Our God is a consuming fire, yes, but He is also so compassionate.  Living life in His Presence makes everything an opportunity…an opportunity to grow and an opportunity to experience a measure of His grace. 

His grace…

Don’t you just love it?

Read this with me…

The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.  The Lord is good to everyone.  He showers compassion on all His creation.  All of You works will thank You, Lord, and Your faithful followers will praise You.  They will speak of the glory of Your kingdom; they will give examples of Your power.  They will tell about Your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of Your reign.  For Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.  You rule throughout all generations.  The Lord always keeps His promises; He is gracious in all He does.  The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.  The eyes of all look to You in hope; You give them their food as they need it.  When You open Your hand, You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.  The Lord is righteous in everything He does; He is filled with kindness.  The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth.  He grants the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries for help and rescues them.  The Lord protects all those who love Him, but He destroys the wicked.  I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless His holy name forever and ever.  Psalm 145:8-21

I love the part of this that says, “The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.”  Have you ever felt bent beneath your load?  I sure have…I’ve actually had moments when I stand to walk but am majorly hunched over because I feel so pressured inside.  Maybe I’m alone in this, but I would wager that I’m not…

Life is hard sometimes, but we don’t have to be consumed with it all.

He daily bears our burdens.  It’s even in scripture…

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, Who daily bears our burdens.  Psalm 68:19

Today is a wonderful day to have an encounter with God…

Imagine yourself taking all the burdens of your heart and handing them over to God.  As you do, ask Him to take them from you.  Thank Him for being all that you will never be…He alone is God.  He alone is good.  After this transaction, ask God if He will give you a gift today.  What encouragement does He have for your heart? 

Lord, I ask You now to give everyone who reads this devotional a special word of love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.  Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.  The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.  Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp.  He covers the sky with clouds; He supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.  He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.  His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.  Psalm 147:4-11

It was no surprise when I sat to write this and immediately, I saw a waterfall.  At this point I’m just laughing at the wonder of it all.  At the wonder of all He is, and how He does the things He does.

Can you see?  I mean, really see?  Do you perceive the things that are occurring?  Whether you aren’t seeing, but want to…whether you think you can see or can’t…whether you have seen before and haven’t in a while…it is time to see again…see into the Spirit. 

See yourself today walking past the geyser of yesterday and before you is…the most wonderful waterfall you’ve ever seen.  The waterfall of His presence.  You are so eager to be in it that you run ahead.  You have had two previous days of stumbling upon His presence, so today you are well aware that somehow, He is in the water…we can’t explain it…but we do know in scripture He’s described as the well that never runs dry, among other things. 

When you stick your hand in the waterfall, the water tickles your fingers…it’s fresh and cold…and brings a feeling of being truly alive.  You feel like your soul is awakening and so you stick your head in the downpour…that’s when you begin to see…seeing the spiritual world around you.

Just as in the days of Elisha when he prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened to see the heavenly armies surrounding them…you suddenly see what is surrounding you. 

This is how we fight our battles…the song states…it may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by You.  Indeed.

When you see Who is with you, then all fear of man melts away into nothing.  When you know the God of the universe is guarding your every step, then the threats of the enemy are as nothing to you.  Isn’t this wonderful?!

How does this shift your perspective?  How will this cause you to proceed?

We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.  No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.  None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  However, as it is written:  “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him”- but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him?  In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit Who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.  This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.  The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgement: “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?”  1 Corinthians 2:6-16

We proceed with confidence…trusting the Spirit of God Who dwells in each one of us. 

As I sat to write, I honestly didn’t know what to begin with and as I placed my fingers on the keys I typed “spewing forth blessings”.  Immediately, I saw the devotional from yesterday about the hot springs and knew today we were moving to the geyser of God’s blessings.

Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Luke 6:38

Pressed down, shaken together and running all over blessings.  This is what God has in store for our lives.  He is speaking. 

