Monthly Archives: November 2009

This Is The Way, Walk Ye In It

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Unto you do I cry, O Lord my rock, be not deaf and silent to me… Psalm 28:1

Wait on the LordThe Lord is not silent; He breaks the silence by saying, “this is the way; walk ye in it.”

Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk ye in it” Isaiah 30:21

When we have decisions to make and doubts are flooding our soul, and others suggest courses of action that are conflicting; when caution dictates one approach but faith the other, it is the time to stop and be still.

The scripture says, “Be still and know I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  This gives us the permission that it is “ok” to quiet the intruding opinion of others around us, and then calm ourselves into the stillness of God’s presence and wait to hear His gentle voice.

It takes courage to wait in silence, trusting that He will not be silent.  It takes courage to bypass all the words of well meaning friends.  It takes courage not to be pulled by those who are insisting on an immediate decision or action. It takes courage to wait on, trust in, and rely on the Lord to direct you in those difficult decisions.  God is ever present in times of trouble; when important decisions need to be made, you will hear His voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.”  Once you hear clearly and the decision is made, a friend may then be used by the Lord to give support and confirmation.  So be still and wait on the Lord, He is not silent.   ;

Lord, as I still myself before You, help me to block out all intruding thoughts and opinions. I pray as David did that You will not be silent.  I ask You to speak to me and give me direction in each decision I am making today.  I desire to hear You say: “this is the way, walk in it.”

Jesus is Watching

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“He shall see [the fruit] travail of His soul and be satisfied…” (Isaiah 53:11) Amp.
 

Isaiah 53:11 says that Jesus will watch and see the travail of His soul and be satisfied as He justifies many and makes them righteous.  Can you appreciate what He did for you and receive His sacrifice and the travail of His soul?  Can you receive your redemption as a gift with a grateful heart? 
 
He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities.  His outward wounding was for our obvious transgressions or sins, the things we do, stepping over the line or crossing over the boundary that has been set up by God. He took the punishment that we deserve.
 
He was bruised for our iniquities. A bruise is a wound on the inside that shows up later on the outside.  An iniquity is also an internal problem that shows up on the surface later.  Iniquity is a hidden sin, possibly a habit of sin that has been in your family for generations.  The outward evidence does not show up for some time. Jesus died for obvious sins and iniquities, the hidden tendencies that you my not have even seen as sin.
 
Stop and open your heart to Jesus and ask Him to search your heart right now.  Confess all sins and sinful habits or iniquities as the Holy Spirit brings them to your attention.  As you have confessed your sins, receive His forgiveness. Jesus is watching to see who will receive His redemption. When you receive it, you will feel the peace of His satisfaction.

Properly Dealing With the Pain of Rejection

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“You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32).
 

Rejection occurs when someone does not receive or accept you for who you are. It is an error on the part of the one who is rejecting another, not the one who is experiencing the rejection. If you have experienced rejection, it does not mean there is something wrong with you. In Scripture, Saul did not see who David was, Joseph’s brothers did not see who he was, and the Jews of the day did not see who Jesus was. 

The enemy plants lies in our minds at the moment of rejection.  We are then held captive by the lies of rejection, because the lies dictate how we feel about ourselves.  Rejection is not a sign of weakness, although those who suffer from the pain of rejection become weary and even weak. Jesus understands your pain because He too experienced rejection. “He came to his own and his own did not receive him” (John 1:11).
 
Many people try to get rid of the pain by purposing to forget what happened or by blocking out the person who hurt them. However, the pain that remains is a constant reminder of the rejection. The minute someone says something that triggers the lie they believed, the pain is instantly felt.

Another way many people deal with pain is to run from it or pretend it really isn’t there. Pain is like a shadow, it will follow you no matter how fast or far you run. That is why so many people are walking around with the shadow of the past still on them.
 
