Browsing Tag

Heart

Devotional

Our Secret Place

November 12, 2023

Dear one, you are not alone. We all go through hard times at some point or another in our lives. But I don’t want your heart to despair. I’m in the midst of one myself. If you’re going through a refining fire season, remember the following to keep your mind and heart focused on our loving, protective, strengthening, and victorious Father God, Lord and Savior Jesus, and Holy Spirit. You’ll find what you need in our secret place with God.

In the secret placed you’ll be …

01 Embraced – God loves you with an everlasting love. He has not only purposely created you, and that’s enough to stop you in your tracks, but He has also paid the ultimate price to keep you near His bosom for an eternity. He can’t lie so He gave His word for you. His word is Jesus. You are loved, saved, chosen, and adopted. You are a child of God and co-heir with Christ.   

02 Enveloped – You are safe, and protected under His wings. Seeking God brings a proximity to Him. Intimacy keeps you safe because you are always in His Presence. No weapon formed against you will prosper when you’re hidden in Christ. You are never left alone. You have been lifted to a high place that no evil can ascend. Never, ever.   

03 Encouraged – You have been given the gift of faith to believe the whole counsel of God. God’s word is truth. It never fails. His word always performs His purposes. Your faith brings His truth into substance before you. His truth exposes lies and renews your thoughts, transforming them into the mind of Christ. Now, all things are possible if you believe.   

04 Equipped – It’s not by might but by God’s Spirit that you overcome. You are made strong with the gift of Holy Spirit living inside, giving you everything you need for life and godliness. Love, power, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, revelation, and a sound mind are yours. You become a Godly warrior, always victorious.  

I encourage you to read, dwell in, and pray through Psalm 91. Also, Psalm 23 and Psalm 27.  Try reading them in different translations until you find the one that resonates with your heart. 

BIBLE VERSES TO STUDY

When you abide under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High. He’s the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence. He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy, and he will protect you from false accusation and any deadly curse. His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm. You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you. Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you, nor will the powers of evil be launched against you. Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed, you will remain unscathed and unharmed. You will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment, for they will be paid back for what they have done! When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm. How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us? God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever you go, defending you from all harm. If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you and keep you from stumbling. You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness, trampling every one of them beneath your feet! For here is what the Lord has spoken to me: “Because you loved me, delighted in me, and have been loyal to my name, I will greatly protect you. I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will feel my presence in your time of trouble. I will deliver you and bring you honor. I will satisfy you with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!" ‭‭- Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭1‬-‭16‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough. He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name. Even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near. You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my cup overflows. So why would I fear the future? Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you! - Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Yahweh is my revelation-light and the source of my salvation. I fear no one! I’ll never turn back and run, for you, Yahweh, surround and protect me. When evil ones come to destroy me, they will be the ones who turn back. My heart will not fear even if an army rises to attack. I will not be shaken, even if war is imminent. Here’s the one thing I crave from Yahweh, the one thing I seek above all else: I want to live with him every moment in his house, beholding the marvelous beauty of Yahweh, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace. I want to contemplate in his temple. In the day of trouble, he will treasure me in his shelter, under the cover of his tent. He will lift me high upon a rock, out of reach from all my enemies who surround me. Triumphant now, I’ll bring him my offerings of praise, singing and shouting with ecstatic joy! Yes, I will sing praises to Yahweh! Hear my cry. Show me mercy, and send the help I need! I heard your voice in my heart say, “Come, seek my face;” my inner being responded, “Yahweh, I’m seeking your face with all my heart.” So don’t turn your face away from me. You’re the God of my salvation; how can you reject your servant in anger? You’ve been my only hope, so don’t forsake me now when I need you! My father and mother abandoned me. But you, Yahweh, took me in and made me yours. Now teach me, Yahweh, all about your ways and tell me what to do. Make it clear for me to understand, for I am surrounded by waiting enemies. Don’t let them defeat me, Lord. You can’t let me fall into their clutches! They keep accusing me of things I’ve never done, breathing out violence against me. Yet I believe with all my heart that I will see again your goodness, Yahweh, in the land of life eternal! Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you! ‭‭- Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭1‬-‭14‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Querida, no estás sola. Todos pasamos por momentos difíciles en algún momento u otro de nuestras vidas. Pero no quiero que tu corazón se desespere. Yo misma estoy en medio de uno. Si estás pasando por una temporada de fuego refinador, recuerda lo siguiente para mantener tu mente y tu corazón enfocados en nuestro amoroso, protector, fortalecedor y victorioso Padre Dios, Señor y Salvador Jesús, y Espíritu Santo. Encontrarás lo que necesitas en nuestro escondite secreto con Dios.

