To continue with the theme of yesterday’s devotional about asking and receiving…I thought of this scripture.

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.  James 1:6-8

I want so terribly to be without doubt.  I want to hear God speak and fully agree with Him, no matter what.  I wish with all my heart that I would never doubt any good thing God has spoken to me about myself and/or about the future.  I want to read the Word and have zero doubt that I can do what it says I can.

I want to be doubtless…don’t you?

I want to pray those prayers that move mountains and believe that I can truly do the greater things that Jesus said I’d do.  I really want to break down the wall of doubt that is holding captive my blessings.  If this is something you want too, then let’s do something about it!  Two days from now I will be starting a seven-day series.  I am mentioning it now because I really want to give you an opportunity to get before the Father and pray about what you Jericho wall consists of…yes, I said Jericho wall.  It’s a seven-day Jericho wall series.

Here’s the backstory…

Last week while I was exercising and praying, God reminded my heart that we all face battles when we are entering our Promised Land.  Then I saw the Jericho Wall in my mind…Jericho was the first battle the Israelites faced when they crossed into the Promised Land.  It was also the biggest.  That wall was HUGE and Jericho had no idea anyone would ever be able to breech it.  But with God’s hand resting on them, the Israelites not only breeched the wall, but completely destroyed it. 

To recap…immediately after crossing into the Promised Land, God had them defeat their largest enemy. 

Then I saw a huge wall surrounding blessings that are meant for me and my family.  I felt God saying it was time to do my own Jericho march around that wall to release our blessings, and I was overcome with the knowledge that I was to bring you along for the journey so you too could see release in your life. 

For a couple of days after the vision, I prayed and asked God about it.  First, I asked what blessings I needed to pray about…you know, like what was inside the wall that I was trying to get to.  Then one day He revealed to me that I was praying in the wrong direction.  What I was really supposed to ask was what was the Jericho wall in my life.  This question was met with an immediate answer when I took it to the Lord.  Now I know what my focus needs to be, and this is why I wanted to give you a heads up so you could also be as focused. 

Is your wall doubt, fear, pride or something else?  Lean into the Father and ask.  I am completely confident He will answer.  Day after tomorrow we will begin our seven-day “walk” around whatever it is. 

God, I ask that You speak to all my devotional friends and show them what wall you want to take down in their lives.  Continue to prepare all of our hearts for the process of seeing you move in a miraculous way.  I believe, without even a shadow of doubt, that I will see victory.  Let it be so, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21

I’ve thought a lot about asking and receiving lately.  Well, if I’m honest, I’d say that I’ve been thinking about this topic for many years now.  I ponder it and ask.  I wonder and ask.  I feel full of bold faith, and I ask.  When I read scripture like the following, I feel extra frustrated because it shows me that I’m still missing something.

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on His way back to the city, He was hungry.  Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves.  Then He said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!”  Immediately, the tree withered.  When the disciples saw this, they were amazed.  “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.  Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”  Matthew 21:18-22

I’ve heard many pastors and friends say that we will receive answered prayers only if our prayers are aligned with God’s thoughts, or only if they are righteous prayers, etc…but in the above verse, Jesus cursed a fig tree for not having fruit.  That doesn’t seem like a truly pressing problem to me.  But His words caused it to wither.  Also, He says right after that if we believe, we will receive whatever we ask for in prayer.  Whatever means whatever.  I even compared translations and they all say “whatever” or something very similar.  So what does this mean?  It means whatever…only if I believe.  Oh Lord, help me in my unbelief.  Here we read it again in this verse…

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they 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 Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask Me for anything in my name, and I will do it.  John 14:12-14

…You may ask Me for anything in my name, and I will do it…

When we take scripture at face value, we are often left with a glaring realization that we are the ones not following through, not God. 

I feel full of faith, but obviously I still have doubt…otherwise, I’d see far more answered prayers, miracles, healings, etc.  He did say we’d do even greater things that He did.  I believe Him.  I live my life anticipating this.  I won’t rest until I press through whatever shadow of doubt I’m living under, to receive the fullness of a life lived in agreement with heaven. 

