Lately, I’ve been realizing that so much of the steely resolve I currently have is borne of the quiet place.

When I was younger, nobody would have described me as firm in any way. In fact, I was so afraid of everyone and everything that I just sat quietly a lot. I also never used to defend myself. I never spoke up when I was treated cruelly or unfairly. I was a punching bag for the dominant.

Then God…

He came into my heart and showed me that I too have value. You see, I could always see everyone else had value, but struggled so hard to admit that I too could have an opinion or be blessed. I literally remember the first time I prayed for God to bless me. For years before that, I had asked God to bless all those around me. I had fought for the future of others, in prayer. I had been a cheerleader for the dreams of those I loved but couldn’t imagine doing something like that for myself.

Then one day, God put it on my heart to ask for Him to bless me. When I first uttered the words, I could feel them hanging in the air. A Holy Spirit chill went through my whole body and I felt the pleasure of the Lord.

From that day forward, I have asked God to bless me every single day. Yes, I still ask Him to bless others, but I never overlook myself. Now I feel so certain about many things. I feel certain that He delights in me. He loves to spend time with me and I know I make Him proud.

You were made as a blessing to Him, why wouldn’t he bless you?

I wanted to take the opportunity today to encourage you to find your quiet place and then simply go before Him and ask for His blessing. He is willing. His arms are wide. He loves you.

The beautiful part about it all is this, when you begin to let Him bless you more and more, you’ll desire to see Him bless others more too. In fact, you’ll likely begin to seek out more ways to bless others. It’s a beautiful exchange.

God is so good. He’s so good to me.

Prayer Moment: God, today I lay aside all other thoughts and agendas and I simply come to you as a child and ask for You to bless me. Would You extend Your hand of favor and blessing over me and open my eyes to Your presence more and more? I long for You. In the quiet place I learn to know You better. God, please never stop revealing Yourself to me. I am Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his 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

With so many loud voices upon the earth all the time, it can feel very confusing. It can sometimes be hard to discern the truth from a lie. It can be especially hard to discern a half-truth. Many moments lately have been covered with the sound of a half-truth…but you know the only way for it to be half-true, is if its other half is a lie.

I’m gonna let that little truth bomb lay on your heart for a minute and hopefully explode. As it explodes, I ask God to let it destroy any half-truths that you and/or I have been believing.

My husband has a really good analogy that he’s used with our children since they were very young. It’s a unique way to emphasize the power of a lie or half-truth.

He would say to the kids, when they lie or leave out part of the truth, etc. “Let me ask you a question. What if I go into the kitchen and make some brownies, would you eat them?” At this part of the story, the kids’ eyes would always light up with excitement. Then he would continue,” Now what if I put just a teaspoon of poop in them and mix it in really good. Would you still eat them?” Undoubtedly and without fail all the kids would moan in disgust and adamantly proclaim that of course they would not eat those.  “Well,” he continued, “that’s what a lie is like. Even if you tell mostly truth, if you add a little lie in it then it makes the whole thing bad.”

Now I admit I was taken aback the first time I heard him say this. There was such wisdom to it and even though it’s so obvious, I can tell you right now, most of us do not act so discriminately. In fact, recently I can’t tell you how many people have tried to force me to agree with large organizations or broad statements even though so much of what those groups or statements support is wrong. Not just wrong even, but detrimental to society and our way of life as a whole.

I won’t do it.

I won’t overlook a little poop just because of pressure. Poop is poop and I don’t want any of it.

What I do know however, is this, I belong to God and I know His voice. So, when faced with so much information all the time, when I begin to feel cloudy or confused, I will listen for His voice. When I hear it, that’s the way I will chose, and nobody will change my mind or guilt me out of it.

