Eight days of Hope

There are moments in life that make us want to run. Our breath is taken and we are challenged in such a way that even our spirit is flooded by our physical emotions.

These moments come in the first time we feel love and the first time we lose it. In the walk down an aisle and in the water breaking from the womb.

They arrive in the times our flesh and spirit feel at the same time. Believe it or not we typically battle within ourselves as to which part of us will lead and sadly, our flesh usually comes flying out ahead of what should come first, our spirit.

Sometimes these heart stoppers come out of shock and pain that almost seemingly  exasperates our flesh and spirit simultaneously. We find ourselves just trying to understand what our brain is reiterating over and over.

Losing someone you love in this life is one of those moments I believe.

No matter the timing or manner in which this occurs, it is indescribable in every way.

I was recently blessed with eight days of understanding as I traveled through the earthly loss of my grandmother.

What I have experienced is much like we all do when we are faced with separation from love and yet I am lead to indulge you brothers and sisters with what I have found to be a deeper truth than I have ever received thus far…

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Psalm 56:3

Okay! I can do this… As a believer on the Lord, I know on the first day of this shell shocking experience, I do in fact trust in the Lord.

As Christians we are called in every way, to trust the Lord. In all things He is in control and we must walk in that faith not just talk it.

In the first few days of confusion and impatience I admit, my trust felt wholeheartedly given to the Lord. “I know she's in your hands”, “ your will shall be done Lord “.  

In no way should we allow ourselves to be complacent in our trust on the Lord but more often than not, we do. We “know” He's in control and we speak those precious words aloud while our flesh secretly entertains feelings of control...just in case of course.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Romans 15:13

So for a time, I was content to battle with my spirit and my God in hopes that true faith tested would be nothing more than a few days rest and some simple life changes for my loved one.

While I was busy making my plans God was finalizing His.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 11:1

Bam!

Like a ton of spiritual bricks...it dawned on this little distracted mind of mine.

It was day five of eight now, things were getting serious and I could feel my flesh oozing with anxiety. I had been holding my breath in every way, including spiritually.

Was I really going to have to let this be His alone to decide? Am I going to have to accept there's nothing in my power that can stop this train from driving off the tracks?

These were the things I was asking myself but not consciously of course. In times of chaos and pain we rarely focus on truths. Instead of dwelling within my spirit and receiving understanding of His will, I was still pleading for my own discomfort to end.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:17

It took until this day, this moment when things had reach a level of urgency that my spirit awoke. I say this with much trepidation simply because it still feels inhumane to see things as I did in that moment…

I knew she was going to die.

Now whether that understanding came from a place of fleshly protection because no one wants to unguard their heart, or whether it was the Holy Spirit alone, granting me freedom from that dark little corner of my heart where I had been hiding from Him...I am grateful.

That moment changed my life.

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 3

I realized in that moment that He really is in control. There is not one single piece of this life given that He doesn't not have dominion over.

I learned that day, He will have His way. For her good AND mine.

Day six and seven passed like molasses in many ways. Being privy to God's plans was not something I believe I was prepared for and yet I felt a strange comfort in finally having resolution.

Those 48 excruciating hours were spent in battle still. My flesh cycling through the stages of grief, my spirit full of joy and the hope of the LORD knowing where she will be headed and all of this while my brain indeed did remind me...she's still here you know!

I felt and still feel, some guilt in that understanding the LORD placed upon me that day. It was as if I was giving up on her and I struggled with hearing my families hopes of her improvements made.

Was I the only one who felt comfort in knowing it was time? Sometimes it feels very lonely to gain spiritual understanding. I imagine Job and Paul could really teach us how to overcome in that department.

When thou passest through the waters,
I will be with thee;
and through the rivers,
they shall not overflow thee:
when thou walkest through the fire,
thou shalt not be burned;
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Isaiah 43:2

This scripture is so very powerful!

As I wrestled with a large quantity of feelings and confusion in those days, I felt the LORD and His peace surrounding us all.

God is so beyond good to give us His companionship, even when we don't fully understand how to take His hand.

See, knowing that her passing was approaching was hurtful and sad and my heart broke with every thought of life without her. Yet, for the first time in my life really, my faith was tested beyond MY comfort zone. My spirit was connected to His in a way I had never felt. To know I was blessed to attain this connection with our Father by way of such a loss is both beautiful and tragic.

Having not lost someone so dear to me prior, I struggled to overcome my sadness, yet I realized her passing was not only about her but also about us finding our faith in ways we hadn't before.

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3

Day eight.

Bitter sweet was this day. Selfishly wanting those last moments to never end and yet you feel the strength in laying down your sword before the Almighty.

