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When I am weak, then I am strong

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“…but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 AMP) This morning as I came before the LORD, I came in a whole new level of brokenness. Not a brokenness due to current circumstances or even due to the attacks of the enemy (though there have been many of both lately). Rather, it’s a brokenness born out of a deeper revelation that I am totally reliant on ...

Come Away With Me

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“My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away! “O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.”” (Song of Songs 2:10-14) For many years I could not read the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) without feeling totally awkward and uncomfortable. The intimate language and scenery was just too much for me to handle and I for sure could not accept its symbolism of the love between Jesus (the Beloved – the Bridegroom) and His Church (the Shulamite – the Bride). But oh, what can happen in a year’s time! For me, 2017 will...

Give and it shall be given unto you....

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This morning I was singing to the LORD a song by Misty Edwards called “I Give It All.” I was repeating the verse, “You have my love, You have my heart. I give it all to You, I give it all to You,” when the LORD replied: “Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” I was awestruck, and still am to be honest. For so long I considered this scripture (Luke 6:38) only in regards to finances, but it’s so much deeper than that. If you look at the scriptures prior to and after this verse, Jesus was teaching on how to treat one another. He talks about not judging others, not condemning others, forgiving others, not putting yourself above others (as in superior or better than them), and so much more (Luke 6:37-42) There’s something interesting about the greek words used here for “judge” and “condemn” that I want to high...

What it means to Minister to the Lord

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“Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom He had raised from the dead. So they gave a supper for Him there. Martha was serving, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very expensive perfume of pure nard, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (John 12:1-3) What does it mean to minister to the Lord? Most people think “to minister” is to have a preacher, a pastor, or an evangelist speak into your life. Many consider ministry in the form of church services, tent revivals, or missions trips. But there is so much more to ministry than that. There is a ministry that is far above serving one another. There is ministry that is to the Lord. The first mention of man ministering to God is referenced in Exodus 28:35 when God gave instructions regarding the Levite priesthood. He said to Moses: “Now take Aaron yo...

Naked before God

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“Then the eyes of the two of them were opened [that is, their awareness increased], and they knew that they were naked; and they fastened fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool [afternoon breeze] of the day, so the man and his wife hid and kept themselves hidden from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to Adam, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” God said, “Who told you that you were naked?...” (Genesis 3:7-11) I don’t know about you, but when I think of NAKEDNESS I almost immediately think of SHAME . Shortly afterward follows the thought “Why am I ashamed of nakedness?” Well some people may reply “You’re just a prude!” or some other much more salacious term I will not speak much less write. And it’s so easy to come back with ...

Oh How I Need You LORD

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I was in my prayer room earlier today, when suddenly my daughter called out for me. Now, you must know, my child is aware that when I step away to my prayer room, I’m going with the intention to meet with the LORD. She also knows not to disturb me unless it is absolutely necessary. And so, here I was laying before the LORD, calling out to Him, when I heard my child call out for me to come to her. And I thought “Why does she always expect me to come to her? She is fully capable of getting up and coming to me?” And I heard in my spirit “That’s how you are towards Me.” I immediately got teary-eyed as I realized that was exactly how I was treating the LORD in that moment. I was calling out for Him to SHOW UP because I NEEDED HIM . I needed to hear His voice. I needed to see His face. I needed to be in His presence, BUT I wasn’t seeking Him wholeheartedly . Like my daughter towards me, I was calling out to God with expectation for Him to come to me. How many of you know that M...