Pure Love!

Oh, how I feel the warmth of His touch and the caress across my tears as I pour out my longings to Him.  He takes me gently in His arms once again and reminds me that He began the work in me and will bring it to completion. It may not look the same as I hoped, but it will fulfill the purpose He has for me being on this earth. 

As I seek His face, the warmth of His touch heals the brokenness in my soul. He gently reminds me I am HIS and He will always be with me.   He pours healing oil upon my weary bones, aching heart and troubled mind.  

The King of Kings hung slumped, bloody, battered and beaten for me. What a reminder of the purest type of love and the deepest sacrifice for me, his warrior bride! I give Him the honor and glory He is due.  My bridegroom and my King!

                                                                            Forever in His Love,

                                                                                    Johanna

Philippians 1:6

I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (NASB)

Song of Solomon 3:4

...But I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go..(KJV)

Not My Will, But Yours!

Many bible verses refer to doing and praying God’s will. We are given these instructions to guide us.   Recently, I was reminded of this as I was praying for direction in a hard situation. The verses below really resonated with me and I pray they minister to each of you that may be in a hard spot and crying out to God.

1 John 5:14 : "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."

Jeremiah 42:3:  "That the Lord your God may tell us the way in which we should walk and the thing that we should do.”

Colossians 1:9:  "For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Matthew 6:9-13:  “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  ‘Your kingdom come.  Your will be done,  On earth as it is in heaven."  

Romans 1:10:  "Always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God  I may succeed in coming to you."

John 9:31:  "We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him."

Romans 8:27:  "And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 12:12: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

James 4:3: "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."

James 1:5:  "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Ephesians 1:17:  "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him."

Matthew 6:10:  ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.'

1 Thessalonians 5:18:  "In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Psalm 143:10:  "Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground."

Hebrews 10:7:  “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the book it is written of Me) To do Your will, O God.’

Hebrews 10:36:  "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."

Mark 3:35:  "For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

Lord,

I lay down my will for yours.  I lay down my agendas for yours.  I lay down my past and future plans for your plans.  I lay prostate before you, thanking you for always being there to show the way.  It is simply opening your word and praying your will that brings me peace, joy and rest in the middle of life’s storms.  Thank you for this gentle reminder.  I walk hand in hand with you, rejoicing in who I am and in what I believe.  Our wonderful counselor, savior, banner, praise, mighty God and prince of peace.

Amen!

Johanna

This IS The Way, Walk In It!

The path of a Christian life is riddled with ruts, boulders, steep inclines and sharp hair pinned turns.  When we find a smooth level place, it gives us a moment to catch our breath before the next sharp curve takes us close to careening hopelessly off the cliff. 

We must be alert, for the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion ready to gnash, shred and spit out our mangled minds and bodies.  Our soul cries out in anguish as the lion pierces yet another vulnerable area of our life.  When the end seems inevitable, he leaves un-expectantly moving on to the next victim at the cliffs edge.

We drag our bloodied bodies to shelter under a rock.  It is there the healing begins.  No more blazing sun on our open wounds.  No more dust swirling around landing on each raw open area.  The salve of the Holy Spirit reaches deep into the smallest hidden area, slowly healing each crevice.

Picking ourselves up, continuing one step at a time, mindful of the evil lurking behind each corner, each tree and each boulder, we look up drawing from His living water. 

The fresh wind tosses our hair and brushes against our cheeks.  Feeling the wind caressing our body, a sense of peace and joy enters every fiber of our being.  What refreshing, what much needed relief!

We truly have tasted again complete peace and comfort that only He gives.

Our paths are different but filled with similar challenges.  The ruts, boulders, cliffs, steep inclines and low, low valleys hit everyone from time to time.  

What do we do when hit with one of them?

For Example:

Do we hang on tight to our Healer, our banner and our comforter during the “hards” of life that pierce our hearts and torture our minds?

OR

Do we wear cement masks to cover up the pain and challenges from those around us, pretending everything is okay?

OR

Do we rattle off every sordid detail, leaving no stone unturned in our long, consistent and arduous battles, talking and talking but never listening to the Spirits voice?

What do we do?  Let us reflect on how we navigate these paths asking the Holy Spirit to guide us as we walk each step.

My Prayer:  I ask now that the Holy Spirit bring revelation to our hearts and souls, drawing us tightly to him no matter where the path takes us.  Let us be open and honest with ourselves as we seek HIS guidance for our lives.

Come Holy Spirit Come

You, Holy Spirit are our peace,

Our comforter and in whom

We hold onto during the storms.

Keep our eyes on you,

Let us soar once again

To tackle and overcome

Even in the depths of anguish and despair. 

Thank you for your loving kindness.

It washes over and through us

To bring healing.

Just when we desperately need it, 

You bring answers

To quench our thirsting soul.

Thank you for the resting place we find

In the shelter of the rock.

We give this path to you Lord, knowing it won’t be perfect, easy or pain free.  We trust in you.  You have healing in your wings and you guard us with an army of angels.

Humbly,

Johanna