Words

Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

I once thought that words spoken to me, hurtful ones, were those that I should easily get over as an issue of mind over matter.  I found myself tied to vicious words, some of which were spoken many years ago, some of them more recently, because of the vicious cycle they represent.  The words were tied to various seasons in my life and like natural seasons that come and go and return again the words did the same thing.

I thought if I simply got my mind right, have the mind of Christ, I could deal with those hurtful words.  I have learned that “getting my mind right” had been to no avail because those words were down in my belly where my spirit man resides.  I was not aware that I was dealing with a wounded spirit. 

Who is the talebearer, the gossiper?  Any person who carries the tales of the devil with or without the intent to cause a wound in the tale’s hearer.  By without intent I mean to say words from those who, out of the goodness of their heart, tell you something they think you should know to help you but the “help”, instead, causes a wound.  Either way the devil’s work is done.   It’s the person who tells you ungodly things (even about yourself) that do not align with the word of God subsequently wounding your spirit.  Truly if you are to love your neighbor as yourself then what is spoken against your neighbor, gossip, tales, or lies is likewise injurious to you.  Anyone that tells you a thing that is not uplifting, encouraging or meant for your overall good is a talebearer and any person can be a talebearer.  If the LORD can open the mouth of a donkey to speak then surely the devil can open the mouth of someone, generally someone close to you, and use that person as a talebearer. 

Knowing where those hurtful words are planted, down in the innermost parts of the belly, one can go about rooting them up by allowing Holy Spirit access to the protected area of your being.  These are the walls no one but Holy Spirit can penetrate.  He will do it but only through the action of your yielding.  You must be willing to have the word wounds healed.  Remember, words that hurt are a belly issue and not necessarily a mind issue.  They wound the belly but play out in the mind.  The mind rehearses the hurtful words as they are regurgitated from the belly.  Hurtful words are bondage in one of its purest forms. 

There are, according to Brad Scott of wildbranch.org, two Hebrew words that translate as the womb in scripture.  One is beten, and “is used commonly to express the area of the belly.”  The other, rechem, refers to the home of an unborn child.  Psalm 139:13 NIV For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. The KJV states this: For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.  Now let’s consider for a moment the Benson Commentary on Psalm 139:13 it says, “ The most inward and hidden part of my body, supposed also to be the seat of men’s lusts and passions:  thou dwellest in them, thou art the owner and governor of them, and therefore must needs know them.  My most secret thoughts and intentions, and innermost recesses of my soul, are subject to thy control.¹” That’s where and why the talebearer strikes.  That’s why only the Lord can heal the wounds.  Who but the Creator, the One who knit and covered the creation, the One who knows the creation so intimately repair it?

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect, and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalm 139:16) All members fashioned in continuance including mind, body, and spirit.  Words as wounds down in the innermost parts of the belly, and the members being in continuance, all come under attack.  Can you imagine how much sickness and disease originated from wounding words?  Father, God. Lord, Jesus, heal us from within the innermost parts to the outermost.  Touch us deep within the belly where only you know the secrets of our being- the parts that only You know and can restore back to your original design.  You knit us, Father, God.  You can excise any thread that is not of your making and renew us with your love.  Let the healing begin, Lord, Jesus. Through and through in continuance in all of our members which are written in your book. In the name of Jesus, amen.  David said; I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according to THY word. He says in Psalm 139: 23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  Lord, see if there be any wicked way, work of a talebearer, and lead me in the way everlasting and not to destruction. Lord, SEARCH me and know my heart- the one You know because You possess my reins.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain to it! (Psalm 139:6)  Bless You, Father, and thank You. In the name of Jesus, amen, amen!

Made

In 2002 MTV launched a television program called Made.  The show’s official Facebook page describes it in this way:

Why stand on the sidelines watching others live your dream? Are you too shy or think you're not "cool" enough to get in on the action? Or do you simply lack the self-confidence and motivation? Well, maybe it's time to stand up and get MADE! It goes on to say this: If you want to be MADE? Send us a video telling us why!

For thirteen seasons the show documented the lives of teenagers as they were made into everything from ballet dancers and rappers to BMX bikers and beauty pageant contestants.  They were made under the direction of an expert in that area of interest, a coach.  As much as those teens wanted to be made, the process of reaching their goal was difficult and hard fought many would want to give up and argued vehemently with their coaches.  Some would quit but through the patience and persistence of their coaches partnered with family and friends, a good support system, they went on to reach their goal of being made. 

