Isaiah 57:18,19 (NLT) - I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them and comfort those who mourn.Then words of praise will be on their lips. May they have peace, both near and far, for I will heal them all, says the Lord.
For those of us who think we deserve where we're at or what we're experiencing because of what we've done ... we need to take the above scriptures to heart and receive them personally for ourself.
It's the Lord speaking in these scriptures, and He wants us to know that He hasn't forgotten us or left us to wallow in the mess we've made for ourself.
Instead of saying 'you made your bed, so lie in it', our unfailing, merciful, loving Father wants us to know that because we're His, He's going to rescue us out of that in which we've gotten ourselves in to, and He's going to heal us and give us peace ... anyway ... even though we may have put our on selves in the position we're
in.
A good friend of mine wrestled with guilt for years because she married a man that she knew the Lord was telling her not to. She suffered years of torment and abuse at that mans hand that could have been avoided if only she had obeyed the voice of the Lord.
Thank God, just like these scriptures say, even though she disobeyed and got herself into the situation that she was in, the Lord had mercy and compassion on her ... and got her out. He's since brought her much needed healing and peace. Now she's free ... and the words of praise are on her lips.
We serve a loving and compassionate God, and when we submit ourselves to Him, He restores us, bringing healing into our lives. He’s gonna take that bad situation, turn it around, and use it for good.
In verse 20 of the same chapter, it says that for those who choose to still reject the Lord, they'll be like the restless sea, and they will have no peace.
I received this word from the Lord on Sunday, and I shared it with the friend mentioned above just before we went into the prison in Dayton to do the chapel service. The Lord led her to share this with the inmates and I believe that they can identify with this because so many beat theirselves up and live with guilt and believe that they deserve the punishment of being in prison for what they did to get there ... maybe according to the law, but God STILL forgives and restores - regardless.
Our sweet, Heavenly Father's gonna love us out.
It's time we forgive ourselves, let it go and move forward from here.
Prayer: We humble ourselves before You this day, Lord. Thank You so much, my Almighty Father, for loving us out and for taking the Holy Ghost broom to clean up our messes and to right the wrong decisions we've made in life. Thank You for healing us despite ourselves and giving us peace. Help us choose to forgive ourselves and move on. Amen.
May 3, 2010
Apr 26, 2010
He Anoints Us
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. Psalm 23:5
There was a note about this scripture in my Amplified Bible. It says:
It is difficult for those living in a temperate climate to appreciate, but it was customary in hot climates to anoint the body with oil to protect it from excessive perspiration. When mixed with perfume, the oil imparted a delightfully refreshing and invigorating sensation. Athletes anointed their bodies as a matter of course before running a race.
As the body, therefore, anointed with oil was refreshed, invigorated, and better fitted for action, so the Lord would anoint His "sheep" with the Holy Spirit, Whom oil symbolizes, to fit them to engage more freely in His service and run in the way He directs--in heavenly fellowship with Him.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord for covering us with Your blessed Holy Spirit. We need all the preparation and protection that we can get. I love You, Lord. You're my life. In Jesus' name, amen.
Apr 22, 2010
God Really Does Come Through
The Lord is my Shepherd {to feed, guide, and shield me},
I shall not lack. Psalm 23:1
The Lord really is our Shepherd. Not the government, our spouse, our job, our paycheck (or lack there of), or our bank account. HE alone supplies all our needs. And, it's up to Him what avenue it comes.
Because He's our Shepherd, we have everything we need. We don't have to be moved by the changing times or economy. The Word says that even in the time of famine, we won't lack anything (Psalm 37:19).
Prayer: Thank You, Lord for Your perfect peace, especially right in the middle of all the turmoil of uncertainty. It's good to know that You're still on the Throne and still in control. I so appreciate the way that You take care of me, and thank You in advance that You always will. Bless us, Lord. And help us to use appropriately what You bless us with. Amen.
Apr 19, 2010
Can He Really Do It?
Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.
So can He? Can God really do it? Can He really cause everything to work for our good? Such an awesome scripture of hope, that even if we're in a bad place right now, the Lord IS going to have good come from it if we're His.
