I have doves that come to my house to feed. They peck in search of food under my bird feeders. They search out whatever food has fallen as the other birds are eating.
Today for the first time I saw two doves eating directly from the feeders!
I think they finally realized in order to get what they needed – they must go higher – directly to the source!
Yes, sometimes we get what we need from what others have learned – but, sometimes we need to go higher – directly to the Source!!!
A friend of mine posted this photo of a tree in New Orleans.
As I was looking at it, I immediately heard in my spirit, “Be careful what you surround yourself with…it will become a part of you!”
I’m sure that this metal support was put around the tree to help it grow. But, as we can see, there came a point where the metal began to become a part of the tree itself.
The tree is still growing, but we can see that the metal is affecting the integrity of the tree. It’s not meant to be a part of the tree structure – but because of it’s close proximity on a continual basis – it has become part of it.
I hear the Lord saying that we need to be aware of what we surround ourselves with! What are we allowing to transform us? God or man?
Do we surround ourselves with the Truth of God’s Word or do we surround ourselves with manmade truths and opinions?
As in the photo, we can still grow and continue our lives apart from God’s plan…but our lives will not display the beauty and purpose of our creation.
Brothers & Sisters! May our lives be a life of holiness, beauty, and truth in the Lord and not be marred with things of the flesh that will negatively affect our growth.
What surrounds us on a daily basis? What are we allowing to become a part of our lives…a part of who we are?
[photo credit: Will Griffis]
I am sitting here the day after my birthday feeling a renewed sense of purpose. I desire to be all that God wants me to be! I don’t want to hold myself back with my own limited expectations. I want to live out GOD’S expectations of me.
LORD, I place myself in Your hands! Empower and Anoint me for the days ahead to be Your vessel of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…”.
May You be honored in everything I say and do. Forgive me, Father, where I have fallen short! Manifest Your purposes in and through me, O LORD!!
I’m willing…I’m ready! I stand with an open heart, an open spirit, an open mind, and arms opened wide! Fill all of me with YOU, LORD!
I worship and adore You!!
By wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
And by knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24: 3-4
On what is our “house” built? I pray this day that your foundation is firm…that your foundation is built upon the Rock-Jesus Christ our Savior. And it is from this sure foundation that our “houses” (corporate and personal) will be built, established, and filled with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all precious and pleasant riches!
[2015 repost]
Yesterday morning I was getting dressed for us to go to breakfast with my friend Carol’s mother, Sylvia. I was talking with God and worshipping with my praise music as I usually do every morning.
I began to feel that God was telling me that I was to pray for our waitress at breakfast (I have done this before). And, of course, I told Him yes!
We drove to The Waffle House…but when we entered into the restaurant, we discovered there were no seats available and we were going to have to wait.
Carol and Sylvia decided that we would go to Denny’s which was pretty close. This was not a restaurant that they usually went to…but, this day, we were going!
At Denny’s, we were seated and quickly waited upon by a smiling, happy waitress. This was her! I knew that I would be praying for this joyful woman! I also knew that it would be when she brought our breakfast.
As we were waiting for our order and enjoying our time together, we noticed the two women in the booth behind us were asking for the manager. They were sitting close enough that we couldn’t help but hear of their dissatisfaction with their service. And their waitress was our waitress!
When our waitress, Tanya, came back to bring coffee and fill our water glasses – it was like a different woman had taken over! The smile was gone, a deep sadness rested upon her, and her body even seemed to be slumped over as if carrying a heavy burden.
As she left, we joined in prayer for her…but I knew that my assignment from the Lord was not complete. I still would connect with her when our order was brought to the table.
The two women finished up…got their take home boxes…but didn’t leave. I found myself praying, “Lord, if she brings our order while they are still here, do I still go ahead and speak with her?”
I knew immediately as an answer that we would not get our order until they were gone.
A few minutes later, the women got up and left. Within 2 minutes, our waitress began slowly walking to our table with the big platter of food. She sadly and slowly began placing everything before us and then picked up the platter to leave.
“Tanya, put down the platter…I would like to talk to you.” She put it down and slowly came closer to me.
“I would like to tell you a story” and I began sharing with her of how God told me I was to pray for her that morning.
“Tanya, I know what has happened this morning. Your worth is not dependent on what your job is. Your worth is because of who you are! You are a precious, beloved, daughter of the Most High King! You are beautiful and treasured! He hears you and He sees you. The Lord loves you so much, He made sure I was here in this place, at this time, so I could tell you how important you are to Him!”
With tears streaming down her face, she hugged me and told me thank you! We once again had our smiling, joyful waitress back! And she knew in a very tangible way at that moment how much God loved her!!
Oh, my friends! May we be intentional about taking the time to not only speak TO God in our prayers…but take the time to LISTEN to Him speaking to us!
Prayer is a conversation…and God desires for us to join Him in reaching out to others in love. Who would He like for you to show His love to today? Ask Him…
~Tina K. Roach