How about you?  Do you also want to see God in all His glory move in your life?  If so, then I encourage you to hit the ground, pray and ask God to break open belief in your heart.  Will you join me in prayer?

God, remove any doubt I have in my heart and mind.  Lead me in faith.  Forgive me for my unbelief.  I am so sorry.  I truly want to live a life full of confidence in You.  Help me to believe.  Remove fear, doubt, unworthiness, and anything else that is blocking the door to my answered prayers.  I surrender all.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

One thing that God is restoring to many of us in this season is this…focus.

Repeatedly over the last few years, things will occur and when I begin to pray and cry out to the Lord, He says, “Lisa, this is just a distraction.”  This kept happening over and over again…it still does.  I have grown very sensitive to what is a real problem and what is merely a distraction tactic of the enemy.

Remember what happened when Peter was walking on the water?

“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to You on the water.”  “Come,” He said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.  “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”  And when they climbed in the boat, the wind died down.  Matthew 14:28-32

The enemy is desperate to distract us because he knows we’re sunk if we lose focus on God. 

Friend, what if next time something stressful happens in your life…instead of surrendering to that stress, you surrender to Jesus?  What if you begin to hear that still, small voice speaking to you, “This is a distraction.”?  This has been life changing for me.  Every time I hear Him say that, I am assured that a solution is already in place and I just need to calmly walk things out.  Releasing the stress and receiving peace that surpasses understanding. 

Keeping the peace is SO worth it.  As I reflect on all this pandemic nonsense of the last two years, I fully realize that the enemy capitalized on fear.  He made every effort, and still is, to keep everyone in fear…no peace.  Those in peace have been set free.  Those still fearing have become slaves to it.  This is a very clear example of the focus I’m speaking about.  What if we had found focus before we made any decisions?  How might things might be different for everyone today? 

Focus.  We can’t live an abundant life without it.  We won’t keep our peace apart from it.  Focus. 

God, this morning I ask You to be my main focus.  I lay down all my stress and worries and receive Your peace.  Draw my eyes constantly toward Yours.  Remind me when I lose focus.  Draw me closer when You see me pulling away and surrendering to the world.  I surrender only to You.  Let me not be led astray.  Forgive me for anytime that I have lost focus on You.  I belong to You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?  He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.  They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land.  The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.  My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the snare.  Psalm 25:12-15

Today is a good day to find your restored focus.  Turn away from the world and find His eyes, then you will know what is true, good and profitable.  Many are asking, “Where do we go from here.”  The answer is simple, find His eyes and come back to the surface of the water you’ve been drowning in…it’s the only way forward.

Over many years of walking with Jesus and attending a variety of churches I have discovered one common missing element…discipleship.

People need each other.  We were created to live in fellowship and to learn and grow together.  Sometimes that means growing with a church body, and at other times that means growing with the church body of your own household.  No matter what season of “church” our family is in, I always remain connected to a few people to whom I am spiritually accountable.  People who tell me the truth and help me to walk upright, and I do the same with them.  This is important.

Ultimately, I am responsible for seeking out my own growth in God.  This is true…but it is also true that the church was originally designed to walk out this process with us.  To create a place where truth was taught, and the leaders led lives designed to partner with the process and not cause stumbling. 

It was never to have simply been about church growth, but about creating disciples of Christ. 

I wonder, have you been discipled?  Do you feel stuck in your walk?  Or maybe you’ve grown and matured and now God is calling you to begin discipling those around you.  Either way, it’s time.  It’s time to lean into the heart of discipleship.  I will never forget the moment that God told me, “Lisa, I have been pouring into you for years now.  You’ve consistently met with Me in the secret place and have developed, now it’s time for you to pour into others.  If you want more of Me, it’s time to pour out first.”

