A Good Father

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Happy Father’s Day! 

Thank you to all the men in the world who have been great examples to their children, loved well, inspired, disciplined and corrected well, led by example, and have deposited identity and life into their children. You are appreciated. 

The only perfect Father I know is our Heavenly Father. Don’t get me wrong, my earthly father is super stellar. He’s also human, he also only represents half of the nature of God. You see God is Spirit. We call Him Father rightly so, yet out of Himself He created male and female (Genesis 1:27). Our Heavenly Father is able to do what we traditionally consider what a father and mother would do and without sin. Therefore, He’s the perfect Father. 

I wanted to thank and applaud the great men out there. I also wanted to encourage those who have earthly fathers who abandoned, were absent, abusive, unkind, unloving, neglectful, addicts, or never encouraged them. You are deeply loved! God is your father. You are not defined by your earthly fathers sin. If you’re in Christ, you’ve been adopted into a Royal family. Adopted children are special. They are no mistake; they are chosen and wanted. So, if that’s you…let me speak into your spirit right now…

Papa I speak life, love, and acceptance into every person without a Godly earthly father. I bind the orphan spirit. I release the spirit of adoption. I bind fear and insecurity and loose healing and love. I ask for identities rooted, deeply rooted in Christ. I bind every generational sin that may try to plague them. Holy Spirit come and break every chain! May they know the height, depth, width, and vast expanse of Your love. Overwhelm them today with love! Heal and restore. I loose a freedom to forgive every hurt and disappointment, in Jesus powerful name…amen. 

For those who’s fathers have passed away, lifting you up today. Our Heavenly Father never leaves or forsakes. He’s with you! He brings such comfort! I speak peace over your day. 

For the men without children, soon to be dads, or existing fathers, these are some things my Heavenly Father and earthly father taught me about this vital role in the family. 

A father loves well. It’s unconditional love that seeks what is best for the other person. It’s selfless love. It’s agape love. 

A father protects. He prays. His spiritual protection is so valuable. He doesn’t have to be the strongest man physically, he is strong in seeking the Lord for the protection of his family. My dad rises early every day to pray…like clockwork. 

A father provides. He provides a home free of control, bullying, strife, and chaos. He leads by being a servant. His wife and children know they have an advocate. He provides a place for God to be glorified. He places God at the center and provides a great example for his family by the way he lives and treats people. We didn’t grow up wealthy. My dad did make sure he provided a safe and stable place for us. He worked. He volunteered. He served. He cooked. He cleaned. He helped my mum. He took care of her when she was sick. He combed my hair (we shall burn some of those photos. Nice try dad). He provided a place where we knew he was for us. 

More than financial provision which society says is a man’s main contribution, I believe being present, contributing, providing leadership through serving, and investing in your family is one of the greatest gifts you can provide. Many kids have fathers who work non stop and have money, yet their children and wives don’t have them. 

A father provides identity. Our Heavenly Father gave us His name. There’s so much in a name. If you look around, the lack of identity has caused so many issues in our society. Mothers are so amazing. So are fathers. Fathers help establish identity in ways mothers cannot. Please don’t be upset with the messanger. God created men to express His attributes. This is one of those ways. If you’re a single mum, teach your son about God. Give him examples of Godly men if you can. Heavenly Father can do what humans cannot do. 

A good father has integrity and noble character. I cannot overstate this enough. He’s someone his son will imitate and his daughters will seek out men like him. 

A good father admits his faults and takes responsibility for his actions. He says, “How can I make this right?” 

He’s honest and faithful to keep his word. He’s dependable. 

A good father uses his words to build up, not tear down. He speaks life and blessing over his children. So many blessings are in scripture. Bless your wife and children. Words are powerful. Speak God’s words over them. 

A good father loves his wife! He’s faithful to her and the vows he made before God. She is his equal partner in Kingdom leadership. They may serve different roles at times, yet he does not treat her as a sidekick or inferior partner. He loves her as he loves himself. 

A good father is generous. Our Heavenly Father is so generous! It’s beyond comprehensible at times. Fathers love to give. I’ve seen this in my heavenly and earthly father. 

A good father corrects his children. He points them to truth and disciplines in love when they deviate off that path. 

If you’re a man and you’re saying, “Gosh those are big shoes to fill,” it’s true. Yet I’ve seen several men in my life get this right and their secret is they abide in Christ. They let the love of God flow through them and they allow the Holy Spirit to guide them. It’s not about perfection. It’s about abiding (John 15:5) and submitting to God. He has the Fathering thing down perfectly. He provides assistance to anyone who asks. 

You are so loved men! You are celebrated and appreciated!!! 🎉🙌🏼 Praying for and wishing for more great men in the world. Praying for you! You can not be replaced. You have a significant role in the Kingdom. We ladies want to see you succeed. We are cheering for you! I am cheering for you! 

Love in Christ, 

Erin 

Love the Story, Not Always the Process

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I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us,~Phillipians 3:14. 

There are so many stories of miracles in the Bible. They all started with a problem. Abraham and Sarah had no children. Hannah desired a son. The Isrealites needed a way out of Egypt. The woman with the issue of blood, who suffered for over a decade, needed healing. Jesus died for our sins and was then resurrected because the world needed a Savior….

