When I began this devotional journey with the Lord He spoke to me, “You are breaking off from the pack”.  Meaning, I was separating myself, at His instruction, to do something that I had no grid for.  Of course there are others who have written devotionals, but I don’t know them, and this process of publicly releasing these one week at a time is unusual, so it is basically only Him and me.

I have “gone off the grid”, so to speak.  I have never walked this walk before and have no leading except for Him.  I have had to put full trust in hearing His voice.  I have to trust that I will continue to daily hear Him.  It’s a terrifyingly wonderful thing to do!

It also reminds me that we all have our own walk in this world.  God has called each of us to a uniquely designed walk through life with Him.  He’s only looking for willing partners.  For years, I was so overwhelmed at the thought of writing, and scared of being rejected or misunderstood by others that I shrunk away.  I hid.  But I have come out of hiding, and it’s because I have experienced the love and affirmation of my Heavenly Father.

Are you called to be a pioneer in some area, but are afraid to blaze a trail? Or are you called to join an existing program, but have been too self-conscious and scared to do so?  Whatever it is that you have been resisting, don’t you think it’s time to move forward?

It’s time to step out and explore the life that God has called you into.  Are you ready to live “off the grid”?

I challenge you today to spend some quiet time in the secret place and ask God to show you if there is a place He has called you to, but you’ve been fighting against it.  Let Him gently scrape over your heart and mind and clear away any feelings of doubt or insignificance you may be feeling so you can begin to walk in His power and His truth.  He who began the good work in you will complete it.  I release blessings over you and your calling in this life. In Jesus name, Amen.

See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.  Isaiah 43:19

Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.  Proverbs 3:6

And He said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

Yesterday I spoke of the wounds of a misinterpreted vision, but today I want to speak about “Why prophesy?”

But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort.         I Corinthians 14:3

Recently I was asked if God encourages us.  Honestly, that question made me sad because it showed me that person hadn’t had much encouragement in their life.  Immediately, I asked him what God said prophecies purpose was in the New Testament.

Prophecy is for strengthening, encouragement and comfort.  We often like to call it the edification of the church.  Edification is encouragement.  We are the church.  God gifted us with prophecy in order to encourage each other.  It is an awesome responsibility, but also a great privilege.

I feel that often in the church (universal) we become overly focused on the law and forget Jesus came to fulfill the law and our season has shifted.  Now we are privileged to walk in close relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.   Where once, only a few people would randomly encounter God, we actually receive Holy Spirit as a gift when we ask Jesus into our hearts!! How amazing is that?!

But I tell you the truth:  It is for your good that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.  John 16:7

When Jesus ascended to Heaven He left Holy Spirit as our Helper.  So, when we prophecy, I see it as us simply listening to the One Who lives inside of us.  It’s like us giving voice to the Holy Spirit Who lives in us.  That’s not scary? In fact, it seems so natural and true to me.

Some of my most pivotal life moments have occurred in direct relation to receiving prophetic words.  It was a vision a friend had of me that wooed me to come home to God in my late twenties.  During my low-down years, this person told my mom of a vision she had of me, and in turn, my mom told me.  Little did either of them know, but I still think of that picture.  And, when I came back to the Lord, I would remember that vision and it gave me hope that I would be transformed.  It actually gave me hope in the redemptive power of Jesus in my life.

If that’s not powerful, then I don’t know what.

I would never want to hold back an encouraging word from a fellow believer.  There are enough negative voices in this world, I long to be one who stokes the fires of hope and grace, and even in conviction to bring peace.  Whenever I am convicted by God, I NEVER feel beat down.  No, a properly given word of discipline brings life inside of me.

I love a timely word from the Lord!  It’s like water to a weary soul.  It’s like sunlight on a spring day.  It stirs life inside of me.

God, I thank you for the privilege of having Holy Spirit live inside of me!  Teach me how to honor that gift, more and more.  You know everything, so help me to not cling to the things I see, but rather to give an ear to Your voice of truth over every situation and circumstance in my life.  I long to honor You God.  In Jesus name, Amen.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  John 10:10

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.  I Corinthians 14:1

Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.  Proverbs 16:24

Years ago, someone told me of a vision that he saw of me.  He saw me climbing up this big cliff and then jumping off it into the water, and then swimming back to shore only to climb up and repeat the whole process again and again.  He then spoke in a slightly negative way as he attempted to interpret this vision.

