Tag: Jesus

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

5 Comments

 
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 

Where’s My Miracle? (Miracle Series)

2 Comments

  

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)

4 Comments

  

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 

Supernatural Love (Miracle Series)

2 Comments

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,~John 15:13. 

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,~John 13:34-35. 
 
If you assessed my life story or fully understood my personality, I’d be one of the most unlikely to be used by God to love His kids. I’m highly introverted. As a kid my mum said I spent most of my time under the dining room table with my notes, tools, and sketch pad. I can spend days to weeks with just God. I get lost in thoughts, theories, and creating. I’m also, according to Myers Briggs, INTJ (introverted, intuition, thinking, judging). We are not known as the sentimental types. We are primarily thinkers, not feelers. We ask, “Does this work?” We get lost in logic. We solve problems, hence my pursuit of a career in engineering and science. 
 
I tell you this because God is able to love through anyone who’s willing. I prayed long ago for God to teach me to love like Him. I had no clue what it would cost. I had no clue how deep, vast, profound, rich, generous, compassionate, and sacrificial God’s love truly was. I am still learning.
One person other than Jesus I could pinpoint as an example of supernatural love is Apostle Paul. He was, before His encounter with Jesus, a persecutor of Christians. After His encounter with Jesus, Paul became one of the most radical lovers of God, the Gospel, and wrote Corinthians 13 the chapter on love.
The love of God is supernatural, it’s beyond human ability. Humans naturally want to put themselves first. Agape love is sacrificial, selfless, pure, unconditional, holy, honoring, and out of this world. It’s the love Jesus has for us and tells us to have for others.
How do we get this love, God’s love in us? It starts with relationship, intimacy with God. We must first receive before we can ever give. We also abide in Him (John 15:5). The more I’m with God, the more I love people. This love is still challenged. Trust me! Yet with the passing moments of oneness…His heart invades mine. He has imprinted His great love on my heart.
Supernatural Love Stories: 
I’ve pondered how to share stories while honoring others, so there’s a summarizing and exclusion of names. I’m in the process of writing three more books, they will include more life stories as there’s space for them. Here are a few brief stories that may fuel your faith.
I have a person that caused great pain in my life. More pain than anyone else. They treated me poorly in so many ways. When I went through my health crisis, they were not supportive or compassionate. They would say things like, “You’re not really sick. If you were stronger, you’d get up from there…” Well, I was sick. My hair fell out in places, I was on beta blockers for my heart, seeing specialists,…I was a mini train wreck. Yet God has healed me. Praise pause 🙌. Thank YOU Jesus! 👏.
This person later begin to face their own life challenges, health problems,  and God gave me the opportunity to love. Love wasn’t met with appreciation. It was met with excessive complaining, ingratitude, sometimes anger or hostility, and there were many days I’d sit with God thinking, “Why am I being punished? Why am I in this situation? I’m too young for this! Why do I have to love? This person doesn’t even appreciate love.” 
I’d love to tell you prayer led to warm, fuzzy, and loving feelings. I didn’t. There were days where I’d just sob and call out to God for help. Days I wished I could join the witness protection program and run away from my life. Crisis after crisis wore me down emotionally, mentally, physically, etc…I was really young and overwhelmed. While other kids were enjoying their lives, I was trying to juggle chaos. Yet God is stronger. He didn’t deliver me from. He delivered me through. That person grew to slowly change. I didn’t change them, God did something. It was the most painful and challenging season of my life. Yet God’s love is a sustaining power.