Everyone loves a great story of miracles and overcoming. Yet many forget the process. Not every miracle or promise is instant. The Messiah was prophesied of many, many years before He set foot in the synagogue to proclaim Isaiah 61. Abraham waited 15 years for Issac. Though people mock Sarah for laughing, I might have laughed too. After her youth is gone, her body is tired, she’s watched other women nurse and love their babies…Let’s be honest, that’s a long time to wait and watch others get what you’re begging God for. 

We love the story of those who overcome or have a radical encounter with God. We don’t always love the process of walking in their shoes or walking out our own journey of facing problems or challenges with God. 

Maybe you’re waiting on a miracle or promise; praying for a miracle, desiring a miracle and every day the hope in you seems to die a little. You watch others celebrate their healing, their financial breakthrough, their promotion, their engagement or wedding, the birth of their children…and you face the harsh resounding discouragement in your heart that tells you that your dream may not come true. 

Maybe during the process you have given up. Buried that dream. Let it die in your heart. Maybe you’ve grieved silently because you can’t take another person throwing scripture at your grief and pain. So, you cry in silence. You scream silent screams that only you and God can hear. You shed tears only God can see and you dust yourself off and keep running your race. 

If that’s you, I can so relate. When the Lord spoke to me many years ago that my life would be filled with miracles, I wish He’d have also said, “This means lots of problems and challenges, persecution, some betrayals, your heart will be broken many times, estimating over a half dozen near death experiences, you’ll lose friends, your health will be attacked, during sickness you’re going to lose your hair, you’ll be mocked and cussed out in public places, and in many cases there won’t be a single soul willing to help you.” If He had, well I might have had a different reaction. However, clueless, I said, “Yes sign me up for a life of miracles.” God delivered me through every single situation and provided so many miracles. There was still heartache and suffering in the process. 

Please don’t think God delights in suffering or sickness. I am not stating He caused all kinds of problems. He didn’t prevent every problem. Some things He delivered me from and others He delivered me through. He doesn’t prevent all suffering or sickness. I still know Him as Healer. God heals, restores, and works miracles. I also have seen people who lived upright Iives before God and have suffered greatly; loss, sickness, heartache, pain. We can’t ignore there’s trouble this side of heaven. 

Easy or deep…

I wouldn’t trade God for an easy life. Yet there are days I wish for less situations that required a miracle. There are days my flesh is tired even when my spirit is not. Some would say in those moments, “Trust God. God is good. He will work this for good.” He is good. He truly is. Yet even Jesus had His Gethsemane moment where He asked the Father, “Please take this cup from Me, nevertheless, not My will…Your will be done.” 

Jesus suffered greatly for humanity. While we love the story, I can’t name one person willing to go through the same process for sinful humanity. So we love the story…not always the process. 

Without the process, going through the trials, challenges, and hard things with God, there’s no great story. There’s also no great character and intimacy with God built either. I’m not stating sickness builds character or intimacy, trials and challenges do if we let them. 

“Smooth seas don’t make skilled sailors.” 

I’d love to tell you to hang on, to keep declaring the word, to never lose hope. Yet I won’t if you’re grieving today. I will tell you to climb up into the arms of God, and let Him love you. As someone who’s laid many dreams to rest, had my heart broken many times, and been to the Garden of Gethsemane more times than I’d like…I think my name is etched in a rock there (Erin was here! Erin was here again!!!)…more than anything in those moments I wanted to know my Father’s love. What I needed was love, not a pep talk or inspirational speech. I just needed love. It would’ve also been nice to have someone willing to pray and stand in the gap. You don’t have to be strong, let God be strong for you! 

There’s a time to contend and a time to rest in God’s sweet embrace. 

So, if that’s you, I’m praying for you! I can’t promise you immediate relief. I can say God is the Comforter. If you’re not delivered from, there’s deliverance through. May His love overwhelm you. May your love story with God inspire others and generations to come! May you be flooded with love and comfort in the process. You are deeply loved. You will always be loved! ♥️💯

Love in Christ, 

Erin 

Know the Author (God)

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Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near,~Jeremiah 55:6.

The platform and foundation of my life is intimacy with God. Intimacy with God is so crucial to understanding the Word of God and living an abundant life. 

One of my life verses is John 15:5. Jesus said, “I am the Vine and you are the branches. Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one, in perfect communion, unity. If we are to know God, we must abide in Him. 

Over the years I’ve met so many people who can quote me verses of the Bible and miss the heart of God. Even some who can defend their prejudice or sexism based on passages of the Bible. People defended slavery with the Bible. People still defend sexism with the Bible or the oppression of women. I began to investigate why so many people had an image of God that did not match up with the whole of scripture or the heart of God. 

We are trained to memorize the Bible instead of allow the Bible to lead us into an encounter with the One who inspired it. 

I grew up in church. We went several times a week. My dad is a pastor and evangelist. My mum was my Sunday school teacher. I heard the Bible over and over and over. I watched my parents live it. Yet it wasn’t until later in life that I truly began to get to know God on an intimate level. What changed? This burning desire grew inside of me to know His voice and know Him on a deeper level. I read in the Bible that God showed up and revealed Himself to His people. He wanted relationship. 

The foundation for growing relationship is communication and it is also built on experience. 

God longs to connect with us. Talking to God is great. Hearing His voice and listening to Jesus pray, that’s life giving. Living life with God instead of Him being a Sunday morning activity is the best. 