I watched the show off and on for a few of its thirteen seasons but it wasn’t until recently I correlated the show’s concept with being a Christian.  When you accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life it begins the process of being made.  Instead of being made into a ballet dancer or a BMX biker as a Christian you are being made into Christ. (Philippians 2:5-6) Jesus said in John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. As you are being made you have an expert coach, too, just as those many teens did. His name is Holy Spirit.  No one can whip a new believer into shape and transform them into a little Christ like Holy Spirit can!  This particular being made process is equally difficult, really, even more so.  (Philippians 1:29, Matthew 5:10, Luke 6:22)   What believers have as coach that those teens didn’t is the Comforter.  <Note to self: Insert worship break here> 

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple Luke 14:27.  Can’t you just hear your pre-made friends telling you to save yourself and come down from the cross?  You know, the ones who remind you of how much you used to hang out and party.  The friends who either think you’re going through a phase and are waiting for you to fall or the ones who walk away from you because you have made a decision to be made, truly transformed and committed to put on Christ.  Any of those things can be enough to tempt you to give up and turn away from your coach and quit the made process.  Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

What is being made?  Do you remember when it was popular to wear bracelets with WWJD on them?  Well, instead of asking what would Jesus do ask yourself what did Jesus do. He was baptized by John the Immerser. He was filled with the Holy Ghost.  He was severely tempted by Satan and afterwards ministered to by angels.  Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  He preached repentance and the kingdom of heaven and in the process of doing so his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them, Matthew 4:24.  Greater works shall you do also!  Do you need another worship break? Go ahead then and get slain in the spirit.  Tell God how much you love him and are thankful for His mercy.  Hallelujah!

Being made is being in the midst of the battle between the law of the mind and the law of sin.  Paul said it best in Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  This coming from a mighty man of God, the constant fight to bring the flesh under submission.  It is also not being conformed to this world: but being transformed (made) by the renewing of the mind.  It is proving what is good, acceptable, perfect, and the will of God.  (Romans 12:2).  Don’t get weary in well doing.  The Comforter is with you. 

You were created in His image and likeness.  Being made is embracing that and operating from the kingdom position you were created for, teaching and preaching the kingdom of God.  In that position you can approach the throne of grace boldly. (Hebrews 4:16)  Being made is your all access pass to Father through Jesus Christ who intercedes on our behalf.  My God! Being made is acknowledging that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and then knowing He intercedes on your behalf!  Okay?  I’m going to die for YOUR SINS and then once I am resurrected and ascended into heaven I am going to be an advocate for you to the Father.  Talk about foolish things to shame the wise!  What an utterly ridiculous concept! In no way does that make logical sense but my spirit is rejoicing because it is so.  Verily, verily I say unto you MADE, written in the book of life of the Lamb!

 Like they said in the show “I want to be made!”

Lessons Learned

I have a habit of being in places and wondering why I am there. Don’t misunderstand me, I know I've been led to those places by the spirit but what's not always immediately apparent is what I am there to learn.  Recently, I went to see a renowned evangelist.  If I named the person most of you would know who it was.  Anyway, I had to go.  I just didn't know why. I expected to hear a good word but what Holy Spirit was going to teach along with it is what I was anticipating. 

 

I have to say once I arrived at the venue the atmosphere was something to behold. Had I been in tune it would have been palpable. (By the spirit I knew I was there to observe)  There was electricity in the air because the people were excited. Their excitement was multiplied seven-fold when the evangelist began to speak.  Honestly, I've never witnessed anything remotely like it.  Anyone would envy, yes envy, to have such feedback from a congregation.  She had their attention from the first word she uttered. Much of the time most of the people were on their feet.  Some were speaking in tongues, one man was running around the building, a women was shaking like an epileptic, the best way I can describe it, and hitting herself repeatedly on the forehead.  It was pandemonium!  All the while I kept wondering if the excitement was for the word of the Lord or for her.  I didn't hear a lot of what she was saying because I was so distracted.  


Interestingly, how Holy Spirit works, what I needed to hear I had no problems hearing. Although I didn't get caught up in the pandemonium, the word that did penetrate the noise had a profound impact.  Somewhere in the midst of all the noise part of a scripture came to me- and when they heard the law they rent their clothes.  The actual scripture is 2Kings 22:11 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.  If you skip down to verse 13 the king says: Go ye, enquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.


