Follow-up to: Just Show Up? Really.

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; 

the world, and they that dwell therein.

This is a follow-up to my last post:  Just Show Up? Really. 

This morning I watched a short sermon clip on Youtube of Pastor Bill Johnson, of Bethel Church in Redding California, teaching something very interesting and enlightening.  It was to me especially because it brought some clarity to the transition I'm cycling through in this season. He was comparing the extremes between receiving as a child  through rest and receiving through the violence of taking by force using our faith.  He said when receiving as a child it relates to learning about our identity  while  taking by force relates to using our authority.

The transition for me in this season is learning to be prepared to do either at a moments notice. This is the nature of  spiritual warfare. As I wrote in my last post, I was worn out and had used up all my resourses.  Truthfully, I was having a difficult time distinquishing  the difference between resting properly and  quitting all together. I hadn't been wise in understanding the absolute need to rest as necessary in order to proceed with strength besides not understanding how much more I was relying on myself than I realized. It was that last unconquered area of self reliance that had to be dealt with. 

Years ago after having read Psalm 110:3 I committed myself to be a volunteer in the day of his battle and that desire has never left me. I was concerned I'd be as a deserter and unfaithful to my calling even as the men of Ephraim were if I didn't constantly stay at it.  We're told God was not pleased with them because though they were armed they turned back in the day of battle. Though my heart sincerely desired to stay active and engaged, my human ability could never attain to the high standard I had placed on myselft.   And that was the key, "the standard I had placed on myself." 

Once I literally cried out to the LORD in admission that I could NOT go any further, and all the turmoil had ceased,  and I could hear His gentle voice within, I was enabled to do what He said to do, "Go in the strength you have."  This is what assured me that I could go on in His strength alone.

We all can come  battle weary in stressful seasons especially in extended, unsettled times such as we're living in these days. Problem is, exhaustion can make us a little  bit..well..."crazy"!  We sometimes just can't think clearly, and that's when we need help greater than ourselves.  And thank God, we  can call on Jesus and He WILL answer. And I feel impressed to add: If you've never asked Him to come into your life, you can ask Him right where you are. It's this simple, ask Him to come and live in you and take your life and do something with it. I promise He will do it.  At the end of this entry I'm going to give several phone numbers to ministries I trust  where people are available to pray for you and help you know what to do next.

So, here's the link to Pastor Johnson's video clip, To Rest or to Fight I mentioned earlier. I trust this short 6 minute, powerpacked message will be a blessing to you as  it was for me in whatever circumstances you're having to deal with.  It might help to clarify whether or not you should "come out swinging" or simply rest and trust!...as he mentions in his message.

For Prayer, Call:

Andrew Wommack Ministries

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KCM/ Eagle Mountain International Church

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2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

 that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Just Show Up? Really.

 

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; 

the world, and they that dwell therein.

"Back in the day" whenever that day was,  I recall some who hosted what was called a "Come As You Are Party." As the title suggests, it was an improptu party where people  came dressed in whatever they were wearing at the time of the invite.  I thought of it because of the decision I finally came to this morning. 

Around the globe, we're living in such a chaotic time where each day seems to require more effort to  make it through than the day before.  So what do we do when our best efforts and all our reserves of strength and internal fortitude have been used up and are failing us?  I was there this morning.  I really had reached that place and was pouring it out to my Father....and after a moment or two of silence before Him,  I was somehow enabled to make a decision even after considering all my weaknesses and  seemingly insurmountable issues.  I decided I could just simply...show up.  

Though nothing really changed, my desicion made a difference and I knew it. Then  a few moments later-even as God had spoken to Gideon-I heard the voice of the Spirit say quietly within "go in the strength you have". That confirmation from Him made all  the difference.  I knew it would really be okay just to show up despite how I may be looking or feeling, just like going to a Come As You Are party.  I knew from past experiences that if I'd show up where I was suppose to,  He'd show up, too! 

At times just showing up really is enough and that's a miracle in itself.  I came to this point with this blog entry yesterday. After making several attempts to end it,  I knew I didn't have the true reason why just "showing up" is so important  to our God.  I knew I had to see it from His perspective so the following is what He showed me early this morning:

By choosing to show up, we're reaffirming our committment to stand with and honor Him not in words only, but also in our actions.  Since He's already promised to remain with us,  as well as stating in Hebrews 13:5 “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you;” our loyalty to Him satisfies His heart in a very special way as we actually stand with Him in our weakest, most vulnerable seasons.

"Thank You, for your lovingkindness to us your children who always gives us strength to stand...for after all Your Presence with us IS that enabling strength!"

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

 that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

A Tribute

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; 

the world, and they that dwell therein.

As I lying in bed in the very early hours of this morning,  a poem I had written in the late 70's rose up within me.  Though at the time it seemed to be "dark" to some who read it, I remained undaunted and kept it as it was  since I had a knowing on the inside that it was as it should be.  And now, since we live in a time I thought I'd never see, where so much hardship has been experienced by so many worlwide, the poem has proven to be prophetic.

So today I share it here as a tribute to all who've suffered much with the hope that it will offer encouragement to hang in there one more day and then...do it again the next day knowing that as we choose to trust God in spite of it all, we can put Romans 8:28 to work on our behalf. He really can and will make all things work together for good as we choose to trust Him through it.  And do take note that where  the word "Gold" is metioned in the following, it's merely a metaphor for our faith and trust in God as it is being purified by fire.

[P.S.  added June 24, 2022]  To be perfectly clear,  it is God Himself through Jesus Christ Himself who is our "Gold".  Afterall, what good would it be if our faith was tried by fire based on anyone less  than Him who is the author and finisher of our faith?

A Surly Cloud

 Fear not should some,

surly cloud hail your door,

for oft' times 

 life's dearest treasures hide

behind its burly core.

Don't shrink away

in fear

or dread,

for masks these beasts do wear,

to hide you from

the truth

they hold,

to keep your chambers bare.

So clothe yourself

with courage

and strength

standing within  its train,

for when it's  passed

Your Gold you'll find,

did keep you well sustained. 

                                                ABB 1979

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

 that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Another Decree

 

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; 

the world, and they that dwell therein.

And I also decree: 

God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should repent. Has He said and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good?  Therefore, I am fully persuaded that what He has promised  He  will also do.  (Based on Numbers 19:23 and Romans 4:21.)

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

 that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

My Decree Continued

 

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; 

the world, and they that dwell therein.

...He also prepares a table for me in the presenc of my enemies, and with long life He satifies me and shows me His salvation.      (Based on Psalm 23:5 and Psalm 91:16.)

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

 that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

My Decree

 

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; 

the world, and they that dwell therein.

My decree:

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my Salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and He wil make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.   Habakkuk 3:17-19

 

And so shall it be. 

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

 that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

A Prophetic Decree

 

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; 

the world, and they that dwell therein

According to the original  Hebrew in Genesis 1:3, God said, "Light be, and light was." And yes indeed, Light was! even though He didn't create the sun and moon to give light to the earth until the 4th day.  Genesis 1:14-19.  It was He who is Light that had caused the light to be. 

Because on the inside, I heard Him speak a word to me--and with it His heart for  this hour in which we live-- therefore, I make the following prophetic decree today in agreement with Him:

LIGHT BE!

LORD, so let it be done in accordance to Your word and Your will!  Shine Your Light in this present darkness, causing it to flee once again, separating the darkness from the Light so all can see who You are and how You alone have created things to be!  Yes,  so let it be done even according to your word.

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

 that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.