Hearing God's Voice

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you. (Psalm 32:8 - AMP). 

Recently I was in a crowded store with my husband and there were people talking and music playing but when my husband was in another aisle and he said, "Babe," I was able to weed through all the other voices and noises and hear him, and in turn I was able to answer him. If I had never heard my husband's voice I would have never thought to listen to him calling out "Babe," it would have been just another voice in the store. But because I have spent countless hours talking with my husband and listening to him, I can distinguish his voice from a crowd. Now, if you know my husband, you know that he has a loud voice. If you don't know him, I'll put it in perspective for you. He is a preacher and rarely does he need the microphone the churches readily supply for him. The fact that he has such a loud voice helps when I need to hear his voice. It makes it easier to muddle through the other voices in a store to hear him when he calls for me from an aisle or two over. 

In the scripture we read that God will instruct, teach and counsel us, which is great because life is a difficult journey to traverse without instruction. However, we have to keep in mind that we have to be able to recognize God's still small voice in the midst of the crowded store or whatever storm we may be going through. How do we do that? When the world is such a loud and boisterous place, how do we zero in on the quiet whisper of the Holy Spirit? Well, we have to know the voice to begin with, that's for sure.

How do you hear God's voice? Pray. In Matthew Jesus tells us to go to our prayer room and close the door and pray to our Father. We have to be able to get quiet in our prayer time. Prayer is not just about repeating words that we have heard over and over again, it's not just about spewing out a list of wants, needs and desires. Yes we need to bring those things to God, but prayer is communication with God, meaning He will speak back to you if you give Him the time to do so. Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone who won't let you get a word in edgewise? They just go on and on about nonsense? Sometimes they even ask what you think about something but then just keep talking, telling you what you think about it? Don't do that to God. Speak to Him and let Him speak back. Get quiet. Turn off the phone, the TV, the computer, and please stop looking at the time, just pour out to God and watch Him pour out to you. 

It's also important to remember that God's voice is not always audible. There have been quite a few times when I have heard God VERY audibly. For example, when he spoke about marrying my husband. However, more often God speaks through a scripture or a person. I'll be in prayer about something in particular and then later that day a friend will call and say something that answers the very thing I had been praying about. Sometimes I'll turn on TBN and there is a pastor sharing a word on the subject I was just crying out to God for guidance on. Maybe in my reading time I read a passage that I have read hundreds of times before but God gives me a new revelation that guides and directs me. There are many ways to hear God's voice, but you have to be attuned to Him in order to recognize it, and the only way to be attuned to Him is to spend time with Him. 

Next is understanding that sometimes we have to ask God to speak. So often we get so caught up in being independent and making our own decisions that we forget to ask God whether or not it's actually in the plan for our life. Sometimes we will get the opinion of a friend or pastor and think that what they say is the answer without consulting God at all. Sometimes the decision seems so clear that we forget to even ask God's opinion on the matter. But God wants to speak into your life. He wants to guide and direct you, it's your job to not only listen but engage Him in conversation. Ask him what He would have you do when there is a decision to be made. 

A few years ago I was offered to go with the church I was attending to World Harvest (Pastor Rod Parsley) for a pastors and leadership conference. I immediately knew that I wanted to go but I was nervous because I had never flown before. I prayed about it for a time and I heard God's voice audibly tell me that I needed to go to that conference. I didn't hesitate at that point, I told my pastor I would be joining the group and I paid for my plane ticket and started saving the money for the hotel accommodations. A couple of weeks before we were set to go on the trip I lost my job. Now I had the money for the hotel and spending money already set aside and my bills were paid for at least until I was set to return from Ohio but after that I would have nothing. I was staying with family at the time so I wouldn't be homeless but I wouldn't have money for any other bills. For a split second I thought about canceling the whole trip and hunting for a job but then I reminded myself that I had heard God audibly tell me to go on this trip. Surely He would not have be go and come back to bills without a means to pay them. I prayed and decided that I would still go on the trip and what's more I wasn't going to tell my pastors or any of the team about my circumstances. I wanted to be able to go on this trip and glean everything I could from the conference without concern for my situation. 