Fast forward and my first real opportunity to do discipleship ministry. Like Jesus there were 12 women and me. I gave my life, heart, time, energy, home, and all for those I was leading/discipling. I gave my all for 3 years. I helped people move, opened my home, cooked meals, hosted parties, wiped tears, prayed, played/sang at weddings, was a friend…I’m a 100% type of person. If I commit to someone or something, I’m giving it my all. The people I gave my life to, well several of them turned on me, gossiped about me, lied on me, one even cursed me out in public, one created so much drama people from out of the state were emailing me at work about it, and well…God never gave me permission to walk in unforgiveness or try to avenge myself. I sat in silence while being cussed out (He supernaturally closed my mouth. My natural bend would’ve been to rebuke that woman). It was so painful. It was challenging. There are absolutely no words to express the level of grief it caused. If I had sinned, I’d accept it as my consequences. Yet my issues came from teaching the Gospel as it’s written, pointing to Jesus, being who God created me to be, and not promoting people to leadership roles because God had not released me to do so. Some of those relationships were never fully repaired, yet a few were. There’s forgiveness for everyone, yet not everyone repented or even acknowledged their sin. And God gave me the opportunity again to forgive and love. Supernatural love when I only felt numb inside. Supernatural love to try again with ministry, though I didn’t want to love again sacrificially after those experiences. Christians became my frenemies so it took God to get me back into ministering to other believers. Some may say, that’s no big deal, grow up. Yet until you’ve laid down your life for people who betray you, there’s no place to reference from. Only Jesus knows fully what it’s like and even He experienced great grief facing the cross.
I found through those years of heart wrenching how much love cost Jesus. I was not nailed to a rugged cross, but my heart was. And “I’m sorry,” never healed nor took away any of the pain. Only God can and does.
I sometimes think we (humans) think our sin, rebellion, or rejection of God doesn’t affect Him. It does. And though we say sorry and repent, our behavior does impact His heart. God has feelings…He loves more than we can comprehend. I can’t imagine since He loves more than me how deep it cuts His heart to see His children destroy themselves and others.
If I loved others by experiences with loving people, I would only love a few people or not love at all. This area of my life has been hit with the most opposition and pain. Yet God doesn’t call us to love a few people. He calls us to love everyone, even our enemies. 
Challenging love situations, they teach you so much about God. I don’t love perfectly, God does. Even though He loves perfectly, He’s rejected, used, verbally abused, neglected, hated, ignored, forgotten about, sought after only in crisis, sinned against, and much more.
I used to think going through challenging experiences with love was some form of punishment. Yet God was answering my prayer, “Teach me to love like You.” God teaches by giving us opportunities.
As of the past few years we have moved from love boot camp, to God supernaturally downloading His heart for people into mine. It makes it a bit easier, yet doesn’t change the response of others to me. I still meet rejection, people who attempt to attach themselves to me for their benefit, misunderstandings (why is she being so nice to me?), and I have a few that are oh so challenging to love. I rely fully on God for love, another lesson learned from these experiences. People can’t fill your love tank.
God’s love for you is beyond describable, yet I will try…
God thinks of you continually. He cares about EVERY single detail of your life. He wants you to maintain your freedom to choose (He’s no control freak or manipulator), He’s not absent minded (He keeps log of all your desires and dreams), He celebrates you, He knows all your flaws and still longs to be with you, He sets up opportunities to bless you, Jesus lives to intercede for you, He moves mountains for you, He corrects to restore you, He enjoys every moment you spend with Him, and He desires so much to be with you!!! This love, His love, is life changing. If you want to see your life changed or change the world, receive this love…God’s unfailing & radical love!
You see one of the greatest miracles of all is the Creator of the Universe loving humanity. 
God bless you! Next time we will talk about divine intelligence, when God gives you His wisdom and intelligence. Praying for you! You are SO deeply loved.
Erin

