MERRY CHRISTMAS !!
May you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope, and the peace of His love at Christmas and always.
(Can you guess which one is me??? I'll give you a hint....I'm not the one wearing the hat!)
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Liquid Prayers
Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him (Psalm 126:5-6).
The Lord showed me this week that the tears I shed from a thorn in my side are liquid prayers....a metaphor to express the overwhelming joy of "coming home"...a spiritual "breakthrough" if you will. My planting of seeds accompanied by a spirit of brokenness will not only bring a spiritual harvest of results but will leave me with a spirit of rejoicing in the process.
Uggg, it's not fun to bear a thorn. I get so so weary ...I just want to rip it out...I just want to give up but know that I can't. I would go right back where I started from. I compare this anguish to child birth. You are so physically and mentally wiped out but you can't quit and leave the hospital. By gosh, you're giving birth to a baby that is inside you! No one can do it for you! But by the grace of God I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). Daily, I surrender and pray for strength and wisdom to bear this thorn.
In a self-pity moment this week I felt the Lord confronting me asking if I will continue to bear the thorn He has given me. He showed me that this despair I feel would lead to greater blessings for others...ministering to others...comforting their hearts as He has mine. Once again He showed me my wretched heart. How can I turn my back on Him? He has shown me so much grace, mercy, and love. Oh, how I love Him so.
Ouch, boy do those thorns keep you humble. Yes, this thorn is actually for my protection...keeping me from sin. God can't use a prideful servant. The discipline and reliance this wicked thorn keeps me in is actually disguised as a beautiful rose. From my briar patch a rose will birth for someone else.
Yes Lord, I am thankful for the thorn in my side.
The Lord showed me this week that the tears I shed from a thorn in my side are liquid prayers....a metaphor to express the overwhelming joy of "coming home"...a spiritual "breakthrough" if you will. My planting of seeds accompanied by a spirit of brokenness will not only bring a spiritual harvest of results but will leave me with a spirit of rejoicing in the process.
Uggg, it's not fun to bear a thorn. I get so so weary ...I just want to rip it out...I just want to give up but know that I can't. I would go right back where I started from. I compare this anguish to child birth. You are so physically and mentally wiped out but you can't quit and leave the hospital. By gosh, you're giving birth to a baby that is inside you! No one can do it for you! But by the grace of God I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). Daily, I surrender and pray for strength and wisdom to bear this thorn.
In a self-pity moment this week I felt the Lord confronting me asking if I will continue to bear the thorn He has given me. He showed me that this despair I feel would lead to greater blessings for others...ministering to others...comforting their hearts as He has mine. Once again He showed me my wretched heart. How can I turn my back on Him? He has shown me so much grace, mercy, and love. Oh, how I love Him so.
Ouch, boy do those thorns keep you humble. Yes, this thorn is actually for my protection...keeping me from sin. God can't use a prideful servant. The discipline and reliance this wicked thorn keeps me in is actually disguised as a beautiful rose. From my briar patch a rose will birth for someone else.
Yes Lord, I am thankful for the thorn in my side.
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