Beyond Our Ability To Endure: Page 99

There are times when life inflicts circumstances beyond our ability to endure-so that when all is said and done- we know we made it through because of an undeniable faith in God.  These overwhelming events aren’t typical – for there is a deep and purposed weight to them.  They usher pain into our lives that tear at the fabric of our being to the point that we know, without doubt, we shall never be the same. The result of coming-to-the-end of what we think we can sustain is life-changing. We are forced to admit that we simply can’t be who we were before this tragedy came upon us. God’s authority and dominion mandates this truth.  

During this season, each and every sunrise burnt our face and scorched our heart so consistently that our daily life began to feel like hell. The night would bring a sleepless  silence that was deafening.  In the midst of this pain we made major adjustments for there was no other choice. 

Our life paused! 

~Selah~

We’re not sure how long we lingered in the anguish of circumstance- for we lost the desire to mark off any form of time. But; then, on a day that we thought would never come, the sun’s heat weakened and our tattered heart felt some relief. We found a tiny amount of clarity and we realized it was ok to look back; bravely we did so. 

In our minds-eye we’re there now. With closed eyes and head bowed we turn and feel the sun our back and a cool wind on our face that flows over and beyond us.  Opening our eyes- we’re shocked to see how far we’ve come- as we take in the steepest, war-torn valley we’ve ever seen. Our heart and mind find great relief in the visual confirmation of this tremendous up-hill battle.  We know, in every sense, we’ve made it through. In spite of human reason, we found a way to get beyond the devastation this circumstance wrought. We even got through those nights when we awoke in a fearful panic wondering what was wrong…and then remembered.

The journey was heart-breaking, mind-piercing, soul crushing pain that only total change could soothe. Change, indeed, brought us to this very point. Mentally, we become aware of time and with amazing inner-strength we build a redemptive memorial-one that will be forever etched on our soul; there is no other way to admit this fated assignment has run its course.  We’re at the perfect place to do so; at very top of our mountain-of-circumstance. This vital marker is spiritual in nature and wields some peace… so we sit down. 

 Another slight wind of change hits our face and, because we are now aware of the passage of time, we smile.  Knowing we’ve been indelibly changed, we smile.  Our throat tightens, sweat drips down our back and tears of relief well up; we let them flow again and let go “again”  and, for the thousandth time, we let God, again.  This letting go isn’t a “giving up” but a “letting it be”.  For the first time in our lives we understand “God’s peace” and confess it is not of this world.

We rise, turn and walk over the mountaintop onto the other side AMAZED that we survived to this point, or at all.  Finally, we are on the down-hill. Wide-eyed, we notice the colors of life are visible again and we admit that we came very near to emotional and physical death, but we survived! Our heart is still pumping, but in a different way. Because of this we see things differently now. We realize that God never left us, that He gave us the strength to endure and we can finally admit that it’s time to purposely breathe again…. live and participate again on planet Earth. 

 Our journey in life continues!

Our Lord stands watch on the mountain-top as we continue down paths laid out for us that lead out beyond green pastures and beside still waters… and He gently prays over us,

 “Lo, I am with you; even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20

FOR NICOLE-

 Only the Lord knows why! I'd surmise, "For distinct purposes."

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;

Perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned;

Struck down, but not destroyed.”

2 Corinthians 4: 8-9  

A MUST LISTEN TO

Song Recommendation

The Garden

By: Kari Jobe

There is “death and resurrection in every single seed”.

Kari Jobe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y43Z0WJLDS4&list=RD6mAvt3CxEQM&index=3

 A MUST LISTEN TO:

SONG RECOMMENDATION

In Over My Head

By:  Jenn Johnson

“Whether I sink; Whether I swim….

It makes no difference when I’m in over my head.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mAvt3CxEQM&list=RD6mAvt3CxEQM&index=1

All of You: Page 98

Lord, I know that you are trying to speak to me.

That you want me to understand prophesy.

You’re deepening the lesson on perseverance;

Teaching me that obedience is a form of adherence.

Lord, I know that you have a plan for me.

I know that it’s one small part of history.

So, I’ve been looking deep into your spirit

to find my life’s purpose and step into it.

Lord, one of your end-goals is maturity.

