Raise Up

From my devotional, The One Year Devotional, by Larry Stockstill: Often we cry to God for relief from the enemy, but God is waiting for us to arise and get involved in the spiritual warfare.

                God has always helped me in the situation. So often I’ve asked for peace in the anxiety before the situation, but the Lord didn’t bring peace until I was in the situation. For instance, I’m asking for help with something at work. God cannot help me if I don’t do it. He will help me when I do it. Just like anything at work. He will help me when the situation comes.

                It’s just interesting to think God is waiting on me to take action and then he will rise up. In some things I need only to stand still just like the Israelites. Sometimes they needed only to stand still and God fought for them, sometimes he told them to march around a wall. Sometimes he sends the praise music in front of the army.

What’s God asking you to do today?

Is it to stand still while he fights your battles?

Is it to raise what God has given you up to part the Red Sea? Moses had to raise his staff to part the Red Sea.

Is it to march around the wall of your Jericho?

Is it to seek his face?

Pray about it and God will reveal it to you.

And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: Is not the Lord gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor and ten thousand men after him. Judges 4:14

God’s people took action.

What do you need to take action on today?

What item/tool/characteristic has God given you that you need to raise up to part the waters?

What would you part the waters with?

What do you need to do Amy?

I need to let go of laziness and procrastination and confidence is the characteristic I need to raise up.

Raise up dear readers.

Get up.

Take action.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z

Refining FIre

I’m under God’s refining fire right now. I feel a shifting in my way of thinking. I feel new freedom coming my way but boy is it uncomfortable. Sometimes it hurts a little. I know that God is with me and he’s bringing a new thing in my life. I prayed to God for me to be different. I prayed for a transformed and renewed mind. I prayed, Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10)

I no longer want to live my life the way I’ve been living. Full of anxiety and fear that just hits me right when I wake up some mornings. I don’t always feel that way but I just want to be free from these feelings. I want to trust God more. I want to lean on him. His word says when I am weak then he is strong. I want God to be the strength of my life. I just don’t quite know how to get there. I know though all these little things that are testing me are a refining fire. I’ll come out a brighter light for Christ than I was before.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4

Behold I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10 (ESV)

How about you dear readers?

Are you under God’s refining fire?

Share with me.

You are not alone, nor is it a surprise that we are being tested.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z

Letter To Myself

           Dear reader,

           I believe the Lord spoke this word to me through my writing. I believe it can bless you like it blesses me. Just insert your name where my name is and you too can hear from the Lord. Is there an area of your life that you worry over all the time? This may help you too.

          Amy there is no need to worry. You are capable of doing each task I’ve put before you. I will not give you a task that I have not already equipped you to do. I will not put you in a situation that you can’t handle. No one at work is trying to hurt you. You are safe there. You are in charge there and I’m the one who put you in charge. It is no accident that you are at your job. It is for the saving of many lives. It has been for the saving of many lives already. You’ve touched the lives of many. You’re going to continue to touch the lives of many. You touch the lives of many different groups, different ages, different cultures. You make a difference in the lives of many. You are a blessing. Stop thinking there’s something wrong with you and start living a set free life. You are no longer in bondage. You are set free. I have set you free there is no situation that I have not already approved beforehand because I know how you will handle yourself. You are loved. It’s ok Amy. You are ok. There’s no one trying to hurt you.  You are free! Amy just be your beautiful self. You have a beautiful heart and are a beautiful person. You’ve got the right heart for every situation you will face. God is giving you challenges a little at a time maturing you slowly. It’s ok, you’re ok. 

Life is good, you have a good life. 

Enjoy life.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z