Voice of God: Psalm 139

 Search me, o God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts; point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me on the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24 NLT

Amy: Ok God I feel stuck, can you get me out of this season?

God: All seasons were created by me. You aren’t stuck you’re moving forward into all the blessings I have in store for you. Don’t forget I am a fact not a feeling. Your feelings are deceiving you-let go and grab onto me.

Amy: Why can’t I feel you the way others feel you? I want to feel your presence in the depths of my soul.

God: My relationship with you cannot be compared to others. I’ve given you gifts and talents that I haven’t given to others. Don’t compare yourself. You can’t compare yourself to them because there is no one else like you and you are in different stages of maturity.

Amy: Is there a blockage God? Is that why I Don’t feel you?

God: No beloved there isn’t a blockage. It’s ok for you to feel how you feel. It’s ok for you to open up to me. I will not hurt you. I’m here for you. You are growing and changing day by day. You’re getting closer to the purpose I have for your life. Don’t give up. Don’t stop.

Amy: I don’t want to give up but sometimes it’s hard because I don’t feel you. I have to remind myself my relationship with you is based on facts and not feelings.

God: Beloved you don’t feel me when you let other things take your focus off of me. The anxiety for example to a certain degree you control it. You cast your thoughts on the future hoping to gain control or have power. Let your future rest in my hands. You don’t know what is to come. Only I do. Why don’t you come to me with questions about your tomorrow?

Amy: But God what if you can’t be trusted? What if you’re going to fail me? What if I have to live my life without you?

God: You perceive a future without me and it is never to be. I have never failed you and I won’t start now. You can trust me my child.

Amy: Lord will you give me the strength to bear the challenges in my life? Will your grace cover me?

God: My power is made perfect in weakness when you are weak I am strong. I am the strength of your life. You can borrow my strength.

Amy: When will you set me completely free from the anxiety?

God: When you completely let it go. Stop casting your cares onto anxiety and cast them to me. I can bear the weight of your burdens; you cannot.

Do you come to me?

 

Jesus went to his cousin John to be baptized. John replies “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” So often we question when God comes to us to do a great work. We think surely God could do something far mightier either on his own or with someone besides us. However, there are people out there who won’t listen to God himself but will listen to you. Why? Because you are an example of a life changed by Christ and people will be more open to hearing about your conversion and your testimony. So I encourage you dear readers don’t think surely God should use someone else. It is an honor to be chosen by the Lord and I know what you’re thinking, but I can’t possibly do that (whatever God has called you to do). You can because God has equipped you with the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is within you and can help you do whatever task God has called you to.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. Matthew 3:13-15 NIV

Jesus also was unable to do miracles in the city he grew up in Nazareth.

And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:57-58 NLT

Jesus said we would do greater works than what he did. Again I repeat, people won’t listen to Christ himself, but will listen to you. Will you take the time to share what God has done for you with someone this week?

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. John 14:12 NLT

Who do you need to reach out to today?

Don’t delay, you are a blessing and will bless those you reach out to.

What do you need prayer for today?

Share it with me.

I’m listening.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z

Obedience Don't Delay

       So God prompted me to pray for someone at church last night and I didn’t. I was given a second opportunity to pray and I asked her brother if I could pray for her. They didn’t have the time for me to pray for them right then and there. If I had prayed for her when first prompted I could’ve done so. God knew I would not obey. He also knew that I would have that second opportunity. So often I question was it really God that prompted me or just my own idea. The beauty of it is that even if it wasn’t God it will still bless that person. God’s in it anyways because he’s in you. So I encourage you if you feel the Lord prompting you don’t delay. Act now. Whatever it may be, whether it’s a job offer you need to take, your marriage that needs saving, your kids that need to know you love them. Whatever it is be obedient anyways because God’s in it because he’s in you. God’s word says:

¹⁰ For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

¹¹ So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11

His word will not come back void. So step out in faith and be obedient. It will bless you.

What has God called you to do?

Share it with me.

I’m listening.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z

Grief Does Not Keep Time

        Grief does not keep time. Grief may lessen over time but it has no timeline as to when you will be relieved of your grief. I know something about grief. Grief hit my home when I was 8 years old and my favorite uncle died of cancer. It hit again at 12 when my grandpa died of heart disease. It hit again when I was 15 when my brother died in a car accident. It hit again when I was 19 and my grandma died of complications from diabetes. It hit again when both my dad’s parents died when I was 24. It hit again when I was 30 and my aunt died of lung cancer. Those are just a few examples of the people who have passed. There are many more. That’s a lot of deep hurt to deal with in my short 40 years of life.

However, Jesus brings light to the deepest hurt of our lives. He is the only one who can relieve us of our grief. It is he who brings peace that surpasses all understanding. Jesus has given me peace. There is a small residue of grief left over with  my brother but the rest of the deaths no longer grip me with grief. God released me of my grief over my brother in 2013. I was finally ready to let go of the death that had such a prolonged grip on me. I miss my family that has passed but I know one day I will see them again for with Christ it is goodbye for now but not forever.

Let’s consider the following scripture:

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort: who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

God is there to comfort us in our grief. Why does he do it? Because of his great love and mercy for us, but also so we can comfort those who are grieving.

Can I bring some comfort to you from my experience? Don’t be hard on yourself. Grieve how you grieve. It’s ok to yell, cry, be angry, be numb, it’s ok to feel joy, it’s ok to let go of the grief. It’s ok to live your life and move on. Your loved one would not want you to punish yourself. Let go of the guilt. Whatever way you grieve go ahead and grieve. For those who are comforting those who are grieving just listen. Just hold their hand and sit in silence with them if that’s what they need. Be there for them. I know when my brother passed I lost a lot of friends. I’m not sure why. I think because they thought death was contagious. That if it happened to me it could happen to them. I just think they didn’t know what to say. So I encourage you be there for your loved one who’s grieving. Your presence will make a difference in their lives.

Those of you that are still grieving over your loss I encourage you to write a letter to your loved one telling them all you want to say. The last thing I would’ve said to each would be I love you and I’m sorry I didn’t appreciate you more. I miss you. I can’t wait to see you in heaven.

What’s one thing you want your loved one to know?

What’s the last thing you would have said?

I’m here. I’m listening.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z

God Speaks: Shift for the Increase

 My child I’m here. Stay in my word. I love you. I really want you to hold onto my hand and hear me. My love for you is limitless. My scope of influence is limitless. I am there in all your todays and tomorrows. Stop looking for things to be anxious about and just look to me. I will carry you through. Your attitude about work is shifting. I am causing the shift so I can move you into your next blessing. Stretch out your tent for the increase. I am blessing you abundantly, not just finance wise but spiritual blessings as well. You will come out a purer form of gold. Stronger than when you went in. You are stronger than you know, so much stronger. The codependency is being lifted. You are being set more and more free each week. Trust me. I’m doing it for your good. I won’t hurt you.

Behold I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

What is God shifting in your life?

What is God speaking to you?

I'm here. I'm listening.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z