Cultivate is a verb, it takes action. It is not sitting around waiting for something to happen. We also cannot cultivate our lives only once a week, it is a continual action. Yesterday at church the Holy Spirit's presence was evident, so does that mean I go back to business as usual the minute I leave church? I want to take it with me, not for me, but so others can experience it. It is great to have such an experience but He never meant for us to keep it to ourselves. We need His presence to manifest in our daily lives so that others will see. To get that, we have to cultivate an environment that is holy and pleasing to Him (Romans 12:1), it takes effort and choices on our end. Behind the scenes a church will cultivate with prayer, preparing an atmosphere of worship with the right music and lighting and setting aside specific times for service. WE are His church as an individual and we need to prepare an atmosphere in our daily lives. In my quiet time on Saturday this is what the Lord impressed on me.
Do not be concerned with the cares of this world. I am setting aside a season in your life for you to passionately seek me. It is a time of learning who I am and preparing for what is to come. As you seek Me I will pour into you what you will need for the purpose I have for you. Do not worry when things do not get done because you are seeking Me. Whatever is undone is not important in My plans for your life. They will eventually be done but in My timing, not yours. Focus on My will, focus on ME, let my hand write out your days and wait and see the work I am ready to do.
2 Peter 1:3-11
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very good and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you posses these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Therefore my brothers(and sisters), be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things you will never fail, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:16
We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitness of His majesty.
I desire to be an eyewitness to His majesty and glory but to do that I must cultivate my life to be a life open to be used by Him, for Him to manifest His glory to me and through me, so that my life may be a living testimony to the glory, mercy, and grace of God.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Fishers of Men (By Jason)
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of
men.
When Jesus calls
us, he calls us to be the fishers of men, but we are not the ones holding the
pole or in biblical times the nets. We
are the bait that the world see’s. When
they see Jesus through us in our: actions, words, giving and desires. If we don’t walk the path that is written in God’s
Word then how can others believe? That
does not mean we never fall, but when we fall we get back up and get right with
God; pressing forward. Philippians 3:14 (NLT) I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly
prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
The
problem with fishing is free will of the fish.
You don’t control how the fish will approach the bait; it can be a nibble,
a half-hearted strike or it can be aggressive.
Nibbling will result in a superficial relationship, while a half-hearted
strike results in a hook in which is easily pulled out. If they dive aggressively head first and
swallow the bait so no one can release the hook. We must swallow the hook fully to go deep
with God; there is no choice if you want to be near the Kingdom while on Earth.
How does this
relate to us in our walk?
When I was
learning about Christ I chose to be a nibbler and was dissatisfied. It wasn’t what I expected or had seen in
others. I have since learned that God
gives in measure to what we give to Him.
Over the last 13 years I have deepened my relationship. Walking through a half-hearted relationship
with Him believing you are saved just because of a prayer, but not digging deeper
to have a true relationship with Him. I
have since learned that you must swallow the bait fully to become one with the
Fisherman.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Arise and Rend Your Hearts to God.
God has taken our marriage from the brink of divorce and is "restoring the years the locusts have eaten" - Joel 2:25. I began sharing our story in September 2010 to offer encouragement and hope to those who were walking where I have walked. Now God is taking us on a new journey of restoration, one not just for us but for His Kingdom here on earth.
For too long the Church has been asleep. We have gone through the motions and thought we were doing good, but the Church in America has become luke warm. Years have been stolen from us while were were unaware. Now is the time to ARISE. We have been devoured by the things of this world and we have not been able to advance His Kingdom. He is calling His people to "rend their hearts not their garments." It is not about going to church on Sundays, attending a Bible study, serving, singing songs and putting a little money in the plate; though all are good things they mean nothing with out us rendering our heart to God. When we turn our gaze, steadfast to Him and love Him with ALL OUR HEARTS, He promises to restore the years. Joel 2:13-32
For too long the Church has been asleep. We have gone through the motions and thought we were doing good, but the Church in America has become luke warm. Years have been stolen from us while were were unaware. Now is the time to ARISE. We have been devoured by the things of this world and we have not been able to advance His Kingdom. He is calling His people to "rend their hearts not their garments." It is not about going to church on Sundays, attending a Bible study, serving, singing songs and putting a little money in the plate; though all are good things they mean nothing with out us rendering our heart to God. When we turn our gaze, steadfast to Him and love Him with ALL OUR HEARTS, He promises to restore the years. Joel 2:13-32
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Prepare the Way for Revival!
