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The thief wants to steal your security

Jeremiah 29:13 (AMP) Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

I have been given a lot of thought to what it means to be secure lately. Why? Within the first few days of school one of my youngest son’s friends was shot and killed catching a ride home (he was 16). It was a senseless murder and it has shaken me pretty hard. This boy was a son to so many of us in the community. He had been in my home many times. It has been years since he had been around us, but we still kept up with what he was doing. Then he was gone. My heart breaks for his mother as she could not even say goodbye, because it was instant.

So why I am focused on being secure? That is exactly what the enemy wants to steal in this moment. That was the first thing he stole in the garden. The first emotion felt outside of the will of God was fear, and not the reverential kind about His greatness.

Genesis 3:8-10 (AMP) And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool [afternoon breeze] of the day, so the man and his wife hid and kept themselves hidden from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to Adam, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

There is a funeral coming up, and it is going to be a big one with many in attendance. They are going to want all of his friends sitting together, all of his past team mates (including my youngest). This mama is in prayer, because although they have some suspects in custody for the murder, there is unrest. I am praying for peace and safety. I cannot make it happen, I have to be grounded in Christ. This is where being secure is found. This verse in Jeremiah is found just after, “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (verse 11).” How can I have peace in a world that is full of people who do not even think life is precious? Point them to the Light. The light that burns bright within me. It cannot be hidden and it cannot be snuffed out.

We are getting closer to the end, with the return of Jesus. I was reading 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul said that we have to be ready. The thief comes only to steal, kill and and destroy (John 10:10), and that is what the return of Christ will be like to those who do not receive Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 (AMP)  So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise]. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation.

I have to put on the breastplate of faith and love. My mind is sober and clear because I am assured of my right standing with Christ. I am full and complete in Him. The thief cannot take anything from me, as I am secure in Him. I am pointing my sons to Christ, the only secure hiding place they need. We are light bearers (Matthew 5:16). Lord, let Your love grow so deep within us so that it is all that comes out of us.

John 17:15-18 (AMP)  I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but that You keep them and protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth. Just as You commissioned and sent Me into the world, I also have commissioned and sent them (believers) into the world.

Lord, Our Father, Our Creator, Our Banner, we want to honor you today. You are full of Majesty and Glory. Thank You for Your Son, to restore us into right standing with You. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, to be our Comforter and our Teacher. We choose to have a relationship with all of You. We repent for allowing the trials of this world to take away the security that Jesus redeemed us to. We keep our focus on You. You have us in this world to be a light, to shine out in the darkness. We choose to live our lives free. You are the only secure hiding place we need. Your Word is truth. We are secure in You. Let us put on the fullness of You today. We are wearing the breastplate of faith and love. We are rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. We choose to honor You with our minds, our wills and our emotions. You have given us a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. Lord, let Your love grow so deep within us so that it is all that comes out of us. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose love today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Taken for Granted

Jeremiah 5:22 (AMP) ‘Do you not fear Me?’ says the Lord. ‘Do you not tremble [in awe] in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, an eternal decree and a perpetual barrier beyond which it cannot pass. Though the waves [of the sea] toss and break, yet they cannot prevail [against the sand ordained to hold them back]; though the waves and the billows roar, yet they cannot cross over [the barrier]. [Is not such a God to be feared?]

My word for 2023 is ‘Presence.’ Often we think of His Presence as His Blessings. His Presence is so much more than that. His Presence should not be ‘me’ focused. His Presence is all about Him. Our faith and honor are a reflection on how much of His Presence we really want. I was in prayer yesterday about getting ready for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Tomorrow we will be inviting people into our homes, or we will be traveling to someone else’s home, to share a meal. I do not know about you, but I start my planning about a month before. I have lined up when I need to purchase certain items. I check out the stores for when the turkey goes on sale for 49 cents a pound. I start planning my cooking schedule so that items will be fresh, but I can still enjoy the company of those we are to fellowship with.

It reminded me of how we also need to prepare our hearts. Holidays are not easy for everyone. Sometimes we do not see family but once or twice a year. Some family or friends have become estranged because of things that have been said or done, or perceived to have been said or done. My prayer was that we would not take for granted His Presence. How can we do that?

I went back to the beginning. Cain and Abel were bringing God an offering of their firsts (Genesis 4). Abel’s was accepted and Cain’s was not. God addressed Cain about the issue. Cain instead of correcting, had murder in his heart and carried it out. What happened to Cain?

Genesis 4:13-14, 16 (AMP) Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, You have driven me out this day from the face of the land; and from Your face (presence) I will be hidden, and I will be a fugitive and an [aimless] vagabond on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” So Cain went away from the [manifested] presence of the Lord, and lived in the land of Nod [wandering in exile], east of Eden.

What was so unbearable to Cain? He no longer had the Presence of the Lord. He took it for granted. There is nothing more disparaging than to not be in His Presence.

