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Dream of 8/15/2013

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

I had a dream.

My friend and I were in the midst of a great tent revival/camp meeting. It looked to be much like the tent revivals of old but it was a modern tent with the old chairs. We stayed there for several nights and days. We had our belongings with us with in bags but we had unpacked them and kind of set up a little place around one of the poles that supported the tent to eat, and sleep and worship. It seemed a great time of worship and the Word and we were feeling very one with the Body and with the Lord.

Then in a flash my friend and I looked at each other and said what the Lord had spoken to each of us and that was, “It is time to leave…GOD said GO AND GO NOW!!!!” Instead of leaving immediately though we started to pack up our things. These weren’t all things of great value to the world but they were things we didn’t want to leave there. They were things like our Bibles, notebooks, pens, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, blankets, etc.

As we were packing a group of Umpah Loompahs (you know of the Willie Wonka movie) came in the tent and stood directly in front of each person that was still there and started singing and doing a dance that seemed to entice those in the crowd to join them. They weren’t doing anything but dancing a rather simple dance and singing a simple song but as each person looked on them they started joining in with them and as they joined you could feel “approval” (I use that as the only word I can think of to describe what it looked to be) was entering their lives.

My friend and I started throwing our things into our bags even faster and then a very clean cut good looking young man came into the tent and sat next to us with his own bags and he began looking around and watching what was going on. We finished our packing and turned for a minute to make sure we hadn’t let anything and the young man took what was in his bags and dumped it into our bags covering our belongings completely. His bags only contained dirt and sand.

Then I woke up.

Posted in Hiding His Word

How God?

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I believe we are coming into a season where we will not only be very aware of but we will embrace that specific anointing that God has put on us individually but also corporately. I believe with His anointing, God is preparing each of us to do our part in helping usher in what is being birthed on this earth.  I believe His anointing will bring us into a place of unity and intimacy with HIMSELF and with others in the body. I also believe that with His anointing we will see the fullness and blessing of the promises of God for our own lives.  We will bring them forth!

Sometimes God gives us a promise or calls us to do something that seems bigger than us and we have no idea how He’s going to do it or how we can even co-labor with Him to bring it about.  Bringing forth the promises of God is like giving birth and birth in the spiritual is very much like the natural.

The best example we have in Scripture is where I have been planted this last week – in Luke 1:26-45.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. 39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 

In this passage Mary gets this incredible promise through the angel Gabriel – the Word of the Lord. He tells her she is going to give birth to JESUS – Immanuel. This happened in the natural but this also had great impact in the spiritual and we can learn much from Mary’s responses and how Mary brought forth that Word – Jesus.

First, let’s look at verse 28, And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

In this verse one word stood out to me – the word “IS.” The Lord IS with you. That was the promise of the Lord through the angel Gabriel. The Lord said, “I am with you.” And that is the Word of the Lord for you and for me as well – God is with you. You are one with the Lord. If you have said “YES” to Jesus Christ and He is Lord and Savior of your life, then you are one with God. It’s all about restored relationship thru the finished work of the cross and HE IS WITH YOU.

Don’t go by your feelings. Go by faith. I can hear some thinking, “well, I know that is the Word of the Lord but it so often doesn’t FEEL like God is with me.” Sometimes we do feel all alone, but we know the righteous don’t live by their feelings… they live by faith. Don’t let your feelings talk you out of the truth of the Word of God which is the very fact that GOD IS WITH YOU.

Second, look at Luke 1:34. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 

In other words, Mary has gotten this great promise from God; this amazing, mind blowing promise from God and the first thing she thinks of is, “HOW am I going to do this? How is it going to work? I don’t get it.”

But look at Gabriel’s response in Luke 1:35. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 

Mary had questions. She had a promise that did not make sense. I like that because sometimes I have questions. For Mary, God’s answer isn’t to explain exactly all the step by step details of how it is going to work.  God’s answer to her was to say through the Angel Gabriel, “The power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.” The Holy Ghost; the power, the anointing of the Holy Ghost – that is how God’s going to do it. And God is saying the same things to us today. Don’t try to figure out all of how God is going to birth your promises – those callings, favor, miracles, and the salvations. Don’t try to figure out how he is going to heal you. Just trust that He is going to and start being grateful.