En el lugar secreto estarás…

01 Abrazada – Dios te ama con amor eterno. Él no sólo te ha creado intencionalmente, y eso es suficiente para detenerte en seco, sino que también ha pagado el precio máximo para mantenerte cerca de Su seno por una eternidad. Él no puede mentir, por eso dio Su palabra por ti. Su palabra es Jesús. Eres amada, salva, elegida, y adoptada. Eres hija de Dios y coheredera con Cristo.

02 Envuelta – Estás a salvo y protegida bajo sus alas. Buscar a Dios trae proximidad a Él. La intimidad te mantiene a salvo porque siempre estás en Su Presencia. Ningún arma forjada contra ti prosperará cuando estés escondida en Cristo. Nunca te quedas sola. Has sido elevada a un lugar alto al que ningún mal puede ascender. Nunca jamás.

03 Animada – Se te ha dado el don de la fe para creer todo el consejo de Dios. La palabra de Dios es verdad. Nunca falla. Su palabra siempre cumple Sus propósitos. Tu fe hace que Su verdad se convierta en sustancia ante ti. Su verdad expone las mentiras y renueva tus pensamientos, transformándolos en la mente de Cristo. Ahora, todo es posible si crees.

04 Equipada – No es con el poder sino con el Espíritu de Dios que se vence. Eres fortalecida con el don del Espíritu Santo que vive en tu interior y te da todo lo que necesitas para la vida y la piedad. El amor, el poder, la sabiduría, el conocimiento, la comprensión, la revelación y la mente sana son tuyos. Te conviertes en un guerrero piadosa, siempre victorioso.

Te animo a leer, meditar y orar el Salmo 91. Además, el Salmo 23 y el Salmo 27. Intenta leerlos en diferentes traducciones hasta que encuentre la que resuene en tu corazón.

VERSÍCULOS DE LA BIBLIA PARA ESTUDIAR

El que habita al abrigo del Altísimo Morará bajo la sombra del Omnipotente. Diré yo a Jehová: Esperanza mía, y castillo mío; Mi Dios, en quien confiaré. Él te librará del lazo del cazador, De la peste destructora. Con sus plumas te cubrirá, Y debajo de sus alas estarás seguro; Escudo y adarga es su verdad. No temerás el terror nocturno, Ni saeta que vuele de día, Ni pestilencia que ande en oscuridad, Ni mortandad que en medio del día destruya. Caerán a tu lado mil, Y diez mil a tu diestra; Mas a ti no llegará. Ciertamente con tus ojos mirarás Y verás la recompensa de los impíos. Porque has puesto a Jehová, que es mi esperanza, Al Altísimo por tu habitación, No te sobrevendrá mal, Ni plaga tocará tu morada. Pues a sus ángeles mandará acerca de ti, Que te guarden en todos tus caminos. En las manos te llevarán, Para que tu pie no tropiece en piedra. Sobre el león y el áspid pisarás; Hollarás al cachorro del león y al dragón. Por cuanto en mí ha puesto su amor, yo también lo libraré; Le pondré en alto, por cuanto ha conocido mi nombre. Me invocará, y yo le responderé; Con él estaré yo en la angustia; Lo libraré y le glorificaré. Lo saciaré de larga vida, Y le mostraré mi salvación. - Salmo 91