I wrote a book. I write Standard Operating Procedures. If you simply read what I write, talk to me about your problems, visit me once a week, and never inquire of me or listen to me, you will not know me. If you only spend time with me in the same setting, you won’t truly know me. The people who have camped in the jungle with me on missions know more about me than those who meet with me for coffee every so often. We forged intimacy through proximity and life experiences, some of them quite challenging. Those who have done missions with me don’t know me like those who have been roommates. I’m not extroverted. I spend lots of time reading and being alone with God. Those who live with me know I’m not a social butterfly. I’ve learned and by the help of the Holy Spirit how to engage with large groups, be outgoing. He’s teaching and helping me continually. Also intimacy (knowing, oneness) with God leads me to want to love and connect with people. 

The Bible is to lead us into an encounter with God, not replace relationship with God. 

His word reveals Him, it does not contain Him,~Kris Vallotton. 

There’s also a level of intimacy that is forged in challenging seasons. Those who attempt to bypass all challenges in life forgo the opportunity to know the power, sustaining power, comfort, healing, and miraculous works of God. During the hardest seasons of my life, a best friendship was forged with God. I learned He’d sing me to sleep when I was crying tears no one saw but me and Him. I learned He’d feed me when I was working three jobs trying to complete two degrees. I learned God would defend me when I suffered under 7 years of persecution (some at work and some through Christians). I learned God was stronger than death as I faced near death experience after another! 7 of those too…if I count right. I learned the sustaining comfort of God when I had to bury my mum. I learned the provision of God as He sent people to send checks in the mail during times of crisis. I learned the love of God (still learning) through all the peaks and valleys we’ve been through together! Don’t bypass the process of getting to know God in every season.

So, for you and I…I pray we seek God and have continual dialogue with Him. One associate joked that all I do is pray (like I’m locked in a closet somewhere all day). Nope. I have continual dialogue with God (that’s prayer). At the grocery, at the park, at work, in the car, working out, playing guitar…all day my heart and spirit is open to His. 

I leave you with these keys that have been deposited along this journey.

1. God wants an intimate (knowing, oneness) relationship, to be the closest person to us. 

2. God speaks. 

3. God will not violate His Word, He will challenge and expand our understanding of His Word. To truly understand His Word, we need to know the Author and be led by the Holy Spirit. 

4. God is love and He is holy. There’s a love movement that forsakes holiness and it’s not of God, nor is it grace. God will never condone sin because He is holy and Jesus died to free us from slavery to sin. 

5. God is good. If what I’m experiencing now isn’t good, I can trust God will work it for eventual good. My definition of good may not match God’s. He never ceases to be good. 

6. Asking God for wisdom is wisdom. 

7. Humility leads to greater understanding. He is God. I am not.

8. God is infinite. He continues to reveal another aspect of who He is. He doesn’t fit or belong in a box. The beauty is getting to know Him over time. He’s an abounding treasure! 

9. God wants to be known by us. More than we want Him, He wants us. 

10. When we seek Him, we find Him. Intimacy with God is worth pursuing. 

Love you dear ones. Lifting you up! Have a blessed week. May it overflow with God encounters and intimacy with God. You are SO deeply loved (John 3:16). 

Love in Christ, 

Erin 

We Teach People What God is Like 

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…be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma,~Ephesians 5:1-2.

The only way we can imitate Christ is to abide in Him. It starts with relationship. We accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We are saved by faith, not works. So none can boast. Once we are saved, we begin this process of sanctification. God is working in us through the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of His Son. 

God loves us as we are. He loves us too much to want to see us stay the same. 

I have met so many people who don’t know God’s love or they are opposed to knowing God. I asked God why? There’s head knowledge, yet for some not heart knowledge. 

BTW…I don’t have this love thing all figured out, it’s a journey. I am learning as I go; learning from Holy Spirit and intimacy with God. 

Tonight I will tackle just one potential answer. 

We (followers of Jesus) are called to demonstrate to the world the character and love of God. We are called to love everyone, not just those who love us, like us, agree with us, go to our church, come from our family, or are in our social circle.

As stated in the word, God’s love (agape) and imitating Jesus comes through abiding (John 15:5). Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing. We are called to do what we see the Father doing; we are called to follow and abide in Jesus. 

If we don’t love the world, some may never know the Father’s heart. God works through people. Ordinary people like me and you are called to demonstrate to the world the great love and power of God. 

My earthly father made Jesus, following Jesus, very attractive. It’s one of the things that’s has helped me in my walk with Jesus. God gave me someone who demonstrated what He’s like. He’s not the only example, he’s one. He’s not perfect, yet I’ve learned so much from him. And his birthday is this week so honoring him. 

All I have belongs to God,~W. Lamb (my dad).

If you ever meet my dad, he’ll probably offer you something. I’ve never met a more generous person outside of God. Here are some things he taught me about God by the way he lived and lives his life. 

1. God is good and always worthy of worship (love, adoration, thanks, and praise). 

2. Love strangers, they are people Jesus gave His life for. 

3. Love and care for the poor and widows. 

4. Keep your word. 

5. Love your enemies. 

6. Do good to all because God is good to you. 

7. Share the Gospel. 

8. Live the Gospel. 

9. Put God first. 

10. Live a life of radical generosity.

11. It’s not about titles, money, fame, or clout…it’s about loving well. 

12. Let God refine your character. 

13. Trust God. He does not fail. 

14. Leave situations you can’t solve in the hands of God. 

15. It’s okay to laugh at yourself. 😜

16. Forgive! Forgive!! Forgive!!! No one is worth putting a wedge between you and God. 

17. Pray…be a person of prayer. My dad rises early every day to pray and be with God.

18. Read and study the Bible. Be a person of the Word. 

19. God still performs miracles! He’s a Healer, Deliverer, Restorer. 

20. You can overcome the worst obstacles with God! Nothing is too hard for God. 

I don’t know about you, but I want people to see Jesus in me…Not so I’m glorified or people think well of me, so He’s glorified. Hopefully, I live a life so people have a growing hunger for God and knowing Him intimately. 