Purposely, good and bad experiences are teaching me

I've learned that if I want your wisdom I must participate.
I acknowledge my daily life is filled with spiritual lessons that carry weight.

You allow my human mind to find expansiveness

 Space large enough to dream and enjoy happen-stance.

As these sentences form tempo and elegance

I linger over them and sense your presence

I realize the passage of time is simply a path

That leads me to a great worth and value that lasts

It’s incredible that I’m living inside eternity

Even though my being is physical and earthly

You’ve given just enough time on this journey to take me

down the path that offer's a glimpse into life’s mysteries.

I’ll follow you till I have full understanding

to a point where my heart and mind are not lacking anything

And THEN I’ll know all of YOU,

“Now we see only a reflection

as in a mirror;

then we will see face to face.

Now I know in part;

then I shall know fully

Even as I am fully known.”

1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV

SONG RECOMMENDATION:

The More I Seek You

By :  Kari Jobe

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4crRPpqoW4

All The Faith You Need: Page 97

"He replied, 
"Because you have so little faith. 
 Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,
 you can say to this mountain, 
'Move from here to there,' and it will move. 
 Nothing will be impossible for you." 
Matthew 17:20

Sometimes, circumstances arrive on the horizon and appear to be massive mountains that we can't get over or around.  When something intimidating is in front of us our minds want to shrink in comparison and we lose the ability to think clearly. 

The scripture above teaches that If we have faith as small as a mustard seed we can tell a mountain to move and it will move.  The teachable point of the verse is about the spiritual concept of faith. The specific words of encouragement are, “... if you have faith the size of a mustard seed”.  For literal purposes let me say, “If you have faith the size of the dot at the end of this sentence, THEN you can move mountains.”  Do you see that small dot; the period on the other side of the word mountains?  Is that the size of your faith?  Then no worries; you have all the faith you need!  

Our faith does not need to feel large to be large. Faith, in and of itself, is vast.  Our faith doesn’t have to feel firm to be faith; for faith carries its own conviction and provides enough assurance -for that is what faith does naturally.  Do you see where I am going?  Your faith is enough and it can feel small and quiet or be expressed exuberantly with boldness… but it’s still faith.  Faith cannot be measured nor is that a requirement for it to be enough to do its job. It isn’t weighed like gold and its size is irrelevant.  If you grasp this unmeasurable thing called faith…that is more than enough.  

In God's Word, we are given a visual encouragement using the physical size of a mustard seed so that we can be reassured of faith's existence and hold to that small seed of hope!  Faith’s size can be that of a speck of sand on the seaside or, in contrast, soar in size like that of our solar system, being so universally large that our vision cannot take it in.  It’s the same faith and has the same power to throw mountain-size circumstances into the sea!

“See, I will make you into a threshing sledge,

New and sharp, with many teeth.

You will thresh the mountains (of your circumstances) and crush them,

and reduce the hills to chaff.
(Remembering past circumstances as old stories)

You will sort them, (reflecting back)

 the wind will pick them up, and a gale will blow them away.

But you will rejoice in the Lord

and glory in the Holy One of Israel.”

Isaiah 41: 15-16 (Bold emphasis mine)

Let one single speck of faith propel you to move your mountains
and in the end you will be over-joyed by victory!

“Lord, Make it so!”

Song Recommendation:

Deliverance

By:  Gateway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwH3fA3D690

It Is I Who Call You By Your Name: PG 96

“I will give you the treasures of darkness

and the hoards in secret places,

that you may know that it is I, the Lord,

The God of Israel 

who call you by your name” _______  .

Isaiah 45:3

I discovered this scripture in a Bible study I was doing several years ago.  I wrote in the margin of the study what I surmised the scripture meant-as follows:

“To me this means that God will go into our dark,

self-destructive places and will call our name.

He makes his relationship with us personal.”

In order to see how God makes his relationship with us personal I even wrote my name at the bottom of the scripture in my study book.  Go back up and re-read the scripture and say your name at the very end- by filling in the blank.   Doesn’t this change the ancient verse into something striking?

 It’s as if you can hear the Lord telling you that He is calling you by name.  Indeed, He is! 