To be set free from the lies, repent for placing the opinion and acceptance of others over God’s acceptance. Christ came to set us free so we could receive the truth and take our seat with Him in the heavenly places. The enemy knows that if he can keep us bound on earth by lies, we will remain in defeat.
 
Identify all lies that are connected to the rejections, then:

  • Renounce the lies
    Identifying and renouncing lies is very important in the healing process.  Example:  If you still believe that you are unwanted, you will not be able to embrace the truth of God’s acceptance.
     
  • Renew your mind with the truth
    What does God say in His Word about you?  Write it down, memorize it! (Psalm 139:14-18).
  •  Come out of agreement with the enemy
    If you have believed lies, you have entered into agreement with the enemy. Come out of agreement by renouncing the lies out loud. Example: “I am no longer rejected; I am accepted in the beloved.”

minister to others out of overflow

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living waterWhen you are ministering to others, it is so important to be refilled with God’s Word daily. There are so many reasons: His Word is the lamp to your feet and the light to your path; but, even more importantly, God’s Word is the Living Water that gives life to your spirit.

The reality is that we cannot live without water. That is how God created us.  You can not survive over three days without natural water before your body begins to shut down.  Even a flowering plant requires water to live.  You can see the effects within a few days if the plant is not receiving enough water.  A flower that has not been properly watered will be droopy and limp; whereas, a flower that has been watered is full of life and beauty.  A thirsty Christian is just as noticeable; they’re dry and limp.

As you receive God’s Word, you can actually feel your spirit drinking in, reviving and blooming again.  So, if you are dry and droopy, just stop; drink and be refreshed.  Drink in the Word, and be filled up before you try to minister to others.  Always be sure to minister to others out of your overflow, not out of your substance.

Where are You Planted?

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“Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly… He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth fruit in his season.”  Psalm 1:1-3

living waterIn this passage, as well as many other passages in the Bible, we are compared to a tree. It is a funny comparison.  Some people are tall trees with long branches, and others are shorter trees with short bush-like branches.  When we think about people being like trees, there are many ways we can apply this comparison.  We know that in order to grow and produce fruit we must be planted near a good water source.  It is usually pretty obvious to tell if a person/tree is planted by a good water source by examining the fruit that is produced.  In Psalm 1:3, David says that a man is like a tree, and when he is planted near the river (God’s Word) he will produce good fruit in his season.

I have known many people in the most fruitful and productive season of their life who receive a blow, and fall to the ground.  The blow is so great that it causes them to want to lie down and just give up.  I have been in that place myself, and when I was, this verse was like a river of Living Water that poured into my spirit and filled me with strength to rise up again.

“For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.”  Job 14:7-9

The Way of Peace

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And they have no experience of the way of peace [they know nothing about peace, for a peaceful way they do not even recognize]. Romans 3:17

Finding PeaceOnce you have tasted something that is good and satisfying to your taste, you will continue to crave it.  Like my Aunt Nan’s delicious home-made pound cake, or my Mom’s wonderful banana pudding?  No one else can touch these two desserts; my mind is set, and I know how delicious they are.  It is such a delightful experience as you savor every bite; there is no question in your mind.   You don’t wonder, “Is there anyone else that makes a better pound cake?”  You can quiet your thoughts because it is settled in your mind.

Scripture says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”  Once you have tasted and experienced the peace of the Lord, nothing else will satisfy you. It is settled, the peace of the Lord is the only place where you are at total peace. 

Unfortunately, some people have never had this experience.  Just as some people have only tasted store bought cake, they might not even recognize a home baked one.  The same is true in spiritual things: if all you have ever experienced is religion, you haven’t tasted the real thing.  This is what Paul is referring to when he points out in the scripture above, “they do not even recognize the peace of the Lord.” 

Once you have experienced His peace, it passes all previous experiences and is written in your heart and settled in your mind.  You will recognize it.  Get in a quiet place, still your mind, pray, and read the Word until His peace fills your soul.  You will taste and see that the Lord is good!