I am beyond grateful for those four hours shared on this day. To watch her pain was all consuming but to feel His breath reaching for hers was heavenly.

There are no words to describe the depths of one's faith in the Lord. We are all given this life and it's many tests to hopefully gain those precious moments in which we feel the gentle whisper of God, brushing back our fears like the baby hairs that have fallen over our face.

He is that kind of Father. He gives us the power to understand His greatness in the moments we try and hide from it. He calls us to stand tall in His will when we want to do anything but be still and listen.

He gives us mercy. Unworthy mercy…

In those final moments with her I thanked Him. Not only for giving her a life that was full and for taking her home but also for teaching me a very valuable lesson about faith.

It took only eight earthly days to change so many lives in more ways than we likely know, even still.

I do know that He had plans for me in losing her.

Faith is not something we can claim to have without works. God knew my flesh would wrestle to control the circumstances, He knew the corner of my heart that was not succumbing to His will…

And yet, He also knew how to brush back that hair from my eyes and open my spirit in a way that said, “these things are mine to give and to take, you must see my child...I am all you need and this is all for you.”

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 11:1

I share this scripture a second time.

It was a powerful statement to read on day one and a very powerful statement to understand on day five.

It took five days to allow for MY expected end of her life to be His will and not mine but with all the love of the greatest Father and with the faith of a mustard seed...I was able to feel Him breath His life into her spirit as well as my own.

I'll be seeing her again...His promise is GOOD. And I thank Him, for allowing me to find His comfort in something that feels per our flesh, so very far from home but is truly His plan in the end.

Be well in His goodness xo

One hundred and sixty eight...

One hundred and sixty eight...

It is very difficult as humans, to not only get past our self love enough to be willing to love others unselfishly but to also fathom the depth in which our God does love us.

Truly, within your heart of hearts, can you know the love of the creator?

Can you imagine loving your family your friends, your children, a billion times more than you do in this moment?

I don't believe we have the capacity on this earth, in this time, to fully understand a love that true… BUT to know that truth lives inside of us AND that we came from that very love…(Tears) my soul wants to break away from this body in awe.

His Word declares His love for us in more ways than we can count. Likewise, He asks for our love in return.

Again, in countless ways, we are called to exemplify our love for the Father in our obedience to righteousness.

But did you know that what His Word calls us to follow more than ANYTHING else in that glorious book is His commandments??

Makes perfect sense really. There's nothing that can occur in any circumstance, in any place or time that WON'T be under those ten simple commands.

Remember, grey isn't really a color ;)

So if we want to know the love of our creator in such a way that words and thought and time don't create limits or understanding, then WE MUST OBEY.

This. Is. Love.

Luke 10:27 - And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

John 14:21 - He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Deuteronomy 7:9 - Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he [is] God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 15:12-14 - This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  

John 14:23-24 - Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

1 John 5:3 - For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.


1 John 2:4-6 - He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Matthew 16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Seems like the commandments are the way to the heart of God…

As a mother, my children know well that my repetitive narrative can only mean it must be very important.

He loves us so much you guys. If we only could see, feel, smell the love He truly has and what He desires from us FOR us.

One hundred and sixty eight...

The number of times His commandments are called before us in His Word.

Wake up.

1 John 4:19 - We love him, because he first loved us.

Xo

What is in a Name

How valuable is a name?

We hold names of all kinds in high regard. They identify who we are, they keep families family and at times our names can even define us.

Why do we hold such authority in a name? Where does that desire to identify, claim and depend on a foundation of sorts come from?

Certainly not from man. Although your earthly father would likely say otherwise.

The meaning of the word name in hebrew is all we need to know if we are wanting to see what is truly in a name.

It is quite possibly the most simple yet powerful definition...it means to mark.

The great I AM. The almighty God.

This is the beginning of a name. The only name. The name that would create the heavens and earth, you and I and would use the power of HIS name to save us...Jesus.

Psalm 37

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

The Lord has shown the greatness of His name over and over throughout the old testament. He also gave His people knowledge of the coming of His power, in Christ.

Our Lord asked us to mark Jesus, to identify Him and to follow His holy name.

That we would know that He was God by His name! What a Beautiful sentiment it is that He not only gave His power to His children through the life of Christ but we also possess that power ourselves through the receiving of His Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 4:30

By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

I do believe we underestimate the LORDS power. Jesus is quite literally God's power on earth. The creation of the mountains and seas to the stars and you and I, everything He created was done so of that power.

Romans 10:13 - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

What a gift that is!! My heart sings with joy to know that our awesome Father has instilled within us the power to overcome evil with a call of His name!