El Señor es mi pastor; nada me falta. En verdes praderas me hace descansar, a las aguas tranquilas me conduce, me da nuevas fuerzas y me lleva por caminos rectos, haciendo honor a su nombre. Aunque pase por el más oscuro de los valles, no temeré peligro alguno, porque tú, Señor, estás conmigo; tu vara y tu bastón me inspiran confianza. Me has preparado un banquete ante los ojos de mis enemigos; has vertido perfume en mi cabeza, y has llenado mi copa a rebosar. Tu bondad y tu amor me acompañan a lo largo de mis días, y en tu casa, oh Señor, por siempre viviré. - Salmo 23

El Señor es mi luz y mi salvación, ¿de quién podré tener miedo? El Señor defiende mi vida, ¿a quién habré de temer? Los malvados, mis enemigos, se juntan para atacarme y destruirme; pero ellos son los que tropiezan y caen. Aunque un ejército me rodee, mi corazón no tendrá miedo; aunque se preparen para atacarme, yo permaneceré tranquilo. Sólo una cosa he pedido al Señor, sólo una cosa deseo: estar en el templo del Señor todos los días de mi vida, para adorarlo en su templo y contemplar su hermosura. Cuando lleguen los días malos, el Señor me dará abrigo en su templo; bajo su sombra me protegerá. ¡Me pondrá a salvo sobre una roca! Entonces podré levantar la cabeza por encima de mis enemigos; entonces podré ofrecer sacrificios en el templo, y gritar de alegría, y cantar himnos al Señor. A ti clamo, Señor: escúchame. Ten compasión de mí, ¡respóndeme! El corazón me dice: «Busca la presencia del Señor.» Y yo, Señor, busco tu presencia. ¡No te escondas de mí! ¡No me rechaces con ira! ¡Mi única ayuda eres tú! No me dejes solo y sin amparo, pues tú eres mi Dios y salvador. Aunque mi padre y mi madre me abandonen, tú, Señor, te harás cargo de mí. Señor, muéstrame tu camino; guíame por el buen camino a causa de mis enemigos; no me entregues a su voluntad, pues se han levantado contra mí testigos falsos y violentos. Pero yo estoy convencido de que llegaré a ver la bondad del Señor a lo largo de esta vida. ¡Ten confianza en el Señor! ¡Ten valor, no te desanimes! ¡Sí, ten confianza en el Señor! - Salmo 27

Still Small Voice

Oil of Gladness

November 6, 2023
I

have the oil that you need to keep shining bright. Come to Me to buy the oil of gladness, the oil of communion with Me. The oil will keep you lit. The oil will keep you pure. Take from Me what you cannot buy from this world. This oil produces a sweet aroma, a fragrance of deep intimacy. Those who smell this aroma will know your master. They will know we are one. This oil will cost you everything. It will be the most precious commodity for living—more precious than milk and honey and wine. More precious than gold and silver. This oil will last for an eternity because it is produced in intimacy with Me and it will never run out. This oil is priceless yet it costs what you are willing to give—yourself. Give Me your heart and this oil will flow like a river of life.

BIBLE VERSES TO STUDY

“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. — Psalm‬ ‭45‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold. In many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions following behind her. With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.” — Psalm‬ ‭45‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.” — Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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engo el aceite que necesitas para seguir brillando. Ven a Mí a comprar el aceite de la alegría, el aceite de la comunión Conmigo. El aceite te mantendrá encendido. El aceite te mantendrá puro. Toma de Mí lo que no puedes comprar en este mundo. Este aceite produce un aroma dulce, una fragancia de profunda intimidad. Quienes huelan este aroma conocerán a tu maestro. Sabrán que somos uno. Este aceite te costará todo. Será el bien más preciado para vivir—más precioso que la leche, la miel y el vino. Más precioso que el oro y la plata. Este aceite durará una eternidad porque se produce en la intimidad Conmigo y nunca se acabará. Este aceite no tiene precio, pero cuesta lo que estas dispuesto a dar: tu ser. Dame tu corazón y este aceite fluirá como un río de vida.