  The people were incited and jumping, shouting, and running around the building but no one rent their clothes!  No one was solemn and seeking to ask the Lord how I can tear up this person that I have become; rent my clothes, be renewed and put on Christ.  The evangelist was saying some powerful things but the atmosphere was that of a pep rally and not a call to the glory of God.  What I didn’t observe, however,  was the call to repentance because the kingdom of God is at hand.  That was the lesson I was there for.
   

Recently while having a conversation with a friend on an unrelated subjected, she mentioned to me that the Lord will sometimes show you how not to be.  I’ve often visualized myself speaking to large crowds in the days before I gave my life to Christ.  I wanted to be recognized as someone with something to say– something people would pay to listen to.  Looking back I had absolutely nothing to say outside of life experiences and certainly nothing worth paying for.  I was worldly and could only speak on worldliness. I surely thought that having large crowds in front of me could validate me because I couldn’t validate myself. 
 

What is interesting to me now is since I have given my life to Christ I see, again, myself speaking in front of large crowds.  However, instead of a message of worldliness, I have a kingdom message– the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I don’t need validation because I know who I am in Christ and am beginning to walk in who He has called me to be.  I will know for a fact that wherever I speak the lesson will not be about me and how I might incite a crowd but about Him who sent me and His message of repentance and reconciliation to Father through Him. 

Additionally, Holy Spirit showed me a lot about myself.  (Yes, the lesson continued days later!) He showed me how I was not much different than the people I was observing at the evangelist’s conference.  He showed me that religion was starting to get a foothold in my life.  I had to address whether on Sundays I went to church because I wanted to be there versus I was expected to be there.  He took me back through the past three years of being a church member and showed me instances where I idolized certain church leaders.  He revealed to me how I worshipped the worship rather than relished having an encounter with God.  He pointed out how I can visit another church and then compare their worship to what I was accustomed to.  He showed me how, in those instances, when comparison stepped in it meant that I worshipped the worship I was accustomed to.  

He even took me back to a time years ago when I didn’t appreciate the praise and worship at a women’s conference and Him admonishing me that it didn’t matter what I liked.  They were worshipping Him and I needed to set aside my prideful ways.  Really that’s what it was, pride in the fleshy aspect of church and there was nothing godly in my attitude.

He revealed to me how the flesh can be activated in church and bypass the spirit.  He showed me that a person may think he’s having a spiritual encounter when it has been the flesh that was engaged all along.  The flesh loves a good choir and a good word.  Even how one responds to the presence of God within a congregation can be manufactured.  The times when it is asked to lift up hands to God as opposed to being moved to lift them up by the spirit.  He was showing me the difference between a church experience and an encounter with His holiness.  He showed me how very easy it is for good people to invoke a counterfeit experience.  My God, thank you for teaching and correction. Thank you for caring enough to make sure I learn the hard lessons.  It not easy trying to unlearn what I’ve been learning but, God, you are patient and merciful.  Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.  I thank You, Father, for dealing with the pride in me.  How easy was it for me to say look at them when I should have being saying look at me; heal me.  Forgive me.  I repent. Thank you, Jesus for saving grace. Lord, Jesus, in your name I pray. Amen

 

What About Isaac?

It’s astonishing the amount of warfare that one goes through to get ready for church.  Let me restate that.  It’s astonishing how much warfare I go through getting ready for church.  It was casual day so that should have made it easy.  It didn’t.  By the time I got it together what I was going to wear I had so over analyzed my appearance that I didn’t want to go.  Well, I wanted to go; I just didn’t want to go late.  I couldn’t bear the shame of missing praise and worship and the ever playing loop in my mind of the pastor admonishing the congregation about why no one should miss praise and worship.   I even visualized his Facebook post that ended with #dontbelate.  I’ve been late before but clearly the devil was messing with me.  I just happened to take it to the next level, self-sabotage being an annoying strong suit of mine.