A week before we were set to leave I took the money for the hotel to my pastor (He was collecting all of the hotel funds to purchase hotel rooms and then assign roommates to the rooms in order to save a bit of money). When I went to hand him the money he smiled and shook his head. He told me that the pastors had decided that the church was paying for all of our hotel rooms as a gift to us for sacrificing the time for the ministry. I was shocked. We were staying in Ohio for about a week so this was a few hundred dollars that I now had free. I put the money back in my purse and started thinking about what bills I wanted to pay ahead of time so that I wouldn't have to worry about them when I got home, but God informed me that He had other plans for that money. As I was walking out of the pastor's office I overheard one of the women in the ministry talking about how her car had broken down again and the hardship it was causing to her and her children. When I heard God say to give her the money I stopped in my tracks. I know God's voice but that was one of those moments where I HAD to be sure it was Him. I walked away from the situation, knowing I wasn't going to give her the money where everyone could see because I did not want the glory for the action. Later I found her sitting alone and I heard God say again that the money was hers. I walked over to her and handed her the money and told her that God loved her and didn't want her family to struggle. I gave her a hug and I walked away. 

I went to Ohio that year and I gleaned so much from that conference, ideas that I still think about some years later. When I got home from that conference there was a job waiting for me where I made more than I had made at the job I lost prior to going, and the following year was one of the greatest years in ministry that I have had to date.

I didn't share that story to glorify myself or my obedience or anything even remotely like that. I shared it in hopes that it encourages you to listen to and obey God for yourself. I could have stayed home and maybe I would have gotten a job, maybe not. I could have kept that money for myself and someone else would have blessed that woman and her children, or maybe not. All I know is when I think back on that time I don't think about what would have happened if I had listened to God, I think about how amazing it felt to listen to Him and how I knew I was going to be taken care of. 

Sometimes it's hard to hear God's voice. Sometimes it's hard to believe that you're hearing God's voice. Sometimes it's even harder to be obedient to God's voice once you know that it's Him. But know that when you are obedient to His voice, He will guide you and protect you, regardless how impossible the circumstances may seem. 

Father, I thank you for every individual who takes the time to read this. I pray that you open their spiritual ears and allow them the pleasure of hearing your voice. I pray that you speak to them in such a way that they have no doubt that it's you. Thank you for hearing me when I speak to you. Thank you for speaking to me when I need your guidance and direction. Thank you for opening doors and blessing me with opportunities to share the gospel with others. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Forever smiling, 
Me

Forgiving Yourself?

I am writing this with a heavy heart because this topic has been a constant on my mind for some time and I have wanted to get my thoughts and feelings on "paper", but I had to do quite a bit of praying and studying the word first to truly understand the concept and my take on it. I pray that it blesses you or at least opens up your eyes to a potential disservice you have done to your growth or more importantly, God.

I am not perfect. No one is. We have all committed sins (1 John 1:8) that separate us from God (Isaiah 59:2). But if you take that sin to the Father and you humbly repent, you will be forgiven (1 John 1:9, Matthew 6:14, Acts 3:19). But what happens when the memory of that sin haunts us and we can't forgive ourselves? No where in the bible does it explicitly say anything about forgiving yourself, and to me that typically means one of two things, the concept doesn't exist OR, it is implied within the scripture and you need to search to understand what God expects of you. I'll explain both scenarios, at least from my perspective.

First, let's say the concept of forgiving yourself doesn't exist, which many people believe. The bible says we are to forgive one another as the Lord forgives us (Matthew 6:14-15, Colossians 3:13), it is important to note that biblically we are not forgiving another person's sin but rather for the pain or "grievance" we feel if they sin against us. That is important because we can't forgive sin, only God can forgive sin. Now then, who are we that we think we have the power to forgive our own sin? Is that not simply exalting self and denouncing God and His power? If God says you are a new creation and the past is the past (1 Corinthians 5:17-18), then who are you to believe otherwise?

Next let's take the same premise and understand the implied forgiveness of self that may be present depending on how you view the scripture and what you choose to believe. Let's say that in the same way we forgive others their grievances toward us, we want to forgive our grievances toward ourselves and/or others. In these cases you're not necessarily forgiving your sin, you're forgiving the hurt that you've caused yourself and forgiving the hurt you have caused others.

