Faith over Fear - Blogged prayer post #35 - The Wilderness

 

This Pandemic has us all in a different mind set and as the summer officially began today, I finished something on my list of TO do stuff, so I guess summer CAN begin!!  

Last week I wrapped up some professional development and finished two classes.  

This week, I learned a new aspect of my summer job( at the insurance office ) and enjoyed a sweet visit with my sister and her kids from Wisconsin and today - I submitted y 2019 taxes.  I indeed, allowed the Pandemic to push the deadline for when I 'did' my taxes.  But they are done.  Amen!  

So now I can enjoy summer.  

Summer -- when one gets rest and works on the TAN!!  

Vacations begin or  are enjoyed. 

Maybe there is time for actually 'going to lunch'... 

In this Pandemic, there has been more time to read.  Brendan shared something with me yesterday that I want to write about and have here,  published,  to come back to.  This series of prayer/blogs are for faith over any fear.  

I have seen MUCH fear with the Pandemic.

 And I admit, I fell prey to it just yesterday. 

We were gifted a very special trip to the Bahamas on a private yacht through the Insurance company and when the email came about getting a Molecular NP something test for Covid-19, I panic'd and said, "NOPE".  I just didn't want to deal.  And, the company reps were very gracious to me and fully understood when I opted out of the trip,  but it was due to that test.  I just did not WANT that Q-tip being shoved into my nose - almost to my eyeballs.  Just. Did. Not. Want. That.  That was a valid fear - in my opinion and something I could OPT out on.   Temporary Fear.  

The Wilderness -- is something different.  

 I have seen fear in many during this Pandemic.  Fear that doesn't leave.  Fear that is controlling.  

I believe this Pandemic is indeed a wilderness.  In Biblical Old Testament, the wilderness was a very real place.  Deuteronomy 8 speaks of how the Lord led the Israelites out of Egypt.   

 

"The Wilderness was a place of death as an entire generation grew weak and perished there.  It was also a place of life 

where an entire generation was born and nurtured.  The new generation became the conquering warrior of Israel.  

God knew exactly what HE was doing when he sent them into the Wilderness.  And today God continues to do the same for His children. " 

If we don't understand why God is allowing this right now - we will become frustrated and bitter towards God.  There are many wildernesses in life.  

"Again, if we don't understand why God is allowing 

us to go through them, we will become frustrated.   This is true if we have been taught that with enough faith we will not go through them.  If we believe this, not only will we go through wildernesses, but we will condemn ourselves for lack of faith.  Or we may blame God for breaking His promises.  Jesus overcame the enemy in the inconvenient circumstances of the desert.  We must also face our wildernesses, overcoming them and revealing the victory of Christ in practical life.  "

                                     -- Spiritual Warfare by Dean Sherman 

So why does God allow this or lead us into a wilderness?  We get humbled -- during times like this we remember who god is and who are not.  It will make us more dependent upon HIM.  It will also put a spotlight onto our lives and others may notice which is hard, because it is uncomfortable. 

 Our world and the ones around us may have taught us to AVOID any humbling, but God knows the greatest thing we can have is consistent   humbling.     Being humbled is good.  It is PRIDE that we should fear. 

 We should remain faithful and trust God to endure and be grateful for the humbling wilderness. 

 

This Pandemic and our walking through it - is somewhat of a wilderness.  Our wilderness maybe not be one of sand dunes and water holes  - but it is equally as REAL.   We are here because of a fallen world. Without exception, we will all go through wildernesses. 

So, as we are in this wilderness of the Pandemic  and the present stirring of hatred within the Body of Christ .... let's stop and think and take a reflective look.  

Another reason we have a wilderness is for testing.  God will allow us to be in certain situations that reveal the content of our character.  (Doesn't that sound familiar -- MLK quoted God himself!)   Under pressure, that which is in us,  comes out.   Testing reveals our weaknesses and strengths to God and to ourselves.  God wants to repair our faults with HIM rather than out in public for all to see.  

 

This Pandemic and our walking through it - is somewhat of a wilderness.  Our wilderness maybe not be one of sand dunes and water holes  - but it is equally as REAL.   We are here because of a fallen world. Without exception, we will all go through wildernesses. 

So, as we are in this wilderness of the Pandemic  and the present stirring of hatred within the Body of Christ .... let's stop and think and take a reflective look.  

So what to do?  

• Truly thank the Lord for showing things in your heart that need fixing.
• Repent.  Ask God to forgive any sin or wrong motives.  You may also need to ask others for forgiveness.  
• Seek God's help to overcome and create new habits and attitudes. 
• Resist the enemy in his attempts in your life. 
• Never deny that you are going through a wilderness experience. 
• Never feel condemned for that which has surfaced during your wilderness experience.
• Simply say, "thank you, God, for showing me what was in my heart. Now let's do something about it."     pg. 148 - Spiritual Warfare 

Lord, I believe this blog is in perfect timing with everything on TV and in the Media about BLM and about ALL lives Matter and about everything associated with the turmoil within our country right now.  Lord, You know my heart and that I believe we have but ONE race, and that is the human race.  Lord, you know I believe we all bleed the same -- and that we have those that LOVE and serve you and those that still don't recognize their sin -- yet.   But Lord, show me where I have wronged or hurt another even with my silence ... or my OVER-SPEAKING.  

Lord, I pray that as we are in the Wilderness of the Pandemic, that MORE grace and MORE love will be experienced by those around me - especially THOSE in fear.  IN the name of Jesus - amen.  

Casting ALL cares...

 Psalm 55 has some amazing promises from God that will just remind you that HE - God... is indeed in control!   

Placing every CARE in God's hands, just like a baby sets her head down on your shoulder and you melt!! 

