If anyone knows Melissa…

Last day of August…tomorrow starts September. 9/23 starts the Fall season. I hold close to my heart a Word from the Lord given to me with a specific time frame of this summer. Summer is almost over and I haven’t seen my promise. I know I can’t earn it and I know I can’t force it but in these last days of Summer I can seek the Lord regarding it. I mean really seek!!! All with those precious words on my lips… “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done…on earth as it is in heaven.”

So many are prophesying of things in September. Why do I hear something else so deeply in my heart? Maybe it is the same Word just with different Words. (I don’t write this as another prophetic word for anyone. These are my own rambling thoughts on what I feel God is saying to me.)

The Lord says “YIELD!” I have never been more desperate. I have never been more hopeful. I have never felt more prepared and unprepared. What?!? I go forth with only a Word but that Word is a promise so…I am placing all of my “eggs in one basket” as I head into these last days of summer. September is going to be a good month for the Kingdom of God. A good month but the way through it is going to be narrow. More narrow than we like to think…and the only way to walk down the path I am on is on my knees!!! Low. This thought comes to mind – no one gives birth walking around or even really sitting up and most definitely not involved in the things of the world. No, they go into the secret places to give birth. They sequester themselves. In the natural it can look really bad, feel really bad and yet be the most beautiful thing possible. It is the same in the spiritual. September is not a time for fear but to welcome what is being birthed. His promises are birthed in the prayer room but prayer involves more than just a bunch of words and it is going to take it all – prayer and worship and the Word and fasting and tears and most of all obedience. In the secret place. Expecting so much in these next few weeks.

Luke 12:29-32 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

God bless you all.

Yesterday I had lunch with a friend that I once went to church with. I haven’t seen her in a couple of years.

She expressed to me how her heart had been broken by my leaving that particular church and compared it to my own heartache when one of my good friends had also left. It was painful to hear that…but I get it. Everything we do affects others and we don’t always see how or the extent until we realize that many times the same pain we have felt we have turned and given to others.

Sometimes no matter the pain you just have to go away though. Sometimes we steal away for a season. Sometimes it is life long. I found that once I was going and once I had said my “goodbyes”… to stop again for small talk or to try to explain myself further risked taking away from what God was doing in my heart. I can see many things now because I am much further removed.

And my friend had asked me to lunch to find out why I’d left.

I offered yesterday and now only a brief explanation. I have no apologies for leaving. I have no regrets in any decision that I have made along the way. I can say that truly. God has taken me on a journey away from some things and toward Himself and I find no need to justify the path He plowed. I am excited about the place I am in and what God is doing in my life. My friend was excited about what God is doing in her life and the path of the church as well. I think probably neither one of us really, truly GOT the other’s excitement at first. Such different paths it seems.

God has had her stay put BUT GOD led me away from the place I was in. WHY? That was the question –

I believe He did it for several reasons. First – to protect me! Secondly – to prepare me for the end times…in earnest. I don’t say that in a proud way and certainly I don’t say it as an indictment of anyone or any church. It was a very personal thing about my own personal walk with the Lord. I pray you get how very personal it was and still is. Where God leads you or places you is personal. That doesn’t mean you can make that decision by yourself or that you should come and go at will. It means He leads you into the place where He can speak to you, grow you up and use you according to His will. I believe God Himself decided He was taking action with me. Yes, I had a choice but God put something so strongly in my heart. The choice was easy and for that all He has done in my life these last years I am beyond grateful.

Why did He take action? Well….

In many ways I had become addicted to the growing of friendships and the daily activity we all like to call church. Sure I was doing some very good things with very good people but I needed to let go of many of the things I was doing and even some of the things I LOVED so much and even some of the things I am ultimately called to. Maybe it makes no sense but I was too busy. I needed a type of an intervention and an extended time of “detox” from the works of church…too many of which I had my hands in. These last three years have been a hard, satisfying time. Sometimes they still are plagued with great loneliness but then that loneliness ALWAYS seems to lead to greater union with my Father. Times of deep reflection in His Presence have reorganized life. MY life that was always meant to be an expression of HIS LIFE and His LOVE and a carrier of His Will.

As far as preparing me for endtimes. In the place I am, sitting under those I am, I am being prepared. I believe there is a time coming when we will have to walk in what we have been prepared to walk in and others will be dependent on our walk. If you haven’t done the preparation what will you do???

God is starting to allow some things that are His will for me into my life. Some He isn’t allowing. It’s all so unique and believe me I haven’t figured it all out. But just like no two people are alike, no two plans are exactly alike when it comes to God’s plans. Even if God has created you to love, study and talk about the same things I do, it will still be a call so special and sacred for you.

So here we sat at lunch – two friends, from two different cultures, two different church bodies. Both with hearts for the Word, prayer, the poor and lost. Both wanting to be fruitful but so aware now of some of the traps. Both feeling we are called to fulfill the Great Commission as a type of a missionary – but with VERY different visions of what that looks like (at our age!). Two different paths that are both following JESUS!!!

