While praying, I felt impressed to read 1 Samuel 6:13, which says; “Now the people of Beth Shemesh were harvesting their wheat in the valley, and when they looked up and saw the ark, they rejoiced at the sight.” NIV

They looked up! That statement just kept replaying in my mind. How easily we get distracted, discouraged, busy, yet unfulfilled.  Our heads down, hands busily doing, but not often enough do we stop and look up.

These people rejoiced at the image of something that represented the presence of God, yet we embody the Spirit of God and still need to invoke a rejoicing.

I then turned to 1 Chron. 22:18, “The Lord your God is with you…” NIV

I felt the Lord press upon my heart with these words:

Look up, your salvation is here. The presence of the Lord will be pronounced in your life.  You will see His presence, experience His glory, marvel at the redemption and restoration of what you thought was lost.

You have been busy and distracted, but God’s presence will be so undeniable that it will demand your attention.

You are being called to the place of intimacy. This encounter with the Lord’s presence; with His love, will make you new as His hand reaches out for you to touch with healing power every injury caused from hurt, discord, doubt and disappointment.

One encounter of the Lord’s love will change everything. Open your heart to receive His love and keep your eyes and head up!  It will be sooner than later.

As I awoke to hit the alarm off this morning, laying there, half asleep in disbelief that 5am had made its appearance; I wondered why I had not considered hitting the snooze button. Then, I had the dreadful thought to tinker with the idea of just dozing off for a few more minutes, but quickly realized the devastating effects that could have for the start of the new day.

At that moment, The Spirit of God interrupted my thoughts saying, ” It’s time to stop hitting the ‘snooze button'”.  “Many have repeatedly hit the snooze button on hopes, dreams, plans and prayers.” They are standing in their own way”.  Then I heard Him say to turn to Ephesians 5.

Ephesians 5:14, “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

It’s time to hit that alarm off, for it indeed it is time and stand!  Move forward and the Lord will direct your steps.  You desire to know the details first, but with each step, faith and grace will be activated and the Lord will make known to you the way.

Hebrews 11:8, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”

As you arise, the glory light of God will bring life to those things around you which lay dormant.  Do not allow fear of failure to frighten you to a stand still. Be sure of the love and goodness of God! Jesus is the Way, The Truth and The Life – He will make known to you the ways of life!  Time to get up! It’s a new day!

I heard and sang a beautiful song yesterday.  What made it most beautiful was the awareness it brought to me concerning my breath.  Not only was I breathing, but I was singing.  Singing from a place that was broken and abandoned, yet resurrected.  Different, but none the less, alive!

Over a year and half ago, I experienced such heartache and trauma!  It hurt to breath.  I would awaken from crying.  I didn’t even know you could cry in your sleep, but alas, I would awaken; breathless, in tears with the realization that it all actually happened.  The heartache was unbearable, but the depth of the despair was grave with the loss of hope and the realization that my dreams were shattered.

I would try to sing, but only gasps and pain would stir up from deep within.  I felt as though my voice was gone and dreams forfeited. However, yesterday… yesterday was different.  A day, that over a year ago, I could not foresee.  A day I realized the pain was actually healing.  That my heart was actually giving me permission to feel something other than rejection, despair or unloved.  Like, when you lay in your bed, unable to sleep because you are aware of your breathing… it becomes your only focus.

I was aware of my breath.  I was aware that healing was actually taking place and what feels like death, actually becomes the birth of something new.  When you are in pain, all you see, feel, smell etc. is the pain.  Words of comfort and promises of future betterment, fall short, but here I am!  Singing from a place of a new hope that what is now being made new, but that the most important thing is that He came!  He never left and He will continue to make things better, but in my place of “death”, He came.  That will always be the most important thing!  He has been my breath all this time, when breathing became impossible!  He truly does the impossible and you truly will heal!

Lord, I thank You for the faith to believe that Your Word is Truth!  Your Word says that You love me, never leave me…. But I am feeling unloved, without hope and holding on by a thread.  Yet, Your Word says that while I was yet still a sinner, Christ died for the ungodly.  Ungodly… That is what my emotions are trying to tell me.  I am without God.  That this sense of abandonment and hurt has taken me over the edge, without return; far from Your love and acceptance. How could that possibly be true?  Your sacrifice was complete and accepted by the Father!  How could these emotions be more truthful than Your accepted sacrifice?

Your Word says that Christ is hope.  I am going to place my disbelief on Your mercy seat and humbly ask for Your forgiveness.

I need to hear you, Lord!  One Word from You changes everything!  Say anything!  Anything that will reveal You to me!  Anything that will draw us closer.  When You speak, things happen!  “You sent forth Your Word and healed our disease”! Psalm 107:20 “So shall My Word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 “For I am the Lord; I will speak the Word that I will speak, and it will be performed.  It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the Word and perform it, declares the Lord God.” Ezekiel 12:25

I feel as though that “rebellious house” has been myself.  The Lord is making Himself at home within me and I am not cooperating with His decorating desires.  He made me.  Designed me.  He is conforming me into His image, yet somehow, my emotions are trying to tell me that we need floral wallpaper and His color schemes are all wrong.  Blessed be the Lord for dealing with me!

Father,

I choose to believe You at Your Word this day!  I repent of rebellion, unbelief, and idolatry.  I have placed my emotions, hurts, insecurities and pride before You.  I receive Your forgiveness by faith and ask that You would speak Your Truth of love, acceptance, healing, and grace within me and “flip this house”.  If You are drawing up anything, draw me closer to You.  Allow me to hear Your heart and as I lay my head upon Your chest, just say anything.

Love,

Your Beloved

KCV