This was my launch into ministry, and it came from the Father…not man.  It came from His mouth, not from others.  It came from His body, not a church body.  Ever since that moment, I have sought out ways to pour out, whether I was acknowledged by a church body or not.  Friend, you don’t need a title in order to disciple, teach or minister.  You just need Jesus. 

Then Jesus said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20

He gave us our orders that day.  He validates that call within us.   Who else do you need approval from? 

Today I encourage you to evaluate where you are.  Do you feel the pull inside to seek out one or more people to disciple you?  Do you feel the pull inside to begin to act as one that disciples?  Whichever it is, just do it.  Go out and be the Body of Christ.  Maybe you need to receive and release at the same time.  That’s ok too…being discipled and discipling work hand in hand if we remain humble and allow it.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God Who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.  Philippians 2:12-13

We are all a work in progress.  Let’s be about the business of continuing that good work.

I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He Who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.      Philippians 1:3-6

Today during my time with God, I was praying about the prophetic voice inside of me…and the prophetic culture altogether.  I’ve heard many people make sad accusations and claims against the community.  Here’s the thing, nobody is perfect.  The prophetic community is no different.  Nobody is infallible, except Jesus…and the one receiving or hearing the prophetic words from someone has an equal responsibility to take those to God and ask Him if it’s truth.  It’s not simply all up to the prophetic person.

God has called me to be a voice, and because of the weightiness of this call I have held back quite a lot.  Other times, I have not spoken at all, and have been terrified of making mistakes.  This shouldn’t be.  Everyone in every position within the Body of Christ must learn.  We all start out as beginners and must learn and be taught…and often the best teacher is failure.  But God is there.  He has never condemned me, only convicted and encouraged.

Today, while wrestling with past criticisms, I laid myself bare before God and was honest in my heart.  Then I had a wonderful vision…

I saw my face and God’s hand came around and placed a gold sieve over my mouth.  Then He said, “Speak, and trust that I will filter you out of it.  It will only be Me.” 

Honestly, I spend half of my thought life weighing my words and actions.  It’s like I’m constantly checking my heart and motives; weighing my words and considering how others may interpret what I’m saying.  When I feel like I have failed with my words or actions, I’m so hard on myself.  It’s exhausting.  I am fully aware that to move forward I MUST start trusting God with myself.  Trusting Him with my behavior…trusting Him to correct me with love.  Trusting Him to change me.

I remember as a child, feeling like I never said things right.  There are several times in my life history that I stood up in one way or another and was dismissed, misunderstood, or shouted down and demeaned.  It’s hard for me to stand up…God called me to be a leader…and in this season He is developing me to lead in different ways.  I’m very comfortable leading in worship, but with speaking it’s harder.  It’s harder because it’s newer.  I know I am in a season of transition.  I also am aware that the accuser is trying to block my way with self-conscious darts, and fear of being misunderstood.  When it’s all boiled down, I must begin to let the knowledge that God knows my heart, be enough.

Is this resonating with any of you?

Some people in your life will misunderstand you simply because they want to, or because their misunderstanding serves to solidify negative thoughts they have toward you anyway…and there’s nothing you or I can do about that. What if today we resolve to simply follow Jesus.  Carrying on with my theme of “simple”, I encourage you to do just that.  Live simple…follow Jesus and let Him take care of the rest.

As for God, His way is perfect:  The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.  For who is God besides the Lord?  And who is the Rock except our God?  It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.  He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He causes me to stand on the heights.  He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.  You make Your saving help my shield, and Your right hand sustains me; Your help has made me great.  You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.   Psalm 18:30-36

As I was exercising today, I had a vision…in it I saw a large shield going before me.  It was a reinforcement of the scripture that reads…

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Ephesians 6:16

When I saw this shield, instead of me holding the shield, it was moving on its own and I was positioned behind it.  Oh, how I am grateful for the protection of the Lord.   Immediately I knew God was telling me to stop standing in one place hiding, but instead to move forward confidently because His shield was clearing the way.  He was already protecting me. 