Many times, we ask for Him to rain down blessings upon us…today is the opposite…He is wanting them to burst forth from within the earth and splash all over us.  What a wonderful word from the Lord!

Close your eyes and imagine yourself walking in that same forest as yesterday…except this time you come across a geyser.  You can feel the something surrounding you.  The sun is shining brightly and a gentle breeze skirts across the ground, stirring the leaves.  You have found His presence again.  Isn’t that amazing?! 

This is when you begin to realize that you can’t help but stumble upon Him.  What a wonderful thing…His goodness is running after you. 

Much to your awe and amazement, the geyser begins to erupt, and fresh water is spouting all around.  This water is hot and as it splashes on you…you realize it’s the baptism of fire.  He has brought it up from the depths of His Spirit to burn away the lusts of the flesh and refine your heart.  It leaves you feeling strong…powerful even, powerful by His Spirit.  Even though it’s hot, it doesn’t burn in a terrible way, no…it burns with refining, and it feels so clean.  You fall to your knees in gratitude, wonder, and joy as tears burst from your eyes.  Isn’t He wonderful?!

“I baptize you with water for repentance.  But after me comes one Who is more powerful than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor, gathering His wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”  Matthew 3:11-12

I don’t fully know why these last two devotionals have been constructed this way…but I DO know He is doing something, so I’m following His lead.  Even I have discomfort in doing the newer things…but I commit to Him, and to following His lead wherever that goes…so I pray you are blessed and that these help you to lean into His heart in a slightly different way than normal.

Praise be to God from Whom all blessings flow!!

And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.  You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.  Psalm 12:6-8

As I sat down to write, I looked at my notes and saw “hot spring soak”…when an idea for a devotional comes to me, I often jot down a quick note in my phone so I will remember…it’s funny, though because I don’t fully remember what my thought process was with this note…but as I type, I can feel the Holy Spirit surging through my fingers and I see this…

Now is a time to take a soak…to soak in the hot spring of truth.  Time to allow Holy Spirit to relax your weary muscles and remind you Who He is and what His plans are.

Imagine yourself out for a walk in the woods.  It’s a beautiful day and the sun is shining down on you.  Birds chirp on distant branches and a scurrying in the leaves causes you to observe a squirrel darting back and forth.  There is a calm in these woods…it makes you think of the Garden of Eden.  What a wonderful place that must have been.  I wish I could have  seen it, you are thinking…when suddenly you find a natural hot spring.  After taking in this beautiful site, you decide to go for a soak.  Nobody is around, just you and God.  As you ease each foot into the pool, you can feel the comfort of the hot water.  You eagerly relax the rest of your body into this wonderful warmth.  Leaning your back against the surrounding rocks, you exhale a deep breath and begin to feel the weight of the world melt away. 

While sitting in this relaxing water, you feel the waters stir and suddenly you are aware that Holy Spirit is there.  You close your eyes as you begin to soak in His Presence.  Realizing your mind is a stir, you simply let it all out.  Speak your mind to Him, He’s listening. 

After you’ve released all of the pent-up thoughts of your heart, you long to hear Him speak.  You ask, “Will You speak to me?”  This invitation is quickly welcomed, He was already waiting to be heard.  In fact, He’d led you straight to this rare place of rest and restoration.  He prepares places of refuge for all of us along the way. 

He speaks.

He speaks instruction.  He speaks comfort.  He speaks of the future. 

His words bring direction, comfort, and encouragement…they bring hope. 

This is a welcome respite, as the world has been heavy…and sometimes the future seems bleak.  Yet, you hold the hope of the world in your heart…and you know it.  The One Who laid the foundations of the earth and the boundaries of the sea, is the One caring for you now.  How can you fear?  How can hope be a fleeting thought?  

In His Presence hope abounds. 

