God Speaks: I Believe in You

             God speaks to me in my journal and I believe this will bless you too! This is straight out of my journal verbatim what I believe God is speaking to me. 

Then Christ will make his home in your heart as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Ephesians 3:17 NLT

My beloved child I’m here. Do not fear, doubt or worry. I am at work in your life and I can use every season you are in. Don’t worry about your attitude keep coming to me and I will bring you peace. You will have my peace that surpasses all understanding. I will bring peace to your heart and your situation. I love you very much and I believe in you. You can do the task of the programs, take it one step at a time. One bite at a time. Look at all that shredding you did. You had a mountain to shred and little by little you did it and it was done. This task is just like that. Take it one step at a time. You will have a craft week by week for your patrons. Don’t worry embrace my love. You will not fail at this for I am with you. I am always with you. Have faith in me for I am with you. I love you my beloved. You worry about much. This need not be so. I love you with an everlasting love. I am with you. I have proven myself to you on a daily basis. Let go of your fear and hold onto me. I am Lord over your life. I have big things awaiting you. They will come at the appointed time. You will lead a full life. I have created it for you before you were ever born. You will glorify me.

I have prepared a husband for you. You will meet him soon. In my timing. You don’t have to worry about how old you are. I have extended your years to hold all the blessings I have coming your way. Reread your journal I am with you in every word you write. Continue to share it with others, it’s blessing them. I have created you to shine my light on every person you meet. I love you with an everlasting love. You need not doubt me. I will always be with you. Cling to me. Stop trying to live your life without me. Usher me into every place you go. I am within you. This letter is proof that I am with you. That I hear you. That I love you. I cherish this time together. Embrace my truth. All the doubt, worries and fears are all lies. Some from the enemy, some from the flesh. You know what to do. Speak a word of truth over every lie.  Grab a scripture and let it wash over you with peace. There is peace in my word follow it, meditate on it, read it don’t stop, don’t give up I am here always. I love you my beloved.

What is the Lord speaking to you dear reader? 

Share it with me. 

I'm listening.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z

Wrestle Well: The Match between Faith and Fear

           Dear readers I’m so grateful to be coming to you out of a week that was a challenge. My first few days of the week I was crippled by fear and anxiety. I didn’t use the tools I have to challenge my fears and anxieties. So I did not wrestle well. I wrestled with my fear and anxiety and they won for a little while. Here’s my prayer to God: teach me to wrestle well between my faith and my feelings. The term wrestle well comes from Lysa Teurkeurst book It’s Not Supposed to be This Way. I so want to be able to let go of my feelings and rely more on my faith. I know about the goodness of God. I’ve seen it. Let’s look at a biblical example.

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, what is thy name? and he said, Jacob. And he said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. Genesis 32:24-28

Jacob wrestled well, he knew his strengths and weaknesses and he learned the weaknesses of his opponent. He refused to release the man until he blessed him. So too must we refuse to let our fear block the blessing that’s coming our way. It’s important that we know the weaknesses of our opponent. It’s important to pit our strengths against our opponent’s weaknesses. For me it’s important to know the weaknesses of fear and anxiety and the biggest weakness is they reveal themselves for the lie that they are once the light of God’s word and truth comes upon them. Jacob got a blessing at the end of his struggle. So too will you find a blessing at the end of your struggle or even in the midst of them. Sometimes when we wrestle we do not leave unscathed. Jacob ended up with a limp and a new name. So too may you end up with a limp, but God has a huge blessing coming your way. I’m sure that Jacob came away with a renewed appreciation of the goodness of God and what he had done for him. I’m also sure that Jacob came away with a new perspective. We hear it in God’s word where he said, “And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved” (Genesis 32:30 KJV). If you want to read the whole wrestling match see Genesis 32:22-32 KJV.