I began to clearly see that vision on that day, and in all the years that have followed, I still frequently see that very same vision, but over time I realized that his interpretation was incorrect.

He was saying that I was jumping out into the Lord and then deciding to stop and head back to shore and then deciding to go with God again, and then changing my mind…..You get the drift.  It was a largely negative interpretation.

For years, I felt condemnation because of that interpretation and would repeatedly go before God and ask Him for help to stay “all in” with Him.  Never realizing that I was most definitely already “all in” and only going further every day.

Then one day, God spoke to me about that vision.

He told me that He was actually teaching me to fly!  I kept jumping out and stretching my wings and trying to fly. (Flying has been a strong theme in my walk with the Lord) There was actually no condemnation in that vision, only encouragement to keep on jumping off the edge!  The fact that I kept swimming back to the shore and climbing again was a testimony to my perseverance.  God was actually pleased with me!

And there was nothing like the day when I saw myself soar!  Now whenever I see the vision I am actually flying!!  In life I can see that in many areas where I used to struggle, I now approach boldly and without hindrance….I fly!

What I am trying to say today is, sometimes people will misinterpret our actions.  Some people will think the worst about us so quickly.  But even in those moments we can find Jesus.  I could have decided to throw out that whole vision, but instead I pressed into it because I knew something about it was so true.  God weeded out the part that shouldn’t have been spoken and released Himself into the scenario and now it has become such a welcome and encouraging vision to see.

Even this summer when I was leading worship for a group of teens, one girl (who had never heard the above story) said, “I see you running toward the edge of a cliff and without hesitation jumping straight off and then flying!”  Isn’t God so good!!  He will always find a way to speak to you and there is nothing He cannot redeem, if we give Him the opportunity.

Have there been times that you felt misunderstood?  Have you received a word from someone and felt peppered with discouragement?  I challenge you to take that to the Lord this morning.  Take a minute and let forgiveness wash over you so you can clearly see God move in that place.

God, You are the healer, come in and heal my heart from the wounds of misunderstanding.  Heal me from all discouragement that has ever been spoken over my life.  Help me to become a clear communicator so others can more clearly see my motives, and if there is any unpleasant way inside of me, please remove it.  I am open to Your hand in my life Abba.  I am Yours.  In Jesus name, Amen.

 

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.  Psalm 28:7

This morning I woke up and left my bed well before the sun rose.  In fact, right now as I type, I am sitting in the cover of darkness.  There is something special about time spent with Jesus when my family is still in bed.  When the sun is lighting up another part of the world and we are in the watches of night.  His Presence is sometimes easier to feel when there are no other distractions.

I have been considering the “weight of His glory” as I sit here alone.  Oh, how I long to be so steeped in God’s presence that others are drawn to Him simply by being around me. I long for all my life to point to Jesus.  For everything I do to bring glory to God. When I read in the Bible about the apostles in Acts, I am always humbled as I discover the power and grace in which they walked.  I long to be so in tune with God’s voice that there is absolutely no fear in me.  The apostles only answer appeared to be “Yes”.  They had walked side by side with Jesus, yet it wasn’t until His death and resurrection that they truly discovered Who they had been with.  I mean, they knew, but they didn’t know….all at the same time.  And after His death they huddled together in a room, afraid until Jesus Himself came to meet with them.  It wasn’t until the Holy Spirit was released that they finally found the boldness and courage to do all the wonderful things we now have the privilege to read about in Acts.

Acts is one of my favorite books of the Bible because it shows me what is possible, if I walk in full surrender.  There is no reason I can’t follow in Jesus’ footsteps to do the “greater things”  He Himself said I would do.  I only need to be a surrendered vessel, unafraid of criticism or rejection and full of the Holy Spirit.

One morning during my run, I was worshiping and suddenly I saw myself and every time my feet hit the pavement the footprint I made was gigantic and clearly not my own. Then I heard “Christ in you the hope of glory” and “Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world”
Then God told me that every step I take in Him will have a much larger impact when I am allowing Him to move in/through me.

