I haven't written for awhile, been going through one of those hard places, but I woke up preaching to myself this morning :) .
Matthew 13:15-17 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
So ask God to open your ears and hear His voice and open your eyes to see the wonders that He has for you.
I have struggled all my life with not belonging anywhere. I realize that this is a blessing not a curse. I don't get caught up in the need to be seen and accepted by man, I don't covet material things, I am genuinely happy when someone gets blessed or succeeds in something. I don't envy them. I really don't care if people think I am weird. My ultimate purpose in life is to allow the Lord's love to overflow in me so powerfully that I in turn will spill out His love all over those I do come into contact with. I fail miserably because I am still a work in progress, but my Father's love never waivers. I'm not saying if you are social person that is wrong, it's in your make up and everyone in their uniqueness compliments the whole body of Christ if we allow ourselves to recognize the differences in each other and revel and praise the Lord for each other's gifts, talents, quirks etc. whatever you want to call them. I just happen to be different and you would be surprised how many are just like me.
Time is short, we know it, we feel it, and some are consumed with fear and trying to survive not realizing we will not be able to survive in our own strength, intelligence or ingenuity. Only by allowing God to wrap His loving arms completely around us, spirit, mind and body, will we survive. And love casts out fear.
I John 4:17-19 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.
We are called to take back and restore the things defiled by the enemy and have them restored back to their original purpose. This includes people, government, places, and situations. According to several studies done there are 2.1 billion people who believe Jesus was the son of God in the world. 73% of the people in the United States consider themselves Christians. Can you imagine if all of those who believe Jesus is the son of God actually understood who they were created to be and their purpose is, what our world and our country would look like? We need to take back our purpose and pray the most profound prayer found in the Bible.
Matthew 6:5-15 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Father, YOUR Kingdom COME! YOUR Will be DONE! on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!
So this Christmas with it's celebrations and office parties and all the nonsense with shopping and stressing over everything, take the time daily to soak in your Father's love and pray and take something back this season. Even a small victory is a victory.
Some ideas
1. Pray for the clerk that checks you out at the store. Father, YOUR Kingdom COME! YOUR Will be DONE! on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN for this person.
2. Pray for your family members that are struggling or that you are struggling with. Father, YOUR Kingdom COME! YOUR Will be DONE! on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!
3. Pray for our government leaders no matter how you feel about them, they are people too and need to know what their true purpose is. Father, YOUR Kingdom COME! YOUR Will be DONE! on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!
4. Pray for all those suffering abuse, oppression, depression, homelessness, the hungry etc. one person at a time as you see them in your daily activities. Father, YOUR Kingdom COME! YOUR Will be DONE! on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!
Be blessed this season and be a blessing! Love you all and praying you all find your purpose and your identity in Jesus.
