’m quite the Momma Bear). Everyone was absolutely beside themselves at the offense, including myself, including my son, including my husband. Oh buddy, it quite seemed in that moment, that things could never be the same. But, my response was not where everyone thought it would be. I continued with the day’s events. I refused to let this event taint what the plans of the day were, and I absolutely wasn’t going to let it steal my joy. I refused to hear another word of it, everyone would just have to drop it for the time-being – we were going to have a good day anyway.

But then, when I got home that night. I knew how I felt. I knew that this was going to need some serious divine intervention. If I let this continue to fester within me, it would grow out of control – and I couldn’t let it have a stronghold. So, I began to pray, God help me forgive. Help me let this go. Help me to understand how I’m supposed to ever be ok with this. I spent 3 days in prayer – help me let this go. Help me forgive. Give me a word to understand how I’m supposed to get over this.

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ²² And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

John 20:21-23 (Emphasis mine)

That was the word He gave me. I have received the Holy Spirit, and that is a Spirit of Love & Forgiveness. If I truly want to Walk In Faith – I’ve got to forgive as my Father forgives me. Wholly, completely, supernaturally. That He knows all my sins, and forgives them anyway. That I do not deserve to be forgiven, but He decided to anyway. That I can never repay Him for what He has done for me, for you, for all of us, but I can do what He has commanded me, and forgive anyway. Regardless of how they feel. Regardless of how I feel. I have to forgive, because God has commanded it, and if I’m to be His servant, if my life is a true dedication to Him – then THY WILL BE DONE – in my life. It’s not about me. If I have to pray my way through the forgiveness – then start kneeling. If I have to pray to help me let it go for every day for the rest of my life. Then – that’s what needs to happen. We have made a choice to be His Servants – to submit our lives to Him, and His Command: Love one another. Love them as I have Loved You.

I received this Word days after the occurrence, and prayed that God would help me to actually let it go. I was truly starting to feel it by the 4th day. And, that is when the person who I had forgiven called.

I didn’t have to say anything – they just started apologizing. Now, another part of this forgiveness had been the total acceptance that I might never get an apology. That, this person, might not even feel like they did something wrong – and I had to be ok with that, and forgive them anyway. So, the conversation really went very well, because I had already forgiven them in my heart and was not expecting to have any follow-up. So, to have an apology on top of everything did feel good – but I was SO GRATEFUL that I had already forgiven – that this was all really just a formality. That it was not stealing my joy. That His mercy is new every morning. And, that I needed to tap into that every day. That I needed to extend His AMAZING GRACE over others in my life. That He makes us whole & perfect in His Love – and that we need to show others that Love too.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Love. Thank You for sending Your Son to die for us, while we were still sinners. Thank You for showing us the perfect example of the supernatural, overwhelming, reckless Love and Grace and Mercy that You have for us. Please help us to grow that into our Hearts – that it may overflow in the lives around us. That we may pour out Your Love and Your Spirit onto others. That we obey Your commandment to Love One Another. That We truly embody that as Your people. That we show that in our daily walk, that others may know You by Our Love. The Love that You have given us. That we may unleash the most powerful force in the universe onto Every Person in our lives – Love. Reckless, incredible, life-changing Love. Pour Out Your Spirit on Us and in Our Hearts and in Our Lives. I pray that others know we are Your disciples by Our Love. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!!

So, in August this past year, the storm started accumulating clouds. You could hear the thunder off in the distance, you could see the lightening on the horizon and the sky started to turn color. When we heard the news, my husband turned to me, and said, “You need to pray to your God for a miracle, because that’s all that’s going to save us now.”

Wow. When someone turns to you and says, that you need to pray, even when they’re not sure they believe in prayer, that strikes you right down to your bones, deep down in your soul. My Spirit Man cried out and said, “yes, we absolutely do.”

So, that’s exactly what I did. Full in, all the chips. Dug down deep. Every spiritual weapon I could think of, went out searching for new weapons – make sure I wasn’t missing any, all of it. Doubled-down in prayer. Fasting – on it. Declarations – done. All of it. Walking prayers, extra prayers, reading my Bible. My soul pouring out to God, “OH HELP US!!!”

