It will be done unto her because of her faith
I wrote a blog in December about this word that was spoken to me. At first, I misunderstood it as meaning God was giving in to my will, my desires - like He did for Hezekiah. About a week ago, God told me to look at the scriptures that went with it again. Hebrews 6:12 and 15. I realized they were speaking of the promise Abraham received from God. The promise was Issac. That was God's perfect will for Abraham. Not God giving in - but God having His perfect way. So, that said, here's the new version:
"It will be done unto her because of her faith." Because, like Abraham, I wait patiently for the promises of God to come, I will receive the promises He's made to me. The promises are still there despite the circumstances, and He is able to turn things around. Most recently, He told me the promises have to be on His terms, His way, and in His time.
I will wait. Patiently, still praying like Elijah prayed for the rain that was already promised. Every day. No matter how many days it takes. God keeps His promises.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
I don’t know....
... where this blog will end up. God has made some major changes in my thinking. He recently said, "It will be done unto her because of her faith." I took it to mean one thing; He meant it to mean something else. It took a while, but He finally got me to understand. I wasn't being rewarded for my faith - He was giving in to me. Like Hezekiah. And we all know how he ended up.
Over the past few weeks God has been talking, showing me things - the way He meant His words to be understood, the way situations need to be. I was told to remember what happened after His crucifixion. The promises were still there despite the circumstances, and He would be able to turn things around. Most recently, He told me the promises have to be on His terms. That was the part I couldn't accept until now. He was easing me into something I didn't want to face.
I was finally able to realize that the the promises were contingent on certain events happening, certain conditions being met. If those things failed to come about, the promises would still hold, but not in the way I'd imagined. He would have another plan - equally good - maybe better. Just not exactly what I had been praying for. He showed me that the conditions were not being met, and it was time to hand over the promises to Him to enable Him to do what was necessary.
This past Sunday He said this, "The promises still stand, but because of your understanding you've freed Me to do what I need to do." Because of my faith I would have gotten what I'd prayed for - eventually - but it would've ended badly. And God has much better plans ahead.
In some ways it's bittersweet. I saw (and still see) great potential - but after much prayer, effort, and time passed, that potential is still being wasted. The same mistakes and stupid decisions are being made. The same deceptions are being carried out. I don't know that any real ground was gained. The latest facade won't last for long. It never does. Unfortunately, many years will probably pass before the potential is ever met, and people shouldn't be made to wait for that to happen.
I'll deal with that disappointment another day. I'll still pray, probably shed more tears, and in the end, it will be all right. God will take care of it. But in terms of the promises I've been waiting for, I'm letting go. God has something better.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Over the past few weeks God has been talking, showing me things - the way He meant His words to be understood, the way situations need to be. I was told to remember what happened after His crucifixion. The promises were still there despite the circumstances, and He would be able to turn things around. Most recently, He told me the promises have to be on His terms. That was the part I couldn't accept until now. He was easing me into something I didn't want to face.
I was finally able to realize that the the promises were contingent on certain events happening, certain conditions being met. If those things failed to come about, the promises would still hold, but not in the way I'd imagined. He would have another plan - equally good - maybe better. Just not exactly what I had been praying for. He showed me that the conditions were not being met, and it was time to hand over the promises to Him to enable Him to do what was necessary.
This past Sunday He said this, "The promises still stand, but because of your understanding you've freed Me to do what I need to do." Because of my faith I would have gotten what I'd prayed for - eventually - but it would've ended badly. And God has much better plans ahead.
In some ways it's bittersweet. I saw (and still see) great potential - but after much prayer, effort, and time passed, that potential is still being wasted. The same mistakes and stupid decisions are being made. The same deceptions are being carried out. I don't know that any real ground was gained. The latest facade won't last for long. It never does. Unfortunately, many years will probably pass before the potential is ever met, and people shouldn't be made to wait for that to happen.
I'll deal with that disappointment another day. I'll still pray, probably shed more tears, and in the end, it will be all right. God will take care of it. But in terms of the promises I've been waiting for, I'm letting go. God has something better.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wow. That's all...
The other day I was praying. I was desperate, almost to the point of feeling things were hopeless. I did what I always do when I feel that way. I prayed. As God often does, He spoke back. He answered me so quickly, and spoke to me with such clarity it nearly took my breath away. He said:
"Remember how hopeless they felt at My crucifixion? Their hope was gone; their joy disappeared. But do you remember what happened next? I rose again. Their hope was renewed; their joy restored. No matter how things look, know that I am in control, and it will be all right. The promise will come."
Wow.
"Remember how hopeless they felt at My crucifixion? Their hope was gone; their joy disappeared. But do you remember what happened next? I rose again. Their hope was renewed; their joy restored. No matter how things look, know that I am in control, and it will be all right. The promise will come."
Wow.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Once in a while...
God puts someone in your heart - someone to love and pray for, someone to care about through good times and bad, someone who needs someone to be there for them no matter what. And once you've done everything He's asked you to do, He tells you to let them go. It's time for Him to take over and do what only He can do.
After they're in your heart, your mind, your life. Let go. Cutting off an arm seems easier because what He's asking feels like cutting out a piece of your heart. How do you do that? There isn't a course you can take, not a how-to book on the subject.
Yet you know that He knows what's best. And you have His promise that everything will be alright. Now you have to let go and trust Him. Hold Him to His word. Walk by faith and not by sight.