Active faith moves us from simply having a defensive posture to an offensive posture.  We can advance confidently.  We don’t simply have to stand and protect where we are…instead we can have forward movement and trust God to clear our path. 

When I first really gave my life to the Lord, I spent so much time praying protection over this and that and it was seemingly an unending battle.  I felt like if I missed one occasion to pray protection, then I was doomed.  Now I realize that I simply lacked faith.  I prayed and knew He’d protect me, but I thought it was from my works…I now know that His protection is absolute over my life.  He stands guard over me, the same way I guard my children.  It’s not dependent on their actions, it’s just something I do, because they are mine.  You see?  He is our shield.  Faith is our shield.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.  Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You.  Psalm 84:11-12

Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.  May Your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You.  Psalm 33:20-22

As sons and daughters of God, we walk under a protection.  When we ask Jesus into our heart, we become children of God…this means He is our Father…and from that position we move under His protective eye. 

I know this is something we are taught often, but do you really believe it? 

That’s the key…to truly believe and become confident in who you are as a child of God.  He goes before us and behind us.  He is above and below us.  He hems us in.  That’s a lot of safety. 

Imagine the territory you could occupy if you only believe.  Believe in His protection.  Believe in His good plans.  Believe. 

God, I thank You for grafting me into the family tree of heaven.  I can’t adequately express my affection for you.  You are so great, and I am consumed with my love for You.  Help me to be more comfortable with who I am in You.  Help my mind and heart to truly believe that You are always my Shield.  Forgive me for my unbelief.  I trust You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I love the way that God keeps giving me devotionals, and then a week or so later, He brings it back up to me and frames it in a different way.  This has been fun.  I hope you benefit from another viewpoint of the Joseph story.

There could be some people, that come into your life and attempt to sabotage all the great things God wants to do for and through you.  They might discourage you, cut you down, hold you back, withhold blessings, close doors, slander, mock, berate, lie, and attack you.  But do not fear!

The ones who push you out, could be the ones that God uses to push you straight into the stream where God wants you to be.  No man can truly sabotage you…God will do as He desires.  He uses ALL things for the good of those called according to His purposes…remember?

We discussed this in part, with regard to Joseph the other day…but this morning, clear as a bell, God reminded me that He used all those who came against Joseph to bring him into the presence of the Pharoah, therefore bringing him straight into the place where God would bless him.  God allowed all of the betrayal of his brothers to serve God’s ultimate plan for Joseph.  I keep seeing it as God using the circumstances to corral Joseph into the field of blessing.  Along the way, He was cultivating deep character within him. 

There are definitely times when God turns the slights of others toward us, to push us into the exact place where our next blessing resides.  There are times when God desires to use others to bless us and grant us open doors, but because of free will, they choose not to do so.  He sometimes uses us as an invitation to a deeper walk with Him, but others choose not to embrace it for whatever reason, and then attitudes change and circumstances shift and suddenly where you were once embraced, you are now un-welcome.  That’s ok!!  Rejoice in that because it means God is opening another door for you, the only thing is…you must let go of fear and rejection and choose to boldly move forward…kicking the dust off your feet and going forward in forgiveness. 

If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.  Matthew 10:14

Nobody can sabotage you out of your blessings, promises, and purpose.  GOD WILL HAVE HIS WAY!

Others may talk a big talk, or try their level best to cut you down, but God will always and forever have the final say.  Count on it.  Bank on that.  Rest in that knowledge.  There is nothing anyone can do that will knock you out of God’s hand.  I honestly believe we give other humans far too much leverage over our lives, by allowing what they do and say to make us question God’s voice over our lives or His purpose for us.

I challenge you to do something…I’ve been doing this the last few days…God has been reminding me of many times in the past when things have gone “sideways”, and I’ve thought of people whom I haven’t thought of in years, and when I asked Him why, He first led me to forgive them…again…then He began to instruct me to rejoice in their betrayals and sabotages because they are what drove me straight in line with where God wants me to be now…and they taught me a lot along the way.  Oh, the lessons I’ve learned, and the confidence I’ve gained. 

