Uncategorized
AARON AND HUR
So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. (Exodus 17: 11-12 NASB)
I have been thinking of this Scripture a lot lately. A lot has been happening in my life and I have come to the realization of how important friends are in helping me to accomplish God’s will in my life.
I don’t mean just the friendship and fellowship I enjoy with my Brothers and Sisters in Christ. And that is very special to me. But, I mean the importance of those people that I consider the “Aaron and Hurs” in my life.
I pray that everyone has those prayer warriors that will stand on either side of you and help you “hold your arms up” as you battle and press through until you achieve what the Lord is calling you to do during this time. Moses held the staff of God in his hand. I believe he had God’s anointing and authority to win the battle…but he needed help to achieve victory.
I am so humbled as I have seen the Lord place one and then another beside me as I need the extra support to be obedient in His plans for me. I can feel their prayers and support holding me up when I begin to feel weak and overwhelmed. I can feel their strength added to mine as I battle those forces that would try and stop God’s will from being manifested in my life.
Brothers and Sisters! We ALL need to join together as the Body of Christ and support and strengthen each other through the power of the Holy Spirit! God’s strength is multiplied as we come together in love and unity to bring about His will and purpose upon this earth. Battles are won as we line-up side by side, arms linked, focusing on the Lord and His plans for the moment. Let’s not get so caught up in the “big picture” that we miss what He wants us to achieve in the next moment! As we face each battle together…walking under the Lord’s Banner…we will see VICTORY!! Hallelujah!
I humbly say “Thank you” to all those that are my “Aaron and Hurs.” I can’t do it without you…
And I pray that I can be YOUR Aaron and Hur as the Lord uses you to achieve VICTORY in His kingdom!
BREATHE!
[I hear the Lord saying…]
BREATHE!
Many of you take in just enough air to keep moving. It’s called shallow breathing. I don’t want you to just take in enough air to keep moving! I don’t want you to live shallow lives. I want you to live life to the fullest. I want you to live the abundant life I have given you to live!
I don’t want you to just receive enough of Me to keep moving. I want you to consciously drink in my rivers of Living Water! I don’t want you to just tread water…but I want you to launch out into the deep!
Beloved, breathe in My goodness; My faithfulness; My strength; My love! Don’t just take shallow, little breaths…but breathe deeply of Me! The air of My presence is ready to fill every chamber of your heart, soul, and spirit.
BREATHE, My Beloved, BREATHE!!
OCCUPY THE TERRITORY!
I was stopping by Walmart for a quick trip to pick up a few items before heading for home. As I was getting my last few purchases, I began to push my cart and saw a face I hadn’t seen in over 3 years. I smiled and said my, “Hi, how are you doing?” expecting to get a response of “Fine!” and moving on.
But, the Lord had other plans! As she began to walk towards me I knew that I was to connect with this precious Sister in Christ. She was hungry for conversation…but that was not why the Lord had me there. She began to share about how she was raising her 4 grandchildren and her exhaustion was evident in her voice and in her countenance.
As I was quiet and allowed her to share all that was on her heart, I found myself drawn to her commitment to these grandchildren. She poured out her love and time to help them with their homework…with carrying them to and from activities…with making sure they had good meals on the table…and with making sure they knew the Lord.
As she continued to talk, she came to a point of asking me to pray for her youngest grandchild who was having trouble in school. Her voice faltered and I could see the tears threatening to fall down her cheeks.
I told her that when I get a request to pray, I like to pray right then. I asked her if we could pray for him right now and reminded her that God hears us whether we have our eyes closed or open. She immediately responded with an enthusiastic nod of her head.
We looked into each other’s eyes as I began to pray for her grandson and finished by praying for her too. And this time the tears did spill over as she felt the touch of God! I’m sure that many looking on just thought we were having a conversation…although I did see a few who seemed to take more than a passing interest in what was going on.
Were they looking because they saw her tears? Were they looking because we had stopped our carts and were not in any hurry to move on? Or perhaps they glanced our way because they heard the name of the Lord!