I See the Cross (Beautiful Jesus! Wonderful Savior!)

Leave a comment

Photo Credit: Pinterest

I normally post weekly to give people space to read and not be overwhelmed by multiple messages a week. My heart was so stirred yesterday to recall what love cost God. You see, genuine love is costly. Anyone can say, “I love you,” yet our actions demonstrate whether those words are true. Only the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob offered up His only begotten Son to take away the sins of the world. Our sin was no shock to God. He already knew we’d choose our way over His. It was in the plan all along that Jesus would die for humanity and rise again with all power. 

Only Jesus (God in the flesh) allowed Himself to be humiliated, beaten, mocked, shamed, hurt, rejected, and nailed to a rugged cross to fulfill the Father’s divine plan of redemption. He loved the Father and out of that perfect love and obedience, He went to the cross. He also loves and loved us enough to give His life. 

God is love. He knew by no other means could mankind be truly be saved. So, He offered Himself. He took the penalty for us, for the wages of sin is death. God’s wrath was poured out on that cross so we would not have to face eternal damnation. 

Have you celebrated His sacrifice today? Thanked Him? Worshipped Him? Will you join me today in celebrating the greatest love anyone will ever know? He’s worthy of continual praise! Thank you Papa God. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Holy Spirit. 

Here’s an excerpt from I Thought I Knew What Love Was…hope it leads you to worship. You are SO deeply loved. 


I See the Cross
written by Erin Lamb October 25, 2007 
Copyright© 2011 may not be reproduced without permission

I see the cross,
so vividly in front of me;
one nail pierced hand on the left
and another on the right.
I see His head hanging there
with the thorns positioned, oh, so tight.
I see the blood
dripping from the pure, spotless Lamb.
I kneel before Him
laying my sins,
all of them,
there.
I see the cross.
I see the beauty of God’s unmerited favor
and His forgiveness.
I see love in the eyes of the One who took my place.
For no greater love lies within a person,
than to surrender His life for His friend.
I see the cross,
that rugged cross;
my freedom was purchased with His blood.
He has been and always will be,
the One who paid the greatest price.
I was purchased by His life’s offering.
I am forever seated with Him in the heavenlies,
and my name is written in His heart.
His children are seated next to Him in heavenly places,
for on the cross He did not remain.
He rose again with all power in His hands.
The same power that raised Him from the dead,
now lives inside of me.
It lives inside of you.
It is that great power at work in us
that changes us from the person we are,
into the person that He chose us to be.
It is that same power that transforms a wicked man
into a righteous man.
I see the cross;
my Deliverer
is hanging there.
He purchased my freedom,
my healing,
and every blessing in the heavenly realm.
Some blessings I see now,
and some are yet to be seen.
I see the cross.
Do you see Him?
Do you celebrate here;
the place where tattered rags of our wretchedness
are exchanged for a robe of righteousness?
This place, the place,
is where scarlet sins are washed white as snow.
This is the place we must go.
The cross is where miracles occur.
The greatest miracle of all
is that God would seek to be reconciled with a sinful world.
I see my Father’s love here.
He cared enough
to send His only Son to save the least, the last, and the lost.
I see the cross,
a reflection of what real love is.
Selfishness died on the cross
when He said, “Father not my desires, but all Your purposes be
accomplished.”
Death was triumphed over on the cross
when He spoke, “It is finished.”
We know that we will see Him again,
and this life here is not the end.
We know that when the trumpet sounds,
the dead in Christ will rise
again.
We know that we will have eternity to worship Him
and eternity to love Him.
I see the cross,
and it is all I must see.
Even if the world around me fades away,
I know that through my Savior I am
reconciled,
restored,
and made complete.
This body may fade and wither,
friends and family may come and go.
I have knelt before that rugged cross enough times to know
that my days are in His hands;
so are His purposes and His plan.
He is the reason I live.
He is the reason I rejoice.
No man would sacrifice his life,
put his very life in jeopardy, for someone who was guilty.
He gave His life,
so we may stand before Him completely unashamed.
Take a moment and look to the cross.
Ponder the wonderful cross.
I hope I find you there,
basking in the love of the Father.
He is the One who deeply loves you
and cares for you.
He is there
carrying your infirmities,
collecting every tear,
rejoicing when you rejoice,
and weeping when your soul has had its wear and tear.
You are never alone
and never abandoned.
I see the cross,
engrained forever in my memory.
The cross is a picture of the greatest love.
He is a love so true
and a love so dear.
He is a love that will never end.

All rights reserved. No part of the material may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, without the written permission of the Publisher, Westbow Press (www.westbowpress.com), or Author, Erin Lamb. The only exception is in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

If you’d like to read more psalms, poems, love letters to and from God, you can purchase right here on the site there’s a link entitled Get Your Copy or you may purchase through: http://www.westbowpress.com, http://www.barnesandnoble.com. and http://www.amazon.com or iTunes store.

Love, 

Erin 

Photo credit: Pinterest

Risen with ALL Power

Leave a comment

  

Photo Credit: Son of God Movie

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross,~Col 2:13-15.

It’s Holy Week, the period of time between Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday. 

Glorious Jesus! He’s my topic of choice today. Jesus is majestic, holy, awesome, incredible, wonderful…knowing Him is life changing. I could go on and on about Him forever…my bible study blog is focused on the life and teachings of Jesus (The Life & Teachings of Jesus). 

