Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Training Brings Abundance


Stella and I were shopping one day. As a nearly 3 year old girl, Stella has definite likes and dislikes. But she also has a hard time making up her mind. We were trying to choose a shirt. She picked one she liked and we began to move the buggy. “Wait! I don’t like this.” So we stopped and chose another shirt. We got a little farther away and she decided she didn’t like that one either. Finally, after three almost made it shirts, I said nope, let’s find something else. We ended up going home with a book.

She’s in training. She is learning to make choices and she’s learning what she likes and dislikes. Every choice she makes brings up an end result, not always to her liking to be sure. But she’s learning about the choices she makes even as young as she is.

My husband and I are in training. So far we are enjoying it. I can’t say enjoying it as in having fun, lighthearted and free. We are having intense information given to us and it’s changing our very beings. All this is coming on the heels of a very hard place for us. We had a choice. We could have said this is too hard, we quit. Or we could pick our faces up off the floor and say okay Lord, what’s next?

We chose to go on with God. Before I make that sound too lofty I would like to say that it is not always an easy choice to say yes to God in the midst of pain, rejection or trials. But I think it’s important for you to know, precious one, that the choice you make today about what you are going through will set the tone for your future.

God speaks to my heart: Every day is a choice. But when you make your choices, be sure you do this in the light of My Word rather than your pain, misfortune or as a result of what others may have done. You must know beyond the shadow of a doubt that I have had you in the palm of My hand all these years. I knew you before you were even conceived, before you were a dream in your parents’ minds. I knew everything that you would ever go through. While all of it has not been pleasant, it is all fitting into My plan. For My ways are higher than your ways. You see pain, I see possibilities. You see rejection, I see connection. You see hurts, I see learning experiences beyond your wildest dreams. When you choose to live in Me and let Me change your heart and focus your mind, I will restore the things that are so broken, even when done at another’s hand. Even when you have been so broken you didn’t know how you could live again I AM able to make all things work together for your good and My glory. It is in the very hardest places of life that you are able to grow the most. So trust Me. Let Me continue My plan for your life. You are loved, you are chosen, you are redeemed and you are Mine.

Oh beloved, it’s time to lay aside the grave clothes of rejection. It’s time to throw off the mantel of grief over choices made by you and those choices made for you. No there’s nothing you can do about some things that have happened. But you are destined to be of great value to the Kingdom of the Most High God. The very things which have wanted to choke you and suffocate the very life from your heart and mind are going to be used to give you a platform to share the Glory of God with others who need to know that He is able. As you learn to lean on God and let Him teach you, you will be amazed that you will not just survive, you will thrive! Let God do all He wants to do for you, in you and through you. His greatest desire is that you are fit for heaven. His utmost calling is that your life be a testament to His mercy and grace. He will equip you for Christlikeness, encourage you to rejoice, reconcile your past to your future and restore you beyond the pain.

God loves you and He’s for you. That simply means that He’s willing and able to take you out of the ashes of it all and create in you a life that is glorious for His Kingdom. You still have a choice to live loved or to barely survive. God says live and show forth the praises of Him who is bringing you out of the darkness and into His own marvelous light!

Isaiah 58:6 Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Psalm 4:7 You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound.

1 Timothy 1:14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Amplified

Psalm 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works. Amplified

No comments: