picturesfromheaven

"Breakthrough"

Last night I had our leaders for "Heart to Heart" over for dinner, prayer and vision casting. In the midst of running around cleaning and cooking, I had gone to my garden to cut some roses for a centerpiece. When I was arranging them a huge green bug jumped out of the mix. How I missed him during the cutting process is beyond me. Preparing for a sitdown dinner for 12 had me rushing around like craxy, and I just didn't have time to deal with the BUG. So I put a big mug over the critter and told the ladies when they arrived not to touch it. No one touched it. This morning, I couldn't ignore the mug any longer. I had to deal with it. There may be some things that you have been putting off that you need to deal with as well. Don't ignore the "bug" in your kitchen any longer. You may find dealing with it easier than you imagined. With that little bit of advice said, I hope that the following word picture from the Lord will be a blessings to your life.

Picture…I saw a beautiful field with wild flowers, but in the near distance there was a menacing dark fog rolling in. Looking at the approaching darkness, fear began to stir within my heart, until I heard a song, a joyous song coming from somewhere within the fog. The fear vanished as a man broke through the darkness strode into the light. He walked with purposeful, jaunty strides and there was laughter lines crinkling the corners of his eyes. He was singing a song of victory. It was kind of a catchy tune and I found myself singing along. It was impossible not to. Joy began to bubble up within me.

Hear…the Lord say, “I have come to burst your dark clouds of discouragement, confusion and doubt. I have come to fill your being with clarity, revelation and light. Sing with me a song of victory, and the victory will be yours.”

Consider: The Lord is going to burst through the darkness, the heaviness, the confusion and frustration in your life right now. He will replace it with clarity of thought, revelation and understanding, and a joy that is beyond description. But you will need to partner with him in this transformation and you can do that by beginning to make a joyful sound. Even if it seems indescribably difficult to do, make a joyful noise. It is in your own best interest. For the Lord wants you to know that this season is not the “amen.” This is not the end. Press on and praise Him. “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 You are going to make it. Yes - you are!

Have you ever said, “I can’t take it any more?”
Did you actually take more after you made that statement?

The issue is not whether or not you are going to make it. YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IT! The issue is whether you are going to make it in a manner that brings glory to God, or are you going to drag yourself through the mire. Are you going to make it pretty or ugly? Are you going to make it with rejoicing or complaining? The joyful shout will make all the difference.

Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance. In Your name they rejoice all day long, and in Your righteousness they are exalted. For You are the glory of their strength, and in Your favor our horn is exalted. Psalm 89:15-17

The phrase “joyful sound” comes from the Hebrew word that means to make an acclamation of joy, or a battle cry. It involves musical instruments, loud noise, rejoicing, and shouting. So it doesn’t even matter if you can carry a tune. It’s time for you to sing a song of victory. It is time for you to sing a joyful song.

Do you know the joyful sound? Do you know how to shout with joy in the face of adversity? There are times to rest in quiet satisfaction in the love of the Lord. There are times when we sit and just know that He is God. There are times when we peacefully meditate on His Word. And then there are times when we need to let it rip! When we boldly praise and worship God in the midst of a trial it becomes an act of faith, which moves God into action.

Prayer: “Jesus, I still can see the picture of you breaking through the clouds with a spring in your step and a twinkle in your eyes. You are so real to me right now. I love you so much, and I am beginning to understand how much you truly love me. You do not want me sitting here crying in my soup. You do not want me dragging through the motions. You have come to give me life and not just life, but one that is abundant and full of blessings. I praise you right now. In fact, I SHOUT praises to you. You are my King. You are my Friend. You are my victory. I can hardly sit here right now. Thank you for bringing clarity where there was only fuzziness. Thank you for bringing revelation when I didn’t know what to think anymore. Thank you for bringing joy into this difficult situation, In Jesus Name, Amen.”

posted by pastorc @ 2:57 PM