PAIN ?       

I heard a heart wrenching story today. It pulled at the strings of my heart in so many different directions.

Pain can do that; pain can cause a 'tug of war' on the cords of our heart. It can leave you confused with an inability of placement. Not knowing where and how to place pain is what I believe to be one of the most damaging moments in the human heart.

When the striking of pain comes at us like an arrow of fire through the dark or a spear of iron... in that very moment and every moment to follow only ONE Man can save.

No matter how hard we try 'not to be human' the human heart was created for love and all that is Not kin to that love is a natural violation, an undeniable current of crime. 

I have always seen myself as a strong woman. Strong in my emotions and character, and in this I categorized the way pain came at me, (whether it be by man or other natural circumstances)as "Water off a ducks back", telling myself, "I am okay, no big deal, I just forgive and forget and move on." It is amazing how powerful the human heart is; it can experience overwhelming hurt and simultaneously creative concealment of that hurt; a developed character of coping. Only the human heart can manage this complex behavior.

The reality of pain is that though we were made for love, pain has given love an even greater strength in that had I not known pain I would not have known the power of love.

I have come to the realization that when I am hurt it is OKAY to feel that hurt, to experience it for what it is. I'll even go as far as to say we must allow ourselves to relate wholeheartedly to that injury, that pain, that sorrow if we are to walk in healing. 

If we believe that we are closed to the access of hurt and pain we are merely trying to make up for all the years of present hidden pain in our lives. 

Oh yes, we should not be easily offended or shall I say hurt, but the truth be told many people have been bearing burdens of pain ignorantly, and in this a simple flick of the pinky causes unbearable pain. This pain has different sounds and voices coming from counterfeit people within, they are misplaced because that's what hidden pain accomplishes, and given names they would be:

the guardian

the warrior

the timid servant

the bouncer

 the pimp

the cave dweller

the watchman

the cool

the harmonizer

the satisfier

the abandoned

the beaten

the pleaser

the grit

the scared child

Don't get me wrong, all these voices are understandable, but not knowing where and how to place pain results in pain placing you.    

I believe the only way

to understand, face, and place pain rightly is looking unto the ONE who bore the pain of the world.

How did He do it, how did the Lord Jesus face the pain of humanity on the cross? Did He shrug it off, did He act as though it wasn't so bad, or that He wasn't bothered by it?

NO

He felt and related to every measure of it's infliction. He bore the true weight of it, no more, no less. Every deep dark despairing breath of turmoil, torchure, and tug of war to His heart.

He Seen The Pain

He took The Pain

He Went Through The Pain

He Forgave The Pain

He Died To It

He Left It In The Grave

He Forgot It

He Stands In Victory Over It

He Is Smiling

How can He now be smiling, How is that possible?

Because in facing and placing the pain it was turned into joy!

I can testify of this marvelous truth. Yes, our pain can be turned into joy, but only ONE can lead you through the Way of this dynamic truth.

Precious one, I encourage you to be real with the pains of your life, they cry out for their transformation unto joy, so that you may stand SMILING!

 

     

I AM Your Help

"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."
John 5:7

You may remember this event in history; it was a season of time when an angel of the Lord would come down and stir the waters of Bethesda bringing healing to the first body that would enter the waters.

This man had been "In his sickness" for 38 years, let's take a tour of his intimate life with my emphasis added; you can add your own as we go along and you relate.

"Ben (that's the name I'm giving him) how are you doing?" says Katherine. "Not so well. I've been to many physicians and they too have no understanding why I seem to get worse and never recover."

Years and years go bye and Ben's family and friends give up all hope in seeing him recover and their prayers have waxed weak and have come to an end, "This has become the life of Ben", they say, "He will die this way, no one can help." Thomas, Susie, Micheal, and all he knew, forgot about him so long ago. Ben's place of residence had become the ground of the temple floor near the place called the Sheep gate. Ben's mat was worn and withered as was the state of his body.