Friend, lean into Him and just do whatever He says…. that is when we will change the world!

It all starts with one footstep….

I challenge you to press into God this morning and throughout this day.  I encourage you to heed that still small voice.  Is He asking you to do something specific?  Is He making you aware of someone you are around?  Is He nudging you to reach out?  What might happen if you follow His lead?  I hope that today you will see!  I hope that today you will make a decision to be used by Him.

God, may our ripples become huge waves that release a powerful move of Your Spirit.  I long to be useful to You, Lord.  Show me what it is that I am created to do for You.  What is the purpose for which You crafted my life?  Give me courage to walk out that purpose so that Your name will be increasingly glorified on this earth.  I long to bring You glory.  Use me Lord.  I am Yours.  In Jesus name, Amen.

 

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.         John 14:12-14

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.  We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.  This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.  I John 4:4-6

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  Colossians 1:27

Not long ago, I had been feeling a little clumsy, or awkward. I couldn’t figure out why for a long time…. until one morning.  That day I led worship at school and God had me move in a different way. It felt awkward, but when it was over I checked in with God and asked, “Did I do what You wanted?”
Immediately He affirmed me with a “Yes”, and then He began to show me that I was just breaking into a new stride….

Like a flood I saw that what I had been seeing as awkward lately, was just Him changing our dance together… to a new dance with a new rhythm. I felt most awkward when I tried to stick with the old dance because it no longer fit the beat, but His movements were steady, gently but firm, and unchanging, so to stay close I must change.  A walk with Him means being willing to change, for the rest of your life.  I am willing. I trust You to be my faithful dance Partner…. thank You for not letting me settle.

I realize now it is His grace that doesn’t want to let us settle into a lifelong routine that creates a rut.  A place where we could get stuck.

This morning, take a minute and listen.  Listen for the rhythm of heaven over your life.  Has God been gently nudging you toward a new dance?  A new way of doing the things you always do? Or is He guiding you onto a new dance floor to explore places and spaces you never have before?  However you feel led, I encourage you to give in to His lead.  I don’t ever want to trip over my own feet because I resist the pull of the Lord in my life.

You can trust God to lead you. He certainly would never lead you astray.  And when you stay close to His heart, He will even protect you from being led astray by another.

Where can I go from you Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.        Psalm 139:7-10

Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me.  John 14:1

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

There is a place inside the Father, where I see His holiness like a covering over me.  His tender whispers and calming touch on my heart are, at times, the only way I can hold onto peace.  I lean into His chest when life brings a whirlwind of questions and complications.  Life continues to march forward, whether we are tethered to God or not.  The only way to not get lost in the waves is to continue to focus on the Lighthouse.  Remember the word you asked God for during our first day here together?  Today, I want you to spend some time reminding yourself.  Look back at your word and let it sink into your heart all over again.  Don’t lose sight of the beacon of light it is for you from the shore.  Has God begun to move in that word this month?  Has He confirmed your word in any way?  Sometimes, after receiving my word for the year, it feels like I can’t escape confirmation of it and other times I seem to have to search a little harder to see through the fog of life.  Both are fine places to be.  Neither is wrong.  Both are process.

I just want you to take a moment with your word and His Word (the Bible) and focus your heart and mind before we transition to the next month of 2018.

I challenge you to be still before the Lord today, and see what He has to say to you.  Let Him touch your face and hold you close.  Lock eyes with the One.  Can you feel Him near?  Let all the troubles of life melt away in His gaze, and just be held.

Remember, He never needs anything from us.  He only wants our willingness.

Lord, today I am willing to be held.  Lord, today I admit that I can’t do life without You.  So many things are up in the air and I can’t make life right, but You can.  You ARE what is right in my world.

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.  Psalm 46:10

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  Psalm 37:7

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.  Psalm 119:105

I made a decision about 10 years ago, to train myself to have worship songs on my mind first thing every morning.  I knew the days I woke with praises swirling through my head seemed to go smoother.  I would wake up more peaceful and hopeful.  So, to train myself to wake up that way, I began making sure I either sang or thought of worship music while lying in bed.  It really didn’t take long until I woke up to a Heavenly song every day.  Even now, I wake up that way most of the time.  It was and is an invaluable practice.