So God shifted my perspective. I had to do something that I didn’t want to do at work and it was a big challenge for me. I was overcome by fear and anxiety, but on the third day my confidence grew and I began to think I can do this. God shifted my perspective by showing me that I am capable of doing this new task at work. I fully believe God has a huge blessing for me on the other side of this. I was sitting on my break and wanted to write in my journal. I needed a pen. My water bottle was blocking the pen and God showed me that my fear is blocking my view of my blessing. Don’t let your blessing get blocked. Open up your eyes, shift your perspective, and see the blessing God has in the challenge you’re facing. I promise you God is going to work things out for your good.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 KJV

Christine Caine says in her book Undaunted, “Fear and faith cannot coexist.” This is so true. My fear blocked my faith this week for a little while. I had an outburst of rage on my way home from work Tuesday night. That was my fear talking. By Wednesday night God had shifted my perspective and I was coming at the challenge from a place of faith instead of fear. I began to see the limitless blessings that are coming my way. I am going to be a new creation on the other side of it. Yes, it’s uncomfortable. Yes, it's a challenge. Yes, some days will be harder than others but on the other side of all that is a new way of life for me. I cannot bring my old way of living into the new blessings.

So what are you wrestling with dear reader?

Share it with me. I’m listening.

I pray your faith perseveres.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z

Meet at the Point of Sacrifice

     Dear readers I’m at a crossroads. Live a life fully surrendered to Christ or go my own way without him. I’ve come to realize that when things are out of my control I become anxious, worried and afraid. News flash for me, you have no control! When new things come my way, especially at work, I fall apart a little on the inside and I think to myself I can’t handle this. That is a lie from the pit of hell because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). So tonight Pastor Paul talked about Abraham going up the mountain to sacrifice Isaac while God sent an angel on the other side of the mountain to send a ram up the mountain to meet at the point of sacrifice. That phrase, meet at the point of sacrifice, stood out to me. It got me thinking. Can I sacrifice my control, can I sacrifice my wants and demands and accept the ram that the Lord has sent up the mountain for me? Can I even sacrifice the promises of God like Abraham did? Isaac was the one promised to Abraham. The one through whom all his generations would be blessed. Yet Abraham was willing to sacrifice his beloved son, his promise because God asked him to. Can I sacrifice this book on the altar of obedience? Can I let go and greet God with open hands? You know what I love about this story? It didn’t end with Abraham sacrificing his promised one. It ended with God providing the ram so Abraham got to keep the promise and the Lord provided a sacrifice for him to be obedient. He met him at the point of sacrifice and gave him the blessings of a nation. So too I believe the Lord will honor those who sacrifice the promises to God. It shows God that we want him more than anything else. So I give it to you Lord this book, have your way with it Lord, do what you will.

    I believe God is asking us to sacrifice our very lives on the altar of his love. We should sacrifice out of a place of genuine love for God. His word says:

    And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1 NLT

    So give your bodies as a sacrifice and worship him in all that you do. Let God have his way in your life and do his will. So I believe the Lord is showing me I must sacrifice daily. What do you have to sacrifice? For me it’s control. I’ve got to stop believing I have control over things because I really don’t. It’s detrimental to me to believe I have control. I just want to believe in the Lord’s will for my life. I just want to enjoy my life and do my best. I love what Romans 12:2 says.

    Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

    I love this, I want God to transform me. I believe he is changing the way I think. I’ve got some challenges at work and I need an attitude adjustment because I’m coming at it in fear instead of faith.

    So will you pray for me dear readers that I walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV)?

    How can I be praying for you? I’m here. I’m listening.

    Do you know what will happen as you climb the mountain of obedience and offer your life as a living sacrifice? God will meet you at the top of the mountain with exactly what you need to live a life fully surrendered to him.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z

God Speaks: Limitless Love

 

    I have moments in my journal where God speaks to my heart and ministers to me. These are letters that the Lord spoke to me through my writing. I hope they bless you as much as they bless me. This is straight out of my journal.