You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Psalm 16:11

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  2 Peter 1:21

But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you.  But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie- just as it has taught you, abide in Him.  1 John 2:27

Sometimes life is painful.  Sometimes disappointments sting and cause us grief.  Sometimes we are hurt and can’t fully explain why, but just know something is wrong.

When we convey these emotions to others, sometimes they don’t really know what to say so they encourage us to just push through…

Friend, I want to release you to grieve. 

Too often we feel like we don’t have space, time, true reason to grieve things that have been painful for us…but that simply isn’t true.  When something hurts you or is disappointing, you need to give yourself permission to grieve. 

You don’t need anyone else to understand the reasons behind you needing to grieve…that’s the truth.  If your heart is hurting and you can’t seem to move forward, I believe that’s a good indicator that you may have some unresolved grief. 

It takes courage, discomfort, and willingness to stop, take a look inside, and allow God to show you…but it is SO worth it. 

I pray that today you will each take a moment to reflect upon your own heart and ask God if you need to grieve anything.  If you do, then allow that process to begin. 

We aren’t going to remain in grief…but I know for certain, there are no shortcuts…you either go through it or fight with it forever. 

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather just face it. 

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 23

He is there…when we walk through the valley.  He is there…when we face our enemies.  Not only is He there, but His goodness and love follow us…they follow after us…chase us down…capture us. 

You don’t have to live in perpetual grief…He turns our sorrows into JOY!

As the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration.  Esther 9:22

Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of Your presence.  Psalm 21:6

Before we can receive…we must first release.  We have to let go. 

I love dandelions.  I know they are a weed, and we don’t really want them in our yards, but I love them because they speak to us of the power of letting go.  When a dandelion has reached it’s white, fluffy stage…it’s now ready to be blown and dispersed.  This happens so that more dandelions can be produced.  It goes to seed, and one dandelion then spreads and creates many more. 

When we allow things to go to seed in our own lives, they only multiply. 

When I let go of what was, I can be open to receiving what’s next.  When I let go of the past, I can receive the fullness of my future.  When I let go of hurts, I can receive healing. 

It’s simply so important to let go.

Our lives are in a constant state of letting go and receiving.  We stall out when we refuse to allow this process…and if we do that, we become bitter, angry, and resentful. 

With a hand outstretched I receive all that God has for me…in the letting go, I remain full.  It’s so amazing. 

Dream and dream again.  Let God weed them out and bring to seed and multiplication whatever He desires. 

Imagine yourself standing in the grass.  You look all around, and it is covered in beautiful yellow dandelions.  At your feet you notice one that is fully white.  You pluck it up, take a deep breath, and blow it out into the world.  As you do, imagine that each individual seed is a dream of yours.  Do you trust God enough to allow Him to decide which ones take root and which ones don’t?  Make a decision to trust and then release it all.  Thank God in advance for the fulfillment of every dream that is aligned with His heart for your life.  He is worthy of our trust. 

Based on these verses we know we can trust Him to weed out the dreams of our flesh…

For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.  Hebrews 4:12-13

And this shows us we can stay in faith…even when we don’t see what’s happening…

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.  By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.  Hebrews 11:1-3

If you’re ready to take the plunge and believe…pray with me now.

God, I release all of my dreams to Your hands.  I trust You to let good things take root.  You are worthy of all my trust.  I love You and wait with glorious expectation to see what dreams you develop in my life!  In Jesus’ name, amen.

I held a coin in my hand…it was a quarter.  This quarter carries the value of 25 cents.  It will always equal 25 cents…no matter how old it becomes, even if it’s dirty, even if it fades…it will still be valued at 25 cents.

This is a great analogy for us…and our value.

We have value.  It can’t be taken away, it will never decrease, and no matter what we do or how “dirty” we become we will carry the same value. 

God gave us value when He chose to create each one of us.  Before we were even conceived, He knew everything about us.  He created each one of us on purpose.  This indicates value.