VERSÍCULOS DE LA BIBLIA PARA ESTUDIAR

“Has amado la justicia y aborrecido la maldad. Por eso Dios, tu Dios, te ha ungido con óleo de alegría más que a tus compañeros; Tus vestidos están todos fragantes con mirra, áloe y casia. — Salmo 45:7-8 NVI

“Toda gloriosa es la princesa en su cámara, con túnicas tejidas de oro. Con túnicas de muchos colores es conducida ante el rey, seguida por sus compañeras vírgenes. Con gozo y alegría son conducidos hasta que entran al palacio del rey”. — Salmo 45:13-15 NVI

“Porque cuando las insensatas tomaron sus lámparas, no llevaron aceite consigo, pero las prudentes tomaron alforjas de aceite con sus lámparas”. — Mateo 25:3-4 NVI

Still Small Voice

Purified Ones

October 31, 2023
Y

ou are My flower petal, fragile but beautiful. You are being purified because I need pure ones to speak forth My truth. You have been through the fire of affliction to know the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ, your Lord and Savior. Fear not, My precious daughter. You are not alone. My strong right hand has not abandoned you, for My fierce love for you will save you from your oppressors. My power will be showcased for all to see in your life. Stay humble, stay pure, stay close to My heart. I will redeem the time the enemy has stolen and I will hold you up like a candle burning bright to light the way forward for many. Rest in My love for you.

BIBLE VERSES TO STUDY

“Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns.” — 1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭CEV‬‬

"My passion is to be consumed with him and not cling to my own “righteousness” based in keeping the written Law. My only “righteousness” will be his, based on the faithfulness of Jesus Christ—the very righteousness that comes from God. And I continually long to know the wonders of Jesus and to experience the overflowing power of his resurrection working in me. I will be one with him in his sufferings and become like him in his death. Only then will I be able to experience complete oneness with him in his resurrection from the realm of death.” — Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭TPT‬

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res Mi pétalo de flor, frágil pero hermosa. Estás siendo purificada porque necesito que los puros hablen Mi verdad. Has pasado por el fuego de la aflicción para conocer la comunión de los sufrimientos de Cristo, tu Señor y Salvador. No temas, mi preciosa hija. No estás solo. Mi fuerte diestra no te ha abandonado, porque Mi feroz amor por ti te salvará de tus opresores. Mi poder se mostrará para que todos lo vean en tu vida. Manténte humilde, mantente pura, quédate cerca de Mi corazón. Redimiré el tiempo que el enemigo ha robado y te sostendré como una vela encendida para iluminar el camino a seguir para muchos. Descansa en Mi amor por ti.

VERSÍCULOS DE LA BIBLIA PARA ESTUDIAR

"Porque la fe de ustedes es como el oro: su calidad debe ser probada por medio del fuego. La fe que resiste la prueba vale mucho más que el oro, el cual se puede destruir. De manera que la fe de ustedes, al ser así probada, merecerá aprobación, gloria y honor cuando Jesucristo aparezca." - 1 Pedro 1:7

"Mi pasión es consumirme con él y no aferrarme a mi propia “justicia” basada en guardar la Ley escrita. Mi única “justicia” será la suya, basada en la fidelidad de Jesucristo, la misma justicia que viene de Dios. Y continuamente anhelo conocer las maravillas de Jesús y experimentar el poder desbordante de su resurrección obrando en mí. Seré uno con él en sus sufrimientos y seré como él en su muerte. Sólo entonces podré experimentar la completa unidad con él en su resurrección del reino de la muerte”. — Filipenses 3:9-11 TPT

Still Small Voice

Everlasting Love

October 30, 2023
C

ast your cares upon Me for I care for you. Do not be deceived by the lies of the enemy. I love you with an everlasting love. Believe that, even when everything around you screams the opposite. I will never leave you nor forsake you. You are the apple of My eye. If anyone touches you to harm you, I will be your defender. I will always love you, comfort you, and remind you of My love for you. Do not fear, little one. I know your pain, your loss, your lonely heart. I have not abandoned you. You are being strengthened in the hard days. And each day you get through will bring you closer to My heart and closer to the day when our hearts will be one. When we see each other face to face. When My love will heal all of the past and be yours for eternity. Give Me your heart now and you will have My heart forever.