Today I had an experience that reminded me of the value of this type of intentional focusing into worship.

Someone asked to come over and speak with us, and before they arrived I found myself drawn to my piano to sing a specific song called “Letting go”.  It  wasn’t unusual to be drawn to worship that way because I sing all the time and worship is my life, so I didn’t think much of it.

When that person came over, they delivered some not so happy news.  I began to hear God saying He wanted me to be flexible and to let go of control.…..just like the song I had been singing moments before.  Then, when that person left our home, I was processing while I cleaned my kitchen and prepared to make dinner.  Suddenly I realized that without consciously thinking about it, the song “King of my heart” was going through my mind…..”You are good, good whoa! You are good, good whoa!”  As soon as I realized what I was singing, my spirit felt lifted and encouraged and God opened my eyes to see how He had hemmed me in today with worship.  He met my needs in advance with the first song, and then He renewed my strength with the next!

How great is our God?!?!

So I ask you, what is the soundtrack of your life?  Are you filling your heart and mind with music that brings life and encouragement?  Have you discovered the power of worship yet?  If not, I encourage you to begin that journey.  God uses worship music in my life to do so many things.  It helps me keep my mind focused on the goodness and greatness of God in any given moment or circumstance.  It comforts me when life is tough.  It reminds me that I am never alone.

God, I thank You that You give me a direct line to Your heart when I worship.  God, let my heart be constantly tuned to Your grace.  You are ever faithful.  Your love is extravagant.  You are worthy of ALL praise.  I love You Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.  Psalm 139:5

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.  Psalm 135:3

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.  Psalm 96:1-3

The last couple of days have been so full of life and activity that they’ve felt like a blur.  Those who know me well, know I prefer quiet and plenty of time to sit and process and meet with Jesus.  But sometimes busyness is a necessity.

Yesterday, I led two worship services.  One for my high school worship class at my kid’s school, and another for our church’s Youth Prayer and Praise Night.  Both times of worship were AMAZING! But at the end, I felt so drained that I could barely stay awake.

These are the dangerous times.  The times when you have given your all, not in vain pursuits, but in walking out your calling in life.  Times when the anointing has been flowing so powerfully and you feel so near to God, but when you reach exhaustion…..you must purposefully guard your heart.

This morning when I got up, I spent some time connecting with God, but it was hard because I was just so tired.  Then the flurry of waking kids, getting everyone dressed, lunches made, breakfast eaten, and out the door early because I had school commitments this morning happened.  As I wrapped up my time at school and headed out to the office for my “real” job, I felt the wind and waves around me.  It was literally as if I had been rushing so much that I was having trouble slowing it back down.  I felt something stir in my spirit and I saw the wind and waves and began to remember the story of Jesus rebuking the storm and it calming.  Immediately, I told my storm to be still.  Instantly, it was.

All of the sudden, my mind stopped racing and I felt my breathing become calm and my whole body began to relax.  I will NOT allow life to take me for a ride.  I am aboard a God-fearing vessel, whose Captain is the King of kings, and I will not be hijacked.

Being able to live in peace is a promise and I WILL live that out.

Today, as you press into the day ahead of you, what will you do to determine your course?  Will you let the waves sweep you out to sea?  Will you lie like a beached whale on the shore determined not to be bothered by the needs of others or the whisper of God.  Today, I will find a balance.  Will you?

God, I admit that it’s so hard not to get carried away by life sometimes.  Other times, I admit that I can pull back so much, I become unwilling to move for You.  Please forgive me.  God, I pray that from this day forward, You would release Your plan for my day over me and I will only say, “Yes”. You are my best “Yes”.  I love you Abba. In Jesus name, Amen.

 

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.  The disciples woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”  He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  Mark 4:38-39

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 17:8

(I am taking two days to absorb this verse. Today we will focus on the second part)

The Creator of Heaven and earth, hides you in the shadow of His wings……Isn’t it amazing that even the shadow of God’s wings provides safety?

