Acknowledge Him In All Your Ways

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:6

When God speaks, He means it. He promised that His word will never return void, meaning that It is a productive Word and therefore It will produce what It is sent out to do. I remember a song we used to sing in my church at home that said, "Every promise in the Book is mine, every chapter, every word, every line." As children of God we have a right to the promises of God. They are not for a selective few, like maybe those who read the Word more, or who go church more often, no they are for every child of God. The only criteria for seeing these promises bear fruit in our lives is the knowledge of Jesus Christ according to 2 Peter 1:3 & 4. If we don't know the Word of God about finances, how can we use it as we believe God for the manifestation of the prosperity He has already provided? If we don't know that His word says we were healed with the stripes of Jesus, what will we use as a basis for healing even when we feel pain? The promises therefore are for each of us, and the only limit is a knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

So therefore, in keeping with His desire for us to experience that abundant life, He promises that as we acknowledge Him, He will direct our paths. There are no ifs or buts, He said it and He meant it; He will direct our paths.

I see a fascinating story of this played out in the 24th chapter of Genesis as Abraham was old and well advanced in age. His wife Sarah had now died and out of concern for his son Isaac, Abraham called to him Eliezer, his eldest and it seemed, most trusted servant. This was the servant whom Abraham thought would be heir to his house when he didn't have any children as yet. (Gen 15:2) He said to the servant Eliezer, "put your hand under my thigh and swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not take a wife for Isaac from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I have settled, but that thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac."Gen. 24: 2-4

I know we often, and rightly so, look at Abraham and his desire to go back to his people in choosing a wife for Isaac, but today stay with me a minute and look at the actions of this servant Eliezer who was entrusted with this task. God opened my heart this morning to see the actions of this servant in a new light and to use them as an example. I want to encourage you to do the same as well.

After Abraham had expressed his wishes to the servant about finding a wife for Isaac, Eliezer swore to him that he would do as he asked. He then took ten camels and departed for Abraham's country, to the city of Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. As Eliezer stopped by the well where the women of the city were expected to come at that time of the evening, note the first thing he did: He prayed. In Gen. 24: 12 he turned to God and basically said, "Lord, show favor to my master Abraham, Lord, You be the one to work this all out and give me success today." Even though he had the wisdom to stop at the well at just the appropriate time, and he had the camels with him, Eliezer didn't lean to his own understanding, he invited God into the circumstances. The bible says that before he finished speaking, behold, out came Rebekah.

From the start of his journey to the finish, Eliezer acknowledged God. He took no chances at all and God came through on his eternal promise, He directed His path.

As Rebekah gave the camels water, he watched her, waiting on the Holy Spiirt to show him if the Lord had made his trip prosperous. After inquiring about her background and then having revelation of God's supernatural provision Eliezer bowed down his head and worshipped the Lord. (Gen.24:26) Oh bless his heart. I believe that he had seen the examples of God's faithfulness in Abraham's life and because of that developed his own personal trust in God. This was a man who didn't just talked to the God of Abraham, he talked to Eliezer's God.

When Rebekah's father and brother accepted the hand of God in the situation and said Rebekah could go to become Isaac's wife, what did Eliezer do? He bowed himself to the ground before the Lord. (Gen.24:52) What a man of God!

He didn't just give a mental assent to God, he bowed down and worshipped the Almighty One, over and over and over again, for he knew only an omnipotent, omnipresent God could perform a miracle like this. It was Abraham's desire to have a wife for Isaac from his people and that's exactly what happened.

I have been faced with some challenges lately that have left me at times feeling sorry for myself and then at other times in confusion not knowing what to do next. As I read and listened this morning to the story of Abraham's search for a wife for Isaac, one thing came through clearly for me; whatever I do I need to acknowledge God.

There are times when I think I know what's best in certain situations, but I can only see so far. God has a better vantage point than I do. It is my heart's desire to trust Him in all my ways. I don't want to serve God half-heartedly opening up certain places but not allowing Him access to other areas. The Word of God is full of examples of those who acknowledged God and He totally directed their paths, but there are also those who followed their own way of doing things and paid dearly for it.

As the Holy Spirit gently nudges my heart today, I will look to Him. He only wants what is best for me. How about you?

blessings, Vickie

Memorizing and meditating

This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8

It was just recently that the Holy Spirit impressed on my heart the kind of preparation He wants me to take for where He will launch me. He has been showing me the effectiveness of not just memorizing a few verses but getting equipped by focusing on whole books. The first book is that of 1 Peter. And boy oh boy. As Jesus said,"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63 As I go about daily memorizing this first chapter of 1 Peter and meditating on the words they are bringing such life and hope to my heart. Thank You Jesus! My focus has shifted from all the impossible situations surrounding me and my prayers have all been on just praying the Words of life,

Even as I really started to purpose over the last week to seek God's kingdom first, the enemy launched a full scale attack on my family. I was almost surprised at the intensity of it until I realized it was a spiritual attack. Thank God for His word. In the midst of all the turmoil IT has been an umpire of peace to my heart and an anchor for my soul. This Word that I am meditating on will not depart from my mouth. I am determined. I have been declaring it over my life, my home and my job daily. He promises good success and I am looking forward to see God's word bear fruit in my life.

Blessings Vickie

launching

Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a drought. Luke 5:4

God is saying to me, "Vickie, it's time to let down your nets for a drought."

 

Along with some messages from my pastor for the past few weeks and what I have been hearing in my personal time with the Lord, I believe the time to launch is now.

There is a call on my life, confirmed by the Holy Spirit, to teach the Word of God. 

My pastor said something on Sunday that has stuck with me since then.  He said God directs our steps because He is drawn to movement.