You and I have this awesome privilege of showing the world how AWESOME our heavenly Papa is. We are Ambassadors of hope, love, peace, and power. Some won’t know His love or power unless believers engage and choose to demonstrate it for them. May we know God intimately and show others how good He is. 

You are loved and continually prayed for! 

❤️

Erin 

The Best Love; God’s Love 

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No greater love has a person than to lay down their life for their friend…

I can only only name One who gave His life for not only His friends, but His enemies; Jesus. 

The world will tell you the best love is in a spouse or family or doing what you love. Yet there’s no greater love than God’s love. There’s not. 

Agape is the highest, purest, and eternal of all loves. You see, if we completely blow up our lives…spouses may leave, family may forsake, friends may abandon, but God never will. 
It’s God’s love that transforms us from the inside out. It is the most secure of all loves. It’s this love, His love, that enables and empowers us to love even people we don’t like. They may present themselves as annoying or our enemies, yet the Holy Spirit within wants to express and demonstrate love. Holy Spirit is 100% agape love.

God is the Source of real love, not people…

Someone said once, “You must be lonely,” because I’m unmarried. I don’t feel alone with God. I’ve felt the most alone in my life in relationships void of real love; surrounded by people, yet deficient in demonstrations of love. Those were the loneliest seasons…and those seasons deepened my friendship with God. 

God designed relationships to be centered on and fueled by His love; agape love. 

You can be married, in a relationships, have an abundance of people around, yet if they don’t love you…it can be very lonely…especially without God.

God is love. He’s the Source of agape love. His love is lavish, generous, kind, compassionate, thoughtful, over the top, exceedingly good, satisfying, comforting, amazing, always there, outstanding, truthful, life giving, forgiving, merciful, outrageous, empowering, encouraging, incredible…I could go on for days. Best part, it’s available for ALL! Yes!!! 

God is also never sleeping, tired, too busy, or put off by us or our flaws. His love never fails. 

Love starts with God! True love is found in Him. When that love abides in us, we love ourselves and others really well. May we abide (remain in, cultivate intimacy with, stay connected to) the greatest love of all! God is love! He wants His love to flow through us to others so they too can know the richness of who He is. 

Papa may we know deeply the height, depth, width, and vast expanse of Your GREAT love for us! Your love never fails. May we overflow and pour out. In Jesus powerful name, amen. 
You are prayed for, appreciated, and loved!

Love in Christ, 

Erin 

God Cares How We Treat Him (Heart of God Series Part II)

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God is overflowing with love for you! He thinks of you every moment. He has the ability to give each child His undivided attention. Only God can love each person with full intensity and never miss a beat. 

Have you ever been in love? Head over heels in love with someone? I have. The experience of loving people has taught me so much about God. 

When we’re in love we seek to protect the relationship, and the connection. This journey with God is not about rule keeping, it’s about relationship. You see, when I fell in love with God, my greatest concern became protecting our connection, His heart. I believe that’s why Jesus said, “If you love Me, you’ll keep My commandments.” 

Love is the best motivator. It becomes, “How do I love God well, not how to keep the rules.” When I’m loving God, I’m keeping His commandments because my focus is loving Him.

The Bible is filled with stories of God’s emotional responses to the way people treated Him. Just read about His interactions with the Israelites. 

I did not fully understand that my behavior impacted God deeply until I began to receive the same treatment from others or experienced deep love for others. 

I realized it wasn’t so great being blamed for things that weren’t my doing. 

It wasn’t so great to only be sought out when people had a crisis or needed something. 

It wasn’t so great for people to profess their great love for me, yet their actions demonstrated nothing loving or they would never intiate love.

It wasn’t so great to be pursued for what I do instead of who I am. 

It wasn’t so great to have to beg people to do things that I would do willingly.

It didn’t feel great to be ignored. 

It didn’t feel great to receive from people who were giving out of obligation and not the motivation of love. 

It wasn’t so great to listen to complaining, murmuring, and grumbling when I knew the plan I had for the team or group would eventually bring success. 

I truly believe God not only created humans to procreate to fill the planet with more humans, He gives parents the opportunity to know Him through experiences with their own children. How does it feel when your children don’t listen, blame you for their problems, rebel, etc…

God is perfect in patience. He knows we are not perfect and He’s not beating us up for our shortcomings. This isn’t a message to bring guilt or shame. I apologize to God when I realize I’m treating Him as less than He deserves. It’s about honoring and loving Him above all. 

I do believe God cares how we treat Him. He wants to be first in our lives. He wants to be loved for who He is, not just what He does. God doesn’t want the scraps off the table.   

I heard someone say once, “God doesn’t care if I yell at Him and curse Him.” I thought, “How do you feel when people yell at you and curse you?” 

God loves us more than we can love anyone or anything. It’s a love He was willing to die for. A love that great is moved by how we treat Him. He doesn’t stop loving us. No way. He’s patient with us and overflowing with compassion. Yet He wants our love in return. So He pours out love on us so we can give it back to Him. 

