Living In the Power, Purpose, and Presence of Jesus
We’re entering a new month, but this word about what God is doing right now is not confined to this new month. I believe it’s a word for this season, spiritually-speaking. And, I believe it is vital.
Here are the 5 things the Lord showed me He is doing right now: [Read more…] about 5 Things God Is Doing Right Now
As I shared in The Solution to Fear (Part 1): How God Delivered Me From Fear, I used to be very afraid. I was especially fearful of people; I was shy and didn’t know how to reach out.
However, God has changed my heart, and I’m no longer shy. I truly love people now. In this post, I’m going to share my story about how to overcome shyness so you can have true, covenant friendships and love people the way God calls us to.
Fear of people impacts many Christians in different ways:
Sound familiar? I thought so. I have dealt with all of these manifestations of fear also. And every one of these, precious reader, are tricks from the enemy. You can be totally free from all of these things.
That’s right:
Would you like to know how to overcome shyness, so you can be a voice of light and hope everywhere you go? Here’s how: [Read more…] about The Solution to Fear (Part 2): How to Overcome Shyness
My son wouldn’t stop crying this morning. He’s just over three months old, and he’s going through a developmental leap right now. Leaps make babies extra-fussy, and he was sure demonstrating that today.
At first, I wore him in my baby wrap; usually the closeness of being snuggled up to my chest calms him down after a few minutes. But today, it didn’t work. Then I changed his diaper, just in case. Didn’t help. I tried feeding him, but he wouldn’t eat. He still cried and fussed.
So I walked him around the house; that usually helps too, because he can feel the movement and (I’m told) it reminds him of the womb.
No go, though. Still crying and crying and fussing.
He kept crying, sometimes at the top of his lungs. All the while, I was holding him tight to my chest and nuzzling his head. He was swaddled and warm and all of his needs were met. He was safe as can be.
But he kept crying.
Finally, after a long time of crying, I grabbed my phone and turned on my favorite song: “Good, Good Father” by Housefires. This song means the world to me, and I played it a lot while I carried Elijah in the womb. So he heard it a lot.
The guitar intro came on, and he didn’t stop crying. The vocals began, and I sang along, and at first he still cried.
But gradually, as the words “You’re a good, good Father … It’s who You are … It’s who You are … It’s who You are … and I’m loved by You … It’s who I am … It’s who I am … It’s who I am … You’re a good, good Father …” sounded in the room, a miracle happened.
Within a few moments, it stopped together.
Within a minute or two after that, Elijah was sound asleep.
And I got a revelation.
The whole time my son was crying, he was in my arms. all his needs were met in spades. I love him with all my heart and was making sure he wasn’t cold, hungry, wet, or anything else.
But he didn’t receive my comfort at first. Not until I played him the song about his good, good Father–a song about how Daddy’s got him, and how He’s perfect in all of His ways, and he’s loved by his Father–was he comforted.
At least, I know I am, so often.
When I get sad or upset about something, I’m fussy. Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I won’t stop crying. And all the while, Father’s got me. He has already made sure I’m warm, fed, dry, and in need of nothing.
But still I fuss. I fuss even while my good, good Father holds me tight to His chest with both arms, face nuzzling mine, taking care of me with His big, strong love.
But not until I get a revelation that He’s a good, good Father, and that’s who He is; and I’m loved by Him, and that’s who I am, am I comforted.
Not until I truly understand, yet again, that He’s got me and He’s perfect in all of His ways–so He’s got this, and it will be okay–do I stop fussing.
I’m just like my son in that respect.
Aren’t you?
He’s got both of His big, strong arms wrapped around you. He’s already wrapped you in a blanket and keeping you so you can’t get out. He knows that the safety and security of His arms is what you need. He’s fed you; even though you’ll be hungry again in the future–at which time He’ll provide again–RIGHT NOW you have everything you need.
And your good, good Father is holding you in His arms, rocking you back and forth, and saying: “Don’t cry. I’ve got you.”
He’s got you.
You’re safe.
And you’re loved.
You have nothing to fear. Nothing to worry about. Just like I could see my son’s needs and I made sure they were all met, Father sees all of YOUR needs–even more than we mothers ever could–and He’s got them all taken care of.
All that’s left for you is to receive His love, trust Him, and rest on His chest.
He’s a good, good Father. He’s perfect in all of His ways. Anything He has allowed, He’s working out for your good. Anything you need, He has already provided. All of your cries are heard–
–but not heard from far away.