Jesus did not come into the world with a sword and army. He came in humility, love, and power.

He came into the world to save the world. We were once dead in trespasses and sins, helpless to meet the requirements of God’s law. What the law was powerless to do He accomplished on the cross.

Humble beginnings…

He left Paradise and entered the world as a babe. He was fully human. He left a place with no sin, suffering, dying, and complete communion with the Father. He humbled Himself to serve even the worst of sinners. He washed feet. He healed the sick. He served.

People bombarded Jesus with their needs, desires, sickness, wants, and some  with  criticisms. He remained a perfect representation of the Father. He walked in love, humility, and power. 

Giving it all for the Father…all for love…

If you visit churches around the world you will find many with Jesus hanging on a cross. He is bruised, nailed, wearing a crown of thorns. There are no images that accurately depict the suffering of Jesus. His flesh was ripped from His body. It’s graphic, it’s awful; He endured the worst suffering for love. 

Jesus not only suffered physically. He took on our sickness, sin, pain, emotional anguish. He didn’t simply die for all of humanity, He died as us. He became the substitutionary sacrifice for us. The punishment meant for us, He took it upon Himself. He gave His life even for those who will reject Him in the end.  

He was obedient even when His flesh cried out, “Father, I wish for you to take this cup from me, but nevertheless…not my will, your will be done.” 

Have you ever had a Gethsemane moment with God…Where the path He set before you seems as though it will crush all that you are? Your flesh is crying out, “oh please God give me the easy way.” I have. I have had many nights face down before Him, my heart torn and battered. My soul weary and worn. My body tired and unwilling. Yet His grace is sufficient. His strength made perfect in our weakness. My spirit eventually cries out, “Father not my will, your will be done.” It hurts sometimes, yet He’s worth it all. 

I will tell you without the cross there is no crown or glory. There’s a tremendous blessing that comes from obeying God and staying right in His will. It will also cost us greatly. 

The Father didn’t leave Jesus on a cross or in a grave. Jesus rose with ALL power in His hands. He took the keys of death and hell. He took back all the authority given to satan by Adam. Jesus stood victorious and He stands victorious today. The Father invites His children to be reconciled to Him and be partakers in Christ’s inheritance…He gives born again believers authority in Jesus name. 

The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in born again believers. We don’t have a little light that’s shining! We have the Light. The Light who created the heavens and the earth. The Light who spoke the world into being. The Light who created the Universe. The Light who is encamped above the earth. Heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool. We could not find words eloquent or sufficient enough to describe all of who He is. 

Yet He chooses us…me and you to house His Spirit and be partakers of a divine inheritance. 

Take a moment to ponder the bigness of God. 

What circumstances are you facing right now that need the power of God? What family members need to receive the message of the Gospel? What relationships need reconciling? What diagnosis needs the healing of Jesus? What crisis needs God’s intervention? What situation looks deader than dead or hopeless?

I tell you sweet friends…NOTHING is impossible for God. You may cry. You may not understand. You may feel lonely and abandoned, but God! Insert God into that situation. One of my favorite prayers now is, “Papa, you said when we pray according to your word and will it is established in the heavens. I will stand on your word.” 

God is 100% faithful! 

This side of heaven we will be challenged. But God! We will endure suffering. But God! We will be disappointed. But God! You see, when God is placed in the center…when the finished work of the cross becomes our focus…when we know who our Papa is…when we fully accept God’s unfailing love for us…when we stand on His word…we may cry, but we shall not surely die. Hope and faith rise up within us. 

Jesus is not still hanging on that rugged cross. He got up! 

I speak to the seeds of faith in you, “Rise UP! Faith arise.” If you can believe Jesus was raised from the dead, you can believe for so much more. 

God always stands in victory! If you’re in His will, He’s fighting for you. If you’re not in fellowship with God, come to Jesus. Get right with God. Repent and turn to Him. He’s longing for you! See link for salvation prayer (Salvation Prayer). 

I gave my life to Jesus on Resurrection Sunday at age 7. Best decision ever! He’s radically changed and is changing my life. No regrets about Jesus. My only regrets are the times I’ve spent worrying instead of trusting God and standing on His word. 