To be most honest I feared the scrutiny of wearing open-toe shoes without a pedicure.  I don’t know why I notice my shortcomings most when I am getting ready for church- maybe because sometimes that’s where they are pointed out.  Nevertheless, I confronted my fear and headed out the door to the car and off to church.  I then stood beside the car door and stared at my feet.  Ten minutes I wasted staring and wondering about who might comment on my lack of pedicure and how everything was wrong with my feet.  I got into the car started it up and it was past “E”.  Seriously? Where did the gas go that I knew I had?  By the time I got to the gas station I knew I wasn’t going to church.  I also knew that my church home isn’t like what was playing out in my mind.  I put ten dollars’ worth of gas into the tank and went to a different church– late. 

I figured I would go where I would be lost in a multitude of people that not only didn’t know me and would not look at my feet but wouldn’t notice my lateness.  I believe I was picking a church to accommodate all ten thousand of my issues. 

The thing is this, if the devil was messing with me and trying to get inside my head he wouldn’t have sent me running to a place where a message was being released that I needed to hear.  Not only that I got a revelation that would have knocked my socks off had I been wearing some to cover up my lack of a pedicure.

I caught the tail end of the pastor’s series about being “all in” for the Lord.  It was a powerful, thought-provoking teaching that let Holy Spirit go to work on me doing some heart work, you know? As the pastor was wrapping up the service he showed a slide with a picture of a marina filled with docked sailboats.  It was a hard hitting demonstration of more boats being docked than out on the ocean sailing– which is what they are meant for.  He correlated it with Christians.  More of us are docked than doing what we are called to do because of fear and not being all in for Jesus. 

I was so moved by the teaching I stayed for the next service to join the praise and worship and hear what I missed at the previous service.  As the pastor gave examples of people in the Bible whom were all in for Jesus, I realized then that I hadn’t missed much of the earlier service.  As he began to speak again about Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac a revelation dropped in my spirit.  I then realized how much I missed- not just today but every time I’ve read about Abraham and Isaac.  Here’s the deal.  Clearly Isaac understood the concept of sacrifice.  He said to Abraham, “Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” (Genesis 22:7) He knew the components of an offering.  It says in Genesis 22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 

There is no mention that Isaac resisted being bound.  Neither is there mention of a struggle when he was laid on the altar.  As much as Abraham was willing to offer his beloved son as a sacrifice, Isaac was willing to give his life as a sacrifice.  He trusted God every bit as much as his father did probably even more.  In Genesis chapter 21 verse 12 God tells Abraham “For in Isaac shall thy seed be called.” Isaac didn’t have the benefit of that conversation so there must have come a time when Isaac realized that he was the lamb God was providing according to what his father told him and he submitted to the purpose his father had in mind.

As a side note it could also be said that in the lands surrounding them child sacrifice was so commonplace neither Abraham nor Isaac would have thought it a great deal to participate in such an act.  Still, Abraham was obedient to God’s command and trusted Him at His word.  Abraham is credited with being the father of our faith but truly he is the father of our obedience.

 In Genesis 22:6 it says: And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son… This makes me mindful of Jesus, the burnt offering, carrying the wooden cross.  It’s interesting that, in the same verse, it says Abraham took the fire in his hand and a knife.  I saw in the spirit that fire was the Holy Spirit and the knife was the word of God.  In Abraham’s had was the fire of the Holy Spirit and God’s promise to him.  I saw unfold the scene at Calvary with God, the Father; God, the Holy Ghost; and God, the Son in those Genesis 22 scriptures and God’s promise to us, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. God did not withhold is only begotten Son.  Neither did Abraham withhold his son and promise.

Isaac was a willing sacrifice and in return God spared his life.  God’s own Son, Jesus, was a willing sacrifice, an acceptable, unblemished sacrifice.  Lord let me be an acceptable sacrifice.  I wholly submit my life to you do to as you will, to fulfill the things you have purposed me to do through Christ Jesus who strengthens me to do them. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

As if that weren’t enough for a beautifully blessed day, between the two services I ran into a friend I hadn’t seen for quite some time.  You never know how much you’ve missed someone until you see them again.  When that person shares an idea that been on your heart, well, who could have orchestrated that chance meeting but God?  I am looking forward to joining her book writer’s club.  Not to mention the encouragement she gave me that blessed my heart.  The title of this piece is “What About Isaac”. It could just as easily have been “How Great is God!”

