"Conditions"

As I sit here at my computer, contemplating this blog post, I am wondering why it's been such a challenge to write lately. I mean, I love writing! Writing has always been the easiest method of communication for me...why the dry spell?

I'm not getting any direct answers, just some "random" thoughts...

Well, they're not really random since I am possessed by the Spirit of God and have purposed to take all thoughts captive as unto Christ. The thoughts running through my head are from Him. I'm simply wondering what it is He really wants me to share!

Since He gave me the title for this post right from the start, I suppose He wants me to share my most recent experience with you.

Late last week I felt myself spiralling into a pit of depression. There are many things going on in my life which have contributed to that spiral (details which I won't bore you with) however, upon recognizing what was happening, I cried out to God. I asked Him, "When did simply being Your child cease to be enough?! Why are there so many conditions to everything? I've done all I know to do!"

Ever so gently He told me that simply being His child has never ceased to be enough and that all the conditions I was feeling being piled on top of me were man's conditions; ie. "prayer life", "quiet time", fasting, having "enough" faith, "keeping the rules", etc. etc.

Over the next few days He led to me to Scriptures which speak of His kindness, His goodness, His gentleness and His unending love. He had me revisit Scriptures of the lives of renowned forefathers. He showed me how imperfect they were and how He remained faithful to them. He pointed out how He blessed them despite their short-comings. He had me read of how men fail men, yet He never fails. And most importantly, He said to me, "Lysa, I love you. I have never stopped loving you and I will never stop loving you. Remember the promises which I have made to you and hold fast to them. Run everything man says to you through the filter of my Spirit. I am good. I intend good things for you. I uplift and encourage. When I chasten, it is always with and in love. Listen to Me, Lysa and you will not be discouraged nor dismayed. My peace I give to you."

How gracious He is! I am so thankful that by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, I have direct access to my loving Heavenly Father!

And so do you dear reader. If you are struggling, I encourage you today to crawl into the lap and arms of your Heavenly Father and tell Him all about it. I guarantee you won't be sorry!

Jesus, My Friend

This week the Lord has been revealing to me how He has been taking me back to my childhood so that I can become the woman He has destined for me to be. When Jesus said to be as a little child and to have the faith of a child, He wasn’t speaking to the children who had gathered around Him but to the adults! We don’t have to tell children to act like children, they do it naturally! I think it’s interesting that we spend our time telling our children not to be silly when, maybe, we should be seeking to become as children!


At a very young age, my mom would tell me that Jesus loved me and that He was always beside me. I never doubted her, I believed it. In fact, I knew it! And I knew it because He walked with me and talked with me. I had a real, tangible friendship with Him. My mom loves to tell stories about how from the time I was about three years old I would “disappear” into our back yard and when she would go looking for me she would find me talking with Jesus. Or how, often times, she would hear me arguing with my little friends about how Jesus was playing with us even though they couldn’t see Him. I saw as a child and I believed as a child and Jesus was there!

I don’t know when I ceased to have that kind of fellowship with the Lord, but I know I came to a point about thirteen years ago where I wanted it back! I was going through a difficult period in my life and I knew that I wanted to get back to that place. In fact, it was the Lord Himself who revealed to me that I needed to get back to that place. And so it began. He was ever faithful to draw me in; closer and closer to Him.

Then, about six years ago, the Lord started me on a “regression”. I didn’t realize it at the time, I was simply thankful for all that He was doing in me. As I think back to the beginning of my “regression” I can’t help but chuckle at the way God works. I have never liked being the center of attention. I am a somewhat private person and am content with being a “wallflower”. However, upon beginning my “regression” the Lord chose to do much of it publicly. Jesus began showing Himself to me in the middle of Sunday morning church services. You might be thinking, “Well, that’s great! But how is that so “public”?” Well, it’s “public” because He wouldn’t just show Himself to me, but He would pour His love on me in such a way I would just “melt”. I would stand or sit there crying and crying; soaking in His love and in His presence. A few times it was so intense that people came up to me to see if I was okay. I often heard people whispering about me; assuming that I had some great sin or burden in my life and that was why I was crying so much! HA! Funny thing-assumption!

Anyway, after a period of time, the Lord began bringing back memories of my times with Him as a child. Not just memories though. He brought back sights, sounds, smells and feelings. He vividly showed me our times together, as if on a movie projector. All the while, whispering of how we were (and still are) making more memories together!