Final thoughts…

You are so deeply loved. The value of something is determined by how much someone will pay for it; Jesus gave His life for you. The Father gave His Son. May the rest of your week be flooded with love, joy, peace, hope, goodness, and reflections on what Jesus has already given in His name and what was purchased on the cross: forgiveness, new life, hope, every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, healing, access to the Father, authority in His name, deliverance, joy, comfort, peace, eternal life, and so much more… 

My prayers and love are with you, 

Erin Lamb

Living Water (Source Pinterest)

Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest,~Jesus.  

 

Miracles (Intimacy with God Series Part XII)

2 Comments



Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!~Jesus (Matthew 10:8).

Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him,~Matthew 20:34. 

I believe in miracles. Mainly because I believe in Jesus. He was and is a miracle worker. 

One of the greatest miracles is salvation. That God could and would take a sinful person and change their life completely, washing them white as snow, and that He would send His Spirit to abide in mankind.

A miracle is defined as: 

  • 1. An event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God. 
    • 2. One that excites admiring awe; a wonderful or amazing event, act, person, or thing.

    When people say God doesn’t perform miracles today, I smile and laugh. If they are talking to me, they are looking at a miracle. Before I was conceived my mother was diagnosed with cancer. She was also told she wouldn’t have any children, she could not have children. But God had another plan. My mother was completely healed of cancer and not by drugs, by the power of God. She also gave birth to other children. 

    There was great trauma before my birth and my grandmother told the doctors if they didn’t get me out I’d probably die. There was tons of prayer around my birth. I’m here today because of the power of God and prayer. I was born early and without any defects. 

    Since my birth I’ve cheated death over a half dozen times including an incident in childhood where a cousin slammed a glass door on me and the glass went through my arm. I still have the scar. The nearest hospital to our farm was over an hour away. Yet my family believes in the power of God and prayer. My father was able to find a clinic doctor to get the glass shard out of my arm without me bleeding to death. 

    I experienced a near death experience during a routine tonsillectomy. I had an allergic reaction to anesthesia and they didn’t stop the operation. I came out of surgery unable to breath. I woke up hooked up to machines and in a special care unit. My lungs filled with fluid, my resting heartbeat 150 beats per minute, and I was on oxygen. After days in the hospital and seeing so many doctors, they decided to send me home…loaded with meds and tons of appointments to go to. The day they decided to take me off oxygen my mother said, “Do a pulse ox on her.” When they did, I was nowhere near normal. I would’ve died in my sleep. I wasn’t getting enough oxygen. 

    Fast forward…I grew tired of the Beta Blockers (heart pills) and all the pills I had to take. You never expect to go in for a routine surgery at 19 and come out sick. I had issues with my heart, my hair begin to fall out, I was exhausted, I would lay awake exhausted from an overworked heart and adrenal system. I cried out to God one day in my car driving away from the doctor. “God I know you’re the Healer. I know you can fix me. I know you can!” With tears streaming down my face, hurt in my heart, and faith bubbling out of my spirit I said to my Father, “If you don’t heal me, I’m going to die, but I refuse to take any more of these pills.” I stopped taking my medication. I don’t recommend anyone doing what I did. I was so desperate and filled with faith.

    I’m delighted to say my heart is great! My doctors say my health is great. There’s only one residual effect of that surgery that I continue to pray for yet it does not negatively impact my life.😊 Thanks Papa God for what Jesus paid for. 

    I told you in a previous post about God saving my life from being trapped in my car under water. 911 never came for me, but Jesus did. My mother prayed for me before the water got up over my head. She prayed the engine would turn over. My engine had already flooded. There was no way it would start under water and already flooded. The pressure of the water kept me from opening the doors. My windows wouldn’t roll down without the car starting. She prayed and said, “Try again.” My car turned over for 60 seconds. Just long enough for me to get out. 

    After that incident I struggled with overwhelming fear whenever I was surrounded by other cars in traffic. I would shake. I would be filled with dread. I went to my pastor for help. He wanted me to go to counseling. I left church feeling defeated. I then went to my Papa. I offered myself before Him. I said, “God I know you’re the Healer, and I’m asking you to free me from this fear.” As I was driving and praying there was an intense warmth that moved the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. I never had that sense of overwhelming dread again. 