Now, warm fuzzy feelings aside, there is a subtext that we have look a certain way or have certain things if we are to be accepted as ministers of the word of God.  It's troubling that pleasing man has been made a religious step towards pleasing God.  One would not be hard-pressed to find saints given to comment or "help a sister out" saying "you should have worn earrings", or "I liked the way you did your makeup back then".  Being so helpful can just as easily be so destructive.  The world acknowledges that women dress for women.  The church has adapted that idea hook, line and sink her.  It can't be ignored that the church can, at times, be more of a fashion house than a disciple making house. 

Mark 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; 8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: 9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. 10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.  11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.  It is commonly said to "Come as you are" in church.  Really it's come as you are, get with the program, stay with the program and don't depart from it. 

When Jesus sent out the disciples He told them to be shod with sandals and not put on two coats.  That sounds minimalist to me.  I couldn't get out the house without makeup, jewelry, matching this, matching that.  Honestly!  Therein lies my real shame.  I am confessing a fault so please pray for me.  "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them."  We receive people conditionally looking for their Sunday best.  A few years back I was heading to church when I was stopped by a man outside a nearby apartment building.  He expressed to me that he had been wanting to go to the church but hadn't because he saw the people dressed nicely and he didn't have nice clothes.  People are shaking the dust from their feet before they enter the house of God.  Perhaps if everyday was casual day more people will feel welcome to not only visit our churches but dwell there. 

Publishing: Scribe or Literary Agent (My class is on break but still writing)

 

At this juncture of The Scribal Anointing we should have Acts 2:17 deeply embedded in our spirit as scribes. In fact, this scripture speaks to the marching orders of the present day scribe.  God is pouring His spirit out on all flesh but what are you, specifically, called to do?

 

Rest assured in the midst of this great outpouring of His spirit you are not called to "Sit on it" like Potsie on Happy Days, instructed scribes, these are the Glory Days you are commanded to publish God's glory and proclaim salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. 

 

You may very well be the most prolific poet or a house full of snaps spoken word artist.  You may even be a New York Times list best-selling author but what does any of that have to do with the Kingdom of God?  Scribes of the King are you tapped into the heart of God sharing with the world the good news of Jesus Christ and telling the world by any means necessary through skits, plays, poetry, spoken word, novels, movies- even clothing and accessories what God speaks to you while you are in your prayer closet? 

 

It has been said that prayer is our response to God.  How else are you responding? What are you publishing?  As scribes of the most-high God your publishing company is your action or inaction, for that matter, and it serves as an active epistle or testimony of God's word in your life.  Which takes precedent, your words or His?  To which system do you belong, the secular world or the kingdom of God's? 

 

If you want to be a worldly scribe, aka a writer of nice things, let's get worldly and jump into the flesh. Now, can you hear God asking "What have you done for me lately?"  Let's put a beat to it, a baseline.  Your heart, kingdom scribes, beats to publish God's word! Do you need a horn section? Gabriel has sounded his horn. Now get your pens, pencils, and paper together and get to God's work! God is trusting you and blessing you with His spirit and straight from His heart, His word.  How are you trusting Him?  How are you blessing Him?

 

Now is the time to ask yourself if you are truly a scribe of the King instructed unto the kingdom of heaven or a literary agent of the world.  Why do you publish the things you do?  The essence of publishing boils down to this, are you seeking world renown and riches or are you seeking kingdom inheritance and the righteous reward of putting God first? When the time comes and your are standing face to face with the Lord accounting for the things you have published will you be crying out to God saying "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot my transgressions or will you now publish "O taste and see that the LORD is good?"

In The Company of Scribes

Blessed Father God, look at your children! The earnest expectation of creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God– look how they are standing up to be counted, ready to go to war as scribes!  Pens in hand as mighty swords, one by one they are answering the call and awaiting instruction.  Let them not get weary in waiting thinking it was a false alarm.  No, the trumpet has sounded and it’s time to prepare.  Prepare their hearts, O Lord, that they will not only hear from You but receive your instruction and burn with passion and zeal for your word. 