"No one remembers me, not even my family and friends, they seem to have forgotten I was born. I am unwanted, unneeded, unclaimed, and unseen. The ground of the temple is the only substance that hears my voice, or sees my eyes. My arms failed me long ago and I no longer have the strength to raise them and signal for help as the waters begin to whirl. The voices and callings of the sick and diseased surround me and drown me out; I can't even be heard no matter how desperate I try. The crowd grows year by year, I have become nothing but a number. This is my portion in life, this is my inheritance, I will die here and no one will remember my existence or weep for my life... "I cry out PLEASE MAN, you who are passing me by day after day, do you not care, can you not take a moment out of your life to help me into the waters. You have seen me lying here on the ground since your youth, do you not have compassion, can you not lend me your strength. I see the angel coming down; he's coming please I cry, please help me to the waters.""

There is no help for Ben, nor has there been any since childhood.
Ben has defined himself as a torn and worn out piece of remnant cloth that has never been needed or wanted. "What use am I, what specimen of a man am I. My thoughts are against me all day long and it is as it should be for I have nothing to give in this life... why oh God, why was I born? I smell of filth, and I tremble as I move along the temple floor. What more can happen to me, let me die I cry, let me die"

Hhhhaaa,WWwhhoooh, SSsshhhhaahhhlooommm, is the sound of the breath coming forth from the Being off to the right side of Ben's body;
"I see you Ben, I hear you Ben and I know who you are", declares HIS Presence as He walks with strength and vitality towards a man with a future.

"I remember this man", Ben says within his heart, "His eyes are so familiar, so steady, He has been coming here for many years. Is this the day, will He help me to the waters, is this a man who will lend me His strength for only a moment?"

"DO YOU WISH TO GET WELL?"

"What did He ask me", Ben questions quietly. "Yes, more than anything but you see no one cares no one will help me, for You see I have no strength of my own. I can't make it to the waters, I am useless in my own strength", declares Ben in a most unfamiliar voice.

"Well Ben", He says, "I see who you were, I see who you've become, and I see who you will be. I know why you are there upon the ground and I know why you've made your bed beneath the feet of men. BUT I declare that TODAY this DAY you will rise, and walk, and run with new strength, and you will become a new man that is able to stand and no longer will your mat hold you down, but you will hold your mat high for all to see as a witness of who I created you to be. TODAY this DAY I will make you whole first in mind then in body, then you will no longer see the ground beneath your feet but it will be the heavens above you see... NOW stand and go forth, for your waiting has come to an end."


Can you see this man, the joy of putting to rest the weight of the world that he carried on his shoulders. The weight of his world was in his mind and therefore manifested in his body. We know this through the study of the Greek.

If you can relate to this man in any way I declare this is the Year of your waiting to end. I declare your healing is NOW, and that you are released from the burden of shame, sickness, and suffering in the Name of Jesus Christ. You, be loosened into your reward of healing and renewal, and new realms of wisdom, strength and Grace be poured over your head more and more as the year moves on.
Manifest Glory is coming!

For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

Psalm 127:2b

Most of us view our sleep as just a part of the rest of our day, and that is actually what it is.  Our sleep is the beginning half of our day for the day begins with the night not the morning.

Have you ever wondered how important it must be that God so designed it that man should rest during the first part of his day? Would you believe that in doing so there must be something so mysteriously important as to either make or brake (in a sense) the remainder of our day? 

Now I'm not saying that if you have had a horrible night of sleep God cannot redeem that throughout the remainder of your day.

However I am saying that maybe we should take into deep consideration the magnitude of the night and the sincere importance of our sleep.

The word sleep occurs over 100 times in the bible and God began creation in the evening, so for me I am lead to believe our sleep is as vital as our awake times.

First we must trust The Lord with our sleep and not fear while upon our beds and second we should take our sleep just as important in prayer as we do the remainder of the day:)

For me, when I am awake, by the Grace of God I am alert, and aware of the kingdom movement, and not to mention my enemy who prowls around desiring to take advantage at any moments notice of my weaknesses. Therefore I can confidently say I know and I believe much, much more goes on in my sleep. Why more activity in my sleep? Well take Adam for example; the greatest thing that ever happened to him was in his sleep.... Eve!

Here is another example, God made covenant with Abraham while in his sleep, and God spoke to Joseph the mysteries of the kingdom in his sleep, He decreed the birth of the Messiah and His NAME to Joseph in his sleep. The list goes on to declare the magnitude of the activity of the night.