BIBLE VERSES TO STUDY

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." - 1 John 4:8 NIV

"The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." - Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV

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cha tus preocupaciones sobre Mí porque Yo cuido de ti. No te dejes engañar por las mentiras del enemigo. Te amo con un amor eterno. Créelo, incluso cuando todo a tu alrededor grita lo contrario. Nunca te dejaré ni te abandonaré. Tú eres la manzana de mi ojo. Si alguien te toca para hacerte daño, yo seré vuestro defensor. Siempre te amaré, te consolaré y te recordaré de Mi amor por ti. No temas, pequeña. Conozco tu dolor, tu pérdida, tu corazón solitario. No te he abandonado. Estás siendo fortalecida en los días difíciles. Y cada día que pasa te acercará más a Mi corazón y al día en que nuestros corazones serán uno. Cuando nos veremos cara a cara. Cuando Mi amor sanará todo el pasado y será tuyo por la eternidad. Dame tu corazón ahora y tendrás Mi corazón para siempre.

VERSÍCULOS DE LA BIBLIA PARA ESTUDIAR

"Dejen todas sus preocupaciones a Dios, porque él se interesa por ustedes." - 1 Pedro 5:7 DHH

"El que no ama no ha conocido a Dios, porque Dios es amor." - 1 Juan 4:8 DHH

"Yo me aparecí a él de lejos. Yo te he amado con amor eterno; por eso te sigo tratando con bondad." - Jeremías 31:3 DHH

Still Small Voice

Eden of Before

October 24, 2023
O

pen the gate of your heart, and let Me in. I am your gardener. Your heart is a garden. Let Me care for it. I will need to pull some weeds that are strangling the beauty I want to produce in you. Let’s prune together. Let’s plant together. Let’s water the garden of your heart. This is our garden. It’s time to take a walk together, step-by-step. Let Me lead you. Let Me plant My goodness within you. Accept My seeds in your garden and care for her. We’ll protect her grounds. We’ll secure her gates. We’ll work together to bring back the Eden of before; where we walk together in the cool of the day—a day that extends to eternity—a day that never ends.

BIBLE VERSES TO STUDY

“And the Lord God had planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed.”—Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ‭JUB‬‬

“They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion, And they will be radiant over the bounty of the Lord— Over the grain, the new wine, the oil, And over the young of the flock and the herd. And their life will be like a watered garden, And they will never languish again.” —Jeremiah‬ ‭31‬:‭12‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” —Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

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bre las puerta de tu corazon y déjame entrar. Yo soy tu jardinero. Tu corazón es un jardín. Déjame cuidarlo. Necesitaré arrancar algunas malas hierbas que están estrangulando la belleza que quiero producir en ti. Podemos juntos. Plantemos juntos. Reguemos el jardín de tu corazón. Este es nuestro jardín. Es hora de dar un paseo juntos, paso a paso. Déjame guiarte. Déjame plantar Mi bondad dentro de ti. Acepta Mis semillas en tu jardín y cuídalas. Protegeremos sus terrenos. Aseguraremos sus puertas. Trabajaremos juntos para recuperar el Edén de antes; donde caminamos juntos al fresco del día, un día que se extiende hasta la eternidad, un día que nunca termina.

