On a winter morning in my sunroom…
Beth (B) – Lord, help me to my new rhythm – the rhythm of my day – What would you like to gaze on today? I am enjoying my hot coffee Lord and my lap warmer and blanket. I am thankful for the flowering plants. I had no idea the impatiens could do this Lord – Thank you – the color and begonias and they are doing it – lasting and flowering and growing (in pots I brought indoors for the winter). Thank you, Lord. Lord? What today. I want to be still.
Ephesians 3:3-4 (TPT) For this wonderful mystery, which I briefly described, was given to me by divine revelation, so that whenever you read it you will be able to understand my revelation and insight into the secret mystery of the Messiah.
Ephesians 3:4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
God (G) – Believe and see. Let me show you what I want you to say –
B – Yes Lord –
G – Let me show you my way, the stories, the wrapping and the unwrapping.
B – Yes Lord
G – Let me have my way.
B – Yes Lord – Show me your way – in every area Lord – ALL
G – The book is mine. Not yours. I am entrusting to you because you have shown me you are a good steward, and you desire more than anything all for my glory. That is why I chose you – it is because I can be fully, delicately, magnificently displayed by you in a way I long to be known.
B – Yes Lord. Wow. Wow. Wow. Show me Lord.
G – Let’s begin. The rudimentary. The essence. The sleeve. The wrapping.
B – Ok Lord – I am stuck on rudimentary (Definition: involving or limited to basic principles. Relating to an immature, undeveloped or basic form. Consisting in first principles.) Show me.
G – Let’s go to John 12 again.
B – Ok Lord
John 12:25-26 (TPT) “The person who loves his life and pampers himself will miss true life! But the one who detaches his life from this world and abandons himself to me, will find true life and enjoy it forever! If you want to be my disciple, follow me and you will go where I am going. And if you truly follow me as my disciple, the Father will shower his favor upon your life.
B – Lord I desire – abandon – more Lord. I get nervous as I write – detaches life from the world and abandons himself to me – help me see clearly – help me to know fully what this looks like to you –
G – fully abandon
Believing my word over any other view.
Believing my word is true.
Believing even in opposition that I am good (and) that what I say about myself is fully and completely true all of the time in every circumstance and situation.
Believing that I am with you – that where you are is just right – that I have a plan and it is good. (Believing) That the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy.
(Believing) That he is a liar and any lie is agreement with him.
(Recognizing the lie) that you can (on your own).
(Rather) – in me – (I) root it all out and (you) sit in full abandon on my lap, looking into my eyes and believing all I say – it is true.
Do not wrestle. Do not worry. Do not set aside for later. This is now. The all is all in every situation and with every person – I Am. Wonder on the magnificence of the truth that in all my creation there has never been another you – unique is a word that doesn’t even begin to describe the creativity it takes to do this. That is who I am. Creative beyond measure, beyond experience, beyond human wisdom. I Am is All. I can and I will for my glory in every area you can think of. Watch and see and remember and speak – it is me – in every place. It is enough to say, ‘Oh how good God is for you today.’ That is the truth – that is enough – in every place.
B – Today Lord, I want your truth. I belong, I am seen, I am appreciated and honored and loved. Not because I am so great but because I carry Jesus in my heart. I AM is with me. Lord, I want to be slow and purposeful. I want to allow Jesus into every place, conversation, observation. I want the peace that surpasses understanding. I want to go slow. I want to be on purpose. I want to rest and see what you are up to. I want to be still and know that you are God. Lord your way.
Excerpt from An Encourager’s Heart