dailywordofdestiny

One of those eye-catchers was a skunk. Yoshi had never seen one before and he wanted to make friends with this furry, very slow, creature. We called several times for him to STOP, but he turned a deaf ear to our plea and was rewarded with being sprayed by the skunk. Yoshi backed away and the skunk began to slowly meander away in the opposite direction. However, Yoshi was not deterred and he chased the skunk once again and was given a second blast of the skunk’s offensive spray. He finally realized he didn’t care for the smell and when he ran to us, we backed away and would not allow him near. Poor Yoshi, he rolled in the long, dewy grass, in dirt, and ran through a few creeks but no matter what he did he couldn’t get rid of the bad smell. He then had to go through the cleansing process which he liked even less, but the reward was that we received him with open arms. How like so many of us! I praise the Lord daily for His unconditional love and forgiveness! The next day I took Yoshi for his walk and it took some persuasion to get him to walk along the same path.

I was convicted in my spirit when I thought about Yoshi and his actions. I have to say that I sometimes choose to disregard Holy Spirit’s warning to “Stop” and then whine and cry out to Him when I come up stinking. Disobedience is sin and sin separates us from our communion with God. BUT PRAISE THE LORD, “…where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound” (Romans 5: 20)! When I recognize my wandering and repent, He willingly takes me into His open arms (1 John 1: 8-10).

Many of us are in different places in our spiritual journey, but no matter where we are along that road, we are called to live our life in obedience according to God’s Word. Jesus tells us in Luke, “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more” (12: 47, 48).

During the last few years God has connected my heart/spirit with many brothers and sisters around the world. We all live together on this very small planet, earth and although our homeland, culture, status, position, station in life, etc. may vary, we are ONE in and through Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God and each of us is a NEEDED member of “His body” (1 Corinthians 12: 14-27). YOU are “special” and “valuable” in the eyes of God and YOU have an assignment in His kingdom that will only be accomplished effectively through you. I have been abundantly blessed to be able to pray with many of you and I know that God connected us for just that very reason. My FAITH level has come up higher and way beyond what I ever dreamed and I pray yours has as well.

God is rearranging my time and I find myself alone more often. During this time I have begun to seek Him with an increased hunger and a deep desire to fulfill my covenant relationship with Him. I have great peace as I open His Word each day; listening closely to hear His special words just for me in the moment I am in. My heart overflows with gratitude and thankfulness for this time alone and my prayer time is a blessed time of communion with the ONE I truly love. He consumes me.

I pray the glorious prayers found in Ephesians 1: 15-23 and 3: 13-21 over you and your loved ones. Stand firm in your faith!

The LORD would say unto you…
“Do not search for security in the world you inhabit. You tend to make mental checklists of things you need to do in order to gain control of your life. If only you could check everything off your list, you could relax and be at peace. But the more you work to accomplish that goal, the more things crop up on your list. The harder you try, the more frustrated you become. There is a better way to find security in this life. Instead of scrutinizing your checklist, focus your attention on My Presence with you. This continual contact with Me will keep you in My Peace. Moreover, I will help you sort out what is important and what is not, what needs to be done now and what does not. Fix your eyes not on what is seen (your circumstances), but on what is unseen (My Presence).” (S. Young)