    I’ve seen Him heal the worst cases including my uncle who was dead…pronounced dead….called dead…without oxygen for a long time and God raised him to life. His doctors were astonished. He’s still alive and calls me to chat. A brain without oxygen for that long should not function. He was pronounced dead. No heartbeat, no brain activity, nothing. 

    I will end with this story. I was in worship one night. Having an amazing time. I’m normally that person having a great time during worship. I get excited! I was doing my thing when I just starting weeping. Weeping went to excessive crying, grief, sorrow, life seemed so pointless. I left worship and entered the women’s room. I began to pray. I didn’t know what else to do. I prayed for about a half hour before the sorrow lifted. I went back to church thinking, “What was that?” 

    Later that week I connected with an old friend. We hadn’t talked in awhile. I asked how she was doing. She told me that Sunday night she was going to commit suicide. She was so overwhelmed with grief and sorrow and life seemed so pointless. I’m not always the sharpest pencil in the box. I did not put two and two together. She said she was overwhelmed by the love of God and couldn’t do it. It was the exact same time I was praying in the bathroom. God saved her life! 

    I could go on for days with the miracles God has performed in my life. Everything from physical healing, emotional healing, financial miracles, divine appointments, and so much more. I could spend even more time talking about the miracles I’ve seen Him perform in others lives; blind eyes opening, deaf ears healed, cancers healed, dead raised, deformities healed, ADHD healed , tumors gone, spines aligned, addictions healed, sexual deviants/preditors delivered, paralyzed healed, fear and anxiety healed, degenerative joints healed . God can do more in a moment than we can in a lifetime. 

    I’ve found that the more I know Him and abide in Him, the more miracles I see. For knowing Him leads to an increase in faith. Faith increases our risk. When we believe God we are bold in prayer. 

    I don’t care how bad it looks. I care what God says about the situation. One word from God changes everything! 

    Father, for every person reading this I ask for an increase in faith. I ask they would listen for Your voice and pray bold prayers. I ask for an uprooting of unbelief and saturation of  truth. Nothing is impossible for You! You are limitless. In the powerful name of Jesus, amen. 


    Transformation (Intimacy with God Part XI)

    4 Comments

    

    I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me,~Galatians 2:20 NIV

    …if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!~2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ NIV.

    Transformation as defined by Webster’s dictionary: 

    a complete or major change in someone’s or something’s appearance, form, etc.

    I’m sure if you’re a Christian you’ve heard the phrases, “What would Jesus do in this situation?” or “Act like Jesus.” These are great statements to consider. Yet unless we are born again (saved through faith in Christ) and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we have zero chance of effectively and consistently imitating Jesus. 

    You see we (humans) are powerless in and of ourselves to lead sinless lives. If we could, there would be no need for a Savior. Jesus came to deliver us from the bondage of sin and death.  

    The Holy Spirit comes to empower righteous living and character transformation.

    The old man, pre Christ, is gone…dead…dead…dead. The new creation has come. I’ve heard people say, “Oh, I’m such a wretched sinner…just barely making it by grace.” That’s like a butterfly saying, “I’m just a ugly, belly crawling caterpillar.” Transformation occurred and is occurring.

    Photo above: My butterfly paintings…

    After conversion we are in the process of transformation (santification), being changed into the character likeness of Jesus Christ. Just as infants grow into maturity, the Holy Spirit works in us to continually reveal Jesus and righteousness. 

    I’ve lead discipleship groups for about 5 years now. When people say, “God feels so distant. I don’t have any direction, transformation, peace, love, or joy in my life,” I ask…

    “How much time are you spending with God? Not doing things for Him, being with Him.”

    The answer is normally, “I don’t have time to be with God.” 

    My response, “You can’t afford not to.“

    Though I’ve heard people teach it, God will not do everything for us. Nope. He said, “I set before you life and death, choose life. Seek first the Kingdom of God. Put Me first and you will find life.”  

    We have the ability to quench the Holy Spirit, to reject God, to choose sin, and choose to not spend time with God. 

    Life experiences….

    I gave my life to Jesus at age 7. From 7 until 16, I just went to church and tried not to sin. God was good, yet distant (so I thought). I didn’t see radical transformation in my life. I just had the cruise ship Christian mentality…”I’m not going to hell. I will give money and be nice and help some people here and there. Yeah!” I think I led one person to Christ. 

