Work Work Work

It has been a while since my last post, but I have been "working." No, didn't get a job, just working in the Word and on my heart and mind. I am in a wonderful Bible Study which prompts you to really look inside your thinking and ask Why...Why you do what you do...Why do you think they way you do. And it takes time and energy to work through the thoughts processes. Some things I can answer without hesitation while other things, well, I would either rather not admit to self or others...or I have to figure out where the root begins. Once you find the root, then you have to figure out how to dig it up and that can exhausting. But, one day at a time, one piece at a time.

Like life, I believe we go through different seasons in our spiritual walk too. Seasons can be weeks, months or years. Lately, I feel seasons by the weeks. It used to be by the years and I didn't see as much growth compared to these ever changing seasons in my walk. Maybe it's the constant change and pruning that occurs. Refreshment and change comes in with each changing season.

There are times I am in the Word, authored books, worship through music, worship in remembrance with writings, bible study, podcasts, applications/tools. God is not confined to one deminsion and I used to relate to Him in a ritualistic rountine...just through church and bible study. We put so much emphasis on having a set "Quiet Time" alone with God that we need to heed caution that it doesn't become rountine and ritualistic. God can be found in any moment becuase He is every where! I was talking recently with a friend about this and I believe that if you are struggling with something it may be necessary to develope rountine and build in the accountability. This to establish good habits, replacing the bad/old habits. Then, as you grow those spiritual and emotional muscles, you will be stronger to get outside of the rountine and have the strength to search for Him.

For years, I was only accountable while involved with a bible study group. Slowly, I began to get back in the Word from desire for the living water and refreshment, and often, for help! During my stormy, unstable season over a year ago, my time with God was ritualistic and I needed that. Day after day, like a prescription that must be taken at the preicise time of day, I took God into my heart, mind and soul. The stronger I grew, the less I had to depend on the prescription. I became healthier and healthier, finding myself strong enough to journey out to find Him.

Today, I am make a conscious decision to seek after Him every where, every time. I look for signs, I listen for His voice. I feel His promptings in music, frienships, nature, applications, bible study, church, concerts, fellowships and even in the stillness of the night. He is EVERY WHERE! I am learning also to hear call of The Holy Spirit which sometimes quietly, but mostly loudly and boldly prompts me to interceed for another and I counted a joy and blessing to pray over another. This is new for me and so much "fun." To be included in something greater than I is such an honor. It is also scarey, not frightening scarey, but just the unknown part of it, not knowing sometimes why you are prompted to pray, you wonder if the other is okay, sometimes you know and when you know why, you really hope you are wrong, unless of course it is a blessing or encouragement you are standing on for them. That is especially great!!! We cannot fathom how mighty our God is, how powerful He truly is! Father forgive me for confining you to the address of my house and my church, but show me Your permanent address in my heart.

It was not until this last year that I recognized His omnipresence. He can be found outside the walls of your church. Each of us are His church; therefore, He is with us always. We have the great privilege to be in union and fellowship with the God of the Universe 24/7.

Forgive me God for confining you for so many years to an address. Thank You for making residence in me!

So, I have been in a season of working things out recently and I feel God is saying Enough for now. It's time to get back to some worship time, a time of refreshment and rest. My strong will wants to "fix" everything wrong with me NOW, quickly and efficiently but that would be a strive for perfection which I will never acheive. God wants me to be right where I am today, looking towards Him for the next right step to guide me in the right direction for tomorrow's journey with Him.

Last night I compiled a new worship CD and have already been enjoying the worship time with hands lifted and hearts open. It is time for me to focus some more attention to praising and worshiping the King of Kings and My Rock ETERNAL!! I am still working and thinking but the seasonal change for right now is moving into the rembrance of who He is and the Greatness of who He is.

For me, it's a new kind of Spring Break...a time of emotional rest and spiritual refreshment. I pray that as you enjoy your Spring Break with your kids this week, you will also take time to check your calendar and take a break for some R&R with your Daddy God! Your Rock Eternal who just wants to hang out with you and enjoy some precious fellowship for a bit. Enjoy! Receive it! Soak it up! Be amazed by His Love!

Flesh of my Spirit

He gives us His God flesh to be His touch here on Earth. Most of my life I have lived Just Me&Him and He is ALL I need, but I can't tell you the treasure it has been to tangibly feel the touch through a hug on a bad day, or the laying on of hands in time of prayer, the voice of God through encouragers. We need eachother, that's why God made Himself flesh, to touch, talk, help us humans while we walked here on the earth. He knew we needed more than just a spirit walk, we needed to be encouragers and love one another, and felt it important enough to make it His second greatest command.

It has been pride for me not to ever ask or reach out to receive, only give. Pride that my need wasn't great enough, I could handle it alone. But over the course of the past year, a few precious friends have called me out of my strong will and independent spirit and have challenged me to get my heart out of the lock box and allow a little flesh touch. Nope-not easy-not comfortable, at first. Now, I wonder Why did I wait so long?

God uses people, Believers and Non-believers alike, things and circumstances-good and bad- to reveal Himself to us. We are His hands and feet here on earth. Not only to spread the gospel making disciples but also to love one another. It was in my toughest, most desperate time in my life where I found Him and I am so grateful He sent His God-flesh spirit (friends) to pick me up out of the pit and help me walk back to Him. They labored with and for me. Flesh can hurt us but flesh covered spirit can heal.

Here's the thing, in my season of fear, my friends wouldn't have know (many still don't know) if I hadn't humbled myself, setting the pride aside and asked them for help, still only sharing the little that I could, not fully understanding or admitting the truth to even myself. How could they have mentored me, prayed over me, fought the warfare on my behalf if I hadn't revealed the need?
I am not excluding God's sovereign spirit. This is not to say that the Holy Spirit wouldn't have interceded on my behalf and prompted their spirits eventually. He will do that in our hearts, prompt us to pray for someone, not knowing why. 

My husband had twin sisters and it was interesting how in their younger days and even now they feel each others emotions or thoughts. In many ways they are one. Our spirits are one in the body of Christ so why do we think it strange to feel something about someone else. I think because it is just rare. How often do we settle our own spirits down enough to ask for revelation of our own spirit's need much less if there may be another's spirit that needs encouragement?

Our prayer is often Lord Bless my family and friends today. There is nothing wrong with this, it is a good start. Imagine following with, God make my spirit sensitive to my brother or sister who's spirit is weak and allow mine to encourage theirs through the power of the Holy Spirit who intercedes on our behalf to You Lord God. I submit to You, my hands and my feet to encourage in the way You instruct. Our battle is not against flesh and blood it is of spirit and principalities. Show me the battle plan and equip me to fight on their behalf. 

True healing comes from and through Him, not earthly, material things, objects or people in and of themselves. Sure, laughter, hugs, flowers, a pat on the back maybe a little chocolate and some shopping-(hee hee) might fill a temporary void. But a God hug, a God word of correction or praise, a God plan delivered through the Spirit realm has power, power to heal, power to restore. God is Healer.

I encourage you as you continue your walk of Self Awareness and Discovery that you not only look towards your own spirit's needs but take the time to step up for another. Someone out there needs a God hug! Won't you be that hug? If you are the one who needs a little spirit back up, won't you humble yourself and ask. God will tell you who to go to because He directs our paths so that all things work together for His good!! AMEN! Thank You Lord for being all-knowing and all-seeing! You are a Mighty God.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecc 4:12
 
"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." II Timothy 4:2

"For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other." I Thess 4:7-9