I'm writing this more for my benefit than anyone else's, I'm sure, but decided to share in case someone else might be experiencing some of the same challenges I'm facing, thinking you may find some comfort here (smile).
The Lord's been downloading a lot into me lately, and I haven't been able to journal as much as I would have liked… I will prayerfully be catching up with some of what He's been doing, as I update the writings for my books, songs; but more importantly, spending a lot of time with Jesus as He continues to walk me through a lot of personal healing.
As He's been walking me through these events and giving me the opportunity to pray through layers and layers of emotional and physical healing (praise His holy name!), He's also been leading and guiding me in learning more and more about living holistically, learning what my body needs in order to reach optimal health and maintain it.
I'm still having to "unlearn" some things, as He's rewiring the part of my brain having to do with walking in divine health, which I believe is the inheritance of all who trust in Him… many of us just don't know what that looks like yet (smile).
On top of that, much of what He's showing me, I feel compelled to share, so I'm in the process of organizing my notes and recipes re: healing foods and how to prepare and eat them, my notes and resource information re: essential oils and personal care products I'm learning to make that are 100% organic.
When I do go out to minister, I want to be able to have information available, whenever appropriate, along with some learning tools (books, DVDs, etc.), about holistic living, as well as information about essential oils, how to use them, where to get them (incorporating massage therapy during weekend retreats), having some of my personal care products available for purchase for anyone who's interested, as well as my music CDs.
I have a vision of weekend gatherings for worship and prayer that include a time for personal quiet time with the Lord, and personal ministry that includes massage therapy.
It's all about bringing healing, knowledge, comfort, equipping, raising folks up to be all God created them to be, physically and emotionally, as well as spiritually… all in a safe environment where folks have the freedom to really press into God, especially during worship, and seeing them brought into a closer, more intimate relationship with Jesus… there's nothing better (smile).
It really is as simple as that, if you break it down… 1) us gathering together in His name (for no other purpose than to worship and pray and seek His beautiful face), 2) He shows up with healing in His wings… and the rest is history, as they say (smile).
May sound like I'm oversimplifying things, but I really do believe we choose to love, or we choose to be fearful… just like we choose to trust God.
The best way I know of to stir up one another to love and good works, and encourage one another, is by gathering to worship and pray… which is what He so impressed on me today.
As I was praying through my dreams of late, I realized worship really is the key. It's the best way I know of to bring heaven to earth, to really step into God, into that heavenly realm we're all so desperate for… it's where I always feel closest to God, most like myself, is when I'm worshipping, and especially in a group setting.
Wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in His name, there He is in our midst. Every time, without exception, without fail, because our God is faithful and true. He ALWAYS shows up, and He ALWAYS comes with healing in His wings for ALL who trust in Him. ALWAYS.
It really is as simple as that. This is the missing key. What's been missing in my life and yours; the thing that truly does and will bring the real revival we've all been praying for is when we all are finally able to come together with a pure heart with no other agenda than simply to meet with God and love one another, and allow His Spirit to breathe new life into us, restoring the years of the locust, restoring all that's been lost.
I believe it's the only way we'll see real change, because it really IS how we enter heaven and bring heaven to earth in every way that matters, including heavenly justice to right every wrong in our lives, and bring order out of chaos.
We don't have to spend hours or days or months or years trying to figure things out or try to discern, either, like we would otherwise have to do in simple prayer or intercession. We simply show up and commit our way, our lives to the Lord, casting all our cares on Him, and boom, He shows up and blows us all away.
Our God is faithful, and the strong arm of the Lord is reaching out to not only forgive our sins, but break off its consequences, as He cleanses us of ALL unrighteousness and heals all our diseases, including all the stress that caused it.