I took a step and completed two years of Bible School..........still........I am at a standstill.

  

It is time for me to put away the excuses and get rid of the fear that has been holding me back. Even if I'm afraid I still have to launch out. He has not given me a spirit of fear but one of power and love.

He is calling me back to feverishly seeking Him through His word.

While seeking to know where to turn the Holy Spirit prompted me to focus on the books of Peter the apostle. Not really understanding why, I scanned the books a bit and then decided I would start at the beginning. I went into prayer and it was then I sensed God revealing to my heart about some work He wants to do there in regards to my marriage and my home.

God is so faithful in knowing just what we need. I thank Him for being mindful and looking out for me. What a shame to be launched out with heart baggage. I would soon need rescuing before He could use me to rescue others.

So I thank Him.

As I study His word there is a deep desire to memorize it so I can be more effective in my witness. This has led me not only to think of memorizing verses but to memorize each book. The more equipped I will be. I've asked God to clear my heart of any pride or anything that's not of Him as I do this for one reason only and that is to bring Him glory.

I looked up the word launch on www.dictionary.com and found a few meanings:

(1) to set afloat or send off....(2)to start.....(3)to throw....and (4) to go into action.

Whom He calls, He equips.

Launch me out into the deep Lord.

Send me Lord.

Souls need to be won into the Kingdom, the Body needs encouragement. I am ready, with the help of Your Holy Spirit, to go into action.

My hands, eyes, feet, mouth, heart and all of me are ready for launch.

My heart desires to join with those of like mind who yearn for a new level in Christ. As a body of believers we are more effective when we work together. Our gifts, talents and abilities do more damage to the kingdom of darkness when used together than when we do it alone.

Iron sharpeneth iron.

Will you join with me today for the sake of the gospel?

Blessings 

Vickie

The Sunday Son

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying , I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.   John 8:12

Blessed Sunday

Vickie

Each Step I Take

Each step I take, my Savior goes before me, 
And with His Loving Hand He leads the way,
And with each breath, I whisper I adore Him,
Oh what joy to walk with Him each day.

Each step I take, I know that He will guide me,
To higher ground He ever leads me on,
Until some day the last step will be taken,
Each step I take, just leads me closer home.

Twenty-three years ago when I was planning my wedding I knew that this song needed to be sung. I don't know why I made that decision, apart from the fact that I loved it with all my heart and felt it would just add to the beautiful day. However, God knew better. He knew the road I would walk and the strength I would need, time and time again. Every step of the way, the words of this song would hold such meaning I can't even describe it.

 God has faithfully gone before us down some of the darkest roads as a couple and as family of four. Feeling all excited and giddy about getting married then, I never understood how much I would need Him to go ahead of me. I am so grateful that HE is a reliable God. He has revealed Himself in ways I didn't think possible. He has walked ahead of us in valley after valley, that if it had not been for His light we would have been swallowed up. 

Today as an individual, not sure which way to turn in life, feeling disillusioned and alone many times, my heart reminds me of this song. As I search His word for direction and reasurrance, I am reminded that each step I take, my Savior goes before me.

He has promised that He would never leave me nor would He ever forsake and so I will keep my focus regardless of what comes at me. I will look away from everything that tries to distract me, and I will look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith.

 My heart is fixed. In the midst of tests and trials my resolve is to keep my eyes on Jesus.

These light afflictions are but for a moment, my bible tells me, so my heart will continue to sing as He leads me to the path that He has prearranged for me. 

At times I feel my faith begin to waver,
And up ahead I see a chasm wide,
It's then I turn and look up to my Savior,
I am safe when He is by my side.

Each step I take, I know that He will guide me,
To higher ground He ever leads me on,
Until some day the last step will be taken,
Each step I take, just leads me closer home.

Blessings,

Vickie 

New Beginnings, maybe?

It's almost been a year since I last posted here. I've been here many times reading over some of my previous posts and I have been blessed and challenged by what I hear from the Holy Spirit as I read with my eyes and listen with my heart. However, I honestly don't have the desire to blog. I don't know if it's the format, maybe Facebook is more fun. I don't really know, but one thing I do know is that God has been leading me here everyday and urging me to write. Over and over the last few weeks the Holy Spirit has been saying to me in different ways, "Vickie, stir up the gift that's in you." So I have to be obedient, walk in the Spirit and not fulfil the lust of my flesh by giving into my feelings. God's plan for my life has never changed even though it feels so with my present circumstances. I just have to cooperate with Him to see it all happen. That's what I will do. Recently I was reminded from the book of Samuel that to obey is better than to sacrifice. I am dissatisfied with where I am in Christ. I will obey. He has more for me and I want His more for me. So......here I am Lord, send me and use me. Blessings Vickie

How great is the Father's love

How great is the Father's love,
That He lavished on us,
Through His Son Jesus,
And how great was Your sacrifice
You exchanged Your life for mine.


I can never ever put into words the gratitude I feel towards God for sending His son, nor can I ever thank Jesus enough for being obedient to death, even the death of the cross. I can't and so I won't. I just want to stop here today and in my own feeble words, say 'thank You, thank You, thank You Jesus!!! Not only did you provide salvation, but You provided healing, deliverance, wealth, and whatever else I could ever need. You did it one time, for all time. You did it before I ever thought of You and I can't say how much this overwhelms my heart today. So.....in view and in light of God's mercy, the least I can do is to present myself as a living sacrifice, wholly and unacceptable unto You Lord. Thank you for sending Your son Jesus. Jesus thank You for sending the Holy Spirit Who makes this all so real to me. Thank you Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Thank you.