Your cries are heard in His ears that are right above yours, because you’re nestled right under His chin and He’s kissing your head right now.
“Don’t cry. I’ve got you,” Father says.
“Don’t cry. Shhhhhhh. Shh shh shh shh shh. I’ve got you. Muah muah muah muah (insert Father’s kisses on your soft, downy hair here). Shhh. Everything is all right.”
“I’ve got you.”
And He does!
Your good, good Father loves you with an everlasting love. With great mercies He has borne you. He has carried you all the days of your life. He’s carrying you in His arms right now, and He’ll continue to do so. He’s never going to set you down, not ever.
Father’s got you. His big, strong arms are wrapped around you and He’s holding you tight to His chest …
… And you are loved.
Listen to Housefires sing “Good, Good Father” today (video below), and meditate on your Papa’s love. He’s got you. Don’t cry. You’re safe, and you’re going to be all right.
Does this word minister to your heart today? If so, please leave a comment below. I love to hear from you!
Do you really, really, really want something from God–but you feel like maybe you shouldn’t ask? If so, the Lord gave me an encouraging word for you today.
I was spending time with Daddy God this morning and just telling Him how much I love Him. All of a sudden, I saw a picture in my mind’s eye of Him giving me a big bear hug and kissing my forehead. I felt Him squeeze me tight to His chest. Then I heard Him say, “What do you want?”
I was taken aback by this question. I kind of shook my head and said, “Father, I just want You.”
And He said, “No, no, no. That’s not what I mean. I want to give you something. I want to do something for you. What would you like Me to do?”
I could feel the burning love in His heart that was looking for a way to express itself. He wanted to do something for me because He loves me so much, and He just wanted to demonstrate that today. He is, after all, a Giver. He loves to give.
In total awe of our amazing Father, I asked Him for something specific that has really been on my heart lately. And He said He would give it to me. He just wanted to bring me joy today, because He loves me.
Related: A Big Hug From Daddy God For YOU!
[Read more…] about Ask And You Will Receive, That Your Joy May Be Full
Did you know that Jesus paid the price for you to be free of the desire to sin? That means you can get rid of the desire to sin. Easily.
True story.
I’ve been talking to some folks lately who have been struggling with sin of various kinds. They earnestly desire to walk in purity before the Lord. They don’t want to sin, at all, ever. They love Jesus and desire to seek Him.
Does this sound familiar? It should. I think we all struggle with this to some degree, and we’re not alone if we do. This is what the Apostle Paul wrote about from his personal experience. He described his conundrum by saying:
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (Romans 7:14-15).
But you know what? The good news is:
Isaiah 53:5 tells us that Jesus was bruised–He bled on the inside of His body–for our inner tendency to sin. This passage says:
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
“Iniquity” is not the same as sin. Sin is the evil actually committed. Iniquity is the inner tendency to sin. It’s the root, the perverseness, the evil tendency on the inside that produces sin on the outside. Iniquity is the thing on the inside that gives you the desire to sin:
Do you know the Lord is calling you to something, but you aren’t sure if, how, or when to proceed? If so, the Lord gave me a very encouraging prophetic word for you today!
They were not heavy drums, but snare drums: the drums used to assemble troops in parades. I thought this was odd, as I would typically hear heavy war drums in the Spirit.
“I am calling people out with huge destinies, but I am calling them in a different way than I used to. In these end times, people will have to decide to follow Me and My call on their lives with more stick-to-it-iveness than ever before. Warfare against them will be stronger than it has ever been in the history of the earth. So, each person will need to know beyond a shadow of a doubt what I have called them to do–and they will have to chase that call.
I am calling forth My sent ones, but I am not calling them loudly. Each person has to listen. Each person has to decide to pursue everything I have for them with all their heart.
You will have to use creativity to arrive at the open doors I have for you. You will need to seek Me diligently AND FIRST every day. You will need to be brave and do things that no one has ever done before.
The strongest callings require the biggest foundations. I am requiring effort from My sent ones with the most influential callings because I am teaching them to flex their muscles. No one can do it for them. Just like a butterfly must exercise his wings in order to escape his cocoon, each of these sent ones must flex their spiritual, physical, relational, and motivational muscles in order to fly.
My Word is still true that, unless I build the house, they labor in vain that build it. So I will build the house through each of My sent ones. However, I will be using them as My hands and feet. Things will work–they know not how; they simply will know that it must be Me.