8/2/20

       My child I’m here. I want you to know how much I love you. I love you infinitely. I love you more than the galaxies I created. I love you more than the fish in the sea. My love for you is vast and limitless. I love you with an everlasting love. Don’t worry for anything for I am with you. Be strong and courageous. I have equipped you for each task that I bring your way. It is to grow you up. It is to stretch your tent. I am doing it in my own time for your good. I love you beloved. I will never leave you nor forsake you. You can believe that I will do what I said I will do. A husband you need not worry I am preparing his heart for you and I’m preparing your heart for him. You won’t have to make an effort to find him. He will come to you. My child, I’m still here. Give up your anxiety. Give it over to me each time. Keep fighting it you are already free of it. Keep working hard and doing your best. I love you with an everlasting love. Don’t forget it. My beloved, I’m here. Love always.

    What is the Lord ministering to your heart through this letter?

    Share it with me.

    I’m here, I’m listening.

    Genuinely Yours,

    Amy Z

Stay in Your Chains

Do you feel stuck in your situation? Do you feel like there’s no way out? Have you ever thought that God has you right where he wants you? Have you thought about those that are going to come to Christ because of your testimony? There were two disciples who wound up in prison. Paul and Silas. Did they sing sad songs of why me and have pity parties of despair? No. The bible states that they were singing songs and praying.

²⁵ But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. ²⁷ And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. ²⁸ But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

²⁹ Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

³¹ So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:25-31

Paul and Silas were set free from their chains but they didn’t leave their prison. Why? Because of the jailer who was going to come to know Christ and hear the gospel. Sometimes the Lord has you in prison because of those around you who are in bondage and will be set free. It’s important to discern the Lord’s voice to know when to stay and when to go.

And do you know what happened after the jailor gave his heart to Christ? Paul and Silas went back to prison. They were released the next morning but they went back to the prison. Why? Because the jailor would’ve been executed if they had shown up missing. They sacrificed their freedom for a little while so that the jailor could be free from the bondage of sin and give his heart to Christ.

With this covid19 virus do you feel like you don’t serve a purpose where God has you? I kind of feel that way, which surprises me because I feel like my job is a calling God has placed on my life. We don’t have as many customers as we used to and I miss interacting with them and I question am I making a difference? The answer is yes of course I am because I am shining the light of Christ into everyone I meet. Christ is setting the captives free. Even if I shine the light of Christ into just one person I’m making a difference. I encourage you to stay put where you are in this moment and ask God where he wants you to be.

Don’t worry.

He’ll show you the way.

Pray and sing songs while you wait.

Maybe God is waiting for you to ask him the right question.  

He’s listening.

Raise up your voice to his tuned in ears.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z

Stretch Out Your Tents

God is calling me out of my comfort zone to stretch me and grow me. God will grow us even in our failings and mistakes. Peter is a fine example of someone who made a mistake and was still used by God. On the day Christ was crucified Peter denied knowing Christ three times. Three times! This did not stop Jesus from giving him a commission to feed his sheep and build his church. So too will Christ give us a second chance when we make mistakes. Even when we make mistakes daily Christ is with us. Christ is with us and wants us to succeed so he gives us multiple chances. His grace never fails us. He will always give us another chance to prove ourselves to him. Christ wants to take us from where he found us to be closer to him and more like him. Christ wants us to shine his light into other’s lives. Christ did this with Peter. God called Peter out of his comfort zone. When Peter met Christ he was a fisherman and his name was Simon. Christ changed Simon’s name to Peter which means rock. Christ turned Peter from a fisherman into a fisher of men, a disciple of Christ. After Christ died Peter was instrumental in building up the first church and ministering to the hearts of thousands.