Matthew 18:15 says this, "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother." It doesn't say to act with bitterness or resentment, in fact we are expected not to act in this way (James 3:14). So if you are holding your transgressions against yourself are you able to live without bitterness? Probably not. That bitterness against yourself will eventually come out because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45), and that bitterness will only serve to defile those around you (Hebrews 12:14-15).

Moreover it says to tell your brother his fault between thee and him alone, meaning it isn't something you gossip about or share with others, it is a matter between you and the person who has sinned against you. In this case it is between you and well, you.

In that sense it is a matter of YOU taking it to God and saying, "This is what I've done," and then believing you have been forgiven BY GOD, and then living in that forgiveness and not committing the same offense.

In essence it's not about forgiving yourself, it's about forgetting the past and not bringing it to memory or allowing it to defile you or others around you. Let the past be the past (Philippians 3:13-14) and let God do a new thing in your life (Isaiah 43:18-19).

Father God, I come to you humbly and pray for anyone reading this. I pray that if they are battling unforgiveness or bitterness that you begin to soften their heart to hear your word and do your will. I pray that you begin to speak to them now as they read this and show them the areas in their life that are displeasing to you so that they may get it right. I thank you for your grace and mercy unfailing love that covers them at this time and pray that you comfort them during this time of refinement. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

Smiling for your victory,
Me

Praying for people

We are quick to say we will pray for someone or something but do we truly pray? I know I'm guilty of telling someone I will say a prayer and then forgetting about it.  I'm sure I have asked others to pray for me and they forgot. It's fine right?

Prayer is a powerful tool. In the book of Ephesians,  Paul is praying for the people of Ephesus.  These people had lived sinful lives and believed themselves dirty and unworthy. Paul tells them ever since he heard of their faith he has been praying for them. Paul had a past and he is speaking to the people not as a righteous and blameless person but as a person who was a sinner.

Paul tells the people that he is less than the least of all the Lord's people yet he was given the gift of God's grace. Then he prays that God strengthen the people and that they understand the true depth of God's love.

Paul didn't go to the Ephesians and tell them he was a messenger of God and give them a thus sayeth the Lord word. No he spoke to them as a sinner. He spoke to them as a man who understood pain and loss and heartache. He shared his testimony and then he prayed. He didn't pray that God would touch them and heal them and forgive them,  no he prayed for God to strengthen them and show them his love, he prayed they be given the opportunity to truly know God intimately. 

When we pray, often times it is for a specific action, healing, finances, restoration,  deliverance,  salvation.  How often do we pray for God to strengthen and  empower someone, not just to get through a battle but in their walk? How often do we pray for someone to grow in their walk? To get closer to God and to know Him intimately? 

More than all of that, when was the last time you prayed on your own behalf? Prayed not for a specific season or circumstance, just for your walk and relationship with God? When did you last seek God just to be in His presence? Not to ask for something or even to thank Him, but just to rest in Him?

Prayer is a very powerful tool, stop misusing it. I urge you to get into prayer right now. Forget the world around you for a few minutes and just get with God.  Love on Him and rest in Him.

Father God I thank you for being with me today and always. I love you. Thank you for your love and mercy.  Thank you for your grace. You are amazing Lord and I pray right now that you just shower your people with your sweet presence. Love on them like only you can Father. In Jesus' glorious name, amen.

Its okay to smile when you pray soldiers :)

Remember to forget

There are things in our past that hold us back from our future for no other reason than we allow them to have that power.  When God has forgiven you, that thing becomes forgotten. That doesn't simply mean it is in the past, it means it is forgotten. Well, at least God has forgotten... people on the other hand will be people.

That leaves you... are you allowing your past to dictate your present? Does that action rule over your future? Remember to forget. Don't just put that thing aside for another day, remember to forget it.  Put action to your faith. Let it go.

Often we say we have overcome something, we left it at the altar, we gave it to God and all those other Christian sayings, but did you really? If that thing comes up everytime you are attacked it will weaken you. Spiritual warfare is dangerous enough as it is, stop  handing weapons and ammo over to the enemy.

When you truly are ready to let that thing go, let it go. Don't bring it up in conversation, don't think back to it in prayer, don't let others dictate how or when to let it go. No one knows the battles you have fought to get where you are. Know one will ever truly know what God has brought you through, just like you will never truly know that of another person. Let people live their lives and make their own choices and you live yours.