When I first started this blog, it was to share our story in hopes to encourage someone else and to share the journey we felt God was taking us on. Years ago, when we were still very broken God gave both Jason and I an audible word in a church service; we both heard it. That word was, "Go". God hasn't given us a clear picture of what that means. He has been revealing , however, that "go" doesn't always mean a moving of us, it can mean a releasing of us and a move of Him.
A little over a year ago a close friend of ours came to us and said he felt God saying that he was to start a church, if he didn't move now when he felt God telling him, he would be passed by and God would use someone else who was willing. Jason and I knew immediately that this was our "go". Since June (technically last January, we didn't officially start meeting until June) we have been attending LifeChange Church. It started in our Pastors home the first week, then by the second week we had to move to a hotel meeting room. We are currently looking for a new location since we filling the space we are in. God has been doing some amazing things in the families that attend our little church. About 3 weeks ago I felt God saying "prepare the way". At that time we were planning a trip to World Revival Church in Kansas City as a whole church and I thought God was meaning to prepare for Him to do something on this trip. I have no doubt He meant that, but that wasn't all. We had roughly 45 people go on that trip from the ages of 7 to their late 60's. Some of us were feeling the Fire of Revival stirring before we went but others were ignited there. The flame has been fanned. I was journaling a couple days after we returned and this is what God revealed to me.
He started with showing me a passage in Come Away My Beloved "Behold time is short. Be not entangled in the things of this world, for they are transitory. Be not over-concerned as to thy personal needs, for your Heavenly Father knoweth what ye have need of and He will supply. But let thine uppermost concern be to carry out My will and purpose for thy life, to be sensitve to My guidance, and to keep thine ear toward Heaven. Miss anything, but don't miss My Voice. Other voices may introduce disharmony, but My voice will always bring peace to thy heart and clarity to thy thinking. For ye shall hear My voice behind thee saying: This is the way, walk ye in it, when you turnest to the left or to the right."
Then, He spoke through His Word. Phil 3:13-21 - Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Join with others in followong my example, brothers and take note of those who live according to this pattern we gave you. For as I have often told you before and now say with tears, many live as enemies to the Cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that we will be like His glorious body.
Then he spoke to the church through my pen, I didn't even know what I was writing until after (God is good) "How far you are away from My will. I need you to listen to my voice. I have equipped you to push out the voice of the enemy so why are you listening to him? My tears are falling for you because you are not listening. I am about to move in a powerful way, I cannot have you in My way, but I need a willing heart that is ready and willing to be used. You need to be able to die to yoursefl, so you can carry My will to the nations. Put yourelf aside. I did not give you a spirit of timidity so stop being timid and fearful. Quit looking at who you were, look only forward toward My Goal. You want revival; So why do you keep getting in My way? I have hungered to come to My church, to be near you, yet you have pushed Me away. Do not be as hypocrites. If you hunger for My Presence, then LET GO! Why are you making it harder than it is. It is simple, step forward. It is not a journey, it is one step only into My presence. But don't just step there, stay there. Walk with Me; be My feet on earth; be My hands on earth; be My voice on earth. When you can step aside and let My will take control in a radical, Bold way then and only then can I come and bring revival to My church."
Lord Jesus, do a new thing, in us and through us. revival starts in us. Fan the flame of Your revival. Spread the Fire Lord. For Christmas this year let us as a church give You a present; a willing and hungry heart- hungry for Your presence. In Jesus Name.
A little over a year ago a close friend of ours came to us and said he felt God saying that he was to start a church, if he didn't move now when he felt God telling him, he would be passed by and God would use someone else who was willing. Jason and I knew immediately that this was our "go". Since June (technically last January, we didn't officially start meeting until June) we have been attending LifeChange Church. It started in our Pastors home the first week, then by the second week we had to move to a hotel meeting room. We are currently looking for a new location since we filling the space we are in. God has been doing some amazing things in the families that attend our little church. About 3 weeks ago I felt God saying "prepare the way". At that time we were planning a trip to World Revival Church in Kansas City as a whole church and I thought God was meaning to prepare for Him to do something on this trip. I have no doubt He meant that, but that wasn't all. We had roughly 45 people go on that trip from the ages of 7 to their late 60's. Some of us were feeling the Fire of Revival stirring before we went but others were ignited there. The flame has been fanned. I was journaling a couple days after we returned and this is what God revealed to me.