Mary was available and we know that even though Mary made herself available, as we all must do, she came into times of fear and confusion. There was one point where the Angel has to actually say to her, “be not afraid.”  We, like Mary must say “no” to fear and confusion. “No” to that lying voice of the enemy that says it’s never going to happen; hasn’t happened yet and never will. Imagine if Mary had believed a lie anywhere along the way. But instead she believed.

I pray that encourages you today. Any promise that you’ve gotten from God and anything that He is stirring in you that seems WAY too big for you to do and almost too big to even believe in. Any of those promises that make you question, HOW GOD? Or if you’ve been believing for awhile and haven’t seen it come forth and now you have gone from great faith to fear and doubt and you’re questioning God because you don’t see it or understand it. Remember, even Mary had those questions and God’s answer to her was,” I’m going to do it. I’m going to overshadow you. It’s in my strength that it is going to come forth. “

Maybe you think if an angel would come tell you to believe then you would believe…but you have someone so much better than an angel because you have the Holy Ghost with you and He is your counselor, your mentor, your guide, your comfort and He is saying to you today – Believe!

Last, I want to look at Mary’s prayer in Luke 1:38. It is wonderful. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. 

I think in the really big promises; the “HOW IS THIS EVER GOING TO HAPPEN GOD” type of promises, this should be our prayer and the posture of our heart. Like Mary we should say, “Lord, I’m your servant and I’m open, I’m willing, I’m available for you to do whatever you want. Let it be unto me according to thy will.”

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Blessed is SheIt is no accident that as we continue reading that Luke 2 begins ”and it came to pass.” The time of Mary’s promise had come. Very soon those Words will ring true for you… “and it came to pass.” All that you have been promised, you will see.  All we have been promised as a Body, we will see. It is also no accident that Luke 2:7 we see the fulfillment in the Word… “and she brought forth her firstborn Son.”

Mary brought forth her firstborn son.  I think it is important to note here that Mary co-labored with God to bring forth Jesus. God will do it in His strength but He uses us, just like He used Mary.  In His strength Mary believed and in His strength she walked in obedience just as we are to believe and walk in obedience.  God gave Mary the promise of Jesus and He helped her, strengthened her, led her along the way…but Mary brought forth her firstborn Son. To co-labor with God means just that – we have to do our part. It is an active part, not just sitting around waiting on it to happen. It may be painful at times but oh my, my, my… just like birth!

—

Today I would encourage you to take an extra measure of time with the Lord. Time worshiping, in His Word, prayer. Listen to Him and make Him your source. Be mindful about carving out time with God because as you say “YES” to that time together, as you welcome the Holy Ghost, as He comes down and the most High overshadows you, He is going to stir you up. He is going to stir up the promise within you. He is going to stir the memory of all He’s done and truth of Words that have been spoken over you and your life.

Birthing anything begins with unity and intimacy and it ends with unity and intimacy and the in between time is that time of preparation that is in the natural and spiritual the time where we tend to get impatient. It is hard to wait. During the in-between time at first no one else can really see the promise. It is a time when because they cannot see many will not even believe it to be so.  But you know because you know the promise. As a mom with child, before anyone else can see the fruit, you KNOW it, can feel it….and in that time you also KNOW – the most unified and intimate you will ever be with another human. That child becomes precious to you.

It is the same with the Lord. As you spend the time with God you will see and know unity and intimacy with Jesus come forth and along with that unity and intimacy you will see the anointing on your life. You will see His promises, the miracles, the favor.

But not only will you see your promises brought forth but you WILL help usher in the great things that are getting ready to be birthed on this earth. During the time of waiting on the promise; when you have only a promise to go on but you have the promise -don’t forsake this time or despise it. In this time your promise will become precious to you.

TRUST and BE OBEDIENT and remember the bigger the promises, the more impossible they seem, the bigger the HOW…the more glorious it’s going to be because God is not only going to have to do it but He will do it.

It says in 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For all the promises of God in Him are “yea”; and in Him “amen” unto the glory of God by us.”

Make yourself available to the Lord, start declaring that you are His and He can do whatever He wants in your life and come into agreement with Him and say, “Lord – this promise – may the fullness of it come forth according to Your will, according to Your Word and ALL to YOUR GLORY!”

