I am so thankful for this season.  I prayed so hard for a season like this and it is one I could have never imagined, yet I get to live it.

In the hard times, in the struggles, in the questions and trials He’s making us.  In the waiting He’s teaching us to trust Him.  He’s preparing us for Himself, but also for who we are to be for what He has for us and to shave our old selves off bit by by until all that’s left is Him.

To lay at Jesus feet means you give up your life.  You are surrendering and bowing to Him as Lord of your life.  He is your covering.  He is your life and follow where He leads.  So many people hold on to their own plans and dreams and never fully surrender.

“DELIGHT THYSELF IN THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART.” – PSALM 37:4

From looking at this verse it looks like anything we desire God will give it to us.  That seems to be a very childish way to look at it for where would our trust be?  Who is the sovereign King and Lord of our life if He’s just a genie who grants us wishes?  This verse doesn’t mean He will give us all we desire.  Can you imagine giving a small child every thing they wanted?  That would ruin them.  We are to first delight in the Lord.  We let go of our plans and desires and hand them over to Him who puts HIS desires in our heart that HE wants for us.  He is our desire and we want what He wants for us and we know His plans will never harm us and will always work out for our good.

Sometimes (at least me) we have a vision of what we think God wants us to do.  What do you do when you’re filled with zeal and the Holy Spirit?  (Imagine Peter cutting off the soldier’s ear who came to get Jesus.  Jesus rebuked him for ‘PUT UP THY SWORD INTO THE SHEATH: THE CUP WHICH MY FATHER HATH GIVEN ME, SHALL I NOT DRINK IT?’ JOHN 18:11  and then that same man healed the servant of the high priest’s ear right there.  Can you imagine being in that moment?  Your job was to retrieve the man blaspheming calling Himself God, your ear is cut off, and then the man being sentenced PUT YOUR EAR BACK ON WITH NO SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS.)

You can also imagine a scene from Braveheart and charging people in battle while screaming with swords and shields… or is that just me?  Need some more repenting…

Maybe God doesn’t need us to rip someone’s head off.  He called us to love our neighbor and speak THE TRUTH in love.  He did not say to accept sin.  He said to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and strength and then love your neighbor as yourself.

“FOR WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES.” – EPHESIANS 6:12

Our defense against the devil is God’s word “FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS QUICK, AND POWERFUL, AND SHARPER THAN ANY TWOEDGED SWORD, PIERCING EVEN TO THE DIVIDING ASUNDER OF SOUL AND SPIRIT, AND OF THE JOINTS AND MARROW, AND IS A DISCERNER OF THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART.” – HEBREWS 4:12

God doesn’t need us to do anything.  It is HIS work.  We are only to be who we are and can only spread seeds.  It takes one to sow and one to water, but GOD WHO BRINGS THE INCREASE.  It is NOT our work.  We cannot open someone’s eyes or ears, but only draw closer to Jesus and He will instruct us on where to go.

Some people tell you what God’s plan is for your life.  People LOVE sharing their advice and opinions even when they have no idea what they’re talking about.  The most dangerous are “Christians” who take scriptures out of context and if you are not careful can create so much doubt and confusion.

That’s why it’s so important to study and show yourself approved.  The devil roams around like a lion seeking whom he may devour and if it were possible even the elect can be deceived.

There is only ONE mediator to the Father and that is Jesus Christ.  The veil was torn from top to bottom in the temple giving us one on one access directly to Him.  If God didn’t tell you what He supposedly told them you have no business doing it.  We should be about our Father’s business… not other people’s business.

Listen carefully to what people say and how they live for you’ll know how seriously to take their advice.  Some people make you want to do the exact opposite of what they are telling you to do.  The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord.  Seek wise counsel … those who are firmly planted in God’s word and have been walking with Him for years and years.  You will know them by their fruits.

Getting back to the Braveheart battle scenes maybe it’s actually a quiet, steady learning experience God is using to restore your heart and prepare you.  I am so thankful for this season.  As much as I fought and stressed God was making me.  He was teaching me to trust Him… I was learning to depend on Him.

I knew when the door opened wherever it led I would run with abandon and use what God gave me and never look back.

I could have never imagined the grace and goodness that would come with that open door.

“DELIGHT THYSELF IN THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART.” – PSALM 37:4

“AND I SAY UNTO YOU, ASK, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN YOU; SEEK, AND YE SHALL FIND; KNOCK, AND IT SHALL BE OPENED UNTO YOU.  FOR EVERY ONE THAT ASKETH RECEIVETH; AND HE THAT SEEKETH FINDETH; AND TO HIM THAT KNOCKETH IT SHALL BE OPENED. IF A SON SHALL ASK BREAD OF ANY OF YOU THAT IS A FATHER, WILL HE GIVE HIM A STONE? OR IF HE ASK A FISH, WILL HE FOR A FISH GIVE HIM A SERPENT? OR IF HE SHALL ASK AN EGG, WILL HE OFFER HIM A SCORPION?  IF YE THEN, BEING EVIL, KNOW HOW TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS UNTO YOUR CHILDREN: HOW MUCH MORE SHALL YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THEM THAT ASK HIM?” – LUKE 11:9-13

“Jesus gave me a Brent” Faithful is He that calleth you that also will do it…