Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Love Letter NO 1

Her head hangs low, her eyes do not meet his She appears weak, unstable, uncertain at first And then he extends his hand, forms his words, And says, “My Beloved, you are the apple of my eye. My one true love.” She cries, she lifts her head She says with a quiet whisper… “I love you too.” Truly there is no love like the love of God. If you are single, married and lonely, dating somebody but still longing, let me just tell you … that you are special and dear. Wonderful and beautifully formed… and most of all LOVED! Can you just hear Him, say it through the pages of this screen? I love you ... I love you ... I love you… Not for what you did… or what you do... who you are…or who you’re not… not because of the car you drive... or the bus you ride... not because of the expense of your shoes or the fineness of your hair…not because you got a “man” or lost a good one… not because you’re smart… or cute… but simply because HE LOVES YOU!!!! I was struck with awe over the weekend. I began to just think about how great God’s love is. I began to cry. I said, “Lord, your LOVE means everything to me.” I remember when I first came to know Jesus. All that mattered to me was that He loved me. I would cry and cry because I couldn’t believe that someone so great and awesome could love me so completely. I had never experienced a love so tangible yet so super natural. I can’t help it. Sometimes I have to remind myself; and go to that place in my mind and suffer the pain of remembering what it was like to not know that I was loved by God, and by doing so I learn to appreciate His love all the more. Too often we are in hot pursuit of a happiness that looks the part but empty of the joy only the Lord can give. We seek out the fulfillment of promises and dreams yet forget the most important thing of all… The love of God... Not just my love for him, which becomes limited when my thinking is focused on what I think I can do for him. Truth is, I have done nothing for God that he didn’t first do for me. And so a trail of humility begins to flood the teary eye, and I with gladness I receive His LOVE for me. His love is deeper than a caress and sweeter than a kiss. His love touches you on the inside. His love fills you with life. His love fastens you. His love makes you bold. His love heals you. His love gives you strength. His love is the best thing that has ever happened to you and to me. There is no love like his. So on this Valentine’s day, I want everybody to know somebody loves you… and His name is Jesus… Jesus… Jesus, there is something about that name…. Hallelujah. In his Love.

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

No More Chaos...

As I worshipped the Lord this morning the Lord said to my spirit, “The chaos is over.” It’s over here and it’s over there, but the chaos is also over within you. As I meditated in the word this week and pondered on a number of inconsistencies in my own character, I said to the Lord, “Let the mediation of my heart be pleasing to you.” So often, we go about our lives and never take an introspective look at ourselves. We never stop and think “How can I better?” Most times, we’re saying if this person would do this or if this situation didn’t exist then “I” would be better or I wouldn’t have to deal with “this”. But it is the quiet mediations if our hearts that proves where I faith lies. I can speak BIG things when I have an audience of people looking at me, watching my life. What if there is only an audience of one? Who is watching my life when no one is watching? Who hears my thoughts? Who knows Natrietia outside of her occupation? Her role as a wife and mother? Who knows the depth of my own heart and will but God. And so, when I am faced with difficult circumstances will I fade away into the comfort of my complaints about this or that; or will I meditate in God’s word and believe that I am triumphant in Him. Surely the chaos has ended within. This trial, child of God, Daughter of Zion has ended in you! The chaos that raged within that attempted to steal your peace is over! The chaos that tried to distract you is over! The chaos that tried to get you unbalanced and make you fall. That chaos has ended! Proverbs 4:23 says “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” We have a responsibility to protect whatever we let into our hearts because it is what is in our hearts that will direct us. There are many things that we keep in our heart. We hold so many things dear. We treasure our families and the memories that we share. We treasure our possessions. We treasure our lives. The things that we treasure we care for. And that is not a bad thing. But what we treasure should not weary us. Luke 10: 41-42 describes a woman who was full of cares. She treasured her name. She was a hard worker. She kept a clean house. She cooked a good meal. She had such a good name in her community that she even had Jesus as an invited guest. I mean, we’re not talking President Obama. We’re talking son of God, water walker, healer of the sick, Messiah. So, she had a reputation and a good name. She treasured and wearied herself trying to do everything to be super woman. So much so that she got angry at her “lazy” sister who did nothing but sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to him talk. She said (I’m paraphrasing) “Jesus, make her get up. I’m doing all the work and I’m worried that it won’t get done.” Jesus said, (I’m paraphrasing) “You’re worried about a lot. Your sister isn’t. And that’s a good thing.” So stop worrying. It’s time for you to rest at the feet of Jesus and listen to him talk. There are wonderful promises waiting there for you. There is peace in His Presence, unlimited goodness and abundant life! The Lord said to me, “These are the good times!” It’s time to rejoice. The chaos has ended for those who believe in and trust in the goodness of God. Give thanks!

The Preparation of the Spirit

The spirit of God reminded me of the scripture, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (John 14:6) He said, whatever you need right now, I am the way, the very substance of it and the giver of it. If you need healing, I am that healing. If you need patience, I am the giver of it. If you need finance, I am your provision. Whatever the need, I am the answer. So I said to the Lord, “What do I need to do?” My humanity says, “if something is going to get done then I have to do it.” But, I have been called to live a very different life, one that opposes my human nature, and believes contrary to its common sense. I heard a wise man say, “common sense is foolishness to God because there is nothing ‘common’ about God.” God is not common, he is exceptional and everything he does exceeds expectations. The moment that I step out of the place of commonality is the moment that I step into the supernatural wonders of God through faith! When I asked God, “What do I do?” He said, “Believe.” Simply, believe. What you believe you will see in your life. It will become a reality for you.

He said, “I am putting a picture in the hearts and minds of my people. They are seeing themselves as I see them. Not in the darkness of religion and condemnation, but in the brightness and light of Jesus Christ.” When you look in the mirror, you will see the reflection of Christ. You will see healing. You will see peace. You will see prosperity. You will see glory. You will see forgiveness. You will see Christ in you, when you begin to look at Him. You think you’re not ready. You feel like you have to get all your ducks in row. You feel your weakest. But God says, “…when you are weak, then you are strong.” (2 cor. 12:10) You have been waiting for a moment to feel like you’re ready and the spirit of God is saying, “I have made you ready. Everything you have been going through was the preparation of the spirit for what is coming your way.” You have already won this fight. The battle has been won! The chaos is over! Now is time to rejoice!

Father, I thank you that you have made us ready for our future. You have laid a foundation of faith in our hearts and have taken away the guilt of sin through the blood of Jesus Christ. I thank you that daily I am reminded of your unfailing love and uncompromised truth. You are the truth. You are the way. You are the life. Thank you for the preparation of your spirit. You have made us ready and you are bringing us to the place that you have prepared. “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” Exodus 23:20