For this very moment

Image by Scott Schram via Flickr

Yeserday's message began with the reading of Colossians 1:15-20 -

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Colossians 1:15-20 NIV

but there was one modification from the NIV text.  The pastor replaced pronouns to use the correct proper name - Jesus.

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Jesus all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Jesus and for Jesus. Jesus is before all things, and in Jesus all things hold together. And Jesus is the head of the body, the church; Jesus is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything Jesus might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Jesus, and through Jesus to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through Jesus blood, shed on the cross.

The sound of Jesus name repeated over and over again dripped joy into my spirit.  Jesus is not just any other "he" or "him".  Jesus is the first, the One Who went before us, comes beside us, and calls us to abide.

In Jesus all things hold together and I recall how before I surrendered my heart, things in my life would regularly fly apart.  Jesus, His Father, His Holy Spirit, the blessed Triune God, knows all things, sees all things and uses all things to mold us, perfect us and continually transform us more into His own image.

There were words spoken about reconciliation and forgiveness, as it was a communion Sunday.  The pastor shared that every person that you have ever, or will ever need to forgive was placed in your life to teach you more about forgiveness. 

Whoooosh........ it was like a cleansing wind blew through the room.

I sat silent in His presence in the pew, allowing my mind and heart soak in the truth that my spirit was hearing from His Spirit:

Everything that has every happened in your life up until this very moment was to prepare you for this very moment.  The same is true for every moment that is to come.

With a grateful heart I shared in partaking of the body and blood of Jesus, knowing that I am safe and loved in His care.  His desire is for you to know that same peace.  Give Him a few minutes, even now, to speak life and truth into your life.

Stop by Melissa's to see what others have picked up on Sunday to use on Monday

Tuesdays Unwrapped - Trust

Yesterday Rick and I visited a local greenhouse to purchase more bedding plants for the hanging baskets that will surround our house and hang in the backyard. Then, back home, I sorted through the living artist's palette of colours and shapes to decide which plants would best compliment each other, while Rick placed them in rich soil in the baskets and hung them in place.

This morning, I unwrapped a word from the Lord as I spent time with Him journaling:

Just as the farmer must trust Me with the seeds he has sown, so too must you totally release all things into My care.

My arm is not too short to reach out and touch everything that concerns you. Do not go back and pick up those things you have already surrendered.

Would you dig up the flower baskets you have just planted to see if roots have formed? No, for that would surely harm their growth.

The fruit of patience takes time to ripen, little one, and with it - faith fruits.

As you spend days in the rain, you must still have hope for the sun. Do not allow the enemy to plant despair with his lies about unfullfilled promises. Am I not the One Who makes the sun to shine or the clouds to scatter the rain? I call the winds to blow cold fromthe north, gentle from the south. Am I not to be trusted?

Then rest, for I will have my way.

Listen. Surrender. Do as I say.

Revelation will come, and one day, you will see what I see. When the last pieces of the puzzle fall into place, you will see the whole picture and understand how each step along the way had its perfect purpose.

Until that day - lean on Me and walk in faith.

What have you unwrapped today? Join Emily at Chatting at the Sky and share your gifts.

Holey - not holy

Image by retro traveler via Flickr

My heart and my spirit sense that the journaling session I had with the Lord this morning is something He wants shared, for He was not speaking to me alone, but to His beloved bride.

Good morning Lord, thank You for the continuing restoration of my physical well being. I come to seek Your heart this day. What would You like to say to me?

I see You holding up a large cloth, like a sheet and it is filled with holes of various sizes, there are more holes than there is cloth. I know before You speak that You want me to recognize the cloth as Your bride, Your church.

And then You say “each hole is someone who has left My body, walked or fallen away, out of hurt or disgust.” And I see the pain in Your eyes and the longing for a bride that is healed and whole. You fold the cloth carefully and hug it to Your chest, showing the love You have for the pieces of cloth between the holes, those that remain. “If many more leave, there will be nothing at all to hold My bride together.”

I knew we were far from being without spot or wrinkle Lord, but I am saddened at the desperate state you’ve shown me. I am in tears.

that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish Ephesians 5:27 NKJV

Turn to Me. Turn to love. Turn to truth. Rid yourselves of bitterness and envy. For truly My Spirit walks among you to lead you in My ways – if you but open your hearts. Every new soul builds the Kingdom, and this indeed is good. But every soul, once a part, that chooses to turn away, leaves an opening that the evil one longs to fill. What then shall you do? If one does so choose to go – as you continue to pray for them, draw closer to each other to repair the empty space.

I will knit you together in a tighter fashion in these days if you will allow Me.

Oh Lord God, may we be pliable threads in Your hands. We have failed on our watch and let the gaping holes remain. Choosing instead to stand firm in our own ways.

At times it is good to “stand” little one, and I call My people to “stand” often. But be ever listening, and prepared to move when I say “move”. Sometimes only the tiniest shift can move a mountain.

Love. Listen. Learn. And leap forward.

Happy New Year - Rosh Hashanah

It is traditional to eat apples dipped in honey on the first night of Rosh Hashanah. This is a prophetic act symbolizing hopes and prayers for a "sweet" year to come.

The following blessing for eating tree fruits is recited:

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree. (Amen)

Then the apple is dipped in honey, a bite is taken and prayer continues with a request for sweetness in the coming year:

May it be Your will, Lord our God and God of our ancestors, that you renew for us a good and sweet year.

I pray as well that all of the many fruits of the Spirit would grow more evident in our lives as we begin this new season.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 NIV