I won't underestimate God - revised.

I won't underestimate God!

I was reminded today by a sweet dear sister in Christ that "Abba Father does not give  to us from His scraps or leftovers.  He gives from His abundance.  That I was to go into today -- knowing that our generous Father is pouring out His kindness to me from His abundance.  He walks with me.  He goes with me -- His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  That I was to enjoy today -- a day that He made, enjoy the blessings, enjoy the favor, and enjoy His grace.  Just  Enjoy Him....."   

 

Enjoy.....

Everything.

I am at a point in my life where I have had MANY victories so when it looks pretty bleak -- I can seek God to bring back into remembrance the GOOD and it helps me get past the yuck.

I am also at a point in my life when I believe HE is teaching me SO much -- as time is short and HE wants to use me...I WANT to be used.    ( for HIS Kingdom)  

Everything that comes our way -- should be filtered through the heavenly language....God's language -- HIS Word.  When I look at and filter EVERY experience and feeling, and thought through HIS Word.... something changes.

I sound pretty smart - don't I ??  That concept  -- comes from    Lisa Bevere in   Girls with Swords!

I have thought  all week -- praised God for healing in a beautiful young lady -- prayed for several women that are holding tight to their marriages and believing for miracles -- where their men would WAKE up and see the Lord....repent...  or just actually communicate with their wives.    I have prayed and watched a new group of students in summer school and prayed to 'make a difference'.  I have also had that awful feeling in the pit of my stomach when news or revelation of a family being torn apart hits close to home.     Satan is very busy.  Period.  

 

But today -- today -- I am to enjoy the presence of God and Enjoy Him.  I did.... a lot! 

 
  And, when I think about every situation and prayer request and see it through the heavenly language of God's Word -- I am going to believe that everything that transpires is for our good.  
 

I was reminded of the story of Esther.

 Today as I was a part of a book study/ prayer group that called upon the heavens - called upon Jesus to help organize a future event.  We asked God and praised God for many events and things but mostly we just sang His praises.  One lady spoke and prayed, "for such a time as this"....    that always reminds me of one  warrior -- it  reminds me of Esther. 

Life is hard.

Situations- somethings at sometimes seem so UNBEARABLE to deal with.

You can get to the point of just wanting to GIVE up -- but .....don't.   When I wrote this original blog post, I was in tears as a dear warrior right next to me was in a crisis and all I could do was say..."don't give up".  Many nights after I would pray with her and then for her -- I would tell my husband, "I just don't know WHAT else to do or say.....but God won't let me tell her to divorce him....even though he needs a swift KICK in the butt and she probably should divorce him"

 

I penned this blog with her in mind and tried my best to encourage her.  Today --  she is in a very good place.  She stuck it out -- she assures me her marriage is in a very good place, they are in a new season and doing what the Lord has them doing in their spot.  It brings me such joy to see her smile.  Their family has expanded after some turbulent changes and yet -- God used those changes to bring each of them closer to HIM.  

          I look back now and we spoke about HOW it seemed that God had forgotten her -- and yet -- as my other friend reminded me today .....He does not love us with His leftovers.  Never.  When it does not look like God is being good to us - He is -- as He knows what is best for us.  

 

 

And there is another woman this evening that is heavy on my heart -- and as the Holy Spirit reminded me of this blog that I had written a few years ago -- I just had to update it and revise.    So with her in mind and with the permission of being real -- let me share a little bit of that story of Esther.  

 

     

 

  

 The Story of Ester.  Here is a recap of that Book in the Bible:  

Esther was a young, beautiful, Jewish woman living in Persia. She was unknowingly thrust into one of the greatest stories of all time, due to a very strange turn of events. Esther proved to be a woman of unusual wisdom and courage, facing adversity and wickedness with a quiet confidence and grace. While God is not directly mentioned in this book, His hand and perfect timing are seen in every turn of events. 

Then her story can teach us some lessons:  

Esther saved the Jews. Her life can teach us several vital lesson:

1. There is a preparation time.
She allowed herself to be prepared for the task. God's preparation time can sometimes be long and uneventful. Moses spent 40 years in the desert looking after sheep before coming to deliver the Israelite's. The refining of our characters is very essential to God's plan for our life. God cannot use a proud woman (or man).

I believe there was a season in my life where GOD prepared me.  HE changed the way I felt about Him and myself and then, when I was ready -- HE did allow some revelation and I know that I know that my 'time' was THEN to walk with HIM and walk in faith and learn to TRUST God.  