But it will still take effort. Without effort, people give up too easily. My sent ones cannot give up in this hour. Instead, each one must tune his or her ear into My frequency. You must listen for My still, small voice and follow My leading.
I want to do more on the earth, but I need you to push Me and give me permission to do what I want to do through your life. So rattle the gates of Heaven. Rattle the pillars of My temple with your prayers and fasting. Contend in the Spirit realm for more destiny, more calling, more opportunity, and more fruit from your work than you ever imagined.
If I pull you, you will be too weak. You will not be able to sustain what I want to do in and through you. So YOU will have to choose to push Me, and you will have to persevere. The biggest callings are the hardest to obtain in manifestation.
Little by little I will drive them out before you. Little by little your destiny will come. Again, it’s all about the strength of the foundation. I need My strongest warriors right now–those who have been hidden away in My secret place the longest. Those who have become strong will do great exploits.
But part of contending is action, so pursue My high call on your life with all your heart. Fight through the turmoil. Press into everything you know I want you to do.
As you do so, you will find My hand was pushing you forward all along.
Remember My Word: ‘Choose ye this day whom ye will serve … But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord’ (Joshua 24:15).”
Wow! Does this word speak strongly to your heart? It sure speaks to me! If this message resonates with you, please leave a comment below!
And if you need encouragement today, check out these related posts:
Have you gotten tired from working so hard? Do you ever feel like your labor has no reward? Are you tempted to quit RIGHT NOW? If so, I have an encouraging word for you today.
Once upon a time, I was feeling a bit tired and discouraged. I had been working very hard, and sometimes you don’t see the reward of your labor right away, you know? I was definitely in the mood for some reward; something to renew my level of inspiration and re-energize me to keep on working.
So I prayed Psalm 91:15 and asked God to honor me, like He loves to do. (God will honor you too, if you ask; read all about that radical prayer here.) It’s been awhile since I’ve really dug into that promise, but I want my life to always be clothed in honor AND reward. So I asked.
Do you have things in your life that have been destroyed, and you want them back? Never fear! Because …
Then He gave me this word for you:
“You have been trying a long time to rebuild various things in your life, but nothing has worked. However, THIS YEAR, everything changes … because now is My acceptable time for the restoration and rebuilding of all things.
I want you to receive My joy over this good news … because 2018 is the year of My favor. I am giving you back all the territory the enemy stole from you. I want you to know that restoration is easy for Me, and I am doing the work. No matter how difficult things may see to your natural eyes, nothing you see is any hindrance to me.
You have been traumatized by things that have destroyed various aspects of your life and happiness. However, I say to you today, speak to that spirit of trauma and tell it to leave you in the name of My Son Jesus. This is the year of My favor, and the trauma that held you captive IS NO MORE.
So put on your garment of praise. It is the truth from My Word that your praise destroys the forces of the enemy. Your praise releases change. Your praise brings help from My holy courts–the courts where I am praised in Heaven, and the courts where I render judgments and verdicts as well.
When My Son Jesus died on the cross, judgment was handed down to your old adversary, the accuser of the brethren. No weapon shall now stand against you because of the precious blood of My Son. Every accusation that has been leveled against you shall be destroyed for the sake of My Son, for you are in Him.
So I say to you: you are a rebuilder.
Because of the victory that My Son gave you and purchased for you with His blood, you shall now rebuild those things which have long been desolate. Things you thought were lost to you many years ago shall return. Opportunities, skill sets, dreams, and desires shall be re-formed in your life.
Isaiah 61:4 says:
Your strength shall return this year. You will find it to be true this year that the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. Things long beyond your reach shall suddenly become attainable this year.
I need you to partner with Me in order to work these things in your life. So pray intensely and act aggressively when I tell you to act. Remember that the violent take it by force.
Never think you are alone; and when you feel alone, pull away from what occupies you and draw near to Me. I will never leave you or forsake you, and you will find rest for your soul continuously throughout the process.
Remember that I am the Master Planner and Master Builder of all things. So let Me do the hard work while you rest. You will find that you are both rebuilding and resting at the same time, and that is My plan for you. That is how it should be.”
Does this word speak to your spirit and encourage you? If so, leave a comment below! I’d love to hear what Holy Spirit is saying to you!
If you’re a Christian leader, you’re not allowed to have problems. At least, that’s what some people will tell you.
Have you ever noticed that? We Christians seem to have certain expectations of leaders. Whether you’re a leader of:
… there is a stigma that people who are in leadership, or have reached any level of spiritual maturity at all, are not supposed to have problems. Or, if they do, we seem to believe that their battles should be against big things of organizational, community, or nationwide importance.
