#147 - PLANT THAT WORD!!!

Good morning! I must say.... my apologies about some inconsistencies as of lately with posts. I slammed my finger in the garage door and for about a day and a half couldn't even touch anything without being in pain.... so typing was out of the question. Please say a prayer for my finger though! COMPLETE HEALING & NO PAIN! It's still a bit tender, but praise God, BY JESUS STRIPES I AM HEALED!


Alright... go with me to Mark chapter 4. 

 ³ Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
 ⁴ And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
 ⁵ And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
 ⁶ But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
 ⁷ And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
 ⁸ And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
 ¹⁴ The sower soweth the word.
 ¹⁵ And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

This parable I'm sure many of you are familiar with... it's a very popular one. I wanted to share an experience where this was real in my life.... just one of many stories I could tell. 


Tyler woke up one morning and told me, "Hey, the Holy Spirit told me that this morning we are going to lay hands on *Mark, and he's going to be healed." So... I was excited about that. Mark had been in the hospital and recovering, but was unable to walk. He was using a wheelchair or walker, or any assistance he could use, but could not walk on his own. Well, praise God, today was the day he would walk! 


We arrived at his house, sat down and Tyler asked him if he would like to be healed. Tears welled up in his eyes and he said "Yes." As Tyler went through some scripture, he firmly agreed with the Word. He was excited. He believed that the power of Jesus could still heal today! He stood up with the assistance of a walker and we laid hands on him and began to pray. We prayed. We thanked God. We put God in remembrance of His Word and we rejoiced! Mark received!!!  As we came to a close in the prayer, Mark stepped away from the walker. We made sure he was careful. But he said, I CAN WALK! He took a step forward without help, then took a step backwards without help. He was laughing and crying all at the same time. Then he took several steps forward and even jogged in place! He was so excited! He was jogging in place! He told us he wanted to go up the stairs, he hadn't been able to do that in months. Mark made his way to the stairs, and flawlessly made his way up, and then back down. He was shouting he was so excited! Tears streamed down his face. This was really happening. 


We all went back to the living room for Tyler & I to get ready to leave... I'm sure Tyler gave him some parting instructions, we rejoiced with him and then were on our way. 


Later we found out that Mark did not keep walking.... sure he walks today. It was like he relapsed into the same state he was in when we had first arrived. That brings me to the whole point of today's devotion. When you receive something new or a revelation from the Lord, it is CRUCIAL that you begin to FIRMLY PLANT that Word in your heart! It is crucial that you begin to meditate, ponder, and just pour in, pour in, pour in the Word! That you get that new revelation so PLANTED & GROUNDED that NOTHING or NO ONE can take it away from you. 


What happened with Mark? The WORD, in regards to healing, was not firmly planted in his heart. And we know what happens next when the word is planted... right? The THIEF IMMEDIATELY comes to STEAL the Word. In this case, when the thief came to steal the Word, he walked in and stole the word right from Mark with no fight. That is what Satan does! He comes to STEAL, KILL & DESTROY! 


I have had to really fight this recently. The idea of PLANTING FIRMLY new revelations that I have received from the Lord. I have WATCHED the enemy come and try to STEAL these truths right out from under my feet. BUT, I am FIGHTING! I am fighting to keep these truths and revelations that I received. But it takes a CONSTANT, SOLID, FIRM, CONSISTENT, STUBBORN effort to PLANT the Word. Continue to PLANT! PLANT! PLANT! Plant the Word so deep that the roots can not come up! Plant the Word so thoroughly that the truths are there for good! And NOTHING can shake your tree! Like the palm tree in a hurricane.... it may bend, but it doesn't break! God made it to withstand fierce winds and storms. God made US to withstand the enemy too! We have EVERYTHING we need to WIN! AND.... JESUS HAS ALREADY DEFEATED HIM! JESUS HAS ALREADY WON, so WE have already won! 


But... I encourage you.... get those truths, those revelations firmly planted. Don't let the enemy come and steal them from you, because THAT my friend is what he is going to try to do! Be ready! PLANT THAT WORD!!!

* Name Changed.

#66 - The SOLID ROCK will PULL YOU OUT!

Good morning! Wow! It's been a full morning. I have been given a daily assignment to do in the morning. It has been quite fulfilling. So great to see growth, progress, but more importantly, obedience. What a good feeling to be obedient to what the Lord has instructed me to do! What was the last thing He told you to do? Are you doing it? I've went many a times procrastinating on what He has directed, and postponing.... but now that I'm in the middle of it, nothing feels better than daily obedience! :)


Today's Reading Schedule: Proverbs 10, Psalms 10, 40, 70, 100, 130, Proverbs 31:10-31

Psalms 130:3-4 - If You, Lord, should keep account of and treat [us according to our] sins, O Lord, who could stand? ⁴But there is forgiveness with You [just what man needs], that You may be reverently feared and worshiped.  