Can a believer have a murderous heart? Yes we can. How we speak of others is a reflections of our hearts. When we gossip and slander (damaging statements) it is like commiting murder. When we imagine scenarios of vengeance or one-uping each other we are not desiring the best (we are not exemplifying love). When we have arguments in our minds (we are fighting flesh and blood). What does this end up doing within us? I do not know about you, but I can tell I am in the wrong, especially when I am not at peace and have no joy. Ephesians 4:29-30 says, “Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him]“. How I speak (or even think) can be displeasing to Him.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (AMP) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].

1 Chronicles 16:27 (AMP) Splendor and majesty are [found] in His presence; strength and joy are [found] in His place (sanctuary).

Psalms 16:11 (AMP) You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Have you been searching for true freedom? Have you been chasing happy? Have you made statements of “I will do it when” or “I will be happy when”? The Lord is the Spirit and where He is there is freedom. Where He is there is joy. How about trying surrender? I surrender my mind, my will and my emotions to God. I surrender my words and my thoughts. I give Him access to put my heart in check. I give Him the ability to fight the battles so that He wins. It is not worth taking His Presence for granted. I want Him more. We can focus on Him and fellowship with those that have hurt us. That is what love is all about (seeking the best for others, no matter what). This does not mean I change my mind or have to accept anything contrary to the Word of God. How are people to receive the gift of salvation if they are not drawn by the Holy Spirit? How are they to draw if people who are filled with such are not around? Just like Jesus, we should desire freedom for all. You take the Presence of God with you wherever you go. Do not take that for granted. Surrender how we speak and think and allow Him (His Presence) to come forth.

Father, our Banner and Maker, we stand in awe of You. You are Holy. You are Mighty. You are Marvelous. Thank You for Your Son. Thank You for sending Him to take on our sins and redeem us to our purpose. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank You that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead now dwells in us. Thank You for the written Word and the revelation Knowledge as revealed through the Holy Spirit. We surrender our mind, our will and our emotions to You. We tried doing it on our own. We repent for harboring unforgiveness and resentment. We repent for thoughts and words that defiled Your creation. We choose today to forgive. We desire You Presence. We know that in Your Presence is fullness of joy. In Your Presence is freedom from bondage. We surrender our expectations and choose to live in Your freedom. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Here I Am

Exodus 3:1-4 (AMP) Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro (Reuel) his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb (Sinai), the mountain of God. The Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing flame of fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was on fire, yet it was not consumed. So Moses said, “I must turn away [from the flock] and see this great sight—why the bush is not burned up.” When the Lord saw that he turned away [from the flock] to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

I have a great love for lots of people in the Bible. I get a kick out of the way Elijah outran camels. I love the energy and passion of Peter. Paul in his humility and willingness to change. Ruth and Esther in their courage. One of my all time favorites is Moses. As different as it was portrayed in the films, Moses knew that he was raised like a prince of Egypt but was really a Hebrew. He ran not because of not knowing his identity (Exodus 2:11), he just wanted to keep it under cover. He was going to step out of the shadows of his covering, of prince, and free the people one Egyptian murder at a time.

So he goes off and starts a new life. It seems to be a good life too. He has a wife and children. He enjoys the work he is doing. It seems to fulfill him. Then he sees it. Out of the corner of his eye is something burning. He turns towards it and away from what had previously given him his purpose. What would it take for us to turn and face God for our purpose?

For me it took losing a job. I was really good at it too, until I wasn’t. One mistake, one word taken out of context, and it was all gone. My character with it. Everything within me wanted to run. I ran to the Word. I buried myself in worship, not to get Him to avenge me, but to keep me in His Presence. It was in His Presence that I found my purpose. The call for reconciliation became so strong. I desired to see my fellow sisters and brothers in Christ free. Is that not what Moses wanted? They wanted freedom, Moses discovered freedom without His Presence would not be enough (Exodus 33:14-17).

2 Chronicles 7:14 (AMP) My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.

Jeremiah 29:13 (AMP) Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

What will it take for us to look for the face of God? We know He is with us, and His hand it upon us to those that believe. I am talking about our expectation. Our listening ear. Our vision. Moses was doing what he was supposed to do to keep his family fed. Something was different in his presence…it was His Presence. Moses changed direction from day to day, to Presence. My word for 2023 is “Presence.” The difference is face to face. The Hebrew word for presence is paneh or panim and it means face. Seeking His face as my most essential need. Moses turned to the face of God. Will we do the same? Here I am God, set me on fire!!

Father, You are the worthy of honor. It is in You that I find fullness. Thank You for Your love and mercy shown through the gift of Your Son and the Holy Spirit. I desire Your Presence more than your presents. I know that because You are such a good Father that You are my Jehovah Jireh (God will provide). Reconciliation has always been Your heart. You accomplished that with Your Son. Now I am free. I am free to come into Your Presence. I am now rooted and grounded in the Love of Christ. Forgive me for not putting You first in every area of my life. I am growing in my freedom through You. As You give us fresh mercy everyday, I choose love and forgiveness every day. I do not want to be indebted to anyone through jealousy, envy or bitterness. Search my heart of God. You are all I need. Here I am God, I am seeking Your face. Set me on fire! In Jesus Name, Amen.