What's my point; first off The Lord Jesus desires us to receive amazing, regenerative, revelatory sleep and He also wants us aware of this truth. If we are having the first part or first fruit of our day either robbed from us physically, mentally or spiritually then we are losing out on some amazing kingdom benefits.

You may be saying I don't know what happens to me in my sleep, or I sleep well and have wired dreams at times but that's all.

Let me say this; each one of us have a tremendous amount of activity going on in our sleep to the point that no amount of science could ever begin to discover or comprehend. What goes on in our sleep is as vital as life itself. The reason being is simply because our sleep is where creative force is happening.

We can have 4 types of creative force going on in our sleep:

God

Soulish

Worldly

Demonic

DO NOT FEAR

I must say that now, for you were not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a stable mind!

We have been given the Grace of God to bring our sleep in to subjection under the promised word of God, and that promise is that our sleep will produce strength of character, wholeness, and a fearless future through the creative and anointed work of the Holy Spirit in our sleep.

I encourage you tonight and every night forever more to take five minutes before shutting your eyes to meditate on first in Whom you place your trust, and the promised word of God concerning your sleep.
I promise that you will begin to see a transformation in your life when your night is being claimed by God and God alone, for His influence on your sleep will unfold treasures that cannot be measured.

Glorious Favor and Protection on your sleep in Jesus Name

NOTHING LACKING

SIN, SACRIFICE, FORGIVENESS, and REMISSION

What delicious freedom we've been given in Christ!

Today I stake my claim in the hearts of my beloved believing brothers and sisters... 

YOU ARE FORGIVEN FOREVER, and NO NEVER EVER WILL OUR LORD REMEMBER YOUR SINS AGAIN.

So, I say think about that; is it possible that our loving God has no memory of sin on your behalf? If you have been forgiven of past sins could it be that He is only aware of the sins that you are yet to commit? Does He view only the sins that you have not confessed?

Here are two questions I pose to you today:

You and I both know that the standards of the righteousness of God are so far beyond our reach that mankind could never satisfy; therefore is it truly possible to satisfy God in the way of confession of sin according to His Standards? Do we not fall short even in our thought life daily, and at most momentarily?

So how then is it possible to reach the standards of God in the area of confession and recognition of sin?

1 John 1:9 says,

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

With that verse in mind let's go for a ride of redemption...

Under Old Testament Law  God established a government order with His people Israel that is about 1300 pages long in my bible, of which I will condense to maybe 13 lines in 'now' day terms, and it went like this:

You are sinful people, even your thoughts are sinful all day long, therefore you must bring to Me the LORD your God a sacrifice of blood by way of 'certain animals'. Once you have done this I will forgive and remove your sins and remember them no more. Then you will be clean once again. You are to do this annually.

What happened next:

Johnny and Beckie (don't mind the names:) along with the whole house of Israel continued to sin as all humans do, over and over again, and therefore they had to go yearly to get their sins forgiven and removed by blood again and again. Now, Johnny and Beckie lost sight many 'a' time to do this 'work' and sometimes even years and years passed bye where they forgot all about God's plan of forgiveness for them... in other words they had a lot of  I OWE U's to God.

God, who before time began, knew that this wouldn't go over so well with humanity because as all humans do, we fall short.

This is why He made a great plan before time to DO THE JOB HIMSELF!

So, after 400 years of silence from the fathers and prophets of God (because obviously that plan was never going to work that way) who do you think shows up on the scene?

HIS NAME IS JESUS! 

THE LAMB OF GOD

Hebrews 9:2 says,

According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.

(or we can also say forgiveness) 

What is forgiveness and remission?

It's a mutual understanding between two people yet coming from the One who is in Charge, that all guilt and blame is pardoned, removed and sent away.

Now, could God have done this for you and me without sending His Son as a sacrifice?

Yes and No

Yes, because God could have set it ALL up differently, but NO because He is Held to His own Word and in His Law He declared it had to be a spotless lamb without blemish (sin). His Law declares His instructions, it was the blue print, the in's and out's for what must take place for man's sin.

God's plan wasn't so much that man needed to change his sinful ways as much as it was to show man he couldn't 'do it', satisfy God without the intervention and completion of God Himself!