Sweet friends, may we receive God’s great love, love God, exalt God, adore God, abide in God, respect God, trust God (it’s s process), give thanks to God, and place Him above all things. 

You are deeply loved (John 3:16). Praying for you! 

Erin 

God Knows Fully Your Feelings & Emotions (Heart of God Series Part I)

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I love all the stories in the Bible about Jesus. He’s beyond incredible and perfectly represented the Father. He was and is one with the Father. 

Today, I wanted to start a new series on the feelings and emotions of God. Have you ever pondered, “Does God know how I feel? Does He truly understand what’s going on in my heart and soul? Is He watching life happen from a distance?” If so, this post may encourage you. 

I love the story of Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and Jesus. Lazarus dies and Jesus stays where He is until Lazarus is good and dead. Have you ever felt as though God was absent and something in your life died? I have. Just note Jesus is the Resurrection & the Life. There’s no situation too challenging for God! Not one. If it’s not raised to life, there’s a reason. God is good even if we don’t understand why He allows certain things to happen. 

If you read the story you will see Jesus had plans all along to raise Lazarus from the dead. See John 11. 

I’ve read and heard so many people debate why Jesus wept when He encountered Mary and the others weeping. The scripture says, “Jesus wept.” He did not weep when He encountered Martha who was looking for an explanation. I speculate Martha was a thinker and Mary more of a feeler. 

Some have said He saw their suffering and it moved His heart. So, He wept because they were weeping. I believe Jesus wept because He felt their pain. You may draw your own conclusion.
Follow me…

God is in tune with your heart, thoughts, feelings, and emotions. 

God has the ability to feel what you feel. He’s not like your friends or family who watch from the outside and then it moves them because of their love for you. He can actually feel in His own Spirit your suffering. Where’s my evidence? Let’s look at scripture. 

Isaiah 53:4 (CEB) It was certainly our sickness that He carried, and our sufferings that He bore, but we thought He afflicted, struck down by God and tormented.

The Bible continues to say Jesus was moved with compassion and healed the sick. It goes on to say He knew the hearts of men.

Personal experience: 

I told you in the miracle series of my friend who was suicidal and said nothing to me about it. I was joyful one moment and then grief stricken the next. She was miles away. I had not talked to her. I had to pray the sadness and grief off me. She, I found out later, had an encounter with God during the time I was praying that saved her from taking her life. I felt what she felt and it manifested in weeping, bawling actually. I felt it in my spirit. My body responded to her pain and she was nowhere near me. I’m not God, no way. His Spirit has the ability to known your pain and level of discomfort. He knows everything and not from simply watching or observing. 

I believe Jesus felt the pain of the people around Lazarus. I don’t believe it was simply an external observation that led to weeping. I truly believe He felt their pain. Even though He knew He was raising Lazarus from the dead, He was completely in touch with the emotions of the people around Him. 

God isn’t distant or out of touch. He’s more engaged than people can imagine. He’s not like us. We see, process, respond. God knows; He knows the depths of man’s sorrow and depravity. 

The Lord spoke something to me during a really challenging moment. He said, “Do you think I’m watching you suffer from the outside? Do you think I don’t know your pain? I know the depths of it far better than you. It’s not My desire to leave you this way.” At that moment I realized I had placed God in the human box…”He’s watching me suffer.” No, God was right in the middle of my suffering. He knew the intensity of the pain more than I did. 

How does this change your perspective on your circumstancs? On God? 

What moves you, moves His heart. I’ve written many posts on where’s God during suffering. If you wish, you can look them up with the search function on this site. 
I do want you to take this with you: 

God sees all and knows all including the depths of your pain, sorrow, sickness, depression, oppression, despair, fear, anxiety, hurt, heartaches, etc…I used to think it strange when I’d wake up happy then encounter someone and my emotions shift. I could feel what they felt and sometimes even the physical pain. I know now it’s a call to pray. Jesus lives to intercede for you (24/7). I’m not stating God is sick or in pain. I am stating when you are, He knows exactly how it feels. 

God knows everything about you down to the cellular level, brain chemistry, and hormonal level. He knows the coding of your DNA, every strand of hair on your head, every tear you’ve cried, and every memory you’ve ever had. No one is more in tune with you than God. 

Papa I ask that we would comprehend more fully Your great love for us and Your connection with us. Help us to know You intimately. Deepen our awareness of who You are. You’re not cold, distant, or absent. Thank You for Your great love! In Jesus powerful name, amen. 

You are loved and continually prayed for!

Love, 

Erin 

Keep Sowing

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A little mid week encouragement since I won’t be blogging this weekend. God bless you sweet friends… 

Do you ever feel like love is a waste of time? Or you’ve invested in something for Jesus and there appeared to be no fruit.
I admit I have thought at times, “Jesus, there appears to be no fruit here, what was that about?”
He’s super fun. His response, “It’s not about what you see. Are you willing to continue on out of love for Me?” Yep I am! 

Love is costly (our human nature yields to God to put others first). 

When love flows from God to us and through us, it’s a tremendous blessing. 

It’s all for HIS glory, not our own. 

Those who abide in God, love. Those who do not love, do not know God (1 John 4:8). 

It’s so much easier to only look out for ourselves. Sometimes it seems being selfish gets you further in this life. Yet, it isn’t the life God calls us to. 