I will admit that it took me 3 days just to figure out what it was I was supposed to be praying. I have figured out over the years quite a few things about prayer. If you want God to answer your prayers, you need to be in-line with what you think God would want for the situation. If you don’t know what to pray, pray about the situation anyway, but also pray that God open your heart to know what His will is for the situation. You can pray for what you want, but make sure you open it up – that His will be done. Pray that He just come into the situation, that you know that He knows what the situation needs. Pray for all of it.
So, in August, I started praying. God we need a miracle. We need one. You need to show up, You are the God who shows up. God, I am your servant. Give me peace about the situation. God, give me the courage and understanding to know what I’m supposed to be doing here. God, use this situation to do your will. Use this situation to show up. God, you are going to do great and miraculous things. We are still waiting. Still not sure what this storm looks like. But, I can tell you that just 2 weeks ago, I realized He has already given us so many miracles along the way. He’s been answering my prayer the whole time!

That this started in August. I prayed that we would all still have the holidays together. In October, we were told that the follow-up would start in January. I prayed for wisdom and discernment, we discovered in January that the person that should be helping was not on our side. More follow-up was delayed to February. In early February, we asked for a different helper. Our new helper is on point, and definitely the right person for the job. They speak life. This event has not followed the normal sequence of events the entire time, it’s almost like we’ve been forgotten – but I think God is answering prayer and keeping us hidden from the plots of the enemy. I think that God has been shielding us and protecting us, to lessen this storm. God has been using this time to grow us, to help soften our hearts to Him more and more, to use this situation to show how big He is. I’ve said from the beginning that I’m praying to the God that is bigger than my problems, to the one being who has faced this situation before – that can help me. That will overcome. That God has given us life and given it to the full. That He has been answering my prayers the whole time, every step of the way. That I was over here keeping my eyes on the horizon, waiting for Him to show up in the end game, and He’s been answering my prayers every day. That He has given me peace over the situation. I’m so grateful. I’m grateful that He’s answered these prayers and given me this opportunity to share with you, that sometimes we have to take our eyes off what the answer we think we’re going to get is and realize that He might be answering us every day, in so many different ways. That we have to keep our eyes open to what he’s always doing. Here I thought I was praying for an answer way off in the distance, and He had really aligned me to pray for all the days in between too. Because He was going to show up in all the days, every day. He is in this situation, in so many ways. That I’m so grateful to have this testimony. So grateful to be able to share this good word with you.

So – don’t ever lose hope. Keep the faith, fight the good fight, that you may win the race. Stay strong, His mercies are new every morning. He is the miracle-worker, the way-maker, light in the darkness. He is the great God of all, and He is making a way to make miracles in ways you could never imagine. He is showing up – you just need to stay aware so you can observe the ways that he’s showing up. SO you can recognize the miracles as they happen, so you can share your testimony with others.

You know another incredible thing that happened? My husband prayed too. As I was sharing about all the miracles I had suddenly observed, my husband admitted to me that he had also prayed during this time. God is so good, and He’s showing up, all the time. And He’s ALIVE & Making Miracles HAPPEN!!

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You!!! Thank you for all Your Miracles. Thank You for ALL THE WAYS you show up! You show up in the smaller ways, and in the Big ways. That you are working all the time, that you are in every situation, that You are working it all together for your good. That You are the Great I AM. That you are using us to show up, that we need only invite you into the situation. That you are the Great God Almighty who is watching over us and helping us bring your kingdom to earth. That we are speaking life into our situations. That we are submitting ourselves to your will, so that you can work miracles. Thank you God for all that you are, and all that you would have us be. Give us words to speak and ears to hear Father God, and for eyes that can see your will and your way at work in our lives. Thank You God for saving me and lifting me up, and allowing me to see life as You do. To give me the eyes that see your miracles. Thank You for all that You are, and all that You would have us be. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!