There’s another apostle that the Lord spoke to after his death and resurrection. His name was Saul and when Saul met Christ he persecuted Christians. Christ changed his name to Paul and Paul wrote much of the new testament. He was instrumental in spreading the gospel throughout the world. Christ has a way of changing us from who we were to who he made us to be. I fully believe that those of you reading this will be used by Christ in a mighty way. I believe Christ is telling us all to stretch out our tents so that we can hold the increase that is coming our way. He’s building us up for his kingdom to reach out to those that only we can reach out to. There are people out there who wouldn’t listen if Christ himself was speaking to them, but will listen to what you have to say. Why? Because they know you and when you have a life transformed by Christ it speaks volumes. I encourage you dear readers speak of what Christ has done for you it will make a difference in someone’s life.

    Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be though confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. Isaiah 54:2-4 (KJV)

    I love the above scripture. In verse 5 it speaks of the Lord as our husband which I just love. I believe the Lord is stretching us out of our comfort zone to increase the influence we will have on others. We are being set free from anxiety, doubt, worry, fear. The word says perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18) and the Lord is casting that fear away from us much like a fisherman casts his nets away from him. The net of our fears will bring back the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22-23)

    So here’s where I’m at dear readers. I believe the Lord is stretching me. He’s taking me past my comfort zone so I can be who he called me to be. Much like he called Peter and Paul. Much like he’s calling you. You may think that the Lord is not using you right where you are at, but I want you to know that he is using you right where you are. No matter what you do in life the Lord is using you to shine a light into people’s lives. Are you a Christ follower? If you are, you do shine the light of Christ out of you and God has a mighty work he wants you to do so cast out the net of your fear and catch some fruits of the Spirit.

What’s the Lord stretching your tents to receive?

I believe the Lord is going to increase the audience for this blog and my book, Set Free Through Christ Who Strengthens Me. I can’t wait to see the lives that are going to change by God using me to reach out to the lost and the hurting.

Thank you dear reader I so appreciate the opportunity to share a piece of my walk with Christ with you.

What’s God calling you to do?

Can you take a step toward it today and walk by faith and not by sight?

Share it with me. I’m listening.

Genuinely Yours,

Amy Z

Breaking Through

I came across a new author on Facebook called John Roedel. He wrote this book called Hey God, Hey John. He writes and God speaks to him. So he’ll write Me: and ask a question or give a statement and then he’ll write God and God responds. It is so cool and reminds me so much of what God does through me. God will say to me in my journal my child I’m here and I know it’s God because I definitely don’t call myself my child. I’m veering off the reservation a little bit so let me get back on track. So a friend of mine posted some of Roedel’s work and it just really spoke to me. I don’t want to include it here because his work belongs to him. Look on my Facebook page for today and you’ll find what I’m talking about. Part of his conversation with God was him saying that he’s falling apart and he said he’s breaking down and God’s response was you are breaking through. So I took you’re breaking through and ran with it.

What I like best about this is that the breaking through is just so powerful. I’m breaking through anxiety. I’m breaking through fear. I’m breaking through depression. I’m breaking through lust. I’m breaking through unforgiveness. I’m breaking through lack of confidence. I’m breaking through disappointment. I’m breaking through hardship. I’m breaking through just surviving. I’m breaking through rejection. I’m breaking through lack of self-worth. I’m breaking through what people think of me. I’m breaking through the walls of my heart. Little by little, inch by inch I’m breaking through everything that has me tethered to my past. I’m breaking through wishful thinking. I’m breaking through a wondering mind. I’m breaking through soul ties. I’m breaking through all the weight I’ve carried for all these years. I’m breaking through waiting for a husband. I’m breaking through waiting for my future children to come along. I’m breaking through and I’m lifting my hands to the sky and asking Jesus to take all my burdens. To take what does not serve me well and transform and renew my mind. I’m breaking through legalism. I am not bound to the law I am set free by the Spirit. Grace abounds. I’m breaking through hiding who I truly am. The mask is off. This is me I’ve come so far and I don’t intend to turn back now.

God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. Romans 5:20 NLT

What is your breaking through moment today?

Share your thoughts with me.

I’m listening.

Genuinely Yours,
Amy Z.