Removals must happen in the restoration of a garden. Maybe one begins with pulling up weeds and pruning branches. Then, like the garden of my life, bigger plants and trees are sometimes needed to be removed if they are dead or causing the majority of the garden to wither and fade. All is cleared, and soil is being worked in preparation for new planting, that is where I am at. It is wonderful. It was not an easy process. It is hard to let go of what you wanted your garden to be and what you wanted planted that did not work out, but make no mistake this garden will be beautiful and fruitful and free! So, friend, start the process, let the removals continue and clear away the clutter. Yield to the Lords plans and your garden will be fruitful and beautiful too. A place to be free and thrive, yours and his! Like me when the clearing is done, you may find surprises that were planted there and are already springing up!
Category: Encouragement
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Sanctified Emotions
Today I learned that when God is pressing on my emotions, it isn’t as I was lead to believe. Compassion doesn’t mean what I thought it should. Sometimes he is wanting me to pray and intercede. He isn’t always wanting me to allow people back in and dream about it, no he wants me protected and whole. I understood that yielding myself and emotions to him is good, but it doesn’t mean what I thought it did. Yes, it is maturity, and it is also protection and liberation from narcissistic abuse. I am so grateful to understand this today. Of course my emotions, feelings, longings, and needs have also been used by me and others to get me back in the grasp of the narcissist or toxic people, but not anymore. Now, I can be me, be used by God and effective, but remain protected with strong boundaries. This is a miracle for me. I pray you would have insight into you and how you have been talked into things, people and places that you don’t belong in, and insight into the growth God has worked in you!
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Resistance Training
Resistance training greatly increased today! In it I saw the work God has done in me and my family. I am in awe of the strength, perseverance, and more that showed today in our lives. It wasn’t easy! It wasn’t all fun, but we are smiling and laughing now. We overcame and faced the circumstances around and in us. To God be the Glory for the things he has done!!! Today is evidence of sonship and the goodness of God. Friend, as you face challenges I want to encourage you to be still from time to time, your eyes will be opened to so much right around you that busyness seems to blind us to, and continue on, (don’t give up)! Turn to God often during the day and night, you will see the goodness of God in the land of the living. He is faithful!
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Rearranging for the New
A lot of rearranging for new furniture and assignments has gone on in my house for the last month. Today was extra busy in the preparations for the new. It is new assignments and things to put our hands too. Sometimes it takes a lot of tries to find the most functional spot for things in our homes and lives. It is worth the effort and time, for when things are in order the new direction and furniture can come. It isn’t the most comfortable thing to do and can be a challenge to fit the old that needs to be kept and put it where it will become the most complimentary to the new assignments and furniture. It did not begin with the means or ideas of the new, no it began with letting go. It began with tidying up and making way, it began with not as much to do. Each day has brought a new step, idea, more direction and a key piece of furniture, finally. I have been uncomfortable, but filled with joy! I am embracing the new, watching and listening closely for direction, and letting go at the same time! May you move forward in expectation today friend!!!
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Take Courage!
In my time with the Lord today, I found myself saying, “I will take courage!” This was after a morning greeting, and thanksgiving for the directions, answers and help I asked for yesterday that he helped me receive and act on. He is so good! I am glad I decided to take courage. It maybe that as I was declaring this, he was bringing it up in me. The Holy Spirit is good like that! I need that courage right now, how about you? It is important to keep our eyes on Jesus and what he says and is doing. If the fire gets hotter, we need only remember there is a fourth man in the fire with us, if he is Lord of your life, he is of mine! I am remembering to bathe in his love, and increase my joy through trust in him and peace. May he show you what you need from him to come out the other side of this time stronger and above it all! I am setting my eyes above the swirl and though I deal with the circumstances, I will not dwell in them. May the Lord impart to you, what you need today friend. He is good and he is working!!!
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Forward Soldier, in Joy!
Today marks a new day for me! I have walked into the new! It is fresh air I am breathing. I am detoxing and that isn’t always easy, but I have decided it is fun! Fun, because I can breathe, I am healing and the toxins are leaving my body and being! Take a deep breath in today with me friend! The timing is priceless because it is Resurrection Sunday! Our Lord reset everything that day! So if like me, you need a fresh start, let him lead you to life, and a new day! I celebrate with you today friend, Jesus and the life he has for you! The old is over! Forward Soldier, in Joy!
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Angry Birds!
These birds are angry! Instead of just fending them off or shooing them away, a new tactic is what I have decided to implement. It is what we do naturally to shoo away the thoughts and little nuisances,(they can get quite disruptive). Today I realized that doing the same thing has not worked. It is not that I wouldn’t have done something different, it just wasn’t the right time, or I wasn’t ready.