He started with showing me a passage in Come Away My Beloved "Behold time is short. Be not entangled in the things of this world, for they are transitory. Be not over-concerned as to thy personal needs, for your Heavenly Father knoweth what ye have need of and He will supply. But let thine uppermost concern be to carry out My will and purpose for thy life, to be sensitve to My guidance, and to keep thine ear toward Heaven. Miss anything, but don't miss My Voice. Other voices may introduce disharmony, but My voice will always bring peace to thy heart and clarity to thy thinking. For ye shall hear My voice behind thee saying: This is the way, walk ye in it, when you turnest to the left or to the right."
Then, He spoke through His Word. Phil 3:13-21 - Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Join with others in followong my example, brothers and take note of those who live according to this pattern we gave you. For as I have often told you before and now say with tears, many live as enemies to the Cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that we will be like His glorious body.
Then he spoke to the church through my pen, I didn't even know what I was writing until after (God is good) "How far you are away from My will. I need you to listen to my voice. I have equipped you to push out the voice of the enemy so why are you listening to him? My tears are falling for you because you are not listening. I am about to move in a powerful way, I cannot have you in My way, but I need a willing heart that is ready and willing to be used. You need to be able to die to yoursefl, so you can carry My will to the nations. Put yourelf aside. I did not give you a spirit of timidity so stop being timid and fearful. Quit looking at who you were, look only forward toward My Goal. You want revival; So why do you keep getting in My way? I have hungered to come to My church, to be near you, yet you have pushed Me away. Do not be as hypocrites. If you hunger for My Presence, then LET GO! Why are you making it harder than it is. It is simple, step forward. It is not a journey, it is one step only into My presence. But don't just step there, stay there. Walk with Me; be My feet on earth; be My hands on earth; be My voice on earth. When you can step aside and let My will take control in a radical, Bold way then and only then can I come and bring revival to My church."
Lord Jesus, do a new thing, in us and through us. revival starts in us. Fan the flame of Your revival. Spread the Fire Lord. For Christmas this year let us as a church give You a present; a willing and hungry heart- hungry for Your presence. In Jesus Name.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Romance Me
Forgive the repetition, This song has already inspired one blog in the past but just like God's Word, the same words can speak something totally different each time you read or hear them.
Embrace by Jake Hamilton
“Wanna feel your embrace, wanna feel your arms around me, wanna feel your heart beating, next to mine.”
Embrace by Jake Hamilton
“Wanna feel your embrace, wanna feel your arms around me, wanna feel your heart beating, next to mine.”
We just got done studying Captivating by John and
Staci Eldridge and one thing the book talked about was our desire for romance.
I remember a time (actually I still struggle with it) when I hungered so badly
for the romance. The problem I had was I was looking at Jason. Then Jesus
started romancing me, first through music, then through His Word, and even through
His creation. Then I finally came to a realization and turned to Him and felt
His embrace. I love my husband, and I
still desire romance from him, but once I felt the embrace of God and heard Him
whisper “you are my beloved”, nothing else compared. The only problem I have is
it fed the hunger. I can’t get enough. I now want to sit at His feet all the
time. It is at His feet I feel safe, I am romanced, I am encouraged, I am
lifted up.
I get so busy and distracted by the world and the busyness
that I forget my First Love. I begin to look to Jason to feed that hunger, and
as much as he tries, he can’t and I’m left feeling lonely and hurt. But when I
turn my gaze back to Jesus, that’s when I know, “it’s all gonna be ok”. Only He
can fully satisfy. That’s why we have that burning desire. He put it there, but
not for any earthly thing or person to fill; He put it there for Him. Only
Jesus can fill the void we often feel. Turn your gaze to your Lover; let Him
romance you; let Him comfort you. I promise (He promises Hebrews 13:5) He will
not disappoint you when you turn your heart fully to Him.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Redeemed
“I’ve been redeemed.” What does that mean and how do
we, as Christians, walk in that? I’ve been doing a Bible Study with other women
using the book "Captivating". As we were studying the chapter on healing our wounds
it made me realize just how little we truly walk out our redemption. The Webster
dictionary defines redeemed this way, “as to buy back; repurchase; to free
from what distresses or harms; to free from captivity by payment of ransom; to
change for the better; repair or restore.”