It doesn’t matter if people approve or disapprove of you, it doesn’t change your value.  It doesn’t matter if people see your potential or not, it doesn’t change your value.  No matter what the world says, they can’t take away or add to our value.  It remains the same…

What is your value?

I’m so glad you asked.

Beyond measure.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?  And not one of them is forgotten before God.  Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.       Luke 12:6-7

For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.  Psalm 139:13-16

As you face this day and the ones that follow, I encourage you to every day go to the Lord with the question, “Am I valuable?”  Let His truth, the only truth pour over you and give you a firm foundation to live life from. 

Far too many of us are trying to achieve a feeling of value based on works and how we are perceived by the world…we can’t live this way.  We can’t look to other broken people to receive an honest picture of ourselves.  Everyone is broken in some way…everyone has hurts and scars…everyone.  This is why we can only receive the fullness of truth from God. 

Tether yourself to that.  Lean on that.  Breathe it in and live free!

We never truly know when we will walk into a moment of healing and release.  If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last three years, it’s that only God knows the depth of healing I require…and He will not leave me undone.  He always makes a way for me to process.  He knows my every wound, He knows your every wound, and in His great love He offers invitations of healing to us.  I received one such opportunity this week…

Years ago, when Chris and I moved for a brief time to Florida, I found a clothing store that I fell in love with.  The clothes were notably expensive, but it was quality you could see.  The décor of the shop was also so fun and couches were placed around for weary husbands to sit as their wives shopped.  Up until that time, I had never encountered a place so fine.  The first time we went in, my creative side was stirred…I was determined to buy one article of clothing there…finding the least expensive item on the sale rack, I purchased a tank top and was so pleased.  Fast forward to years later, Chris and I were owners of a business and had found much success…and naturally, my favorite place to shop was this one beautiful store.  It was more than a store to me, it still is…it represents something deeper…a longing fulfilled, a turning of the tide…our step from what we once were, to successful adults. 

Then we faced the loss of our business, and during that time, I stopped going to this store.  I knew I couldn’t afford to buy things so I just avoided looking. 

This week at the prompting of a sister, I went…she had no idea that I had been through this struggle with the store.  When we arrived and I began to walk in the door, I felt something quite unexpected…I mean, it’s just a store…right?

I felt a wave of grief so powerful that I wanted to turn and walk away. 

How unexpected.  How strong that pain was.  My stomach literally hurt and my breath escaped me for a moment.  This same store that had become a marker of our success, now seemed a marker of the reminder of defeat. 

Nobody knew I was struggling as I walked through the store.  My son was with me and we chatted the whole time.  I had told him that he would enjoy the creativity of design as we went there, even though it was a girl store.  He did.  He looked past the clothes and noticed every cabinet and light fixture, etc.  He saw the art of it all…just like I knew he would. 

The lack in our finances pressed against my heart the whole time we walked around, yet I pushed through and determined to just appreciate the beauty around me.  Then my sister said, “You should try on that dress.  I was hoping you would.”  My breath caught in my throat and I shrugged off the words, and kept walking. 

After having explored every inch of the store, I felt an invitation…God was inviting me to simply try on a dress.  I said to my sister, “I’m going to try on that dress.”  “Oh good!”, she replied.

Then something wonderful happened…

As I turned to walk to the rack with the dress…feeling nervous and experiencing grief inside, I heard Him speak…”Restoration.  I am restoring you.”

Immediately, I knew this moment was about far more than a dress, it was about believing again.  It was about knowing this season of struggling would truly end.  It was about believing that He holds a good future for us, and I can fully trust in it.  It was about feeling known, valued, and loved.

I tried on the dress…perfect fit.  I felt beautiful.  Snapped a picture and sent it to Chris, who also said how wonderful I looked in it.