So here's the BIG CONTRAST

or should I say Completion

All that God established with Johnny and Beckie under the Old Testament Laws was imperfect, not because God was scratching His head and realized it couldn't work, but because Johnny and Beckie would undoubtedly sin 'AGAIN'. So, God foreknowing He would establish His laws and bylaws for the forgiveness of sin in the body and blood of His spotless LAMB, did exactly that. Only this time it was perfect and complete... NOTHING LACKING, and Johnny and Beckie would no longer have to take trips to the forgiveness altar again and again as they use to... and what do you think this did to Johnny and Beckie?

AHA, it sent them running and skipping and jumping and doing cartwheels, and back-flips, and headstands, and tree climbing, and singing and dancing, whistling, laughing, smiling, and twirling and whirling around and around.

BUT, sadly an evil thing crept in and told them they had to go back to what they use to do because getting forgiveness from God still required a constant work on their behalf. Of course when this evil thing told them that he did it in a very inconspicuous manner by adding a little here and a little there, just enough to place them back in there old ways of working to get Gods forgiveness, yet not knowing that's what they were doing. 

So, as it were Johnny and Beckie forgot how to run and skip and jump and do cartwheels, and back-flips, and headstands, and tree climbing, and the singing and dancing, whistling, laughing, smiling, and twirling and whirling around and around, it all fell to the ground leaving them afraid to pick it up again.

So precious one I ask you what is the dynamic breathtaking difference between Old testament forgiveness and remission and the New Testament Forgiveness and Remission?

I will put it this way; by the blood of bulls, goats, and sheep for forgiveness and removal of sin, it was required continually,

BUT NOW IS THE SON OF GOD GLORIFIED IN THIS

that what was 'once' again and again is now and forever more

'ONCE AND FOR ALL' perfectly complete and FINISHED!

I started this trip down the road of redemption from 1 John 1:9 which said,

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Only God can show man his destructive error (against himself and the ways of God) and in this He leads him to a place of confession; why? Because how can a person receive something if they don't believe they are in need of it. In other words if Johnny and Beckie didn't see the reality that they were in need of Forgiveness because their guilt had them condemned how would they know they needed a Savior to take their place and free them from there deserved punishment?

Then once this confession of heart had come the GREAT PROMISE of God took place within Johnny and Becky, forgiving them of their sin and cleansing them from ALL (past, present and future) their unrighteousness... 'ONCE AND FOR ALL'

This my precious one is a one time removal of sin and a one time restoration of righteousness within you, it is not something that has to take place again and again, or else would you rather be like Johnny and Beckie and go back to what once was and lose you dance and your laughter, and your running and skipping of freedom.

Oh yes, there could be theological arguments that could pound against the walls of 'this house' but no fear because Jesus Christ lives here. All the law and the prophets hinge on one truth and that is the LOVE of God towards you, and His LOVE was revealed in the Sacrifice of His Son and the finished work of the CROSS!

I would like to make a STRONG point in the matter of God's children continually going before Him to receive forgiveness of their sins, a sin here a sin there, whatever it may be, and it is this; If you ask for forgivess once you have been fully forgiven 'once and for all' I would say you are in unbelief of the Son of God, and I will go even further than that, you are throwing the Fathers Sons' sacrificial blood back in His face and saying, "This isn't good enough, I am the one who will merit my forgiveness'.

 What then may I say; I encourage you to do this:

When you fall short remember your running and skipping and jumping, and cartwheels, and back-flips, and headstands, and tree climbing, and singing and dancing, whistling, laughing, smiling, and twirling and whirling around and around until you drop to the ground with a bursting heart of gratitude and righteous attitude!

BECAUSE IT'S YOURS FOR THE TAKING IN JESUS NAME

Feel free to post, I would love to hear from you :)

   The LORD He is God! He is Marvelous and Mighty to Save. He sits as THE REFINER of the Sons of Levites, and He speaks to the wind and to the seas and tells them how to behave. The Mountains bow down at His coming and the Universe gives way as His Presence enters the realm of humanity. He rides down from His Holy Throne on Chariot's of Fire, engulfed in storms, wrapped in Thunder and Lightning with fierce Love, and his whips are the Commands of His nostrils that declare I AM the LORD Almighty, Who is there beside Me, there is no one above Me nor beneath Me... and as He comes to me He says, "Hi my beautiful Heather, wanna have a cup of tea:) " 
wow, now that's the most amazing God anyone could have!