Today I am going to swim in the river, get saturated in the love of God, and sit and be still with him, and as we are enjoying the food and fishing, I am going to use the built up Word I have in me and the revelations from spoken words and encounters with him to deal with these angry birds!
After a while they began to try to disrupt our feasting and enjoying of our time together. They began to try and dive bomb me and get me off the path, or to run away for cover. But Jesus is here with me and a great covering. It is just time to mature and allow the work to be deployed. Don’t run, don’t try to just swat them, but let the exousia power of God bring the armor on, then me and mine will not look like a target and the constant circling and dive bombing will not be tempting to these angry birds! Oh, sure one or two may try to dive in from time to time, but will quickly learn their lesson when they hit that armour!!! It is a new way of resisting the enemy that he would flee! I pray an impartation and revelation for you as you read this today! I am receiving it now too!
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Sitting to Fish!
I thought I would share a bit of my time with Jesus today, I pray it blesses you!
Sitting beside Jesus in a boat today and I said: “Lord let’s fish in this lake today, where the rivers of love converge. I want to sit still, and just be. I also want to fish and chat with you. I want to set before you a picnic I have made to feast on with you! Would you lead me in this endeavor today? “Let’s go!”, he said with enthusiasm. I like your fishing hat Lord, mine has butterflies! I have to say your inviting smile is even better! I want to catch butterflies today too!”
Sitting in the boat, I turned and asked: “Lord what is on your mind today?” “Increasing Joy,” is what he said. “Lord increase my joy! Give me a deeper revelation of the joy of you being my strength!!!
“Is there anything I need or you need to address in order for me to have more or increased joy?” “Strength, longevity, perseverance, hope? Impart to me what I need today. Show or tell me what I need to change.” He said: “Trust.” “What about trust?” “That I have a good plan for you no matter what happens or things look like.” “Lord, I will trust you, but will you help me?” “Yes“, he replied! “I need past trauma healed, removed. Things like abandonment and fear, doubt, and unbelief, and I do not partner with these things or lack anymore. Forgive me Lord!” “I do!” “Oh, just help me Lord! I say yes and help me to!!! I trust you Lord, and I let go of it all today. In fact let us go to the shore and I am going to through these stones into the waters to sink and be carried away.”
Sitting on the bank ,”Lord I brought food to share…cabbages, carrots, pie, and cake, honey, and pomegranate and apples too! What else do you want to say to me today, anymore on joy?” “Peace.” I asked: “What about peace Lord?” “Peace is essential to grow more joy. It keeps the foxes from stealing the fruit and taking your hope. In hardship and celebration, you can have peace.” “Lord, where does peace come from?” “Me, knowing me and remembering who I am for you! Peace isn’t moved by storms.” “Lord, increase, give me a deeper level of peace!”, I exclaimed. “Ok, Here, receive it from me! Rehearse what I have done for you and others. This will help you to hold onto it.” “I trust you Lord, I lean into your joy and strength!
“Now Lord, let us go for a swim in the rivers of Love and soak a while!”
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Rivers of Love!
Today I want to get lost, drowned, in your rivers of Love Lord. Saturate me and dunk me good! I need the refreshment and to be filled! I am headed to the place where these rivers converge. Maybe you want to leave the banks and dive in with me today. Maybe you will start out standing in the shallows, or swimming , but me I have dove in head first, now let your waves crash down over me Lord. Fill me with your love for your people and a holy reverence toward you! Let the wounds of the past and disappointments from past seasons wash away. Renew me Lord. I think I will swim a while here, friend! I hope you do today too! (I will go now for the King of Kings has entered the scene and has joined me and I must laugh and be with him awhile!!!)
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Doors of Abundance!
I don’t know why some doors are more difficult to enter through, but they, at least, seem to be. Today I sense an opportunity to enter a door of faithfulness that leads to abundance! One step in and the changes begin immediately. It is choosing to no longer partner with old voices of shame and lack, and embracing the abundant life Jesus paid a heavy price for, for me and you friend! It does begin with a choice and there are giants that want to deter us from entry, but the blood of the lamb is covering so, they can only mock and discourage. Maybe like me today, one of the giants is a lying mirror of mockery, but that mirror is from a fun house and is not reflecting true, turn your thoughts away from it, and the jibes being hurled from it of past failures and who the enemy wants you to be. This is what I am doing! My life is not my own and the one who loves and has redeemed me is calling me through the open door. Let us run today friend, through those open doors!
Butterfly Vuela 