Then I hung the dress up, walked out of the store felling content, and knew…

We are being RESTORED.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through Him Who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:12-13

After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.  Job 42:10

I sat at the piano and worshiped.  My mind is tired, my body is too.  The days have felt long and quite honestly, I’ve been begging God for a time of peace and abundance because I’m weary from the constant battles.  Yet, when I rose from the keyboard and started to leave my music room, I heard God speak, “Wait”.  Immediately after, I remembered these verses…

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in (wait on/trust 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 40:28-31

When your life is in transition…when you’re living out a middle portion…some people call it “walking in the hallway”…it can be wearying.  There are times when I feel like screaming for breakthrough to come…for prophesy over our lives to be fulfilled…but when those feelings come, I know what to do…return to His Presence.  Return to worship and remind myself that none of this is actually about me, it’s all about Him.  He gave me this life, He knows how to spend it.  He gave me this family, He knows what they need.  Even when members of my family lament to me about being in the transition…or they demand movement before it’s time…it is imperative for us to return to His Presence and be still.  It was from one of the mentioned scenarios that I went to worship today…a family member is feeling antsy and wanting to begin moving forward.  I went to God and laid it down.  I turned my face toward His and just worshiped.  I didn’t even ask Him about anything and I didn’t know God would speak about it, I simply went to worship Him and refocus my mind…yet, as I walked away He spoke.

Wait.

When He spoke, I knew immediately what He was talking about.  He was talking about our family…we are to wait.  But in that waiting, so much is occurring.  Just like the verses say, in the waiting we receive strength, we soar and run and walk…in the waiting we are refreshed.  So, I will wait.

Even when it’s uncomfortable, I will wait.  Even when I can’t even see how we will get through, I will wait. 

In the same way that I trusted God to bring me a husband if He wanted to, I trust Him with our future as a family.  He knows what He is doing.  He deserves my trust.  He has earned my obedience.  I will wait. 

And I know that when my family members get antsy or impatient, it’s a great opportunity for God to grow them.  It’s a chance for maturity to take root.  It’s a time when their relationship with God can become deeper.  I won’t interfere with that by acquiescing to their grumbling or frustration.   I will wait.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.  Psalm 27:14

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:  With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.  Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.  2 Peter 3:8-9

As I sat down and was about to ask God what He wanted to say in this devotional…even before I was able to ask the question…God spoke “framework”.  It was so clear that I couldn’t deny it.  So, I leaned in and asked, “What are You saying?”  This is what I heard…

In this season, as I’ve mentioned before, God has been detoxing us from the world and its systems…now, He’s beginning to build a new framework for our family.  As that framework is in its beginning stages, I know for certain… 

Unless the Lord builds this house, the builders labor in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.  In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat- for He grants sleep to those He loves.  Psalm 127:1-2

Now, more than ever, I am being super intentional in our plan and design for family.  What will our days look like?  What will they be filled with?  God took so much care to empty out our days, I wouldn’t dare fill them now carelessly.  In this moment our family has a rare opportunity to begin again, so to speak…

Guess what?

So do you.

Maybe you’re not in the same circumstances that we are, but you did walk through all the covid junk, and one thing God did during that time, was offer a reset.  The enemy brought around something to try and destroy and control…but what really happened was a great awakening and an opportunity for families to make changes more easily.  Yes, covid’s been over for a while, but we’re still in a sort of grace period where change feels easier.  Am I wrong?  It sure feels like we’re more malleable still…

Why not take this forced disruption, and turn it into a unique opportunity?!

Let go of life as you know it and ask God for His heart.  What does He desire for your family?  What purpose did He have when He put you with your spouse and created your children?  I believe that not only does each person have a special calling for their lives, but also each family group has its own unique calling.  Why did God construct your family?  Have you ever asked Him?

Today is a good day to lean into His heart for your family. 

God, I surrender my family to Your hands.  Guide and direct our path.  Show me for what purpose You have created our family.  We belong to You.  You are the great Carpenter, we place the framework of our home in Your hands.  Make us as You will.  Let Your dreams for us, become our dreams.  We love You.  In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.  People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.  Proverbs 19:2-3

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Romans 5:1-2