Jesus is such a loving Savior and Friend! Oh how He desires friends! He wants us not only to love Him as Lord, Savior and Master, but as Friend. Is He your friend?

Purification

There is something to be said for "trial by fire" and that is, "It hurts!"

The last several years for my family have been a great time of trial, testing, strengthening and growth.

It has not been easy, but I wouldn't change it. If our faith hadn't been exercised, it would have become weak and useless. The Lord knew what we needed in order to gain strength and stamina. We had no idea that living in Nevada was going to be so rigorous!

Obviously, it isn't because we live in the state of Nevada that life has been strenuous. It is because we have purposed to follow the Lord where ever He leads.  We have given Him the reins of our lives and He, in His infinite wisdom, deemed it necessary to move us out of our comfort zone so that we could grow. We have been pruned and new growth has taken over! What an awesome thing it is! Indeed, He is the Vine and we are the branches. He is the Master Vine Dresser. He knows what to snip away, what to tie back, and what to nurture.

The Bible says that a tree is known by it's fruit. It is our desire that we are known as Christ-followers and Lovers of God.

The other day the Lord  brought to mind the old song, "Refiner's Fire". He reminded me that years ago I made the lyrics to that song my heart's cry where upon He lit within me a desire to be all that He wants me to be. In doing so, I gave Him permission to purify me; to cleanse from me all dross.

When precious metal is heated to severe temperatures, the impurities rise to the top and are discarded. As the dross rises, the tempuratures are also increased until, finally, no impurities remain. What does remain is the purest precious metal; gold. The purest gold we have is 24 carat gold. It means that the gold is 99.9% free of impurities.

The same is true with the testing of our faith and the trials of life. I have learned that with each twist and turn of life, the Lord reveals something to me; something of myself. I have cried out to Him, as David did, to reveal myself to me; to show me what needs to change; to rid me of all impurities and renew within me a right spirit. A spirit which glorifies Him. I cannot do so with my old nature; a life lived in the flesh. I am only able to do so by His Spirit; completely surrendered to His will; willing to change what ever He shows me needs changing. It is not in me to bring about this change, but Him in me who brings about the change.

I have included the lyrics to "Refiner's Fire. It is my prayer that they touch something deep within you dear reader.

"Let me be as gold and precious silver

Purify my heart

Let me be as gold, pure gold

Refiner's fire

My heart's one desire

Is to be holy

Set apart for You, Lord

I choose to be holy

Set apart for You, my Master

Ready to do Your will

Purify my heart

Cleanse me from within

And make me holy

Purify my heart

Cleanse me from my sin

Deep within"

Yes, there is also something to be said for the Refining Fire of the Lord and that is, "It's worth it!"

The Voice of Truth

For months now, the Lord has been reminding me to "Meditate on These Things":
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8

In light of all that's has been happening in Yerington the last couple of days and all that is going on in the world, I felt prompted to post this brief reminder.

 
God is good. God is love. God is in control.
Faith. Hope. Love. These remain.
Don't give up!
Fight the good fight!

Remember, He who began a good work IS faithful to complete it!

Until the Day of our Lord Christ Jesus!
 
Let all who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior lock arms, hearts and spirits in unity to usher in His promise of heaven on earth!
 
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Never stop proclaiming His goodness and majesty! Proclaim Divine Truth! The Truth sets the captives free!
Praying the Lord comforts and encourages you today!!!

Summer "Project"

As a family of homeschoolers, we have wonderful flexibility with our schedule.

Usually, we take the month of June "off" and then in July I find some sort of project for the students. Interestingly, the Lord usually inspires me to "assign" them a project which He also has me participate in. Yes, I am a student as well. Life is a continuous journey in which learning never ceases.

Our Head-Master is the Lord Himself. I, personally, enjoy and embrace every assignment He gives me.

I didn't realize until just today that he has already given me my Summer "project". For the past two years He has had me on an incredible path of great learning with obstacles! For the past several weeks, however, He has had me on an "assignment" of praise and worship. Through many dangers, toils and snares, He has brought me to the place of perfect peace; the peace which can ONLY come from Him. It wasn't any easy lesson, yet it has been the most amazing one yet! Upon arriving at the place of perfect peace, praise and worship are automatic. When one is filled with the peace of God which surpasses all human understanding, one cannot help but worship and praise Him continually. It is the natural outflow. It is the reward-the blessing!

What a truly loving and amazing Father! I would never desire anyOne else as my Head-Master!

 "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!"

