Tuesday, November 24, 2009

His clothes

My grandson came in and turned on the television this morning and there was a question answer session going on. It was the last question when he turned it on and this was the question.

When I need to make a decision and I go to God but don't get a clear word back, if I proceed without waiting for a clear answer is that going in my will and is that sinful."

Ok, now you know that I was caught and waiting for the answer. Are you ready for this? Haha, I know that you are........

If you are living in a relationship with Jesus and know that The Holy Spirit is dwelling in you, you also know the peace of your spirit when aligned God. If we live in this place, we can also quickly recognize the feeling of unrest in our spirit. If we are moving in His will, we will be at peace. If we are going against His will, we will experience unrest. We will not always get a clear answer because He does allow for us to make choices, but The Holy Spirit will always nudge you and let you know.

He also said this.

Many times we ask for God to show us the path He wants us to take. Sometimes we then find ourselves stopped and waiting and questioning if we "hear" the right answer, if we "are doing what He intends". Ask instead for God to block the path we are not to go down. There are many ways that are ok to get where we are going, there are usually also clear cut wrong ways. If we ask that He block those roads for us, He will do so.

Now as I look at my walk, I can say there is truth in this. I haven't always gotten a definitive answer, and I do know that He allows me to choose Him, choose love. I can honestly say that those times that I have been clearly on the "wrong path" I have been filled with unrest and torment. However, we do not have to stay there. Our Father is a loving, forgiving Father that will allow a lesson, but will correct in love and can right any wrong. He won't hold us to our poor choices, He will lovingly teach us His way, yet continue to allow us our choices.
I can definitely say that there is nothing like that quiet, still, deep rooted peaceful feeling that I feel knowing that the Holy Spirit resides in me and is working through me. There is also no mistaking the feeling of turmoil and angst when I know that I am going against love, when I am in my own clothes and not in the clothes that God designed for me. You see, my clothes never fit. They are loose here, tight there, lacking in some fashion ... always always lacking. When I wear my clothes I am never satisfied, never complete, always seeking something that I just can't find. But when I wear the clothes of righteousness that Jesus fashioned just for me, they are perfect. Not only do they fit perfectly, I feel perfect. I become closer to Him. I become more like Him. I want to be near Him, so near that there is no distinction, like if I were to look in the mirror He would over shadow me so that all anyone could see is Him. Those are the clothes that I want to wear...that is the outfit I want for life.
So, today Lord, I ask that you block the ways of this world from my life. Clothe me Father in the precious outfit that You designed just for me and let the world only see You and Your perfect love. Let me live out Your love so that this world will see just how beautiful and wonderful and powerful and majestic and graceful and perfect You are.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

URGENT:Prayer Request

This is not my typical blog. Something happened about half an hour ago that I cannot explain other than God. I was not going to share it, but then something happened that changed that, my daughter....and your daughter...and all those crying out for help. This is what happened.

I stopped at Aldi's to grab a few items that we needed tonight. As I was getting my cart a feeling swept over me and I knew that something was about to happen and I needed to be ready, for what I did not know. As I was nearing the middle of the first aisle, the hairs on my arms literally stood at attention and I felt covered in goosebumps. I stopped. I didn't know what was going on, but I knew I needed to pay attention. Nothing. I continued down the aisle and as I got to the end I saw a woman standing to my right on her cell phone. She hurried in front of me and stood in the corner and was visibly sobbing. I felt like I needed to go to her, but I didn't. I went to the next aisle and tried to go down it. People, it was like a force beyond anything I have ever felt was pushing me back to that woman. I tried to resist, but when I went to move forward I found myself literally moving backwards. At that moment I heard her saying (or maybe the Lord just gave it to me, I don't know) but I heard her sobbing "Paul don't hurt my baby...just don't hurt my baby...where do you have her?" As I got back to the point I had passed her, she crossed in front of me again. This time she was sobbing, not crying, just like she was in a trance and sobbing. She literally walked into the vegetable bin. I left my cart and went to her. I put my hand on her shoulder and she looked up at me. I said simply "can I help you?" She let out a cry and said "it's my daughter. she is in trouble and she wants me to come get her but he won't tell me where they are, only somewhere between Arizona and New Mexico. she is so scared and he won't tell me" The Lord gave me some words for her and I spoke them to her. Then I asked her daughter's name. It is Elizabeth. I told her that I would pray for Elizabeth and that God loves her more than even a mamma's love and He is not letting go of her, He would not leave her alone. She grabbed me and just melted into tears right in the middle of the store holding on so tightly I couldn't have moved if I wanted to. About that time someone came up to her that was evidently with her and as she began to tell them about the call I slipped away.
When I left the store I noticed they were parked right in front of my van because they were standing outside the car talking. I loaded the van and got in. My daughter was watching them with a look on her face that I hadn't seen there before and I asked her what was wrong. She said, "I am confused." I asked about what. She said "I don't know. that woman looks like she is crying and something is really wrong. I don't know what i am feeling" So I told her the story.

What I am asking is that you take time right now and pray protection, love and healing upon Elizabeth.
God please hold Elizabeth so closely that she will know Your presence. Lord take Your child in Your arms and cradle her through this journey. Fill her with a peace that passes understanding and calm in the storm around her. Father please change the heart of Paul and bring about a healing for them all. Father only You know what is truly needed in this situation and to You we leave it.