Why not live for yourself? Because every seed sown will reap an eventual harvest. And this life is temporary. Eternity is forever. God calls us to look for opportunities to do good for others (Gal 6:10); not for our personal gain, to look good, or to win friends, but to demonstrate what He’s like to the world. He blesses us to be a blessing. He’s a good, loving, and generous God. He’s beyond generous. Also blessed doesn’t always speak to the immediate.

Some harvests for Jesus you won’t see until heaven. Some are storing up treasures in heaven where they do not decay and others on earth which will fade away. Some things that seemed insignificant to you may have changed a life or the course of history. If it brings God glory, we pursue it. Being with Him leads to a life of love, reckless abandon to love, radical generosity, and looking out for others. His heart becomes our heart. What matters to Him, matters to us. The people He loves, we begin to love like Him. 

I leave you with these verses. 

“…let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not,”~Galatians 6:9. 

“So then, let’s work for the good of all whenever we have an opportunity, and especially for those in the household of faith,”~Gal 6:10.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself,”~Phil 2:3. 

You are loved and continually prayed for! 


Love, 

Erin
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Where’s My Miracle? (Miracle Series)

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I love the story of Jesus and Lazarus. While Jesus is away, His friend Lazarus dies. When word comes to Jesus about His friend, He didn’t run to the rescue. Jesus shows up 4 days after Lazarus died. You can read the story here John 11. 

The great part of the story is Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Yeah King Jesus! 

What about the situations in your life where it seems there’s no hope or miracle coming? I want to speak to those times in this post. 

I’ve heard people say, “You have no right to question God.” Well, from what I’ve read in the Bible many people questioned and dialogued with God. It’s approaching Him in humility saying, “I’d love to understand what You’re doing. Would you share with me?”

Preventing future harm…

(Names changed to protect privacy)

There was Jon (not his real name).  Jon wanted all the ladies. Women where like toys. They were used and tossed aside. He treated women horribly. He destroyed many lives. He delighted in his looks and charm. Well, one day Jon was in a car accident and he died. People prayed and Jon was raised to life. He lost his looks. Jon stated more than anything in the world he “loved” being with women. Jon has limited to no ability  to ruin more women’s lives. People prayed for his total physical restoration. Yet, Jon is limited to a living with caregivers. 

Then there was Amy (not her real name). Amy abused drugs and sold her body. One day she was in a horse back riding accident that caused her to be paralyzed from the waist down. She was told she’d never walk again. This accident forced her to cease selling her body and using drugs. She began to seek God. I am not stating God caused the accident. 

One day God healed her completely. Amy then decided to go back to a life of doing drugs, prostituing herself, and she abandoned her desire for God. The last I heard of Amy we were trying to rescue her from being sex trafficked. She ended up in rehab and I know nothing of her whereabouts now. 

Do I believe God wants people healed and whole? Yes. Jesus paid for healing on the cross. Do I think God cares about every detail of our lives? Yes. Do I believe God puts sickness on people? No. Sickness and death are results of the fall. Do I believe we sometimes miss part of the equation when pursuing a miracle? Yes. 

Both Jon and Amy needed inner healing. You see it’s not enough for the body to be healed, the mind and  emotions need healed too. Jon and Amy also needed deliverance from the spiritual issues that were driving them to destructive behaviors…what does it matter to have a healed body and end up going to hell? God does heal people who reject Him. Yet I know He cares deeply about the fate of each soul. 

Issues beneath the surface…

Which leads me to….Deborah (not her real name). Deborah had a physical impairment. As we prayed for her there seemed to be some breakthrough, but not full breakthrough. Finally we got to a major root issue: unforgiveness. Once we walked her through forgiving someone she began to have more breakthrough. End of the story, she experienced some physical breakthrough. So much of it was spiritual and emotional. The last area to have improvement was her body and there’s still more breakthrough needed. There were many things God wanted to do inside this sweet lady. While we were initially focused on one thing, God was interested in healing the whole person. 

He’s blessing everyone else…

Does God have favorites? Is He ignoring you? No.

For a long season I thought I was being punished. It was one bad season after another. I watched my friends have their dreams come true, and have no major issues or problems. Meanwhile I was battling crisis after crisis. I had so many tragic things happen. There were many miracles and some things died and were not resurrected. 

God isn’t dead…or deaf…nor has He ceased performing miracles…

God hears our cries. Some breakthroughs are immediate. Some take time. If you read the book of Daniel you will see after he prayed the answer was delayed 21 days. Some breakthroughs come through intercession, waiting, or God just shows up and bam👊🏼. I’ve found breakthrough can be hindered by unbelief, murmuring, complaining, or living out of a sense of entitlement (God owes me something). Sometimes God is preparing us for the miracle. 

Stacy and Matt (names changed) could not get pregnant. We prayed and prayed. Once they gave up on getting pregnant, they started saving for adoption. Once they paid off their debt and were financially ready for a child, they got pregnant. God’s timing was perfect. 

The same goes for singles. God loves to give good gifts. Are you preparing for marriage? Will you steward well someone’s heart and life? Have you learned to love God most? Are you loving the people already in your life well? 

Are you preparing for what you’re asking God for? 

What’s God doing in the meantime? 

Working in us! Deepening our dependence on Him. I’ve learned more about God in the tough seasons than I ever have on the mountain top. I learned the intensity of His love, comfort, and power. While other kids were playing. I was learning how to pray because miracles were needed. 

There are so many more stories I could tell you. There are still things I’m waiting on, promises spoken that seem to have minimal or no fruit. 