Psalms 40:1-3a - I WAITED patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. ²He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings. ³And He has put a new song in my mouth...

Proverbs 10:25 - When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous have an everlasting foundation.

Psalms 100:5b - ...His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations. 

Proverbs 31:30 (NLT) - Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

What was the reoccurring theme here? What's the story? Because I think it definitely tells a story. 


This is the story... a story of forgiveness and grace. A story of help. Pulling you up when you feel like you are drowning. Throwing you a life-vest when you are just about to sink. Raising you up. It is a story of love, mercy, acceptance, belonging. 


Despite where we are as a Christian, we still may have those days where we mess up. We feel like a failure and a flop. We begin beating ourselves up over messing up again! We feel ashamed and disappointed. And... sometimes our own disappointment can be the worst disappointment of all because we are not easy on ourselves. 


Maybe life is just the day to day for you. Maybe right now, everything about life seems unfulfilling. Seems like you have just failed and failed, or you've started on this path and you don't feel even close to your end destination. You feel destitute, lost, sad, disappointed. Is there any use continuing on in this direction when nothing seems to be happening? 


Friend, let me tell you, you are not alone! You have company that is just waiting to help. You have the company of ALL company who wants to see you be the greatest success ever! Company that has plans for you beyond what you could EVER think or imagine! He has plans for you that He wants to unveil and reveal, He wants you to walk down the path towards the greatness He has in store! 


In this story, what I hear is, Do NOT give up! You may be experiencing life in what has seemed like a pit, but things are changing! Here is my 'revision' for one of the verses above.... 

"Friend, you may have sinned or just began to grow weary. You may be tired, frustrated and discouraged. But, ALL you have to do is GRAB MY HAND! I am PULLING YOU OUT! You have waited. You have been expectant for my help. Emmerse yourself in MY WORD. Ground yourself in ME. Plant yourself firmly in MY PLAN, and let me tell you!!! I AM putting a new song in you! An excitement about life and your purpose that you have NEVER experienced! You will want to shout! People will ask you, 'Why do you always smile? Why are you so happy?' You will just laugh and smile and respond, 'Because My God is SOOOO good to me!' Prepare yourself! The new SONG is here! Continue to GROUND yourself in ME, and we will do great things together! SING YOUR SONG! SHOUT TO JOY! Expect your VICTORY! WE HAVE WON!"

Also, the old hymn enters my mind that just makes me feel happy, "On Christ the SOLID ROCK I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand!"

SIN - DEFEAT - DISCOURAGEMENT
 JESUS - FIRMLY PLANTED - SOLID ROCK

FORGIVENESS - VICTORY - HOPE - NEWNESS! 

Today... PLANT YOURSELF ON THE ROCK. Plant yourself so firmly that you WILL NOT be moved! Refuse to let Satan get you down and defeated. Refuse to give in to him. His tactics are to wear you down. To make you feel like you are a failure and a loser. But GOD'S plan is DIFFERENT! For one, YOU ARE FORGIVEN! Anything you have done in your past, even today, it's as easy as ASKING for forgiveness and it is done! Your slate is wiped clean and you are as white as Billy Graham. You are forgive. Walk in VICTORY today! Rejoice in Victory today! RECEIVE God's plan and purpose for your life! AND DAILY, get more and more firmly planted as you spend time in the Word and talking with Your Father! 

ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND, ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND, ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND!

PRAISE THE LORD! I'M STANDING ON A SOLID ROCK AND IT FEELS GOOD!!!


XOXO! Be blessed today! :)

#61 - Forgotten

Good morning! Can you share with me the excitement, the satisfaction, the pride you can have when you know you are obedient to the Lord? When you have done something that HE has instructed you to do. You have not procrastinated, you may not have gotten it down quite perfect yet, but you have completed the assignment. What a good feeling. What a good feeling to be obedient knowing that because of obedience and diligence, great rewards are on the horizon. Praise the Lord! :) Well.... let's get started.


Reading Schedule: Proverbs 31:10-31, Proverbs 2, Psalms 2, 32, 62, 92, 122

Proverbs 2:16b-17 - ...to deliver you from the alien woman...Who forsakes the husband and guide of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God. 

Psalms 32:3-5 - When I kept silence [before I confessed], my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand [of displeasure] was heavy upon me...I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told]--then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin...

Psalms 92:13-15 - Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality]... They are living memorials...  

Proverbs 31:11 - The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil. 