    Age 16 to now. There were so many life changes that really shook me. Something in me wanted to hear God’s voice. When I began to pursue God’s face and His voice, a deeper transformation began to occur. Couple that with years of wilderness experiences and you find yourself enrolled in the school of the Holy Spirit. 

    The more time I spent with God and spend with God, the more His desires and heart become my own. He’s my best friend. I talk to Him and spend more time with Him than anyone else.

    We don’t pick God, He chooses us…oh, to be chosen…

    If I were going to choose someone for ministry, it wouldn’t be me; very introverted, highly analytical, not interested in platforms or being seen, can be overloaded by too much people interaction. I’m a scientist/engineer who’s never been to bible college (just been with God and studying Him for most of my life). 

    God said, “I pick you. Go tell them about My love and demonstrate My love.” I like Moses responded, “Are you serious?” My focus was on who I thought I was, not who He called me to be. I didn’t want to be seen or heard by anyone but God. 

    Out of deep love for God and the deposit of His love into my heart for others, off I went to be a living vessel fully surrendered to His will. 

    God is transforming my character into His likeness. Since 16 there have been so many miracles, God stories, changes, an increase in peace, joy, courage, passion, love, generosity, kindness, even patience and self control…

    As a young person, I rely on Him for wisdom. His thoughts becoming my thoughts.

    As a thinker, I rely on Him for love and compassion. His heart for people becoming my heart for people. 

    God transforms our character through relationship. It’s not about striving to be like Him. It’s about a covenant relationship founded on commitment, love, and intimacy. Just as married people grow to know each other and can represent the other. As we grow through intimacy (knowing) with God, we will represent Him well in the earth. We are transformed into the likeness of His Son. 

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

    Love in Christ, 

    Erin Lamb

    

    

    Receiving and Abiding in Love (Intimacy with God Part IX)

    4 Comments

    IMG_4038

    Our greatest strength comes from abiding (remaining) in God.

    John 15: 1, 4-17.

    “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener…Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

    “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

    “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.

    Culture vs. the Kingdom of Heaven

    Our culture promotes self. If you want something, you go for it in your own strength. You make it happen. You persist. You press harder or push harder. The central character is us, the created ones. Our culture celebrates the “self-made” person.

    The Bible teaches us that we can do nothing apart from God. Nothing means no thing. He is the Source of human life, even for the wicked and unbelieving. We exist because of Him. The central character of God’s story is God. The Kingdom of heaven celebrates the person dependent on God.

    It hurts the pride and bruises the ego to realize that God is above all. He is above us. We are not God or demigods, though some teach this. God doesn’t force us to obey Him or comply, He’s still God and there are consequences for our choices. We are never truly independent from His Sovereignty.

    If we are in Christ, then it’s good to recall that we are to rely on His strength. Our striving produces stress. Abiding produces abundant fruit. He is the Source of love, peace, joy, hope, faith, goodness, life, patience, meekness, gentleness, and self control. He’s the Vine. If we remain in Him, there’s flourishing life.

    Example from Gardening…

    I had a plant with vines. I noticed it would grow towards the light. Any parts of the vine that fell off, died. It was disconnected from its life source. The root system of that plant was supplying nutrients. The branches produced no life on their own. If I forgot to water or fertilize the soil, it died.

    IMG_3933

    We need intimacy (relationship) with God more than anything else. We need the Light (God). We need water (His Spirit). We need fertilizer and food (His Word). When we place other things in front of Him, we suffer. God doesn’t cease loving us, we cease producing fruit.

    Fruit is the result of fellowship and intimacy (abiding, remaining). We will always see fruit of our fellowship. If we fellowship with fear, the fruits are worry, anxiety, insecurity, suspicion, unhealthy stress, people pleasing, jealousy…

    God knew and knows that we will suffer if He’s not first. We can’t produce Light and His Love without Him. He is Light; He is love.

    Our first step in intimacy with God is salvation. The second is abiding. We receive first, then we give.

    The highest priority isn’t doing for God, it’s being with God.

    So beautiful friends, may we seek Him first. May we meet with Him, talk with Him, listen to Him…

    What is God doing? What is He saying? What does His word say? What is God teaching us at this moment?