And then the lunch was over and once again we said those “goodbyes.”

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  ~ Colossians 1:9-10

Yesterday someone had a Word for me. They said it was a Word from God and so I was excited to hear. But then…

It was a word that contained one phrase so troubling to my heart that it immobilized every part of me for the better part of the day. Every part except my tears. My tears were all that moved freely and the only prayer I could even utter (whether it be from God or even if it wasn’t). Honestly I wanted to rail against it and my first reaction was to say, “well that’s not of God!” Don’t some believe a Word is always supposed to be encouraging? Hmmm….I surely wasn’t encouraged. However, I also know this person doesn’t normally come to me with Words from God so I felt I had to consider it.

I have been taught in all things to test what is said and done. Test to see if it stands the tests of Scripture, sound reason, and the nature and example of Jesus Christ. Test ALL things whether it is something I disagree with or even something I agree with. Test all things regardless of the vessel. All means ALL.

So I am testing. I know that the Bible and teaching of Jesus are full of difficult truths that often trouble our emotions. Our emotions are often troubled greatly before they change or before we can make even a little change. I also know Truth doesn’t exist to keep me happy or unhappy. It just is. Truth will set me free. Truth spurs me toward something higher and deeper in God than my current place. Jesus is Truth!

If indeed a Word of truth can change my life and maybe help me to look more like Jesus…then I guess though in the moment it is troubling ultimately it will be a very encouraging Word. Right? So I don’t dismiss it at all – not even a little bit. I appreciate it and try to ponder without distress and I listen for the Holy Ghost to speak regarding it. I will hold fast to that which is good in Him whether it gives me warm feelings or sharp pain. If it is a Word from God and it is Truth I can’t pick His words.

Sometimes parts of this path are more trails of tears than an actual path. Jesus knows!

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ~ John 8:32

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.~ 1 John 4:1

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:21

I’ve been studying Acts 16 all week and I’m still there! What follows is taken mostly from a commentary on Blue Letter Bible with a few of my own thoughts added. I put them here because they have encouraged me greatly and I want to hold on to them. In this text Paul was forbidden by the Holy Ghost to do what he was called to do and he was forbidden more than once. Sometimes you feel like you have done something wrong when God shuts doors, when His plan isn’t real clear or you are in that “waiting” time. In reading this I see that God shut doors for the Apostle Paul…not because Paul’s desires were wrong but He closed the doors for His greater purposes. I am encouraged as I wait for my own Macedonian Call.

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God knows what He’s doing when He says “NO!”

Acts 16:6-8 The Holy Spirit forbids Paul to go towards the province of Asia Minor. (WHAT?)

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia. After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 

a. They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia: After strengthening the churches in the region, Paul sought to go next to the south-west, towards the important city of Ephesus. Yet, Paul was forbidden by the Holy Spirit to go there.

• We note with interest that the Holy Spirit actually forbade Paul to do something we normally think of as good – preaching Gods Word to those who need it. Yet the Spirit of God directed this work, and Paul wasn’t the right person in the right place at the right time to begin bringing the gospel to the Roman Province of Asia Minor. There was certainly nothing wrong with Paul’s desire to preach the word in Asia; but it wasnt Gods timing, so this was forbidden by the Holy Spirit.

• It is difficult to say exactly how the Holy Spirit said no; it may have been through a word of prophecy, or by an inward speaking of the Holy Spirit, or by circumstances. One way or another, Paul and his company got the message. Ephesus would come later, not now.

• Asia does not refer to the Far East as we know it today. It refers to the Roman Province of Asia Minor, which is modern day Turkey.

b. They tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them: After the attempt to go to Asia, Paul sought to go north into Bithynia, but was again prevented by the Holy Spirit. So, they came down to Troas.

• Paul didn’t set out to go to Troas. It was at least the third choice for him. But it was the Holy Spirits plan to lead him there. Paul, beautifully responsive to the Holy Spirit, was willing to lay down his will and his plans for the direction that the Holy Spirit brings.

• Paul was guided by hindrance. The Holy Spirit often guides as much by the closing of doors as He does by the opening of doors.

• David Livingstone wanted to go to China, but God sent him to Africa. William Carey wanted to go to Polynesia, but God sent him to India. Adoniram Judson went to India, but God guided him to Burma. God guides us along the way, to just the right place. (I wanted to go to Africa but God has sent me to Romania and Haiti)

Acts 16:9-10 God directs Paul to the region of Macedonia.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 

a. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: In Troas, God made Pauls direction clear. In a vision, Paul was invited to the region of Macedonia, westward across the Agean Sea.

• This moved Paul and his missionary team from the continent of Asia to the continent of Europe; this was the first missionary endeavor to Europe.

• The wisdom and greatness of Gods plan was beginning to unfold. In Pauls mind, he wanted to reach a few cities in his region. But God wanted to give Paul a continent to win for Jesus Christ.

b. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. The Macedonian man wanted help. So Paul went to bring Macedonia the gospel – the best possible help.

