"Bonded to God"
How are you doing? It's been a while, hasn't it. I could list my excuses, things like kicking off the new term of H2H, starting small groups for children as a part of Heart to Heart, working out 5 days a week, preaching, parenting, learning my father needs heart surgery and a hospital visit of my own. The picture is of my children, who were getting a little bored with the whole hospital stay and started playing with the camera.
But you and I both know they would be just that, excuses. So I'm just going to forget the excuses and request prayer. The little hospital stay revealed ulcers and a bum gal bladder. The ulcers are being treated with meds, and the gal bladder is being removed next week. I'm quite looking forward to the surgery...seriously. I've had problems for over 15 years with my stomach and to know that it's soon to be over with is nothing short of wonderful. I just ask you to pray for a speedy recovery...my husband and I are going to do pastor's training in India the first week of November, God willing. Also pray that God takes these church and family issues that have been secretly gnawing on my insides, and resolve them according to His will and His timing. I'm taking a break from being peacemaker, the all-wise-and-knowing advice giver, and the all things to all people kind of woman. One thing I know for sure about all of this is that God loves me, and He has me in the palm of His hand. We are being bonded together...
“Bonded To God”
Picture…I saw an old fashioned clamp with an exquisitely designed piece of wrought iron attached to two pieces of wood. There is a handle that if rotated to the right holds together whatever is placed between the pieces of wood. Someone was putting a great deal of pressure on that handle. I asked the Lord why He was putting so much pressure there. He explained, “I’m not just putting pressure on it for the fun of putting pressure on it. The purpose of the vise is to glue something together. The pressure is to solidify the bond. The pressure that has been put to bear on some of my children is not to destroy them. Neither is it some kind of attack of the enemy. I engineered this vise as instrument to bond their spirit to my Spirit, their ambition to mine, and their purposes with my own. I want us to be joined as one. Being bonded to me will make them strong.”
Hear…the Lord say, “The things that are putting pressure on you right now is not meant to destroy you. It was allowed to come into your life because I knew that I could use it to bind you to myself. Don’t resist. Acquiesce to the process that will make us one. Just say, ‘YES!’”
Consider: It is amazing how quickly we assume that whatever is bringing pressure to bear in our lives is from the enemy. We rarely consider that God might be allowing the enemy this much access because He knows that it will all backfire on him. The thing that the enemy is bringing into your life to destroy you, or at the very least to distract you, is going to be the thing that you use to defeat his activity in your life and in others. So don’t just start whining and begging God to get you out of it. Stop and ask Him if there is anything that He wants to do to you or through you in this. If the answer is no, then tell the enemy no with authority and faith. If the answer is yes, then ask the Lord if there is any particular way that He would like you to respond. I guess the real point in all of this is for you not assume. Do not assume from whence the pressure comes. Do not assume what should be your reaction. Always ask. Always listen. Always obey.
Pray: “Am I a whiner? Do I come to you to get me out of stuff rather than to get direction? If I do, I am sorry. Even more importantly, if I do, help me to change that obvious immature pattern of behavior. Nudge my heart when I start to complain. If a nudge doesn’t get my attention, I give you permission to beat me on the side of the head with a two-by-four. Just get my attention. Once I’m aware, I will shift gears and focus on getting answers, because I really do want to be one with you. I want for people to see you when they see me. That would be awesome. Mind you, I’m not saying that I want you to put pressure on me. I’m not that brave. I’m just saying; when you think it’s time for a little pressure, let me know. Don’t let me get away with whining for help, when I should be asking for direction. In Jesus Name, Amen.”
Picture…I saw an old fashioned clamp with an exquisitely designed piece of wrought iron attached to two pieces of wood. There is a handle that if rotated to the right holds together whatever is placed between the pieces of wood. Someone was putting a great deal of pressure on that handle. I asked the Lord why He was putting so much pressure there. He explained, “I’m not just putting pressure on it for the fun of putting pressure on it. The purpose of the vise is to glue something together. The pressure is to solidify the bond. The pressure that has been put to bear on some of my children is not to destroy them. Neither is it some kind of attack of the enemy. I engineered this vise as instrument to bond their spirit to my Spirit, their ambition to mine, and their purposes with my own. I want us to be joined as one. Being bonded to me will make them strong.”
Hear…the Lord say, “The things that are putting pressure on you right now is not meant to destroy you. It was allowed to come into your life because I knew that I could use it to bind you to myself. Don’t resist. Acquiesce to the process that will make us one. Just say, ‘YES!’”
Consider: It is amazing how quickly we assume that whatever is bringing pressure to bear in our lives is from the enemy. We rarely consider that God might be allowing the enemy this much access because He knows that it will all backfire on him. The thing that the enemy is bringing into your life to destroy you, or at the very least to distract you, is going to be the thing that you use to defeat his activity in your life and in others. So don’t just start whining and begging God to get you out of it. Stop and ask Him if there is anything that He wants to do to you or through you in this. If the answer is no, then tell the enemy no with authority and faith. If the answer is yes, then ask the Lord if there is any particular way that He would like you to respond. I guess the real point in all of this is for you not assume. Do not assume from whence the pressure comes. Do not assume what should be your reaction. Always ask. Always listen. Always obey.
Pray: “Am I a whiner? Do I come to you to get me out of stuff rather than to get direction? If I do, I am sorry. Even more importantly, if I do, help me to change that obvious immature pattern of behavior. Nudge my heart when I start to complain. If a nudge doesn’t get my attention, I give you permission to beat me on the side of the head with a two-by-four. Just get my attention. Once I’m aware, I will shift gears and focus on getting answers, because I really do want to be one with you. I want for people to see you when they see me. That would be awesome. Mind you, I’m not saying that I want you to put pressure on me. I’m not that brave. I’m just saying; when you think it’s time for a little pressure, let me know. Don’t let me get away with whining for help, when I should be asking for direction. In Jesus Name, Amen.”
posted by pastorc @ 2:22 PM
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