    May we soak in His Presence and allow God to heal, restore, saturate us, and minister to us. God can do more in a moment than we can in a lifetime. He contains solutions to all the world’s problems.

    Father, Abba Pai, help us to first receive from You and abide in You as Jesus did. Teach us to rest in Your love and the finished work of the Cross. May we have a deeper revelation of what’s already been paid for in Your Son. May we know heart, mind, and spirit the height, depth, and vast expanse of Your love for us. May we rely on Your strength and Your Spirit. In Jesus powerful name, Amen.

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

    Erin

    IMG_3903
    Photo credit: Pinterest

    Solitude and Conversations with God (Intimacy with God Part VI)

    3 Comments

    2015/01/img_3508.jpg

    Jesus often retreated from the people to pray. Passage from Luke 5:12-16.

    Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

    While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

    Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

    Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

    Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

    The passage from Luke does not tell us that Jesus sometimes withdrew to lonely places and prayed. It says He did it often. I truly believe if we read of Jesus doing something, we should pay attention because He only did what was in alignment with the Father.

    Prayer is simply communication with God. If you’re in a relationship with someone, that relationship requires communication. The foundation for intimacy (into-me-see) is built on fellowship, experience, and communication. Without communication, the other pillars of the relationship begin to crumble. They tumble to the ground.

    God invites us to know Him. He offers the invitation for intimacy.

    Why do we talk to God?

    Because we want to build a relationship with Him. He already knows us. Do we know Him?

    Because we love God. We talk to people we love.

    Because God enters situations He’s invited into. If we don’t pray, He’s not invited.

    Because we need God. He said apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).

    Why do we retreat to lonely places to pray?

    So we can hear God more clearly and be free of distractions. Alone time together is more intimate. You can give the other person your undivided attention. Hopefully, they also have yours.

    We talk to God and listen to God because we love Him, respect Him, value Him, cherish Him, and we want to know His thoughts.

    When was the last time you asked God, “What is your perspective on this situation? God will you give me heaven’s vantage point? God will you show me how to love this person? Will you give me insight into solutions to this world problem? God how do you view me? ”

    When we don’t pray (talk to God), we are often leaning on our own understanding. We are worrying and fretting, filled with fear. We are powerless in areas of our lives because we have not yielded to the wisdom of God. We are anxious and insecure. We are not abiding, we are striving.

    Effective ways to pray:

    Talk to God. He’s listening. You have His undivided attention. The Creator of the Universe has given you His undivided attention. Whoah! That’s enough to pause and say, ” Wow.” He’s more important than any earthly president, King or Queen, or celebrity. He’s our loving Father. You don’t have to have a long, rehearsed prayer. Talk to your Papa.

    Listen. One of the ways God speaks is through His word. A verse may pop into your mind or a portion of a sermon. Don’t dismiss it. Ask God for wisdom, insight, and to speak to your heart. Then listen.

    Pray God’s word. I’ve been doing this a very long time and was encouraged at a conference last weekend when both teachers encouraged praying God’s word. You can find scripture prayers at the top of this website. God’s word does not return void. It accomplishes all it’s sent out to do (Isaiah 55:11). Seeds of His word are spread to the world as you pray His word. They are watered by Him and bring forth a harvest.

    Thank God. Have you ever had a relationship with an ungrateful person? They just continually have their hand out and complain to you with their problems. If so, you know it doesn’t feel good. God likes to be thanked. Yes He does. He is not fond of complaining. Yes, we can air our concerns to God…yet the Bible tells us to continually give thanks.

    Intercession. Pray (ask God to help) for other believers all over the world. Talk to God about things outside your realm of influence. Talk to Him about everything.

    Jesus told the disciples how to pray with the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6). It’s a great prayer. We are invited into relationship. My prayers may sound different than yours. One of my frequent prayers is, “God what are you saying? Who do you want to bless today? What’s on your heart ?” Another one is “Thank you Papa.”

    May we seek God for He is glorious! He is outstanding. And He loves to be with His children. He adores you. He wants the best for you.

    Papa God, may we know our inheritance in Christ and come boldly before you. Fill us to overflowing with your wisdom and give us an unquenchable desire for Jesus. May we steal away and grow to know you even more. In Jesus powerful name, amen.