As we parted our ways, she reached over and said, “I don’t think our meeting was a coincidence!” And of course I agreed. God is always ready to connect us with those who are hurting…with those who need encouragement…with those who need prayer…with those who need to feel His presence and love.
What a blessing to be used by the Lord for His glory! May we join with Him to be His voice and His body upon this earth! Brothers and Sisters, let’s occupy the territory He has positioned us in and spread His Love wherever we may be! We can make a difference! Are you ready?
A SAVED PEOPLE
“I would believe in their salvation if they looked more like people who have been saved.” [German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche ~ about Christians of his day]
Oh Beloved! Do we look like people who have been given a gift beyond any other gift – the gift of eternal life with our God?
When people look upon us – what do they see? Do they see JOY, PEACE, and LOVE…or do they see sadness, worry, and a countenance full of judgement?
When people overhear us – what do they hear? Do they hear words of LIFE, ENCOURAGEMENT, and LOVE…or do they hear words that tear down and criticize?
May we be a people who cause those around us to be drawn to the Love of God! May we truly be a people that SHINE with the Light of Christ in word and in deed!!
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Colossians 3:12-15 NASB)
TAKE HEART!
A lot is going on in the world and in our own communities. Take heart!
The Lord our God is still moving on our behalf! We WILL see the goodness of the Lord in the Land!
His ways are not our ways. Don’t expect to see everything to happen as WE would plan and expect.
Just trust Him! Remain confident! Wait for the Lord!
HOLY SPIRIT VALENTINES
As I was thinking of Valentine’s Day and the gifts that are given to each other to express our love, I found my thoughts going to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
In 1 Corinthians 12, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed. I invite you to look them up and pray about which one(s) the Lord has given you to be used for His glory.
These gifts are not given to us to be put on a shelf and taken out and admired…but, they are given to us to be used for the body of Christ – for the Church – and to be used in the world to be a witness to others of God’s amazing Love for them.
The most important gift of all is LOVE! I see God’s Love as the wrapping that surrounds each gift. As we use our gifts in the church and in the world, each gift is offered in the covering of LOVE.
This Valentine’s Day may we start fresh and be intentional about using the gifts of God in places we have not thought of using them. May we be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit to step out in FAITH and distribute His grace and love wherever He takes us.
May everyday be a special day to express God’s Love! Are you willing to deliver His Valentines of Love to the world?
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit…
1 Corinthians 14:1
LENT 2016 – My Prayer For You
As we journey together through this season of Lent…my prayer for you is Ephesians 1:17-19 CEB:
“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, will give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation that makes God known to you. I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see what is the hope of God’s call, what is the richness of God’s glorious inheritance among believers, and what is the overwhelming greatness of God’s power that is working among us believers…”
No Coincidences
I love how the Lord uses us wherever we may be for His glory! I was in the nail salon getting my nails done when I saw a woman I thought I recognized. She walked over and introduced herself. Come to find out, I taught her son in First Grade (many years ago). She began sharing the awesome testimony that her son had as a result of a car crash he had in January. God’s miraculous power and intervention was evident throughout this devastating crash!
It was such a blessing to me to hear how God has been using his testimony all over the world! Thousands upon thousands of people have been impacted by his story through social media. We serve a miracle-working God!!
Also, while I was there, another woman walked over to me. Our daughters had graduated together and she had recognized my name. On her way out of the salon, she asked me to pray for her and the team she was on. They were preparing to go on a mission trip to Nicaragua to minister to women there.
I was able to stand with her and pray for her and the team. I was able to pray for the women they would be impacting with God’s Love. After the prayer, she said that it was God’s plan for me to be there! And I agree! In the kingdom of God there are no coincidences. There are divine appointments and encounters!
I just love to go to get my nails done…and end up having “church” in the salon! God is everywhere…and He can use us everywhere in ministry! Where will He use you today?
CHOICES
Sometimes it’s very hard to choose the path of holiness…the path of obedience…the path of Truth! Lord, help us to choose correctly and we pray that some of the “crowd” will change direction with us…
Reflection of Glory! 