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He holds success in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.  Then you will understand what is right and just and fair- every good path.  Proverbs 2:6-9

Each day I wake up, grab a cup of coffee, and sit down for time with Abba.  While sitting…I listen, read, write, worship…whatever He leads me to do.  One thing I practice almost daily, is to dream.  Not only do I dream, but I write down these dreams.  They come pouring forth from my weary soul and into my journal in pen strokes of sustenance for the dry places of my soul.  Without dreams, I would’ve given up long ago.  What would be the point of all this struggling…all this believing…all this waiting…all this learning…all this self-control…all this faith…if I lost the ability to DREAM?

Dreams are like a conduit from Heaven.  They release a piece of the eternal over us. 

Many days, I dream as if my life depends on it…because really, it does.  If I want to remain truly alive and thriving, then I must keep dreaming forward.  When day after day passes by, and circumstances seem to remain unchanged, dreaming can create the momentum that you need to get out of the mud.  Dreams are deposits of hope, faith, and trust.  Hope that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Faith in God being good and having good plans for me.  Trust in His timing and sovereignty over my life. 

I can live in a place of abundance no matter what my circumstances are at that moment.  Abundance is an inside job.  It comes from the heart.  It comes from understanding what is truly valuable.  God is my greatest Treasure, and I am His.  When all of life is viewed from this perspective, then it creates a stability to an otherwise unstable time. 

Fear comes when we forget the Love.  The Love that gave up heavenly position to be born as a baby.  The Love that voluntarily walked up the hill to be crucified.  Perfect love casts out all fear, so we can be assured that if we are fearing, then we have lost sight of the eyes of Love.  We’ve lost sight of Jesus.  God IS love. 

Today I encourage you to close your eyes for a minute.  Settle your mind and invite Holy Spirit to come breathe over you.  Ask God what His dream is over you today.  Then ask Him for one thing you can do to partner with it.  Writing it down is a foundational form of partnering.  Whatever it is that He leads you to do, just do it.  Don’t wait, don’t qualify it, don’t deny it…just trust Him.  He has BIG dreams for you, don’t you want to see them all come to pass?!  I do, and I bet you do too.  Dream a dream today, friend.  Dream big.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.  Proverbs 16:3

Then the Lord replied:  “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.”  Habakkuk 2:2

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.  Psalm 32:8

Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.  Proverbs 23:18

There have been many wars.  There have been many conflicts internally.  We have faced death and risen unified for victory.  We have seen God’s blessing and have felt the grip of the enemy working to divide us.  But one thing is for certain…

America is still beautiful.

She’s a land worth standing against the Goliath’s of the day to protect, a land worth fighting to keep.  With my sling and my stone, I would stand alone if necessary. 

I remember the moment when God told me that I was to stand for America. The moment He told me that it was the nation to which I was sent.  I was very young when this occurred, and it has stayed with me all these years.  It was a long time ago, when many others were called to other nations, and some acted as if this calling was somehow, “less than”…but in recent years, it has become the cry of many. 

Suddenly, the call of God on my heart is validated by the masses.  It never needed to be, but it has been. 

America the beautiful. 

I wonder sometimes, where we would be if we had stood for her stronger in years past, instead of only discipling the nations…and leaving out our own.  I wonder where we might be if we weren’t lulled to inactivity by all the comfort and convenience in our lives.  It really doesn’t matter anymore because now we have found ourselves in the battle of a lifetime.  Will we stand and fight for the country that has afforded us so much, or will we lie down and allow the enemy to succeed under the guise of loving our neighbor?