Prayer Moment: God, don’t ever let me get led astray by a half-truth. Keep my heart steady against the manipulations of this world. I will not bow down and cower to any man. I follow You, and You alone. Even if I am the only one left following You, give me strength to remain steady. Here I am standing for You and kneeling for no man. Guard me, Abba. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.  John 10:27-30

 

 

In this season, God has continually given me a vision of a field and in this field, I am walking with my arms outstretched beside me and my fingers brush each stalk of wheat, the dead parts just shower to the ground. As I do this, I hear God saying, “It’s going to seed.”

“It”…is a more private issue, but the symbolism behind this vision is so relevant to all of us right now.

Going to seed: This happens when a plant, instead of using its energy reserves to make the leaves you want, starts to flower and produce seed. As this takes a large amount of energy, when a plant flowers, its vegetative growth usually stops.

This seems so relevant.

I bet many of us are going through seasons that feel like dying right now, but when we approach the “plant” of our life, we may see that we are starting to produce seed. I have felt for quite some time now that God is moving in our lives differently. Where many of us were once able to hide out and not proclaim our faith loudly, or stand for much of anything really, now it’s speak or lose the opportunity to have a voice.

Where we were once growing so much leaf coverage in our lives that we simply blended into the surroundings, now we are really standing out with our unique flowers and spreading seed to others.

Are you following my analogy?

The season of camouflage has ended. It is now the season of flowering and producing seed.

The only way to increase the crop is for a plant to go to seed. Likewise, the only way to increase the flock of believers is to stand apart and let your flowers show.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed- a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

We cannot be ashamed of the gospel. We must stand firm on our faith in Jesus, and also our faith in His protection by not cowering to the spirit of fear that is roaming the earth seeking those he can destroy. As the verse above states, “The righteous will live by faith.”

Prayer Moment: God, help me to never be ashamed of the gospel. Help me to always be bold in my faith. Never let me be found cowering in fear. Help me to always partner with faith. You are worthy and worth it. Thank You for Your protection and provision. I adore You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26

 

There is a rumbling I hear. The sound of God moving upon the earth. When God moves even the mountains quake. Only what is eternal can survive the shaking. This shaking is breaking us free from complacency. This rumbling is the sound of labor pains upon the earth. God is birthing something.

With so much friction in practically every hemisphere of our lives right now, it’s impossible to deny that God is doing something. He is on the move.

Many people fear that the enemy is gaining ground, but from my perspective the enemy resistance is just a sign that God is making a move and the enemy doesn’t like it so he’s causing as much disruption as he can. That’s what he does. He causes chaos, spreads lies and deception, promotes darkness as if it’s light…and the list could go on and on.

When you begin to see the spirit of chaos and destruction moving, the first thing you should do is look up. Let God capture your full attention and then listen to His voice, and only His voice.

God is doing great things right now, and the enemy is trying to throw up daily smoke screens of distraction, so you miss it.

Children have been rescued from sex trafficking in large numbers recently. The elite pedophile ring is being exposed. Those are just two examples of the wonderful things happening in the midst of this fog the enemy is trying to spread over America.

We are not battling flesh and blood, friends. I’ve said it a lot already, but I’m just going to keep saying it.

We Are Not Battling Flesh and Blood.

Instead of that being a scary statement, I hope it is an encouraging one. “Why?” you may ask. Because when we know the nature of the battle then we have an easier time of discerning where, with what, and for whom to stand.

Take nothing at face value. Search the heart of each organization or catch phrase. Then be led by facts, not feelings. The enemy loves to manipulate through guilt. That is not from God. If you feel yourself following along with an anthem, you’d better check your own heart to make sure you aren’t just doing it because it’s easier than standing firm, or because you feel guilty. Neither of those is a good reason to follow the crowd. Remember how much trouble that type of mindset would get you in when you were a kid or teen? As an adult it’s just as detrimental, even more so sometimes.

