The
Lord gave me the following verses this past month, with regards to the season
of life I have been walking in with personal family hurts (a lifetime of
memories for the enemy to use in his arsenal). It's been such an encouragement, and brought
much joy/hope, as I have walked thru the holidays focused on Him, the blessing
of my family unit and extended family of Christ, as well as His promises to me in His Word.
I trust Him completely with all that the New Year brings.
“Behold, I will do something new, Now it will
spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19
Isaiah 61 was big for me, especially verse 3: "To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for
ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the
spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
The
past few years living overseas has brought trials, triumphs and especially big
breakthroughs in my walk with the Lord; I am praying for more of the same in
2015. I never want to find myself
"dull" in my faith; but don't get me wrong, I enjoy green pastures
and still waters, but everything is being used by God for our good (Romans
8:28). Especially the trials and pains.
The
Lord faithfully gave me scriptures for each situation of this past year.
He
also blessed me with the ability to "break free" from heavy bondage
and strongholds; brought on thru the hurt caused by others (unforgiveness and
unresolved issues stuffed down; wanting to forgive but not really knowing
how...until He met me in that quiet place).
He reminded me often that He is no stranger to rejection-esp from family;
it's what drove Him to the cross so that I would have victory over my sin,
rejection & hurt caused by others, and every other trial brought on by life
- because He overcame the grave.
"Nothing touches us
that has not first flowed through the fingers of our God. That’s why we can
trust Him completely." Chuck Swindoll
He
taught me a new approach to the things I was dreading (like being a
"pastor's wife" and hurtful relations) through this little
phrase: "Don't despise the very thing that God is using to drive you to
Him.".
I
learned how to take my thoughts and hurts directly into His presence and allow
Him to speak His truth in difficult situations (rather than waste time
revisiting those things and allowing bitterness and strongholds to come
in). My mind is often my biggest battle
field. He gave me this scripture:
"We
are destroying speculations
and every lofty thing raised up against the
knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought
captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are
ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is
complete." 2 Corinthians 10:5
By
doing this, He reveals where I may have wronged others (Psalm 139:23-24); allowing
me to "come clean".
These
are ways that I can remain completely surrendered to Him daily; by staying in
His presence and treasuring up scripture in my heart to enable me to do battle
when the enemy attacks. It also instills
in me His Perspective and heart towards others. The ability to choose love, grace
and mercy over all. After all "Mercy
Triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13) and "love" is the greatest
gift (1 Cor. 13:13). It's
"choosing" "the more excellent way" (1 Cor. 12:31).
Time
in His presence is to be purposeful (not lengthy but purposeful), and I found
how important it is to just sit in silence and ask Him to simply "speak"
(Jeremiah 33:3)
I do
not know what He has in store for 2015 but I know that my desire is to abide in
Him "daily" (John 15), with no expectations; other than to know that
whatever comes my way, His hand is on the pulse of it and He is true to the
promises in His Word.