Learning from experience with God, when I can’t see His hand, I can trust His heart. You may laugh…I often preach sermons to my own soul. I must. I encourage myself in His word, “Papa Your word says…You cannot lie. You are so faithful to Your word….” I have daily declarations. I speak His words over my circumstances. 

I’d be lying if I said there haven’t been tear stained face days, days of unanswered questions…Days, to weeks, to months mending broken dreams or a broken heart. What I can say to you is this. 

God sees.

God hears.

God loves you. He loves you more than you could love anyone. 

If He doesn’t deliver you from, He’ll deliver you through. 

God doesn’t waste pain. He heals, redeems, and restores. He gives joy for mourning! I know this so well…

What matters to you, matters to Him. 

Jesus paid it all.

It’s good to ask, “God what are You trying to teach or show me?” 

My favorite prayers, “God help! Increase my faith!” 

Delay is not denial. Pray…believe God hears you. 

God’s plan is good. It doesn’t always feel good. Sometimes it’s SO painful. Yet, in the end it will make sense. 

God can be trusted. 

It’s darkest right before breakthrough.

Who God is trumps what He does. In every season He’s worthy of love and worship.

Your breakthrough sets you up to see someone else get breakthrough. 

Your words during times of crisis matter. Words are seeds. If you don’t want it to grow, cease speaking death and doubt filled words. 

Loving you sweet friends. Praying for your breakthrough and increase in faith. You’re prayed for daily! Don’t lose hope. You may be just a few days away from a miracle!  

Love, 

Erin 

Divine Knowledge, Insight, & Wisdom (Miracle Series)

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What does God know? Everything. God knows everything about everything. He’s beyond genius. He’s not limited by time or space. He knows the heart of mankind. He knows every hair on your head. He knows the coding of your DNA. He knows every thought that’s ever been birthed in every human being that’s ever lived. His memory is unlimited. Check out Psalm 139. He’s SO awesome. Don’t you agree? 

Can we take a pause to celebrate Him? 👏🏼

Today I wanted to talk to you about revelation from God. It’s all through the Bible and ministry of Jesus. 

I love what Pastor Bill Johnson said, “No one counterfeits what’s fake.” Our world is filled with “spiritual gurus, people who claim they can read your life or future.” If information and knowledge does not come from God it is from the flesh, or is counterfeit for the Holy Spirit; gifts of prophecy, and divine insight from Him. If the orgin is not God, it’s from our flesh or a demonic source. 

The spiritual world is real. We are spirits taking up residence in a body. 

The Bible tells us: 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places,~Ephesians 6:12. 

A born again believer with the Holy Spirit has access to the wisdom, insight, and knowledge of God. 

Real Life Stories: 

Recognizing wolves in sheep’s clothing

When I was a little kid there were certain people I immediately took a liking to and others that made the hair on my neck stand up. My mum said I just knew people. I truly believe the Holy Spirit gave me supernatural insight into the hearts of people. Not to judge them, but I’d learn later so I’d be an intercessor for them. The priority is love even if the revelation is, “This person’s intentions are not good.” You set boundaries, love, and pray. 

There was a man who lived down the street from our farm who always tried to talk to us and be friendly. I didn’t know him well, yet I sensed evil in his heart. This man later shot and killed my dog. He did plenty of other evil things. We will leave it at that. He’s loved, yet I knew to stay out of his yard no matter how friendly he was. 

Almost every betrayal I’ve faced in life God has warned me. I didn’t stop praying or loving people. I just knew a blow was coming. Since I keep record of what I believe is from God, I can go back and say, “Yes, you told me this would happen.” It did not lessen the pain, it did help me grow in trusting God. 

God is especially good at warnings with friendships or potential mates. One of the only times I’ve heard the audible voice of God was in relation to marriage. There was this man pursuing me for marriage. I prayed. I had others championing the relationship. Yet God knows everything. I remember so vividly, I said, “God is this is a good idea? Should I marry this person?” And as clear as someone in the room speaking I heard “NO!” I looked around. No one was in my bedroom with me. I was freaked out actually. So I kept praying. Needless to say, that relationship did not end in marriage. Thank God. He became quite hostile when I ended it. If I had listened to Holy Spirit early on, it could’ve been avoided altogether. There’s plenty of pressure on young people to be married. If you’re single, please…please…pray and ask God to show you who the person really is. Do they love God? Are they truly following Jesus? The wheat and tare grow up together. Can anyone vouch for their walk with God? Is this God’s best for you and your destiny with God? I’m unmarried because I want God more than anyone else and refuse to join my life to someone He wouldn’t join it to. So prayer and divine insight are a priority. My destiny with God is too important to be forfeited. So is yours.

I have known several people who chose mates that God illuminated it would be a bad idea up front. In all those cases they are now divorced. One woman resented me greatly for telling her. So now I just pray unless God tells me to say something. 

Inner Promptings 

Before that horrible day of September 11th we had planned a trip to Disney World. There was this hesitation inside me to leave that day. Everyone else wanted to fly on that day. I didn’t. I was adamant about leaving days earlier. The people who didn’t change their flights ended up stranded. I just couldn’t fly that day.

Two of three car accidents I’ve had I had an inner prompting to stay home. I didn’t. I don’t live in fear. I just know to pray when I feel this way.

Warning Dreams

Before the school shooting in Conneticut I had this dream that I was in a school with sister and mom and this young man came in and shot up the school. Days before the school shooting I kept waking up at 4 am disturbed. I’ve learned to pray when this happens. 