And like it was said of Mary in Luke 1:45, it will be said of you, “Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

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Lessons Learned: Seeming Victory vs. True VICTORY

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Last night I was in prayer before bedtime and was praying for a very sensitive situation in my life. Suddenly I felt oppressed. I haven’t experienced that so severely in quite some time but found myself with one of those battles of the mind. I have fought them many times before and so they are familiar. I fought. It was very late so couldn’t really call up the prayer partners I have grown to depend on in these times at such an hour of the night. No one was on fb.

I started reading the Word. My choice was the Psalms and I figured I would just read them until…but it was difficult and after a while I felt so overwhelmed and so I said to God, “Father You are going to have to do something about this because I need my mind to settle and I need sleep!” I felt like I didn’t know what else to do. The Holy Ghost immediately reminded me though that I did know what to do.

Of course, He was right…so I started just saying the name of Jesus aloud and over and over. I can tell you with complete honesty that suddenly and briefly it was as though my spiritual eyes were opened and I saw the demons swirling around my face but then just as suddenly I saw them flee and disappear– with my own, natural, open eyes. I waited for a few minutes and read a bit more of the Psalms but then fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

He is faithful to His Word and His promises! I praise Him! I woke up this morning so grateful but with a couple important lessons that the Holy Ghost brought to my attention. Friends, I write this today to tell you this…the devil and his demons are real and they do what they can to try to thwart what God is doing in and through your life. Their goal is to take you from the will and arms of God so that they can take you with them to hell. They cause confusion, distraction and noise and unrest….but we have a God that is stronger.

Our amazing God, our Savior Jesus Christ is stronger than anything that can be brought against us. He lives in you if you are a believer, making you too stronger than the enemy and all of his demons. He is also stronger than our own flesh. He is the answer and He sent His own Son to die so that we might be saved. He has given you His own Spirit, the Holy Ghost, to help you, guide you and comfort you. He has given us the weapons to fight and He has given us His own strength to stand. He is the ONLY answer but He wants us to use what He has provided us and He wants us to grow up and into maturity in Him.

I/we must remember to use what the Father has provided and what Jesus Christ paid such a price for. And also is in my/our gratefulness regarding deliverance and in that time of peace that follows…not to fall for the distraction (and so even in seeming victory) letting the enemy win. Even though the enemy did flee last night, still he accomplished distraction. After I was delivered of the attack I should have gone back to the place that the enemy manifested and I should have stood in true VICTORY and continued earnestly in prayer for that sensitive situation. There at that moment of prayer… I was in God’s perfect will for my life, for that moment.

I am learning step by step. The Holy Ghost is the best of mentors. May we all yield to His perfect will in each moment of our lives today!

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Mother’s Day Encounters 2009/2013

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

On this day 4 yrs ago I had an encounter with God during a weekend with Sister Gwen Shaw. I was at the end of a very long prayer line. I had stood in line for over an hour and as it approached time for her to pray for me, she looked like she could not go on any longer. It was 2am and she was in her late 80s. I heard the voice of the Lord tell me to get out of line….so I stepped away at that prompting. I didn’t want to and I was VERY disappointed. I was in all honesty very angry for having to do that especially as I watched her continue on with praying and imparting things to each person in line. Such a sweet, beautiful woman of God. She didn’t stop because of me stepping away and it didn’t make sense to me.

The next morning I came upon the table she had sat behind while preaching and praying and I just felt prompted to lay my hand on the table and pray for Sister Gwen. When I did, the Holy Spirit fell on me so heavily that I felt connected to an electrical outlet. It lasted so long that when I “came to myself” the morning service had started around me. Sister Gwen, who was supposed to speak at both the 9:30 and 11am services but was unable to come. She was physically unable but was able to come to the 11am service. I was again very disappointed in this because I couldn’t stay for the 11am service. I had to get to my mom’s house for mothers day lunch.

I went to leave and as I did this young man came up to me and said, “have you ever been to the wailing wall?” I said, “No!” He said, “I felt like I just saw you there and God wants you to know that He is taking you to a wailing wall.” This encounter made little sense to me then and in many ways still doesn’t all fit together but I returned to Heritage again this weekend for a time of prayer. God reminded me of that weekend.