Who else could do that?  Even God’s shadow creates a safe place for me! This thought is amazing to me.

If you are walking out life and feel as if you have no one to count on or no safe place to dwell, then I challenge you to go to the Father and ask Him to show you His protection and provision over your life.

Oftentimes, all we need is one shift in our perspective to set us back on course with the Truth. More than once, I have reflected on my life with God, and He has shown me how He had protected me in the past.  I have literally seen Him offering His guard and protection during hard times in life.

For a season when my youngest child was a newborn, my husband was working out of state.  These were really hard times, as I had 4 kids and one of them was a newborn.  I was also homeschooling my oldest at the time.  Life was tough.  But the watches of the night were hardest.

For a while, I would often wake up in the night and feel a heaviness over me.  I became aware that it was the enemy.  Many nights I would wake up and rebuke the enemy before finally being able to fall back to sleep.  Other times, I would just repeat the name of Jesus, over and over again, until I would finally fall back to sleep.  Until one night when I woke up and literally felt a darkness hovering over me and then a pressure on my chest and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to breathe.  I cried out to God for help.  “Jesus, help me!” Was my only prayer.  God told me to get up and go to my kitchen and read Psalm 91.  So, I got out of bed and went to the kitchen where the only light was coming in through a street light outside.  I read the Psalm out loud, and then God nudged me to look at the back door.  I did, and I saw a black figure there.  God spoke to me again.  He said, “That’s the demon of pestilence.  Now you turn around and go to bed.  I’ve got this.  Trust Me.”  So I turned and went to bed……I’m not going to lie, I did say a little “I rebuke you in Jesus’ name” to that figure as I left, ha ha. But then I crawled into bed and went back to sleep.

The next day I woke up and honestly, I’ve never experienced this before or since, but when I got out of bed, it felt like I was literally walking on a cloud or a marshmallow.  The peace of God was so thick in the house that it felt like a constant warm hug, and I’ve never felt safer.  A friend even came over that day, and before I could recount the events of the previous evening, she said, “What’s going on in here? It feels so unusually peaceful.”

Oh God is such a good, good God!!!

God never leaves us.  He never forsakes us.  He IS protection.

Thank You God, for being my ever-present Help in times of trouble.  And thank You for watching over me and my family.  I know without a single doubt that I can trust in You.

I hope you will spend some time today soaking in these verses, and acknowledging the watchful eye and protective hand of the Father.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that  destroys at midday.  A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.  You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.  If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,  no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.  “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91

Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 17:8

(I am taking two days to absorb this verse. Today we will focus on the first part)

I keep being reminded that I am the apple of His eye.  That means He could never take His eye off of me….the apple of your eye is the very center of your eye.  If we are the apple of His eye, then He can’t look at anything without us being in His view.

What a powerful realization.  Let it soak in for a minute.  The King of all kings can never take His eye off of you.

The other day I had a vision of God looking straight into my eyes.  I asked, “What do You see when You look into my eyes?”  Suddenly, I saw into my own eyes through His glance and what I saw astonished me.  I saw Jesus.  Jesus, inside of me, was looking out at the Father.  (Christ IN you, the hope of glory)  As soon as I saw that I said, “God I want to become less and less, that You may become greater and greater within me”.  I know that verse in John was spoken from John about himself and Jesus, but shouldn’t we all think that way?  Immediately upon realizing God could actually see Jesus in me, I longed to stay out of the way.  I hope that the longer I walk with Jesus, the more I become like Him.  I hope that over time I become less selfish and self-centered, and more Christ-centered and Christ focused.

What a perspective shift.  I can’t stop thinking about this encounter.

It made me start to think, “I want everyone that I look at to see Jesus in my eyes.”  I long for my children to see the joy of Jesus when I look at them each and every time.  The eyes are the window to the soul, so I’ve been told.  I believe it’s true.  I often look straight into a person’s eyes in order to know them better.  The eyes speak, when we let them.   What story do your eyes tell? And, how will you live life once you absorb the fact that God is always with you, that His eyes are always on you, sweet one.  How much more bold and courageous will you be?

He must become greater; I must become less.  John 3:30

……To whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  Colossians 1:27