VERSÍCULOS DE LA BIBLIA PARA ESTUDIAR

“Y plantó el Señor Dios un huerto hacia el oriente, en Edén; y puso allí al hombre que había formado.” —Génesis‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ‭LBLA‬‬

“Vendrán y gritarán de júbilo en lo alto de Sión, y radiarán de gozo por la bondad del Señor: por el grano, por el vino y por el aceite, y por las crías de las ovejas y de las vacas. Su alma será como huerto regado, y nunca más languidecerán.” —Jeremías‬ ‭31‬:‭12‬ ‭LBLA‬‬

“Con toda diligencia guarda tu corazón, porque de él brotan los manantiales de la vida.” —Proverbios‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ ‭LBLA‬‬

Still Small Voice

The Healing Balm

September 26, 2023

Cover, cover yourself with the warmth of My embrace. The winds of this world can be cold and bitter. But My embrace and words are a sweetness and a comfort for you. Come alongside Me and walk with Me. The fire from My blazing love for you will ignite your spirit and restore your soul. Deep in My heart I will cover you. In the secret place you are safe. Under the shadow of My wings you are protected. It is here that our intimacy is established. Let Us heal your heart of all its wounds. I will provide the healing balm to the wounds of your past. I have such a glorious plan for your future. Trust Me to heal you and guide you every step of the way. All your days are being used to tell the story of your overcoming victory through this life because you placed your heart in My care.
_______

Cúbrete, cúbrete con el calor de Mi abrazo. Los vientos de este mundo pueden ser fríos y amargos. Pero Mi abrazo y palabras son una dulzura y un consuelo para ti. Ven a Mí y camina Conmigo. El fuego de Mi ardiente amor por ti encenderá tu espíritu y restaurará tu alma. En lo profundo de Mi corazón te cubriré. En el lugar secreto estás a salvo. Bajo la sombra de Mis alas estás protegido. Es aquí donde se establece nuestra intimidad. Sanemos tu corazón de todas sus heridas. Proporcionaré el bálsamo curativo a las heridas de tu pasado. Tengo un plan tan glorioso para tu futuro. Confía en Mí para sanarte y guiarte en cada paso del camino. Todos tus días se utilizan para contar la historia de tu victoria superadora en esta vida porque pusiste tu corazón a Mi cuidado.

Devotional

Leaves of Stone

November 20, 2017

I decided to get a little exercise in by raking a trillion leaves that we clearly didn’t make time for. They were still rather damp from the rains from a few days back, so the raking was more difficult with the added weight.

As I began raking the hoarded autumn leaves from our back stairs, I noticed how they covered the water drain, not allowing the rain to fall through. The rain just seeped into the leaves themselves, and slowly made its way down.

I began to rake the yard. It was too much to gather all the leaves in one area so I made three mounds and added leaves nearby to each mound.

And then it hit me. Hard. I began to think about all the layers I’ve allowed to cover my heart. Layers of burdens – shame, regret, pain, fear, anxiety. They laid on the soil of my heart and it was heavy.

As I raked the leaves and added them to the mounds, it was as if I was placing my layers at the altar before the Lord. I couldn’t see all the layers and layers, year after year, anxiety upon fear, fear upon regret, regret upon pain, and pain upon shame. As I kept raking, I kept uncovering the truth.

One mound for the Father.

One mound for the Son.

One mound for the Holy Spirit.

As I raked the leaves, I also found broken branches.

I made a heap for the sticks and mounds for the leaves. Leaves that became heavy, burdensome stones. Stones that covered my heart – making it cold and inaccessible. So now I had sticks and I had stones and a bunch of hurts I needed to name.

Oh Lord! Dig through the layers of these leaves of stones on my weary heart and heal me. Show me the hope you have for me. I know that there’s life underneath all these layers of dying – with your love, through your blood, by your power.

Death was gripping my heart, not allowing me to live – to breathe.

There it was for me to see. The layers I’d accumulated over my life that covered my heart. Clear as day.

But deep inside, under the layers, is a heart of flesh.

God will make it right.

And as I write, the wind outside is strong enough to lift the dry, lifeless, falling leaves, enabling a few of them to knock at my window looking for a home.

But I won’t let them in.

It’s time for the northerly winds to scatter them away.

But the leaves will continue to fall and I vow to catch them before they get too comfortable with me.