And if you’re a leader who’s struggling, it can feel like there’s no help for you.
You might feel you will lose favor or influence. You might even be concerned you will be removed from leadership. And if you’re in full-time vocational ministry, you might even be concerned you could lose your job–your livelihood, your ability to provide for your family–if you admit you are anything less than perfect. [Read more…] about But Leaders Aren’t Supposed To Have Problems
Have you been discouraged and stopped believing God? If so, the Lord has an on-time word for you today: “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it!”
Yesterday, while I was feeding my one-month-old baby, I was pondering the mechanics of nursing. The lactation consultant at our local hospital gave me literature recently about how to get the baby to nurse well. One of the things that paperwork says is that Baby has to open his mouth to 140 degrees in order to transfer milk well. That’s about as far as a human mouth will open.
This is a quote from Psalm 81:10. The whole verse says:
I was floored when I heard Holy Spirit say this. Why?
Because just like my baby has to open his mouth ALL THE WAY in order to transfer milk, the Lord showed me that WE must open OUR mouths all the way also in order to receive from HIM.
Our Papa is El Shaddai, the Many-Breasted One. In order to receive, we have to nurse at His breast. But we cannot do it if our mouths are not open ALL THE WAY.
For me, it looks like believing God when certain things happen, and kicking fear, doubt, and unbelief to the curb.
For example, it looks like believing God to pay this ministry’s expenses every month, as well as enough wage for me for my family to meet our budget. (He has always provided, by the way.)
Actually, even as I write this, I’m challenging my own faith–because “opening my mouth wide” HAS to mean believing God not just for enough, but actually believing for plenty. Plenty and enough to spare, so this ministry can expand and do more work for the Gospel, as it has continued to do. Enough for EVERY good work.
#PreachingToMyself
It also looks like continuing to believe God for things I’ve asked for, even when my body and soul get tired of contending.
Example: Last year, I asked God for a financial miracle. My husband and I agreed in prayer, wrote the vision, and sowed into it. Papa even gave me a strategy to see it happen. But this year, I have been so tired and stressed out by caring for our baby that I haven’t bothered to pray for that miracle. “Opening my mouth wide” means I need to go back to believing for what I asked for.
It means we put a demand on God for everything we need and want, just like a baby puts a demand on the mother’s breast for everything he wants and needs. (Sometimes he doesn’t stop with what he needs. Sometimes he keeps nursing just because he wants.) 
🙄
Related: What Does It Mean to Put a Demand on God?
If you’re going to have faith, you might as well exercise it BIG. Why bother having faith for little? The same faith that believes God to give you a pittance could be used to believe God for abundance. It’s an insult to God for us to think He’s little. It’s an insult for us to think He’s poor, cheap, stingy, or short-handed.
He’s the Creator of Heaven and earth. And that God wants you to open your mouth wide–140 degrees, just as wide as you can get it–and expect Him to feed you.
After all, as I was meditating on this, I looked at my baby and realized that I would never refuse to feed him. He’ll always have milk he wants—the milk that he’s believing me for, every time he approaches me. And I’m just a human, a created being formed of dust. But if I’m willing to give my baby all the milk he wants, is not our God willing to do far above even that? Far more for you and for me than even I am willing to do for my baby, the flesh of my flesh?
Of course He is. After all, Jesus said:
Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:7-11).
Related: The 2018 Abundance Challenge–a new way to study the Bible regarding your finances!
He longs for us to acknowledge Him as our source and provider. He longs for us to nurse at His breast. (Did you know that He revealed Himself to Abraham not as Commander in Chief, but as El Shaddai–the Many-Breasted One?) He longs for us to refuse to go away …
… and refuse to stop crying out …
… until we’ve nursed all the milk that we need.
And when I say “all the milk,” I mean all the:
… that we need.
Again, are you believing God for much or for little? Do you expect much from Him, or little? Do you have your mouth open to the full 140 degrees, so you can transfer the milk you need into your stomach? Or do you have your mouth only open a little–or even completely shut?
What’s your level of expectation?
If you will open your mouth wide–all the way–and believe God and nurse at His proverbial breast, He will meet your expectations. Open your mouth wide, and He will fill it.
Will you believe God for the max, starting today?
Does this word encourage your heart? If so, please leave a comment below! I love hearing what Holy Spirit is saying to you!