Prayer Moment: God help me to make wise choices. Teach me Your ways and give me courage to stand with and for You at all times and in every situation. Lord, have mercy on America. Restore our innocence. Restore the truth to the hearts of our children. Open blind eyes and deaf ears, that they will see You and know You. Let my life continue to be a light in the darkness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:13-14

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, Who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water. Psalm 114:7-8

As I have recently been navigating some deep heart issues, I’ve been clinging to my Father even more than usual. Asking Him for His love and standing firmly upon promises He’s made to me. In certain relationships I’ve felt such a struggle to keep loving and to remain steady. It’s been a constant laying down of my will. It’s meant dying to myself over and over again.

This may sound like a terrible state of affairs, but I know a secret…this is such a good process. I’ve lived enough life to realize that this is where true character and depth of relationship with God is formed. In the refining fire.

As I was out exercising the other day, I was in deep conversation and constant vision with the Lord. As I ran, I could feel my strength being restored. As I worshiped, I could feel His thoughts overtaking my own. As I raised my hands and praised, my head lifted.

But You are a shield around me, O Lord; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head. Psalm 3:3

Then I saw myself in a vision, diving deep into the water and I heard God speaking. He said, “You are diving deep into the center of your heart.” As I heard this, I saw myself swimming down deeper and deeper, until I saw a door. I opened it and a radiant light burst forth from it. Immediately I was consumed with this giant light! Then I heard, “This is the glory of the Lord.”

Talk about a breathtaking moment.

In the center of my heart…the place many don’t ever dare to dive because there is so much to take in during the journey, I found God’s glory. Then I remembered this scripture…

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

As a saved person, I know that Jesus lives in my heart, so this isn’t really a stretch. It’s simply something I’ve never thought about in this way before.

Are you willing to allow God to purge your heart of all the obstacles between you and His glory within you? The reward is so great. The pain is worth the promise.

Prayer Moment: Search me and know me, God. I will always give You full access to my heart. I follow You and You alone. I won’t even let my own self get in the way. I lay down all my rights before You. I give You my heart. Release Your glory in, around and through me. I am fully surrendered. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. Proverbs 23:18-19

It seems that every day in many ways, I see double standards happening all around me right now. The ones shaming others for not masking, are themselves caught without wearing one. Those screaming about everyone being racist, using racist language and want to shame one race when that too is racist behavior. Politicians screaming about wealth distribution while living in mansions and everyone is wondering where all their money is coming from. Those that say, “My body, my choice” when it comes to abortion want to force masks and vaccinations on everyone. Those who demand equal rights want to close the doors of churches. It makes no sense, and it can begin to make you feel worn down unless you keep proper perspective.

Here is what is true, in God there is no confusion. God is not unbalanced and unfair. On the contrary He is just and a God of order.

When you begin to feel the pull of the stark hypocrisy and injustice what are you to do? These feelings and emotions are real. We must however, demonstrate that part of the fruit of the spirit that is hardest…self-control.

When the waves of insanity and injustice feel like they may just pull us under and cause us to drown, we must take hold of that which cannot be shaken…God.

Open your Bible and begin to read through Psalms and Proverbs and a whole new perspective will wash over you. Let’s take a look at these two verses:

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. Proverbs 28:4-5

And this:

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order. Proverbs 28:2

Reading verses like this should begin to help you see clearly which side you want to partner with on an issue, or what your heart posture should be toward others. The battle lines are being clearly drawn right now, it’s not about political affiliation anymore, it’s about God verses the anti-Christ spirit.

You know, when you begin to open up the Bible and read, you discover a few things…God is always present…God is always good…Nothing is new, He’s seen this all before…Nothing surprises Him.

When I open my Bible, I discover hidden hope and promises that I can only take hold of if I search it out.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. Proverbs 25:2

Prayer Moment: God, You alone are just. In You alone do we find hope. Thank You for covering my heart. Thank You for leading me to the truth. Give me courage to walk out truth. Guard my mind from lies. I place my hope and trust firmly in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

I keep having this vision of the waters of the pool of Bethesda being stirred by the angels. Do you remember the story?

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”  The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” John 5:2-7

As this story revolves around my mind, I keep hearing, “This time is different, the waters remain stirred for all.”

