long obedience

From my reading “RED MOON RISING” (Some are my own words, some not) But all AWESOME to share with others

The communication in my reading was in reference to Obedience to the Lord… as described in the text from the book (Red Moon Rising)“Long Obedience” is the process of being obedient. I have struggled with this particular area in my life because sometimes the waiting would seem as spiritual stagnation, a blah state, or dry spell; as some may call it. So as I gathered some clarity through reading, maybe it wasn’t a problem as I saw it but a time for me to dive deeper in my relationship with God by being obedient. Which leads me to why I wanted to share…

Hardened Heart
At the time we are not aware of the process but pleasure pain and sin harden our hearts or numb our hearts. Even though we are unaware God still sees this and cannot look away. “He loves us too much and has called us to too much to allow us to settle for less than full spiritual health” In Hebrews 12:10 it states that God “disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness” God has to take our hardened heart and make it feel again. He uses all types of circumstances, scripture, books, situations and encounters. He may use pain either of grater loss or a simpler experience to wake up your heart. “But there can be no movement in our lives until we are confronted by our current state.”

Wrestling
Wrestling begins when one tries to make sense of this inner turmoil. We will search for words to describe these confused feelings. We will seek Gods answers by studying scripture, praying, reading books, and listening to worship music. With this we tend to debate on what it is that God wants us to do. “God is watching all this new activity with delight.” Yet God still says nothing.

Waiting
When God gives you the words for what has been bothering you and stirring in your heart. You have some understanding to what questions you have and can begin to speak clearer to God. The answers may not be evident but the questions are beginning to form. You have some direction to the original confused and hurting thoughts. Your dialog with God is developing and you are growing. You are waiting and watching for God to show.

Blessing
God steps in. He watched as you sought answers. He delighted as you prayed to Him and had conversations with Him. He was sowing seeds in your heart in order to soften it. Humble prayer on your knees, crying and questions is now that God steps in to bless you. He brings to your questions and wrestling clarity and light. You now look to Him in faith, in obedience and follow through.

Then you get to start the process over again.

“So I am waiting on God, and God is waiting on me to see if I am waiting for Him or wanting things from Him.”

Waiting in Faith

IT is beautiful to have the feeling of the spirit with you. That awesome feeling I would feel in prayer and in worship especially when my relationship became a matter of my own heart after the Lord. Those “feelings-moments” became far and few in-between and I longed for it. So I would do as many “religious” things I could to feel the Spirit again. Little did I know he never left me, then I came to understand that the “feeling” not felt is not a bad thing as it can be a growth in faith thing. Even though I didn’t feel the Spirit I continued to pray and read the Word. I continued to listen for the Spirit of the Lord to guide me. I wanted to hear the Lord speak to me so bad I began to think it was me internally speaking to myself. Until…. (insert awesome story)

Two weeks ago on Friday I was reading and praying and all the sudden I had a thought tell me to do the drive through difference at Mc D’s. (Y’all know what that is right? It’s when you pay for the meal behind you in a drive through) At this point I began to have dialogue with myself.

“That would be nice if I even wanted to go to McD’s but I don’t want to.” “You remember the guy from NLC who came to church for that it would be a real nice thing to do to do something to lead someone to church or even Christ” “But I don’t want to get drive through or even breakfast”

Then my son came downstairs; “Mom can I go to work with you and then can we get some breakfast on the way.” I replied  UGH “Yes Daniel” now I know I have to do the drive through difference.

So when we go to Mc D’s I steadily look at the people behind me thinking “they probably already know Christ, they are probably ordering for the whole office, I want to keep my money I have been saving all week.” But the entire time I have conversations with myself my son is watching thinking I am crazy.  “I feel so strongly that I need to do this but why am I even arguing with myself… I am gonna do it, the thought came I am going to act on it…so be it.”

I asked the man at the window  “How much is the bill for the car behind me I would like to pay for it”

Daniel says “mom that’s crazy don’t do it that is stupid” – I respond “Daniel I have to I promise, I have had this thought all morning and even though it may be crazy I think God is telling me to so I have to.” So I did (btw it was only a couple of bucks)

I immediately wanted to get my food and leave because I felt a little weird, especially, what if they ask “why? - Do I know you?” Responding- “To God be the Glory or Jesus Loves You!” seems hard to say to a stranger at a drive through. I felt more comfortable wanting to just get my food and go, go quickly. Then the McD’s person said pull up you have to wait for your food. Great! I thought, so I pull up. The car behind me did pull up when they got their food and rolled down the window. Immediately I thought to myself #Awkward