Having said that, remember the same is true for others. Don't go bringing up a past action of a brother or sister ib Christ, even if you have the best of intentions.  Sometimes just talking about a thing can be a trigger that a person doesn't need. Don't cause someone undue pain. If the pastor is asking for testimonies and you know the person next to you has one to share, don't volunteer them. Let them speak if God places it on their heart to do so. Walk in your own shoes.

Don't get me wrong, testifying to what God has  brought you out of is a powerful witnessing tool, but all things in God's time. Sharing a testimony in progress can encourage some, but it also allows the enemy grounds to attack. If you are not ready for battle you are risking not only your miracle but the miracles of those around you who could really find deliverance through your complete healing.

Remember that everyone is on their own walk.  There is no set path or ladder to climb. Being on the first rung is an accomplishment because you have started. Don't be so concerned with the people at the top, go at your pace and remember to keep your eyes on God, He alone will guide your path.

Father God I thank you that your ways are not my ways, your thoughts are not my thoughts. I thank you for bringing me out of the sin and sickness I was in. I thank you for showing me mercy and grace. I pray that you speak to the hearts of those reading this and remind them they are not alone. Remind them of your love for them and teach them to forget, to let go. In Jesus' mighty name, amen.

Don't forget your smile soldier :)

Forgive and forget

What does it mean to forgive?  Many people think they know but do they really? Has someone in your life hurt you? Abused you? Thought less of you? Have you been taken for granted?  Have you forgiven them?

When you forgive you are supposed to do so as Jesus forgave you. Jesus doesn't remind you of your transgressions.  He doesn't say he won't bless you because of what you did last year, last month, last week. He is not concerned with what you did two minutes ago so long as you have repented and gotten it right.

Jesus has forgiven murderers, adulterers, liars, and the like. He has not only forgiven them, he has called them to walk along side him. He has called them to greatness. Their past transgressions have not only been forgiven they have been forgotten.

Can we as a people truly forgive the way thay Jesus forgave us? Is it possible? You say you have been hurt. You say you have been lied to, cheated on, beat, abused, talked down to. Can you forgive? God says to forgive your brothers so that He may forgive you. Can you forgive?

Some people forgive only with their mind. They think they have forgiven, they think they are over the past, they think they are ready to move forward. Then the next time they let their emotions take over they remember that hurt,  they remember their past and it is as if they are freshly hurt. It is as if that action that was forgiven is happening anew.

If you are ready to forgive you have to do so with your mind, your heart, your soul.  Forgive as Jesus forgave those who came against Him. Pray for those who hurt you. Pray that God will have mercy, pray that God will teach them the err of their ways. That is not an easy lesson to learn and it is definitely not a lesson for you to teach. Pray that God forgive you for harboring ill feelings for that person who hurt you. Pray that He give them peace of mind.

Often times those who have caused pain are hurting more than those who have been hurt. They deal with shame and guilt as well as the pain of hurting others. They pray for Gods forgiveness but often times they can't forgive themselves. Know that God has forgiven you. Know that your past transgressions are not future downfalls. When you have faith in a God who saves, a God who loves, a God who forgives, you will find peace. You will find joy. You will find all of the blessings that God has for you.  God has not forsaken you. God has not left you. He is waiting with open arms for you to come running back to him.  Run soldier... run the right way.

Father God I thank you that you have forgiven me. I thank you that you have given me the ability to forgive those who have come against me and I pray that you bless them abundantly for helping me grow my character, and grow in my walk with you. I thank you for touching those who read this who may have issues with unforgivness.  Remind then of your love and mercy. Remind them of the joy and peace that comes when we reside with you. In Jesus name, amen.

A tearful smile is still a smile...

Acceptance

One of the hardest lessons I have had to understand is the lesson of acceptance.  In life we are constantly looking for the acceptance of others. Whether it is in what we wear, who we are friends with, what we are doing with our lives or simply what meal we are eating at a given moment. It is fine to get the opinion of others, to inquire about their perspective of a particular action or behavior, but when you base your actions on the opinions of others there is a problem.

We are programmed to fit in. As children and teens we are made to believe that we are supposed to fit in. We are supposed to do as others do and find a group of friends to accept us. Very rarely are we told to simply be ourselves, to like what we like, dislike what we don't and do what makes us happy. No that lesson comes much later after we have already been programmed for the opposite.