Strong words, I know…but these words are necessary.  It is a pure perversion of scripture to proclaim that loving our neighbor means violating God’s word over our life.  God told me not to wear a mask…very clearly, He told me.  He said I was a conduit of His voice, and I was not to be muzzled.  So, I didn’t wear one.  I watched Him continually make it possible for me to go unmasked.  I was passed over at times when others were forced to comply.  It has been amazing.  The time I flew and was forced to “wear” one, I kept it down as much as possible and had peace about walking in the freedom of heaven.  His grace extended over those moments.  Other times, I have just stayed away from things…this wasn’t a problem as I’ve been called to do that often.  To walk the unbeaten path and come away with Him.  Freedom is the cry of my bones.  America is my homeland and I refuse to bow to the enemy powers at work within her.  She needs deliverance, that is a worth the fight.

God, today I stand alongside Your angel armies and say, “Send me!!  I will go!”.  I refuse to bow to the enemy of my soul.  I refuse to comply with fear and anxiety.  I choose freedom.  I choose You.  You alone have authority over my life.  Under Your wing I find shelter and safety.  I want to live in full agreement with Your Spirit.  Release authority, wisdom, and courage over my life.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?”  And I said, “Here am I.  Send me!”  Isaiah 6:8

See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.  For My own sake, for My own sake, I do this.  How can I let myself be defamed?  I will not yield My glory to another.  Isaiah 48:10-11

And He Who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”  Also, He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  Revelation 21:5

I have been feeling so stirred.  For months, maybe even almost a year, God has been more deeply stirring me.   My quiet times have always been a dynamic place of change and growth for me, but for years, church had become something we did, not something that changed and transformed us too.  The home church moments we have now, are so exciting and transforming, not only myself, but my husband and children as well.  Our discussions of scripture are deep, and we all press daily into His Spirit, and that has been completely transforming.  Now that we’ve heard the Lord’s command to step back and refocus on family, there’s also been a refocus on the Spirit.  I’ve had quiet time every day for many, many years…but for a year-long season there was so much busyness and doing, that I was struggling.  I kept asking God why I was having trouble, since I felt like I was where He wanted me to be and doing what I thought He wanted me to do, but the answer was quiet.  He kept letting me know He was near, but the feeling of distance was more than I could tolerate.  Over many seasons, I have grown to be completely dependent on Him.  Craving His Presence.  Needing His voice and closeness.  I’m not ashamed of that.  If I don’t hear Him speak to me every day, then I won’t rest until I do.

Then I remembered, there was a specific moment in prayer with Him when I made a decision.  I wasn’t sure if it was the right decision, so I was basically testing it out and asked God to very clearly let me know if it was the wrong choice.  Oh friend, He definitely did. 

In a matter of months, He removed me from everything I had committed to that was not for me.  At the time it was painful, but on this side of it all…I couldn’t be more grateful.  Now I hear Him more clearly than ever.  My prophetic ear feels like it has been cleaned and I hear and see at a far deeper intensity.  Now, as I look back on things, I realize, the choice I’d made was for another purpose, it was a great time for God to reveal to me that He could be trusted to guard me from wrong alignment.  This is priceless.

Now I am stirred with a deeper intensity.  I have asked Him to move into deeper places within me, and in turn to allow me into deeper places within Him.  He is doing just that.  He is my everything. 

I literally go to bed every night, looking forward to waking up with Him in the morning.  That’s our time.  Many evenings around 8pm, I begin to feel a great excitement welling up within me.  The excitement of expectation; the expectation of seeing Him in the morning. 

I know He’s with me all the time.  We talk all throughout every day, but the mornings are when it’s quiet.  The mornings are when we are alone.  I am like a bride, who craves alone time with her Bridegroom. 

Stir me deeper, my King.  Come away with me.  Let’s tarry in the morning and gaze with love upon one another.  I’ve known no other like You.  My King.  My Prize.  My greatest Love.  You are worthy of it all.  I give my whole self to You.  With abandon I spend my life with You.  Draw me closer still.  Draw me into the bosom of heaven and dwell with me there.  Lean in and kiss my heart with Your words of truth.  Reveal to me Your secrets.  I belong to You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Let him lead me to the banquet hall and let his banner over me be love.  Song of Songs 2:4

But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One Who lifts my head high.  I call out to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain.  I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me.   I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.  Psalm 3:3-6