Let them be driven to carry out all that You have given them to do.  As they stand up, Father God, let them begin to walk together encouraging one another, fasting and praying together in obedience to your will– that all scribes be instructed unto the kingdom of heaven.  Let them not fall by the wayside in discouragement thinking their gifts don’t matter or no one will hear their voice.  Each one saves one.  I pray, Father God, as they begin to stand and be counted they will also stand as Ezra did, sold out and on fire for You.  Let them stand wholly committed to Jesus, Your precious Word.  Holy Spirit help me help them see the beauty each one possesses and demonstrate how absolutely vital and loved they are as individuals and as a company.  We should all know what we’ve been given to do doesn’t take great skill– it takes great obedience.  It takes great courage. It takes great faith- faith so great it takes a mustard seed to contain it! Oh, but what faith bursts forth from that tiny seed; faith to set people free not because of a jury’s verdict, no! People set free because an army of scribes took to task your word and put pen to paper and got the job done! Hallelujah in their homes, in their churches, and in the streets of their cities and even on the job they are sharing your word! Deliverance at the tip of a pen driven by scribes operating under the Scribal Anointing working in unity with Holy Spirit.  Not a tribe called quest but a tribe called Ezra on a quest to snatch souls from the grasp of the pit.  A tribe speaking from the very heart of God interceding and reclaiming territory for the Kingdom! One small leap of faith after another breaking the chains of hell because who Jesus sets free is free indeed!  Yes, Father God, an army of scribes not used to entertain but an army of scribes with Jesus working through them setting the captives FREE! 

We are an army of scribes committed to living lives of holiness, teaching and protecting the word. We are a prayerful army; an army full of prayer relying solely on You, Father God, as our source shunning pride and haughtiness.  We will remain humble but we will ever be a force to be reckoned with, pen in hand ready to reveal treasures both old and new.  Truly if God be for us who can stand against us?  What can stop the flow of ink, the spoken word, or any of the prophetic arts from going forth; an army of uncircumcised Philistines? Not as long as we know our gifts come from You, gifts for which we give You all the honor, glory, and praise.  Individually and collectively WE ARE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU Author and Finisher of our lives.  You are the beginning and the end; Alpha and Omega.  Thy will be done through us, Father God, till every knee bows to the name of Jesus, till every soul cries out Jesus save me we will keep it moving, keep it pushing and keep it real, holy and sanctified by the blood of Jesus the risen Christ in whose mighty name we pray, amen!

 

Alone With God

Heavenly Father, beloved Author and Finisher of my life, only You know how my story is written.  I can only hope that I am turning the pages according to your will.  You know me- not only am I not always sure but sometimes, like with any other book, I like to read the ending first or even the middle to see how it relates to the beginning. It’s not because I have a desire to know all the answers- I hardly know the questions, I just want to know the ending is You, that the pen is still and always in your hand. Besides, even looking ahead I still don’t have all the answers. If I didn’t know any better I’d say you’re editing and rewriting things even as I go along. Just never write yourself out of my story.  I am nothing without you and as much as things don’t make sense now, they never will without you.

What I know is I will keep moving forward trusting You, Your workmanship through me and in me. So here I am working towards becoming the instructed scribe You purposed me to be.  Yes I am but are You sure? It’s one thing to do this for myself, I just know it’s not about me.  Truthfully, Father, that’s what scares me- the people you are entrusting to me… The spirit is willing, yes it is Father, and I trust You but can I trust myself to be like Ezra?  Do You know all that he did? I mean, I know You know.  Perhaps I’m reading His ending and comparing it to my beginning and what I thought was the ending of my book was still only the beginning.  I don’t know… I know I have a lot of territory to cover and I cannot begin to take a single step without You.  You alone are how I’ve come even this far. Here I am needing your grace and mercy. Daddy, even more faith.  As You write me; I read You.

I know and thank You that my gifts come from You.  None of this is me.  I just pray, Father, that I don’t take it lightly.  I know you take the foolish things to shame the wise– I just can’t be foolish with this, not any more.  Father, please help me walk in obedience.  Teach me to sit down and be still and really prepare my heart to receive instruction from you. Show me how to do this YOUR WAY. I hear Your voice, Father God, but rooted, I need to be deeply rooted because of the things You’ve shown me.  I don’t want to get carried away and moved from your presence.  Every day I fight to cling to You. I fight to not get lost in some kind of self-serving posturing. I want to be pleasing to You; not myself or anyone else. The glory is Yours. It is never mine to possess or exalt myself with.  I am your servant although You do so very much for me.  How can I thank You except with my life; the very one written by Your hand? This raggedy life drenched in the blood of Jesus is utterly Yours to do as You will. In the saving name of Jesus. Amen