Girlfriends,
I am sharing this. I have been praying in this vein since the New Year began…so instead of jumping into Hannah this morning, I am going to type this out of my journal to share with you.
I’ve talked at length about the current struggles I am enduring…and I see the proverbial light. I would be remiss if I did not share with you the successes when I share with you the struggles. I took a sermon that I heard on New Years Night…and it so struck me because I had prayed and received confirmation over this message years ago. I thought it odd that during this time of desperation, God’s promises would be brought back to mind. So, this sermon, I actually fleshed out with God’s word. (Ladies…you know I can’t just leave well enough alone. If I hear it, I have to make sure its going to follow with God’s plan and its consistent with His word.
So…what follows is out of my personal journal. I hope it blesses you and you can find comfort in 2008—and beyond. (Remember, 8 is the number of a New Creature, New Beginning.)
So, I am not sure what exactly tomorrow shall hold. I know today I hurt less than yesterday. I know today, I feel hopeful and a little less depressed. So, I am going to stand on what God has promised me:
“Elizabeth said to Mary, blessed is she who believes what God says will come to pass. (Luke 1:45)”
Mary responded: (I respond)
46…My soul magnifies and extols the Lord.
47 My spirit rejoices in God my savior
48 For He has looked upon the low station and humiliation of his handmaiden. For behold, from now on all generations [of all ages] will call me blessed and declare me happy and to be envied!
49 for He Who Is Almighty has done great things for me—and Holy is His name [to be venerated in His purity, majesty and glory]!
50 and His mercy (His compassion and kindness toward the miserable and afflicted) is on those who fear Him with godly reverence, from generation to generation and age to age. [Ps 103:17]
51 He has shown strength and made might with His arm; He has scattered the proud and haughty in and by the imagination and purpose and design of their hearts.
52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of low degree.
53 He has filled and satisfied the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty-handed [without a gift]
54 He has laid hold of His servant Israel [to help him, to espouse his cause], in remembrance of His mercy
55 Even as He promised to our forefathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.
And for this espoused prayer I lay hold to the blessing 7 fold I heard from Pastor Andy on 12/31/07:
Genesis 28
12 And he dreamed that there was a ladder setup on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!
Promise 1
The spiritual will have an open engagement and will fully impact my earthy life.
John 1:51 Then He said to him, I assure you solemnly I tell you all, you shall see heaven opened and angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man!
Genesis 28
13 And behold, the Lord stood over and beside him and said, I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father [forefather] and the God of Issac; I will give to you and to your descendants the land on which you lying.
Promise 2
I will hear the LORD! Intimately and directly I shall hear the Lord speak to me.
Isaiah 54:5-6 5 Fort he Lord your Maker is your Husband, the Lord of Hosts is His name, and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; the God of the Whole Earth He is called. 6 for the Lord has called you…
Promise 3
The LORD has offered permanence and stability (by providing the land).
1 Corinthians 1:8 And He will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will by your warrant against all accusations or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)
Genesis 28
14 And your offspring shall be as (countless as) the dust or sand of the ground, and you shall spread abroad to the West and the East and the North and the South; and by you and your offspring shall all the families by blessed and bless themselves
Promise 4
You will have and multiply right relationships and grow in ministry to God.
Jeremiah 16:15-16 15 …And I will bring them again to their land which I gave to their fathers. 16 Behold, I will send for many fishers.
Mark 1:17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Promise 5
You will be good stewards of God’s blessings and be a blessing of His wealth to others.
Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful steward, the wise man whom his master will set over those in his household service to supply them their allowance of food at the appointed time?
Proverbs 31:16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
Genesis 28
15 And behold, I am with you and will keep you (watch over you with care, take notice of) you wherever you may go, and I will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done all of which I have told you.
Promise 6
The LORD will not move from me.
Psalm 139:7 Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from Your presence?
Luke 1:45 Bless is she who has believed that what the Lord has said will be accomplished!”
Genesis 28:20-22
20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go and will give me food to eat and clothing to wear,
21 So that I may come again to my father’s house in peace; then the LORD shall be my God;
22 And this stone which I have set up as a pile (monument) shall be God’s house [a sacred place to me], and of all the [increase of possessions] that You give me I will give the tenth to You.
Promise 7
I am in covenant with God.
Isaiah 42:6 I the LORD have called you [the Messiah] for a righteous purpose and in righteousness; I will take You by the hand and will keep You; I will give You for a covenant to the people [Israel], for a light to the nations [Gentiles],
Malachi 3:1 Behold, I send My Messenger, and He shall prepare the way before Me. And the LORD [the Messiah], whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger or Angel of the covenant Whom you desire, behold, He shall come, says the LORD of Hosts.
Luke 22:20
And in like manner, He took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new Testament or Covenant [ratified] in My blood, which is shed (poured out) for you.
Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all of your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
I have been working through these scriptures each day to some measure. I am finding that they help greatly…and they re-enforce God’s individual will for our lives…even through this corporate covenant…it is intimately and approachably our own.
I love you….
Vida