So, I'm walking.
After they're in your heart, your mind, your life. Let go. Cutting off an arm seems easier because what He's asking feels like cutting out a piece of your heart. How do you do that? There isn't a course you can take, not a how-to book on the subject.
Yet you know that He knows what's best. And you have His promise that everything will be alright. Now you have to let go and trust Him. Hold Him to His word. Walk by faith and not by sight.
So, I'm walking.
Eyes wide open
Sometimes you think you're seeing things the way they really are. Then God opens your eyes, and you realize you were seeing everything through a filter. Maybe for a time, you needed that filter to be able to do what He asked you to do, so He only showed you things in part - like seeing through a glass darkly. But once the need is gone and you've done all He's asked you to do, He lifts the 'veil' and shows you reality. That's when you realize you can't do any more. He has to step in and take over.
It can feel like a smack in the face, and hurt like nothing else can. The purpose for that is so you can let go - like what happens when you're holding something hot and it burns your skin. When the pain registers, you drop the thing that was burning you.
Then something amazing happens.
He tells you it's all part of a process. It's not the end, it's only a part of the whole. If you'll let Him, He'll show you the beginning from the end and all that comes inbetween. He'll show you where things are in the timeline of the miracle you've been praying for. Although He doesn't give you dates and times the way we judge those things, by doing that, He renews your hope, and your strength. He heals the pain the process can cause, and helps you hold on until you see the miracle He's already put in place, the answer that is already settled in heaven.
It can feel like a smack in the face, and hurt like nothing else can. The purpose for that is so you can let go - like what happens when you're holding something hot and it burns your skin. When the pain registers, you drop the thing that was burning you.
Then something amazing happens.
He tells you it's all part of a process. It's not the end, it's only a part of the whole. If you'll let Him, He'll show you the beginning from the end and all that comes inbetween. He'll show you where things are in the timeline of the miracle you've been praying for. Although He doesn't give you dates and times the way we judge those things, by doing that, He renews your hope, and your strength. He heals the pain the process can cause, and helps you hold on until you see the miracle He's already put in place, the answer that is already settled in heaven.
Change
The lessons I’ve learned about change:
1. You can’t force someone to change if they don’t want to.
2. You can’t do the work for them.
3. You can give them all the encouragement, information, inspiration and what have you in the world, but if they don’t want to or aren’t ready to change, you’re just spinning your wheels.
4. They’ll make excuses for why they can’t change and call them reasons. Don’t be fooled.
5. They’ll place the blame for their inability to change on everyone but themselves.
6. Inability is really unwillingness.
7. If they’ve been lying, cheating, and, in general, doing all the wrong things to others and don’t want to change, rest assured that they’re lying, cheating on, and, in general, doing all the wrong things to you, too. And don’t be surprised when you find out the truth.
Sounds hopeless? Here’s the "up" side. If God has given you a promise that things will change, that He’ll make everything right, it will happen. Keep praying for that person. Keep loving that person, and keep your heart open, knowing that it may break often in the process. God will work the circumstances and events of that person’s life in such a way as to lead them to the point of surrender - the point at which they can only give up, give in, and give it all to God.
Now, here’s the hardest part of the lesson: letting go and letting Him bring the change about.
1. You can’t force someone to change if they don’t want to.
2. You can’t do the work for them.
3. You can give them all the encouragement, information, inspiration and what have you in the world, but if they don’t want to or aren’t ready to change, you’re just spinning your wheels.
4. They’ll make excuses for why they can’t change and call them reasons. Don’t be fooled.
5. They’ll place the blame for their inability to change on everyone but themselves.
6. Inability is really unwillingness.
7. If they’ve been lying, cheating, and, in general, doing all the wrong things to others and don’t want to change, rest assured that they’re lying, cheating on, and, in general, doing all the wrong things to you, too. And don’t be surprised when you find out the truth.
Sounds hopeless? Here’s the "up" side. If God has given you a promise that things will change, that He’ll make everything right, it will happen. Keep praying for that person. Keep loving that person, and keep your heart open, knowing that it may break often in the process. God will work the circumstances and events of that person’s life in such a way as to lead them to the point of surrender - the point at which they can only give up, give in, and give it all to God.
Now, here’s the hardest part of the lesson: letting go and letting Him bring the change about.
The Battle Is Mine Now
Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Psalms 24:8
As I was praying yesterday, God spoke as clearly as He ever has. This is what He said: "The battle is mine now." Pretty simple statement, but to me it speaks volumes.
I guess I've been waiting for this day to come. It felt as though He was saying,"The war has now begun." I've prayed for this day, and now He's answered. I've fought and won many battles in the meantime - both small and large - but now both the battle and the burden has become more than I can handle - something beyond my ability. So God is taking over.
I have promises, so I'll keep praying, and listen for God to speak again telling me there's been a victory. Whose report will I believe? The report of the Lord.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light
As I was praying yesterday, God spoke as clearly as He ever has. This is what He said: "The battle is mine now." Pretty simple statement, but to me it speaks volumes.
I guess I've been waiting for this day to come. It felt as though He was saying,"The war has now begun." I've prayed for this day, and now He's answered. I've fought and won many battles in the meantime - both small and large - but now both the battle and the burden has become more than I can handle - something beyond my ability. So God is taking over.
I have promises, so I'll keep praying, and listen for God to speak again telling me there's been a victory. Whose report will I believe? The report of the Lord.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light
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