Standing On The Promises

My friend Josie asked me if she could tell me about a dream she had had and what I thought it meant. I knew depression had been trying to crush her lately so I was glad to help, if I could.

In the dream, Josie was lying down on the ground. A huge rock was on top of her so that she could hardly breathe. She struggled desperately. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, Josie could not get the rock off.  The dream ended.

Afterwards, I closed my eyes. I got the picture of a stick person (Josie) squirming and frantically trying to push the large rock off her chest. With my eyes still closed, I felt the Holy Spirit’s strength come up from my innermost being.  Then, I noticed the outcome in my vision started to change directions. As the stick figure continued to push and rest then push again, the rock eventually rolled away.  The rock did not move because of her power but after the power of the Holy Spirit infused her with His strength. As soon as the load was removed, Josie was able to stand up, climb upon the rock, and claimed the victory. When arms rose high, I saw the stick figure’s countenance glorify Jesus with all her might.

Later, I realized that the stick person could represent anybody with a ‘heavy situation’ on his or her heart. As, I sought the Lord; this is what He gave me.

Remain under the influence of the Holy Spirit. When we received Christ, the Holy Spirit came to live within us. It was like our soul was knitted together with His power. He is our seal of sonship so he never desires to leave us or forsake us. He job is to energize us with boldness and inspire us with godly wisdom and direction. If, we continually choose to obey His advice, the victory will manifest in its designed time. Half-heartedness or double-mindedness can hinder our progress so consistency is vital.

Replace your worldly vision with God’s proactive promises. The Holy Spirit inspired the Word of God. The Bible is His textbook. He leads us to the perfect promises. As we add our faith, then results are assured. We have to keep in mind that God was not born yesterday. He is not rushing around up in heaven trying to figure out what to do next. He knew about our situation since before we were born. Therefore, He has the completed plan already in mind. He does not have to guess what the outcome will be. Now, all we are required to do is pray, listen and choose to be lead by His Spirit. Remember…your faith is not in what you can do but what the Holy Spirit can do supernaturally through you and for you. Looking unto Jesus…. the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Reap the rewards for God’s kingdom. In order to stand upon the rock in the end, we have to consistently stand upon the promises until the situation completely disappears. Afterwards, we may have a clear understanding of why God allowed our circumstances to surface in the first place. We do not like going through these painful times, but the maturity gained in our spiritual understanding makes us soon forget the trouble we once had to endure. 

As the Holy Spirit reminded Paul, I will remind you:

My grace is sufficient for you:
for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9

What is the rock that makes you breathless? Is it you’re...self-esteem, lack of direction or motivation, job, finances, spouse or children? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to the deepest root issue and then to the promises that will help you overcome. Mediate on those promises until faith arises. Then wait and see how the stone rolls away.

God Calling

“Oh no!”

I heard my daughter shriek. I came into the den, she looked up at me in a panic and said,

“I’ve lost my cell phone in the sofa.

Sure enough it was gone into the deep recesses of the sofa where it couldn’t be recovered without ripping the sofa all apart. I discovered a 4-inch hole in the side lining where the phone fell. After removing part of the bottom lining, we were still unable to see the phone. We heard it ringing but we were unable to get to it.

In the end my daughter purchased another phone and we joked about the phone ringing in the sofa.

“Mom, your sofa is ringing. Do you want me to answer it?” It took about 5 days for the battery to run down.

As I was musing over this situation with a little chuckle, the Lord broke in and said,

“I get treated that way from time to time.”

“How so Lord?” I said.

“When you stuff me under the cushions of your life and neglect to keep the lines of communication open. Your urgency for earthly things over powers the important spiritual necessities.” He answered.

“I’m sorry Lord. Help me to be consistent with my quiet times. I know they are important to the both of us. It’s just that…” and I stopped myself when I realized I was beginning to make excuses for my behavior.

Is there any ‘excuse’ worthy to stop our communication with God? How do we lose the Lord in the crevices of our lives until we can’t hear him calling us to come away for a moment of rest and wisdom?

As I was working on a suitable ending, the Lord lead me to an entry from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Here it is in full.

Never take for granted My intimate nearness. Marvel at the wonder of My continual Presence with you. Even the most ardent human lover cannot be with you always. Nor can another person know the intimacies of you heart, mind, and spirit. I know everything about you---even the number of hairs on your head. You don’t need to work at revealing your self to Me.

Many people spend a lifetime or a small fortune searching for someone who understands them. Yet I am freely available to all who call upon My name, who open their hearts to receive Me as Savior. The simple act of faith is the beginning of a lifelong love story. I, the Lover of your soul, understand you perfectly and love you eternally.

In deed, the very hairs of you head are all numbered.

Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than may sparrows.

Luke 12:7

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name,

he gave the right to become children of God.

John 1:12

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

 Romans 10:13

Are you ready to regularly ‘schedule’ Christ into your everyday life? Jesus is such a gentleman. He will quietly ask but He will not nag or beg you for time with Him alone. You have to come out of your own free will. If you have been off balance lately, now is a great time to reconnect. Christ is waiting for you with open arms and a heart of love saying…Come.