A Storm is Passing Over

Exhausted and not ashamed, I climbed into bed at 8:03 last evening. My natural body rhythm makes me a nightowl but I succumbed to what I needed, rest. As usual, I fell asleep praying and cocooned in my Savior's arms. Sleep was good. Resting was even better.

I was awakened to lightning flashes and rollin' thunder. As usual, I gave thanks to the Lord in a semi-coherent state. I rushed to the other room (office) and powered down the computer. A native Floridian, I've lived in the lightning capital of the world! Experiencing a fried modem is not enjoyable. Using a surge protector up to 9000 joules is no guarantee it won't happen again. Fortunately, the losses have only been relatively inexpensive pieces of hardware.

Moving on auto-pilot, I did what was required to safeguard equipment and precious files. I glanced at the clock to learn it was 10:35 and I had only been asleep for roughly two and a half hours. The house was a mass of flashing light . . . going from semi-darkness to brilliant radiance! The rain was fierce and the wind showed very little mercy with its determined force.

Finally, the system was off and as I walked into my bedroom, I thought how the storms we experience in life are similiar to those of nature. Storms are transient yet violent because of their potential for great destruction. You know this.

I spoke to the Lord about both storms. I prayed for safety and care for those experiencing both types. I, in effect, was praying for myself, as well. His presence overpowered the natural elements and nature's furor was quieted. It didn't happen suddenly but gradually over what seemed liked five minutes.

Am I saying you my prayer quieted the storm? Yes, it quieted the storm in my life. My prayer was the Word of God on another level of my relationship with Him. It's too intimate to share in detail; however, I do want you to believe in God's word for your storms. Speak to them. Receive by faith the gift of peace. Give praise for answered prayer on behalf of others and yourself.

Although exhausted, I was at peace before falling asleep. During this prayer, new scriptures were revealed to mind so that I could speak His word during this storm.

When we go through the valley, it's just a storm passing over if we speak the Word of God to it. If we don't, we'll stay in the valley and the storm will hover until we do.

I encourage you to let the storms in your life pass. Until they do, give thanks and praise Him for what He's doing in your life. He's always blessing us!

Happy weekend!

Agreement

Don't you just love it when you're in thought over something, meditating on it because you know the inspiration came from outside of yourself into your consciousness? You are keenly aware of His divine presence. You know He is bestowing blessings upon you. You also know He wants you to share these moments of clarity which aren't selfishly for you alone.

I believe this happens when we seek the Lord with all we are in Him. Sharing beliefs which are based on the Word of God through interpretation, His anointing, the impartation received from other anointed believers and those called with different giftings [than mine] are not being shared to exhort or exalt myself. Au contrairé!

I've lived with/through dysfunctions and issues as much as the next person, but for the blood of Jesus and the grace of God I would still be in bondage. I accepted His gift and receive his tender mercies each day. I repent daily and do my best to let the Holy Spirit dominate my every thought. God cries foul and 'fixes' me until He has to fix me again.



What I want to share is not about me but Christ that lives inside of me. He amazes me all the time, especially when He sends Agreement!

A telephone conversation with an Elder last evening was in Agreement with what the Lord had spoken to me less than half an hour before the call. He approached the subject of the Agreement without knowing the fellowship I had with the Lord prior to the call.

This morning while doin gmy makeup and hair, I listened to two television Ministries, Andrew Womack and Joyce Meyer, who covered the same area where Agreement had already been confirmed.

The subject of Agreement had to do with correction. When I experience 'challenges' I always look within first, for the enemy. I ask the Lord to reveal where my shortcomings are and where I need to excel more to do all I can in being more Christ-like.

Last evening, He revealed to me three areas which I'll post in more detail in the future: Leathal Weapon, Healing and Emotions. When Agreement comes, I don't know about you but I get a spiritual rush! I'm transcended by the Holy Spirit into His presence. I was never a "cry baby" but in the Spirit, I wail! Tears of joy flow freely when I am in the presence of the Lord. It's not like this all the time. Sometimes I'm rendered speechless quite a feat for me. I remember what "they used to say" in church when I was a kid, "He understands our groans." I'm a very good groaner and moaner in the spirit! *laughing*

I don't always get it right but unlike days gone by, I don't permit guilt to stagnate me. I pray you seek Him while He can be found because there will come a time when it will be too late. I will come into Agreement with you by faith, in your search. Christ isn't lost.

The Natural Combined with the Spiritual

All of us enjoy things that are fresh. Whether the thing is something we consume, wear, read, smell, or visualize, we want freshness! A building in dire need of repair— a fresh coat of paint, new fascia, soffit and eaves, gutters and downspouts gives the building a boast and it will no longer be the eyesore on the block.

A freshly drycleaned linen outfit makes you feel great slipping into it and going out for the afternoon or evening. Arriving at your destination is best when you're leaving your hotel suite and taking the elevator downstairs to the restaurant or a meeting room. Linen wrinkles terribly, as you know, and is best worn when you can remain vertical for some time and not seated or traveling.

Stale bread is absolutely horrible and should only be fed to the birds, ducks, squirrels and the like. A Christian who is not only spiritually mature but chronologically as well, knows the Word of God is always fresh! We've learned it gets better with time because of the wisdom we have acquired over the years.

I'm an innately happy, cheerful person with a positve attitude. It's my natural deameanor. I'm also a chatterbox and for that reason, I make a conscientious effort to be a good communicator by being a good listener, as well.

When you combine living for Christ with this type of personality, it can drive those who are not like us, to the brink of rudeness! Combining this natural personality with our spiritual countenance and you have someone who has a fresh word about everything! We don't intend to make others around us nuts but anyone challenging me to "come up a little higher" for the Lord's sake is welcome in my life!

Family, friends and acquaintances can recognize when I'm feeling defeated. Thankfully, it's not perennial but fleeting and occasional. We are constantly doing battle with the enemy. But I say, the enemy is constantly doing battle with sold-out Christians! We've sold-out to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

What am I exuding in my spirit for others to know I'm in a battle of some sort? I'm quiet, moreso than usual. It's during those times when praying without ceasing is the top priority. I become distracted by conversations that are not about "the goodness of the Lord." I've learned it's at those time the enemy doesn't want me to hear from the Lord. So, like the Apostle Paul, we are to press toward the mark of a higher calling.

We're given natural abilities to combine with spiritual giftings to be of good cheer (at all times) and help build the kingdom of God. Positive people serving the Lord make positive Christians. What's wrong with that?