I believe God is showing me that in this season, He has stirred the waters (so to speak) and has made it so any and all who desire healing are able to reach them before it’s too late. It’s time to take our physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds in hand and make a move toward the waters. It’s time to stand, roll up your mat and move forward.

For far too long many of us have sat dormant. We’ve been waiting on, what, I don’t really know. But it’s a season to move toward the healing waters of the Father. He’s made the first move. He stirred the waters, and just like the gentleman that He is, He’s waiting to see who will make a move toward Him.

So much of life feels like chaos right now, but what I see is a series of great opportunities. Chances to reach out to God. Maybe you’ve felt stuck. Maybe you’ve felt left behind or forgotten. Maybe your pride has stood as a wall between you and growing in the Lord. Whatever it is, don’t waste any more time spinning your wheels or refusing to budge.  Now is the time to dip in the waters of healing and comfort.

Let the waters pour over all your body and mind. Imagine letting the healing waters soak away all your fear and let it heal any wounds. Imagine the Lord dipping in the water with you. See Him there laid back and just enjoying this moment with you. He loves you so much. He delights in your presence.

Prayer Moment: God, give us all faith to believe You are as good as You truly are. Help bridge the gap between us reading about healing in the Bible, to actually receiving that healing. Move us all forward in faith. Give us courage to stand on Your word. You are faithful and true. I believe every word You’ve spoken. Help me to live like that. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.  Proverbs 17:22

Surely You have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of Your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.                Psalm 21:6-7

If there is one thing we’ve gained during this strange season it’s this, family. Forcing families to limit much of their normal activities has brought us closer than ever before. So much relationship was restored to my family during this time. In fact, it restored their ability to witness much more of my daily interaction with the Father. Previously, much of my quiet space was held either before they woke or after they were dropped off at school. But when upset came to our routine, they were thrust back into my daily routines, and I in there’s. It was a tragic, yet beautiful thing.

Tragic in that it was an unnecessary disruption of education and normal activities. Beautiful because the exact thing that the enemy has fought so hard to destroy was restored largely by his oppression in another area.

It’s funny how that works, isn’t it? The Bible was serious when it said…

God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28

We recite this verse as a mantra, but truly I have witnessed it unfold in my life over and over again. It has become a constant. Something I can count on. It is the truth.

When the enemy came and stirred up sickness and fear, he whispered in the listening ears of those in charge that lockdown was a great idea. God already knew it was coming. He was already moving in it before the idea was placed.

Like a Lion waiting for the exact moment to release its most effective roar, our God the King of kings released His roar over family. His original design. Family. Him being a triune being, He has never been alone. His idea for family is something so obvious when we look at Who He really is.

Then churches closed. I never thought I would live to see that day. It’s still a source of great sorrow to me that this was (and in some places still is) allowed to occur, but nonetheless, God used it in mighty ways for all who were willing. We sat together in our living rooms and encountered God through the screens, but right next to our loved ones. Those we cherish the most. Nobody was having to miss service because they were serving. None was having to leave and deal with kids separately from the others. No, in this brief and beautiful moment, heaven collided with earth and poured into each of our homes and stoked the house fires.

Today, I dedicate my day and prayers to house fires. The moments with Jesus that we encounter within the four walls of our homes. The moments where there is no need for dressing up and pretentious behavior. Rather, it’s what the real church could look like. Real and pure. Intimate and familial.

Prayer Moment: God, stoke the fires of revival within our homes. Let us live our faith out loud for all who are closest to us to see. Let us not hide from each other or only find ourselves comfortable sharing God with strangers. Let us be released to truly live faith with those who are nearest us. Then we can change the world. It all starts at home, please let us never forget that. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord almighty- He is the King of glory. Psalm 24:8-10

 

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 23:6

We can assume that His goodness and love will follow us forever. What a beautiful part of the Psalm 23 promise. No, we are not assured that we will not face any valleys. But we are assured that when we are in one, He is there. He will guide us. That even in the valley His goodness and love are there following us.