Verse 22 says:  

Cast your cares on the Lord
    and he will sustain you;
he will never let
    the righteous be shaken.
                     These verse certainly is one I quote often.  But recently I believe God totally gave me a visual and physically gave me a REMINDER that HE has everything under control.  

Then, as that previous verse reminds me of  my Father God who loves and protects me and HOLDS me, within the very next verse I read this:  
 
²³ But you, God, will bring down the wicked
    into the pit of decay;
the bloodthirsty and deceitful
    will not live out half their days.

 I read that and wonder -- whoa....DO not mess with my Father God!!  

 A reminder that those out of His will...those that do not call upon HIM and those that are not obedient -- there will be consequences.   And ...death....
 

But as for me, I trust in you.

A few weeks ago, I had an incredible weekend with God.  The weekend ended with a Praise and Worship night at my local church in which God met me right there -- I could go into such details.   Several years ago at my God Encounter weekend -- the Lord literally put me out -- and did holy surgery.  I have blogged about it before; I was not pushed down, nor did I lay down, but God slain me in His Spirit and I was on the floor.  While I was slain, I saw the eyes of God in the form of a Lion and I had this most incredible vision/visit with Jesus.   Like I said, I have shared it before.   

Since then, I have had a few moments where I was slain during some intense prayer and God met me there too -- but nothing like that first happening back in Titusville that last day of my God Encounter weekend.  I just wanted WHATEVER God had for me.    This recent Sunday, while praising and worshiping just a few weeks ago -- something incredible happened again.   Holy Surgery. 

This may be blurry, but I have not mastered how to take a selfie with a baby yet! 

 That night, I tried to fight it.  I put my legs behind me or anchored one leg behind the other as I was not going to wobble.  That did not work.  I felt the HS so thick!   I even sat down as I did not want to fall out and I wrestled with God a bit - I literally felt a force trying to lay me down.     I finally gave in.   And I saw the most incredible vision of blue.   I have looked at some color charts but it was indeed a unique blue color with a matte finish.   Immediately I knew  I was looking at something -- maybe  a robe of some sort or maybe just pure sky.   Then I felt I was laying in a field looking up to the MOST gorgeous trees that were so tall -- taller than I have ever seen.  And then I saw those eyes again -- in the form of a lion.   SO real.   So personal.   But just as I focused on that,   all this time, I could hear the rest of the church singing and praising God but I was having this conversation with myself and God.  ( In my head.)  Then,  as I realized,  I could not move.  My arms were being held down  and  it was for HIS purpose.   I have no idea if it was 2 minutes or 5 minutes...... but it seemed like a long time.   When I finally just told God, "OK...I am not moving and what do you want me to get from this?"----I felt in my spirit that God  would clue me in.   I believe HE was saying,  "you can't do anything - your hands and arms are tied..it is ME -- all ME ...I will do it, I am in control, It is all ME!".     

After that,  my eyes opened and yet -- I still could not move my arms.  So, I just sat there, as the church continued to sing and I prayed and just allowed the recovery to happen.   It was a good minute or two before I could move them.  Again, I believe God was making a point --

To CAST all CARES on HIM.   

 The next morning, I asked God to confirm what that all meant.   And He did.  There were 3 very distinct situations that were revealed to me THAT next day ....that I COULD do nothing about -- but that HE could.   He is sovereign, He is Lord, and HE is in control!  

Today, a medical procedure transpired -- the results  have been prayed over but as one lays on an examine table and as one is in the hands of the doctor .... you can't help but be reminded -- HE is in control.   Our lives are but just...one breath away from eternity.  

Today a family watched and waited as their son/brother got a new heart -- literally a heart transplant.  

So, as I share a prayer this eve -- perhaps you are in a situation where you are trying to control or fix something.  I would urge you to read Psalm 55 and cast all cares on God.   I would ask you to place the name of that bully or that person that is being wicked to you or your family -- place that name on a spot in your journal and let God know -- that You are leaving that person with HIM.  

If recently, you discovered some BIG secrets or hurts and you are at a point of making a BIG decision or maybe you are still in SHOCK...I would ask that you place that care at the feet of Jesus.   Allow God to make that decision or next move.  

And, if you are are very tired of the political situations within out country -- I know that going to your knees and placing that CARE at HIS feet -- will allow you to sleep better this evening.  

God is indeed about taking all of our cares.   God is indeed wanting a closer relationship with you and HE wants you to cast EVERY care on HIM.   Even if you believe it is a 'minor' one - nothing is minor to God - HE cares about each detail of you and your life.   He created you.  

I just had to add one more- thank you Jesus for this miracle! 

God gave me some MIMI time with a little girl this eve - made the pain of the procedure disappear for a good half hour!    And as she fussed a bit and then placed her head on my shoulders and let me love and hug her -- I instantly thought about how God WANTS that from me...from US.. .... To CRAWL UP into his arms and lay our heads down on HIS shoulders.      Cast all cares there and allow HIM to hold us.   

Lord, You know EXACTLY WHO is to read this and who will be ministered to by these words and by YOUR Word....may they allow YOU to hold them.  May they cast EVERY care upon you and may they feel YOU hug them in return.  Lord, you know the prayer requests deepest on my heart and in my journal.  Lord, YOU know what transpired and I am listening to YOU and indeed -- since that holy surgery, I have had MORE peace than I have ever know possible.   Lord, use me ...but empty me first of ME...continued refining....continued seeking...continued urging by YOUR Spirit.  May YOUR Kingdom come - YOUR will be done -- on Earth, as it is in heaven.  And Lord, it was NO coincidence when I asked for clarity on that day after...  thank you Lord, as I know YOU have all three situations under control.   IN Jesus's most strong and precious name - Amen!