This particular Bible Study came into my life at the most opportune time. I had just exhibited a public display of anger and was devastated about it.  Not only had I embarrassed myself but also put my child in a position of losing out on something that was important to her- at that time.  The life-lesson that followed was timely and much needed -but I truly could have lived without those pesky consequences.  

In order to learn from our epic failures we must be willing to go through the humbling pain of growth. Otherwise, we fall into a dark place where bitterness multiplies and unforgiveness festers; nothing good comes from either of these two vile things. The Lord uses all things for our good...and it just so happened I had a trip planned to Baton Rouge for a visit with my parents.  I arrived in the evening and was nursing my wounds-as this “epic fail” happened the day before I was to travel.  It was a God-send of a trip because I needed to be around those who love me unconditionally. 

I arrive at my parent’s home, walk in and my mom is sitting in her favorite place at the end of the island, studying the Bible.  This random Bible study was just sitting there-unused; I picked it up and asked if it was a good study.  My mom said that it was and that I could have that work book as she had used another for her study-time.   I was thrilled knowing that there is always tons of wisdom to be found in Beth Moore Study. This one was entitled Sacred Secrets.  I found the title apropos because bitterness in my heart had been my sacred secret and the catalyst of my current predicament. I remember praying as I walked down the hall that God would show me something, anything that would help me, in my time of need!   

I sat down in my room and desperately flipped open the work book.  Graciously, the very first thing I read, on a random page, was the following:

“Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—

for she loved much.  But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 

Luke 7:47

I was absolutely floored! Truly, I had spoken out of sheer love for my child but my bitterness and anger where wrong! I needed someone to tell me I was forgiven and that it would be ok.  I was full of sorrow-because I had hurt my child.  I had hurt myself by dropping all caution to the wind and speaking my mind in the most ungodly way.  I could not bear this horrible feeling of devastation and the Lord knew exactly what I needed to hear! 

I could have searched the universe for healing and/or spent years looking high and low for some words of wisdom to soothe my soul; but, all I had to do was turn to the most godly person I know, my mom, and she freely handed me a book that held the one scripture I needed most in the entire written Word AND in the entire World!  It was the most straight-to-the-point scripture and spoke right-to-the-heart of my pain with such direct meaning that I knew it came soaring into my life from the Throne-room of merciful God.  

He did give me treasures in the darkness and hoards of forgiveness in the secret places of my being.  Like the scripture in Isaiah says and as I can confirm- this was a Word from the Lord, God who (ok-let’s bullet-point this part):

·     Called my name

·     Said that He knew what I did and why

·     Stated that I was forgiven. 

Total understanding and compassion-in 2 sentences!  This was SO personal! Sitting there in the glow of my room with forgiveness just handed to me, so intimately, I was set free.  As I wrote inside those study pages all those years ago- God choses to make His relationship with us personal! I also wrote: “Lord, it’s as if you stepped out of heaven to care for me during this difficult time”.  As evidenced, God’s wisdom and mercy transcend space and time.    

For years, I’ve had another scripture posted in my office.  It is something I pray often and I believe the Lord honors my constant stance of prayer.  It says: 

Lord, we do not know what to do

But our eyes are upon you.”

II Chronicles 20:12

My eyes are ever on the horizon.  May this be your constant prayer and faithful stance as well!

RvH

Important Note:  The song below is so poignant that you must listen to it for a straight to the heart lesson on what God does for all of us!  Yes and Amen!

Song Recommendation:

Deliverance

By: Gateway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwH3fA3D690

I Speak and Feel Heard Page 95

You are always there when I’m crushed under pressure

As a faithful friend, you’re a true intercessor

You always stand up for me when I need to save face

You’re the perfect example of unmerited grace

You take time to walk with me shoulder-to-shoulder

And don’t mind when I mess up, over-and-over

In my sinful redundancy you choose not to remember

You never fail to be my rock & redeemer

You are a mighty voice when I cannot speak

You are that strong force when I waver and am weak

You are my provider when I am in lack

Your presence fills gaps when I am unsettlingly off track

You remind me what truth is, day-after-day

You always go before me and show me the way

You stand up for me again-and-again

You are completely loyal; a tried and true friend.