Today, I encourage you to turn around. Turn around and see the goodness and love that are right there following you around. Are you constantly worried about the bad things? Have you forgotten His goodness is there?

Daughter/Son, it’s time to receive the fullness of the goodness and love that are allotted for your days. There’s enough to last your lifetime. And they will follow you straight into heaven where you will dwell with Him forever.

Let it soak into your spirit like rain upon the thirsty desert. Let it pour over you like a pop-up shower in the middle of a hot day. Let it hydrate your soul like a long drink of the crispest, cool water.

His goodness and mercy will follow you for all your days and you will dwell in His house forever.

Now consider the end game in it’s fullness…we will dwell in His house forever.

Shouldn’t all of our lives be filled with daily excitement over the reality of what is to come? We will live with Him in eternity. This knowledge is too wonderful for us to fully comprehend, but it should incite us to a victorious and joyful mindset. What if every believer on earth acted as if the thought of their place in eternity was ever-present in their mind? Things would surely look vastly different than they do now. It would be impossible to keep it to ourselves and we would have a boldness that few have ever seen or experienced.

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

This verse reaffirms the promise of that hope. We are followed by goodness and love, and we have eternal blessings and joy. Wow! I challenge you to act on this knowledge from this day forward. We carry the hope of the world. It’s time to celebrate!!

Prayer Moment: God, thank You that there is nowhere I can go to escape Your goodness, and why would I want to? Set up landmines of Your love in each of my days. Let them explode upon me in wonderful displays of Your grace. I turn to You every day. I trust You in each moment. You are worthy. You are holy. I give You all the praise. I rejoice over You, as You rejoice over me. I adore You. I am Yours and You are mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5

So many times, I have seen this table. So often, I have seen myself sitting to feast with God while those bent on my destruction stand at a distance watching and loathing it.

I have seen God pour oil over my head. I have felt it running down my face. I have felt the oil coming out of me from the inside and making my hands greasy.

I have held the overflowing cup. I have walked in the great abundance of an encounter with His Presence.

Surely, God has prepared a table for His people during this season. You would have to be blind and deaf not to see that His church is under attack right now. The enemy of our souls has incited those He has influence over, to begin to openly attack the church in ways that we’ve never seen in America before. Such blatant and vicious attacks that we should all be startled into the awake state of being.

You can rest assured that if you are His, you can feast at this table now. Do you know where it is?

Every day I wake up and begin to feast. I look all day for the places where He has provided for me. Whether it’s a gift or just a peaceful day. Whether it’s that I don’t have to wear a mask anywhere that I go or that I get to simply feel like the world is normal for an hour or two. God places blessings (feasts) before me every single day.

So instead of walking through life and searching out the disruptions and disappointments, why not feast on the blessings?! That’s where you’ll find me.

He anoints my head with oil and my cup overflows…

He has anointed us. Every day I ask for Him to anoint me in the things I’m doing. Then I ask Him to increase my anointing. Doing so helps me to walk in confidence. It gives me purpose. You can have this too. You can ask for what I’ve asked.

Prayer Moment: God, thank You for anointing my head with oil. Thank You for celebrating me in front of my enemies. I give all of my grievances to You because You care for me. Help me to never feel guilty during the times You celebrate me. Help me to simply receive. Help me to learn to willingly accept Your love. The vastness of Your grace is all-consuming. The hope of my salvation is complete. Lord, as I sit at the table You’ve prepared before me, may Your banner of love be above my head. You are worthy of it all. You are the One true thing. If my heart was laid open, it would show the mark of Your Presence. You have marked me for eternity, and I trust in You. Your fingerprint is upon my soul and Your mark is upon my heart. I have nothing to fear. Let the smoke screen of fear evaporate with one breath from Your mouth, Abba. Let every enemy set on my destruction be laid to waste by one glance from Your eyes. I have placed my very life in Your hands. I release it to Your hand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.