The lady and her son of course said thank you and that it was a blessing. She stated that she wanted to do that same thing for the person behind her that the Lord was leading her to do it but she didn’t know how. She even said she was checking out my church sticker on my car, that something was drawing her to me and my van. They shared with me that they have a food pantry ministry in Indian Trail if I would like to look at it. I didn’t cause at that point I would be late for work. I encouraged them to give me their number and I was going to give them my card. She urged me to come look at it..ok.. I thought “I will have to make it quick, so I’m not late for work”. There was no traffic on HWY 74 at all. I was able to pull on the hwy go down a block or so and then cross over the hwy to the side street I was going to. (When is there ever NO traffic on 74 especially on a Friday morning at 9am – REALLY?) – God can not only move mnts but he can stop traffic as well J

So I get there and it is a thrift store and food pantry ministry. The kind lady was explaining to me that they deliver the food at the same time I am sharing with her that I am creating a prayer room at my daycare. She introduced me to her husband who also had a ministry of a prayer walk in the woods close by, but they moved to this location a few months ago. They had beautiful crosses that I purchased and then her husband spoke to me about a cross at his old ministry location. A HUGE cross! So he donated it to June Bug’s prayer room and it was so awesome. (we later cut it down that day and it sits in the prayer room at June Bug’s NOW – in hopes to be an instrument for others to grow in their relationship with God).

 I was high on Christ the whole day! I was just in awe of how he does speak to us and when we listen spectacular things and connections can happen. I still feel led to help the Common Things ministry if only to volunteer and will follow-up with them and do something to help. The initial meeting was a delightful series of events that the Spirit orchestrated. I was so excited that it was more than a “feeling” it was a back and forth - instruction- respond – result. If that is not evidence I don’t know what is. It was small. No angel from heaven and revealed himself but the spirit was there and working.

God taught me that day that he has been speaking to me all along it’s not that I couldn’t hear him I just wasn’t listening to him. Even in this example I even argued with the fact it was God thinking it was just me talking to myself. So God can work awesome things through us and use us as the tool we were intended to be if we listen to him when he speaks. The moment from feeling to feeling or event where the Spirit does something to say “I am here” knowing the Spirit is there with you, as you continue to be faithful by prayer, reading the Word, listening for Him, and good acts is FAITH. The waiting in-between and still seeking Him is FAITH. He will show up but the important thing is what you are doing in the meantime as you wait for Him was the revelation for me. In addition to that awesome way God showed up Daniel, my son, was there to see the whole thing!

Freedom to love others

Identifying Freedom

So as I explained earlier there is a deeper understanding to the freedom that is gained from the “faultless law” which is the law of following the instructions and teachings of Christ. WE gain freedom from our faults and our sins are forgiven. In addition we also gain the freedom to love others which is the understanding that the same grace we are given other individuals are given the same grace.

At the supermarket, work, home anything little or big….they deserve the same grace. Jesus died for them, his blood washes away their sins, faults, wrongs and iniquities as well as our own.

The freedom is in understanding and accepting this truth. What a concept! Release those irritations, anger, frustration or even deeper emotions towards someone who wronged you. Don’t let them get the best of you! Give them the rest of you, love them and forgive them. Say a PRAYER for them!

The blessing is the freedom to enjoy your day!! Enjoy your day allowing the Lord to love others through you!

Father, I ask that you show me those people who need an extra prayer. Show me that person you have placed in my path in which your looking to give them love through my actions. God I desire nothing more to be an instrument for you today! Guide my heart and my mouth to do and say your will. Forgive me of my sins and Lord I pray you bless those who have also wronged me. Those who I remember and those who I have forgotten, father bless. Thank you Lord for this day! In Jesus Holy name I pray! ~Amen

A new thought on freedom

Have you ever had that moment when the imaginary light bulb goes off in your head and you got it!! Now mind you, understanding and living it are still two different things but understanding it is half the battle (the easy half) But it’s a starting point….

 God turned on my light bulb and helped explained to me a new thought on freedom. We are always in agreement as Christians that when Jesus died for our sins he set us free from our bondage and sins. He granted us freedom from our faults and the things we do wrong. Through His blood we are forgiven by our heavenly father. I just understood the second part of that deal. The freedom not just from the sins and wrongs I have done but in return the freedom to love others and forgive them of their wrongs. Not just because it is the right thing to do but…. #insertdRamatic/music….Because they deserve the same grace that was given to me, the same forgiveness I ask for they deserve it to. No matter if it is big or small but the FREEDOM TO LOVE OTHERS…

James 1:25 (Amplified)

"But he who looks carefully at into the faultless law, the law of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer (who obeys) he shall be blessed in his doing(his life obedience)."

“The law of liberty” The law of liberty is the law or commands in which Jesus spoke of with loving others just as much as you love yourself and to love our Lord God with all your heart, mind and soul. With this in mind you’re granted the freedom of self-control, love and forgiveness because God has placed a new heart in you. With that new heart you now have the ability to be led of the spirit, who gives you the freedom to love others.

James 1:25 NIV  - "The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives FREEDOM, and continues to do this not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it he will be blessed in what he does."

…have to go to work but there is more…. TO BE CONTINUED J