So many studies have been done on this scripture, in part because so much comes against us and we need someone or something to give us hope. Only God can turn our messes into masterpieces. With that in mind, looks like I'm going to have a lot of art work lying around, 'cause there's so much overwhelming me and coming against me right now. The Lord led me to this passage this am when I asked for a scripture of hope for what I'm facing right now.
God has a plan and a purpose for each of our lives. Don't doubt Him. He can make something good come from your situation. Don't spend your time trying to figure out what God is going to do. Just make sure you recognize it when He does it.
He cleans up our messes. Don't go by what you see ... go by what you know ... your God loves you and will never leave you. To God be the glory that delights in His children and wants to pull us from our ashes.
Lean on the Father ... He can be trusted.
Prayer: Thank You, my Lord, for the stillness of Your presence. It quietens the storms that are within. I pray that You help us all to hold on while You are working everything out to bring us victory over the enemy. Help us not to grow weary.
So can He? Can God really do it? Can He really cause everything to work for our good? Such an awesome scripture of hope, that even if we're in a bad place right now, the Lord IS going to have good come from it if we're His.
So many studies have been done on this scripture, in part because so much comes against us and we need someone or something to give us hope. Only God can turn our messes into masterpieces. With that in mind, looks like I'm going to have a lot of art work lying around, 'cause there's so much overwhelming me and coming against me right now. The Lord led me to this passage this am when I asked for a scripture of hope for what I'm facing right now.
God has a plan and a purpose for each of our lives. Don't doubt Him. He can make something good come from your situation. Don't spend your time trying to figure out what God is going to do. Just make sure you recognize it when He does it.
He cleans up our messes. Don't go by what you see ... go by what you know ... your God loves you and will never leave you. To God be the glory that delights in His children and wants to pull us from our ashes.
Lean on the Father ... He can be trusted.
Prayer: Thank You, my Lord, for the stillness of Your presence. It quietens the storms that are within. I pray that You help us all to hold on while You are working everything out to bring us victory over the enemy. Help us not to grow weary.
Apr 18, 2010
Are You Willing?
Esther 4:14 - If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. What's more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?
We all have a calling. We all have our area of the world, big or small, that we can impact. We must see that God loves us all and is using us, even at this very moment, if we're His and willing.
The word 'elevated' in the verse above stands out for me ... we have been placed in the positions of authority that we are in because of our Lord. Whether it be minister, parent, boss, older sibling, the person in our friends group that people look to for leadership, the librarian that checks out books. Whatever place you're in, the Lord put you there. Will that position be wasted?
This is the question that the Lord woke me up with, burning in my heart ... 'are you willing, Michelle?' I told Him to help me, that I was scared, but that I was willing.
Are you willing to go the extra mile to further His Kingdom, so that you can take a part in His will being done? We may not always understand His leading or have all the answers, but we serve a God who knows all and that we can trust with everything that is in us. Surrender your all to Him, and don't look back, for you've been summonded here by God, my friend, for such a time as this.
Do it ... afraid.
Prayer: Help us, Lord, to be willing to follow Your voice and do Your will, despite our fears and questions. Calm us with Your love as You lead us. May Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.
We all have a calling. We all have our area of the world, big or small, that we can impact. We must see that God loves us all and is using us, even at this very moment, if we're His and willing.
The word 'elevated' in the verse above stands out for me ... we have been placed in the positions of authority that we are in because of our Lord. Whether it be minister, parent, boss, older sibling, the person in our friends group that people look to for leadership, the librarian that checks out books. Whatever place you're in, the Lord put you there. Will that position be wasted?
This is the question that the Lord woke me up with, burning in my heart ... 'are you willing, Michelle?' I told Him to help me, that I was scared, but that I was willing.
Are you willing to go the extra mile to further His Kingdom, so that you can take a part in His will being done? We may not always understand His leading or have all the answers, but we serve a God who knows all and that we can trust with everything that is in us. Surrender your all to Him, and don't look back, for you've been summonded here by God, my friend, for such a time as this.
Do it ... afraid.
Prayer: Help us, Lord, to be willing to follow Your voice and do Your will, despite our fears and questions. Calm us with Your love as You lead us. May Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.
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