depth of words

Often its just a word that comes for me to dig into. Today was “fathom” and I hope the verses will speak a rich story to your heart.

Fathom – an open arms measurement – usually to measure the depth of  water but also in depth of thought or embracing of something. 

I used to think that God was just too angry, too mysterious, too distant, too great, too big to be known or understood. And even more – who was I that He would care about me or my life. BUT GOD – rich in mercy and patient with our learning…shares so much through Jesus and the Holy Spirit to show us more of Himself.

I pray today you can open your arms, your heart and your mind to know His greatness and the depth of His unconditional love for you. He has created you in His image and calls you amazing!

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted. Job 5:9 & Job 9:10

Can you fathom the mysteries of God?
Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? Job 11:7

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom. Psalm 145:3

He has made everything beautiful in its time.
He has also set eternity in the human heart;
yet no one can fathom what God has done
from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord,
or instruct the Lord as his counselor? Isaiah 40:13

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and
his understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28

If I have the gift of prophecy and
can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2

 

no quitting

Sometime reading scriptures, it’s more self-condemnation than heavenly revelation.

You have not because you ask not. (James 4:2) Or maybe I did ask with wrong motives…search me God – You know my heart, see if there is any more ICK in it. (Psalm 139:23)

My prayers are not answered as “I assumed” so something must be wrong with me because nothing is wrong with God.

Have you ever felt any of those things? Or repeating your prayers gets old and it’s not working so you might as well stop and since there are no roses to smell, you might as well pick up a shovel and dig a hole…

It’s time to LOOK UP!!! 

In a severe drought…Elijah starts talking rain… es muy loco mi amigo. Yet he prays and prays and keeps looking for what he knows is coming. He keeps looking and trusting and praying. And KNOWING GOD’S CHARACTER and FAITHFULNESS, Elijah doesn’t give up.

You might say, “I’m not Elijah. Well God is still God and He does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

So keep yours eyes toward the heavens…He is still there and you really are seated with Christ in heavenly places. (Eph 2:6) Ask Him to show you things from His perspective. He knows what is coming across the horizon.

….I see a cloud, small as a man’s hand…its rising… (1 Kings 18:44)

dam release

Shower of Blessings

I remember days of thinking, “Oh no – I still have to blog!” So I would stay up later, put something else aside and often force something out. I’m definitely not finding that pressure in this season of life but instead a desire to share some of the deeper things God has been showing me.

This message from my personal journals is a great example. I was surprised to have this be as if I were speaking compared to His usual direct way and felt it should be shared.

“When we build walls – we think we are protecting ourselves, but we really are building a dam that also keeps His blessing from pouring out. It’s not that blessings stop, but the wall/dam holds them back. It’s not until we dare to break down the wall and destroy the dam that we will see the fullness He’s been releasing consistently. It’s not God’s nature to withhold but we are not always ready or willing to receive. He is patient and knows the time will come when our hearts are ready and we can walk in the fullness of His treasure. Much of it is up to us when we dare to tear down our man-made structure and allow God to rebuild.”

No good thing does God withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11)

Are you ready to break down those walls and dismantle the dam?

The heavens have been opened through Jesus…there is no need for His fullness and blessings to be held behind any wall or dam.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

Lord, we repent for building walls and dams that limit Your work in and through our lives. Today we come to tear them down so nothing further will separate us from You. And when we find another boulder going into place, let us recognize it so we can move it out of the way!

describe your river

Sunrise Paddle

What is in our daily water?

Deep thoughts and rich conversation are happening as I facilitate a class on Evangelism and Spiritual Warfare. Definitely has me more aware of what I’m storing in my river and what I’m using for my personal flotation device.

Jesus came to set us FREE – why are we not living from HIS freedom?
Are we letting HIM renew our minds, our actions AND our words?
Do doubts, lies and curses come out of our mouths?

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

Flu is going around…I’m next.
Well last year…it will probably happen again.
Even saying, “I’m worried” or  “I’ll never be…” or …”______”

Fill in your own…or maybe a better plan is DON’T! 
What are your thoughts and conversations usually focusing on?

Most news and updates with friends or family are what negative has been happening. We often need to know those things BUT He tells us not to be anxious and all things are possible. We need to recognize what is in our river and then it’s our choice if we focus on what Jesus really did to bring us LIFE or stay gazing on the one who seeks to muddy our waters.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

We don’t need to settle for only a season of thankfulness when He came to give us a life of abundance. Everyday should be a focus on the blessings God has so generously given. Let us look different than the world and be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2)

thanks seasoning

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

Transition – Available

Several years ago I was having the word “gates” come up so much I did some study and prayer, this verse really impacted my daily life as I meditated on it. Add to that doing a “negativity fast” where you don’t speak negative things…my thoughts didn’t change overnight but my heart certainly had a turn around and the thoughts soon followed.

That wasn’t necessarily my goal but I did notice the difference in me and a great difference in my relationship with the Lord and others. My times with Him became much richer and earthly relationships much easier.

Being thankful brings LIFE to relationships.
Sharing gratitude shows VALUE to others actions.
Honoring others gives HOPE in the most trying times.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

I pray you will make thanks and praise part of every day! 

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

grounded

I have many things in this world I prefer to avoid and the past few weeks of politics was a good reason to disconnect more and pray. I love how being in the Word can bring internal peace that news, tweets and posts will never reach.

Refreshing, inspiring, convicting and sharpening. It’s definitely alive and active!

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it, for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Psalm 24:1-2

We can’t cover our heads in the sand but we can make sure our mind’s foundation is rooted and grounded in His love.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

not all changes

Seasons are changing and bringing me to a place of comparison/contemplation of what was and what will be. I do understand the timing and reasons to focus on political political things but we won’t find the best answers through the media….

Seasons change, people change, cultures change, stories change…

If we are looking for stability, truth, peace and direction – we won’t find it in things or people of this world.

There is only ONE we can rely on as a constant in our lives. God does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17), He is faithful, just, true.

God is not human, that he should lie,
    not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
    Does he promise and not fulfill?
I have received a command to bless;
    he has blessed, and I cannot change it.
Numbers 23:19-20

towards the light

I don’t know about you but I do walk down the street and through the store looking to engage eyes with others and share a smile or hello. I’m finding more and more are either on the phone, looking at the phone or hanging their head to avoid everyone.

It was something I noticed years ago in the office hallways and see amplified in our techno world.

Distance and distraction that leaves others feeling less and less light in their lives.

Be the light! No matter who will or will not look. Someone is noticing.
Shine the light! You don’t know whose darkness will be dispelled.
Pray in advance for the LIGHT! God knows how to prepare hearts in advance so you can do your part as His vessel in every step you take.

Everything was created through him;
    nothing—not one thing!—
    came into being without him.
What came into existence was Life,
    and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
    the darkness couldn’t put it out.
John 1:3-5 MSG

 

 

be strong

Sword is the Word

A Fight to the Finish
And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
Ephesians 6:10-12 MSG

finding delight

Sometimes the most beautiful moments are found in the mess of unfinished things. 

Smelling fresh cut wood under the saw.
Sampling cookie dough.
Lathering shaving cream.
Seeing a sun burst through the clouds.
(Even in a construction zone!)

Everything and everyone is in process. 

We often hold off our enjoyment of life until something is completed, corrected or accomplished.

God brings so much goodness around us begging for our attention and praise…

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Psalm 111:2

I pray your senses will be further awakened to find new joy and delight in each day!