Nothing momentous happened this weekend. I didn’t necessarily feel different when it was time to leave. I had hoped so much for another special encounter, anything that could give me answers to some questions I am feel i need to resolve in these next days. I came away wanting to feel disappointed but yet I know that God works through all things so I feel some confidence because I know that I did hear a theme common with my own Pastor’s Word given the Wednesday before. It was “commissioning” I asked the Lord for more on that but no real answer that i understand yet- but it is early. I just saw the theme and then God reminded me of that time there with Sister Gwen and also the wailing wall. We’ll see what comes of it.

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My Teachers

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Well – It is teacher appreciation week and so time to remember those who have taught or instructed or imparted knowledge in some way. So, off the top of my head here are just a few of those I am so thankful for.

Mrs. Gaskill: my elementary school librarian who taught me to love books and reading and let me tag along every day after school instead of hanging in my mom’s classroom. I thought I would become a librarian when I grew up, instead I just live among many books.

Mrs. Frances Kiser: my high school English teacher, who encouraged me in writing and coached me through my high school graduation speech. She treated me so much like her own daughter and she truly did love me back to life during my darkest of days following my dad’s death. I know no other way to repay other than to just continue to love others as she loved me. She was a precious gem!

Dr. Tony Eastman: my college history professor at Gardner-Webb who taught me that sometimes the best teaching is painful. He pulled me aside when I was walking in the wrong path and gave me a stern “talking to” He believed in me so very much and did not shy from his position of authority in Christ and as my teacher to act as father figure to me at a time when I so desperately needed one. I will never forget his love for me in doing that and I love it when our paths cross and that he has never forgotten me and is overjoyed to see me now…because it is mutual and he was a most awesome history teacher as well. I loved his classes!

Dr. Sammy Oxendine: He was once my pastor. He taught me to love the nations by taking me there. He risked his very life to complete the work of the Lord and take us to Romania– at the time we did not know, but he knew, that he was very, very sick. True sacrifice and love! I am eternally grateful and I don’t take one minute of what I received and learned there for granted. He taught me what patience looks like as he allowed second, third, fourth chances and answered many questions in some excruciatingly long emails during my first years of salvation. He never allowed excuses and yet was so merciful. He would never describe himself as compassionate or merciful but yet he showed it in so many ways. He taught me to let go of the past and to forgive. He was and is a true spiritual father to me and I love him with my whole heart. Those English students at Lee University and Belmont-Abbey are so blessed to have him now teaching them! I pray they know it!

My present pastors at Message of Love: Pastor Jeff Johnson who teaches me Truth in such a way that I am challenged, renewed and frankly amazed week after week. Pastor Frankie Sneed who teaches me so much. To LOVE- I mean REALLY LOVE- God, His Word and those He loves. She teaches what a life laid down for the Lord really looks like. She has pushed me out of my comfort zone and I am so grateful to sit under such a great woman of God and such an anointed preacher. Brother Art Sneed who teaches what it looks like to care. He is the greatest example of shepherding that I have seen in recent years. He so truly cares and is joyful in it…and he just makes me laugh and cry. I am beyond grateful for the opportunities these great men and woman of God have given me. They disciple. They invest in others and allow us to follow behind and learn by doing, imitating or whatever it takes until we can do it ourselves. Teachers, allowing us to follow like Jesus did. I just imagine the disciples following around after Jesus, listening to Him, watching Him, imitating Him, failing sometimes, but continuing on and on. I feel I live this kind of life. So often as I leave the services I feel I am “following” them through it but in the process it has been actually following Jesus… and I wonder how anyone could even walk out as “glory to glory” has become so real to me in this precious church under these anointed ministers.

Catherine Melissa Street: My very first teacher that is still at it. My dear, sweet, and beautiful MOM who taught so many other children too. In our home we learned JESUS, manners and a love of learning. She taught- grace, mercy and faith and she lived it each step of the way. She taught me order and to honor the elderly and my teachers and pastors. She taught me to always be one that learns. Here I am today – still learning every chance I get. She taught me what pressing through in prayer really looks like and I know that I am only here today because of her years of desperate cries for my soul. She was speaking faith even at the times I wasn’t walking as I should as she would grab me and declare – “everything works together for good.” I get it now and I believe it, Mom! None of her heartache in this life and hers for me will be wasted. She has a great reward waiting for her!!!

