Believing. The End.

Sometimes, getting to your promise, your "rhema" word from God, the one He has confirmed repeatedly, feels and looks a bit like this ...

We are cracked and chipped from our afflictions on all sides, but we are not crushed by them. We are bewildered at times, but we do not give in to despair. We are persecuted, but we have not been abandoned. We have been knocked down, but we are not destroyed. - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (Voice)

 

And, the deceiver would have us keep our eyes off Jesus, because after all, he came "with malicious intent, looking to slaughter, and destroy .... " - John 10:10a (Voice) But Jesus, He came "... to give life with joy and abundance." - John 10:10b (Voice). And He says ...

"For NO word from God will EVER fail." Luke 1:37 (NIV)

and this ...

 

And because He says so, that is where I will stand and wait quietly on Him because God never lies. I will "cease striving (be still) and know" that He is God. - Psalm 46:10 (NASB, NIV). No matter how it looks or even feels, physically or emotionally. There will be days, and those days s.u.c.k., however, even on those days that I don't understand, I will CHOOSE to believe Him. God does what He says and it's unimaginably glorious when we see His promises come to fruition in the "land of the living." (Psalm 27:13 NIV). Amen and Amen.

Quiet, Peace, He Speaks

"You liberate me from my own noise and my own chaos
From the chains of a lesser law You set me free
You liberate me from my own noise and my own chaos
From the chains of a lesser law You set me free

In the silence of the heart You speak
In the silence of the heart You speak
And it is there that I will know You
And You will know me
In the silence of the heart
You speak, You speak.

You satisfy me till I am quiet and confident
In the work of the Spirit I cannot see,
You satisfy me till I am quiet and confident
In the work of the Spirit I cannot see.

In the silence of the heart You speak." 

________________________

 

But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.  -1 Peter  3:4 (AMP)

 *Lyrics to "You Speak" by Audrey Assad

*Photo of Mary Jo in Israel, used by permission. One of the most "beautiful" women I know.

This Year ...

I'm not a fan of the graphics in this picture and the author is unknown (can't read it), so I don't exactly know what it may/may not be attached to. Sorry. However, every single time I look at it my heart leaps. Why? Because of  its declaration ... there will be miracles. Yes, there WILL be miracles and I am not just counting on it or hoping for it, I fully believe it. God, He is a great big God! He loves me, loves us and we are His. I am resting secure in the fact that He is taking care of us. Many Words He has spoken over us are going to happen this year. Of that, I am certain. His promises are secure. I am filled with hope and faith and trust ... and downright joy ... knowing He is faithful. How things will happen and exactly what, I don't necessarily know, but I KNOW in my knower, THERE WILL BE MIRACLES!

Completely Determined ...

I LOVE this rooster. Did I mention, I LOVE this rooster? Why you ask? Because he is determined. He is running and he isn't letting up. Look at his eyes. And, I'm thinking, he isn't running after something. He is running TO something. He reminds me. I know, it's just a picture of a rooster, however, I am running TO God with this same intensity. I am determined. I am focused. The old is gone and the new has come. I have stood next to Jesus. I have felt His love and grace intensely and in the last, seriously hardest year I can remember in a good long while,  I have stood still, stomped my feet, gotten angry, listened to made up stuff and allowed "life" and the deceiver to distract me. No more. Not now. I miss Him. I miss His heartbeat. I miss His smell. I miss His touch. I miss His whispers. I miss Him and so I am running TO Him and I am never stopping again. I am choosing life to the full.

"The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance." - Jesus, John 10:10 (Voice)

 "Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 (AMP)

* Rooster print. 

Yes!

Today is a busy day and this is where I am standing. In fact, I'll just stand here for the whole year or, even better, for forever! :) Yep, that sounds awesome to me! Because today is ALWAYS full of possible!

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Because It Begs Saying ...

Last year happened to me in many ways and I let it. This year, however, will NOT be a repeat. This year I am standing in humility and victory. This year I am standing next to Jesus. Period. It might be an act of my will. It might. But, I am not going to be defeated. I am standing with Jesus and that is the best place to stand. This year I am not listening to feelings, but standing in facts. This year, however, I am going the simple, not complex, not lots of rules and resolutions, no huge "to do" list route. This year I am keeping it simple. I am eating the Word and following the Holy Spirit from there. That is where the power is. That is where my help comes from and that is where change, real change, happens.

"Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like flint and I know I will not be put to shame." Isaiah 50:7

2014 ...

... can't wait to see all the treasures that are hidden behind your door!!