It's all connected. The Bible tells us to love our neighbor "as ourselves" – meaning we are to care for ourselves, and take care of our bodies. Yet, I know a LOT of people in the body of Christ who somehow think it's okay to neglect their health, and may even think it "selfish" to care for ourselves the way God wants us to. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, if we don't take care of ourselves, we are disobeying a direct order from God, and committing sin, just as surely as if we had lied, or cheated, or stolen something from someone… it may not seem as bad a sin as something more grievous, like murder or abuse, but just because we are sinning against ourselves and the One who created us, and not another person, doesn't make it anymore tolerable to God. He hates our sin, including this one, because He hates what it does to us.
If food really is medicine (and I know it is), shouldn't we start living like it? And shun all its counterfeits (in the pharmaceutical industry), that don't really help us all that much, and most often serve only to cause even more problems than they solve.
How about we just do that?! You know, stop making things so complicated, and just do it. Do what He puts in front of us… follow His bread trail (Jesus is the bread), go where He leads and He will bring you the life He promised.
But you have to follow His lead. Go where He leads and ALWAYS choose the way leading to life, NOT death.
Take off your grave clothes and start really living… but NEVER take your eyes of Jesus. NEVER stop taking His lead. Let Him lead you into the truth that will set you free. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose in doing so.
There is a way that seems right to a man that only leads to death. Don't go there (smile).
God's ways will ALWAYS lead you to life, freedom and the ability to really live the life He has for you, enabling you to be all He created you to be.
All you have to do is follow Him. Do whatever He puts in front of you to do, trusting Him with all the rest. One step at a time, with your eyes on the goal, which is Jesus. He's your goal and your personal trainer… the One you want to be like, and the One who is gonna help you get there because He lives in the heart and life of EVERYONE who trusts in Him.
Without exception, without fail. I guess it all comes down to whether or not we have more faith in God's ability to come through for us, than our own ability to fail, right?
Your job is to 1) keep your mind on Him so He can keep you in His perfect peace.
2) Continually commit your way to Him so He can make your path straight.
So get ready, people, for God to move in unprecedented ways, every time you gather in His name.
This is the season, and worship is the key to unlocking God's provision in this way, especially through corporate worship, where we gather in His name, fully expecting the fullness of Christ to manifest, in, around and through US – His people… the ones He inhabits.
The ones He fully expects and intends to find expression in and through, every time we worship… every time we gather IN HIS NAME!
So let's do this, people! For His name's sake and the sake of all His people.
All the things you're believing God for.
All your misgivings, all your doubt, unbelief, disappointment and disillusionment.
It's a new day and God wants to do a new thing in your life and turn your world around in the process.
I say we let Him! What do we have to lose?
Matt 16:25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it.
Whatever things you lose in surrendering to the Lord are now found in Christ… and all that the enemy has stolen is restored, only your latter state is way more glorious than your former state (smile).
I say we go for it, and we hold nothing back… why not?! We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
The Lord downloaded a great sense of empowerment and a new purpose to me today, even though my role as a worship leader and someone who facilitates gatherings as I'm describing here was foreordained long ago.
There's a new determination in my spirit, awakened by a fresh impression of the Spirit in me, stirring up my most holy faith to believe God for the things that seem impossible to man. It's time for major breakthroughs, repositioning, great releasing of the things of God, to cause our world to more closely reflect His glory, and see His Kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Selah.
Dare to believe with me, will you? We come together with the faith of a child, humble ourselves and pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, and then He will hear from heaven, forgive our sins and HEAL OUR LAND. (2 Chron 7:14) Because He, who has promised, is faithful to complete the good work He's begun – in ALL our lives! (Phil 1:6) HALLELUJAH!
Get excited! Dare to believe once again. Don't worry about those who don't understand or think you're foolish. You're not here to impress them. You don't have to prove yourself and you don't have to compete for anything. God's already accepted you, is over-the-top crazy about you (no matter WHAT you do), and there's more than enough of His grace to go around for everybody.
Enough for now. I hope I haven't wasted your time. I pray these words will somehow make their way into your heart and start a fire there that never goes out.
And I hope we meet somewhere, to gather in worship and prayer, seeking the heart of the Father as He stretches forth His hand of healing and full restoration of everything that's been stolen from us, empowering us to be all He created us to be, and to do all He created us to do.