And so I wait, grasping at hope. Expecting to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

And I lift my hand and give them to God one by one.

Devotional

10 Keys to Spiritual Creativity

January 9, 2017

Many of us think that being a ‘creative’ is about self-expression. I’m here to ruffle a few feathers and challenge that long held view. Over the years I’ve come to believe that living a truly creative life isn’t at all about us. Unless we’re willing to take our ‘selves’ out of the equation, the path of pure creativity cannot flow through us.

Creativity is a spiritual process. Thoughts, inspirations, and dreams find their way into our inner being. But how do they get there? I believe creative ideas come from one of two places in the spiritual realm. The source and motive behind them is what distinguishes life-giving creativity from corrupting creativity.

God is the first and unsurpassed ‘creative.’ Our creative pursuits should always spring from Him not ourselves or other sources. We are spiritual vessels to be used by God for His purposes. If God has a purpose for each of our lives, He also has a unique and creative plan tailored just for us. He alone knows how our life journey will also weave into someone else’s path.

The creativity given us should uplift humanity in some way; build it up, not tear it down. It should cause us to seek higher spiritual pursuits and not temporal pleasures. If what we create causes another to live an ordinary or shackled life, then our contribution is of no value. Freeing the human soul from the clutches of carnality should be our highest creative aim. And we have to trust that God has a storehouse of imaginative ways to reach each individual.

When I was in art school some of the exercises we did entailed drawing or painting whatever came to us. We used our hands and brushes as physical tools of deliberate expression. Writers do it too with free writing. God wants to use us the same way, special tools in His hand to create majestic works of art that transform the human spirit for eternity. But we have to be willing to let go and allow the Spirit of creativity to direct us.

We have to let go of what we think we know in order to be filled with what we don’t know. We have to drain our soul of our ‘selves’ and ‘our’ ideas about God to be filled with deeper revelations of God’s heart and His desires for us.

Some years ago God questioned the motivation behind what I did. Why do you do what you do? If we want our creative pursuits to matter, we have to be willing to question our motives. We have to be willing to lay down our desire for self-expression just for the sake of expression, the desire for fame or validation, and the desire for fortune. Those motives stain the purity of spiritual creativity.

Revelation 3:8 contains a message to the church in Philadelphia, which in Greek means ‘brotherly love’.

‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

Over the years I’ve thought about creativity, God, and our unique purposes while living our one life on this earth. I’ve collected a few spiritual keys to a creative life that honor God and uplift our fellow sojourners.

