Be strong in Him!

This morning one of the things that came to mind was something that happened more than 15 years ago.  Our family had gone to Oklahoma for a weekend to visit David’s mom and dad.  While we were there I decided to go for a run.

 

I had lived on Grand Lake in the country in Oklahoma for several years as a kid and was used to the back roads to run or ride a bike on, but I had never gone for a run at David’s mom and dad’s house before.

 

Off I went on the parched, dusty, dirt roads.  Prayer is as much a part of my workout as the workout itself, so Jesus is nearly always first and foremost on my mind.

 

It was July in Oklahoma, prime time for picking blackberries, but also very hot and humid, so I only ran a couple of miles.  I ran as far as I was going to go and then turned around to head back to the house.  I got a few blocks from their driveway and, to my surprise, a big Rottweiler came charging out of a neighbors driveway.  I didn’t have time to think, but out of my mouth came, “Go home in the name of Jesus!!!”  I stopped because I didn’t want the dog to chase me.  After I had commanded it to go home, the dog stopped in its tracks.  Now, I don’t mind telling you that I was a bit fearful.  I’m not much of a fan of dogs in the first place, but especially not of big dogs with bad reputations that are foaming at the mouth and charging me.  Yep…I was a bit scared, but in all honesty, there was peace all around me.  I stood my ground with the dog, not taking my eyes off of it, and eventually it turned around and trotted off to its home.

 

This is a perfect example of how the enemy attacks us from time to time.  We can be clipping along and suddenly, out of nowhere he attacks.  We have to be vigilant to keep ourselves covered with the Blood of Jesus, keep the full armor on and be Christ centered.  Exodus 12:7-13,   Ephesians 6:11-18,  Hebrews 12:1-2   Never would I have believed that I would have been able to respond so quickly and appropriately to the dog.  Truly, I believe that it was Holy Spirit that spoke through me and guided my reaction to the threat.  Luke 12:12

 

Stay focused on Jesus my friends because the enemy goes about like a roaring lion searching for whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8   He may not devour just anyone.  He may only devour those who are not ready for the battle.

 

Be strong in Him!        

The River of Love

Today as I left the house, I planned on going to Starbucks to write and I thought I knew what I was going to write about.  But, on the drive in, I felt as if the Lord was telling me to get ready to go deeper…much deeper.  Earlier I had posted something that was near and dear to my heart about allowing God be God and allowing Him to move in the way that He wants to move.  FB post I believe that this is a word not only for me, but for the body of Christ, as well.

 

My next thoughts took me to a dream that I had back in the early to mid ‘90’s.  This dream has been very relevant in my walk in the Lord since that time and also birthed a song, as well.

 

In the dream I was on the shore of a River.  There were many people around.  Some were on the shore just hanging out, not entering into the River.  Some people were just barely getting their feet wet, some were waste deep, some were “on” the River on innertubes, but not actually “in” the River.  As I went deeper and deeper into the water, I felt the Lord calling me deeper and deeper with Him.  I remember when I got to the point that I could no longer touch.  There was a current, but not a current that carried me away.  My feet left the bottom of the River and I suddenly plunged under the water.  I remember being concerned about breathing, but then realized that there was no need to fear.  This was the River of God.  There was no fear.  Then I woke up.  It was my choice to go as deeply with Him as I wanted to.  He was and still is calling me.

 

What the Lord was showing me very, very early in my walk with Him is that it’s our choice how deep we go with Him.  In my dream, as He took me deeper and deeper into the water, He allowed me to see others who were just hanging out.  Yeah, they were children of the Most High, but they were just hanging out on the shore or just barely getting their feet wet.  Some were half in and some appeared to be “deep” in the River, but they were actually just on the surface, floating along.

 

I believe the Lord is saying that He wants us “all in.”  But, we have to be willing.  You see it’s a choice.  We need to make the choice.  He’s calling us deeper with Him.  He’s calling us to a place that we’ve never been before. I also believe that we’re going to have to set aside our traditional ways of approaching God…no playing church, which has become the norm in so many churches.

His ways are much higher.  For several weeks now, God has been saying over and over and over again, “My ways are not like your ways.”  He has proven it to me over and over again by turning around terrible situations for His good.  And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called for His purpose. Romans 8:28  When God speaks something, obviously we should listen.  But when He repeats it, I believe we need to pay special attention.  I believe He’s preparing us for the greatest move of God that mankind has ever seen.  Are you ready?  I know I am.  I’m all in.  We need to set aside our fears.  Set aside fears of the unknown, fears of man, fear that the “normal man made structure” of church is not being followed.  These things are not of God.  God is not fear.  He is Perfect Love and in Perfect Love, there is no fear.  1 John 4:18 


Now, don’t throw caution to the wind.  That would be foolish.  Ask Him for wisdom and discernment.  James 1:5   As you enter the River, test the waters to be sure it truly is God. 1 John 4:1  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  John 10:27

 

The River is set before you…jump in!!  Hallelujah!!  J \o/