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

Jesus My Good Samaritan

 

Calls me by name (My Sheep hear my voice John 10:10)

Binds up my wounds (Psalm 147:3)

Anoints my head with oil (Psalm 23:5)

Shelters me (He who covers thee with wings Psalm 91:4)

Sets my feet upon a rock (Psalm 40)

Sees me when I slumber (Psalm 121:7)

Collects my tears (Psalm 56:8)

Hears my cries (Psalm 40)

Bears my burdens (Matthew 11:28-30)

Bears my iniquities (By his stripes we are healed Isaiah 53:5)

Covers my sin (Come let us reason together Isaiah 1:18)

Reconciles me back to the Father (2 Corinthians 5:18)

Petitions for me night and day

Knows what I go through

He restores my soul (Psalm 23:3)

Leads me on the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:3)

Knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139)

Gave me the breath of life (Genesis 2:7)

Wakes me each day

Brings peace (Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6)

Lives within me (Holy Spirit)

Leads me to the promised land (Joshua 1:8)

Gives me courage (Joshua 1:8)

Sets the captives free (Isaiah 61:1)

Keeps plagues from me (Isaiah 91:5-7)

Prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies (Psalm 23:5)

Jesus shows us mercy on a daily basis and does all of these things. I encourage you to look up the scriptures and soak in the promises of God.

In what way is Jesus your good Samaritan?

Share it with me. I’m listening.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z

Walk Out of That Grave

 I’m comfortable in my grave.

The grave clothes scratch me reminding me of a time when I was alive.

I’ve been sitting here so long I don’t remember what it was like to live.

Are there birds outside this grave?

Does God still look after each one?

Does God still look after me even now in this tomb?

If I lift up my head and fix my eyes heavenward will he see me and take these grave clothes off of me?

I hear a whisper, a still small voice, Amy what are you doing here?

I’m hiding Lord, they’re all gonna laugh at me. It’s safe here.

There’s no life in the grave.

I have given you life abundantly, get up and walk.

Let me take the grave clothes off of you.

Look do you see that light?

Yes Lord.

Move toward it.

I can’t Lord I don’t want to move.

You can. I’m right here beloved.

Walk out of your grave.

The tomb is not meant for you.

I have promised you eternal life.

Life is what’s waiting for you.

It’s been there all along just waiting for you to move.

I’m afraid.

I know but my perfect love casts out fear.

Walk out of the grave.

Will you hold my hand?

My child I’m always here to catch you when you fall.

I will make straight your paths.

Ok Lord I’m walking out of here because you said so, but I need you Lord, every step of the way.

I need your love to be with me.

I always am with you. My love never fails.

Dear reader, are you ready to walk out of that grave you find yourself in?

Will you let the Lord take off your grave clothes?

Will you share your journey with me? I’m listening.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z.

Sacrifice of Praise

       I’m so blessed to have a pastor who pours into my life. Last night’s sermon was about resilient people praising through pain. I don’t believe I’m in any pain per se but it’s something I want to explore with you dear reader. When you come face to face with an obstacle do you turn to God or do you try to move it yourself? I try to move it myself. I think that I can move it in my own effort without turning to God. God probably would say go ahead, I’ll wait. God is waiting for us to come to him with the impossible areas of our lives. Nothing is impossible for God. That’s when we have to lean into God and let him move the obstacle.

For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37 KJV

So on to this concept of a sacrifice of praise. We have to praise the Lord no matter what we’re going through. There is healing in praise. There is intimacy with praise. We get to have a one on one encounter with God. A one on one moment where we set aside every sin that besets us and rejoice in the blessings God has given us.

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Hebrews 13:15 KJV

Can you take a moment dear reader and praise the Lord for all the situations he brought you through?

But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23 NLT

Heavenly Father I praise you. Thank you for all the blessings you’ve poured into my life. Thank you for life. I had moments where I didn’t want to live anymore, but you God reached into those moments and brought life back into this lifeless body. Thank you for shining the light of Christ into my life. Thank you for surrounding me with true followers of Christ. I praise you Lord for covering my sins with the blood of Jesus. I love you so much Lord and I pray for those reading this Lord that they would be able to rejoice in their hearts truly with a sacrifice of praise no matter what they are going through. Help them see where you’ve provided for them. Help them see where you’ve brought healing for them. Help them see where you have brought peace into their lives. Let them turn to you Lord and give you their burdens. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What sacrifice of praise are you offering to the Lord?

Share it with me. I’m listening.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z

There’s Strength in Weeping

       When I was eight years old at my favorite uncle’s funeral my dad told me not to cry. Trying to please my dad I didn’t cry at funerals after that for a very long time. I didn’t cry at my own brother’s funeral. It took me a long time to actually cry at a funeral. Dear reader it was so very hard and hurtful to not cry. I feel the Lord telling me, there’s strength in weeping. It takes great strength to know that you need to break down and great courage to actually do it. I’m holding back my tears as I write this but I want to let them flow. I’ve come to the realization that there’s a lot of work that needs to happen for me emotionally before I can be free of all the baggage I carry. I want to offload it here, but now is not the time. I’m still processing the revelations of what I need to work on. I carry a heavy load, a heavy burden if you will. I’m so used to living my old way of life that I’m having a hard time living in the freedom I so desperately want to have. There is freedom with Christ. God has shown me I’m a new creation, but I’m a work in progress. I have in no way arrived, but boy do I sure want to get this progress quickly. It’s a process that I need to go through.

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5b NLT

I’d like to change that last line to joy comes with the mourning. We have to mourn our losses if we are to be truly free. We have to mourn our disappointments. What disappointments are you carrying around? Will you share them with me? One of my major disappointments is that I have never been married. I’ve never had a good relationship. I’ve never been in love and I so desperately want to have a family, a husband and children and on this side of things it’s hard not to question God and wonder if it will ever happen. I believe I do have a family in my future but it’s the waiting that is so hard. So I mourn the loss of my youth. I’m not as young as I used to be and I want a family before I get much older than I am now. I have faith that it will happen I just don’t know when it will happen. So back to weeping. There’s so much healing in tears and do you know that God’s word says he collects every one?

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8 NLT

God sees us when we weep and our tears do not go to waste.

What do you need to mourn the loss of?

Will you share it with me?

I’m here. I’m listening.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z