Wow! What fullness in the very words. What fullness in the Words we can read. It's almost as the verses above tell a story. A story of a woman who had forgotten... a woman who once knew God, who once had a relationship with Him, but allowed it to slip away. Forgot. Faded. Imagine if that same woman would have continued on.... confessing all her sins to the Lord, acknowledging it all, just spilling everything to the Lord.... all the while, He already knew all of her sins. Unfolding the past till all is told. What beauty in the very transparency of it all. The sweetness of release takes place, guilt is lifted. Guilt is taken away, and newness of life occurs. A new lease on life begins. 


If the alien woman would have continued.... continued on further in her walk with the Lord until she was living a life that was flourishing. Firmly planted in her relationship with God. Firmly planted in her devotion to a living Savior! What beauty! Continually growing in grace, greeting old age in fullness, in SPIRITUAL VITALITY! The words alone express victory. Express one who has lived a life full of victory and still charging forward with fervor. Spiritual Vitality. Living in old age, lasting, pursuing life to the fullest. A victory of being known as a living memorial! A living memorial! Typically a memorial is a tribute to someone who has done something great, but who has passed away. Imagine this alien woman, changing her course and direction, to get into her older years and be recognized by people around as a living memorial! She is CONTINUING to do great things! She has made her name great. She has served with greatness. She has pursued with passion. She has followed her one true love, her Lord and Savior, Jesus. And what is a result of it all? How does it affect her marriage? It affects her marriage in such a great way. It affects her marriage in total belief, respect and reliance from her husband. He does not rely on her in a weak sense... in a sense that he has given over leadership to her, he has not. He is 100% man. He is 100% leader of their marriage. But, he has allowed himself to be vulnerable to believing in her. Her roots are so firmly planted in the Lord, that he can trust her. He does not have to second guess her decisions. He does not have to have a hint of doubt when she does something. From the very CORE of his being, he knows that what she does, she has reason. What she does, there is purpose. What she does, even if it may seem questionable at the way it is approached, he knows in the depths of him that she most definitely has been led by the Holy Spirit, and the fullness of her actions will unfold to show the greatness of God's plan. He trusts her. 


He trusts her fully.


If only. If only the alien woman would have chose to change her course. She could have experienced this all. She could have experienced a life more fulfilling than the danger or risque life she was living. Lurking on corners. Never being fully loved by a man. Never experiencing the fullness of friends or fulfillment towards a worthy cause. If only she would have not forgotten the God of her youth. 


Today... where are you in the story? 

• Are you at the cross roads? Are you there at the point where you need to choose.... choose a life living for the world or a life living for your God?
• Are you at the place of repentance? Are you full of guilt and shame? Does it feel like it is hurting your heart, like it just wants to break from your chest? Are you at a place where you just need to spill all.... run to the Savior you know is there. Run to the Friend that you know will be there in Jesus? Are you in that place? Where you need to repent? 
• Maybe you are in the place where victory you are experiencing? You are firmly planted? You are now working towards leaving your lasting mark on this world. Leaving a mark that will carry on for generations. Maybe you are working on being that living memorial? 
• Or maybe you are there, desiring to be the spouse you know you need to be. Desiring to have such complete trust and unity with your spouse. Desiring to change the dirty. Desiring to change the hesitancy in his thoughts about your actions.... not knowing if your next actions will be for yourself or what you both know God would want. Maybe you are at the place where, like the Proverbs 31 woman, her husband trusts her completely. Has NO lack of honest gain. Has full confidence, respect and trust in her. Maybe YOU are working to grow in this area. This area where your husband does not doubt you or question you, but fully trusts all your actions. 

Wherever you are today... pray. Take the next step. Choose God. Repent. Ask for forgiveness. Continue aggressively to make a difference. Or begin to BE the trustworthy person. Begin the pursuit to be a trusted wife & living memorial, to leave a lasting impact on this world.

Today.... ask yourself.... where am I in this story? Where am I? What do I need to do next. 

Do not be the forgotten. Do not forget the God of your youth. Do not pursue life forgetting the most important Guide. Leader. Director of life. It would most certainly be a life of unfulfillment and loss to live having forgotten.

__________________________________________

Have these devotions been a blessing to you? 

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Are you reading them but not a "follower"? If you are on your computer, to the left side you can choose to be a "Follower". Would you consider doing that today? As I pursue a writing career, with books coming out in 2010, "followers" help in the publishing world. 

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Thanks so much! I am equally blessed to hear what the Lord says each day. I love to hear His Voice and follow His direction. There is no better thing in life to know when you are hearing your Creator, and being obedient to His Voice. 


Thanks again for reading. I am blessed to have you as a brother or sister in Christ. Until we meet....

                            Xoxo, 

                                      Amy J.

Follow me on Twitter: @amyjmccart