• The greatest help we can bring anyone is the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. It is good for us to bring other help along with the gospel, but without the gospel, little real help is given.

c. Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go: Paul did not hesitate to answer the call of the Macedonian man. Pauls missionary team did not hesitate to follow him on the basis of this call. This was a strong, godly man, leading a strong, godly team.

• God still calls people to the mission field, and He may call through unusual ways. Its still possible for a type of Macedonian Man to give an unusual call to serve God in a distant place. When that happens, its important to respond the way Paul and his team did.

d. Immediately we sought to go: The shift from they (they came down to Troas, Acts 16:8) to wein this verse probably means that Luke joined the band of missionaries in Troas. Perhaps he even came as Pauls personal doctor.

• Now we see another reason why they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. We see another reason why the Spirit did not permit them to go into Bithynia. God wanted Paul and his team to go to Troas and pick up a doctor named Luke. Because God said no to Paul these two times, we have a gospel and a Book of Acts written by Doctor Luke.

• At the time, Paul probably had no idea of the greatness of Gods purpose. God wanted to give him a continent for Jesus, to give him a personal doctor, and to give all of us the man whom God would use to write more of the New Testament than anyone else did. God knows what He is doing when he says, No.

Today has been one of those days of discouragement. I wasn’t expecting it but a darkness covered everything and it was hard to see anything clearly because my lens was such a mess. Very humbling, but it happens every now and then and I promised myself and the Lord long ago that I wouldn’t pretend to have it all together or that this life is always easy. It’s not….but in the middle of today’s darkness as I finally went from crying to crying out to God, He spoke to my heart and I heard Him clearly!!! He reminded me again for the hundredth or so time to fight through His strength! And then He brought me right back to one of those very first things He taught me to fight the devil when he came at me with those other nasty spirits of depression and anxiety and fear –  Declare His Word! Declare His Word over the spirit of discouragement and don’t give in to it. So I followed the Holy Ghost and He took me on a journey through the Scriptures tonight. What follows is what He used from His Word to break that discouragement off of my mind. Maybe they will help someone else someday or maybe they will just stand here as a “stone” of remembrance for what my God has provided for me tonight. I am grateful to You, my Father and to the Holy Ghost and His Word tonight. And always, always, always thank you Jesus!

Joshua 1:9 – Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

1 Chronicles 22:13 – Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the Lord charge Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

Psalm 31:24 – Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Psalm 34:17-19 – The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 55:22 – Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

Isaiah 40:31 – But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 41:10 – Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 42:16 – And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 – Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Matthew 11:28 – Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:31 – What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Romans 15:13 – Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 9:24 – Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

1 Corinthians 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 – We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

2 Corinthians 5:7 – For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Galatians 6:9 – And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Philippians 4:19 – But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1 – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

1 Peter 1:6-9 – Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

James 4:7 – Submit yourselves, therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm one shows me that when God is my sole delight, He will become an endless meditation. That meditation will work in me a firm planting, an abundant yielding of fruit and a sustaining prosperity in my spiritual life.

I am encouraged today by this Word. I am encouraged to delight in Him alone, to delight in Him above everything; to delight in the sweetness of His presence and His empowering voice… so that He may work His work in me.

I am also reminded of this verse in John when I read Psalm 1 –

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. ~ John 15:5

Truly the blessed man of Psalm 1 has learned to abide.

May we be known and found standing and abiding on that judgement day! It is my prayer, Father…in Jesus’ Name.  – Amen!

The Lord sure has been speaking to me from Matthew 24. The last couple of days it has been mostly on this one verse:

“and then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” ~ Matthew 24:10

If you read it in the context of verse 4-14, It is an important warning on offense. When the temptation to pick up offense presents itself it is time to stop it in its tracks or to flee it. You can’t afford to allow yourself to be offended or to justify offense…no matter the actions or words of others. I see in this verse – offense, betrayal, hatred = DEATH.  I also am struck by the word – many. Many will be offended. Will you be one of those many? Will I?

And, I hear the Lord saying, “BEWARE!!!”  

As I have meditated on this briefly tonight, I was reminded of these scriptures:

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. ~ John 10:10

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. ~ John 15:12

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.~ Proverbs 10:12

And above all things have fervent charity (love) among yourselves: for charity (love) shall cover the multitude of sins. ~ 1 Peter 4:8

The enemy seeks to kill, steal and destroy and he often uses people. These are the same people that we are told to LOVE!  You can’t truly love and have room in your heart for offense.

Father, You are opening this to me for a reason so Holy Ghost I ask you please help me to hear all that You wish to say. I ask You to show me areas of my life that I am holding onto offense and or anything rooted in offense that I may repent and be delivered from them completely with Your help. I thank you that on the cross you carried offense to the grave that I would have LIFE more abundantly. And, Lord I ask you to fill me, full and overflowing, with LOVE for YOU and YOUR LOVE for others! In Jesus Name! AMEN!!