Most precious of all teachers to me is the HOLY SPIRIT – The best and most faithful. He is beside me every minute as my teacher and guide! My interpreter, my instructor! My counselor, my provider, my precious friend!!! What He has taught me personally has already filled volumes and we have only just begun. What would I do without Him?!? Glad I don’t ever have to find out.

I am so blessed to have had and to continue to have the best of teachers. I could go on and on as so many others are brought to my mind. I was raised by a village of teachers and preachers so I have a wonderful heritage! I want to be like them all, when I grow up! Yes indeed, my life is forever changed because of them. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to you all.

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Test of Order

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” ~ John 10:1

Important Truth and test. This verse is speaking to me today of God’s order and gives a warning re: some of the things and people I allow into my life. It has brought great conviction as I can certainly see that I have allowed things that sounded good, and even sounded like they were of God, but in the end didn’t pass this test of “entering by the door.”

Oh Lord, forgive me. I thank you for Truth and Father I thank you for helping me to see…but I pray now for Your help in yielding to Your Word and that I would be one that acts in obedience immediately and not just one that sees clearly after the fact! In Jesus Name, Amen!!

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Under the Platform

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

I know God has a work for me but I am often reminded by the Lord that my work at this time is intercession, and serving and supporting other’s visions and dreams. Not that the Lord hasn’t given me my own dreams too but it is all related. As it says in Luke 16:12:

And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?

No matter what, when you know your assignment has proceeded straight from the Lord’s mouth, no matter the opposition, it is an assignment full of life and joy and a mighty expectation.

My wheels began turning this morning after I read Greg Mauro’s article in Ministry Today Magazine titled “Are You Called to Another’s Man’s Ministry?”

It reminded of a story Evangelist Rachel Hickson told once. When she was first called into the ministry, she worked as an intercessor with Christ for All Nations and Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke. For many of those early years, while Reinhard Bonnke would preach to tens of thousands and minister healing and deliverance to thousands, Rachel would intercede each night UNDER the platform where Bonnke was standing. It was her job and assignment. Rachel was faithful. It was during these times of intercession that she not only saw others healed and saved and called, but she herself was miraculously healed as she had been in an automobile accident that left her unable to walk. She saw deliverance herself- as she was so incredibly shy when she started that she could not talk to others normally (sound familiar-Rachel’s testimony and her selfless gift of her teachings are what gave me the hope that God would deliver me as He had her) Today, Rachel Hickson is an Evangelist and Author and yet, still and always an Intercessor. She travels the world leading others to salvation but also encouraging and teaching the saints- equipping them in areas of prayer and God’s supernatural gifts.

Many times over the years since I was saved, I have been called to the prayer room during a service. Honestly, sometimes I have not wanted to leave the atmosphere of what was happening. Sometimes I resented that no one would come alongside no matter how much we pleaded for help. Seemed no one cared. Still, I knew that prayer was my assignment and God had spoken to me of interceding during services…much like some serve in the nursery or on the praise team or wherever. Prayer was my assignment.

There were times I found it incredibly easy. There were times it was so difficult. During one of the difficult seasons I found myself telling God over and over that I felt like I was missing something special out in the service. I would say God please let YOUR GLORY flood this room TOO. Over and over God would tell me that He would never leave me out.

One day God said to me Words that I keep always with me and close to my heart. They were Words of correction but great LOVE. He took me to Psalm 63:2

“To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.”

Beautiful, hopeful thought….and then He said, “Missy, your real rebellion is feeling like I have put you on a shelf in the midst of the action. I haven’t put you on a shelf; I’ve put you UNDER the platform with JESUS!”

He never left me out of what He was doing, He was using me also to do His own will. I have thought so often of those words and that two year time of being back there with him during those services and I know this – what He was doing, was He was trying to make a minister of me. When He brought me back into the services I was different.