Luke 10:17

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

We are soooo truly blessed to be loved by Him.

We are called to follow His commandments. To be righteous and selfless. We are to KNOW that when we call upon the NAME of the LORD, He does in fact move mountains for our good.

His name is so very sacred. Holy is the name of the LORD.

And we get to call Him Father.

So next time the name of the Father leaves your lips, know the power that He holds in you… And what will you choose to do with it...

Be well friends, God bless xo

The fruits of the Spirit

The Spirit of our LORD...

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

Isaiah speaks in this chapter of a rod that will come forth out of the stem of Jesse.

Isa 11:1  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Isa 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD

These are the seven Spirits of the LORD.

Rev 1:4  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne

Rev 3:1  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the sevenstars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Rev 4:5  And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Rev 5:6  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

This is our LORD Jesus Christ sent forth into all the earth.  Sent to teach us and show usHIS Spirit that we would learn how to be like HIM.  

We have been created in "HIS Image"

Gen 1:26-27  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: So God created man in his own image, in the imageof God created he him; male and female created he them

Job 36:22  Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?

We are created to be "like HIM"

John 9:9  Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

All of our LORD's life on this earth HE walked in these seven Spirits because HE is these seven Spirits.  These Spirits are the seven lamps before the throne of our GOD.  These Spirits are the manifestation of our Father to us.  Has Jesus Christ these Spirits are made physical and walked with us day to day to show us our Father physically.  We are to be "like HIM"

Let's look at these Spirits.  The Spirit of the LORD was all over Samson in Judges and he did mighty things.  The Spirit of the LORD came upon Saul in his beginnings.

1 Sam 10:6  And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

But Saul did not continue in this Spirit but chose rather to listen to another spirit.  This is what we all must face in this sinful earth.  The whispers of the evil ones are real and constant.  Even to try the most faithful,  for our Father would have us Strong and Righteous.

1 Sam 16:14  But the Spirit of the LORDdeparted from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him

This Spirit of the LORD is in all the earth...

Isa 40:7  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORDbloweth upon it: surely the people is grass

Isa 40:13 Who hath directed the Spirit of theLORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

Isa 61:1  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and theopening of the prison to them that are bound.

These are the words of our LORD JESUS CHRIST to the people

Father is where all this comes forth from.

Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

Isa 30:1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

Hos 4:12  My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused themto err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.

Where is your counsel, wisdom, knowledge and understanding coming from?  Be careful who or what whisper you let in,  be very careful of what you listen to.  Is it from man?  or is it from God's Word.  You will become what you eat.  Father knows this and has taken every precaution to give us the very best opportunity to live.  HE even came down and wrote with HIS own finger a covenant in stone for us.  These 10 simple commandments are the straight and narrow path to righteousness.  If we abide and feed our spirit and soul with this covenant daily we can overcome all the whispers of temptation.  Our Father always provides a way out for each of us from temptation.  It is a choice.  As we dwell daily in this covenant our spirit and soul becomes this righteousness to become "like HIM"   We become stronger in these manifestations of our GOD.  We have the Spirit of our LORD "HIS IMAGE" within us.  Let's feed it and grow it and share it!!!   

As we grow and strengthen our spirit with these seven lamps before the throne of our Father,  naturally will grow within us the fruits of this Spirit.

Gal 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

(The law here is the sacrificial laws written by Moses as judgment for breaking the covenant)  

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

This is how we become "like HIM"  HE has made it very clear and plain for all to see.  What we sow on earth shall also be sown in heaven.

You have one spirit folks,  the spirit you have now is the same spirit you have when you die in the earth.  The spirit going to heaven will have these fruits.

Think about it..........  There can be no sin or desire for sin in Father's House ( the universe )  Would you want to have any sin in the heaven of which you will live?  Sin is like leaven,  if there is any in the loaf,  the entire loaf is leavened ( full of sin )  We have a perfect example of this in all the earth today.

We are waiting to leave this infected place behind and rest in the Glory of our Father in the place prepared by our LORD JESUS.  Learn your spirit now, fill it with the righteousness ( eternal good ) of our Father.  Every soul born is born with this goodness of GOD.  We get exposed to the sin very early in life and the choice begins.  The whispers grow stronger and our friends seem to eager to participate.  You can overcome!!!  Drown your spirit in righteousness,  its the essence of your being.  It's there I promise you,  seek it........... it will answer you in the most amazing ways.  You will begin to notice little things that happen and then more of them until you fully realize,  This is my Father who loves me the most!!!

God Bless You.... Love one another