Thomas Edison, I have learned, was hearing-impaired--left partially deaf from inflammation of his mastoid bone as a child. However, he actually embraced the relative silence and used it to help him focus in the invention process. Recently, I've had fluid trapped in my Eustachian tube, pressing on the ear drum of my right ear. I've scrupulously followed all the doctor's directions and also had several people gifted in healing pray for me...all to no avail, as far as the current manifestation is concerned. I will be flying to Oregon soon and was worried about its effect on my ears. Could it actually cause damage? Tubes would cost over $700, I've discovered.
Yesterday at church I was asking God why I couldn't seem to receive the healing I know He's already sent and Accomplished for me. There's still so much about healing on this earth that I don't understand. But I know this: I trust Him and know He wants the best for me. The problem is not at His end. However, I also know He uses everything for good when offered up to Him. Yesterday and again this morning He brought Edison to mind. The lack of hearing, the sense of hearing as if one is under water, causes the world to fade away a bit....and I am drawn into listening inside, instead. It is not invention on which I am focused but rather on hearing His voice.
This morning He said (as best I can interpret): "Let the ear remind you to always be in touch with Me, always listening to My voice inside you. The noise outside and even in your own mind can make it difficult for you to listen carefully to Me. Like Thomas Edison, may you be inspired by comparative silence...but may it be inspiration which leads not to invention but to My heart. May the world around you dim and recede as you connect and commune with Me. Stop being anxious about your ear. I will take care of it for you one way or another. I cover both your ears with My hands and look into your eyes. May you be focused on Mine and receive the greater healing of Communion with Me."
May it be so for all of us...
Ephesians 3:16-18
Monday, May 30, 2016
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Tuning in to God's Frequency
Last week I was listening to Robert Morris on Life Today. He has a new book entitled Frequency, which I haven't yet read but made a donation to their Water Well ministry to receive. (Life Outreach International (www.lifetoday.org) is a ministry I highly recommend, by the way.)
When I first heard the title, which is about listening to and hearing God's voice, I was thinking of frequency as referring to the amount of time we spend with Him. However, it actually refers to 'tuning in' to God. As I was pondering that concept, God spoke something to me. Here it is, as best I know, considering my Tuner sometimes goes in and out in the middle of a conversation.
"Satan likes to keep his [station] number very close to Mine, right nearby so that a slight turn of the knob tunes his in, instead. If you're tuned into condemnation, discouragement, guilt, or shame, your station has slipped into his. You can be sure it's not My Frequency. When I convict you, it will be in love. you will experience tenderness and compassion, even if it's a wake-up jolt or even a 'two-by-four. ' You will experience My Humor as I cause you to see the truth of your situation. When I expose you to yourself, you will still be covered by My Hand. I expose the truth to make you whole, not to embarrass or condemn or shame you. A Good Father would never do such a thing. He convicts and teaches to encourage change and right action. He respects, dignifies, treasures, and holds out Hope. Retune your station if you feel hopeless and condemned. You will always find My Station clear and strong, if you listen carefully for it."
When I first heard the title, which is about listening to and hearing God's voice, I was thinking of frequency as referring to the amount of time we spend with Him. However, it actually refers to 'tuning in' to God. As I was pondering that concept, God spoke something to me. Here it is, as best I know, considering my Tuner sometimes goes in and out in the middle of a conversation.
"Satan likes to keep his [station] number very close to Mine, right nearby so that a slight turn of the knob tunes his in, instead. If you're tuned into condemnation, discouragement, guilt, or shame, your station has slipped into his. You can be sure it's not My Frequency. When I convict you, it will be in love. you will experience tenderness and compassion, even if it's a wake-up jolt or even a 'two-by-four. ' You will experience My Humor as I cause you to see the truth of your situation. When I expose you to yourself, you will still be covered by My Hand. I expose the truth to make you whole, not to embarrass or condemn or shame you. A Good Father would never do such a thing. He convicts and teaches to encourage change and right action. He respects, dignifies, treasures, and holds out Hope. Retune your station if you feel hopeless and condemned. You will always find My Station clear and strong, if you listen carefully for it."
Friday, May 13, 2016
Healing Was Not Just in His Job Description
I'm currently searching the Scriptures for every recorded question Yeshua asked. (More on that in a future post). In Matthew 20:30-34, two men who were blind called out to Him to have pity on them. "He asked, 'What do you want me to do for you?' They said, 'Open our eyes!' Filled with tenderness, Yeshua touched their eyes, and instantly they received their sight and followed Him." You know the story well. What caught my attention this time around was the phrase 'filled with tenderness.'