"He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:3

"But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do." Psalm 73:28

Oh how He loves us! Praying you will be filled with the revelation of His great love and that it will saturate you to the very core of your being! Oh how He loves you!!!

My Fortress and My Defense

The Bible tells us that we are given gifts from the Lord; gifts of the Spirit. He has given me a passion for writing and for as long as I can remember, He has had me use it as a way of encouraging others. Through writing, He has given me the gift of encouragement. I have never doubted that He has spoken to others through the words He inspired me to write. In the past, He would lead me to a card to purchase for the person whom He desired to encourage then give me an encouraging word and a Scripture address to enclose with the card.

Well, one day a few years ago, follow the leading of His Spirit, I sent a card and Scripture address to someone which had an adverse effect on me. Apparently, when the person received the card, she was offended, only I wasn't aware that she was offended...until a few months later. I will spare you the details of how it all came "out" in the open, but suffice it to say that it wasn't pretty. I walked away from the situation a "bloody" mess (figuratively). As I was driving home that day, the Lord spoke very clearly to me, "You have now shared in My sufferings." WOW! Amazing! Those words comforted me so much. To share in Christ's sufferings is an honor I would have never imagined.

However, after that encounter, I was a bit leery about sending cards to people. I would read and re-read every Scripture address and ask several time if it was truly what He wanted to say. This encounter had split a crack in my veneer which made a way for fear to creep in. I was learning how to allow the Lord to be my fortress and my defense, yet it wasn't easy! You see, this encounter was to be the first of several...learning to allow the Lord to be my fortress and my defense.

Recently, the Lord brought me to a valley where I would encounter the most difficult battle in regard to this lesson. He allowed certain circumstances to come to a place of testing. I believe He was testing not only me, but the others involved. He, once again, had me pick up paper and pen and compose a note with Scripture addresses of His choosing. Still battle weary, I looked up every one of the addresses He had given me. I read them carefully, then said, "Lord, every one of these Scriptures is something you have walked me through in my personal life. I thank You  for them. However, if I send these, there is going to be a lot of backlash and I am going to get burned!" His reply, "Yes, there IS going to be backlash, but let ME be your shield. I am your Fortress and your Defense. You will not get burned if you stand behind Me." So, with a bit of trepidation, I obeyed. The backlash came. But you know what? I didn't get burned! I stood behind the Lord and He sheltered me! What an amazing, loving God we serve. I have not only learned how to allow God  to be my fortress and my defense, but I have lived the Scripture that says it is better to obey GOD rather than man. I have overcome the fear which Satan attempted to plant in my life. The enemy's desire was that I would live in fear of speaking what the Lord wanted me to speak, but it did NOT work! Fear cannot hold me down! The Lord is my FORTRESS and my DEFENSE!

Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him all His people!

I know that each person whom God has used in my life for this lesson has also grown. I would not change a thing and I don't think they would either.

The love of Christ is amazing and He works ALL things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes!

Hallelujah!

Small Epiphanies

The Lord has given me one of those minds which never seems to rest! In as such, I am constantly thinking and speaking to Him.

This morning has been one little epiphany after another, as is "normal" for me; the difference is that He has nudged me to share them.

Earlier, He brought Abraham to mind. He reminded me of how Abraham, not once, but twice, lied out of fear to keep his family and himself safe. Yet, despite his short-comings, God provided for him all that he needed and MORE!

This is a neat word for us. It gives us hope in the midst of a mixed up world!

It also spurred this little note:

Dear God,
I realized something this morning. As parents we give gifts to our children. Not because of what they do but because we love them.
Would you do the same for us in regard to our health and finances? And, God, could it be today?

Thank You in advance,
Lysa


The second little epiphany which I will call ,"Egged On!", went something like this:

Every time I vacuum, Gideon, our bird, decides to take a bath. We have no idea why it invokes the urge for him to bathe, but it happens every time!

As I was vacuuming this morning and looked over at the wet bird, the Lord reminded me that we are to love and encourage one another. As the vacuum "egged Gideon on" for his bath, so are we to "egg each other on"; to encourage, uplift, and infuse with hope.

The Lord told me that I am to obey His Spirit when He is prompting me to encourage you. It might seem silly to me or not seem to make any sense, but God knows what you need to be encouraged.

I am the clay, yielded to the Potter's hands. I am His vessel to be used as He sees fit.

As such, I pray that this little note strengthens, encourages and "eggs you on"! Both to will and do of His good works and to become all He has intended for you to be!