We were each given free will for a reason. We are supposed to exercise that free will.  What character can you truly build if you are constantly making decisions based on others, constantly looking for their acceptance, their approval? Of course be sure your actions are right in the eyes of the Lord.  He holds the only opinion that should truly make or break your actions. And don't believe every so called prophet with a "thus sayeth the Lord" word. Be diligent in prayer, be mindful and use wisdom because it comes down to what God says to you, not what others say He has said to them about you.

This is not to say that you shouldn't be accountable. Of course you need to be in order in your actions, get advice, get confirmation, just don't be so concerned about the acceptance and approval of others that you deny or question what God has told you about the action. Don't miss your blessing because a sinner has a word...

Recently I was given the opportunity to make a decison. I was faced with something that in the world is difficult, but through prayer and communication with God it was a decision that didn't require much thought. No it required something much more precious, it required faith, hope, it required love.

The decision has been made and there are already people coming against it. That is what I expected. People will always be people. That is one constant you can depend on. Just don't let those people keep you from what God is trying to give you.

Father God I thank you that you are in constant communication with me. I thank you that you have already taken control of the situation and you are giving me peace. I thank you for blessimg the people who have come against me and my decision. I pray that you help me to remember they are acting out of love and not out of malice. I thank you that you are always faithful, and you are always with me. I give it to you. I give it all to you.

Still not hard to smile... :)

Lay your burdens down

No one on this Earth is perfect. We are all broken in some way. Some are more broken than others, some only have a few dents and dings, but we all have those cracks and imperfections that make us who we are. For me, one of those cracks is caring to a fault.

Ever since I was a young girl I had a habit of carrying other people's crosses. Taking on the weight of their burden along with my own. Many people will say that's a wonderful trait, there's nothing wrong with caring for people. They tell me I have compassion, I have a hunger for helping people. That's all fine and good, but when you lose sight of your own issues because you're so concerned with the issues of others, that is a problem. When you stop crying out to God to help you with your cracks because your time is consumed with crying out for everyone else, that's a problem.

I know that caring too much for people is a concern of mine, so I have to do service checks on my spirit on a regular basis. I have to pray and seek God to find out if the sickness that I am fighting is mine or someone else's, if the depression I feel is mine or someone else's, if the rage within me is my own or someone else's. Typically it's not my own. Though this time, it has been so long since I have done a service check that I can't distinguish any of the battles to be my own. Somewhere along the line I took up so many crosses that I must have put my own down.

Putting your own cross down to carry others. Is that a bad thing? Well it depends on how you put it down. Did you put it down mindfully to give it to God? Did you drop it along the way and forget about the log in your eye as you tried to remove the speck from your neighbor?

Have the mind of Christ and heal, mentor, teach, preach, minister to His people and He will take care of you, He will heal you and your land. He will restore to you those things that the enemy has tried to take from you. Do not grow weary in doing good, all things work together for the good, rejoice in your sufferings, bear one another's burdens, encourage one another and build each other up, but aren't we also to use wisdom? Aren't we only to give as we are able? To not be hasty in laying hands? To remain pure? To be sober minded and watchful?

Fighting along side your neighbor, your brother or sister in Christ is an amazing thing. Standing in the gap for someone is an honorable action. Praying consistently for God to move in a person's life, that is a well done my good and faithful servant action. Forgetting that your body is a temple in the process, that is sin. Sin that separates you from God.

Soldiers, I am not saying that you shouldn't carry others to the cross. I'm not saying that you shouldn't drive people to church or take time from your day to witness and testify. I'm not saying to give up on the friend, brother, sister, mother, father, aunt, uncle, cousin, husband or wife. I am saying to have wisdom. Know the difference between fighting with someone and fighting for someone. If you constantly fight for someone they will falter the moment you step away. Stop feeding God's people fish and teach them how to feed others.

Father God I pray that you check my heart, check my spirit and remove the stains that are displeasing to you. I give to you all the people in my life who's burdens I bear. I pray that you bless them and keep them and make your face shine upon them. Give them peace Lord. Father I pray that you give me peace about doing your will. I pray that you give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can but most of all, the wisdom to know the difference. In Jesus's mighty and powerful name, Amen.