  1. FAITH: It all starts with believing in God’s majestic grandeur – His omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience. His infinite creative power and imagination is beyond our comprehension. God’s thoughts are higher than our wildest dreams. If he deposits an idea in us and we try to flesh it out without His help, it’ll probably remain stagnant. If we put our trust in His dynamic ability to reveal His deep reservoir of creativity, He’ll gift us with unique ways of expressing His truths.
  2. FOLLOW: When we consistently follow the Word of God, our life will be created. We are to be followers of Jesus – the Word of God. Without Him we can do nothing and with Him all things are possible. Jesus created us and everything we see and everything we don’t. When we truly follow Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He offers us the gifts of His divine fullness. He is everything we need and even more than we could ever imagine.
  3. FELLOWSHIP: Who but the Spirit of God is able to reveal the secret things of God? Let us fully surrender to the leading and teaching of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a person, not some energy or force. He is our ally, our teacher, and our comforter. Let us become one in spirit and the shadow of the Holy Spirit. Say what He says and do what He tells us to do. But we have to take the time to fellowship with the Spirit and listen to that still small voice that searches the deep things of God and reveals them to those who are in pursuit.
  4. LOVE: Putting others first is the essence of love. When we die to self it opens the door to creativity because we’re willing to lose in order to gain. You can only fill an empty container. When our hearts are aligned with God’s, then our life’s purpose will undoubtedly include serving others. Our creative endeavors should always lean toward depositing life into another and always naming that life ‘God.’
  5. GRATITUDE: Being thankful opens the heart and hand of God to His endless bounty. God so loves it when we are grateful for all that He is and all He has done for us. Greed just fills us with corruptible things, leaving no room for the eternal. When we loose our grip on earthly things, we open our hearts and minds to receive God’s treasures.
  6. INTEGRITY: We must be the same person when we’re around others and when no one is looking. That’s the mark of a person of integrity. God needs to be able to trust us with the gems of His heart and to carry through to completion the purpose He’s planned for us.
  7. HUMILITY: Having a teachable spirit opens us up to God’s endless imaginings. If you think you know it all then you’re not being receptive to the enchanting thoughts of God. Acknowledge your weakness before God and His strength and He will send dreams, stories, songs, paintings and all sorts of goodies to your heart.
  8. PURSUE: Being a truth-seeker will lead you to God’s wisdom. Those who seek do find. Those who ask are given. And to those who knock, doors will be opened. Wisdom is saying or doing or not saying and not doing the best thing at the right time. Without God’s wisdom creativity loses its strength to transform.
  9. FORGIVE: Without letting go and forgiving those that have wronged us, we cannot plant seeds of inspiration in our spirits. We need to be a garden ready for God’s perfect ponderings not a field of bitter roots. Forgiveness is at the heart of God’s ways. It’s not enough to be like-minded, we must be like-hearted to be co-creators.
  10. RECYCLE: Surrendered souls have stories that God can use. We must be willing for God to use our suffering for the benefit of another. God can recycle our pain and birth a purpose out of it. Nothing we have experienced in our lives is wasted with God. He heals our wounds, comforts our hearts, and strengthens us to be a soothing balm for others. We must tell the story together, sing the song together, and display His goodness and loving-kindness together.

It is my desire that our creative journey will take us straight to the chamber of God’s heart. It is there that we will find the unique ways of expressing His love for the world. It was His love that created us for good works and I know He longs to embrace us and release His dreams into our spirit like a breath of life for us all.

Devotional

Deep is the Mystery of Intimacy

January 7, 2017

There is an endless cacophony of noise and voices entering our minds and hearts on a daily basis influencing us. Much of that is out of our control. But what if we deliberately chose to sit and hear from God himself.

My spirit has been yearning to enter into an even deeper intimacy with Jesus. I want to hear more of what His Spirit wants to share. But I know I’ll need to do some specific things for our relationship to flourish. It’s going to take time, focus and surrender. And I know I will have to sacrifice some things but what I expect to get in return will be worth the sacrifice.

When our spirit is silent and expectant our hearts are shaken to life. Sometimes I stretch forth my physical hands and sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I get on my knees and sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I pace around the room and sometimes I just stand still. It’s more a posture of the heart that God notices. He’s looking for someone that’s humbled in His presence, ready to listen and receive rather than quick to speak.

This intimacy is still such a mystery to me. And I believe it’s hard for some because it requires us to let go and trust.

But I truly believe the Spirit of God wants to whisper secrets from the heart of Jesus. On New Year’s Eve I received a gentle whisper that had my heart fluttering and my imagination dancing. It gave me a sneak peek of what we can expect from a deeper relationship with Jesus.

A Midnight Whisper from the Spirit

Wedding bells are ringing, wooing the bride of Christ.

At the midnight hour her heart is being prepared.

She will meet Him at dawn to begin a divine romance.

He will sweep her off her feet into the heavenlies.

Her first dance of true love with the Father will have the angels in awe.

The Son will then take His bride and show her His mansions.

Each day they will discover a hidden treasure together.

They will open new doors together;

enter into deeper rooms of revelations.

His heart will unlock rooms holding mysteries so deep,

her breath will be taken away.

There will be a library of books filled with words of love for His bride.

They will eat fruit baskets of grace and truth.

And He will take her to the throne room of mercy – a room of never-ending love and intimacy.

These are a couple of books I recommend that aided my intimacy journey with Jesus:

Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge

Desperately Deep by Lana Vawser