You never forget to mention my name when you pray

Countless years have gone by, but we’re friends to this day

I wonder why you are so devoted to me

In sorrow I often fall to my knees

And mutter, once again, “I’m not worthy to be saved”

You simply kneel down beside me and say “it’s ok”

I can’t get it right; I strive to be accepted

But you are there every time that I feel rejected

I walk in your counsel and find hope in your Word

You speak and I listen; I speak and feel heard! 

Relevant Scripture and Descriptive Names of God: 

“The Secret counsel of the Lord is for those who fear him,

(The Lord confides in those who fear him;) 

and he reveals his covenant (promises) to them.” 

Psalm 25:14

Jehovah Jirah-He will see to it

“The Lord your God is with you,

The Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you;

In his love he will no longer rebuke you,

But will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17

El Shaddai-Keeper of Promises

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-

as her great love has shown. 

But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” 

Luke 7:47

Jehovah Tsidkenu- The Lord our Righteousness

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, 

and His grace to me was not without effect.  

1^stCorinthians 15:10

Jehovah Rophi- The Lord who heals

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received

To serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in various forms.

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.” 

1^stPeter 4: 10-11

Jehovah Shammah-The Lord is there!

Song Recommendation:

What Love is This
By:  Kari Jobe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzLRyZMKbb0

It Is Coming: PAGE 94

“It is coming!

 It will surely take place declares the Sovereign Lord.

This is the day I have spoken of.”

Ezekiel 39: 8

Written Prophesy; Wisdom from Heaven.

Godly Hierarchy; literal perfection.

The Lord of Hosts speaking to the Last Generation.

Things not understood giving way to Life-everlasting.

Change is coming; His army ready for battle.

The Angels are humming -The Gates shake and rattle.

Warriors powerfully moving back and forth; left and right.

They’ve been ready for centuries to step up and set flight.

They fight in His name -Sin of this world shall fall.

It’s time; it’s been written; They zealously wait for His call.

“Who is, who was and who is to come”.

Ancient things set in motion; as we wait, Angels hum!

RvH

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,”

says the Lord God, “who is, and who was,

And who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelations 1:8

“We give thanks to you, Lord

God Almighty, the One who is and who was, 

because you have taken your great power

And begun to reign.’

Revelations 11:17

Song Recommendation:

Revelation Song

By: Chris Tomlin featuring Kari Jobe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HC08NgsPqA&list=RD0HC08NgsPqA&start_radio=1

Spiritual Motion: Page 93

 Not long ago, I was riding down the road with my husband quite early in the morning and I closed my eyes, prepping for the long day ahead.  I realized that I was propelling down the highway at a high rate of speed. It took a great amount of faith to keep my eyes closed and trust my husband’s driving in Dallas traffic.  Knowing he is a great driver I sat in faith as we rapidly proceeded to our destination. It dawned on me that this is the kind of faith that I must place in my relationship with the Lord as well.  Right there, in the car that morning, I chose faith. I purposely kept my eyes closed and as simple as that, I was propelled into the spiritual.

I was physically on highway 75 but spiritually with the Lord of Hosts. Simultaneously, I imagined my spiritual life moving forward with God as I was literally moving forward on the highway of life, so to speak.  Elated, I felt like I had stumbled onto a spiritual truth: for this was the perfect example of trusting things you cannot see. Reverently, I sat in that moment, merging the movement of car with the spiritual movement of my soul.  This was a physical example of an earthly moment in Spiritual motion. 

Having faith in things we cannot see is a choice.  Many times we miss the force of spiritual movement but the God of creation has set the earth and our very lives in motion, whether we are spiritually attuned to this or not.  

Let this be a reminder that the movement of life is happening whether we’re engaged or not. Spiritual things are happening whether we’re aware or not.  I chose to be aware.  This revelation was a small gift that day; a reminder from the Lord that we have the ability to step into the spiritual as simply and as quickly as closing our eyes.

RvH

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains-

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

“Jesus said to him, 

“Because you have seen me you believed?

Blessed are those who have not seen yet believe.”

John 20:29

SONG RECOMMENDATION:

What Love is This

By:  Kari Jobe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzLRyZMKbb0&list=RDkzLRyZMKbb0&start_radio=1