Yeshua didn't just heal people because that was what ADONAI sent Him to do....because it was His assignment, so to speak. He didn't heal person after person on the road to His death because it was in His job description from Isaiah. He was (and is) filled with compassion for us. Even the 'young ruler' who couldn't handle giving up his riches, was looked upon by Him with tender love (Mark 10:21). That part of the Scripture is often overlooked in teachings focusing on our own unwillingness to let go of those things which hold us back...or on our own attempts to make ourselves righteous. Even when Yeshua is saddened by our choices, His compassion and agape love for us emanate unfailingly.
Sometimes we feel discouraged at our repeated failings, despite our determination to 'get it right' this time...to refrain from gossip or criticism or judgment of others, for example. We don't even want to come before our Father in prayer and listen to what He has to say to us because we fear He's disappointed in is...or maybe even disgusted with our repeated unsuccessful attempts at doing what He calls us to...our continually having to confess and repent over the same sin.
Always remember that ADONAI is filled with tenderness for us, as a Father for His children. He is for us. He is cheering us on. He reaches down to help us to our feet to try again. He dusts us off, taps us on our bottom (even our 62-year-old bottom) and sends us on our way into our day with His blessing....offering us His grace to do what we cannot do alone...His steadying hand, His loving warning before something untoward comes out of our mouths, or our thoughts start wandering into critical places. He holds up the chalkboard eraser (whiteboard?) and says, "Let's not go there....let's refresh your mind to focus on whatever is true and lovely and noble and admirable...and while you're at it, whatever is merciful and compassionate. Choose mercy. I do."
Yeshua didn't just heal people because that was what ADONAI sent Him to do....because it was His assignment, so to speak. He didn't heal person after person on the road to His death because it was in His job description from Isaiah. He was (and is) filled with compassion for us. Even the 'young ruler' who couldn't handle giving up his riches, was looked upon by Him with tender love (Mark 10:21). That part of the Scripture is often overlooked in teachings focusing on our own unwillingness to let go of those things which hold us back...or on our own attempts to make ourselves righteous. Even when Yeshua is saddened by our choices, His compassion and agape love for us emanate unfailingly.
Sometimes we feel discouraged at our repeated failings, despite our determination to 'get it right' this time...to refrain from gossip or criticism or judgment of others, for example. We don't even want to come before our Father in prayer and listen to what He has to say to us because we fear He's disappointed in is...or maybe even disgusted with our repeated unsuccessful attempts at doing what He calls us to...our continually having to confess and repent over the same sin.
Always remember that ADONAI is filled with tenderness for us, as a Father for His children. He is for us. He is cheering us on. He reaches down to help us to our feet to try again. He dusts us off, taps us on our bottom (even our 62-year-old bottom) and sends us on our way into our day with His blessing....offering us His grace to do what we cannot do alone...His steadying hand, His loving warning before something untoward comes out of our mouths, or our thoughts start wandering into critical places. He holds up the chalkboard eraser (whiteboard?) and says, "Let's not go there....let's refresh your mind to focus on whatever is true and lovely and noble and admirable...and while you're at it, whatever is merciful and compassionate. Choose mercy. I do."
Monday, May 2, 2016
Are You Standing by With a Water Hose?
Having just returned last evening from a Spirit-filled weekend I am unable to fully describe to You, I am once again in complete awe of our God. Why, I ask myself, should I be so astounded at what He can do...what He does do, in the lives of people who hunger after Him? He has shown Himself faithful, shown Himself powerful, shown Himself tender-hearted and compassionate, time and time again. Why is it that I stand amazed, when He is doing the very thing He desires to do: utterly transform lives in the lava flow of His sacrificial love? Yet my mouth hangs open, my sight transfixed, my mind boggled, as I gaze up at Him in awe and thankfulness at Who He is and how much He desires to pour out upon us.
What keeps us from experiencing this tender mercy, indescribable peace, full-out belly laughter, and profound joy more often? As Beth Moore says, both as individuals and as churches, we are too often waiting by the sidelines with a water hose, waiting to put out the Spirit's fire, should He get 'out of control.' Ahhhh....what we are missing standing in the smoking embers.....
[1 Thessalonians 5:19]
What keeps us from experiencing this tender mercy, indescribable peace, full-out belly laughter, and profound joy more often? As Beth Moore says, both as individuals and as churches, we are too often waiting by the sidelines with a water hose, waiting to put out the Spirit's fire, should He get 'out of control.' Ahhhh....what we are missing standing in the smoking embers.....
[1 Thessalonians 5:19]
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