I had a friend’s sister who moved across country to be with this guy. I kept hearing their names and the word, “split.” I didn’t think much of it. Then I had a dream she was in a funeral home putting up wedding flowers. Felt the Lord saying, “This is not the right relationship.” I prayed. They kept dating. Six months later they were engaged. I thought, “must not have been God.” Then, after a few more months, they were calling it quits. He married someone else. 

Words on people

I see words on or over people sometimes. I’m a word person. Can’t you tell? My blog posts are long, hope to shorten them one day. 🙂 

There are too many stories to post on this topic. So here’s one. 

There was a lady at church who was super happy. She was standing behind me at church. There’s a point where they asked us to greet each other. I turned to greet her and saw the word HOPE across her chest. I thought, “she’s happy. Happy people don’t need hope.” After church I asked if I could pray for her. I told her the word I saw. I spoke to her the things God imprinted on my heart for her. She started crying. The words from God cut right into her heart. I didn’t know this woman, God did. There’s no way I could’ve known her life story or heart condition. 

I felt led to give her a set of pearls one Sunday. I like giving gifts, yet get nervous giving gifts where people know it’s coming from me. I found out later she had told God that she wanted a sign from Him that involved pearls. She had confirmation that she should give her heart even more fully to Jesus. 

Visions of the future 

When I was in college there was a point I was beyond overwhelmed. I had three jobs and a double engineering major. Life seemed so heavy. While driving one day I had an open vision of me with the Father. He picked me up and sat me on His knee. He then lit up all these movie screens in front of us. On them were scenes from my life. I watched my birth, parts of my childhood, some painful things, and the last three screens I recall most vividly. One was my graduation from college (which seemed impossible at the time. I was so tired), the other a white coffin with a single red rose on top (my mum died the year I graduated college), and the last scene…well you just have to wait and see…;)

God imparted hope through that vision. A confirmation of His word, “Never will I leave or forsake you!”

Light more powerful than darkness

A friend invited me to go to a New Age convention to pray for people. In walking around I stopped to talk to a fortune teller. She asked if she could read my palm. I said, “No that’s okay. You’ve been having trouble sleeping at night.” She looked startled. Her outward appearance did not indicate fatigue. She responded, “Yes, the spirits keep me up at night.” I told her she could be free of all those tormenting spirits. Jesus came to set the captives free. 

Some people are afraid of darkness. Yet if you light a candle, darkness scatters. Many people were healed that day, one man gave his life to Christ, and many said their encounters with the Holy Spirit that day surpassed any experiences with drugs, fortune tellers, etc…God knows the heart and how to reach people. There’s no parallel to His wisdom or power. 

So what’s the purpose of divine revelation, insight, and wisdom? 

1. Reveal Jesus and the heart of the Father. 

2. Deepen intimacy (knowing God) with God.

3. Prayer/intercession (standing in the gap, preventing harm, distaster).

4. To build up, edify, encourage, help, love people. Sometimes to warn people too…

5. Bring God glory!

The Source of revelation is God, anything else is from the flesh or demonic sources. If we want to know His voice, we must feast on God’s word and walk in humility. He’s the Vine, we are the branches. Apart from God, we can do nothing. And it’s not about our wisdom, it’s about His. 

Testing what you see, hear, sense…

Words, impressions, visions, pictures, revelations need tested. Is it in line with God’s character and nature? Is is modeled in the Bible? Does it violate scripture?

I’ve heard many teach peace and confirmation are the best tests for knowing if something is from God. Yet God spoke to many people in the Bible and their immediate response was not peace.  When God spoke to Moses it brought fear. Angels were often sent to reassure people, “Do not be afraid.” Joseph didn’t have peace when he found out Mary was pregnant. God sent an angel to confirm His word. Sometimes what God says does not bring immediate peace. There’s also false peace when we are not aligned with the will of God. So we pray and seek wise counsel. I’ve met many people who had peace about cheating on a spouse or abandoning a spouse, etc…the word of God trumps our sense of peace. If the Bible says do not steal, God is not going to tell you to steal. 

As for confirmation, demons know the word of God and have ears too. When Paul met the woman with the spirit of divination, she was speaking the truth…yet her source was not God. So there are various things to consider and evaluate when receiving divine revelation. 

Write it down…

Holy Spirit started speaking scriptures to me. I started prayer and prophecy journals. I document dreams and visions. I date and document all I think is from God. Some journals are 16 years old. I pray over them. I learned to practice in safe places speaking into people’s lives and sharing. Still learning! Wow, so much to learn. Never stop learning. Pray about what to share. Some things God reveals just for you to pray about not share with others. I’d have saved plenty of heartache if I’d learned this earlier. Yet I encourage you not to live in fear. There’s so much grace in God! God loves you and longs to speak to you and through you. It’s all about building relationship and His Kingdom. Listen. Document. Build rapport with God. 

God is the Source of true wisdom, knowledge, and insight. if we ask for wisdom, He provides. He doesn’t tell me everything. He tells me what I need to know. He also answers prayers for wisdom. 

God is longing to speak to you! 

Closing prayer…

Father I ask for Your Spirit of wisdom and revelation to flood those reading the miracle series. Holy Spirit let Your love remove all fear. You said Your sheep know Your voice. Fine tune our hearing. Help us to know Your voice. Use us to bring light, healing, hope, encouragement, and the love of Jesus to others. In Jesus powerful name, amen. 

Love, 

Erin