Jesus came to redeem us. (Luke 1:68; Galatians 3:14;
1 Peter 1:18) We willingly acknowledge that He came to redeem us (buy us back)
from the punishment of our sins, but is that truly where it ends or is there
more; much more? The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone
is in Christ, He is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come!”
Look at the definition again- “repair or restore”. If Jesus came to ransom us
from our sins at such a great price don’t you think that He also wants to
ransom us from the things that hold us captive as a result of sin “to free from
what distresses or harms”
We accept Jesus’ salvation but daily we must accept His redemption. It is far
too easy to fall into the chains of shame and regret even as we walk out our
salvation, but to truly accept everything
Christ did for us and to walk in all
He gave us, that is becoming “the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
The song “Redeemed” by Big Daddy Weave says it all.
Seems like all I
could see was the struggle
Haunted by
ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in
shackles of all my failures
Wondering how
long is this gonna last
Then You look at
this prisoner and say to me "son
Stop fighting a
fight it's already been won"
I am redeemed,
You set me free
So I'll shake
off these heavy chains
Wipe away every
stain, now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed,
I'm redeemed
All my life I
have been called unworthy
Named by the voice
of my shame and regret
But when I hear
You whisper, "Child lift up your head"
I remember, oh
God, You're not done with me yet
I am redeemed,
You set me free
So I'll shake
off these heavy chains
Wipe away every
stain, now I'm not who I used to be
Because I don't
have to be the old man inside of me
'Cause his day
is long dead and gone
Because I've got
a new name, a new life, I'm not the same
And a hope that
will carry me home
I am redeemed,
You set me free
So I'll shake
off these heavy chains
Wipe away every
stain, 'cause I'm not who I used to be
Monday, February 6, 2012
Power
God began His work in our marriage and in our lives years ago and He always finishes what He begins. This has been a long journey so far and even though we are far from finished we are so much closer to what He has for us. The last couple of weeks have been filled with change. Jason is officially done with the military, well at least on terminal leave. We are now walking in faith that God will provide the job that He desires Jason to have, and Jason spends his days putting in resumes. We recently got the chance to finally go to the Omaha HUB and God did not disappoint us. It was rejuvenating to see God reveal Himself and His power. And God is continuing to give us wisdom. This is just a few of the things He has been showing us lately.
In Matthew 19 Jesus was asked by some Pharisees about divorce, His answer... Matthew 19:4-6 "...at the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not seperate." Jesus went on to answer them with this in verse 8 "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning." and in verse 11" Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given."
Perhaps it is better explained in the devotional we have been reading called "Come Away My beloved" by Frances J. Forbes. It is written as if God, Himself were speaking to you.
" I want you with Me. Because I love you. Where do you expect to see a queen? Beside the king. I have not spoken of you as such, but ye are My Bride. A queen is subordinate to a king, and he reigns while she stands by. No, ours is a closer relationship, for I have vested you with authority also. Ye reign with Me if it be so that ye recognize your privilege...
For I would have a people who live in ME continually, and not that ye be moving in and out of this place. I would have ye live continually in the center of the kingdom of God, just as I have place the Kingdom within the very center of your being."
How much more can we, as a married couple, be used by God when we come together in His Name (Matthew 18:24)? He is in our midst, He moves in us and through us.There is Power of the Holy Spirit when 2 people with softened hearts come together as one. For years Jason's heart and my heart was hard, but as God softens us the closer we grow together. The closer we grow together, and the closer we grow with God, the more the Power is unleashed to work through us to strengthen His Kingdom within a lost world.
" I want you with Me. Because I love you. Where do you expect to see a queen? Beside the king. I have not spoken of you as such, but ye are My Bride. A queen is subordinate to a king, and he reigns while she stands by. No, ours is a closer relationship, for I have vested you with authority also. Ye reign with Me if it be so that ye recognize your privilege...
For I would have a people who live in ME continually, and not that ye be moving in and out of this place. I would have ye live continually in the center of the kingdom of God, just as I have place the Kingdom within the very center of your being."
How much more can we, as a married couple, be used by God when we come together in His Name (Matthew 18:24)? He is in our midst, He moves in us and through us.There is Power of the Holy Spirit when 2 people with softened hearts come together as one. For years Jason's heart and my heart was hard, but as God softens us the closer we grow together. The closer we grow together, and the closer we grow with God, the more the Power is unleashed to work through us to strengthen His Kingdom within a lost world.
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