I know a woman right now - that has been prepared - I believe it.    God has seen her strong and He has have seen her weak.  Many  have seen her at her best and  she is so worried about being real before them as right not -- it is not a 'best' season.   She has been dealt a heavy hand and I believe she is trying her best to handle it in the 'most professional way' and yet  I want to just reassure her that God will be right there -- walking her through it!    I believe God is allowing this now -- cause she can  be  strong  through  God!!  
And I believe she knows how to hear from God  now because she is able to focus and she knows that HE is asking her to trust HIM -- but it is really hard.  I just want to tell her -- it is Ok....trusting God is hard but God won't let you down. 

  And,  I want to remind her tonight --  God is acting and giving kindness out of His fullness....He is not holding back.....

2. We need the favor of God.
Esther found favor with the King and so did Mordecai. Even Jesus grew in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52). When you live a life pleasing to God, by obeying His will you will find favour with Him. God will also give you favour with people.
I have had people come to me and say, "pray for me as YOUR prayers are heard".  God hears each and every prayer.  We do need God's favor and it comes with our obedience.   The key is living a life pleasing to God.  I believe many times we give up or give in ....right before the blessing comes.  And so often, we give up or give in cause God does N OT seem to be moving in our timeline - and we get impatient.  God's timing does seem slow, but trusting it -- brings favor.  

I believe we all can walk in God's favor....when we seek Him, we will find Him!  

IN thinking of this special woman tonight -- I pray she understands that she is His favorite!  That God formed her in her mother's womb and He knows every tear that is being shed and every unspoken word.....

3. God works in His own time and season.
Esther got her timing right. Maybe God has put it on your heart to do something for Him. Don't just jump into it but wait for his time. Joseph was in jail until it was God's time for him to be released. God will move in His time when we remain faithful and alert to His leading.

Another lesson from Esther on God's timing.....it does seem like God is really trying to TEACH us something.  I believe there is a woman reading this tonight -- and right now, she knows that God is telling her -- NOW is the time...

Maybe NOW is the time to fast and pray for a specific child that  is lost or mixed up in sin...
Maybe NOW is the time for you to sit next to a friend who is in a storm and just PRAY with her...
Maybe NOW is the time to get off your butt...and DO something....for HIM...instead of expecting God to lay it all before you...
Maybe NOW is the time to actually pray and seek counsel on something or a stronghold that has plagued you for FAR too long...
Maybe NOW is the time to go to church - find one...worship one...and maybe ask yourself, "does God know me?"...
Maybe NOW is the time to give and extend forgiveness...
Maybe NOW is the appointed time for restoration within a part of your family...
Maybe NOW is the appointed time...

 

Or maybe now is the time to allow the sweet sisters in Christ around you to comfort and encourage you -- allow them to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this crisis.....

4. Your background does not hinder your future with God.
Esther was an orphan. God still exalted her and used her. Some of Jesus' disciples were fishermen, tax collectors and one was a doctor. Your background does not determine what God can do with you. Your faith does.
I did a bible study on Esther with Beth Moore.  A major part of the study is taking a look at 'our past' and that it has BROUGHT us to this point - here and now.  Our past was our destiny.  Our past did shape our future -- but it never has to dictate it.  

God has allowed experiences within out lives -- as we walk through it with HIM...we can then, do that for another and help another walk through the pain of..... a death....a betrayal....a rejection....

God uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary -- our faith creates miracles!  

 

I remember at a time of our crisis that many felt pity for me because of the 'sin' that was exposed.  Their comments here and there would remind me or make me think  and yet, when God allowed the revelation of our crisis....God also revealed to me where I was committing adultery against Him.  I had BIG idols....so often we experience symptoms of a MUCH bigger or higher problem -- the problem between ourselves and God......  makes one think --   

The people around us may focus on the immediate problem or crisis -- but God really wants ALL of us and He allows us to experience pain, suffering and rejection because we need to seek HEALING from our Creator -- God himself!    But OH -- how good it is to know ......

There is NOTHING God can't heal, restore, or redeem.

There is NOTHING that can separate the love HE has for us--

Are you in a season like Esther was?
  Is now the time to step it up -- and help SAVE a child or friend around you?
Only You and God know the answer to that --
If Esther had NOT spoken up when she did  -- what would of happened?
She saved a people....
Who have you helped God to save today?


I am humbled.

I am humbled that I am able to pray with a bevy of women that have the faith to FAKE it until it is felt.   

I am humbled to be able to pray for women who are not ready yet to just trust God.  
I am humbled that God has given me several memory stones...in my life that I can come back to and see victory when it seemed hopeless...so I WILL believe for another - it is NOT hopeless.

 

For that one wife tonight --  I am believing for your marriage......

Sure...can God use anything that happens to us for His good ....if we allow Him to.

I know God loved  me THAT much.
I know God loved Job.... Mary..... Sarah ...Esther ...THAT much.
I know God loves them  - THAT much.

God does not have to 'faith' it until HE feels it - HE is the love.
God is not to be underestimated.

God shows up - each and every time.
Amen.. 

- humbled, Michelle