Now when I am in a service of another minister that I know God has specifically called and assigned me to pray and intercede for, I see myself and position my heart with Jesus….UNDER THE PLATFORM. What a very special place and indeed a treasured assignment!

Posted in Hiding His Word

“that the bone which thou has broken may rejoice”

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Today through His Word in Numbers, Mark, Psalms and Proverbs – He spoke directly to me regarding issues of my heart and issues of the hearts of those I allow to speak into my life. Some of what is spoken are words of darkness (things like complaining and criticism) going into my ears and/or coming out of my mouth instead of words of light and truth and praise. Words that kindle His anger and grieve His Spirit instead of words that make Him smile and rejoice.

My prayers and meditations from today’s Word is:

Psalm 51:8 “Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bone which thou has broken may rejoice.”

Psalm 51:15 “O Lord, open my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.”

Well, probably should just read all of Psalm 51. It says so much…like Psalm 51:6

Numbers 11:1 – and when the people complained it displeased the Lord: and the Lord hear it; and His anger was kindled. Number 11:10 – Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent; and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly: also Moses was displeased. (complaining, whining)

Mark 14:4 – and there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said why was this waste of the ointment used?  (Criticism)

Mark 14:4-9 my thoughts – Then Jesus rebukes the disciples for their criticism.

This also struck me although off topic. In Mark 14:16 it says, “and he sought how he might conveniently betray him.”  That word “conveniently” made me incredibly sad. To be betrayed is one thing but conveniently betrayed. I wonder how often we conveniently betray or disobey or sin in any way?!?

Conveniently: ease in use, easy, comfortable, at hand, easily acceptable, hand.

Proverbs 10-11 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongues shall be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Froward: willfully contrary; not easily managed; obstinate, wayward, difficult, fractious.

Only God could have prepared such a feast for me for this morning.

Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Help me oh Lord to apply this Word to my life today. In Jesus precious and holy and magnificent Name, I pray….AMEN!!

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Loving the Four Year Olds

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

I was told by a wise someone when I first began working in a mental health environment that to deal with difficult people and/or difficult personality types to look at them as though they were a four or five year old. Especially for those that act out like crazy. Look at them past what is going on in the moment as a child needing attention, love, acceptance…needing something. A child from an environment that perhaps didn’t regard them or teach them manners or respect or an envirnonment that just didn’t love; maybe where there was no peace.

We have much patience and our love is more unconditional for the four and five year olds.

That mindset has always helped me deal and form connections with many different types of people and love them all nevertheless. That mindset allows me to stay graceful in some very strange situations and it allows me to see potential and precious things within the hearts, often hearts masked by the effects of a hard, hard world.

I believe that the way this wise someone told me to see people is the way God sees all of His children. It is the way He saw me. I am one of those four years olds some days…thankfully not as often as I once was.

I am grateful for those that loved me anyway and those that loved me through. I am grateful for love and I have come to believe that most everything and maybe absolutely everything that people come to this counseling facility to get help with, can be healed most through LOVE! Our heavenly Father’s love first but also our love; both unconditional and both free flowing. Love changes you. Love means sometimes putting our own selves out there. Speaking the TRUTH of GOD’s WORD and allowing both that Truth and also that Father’s love through us to give people an environment that grows them up. Not all at once sometimes but more like a plant growing silently…growing and developing sometimes even unnoticed but then one day you turn around and there it is…standing in front of you with such beauty and such purpose. Hidden no more in sometimes the most unexpected people and places.

Yes, loving some is sometimes a challenge and sometimes messy but always the rewards of seeing someone set free and bloom are beyond breathtaking.

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Upbraided

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

I learned a new word yesterday and I can’t get it off my mind.

The word is “upbraided” and I found it reading this scripture: “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.” ~ Mark 16:14

Upbraided means to reprove or reproach angrily. Jesus upbraided them because their hearts were hardened and they did not believe the woman or the two disciples that reported that Jesus had risen and they had met with Him…which meant also that they did not believe what He had told them while He was with them. He was angry about their unbelief … and there He stood, His promises fulfilled.

I like Mark 16:15-20 and read it often but I had never really looked at this verse. God has been speaking to me these last couple of days about UNBELIEF that we are so accustomed to excusing away …so this really struck me.

Our unbelief is displeasing to the Lord.