A Year of Words

January 1, 2016

 

The first day of the New Year.

In the circles where I listen, chat, and ponder, the big word is, "I'm doing a new thing." Isaiah 43:1-19 is THE scripture of the year, I think, which is really kind of cool because that is part of the scripture the Lord gave me to define my mindset for this year as well.

My primary scripture is John 1:7.

"If you remain in me, and my word remains in you,

 ask anything you wish, and it will be done for you."

 

My secondary scripture is Isaiah 43:16-19.

 ¹⁶ Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea
And a path through the mighty waters,
¹⁷ Who brings forth the chariot and horse,
The army and the power
(They shall lie down together, they shall not rise;
They are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick):
¹⁸ “Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
¹⁹ Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert.

 

Now you may be wondering what in the world is a scripture for the year, and even if you are familiar with that, you may not know primary and secondary words. I'll take some time to explain.

 

First, let's define "prophetic". "Prophetic" is when God decides to share His heart about things. A "prophetic word" is when someone takes time to listen to God's heart and then share what they hear. It's not freaky or weird or creepy. It's just sharing God's heart.

 

A "word (or scripture) for the year is when God gives a word or scripture that He wants someone to use as a definition or source of expectation for the year. Now, these are interesting. A few years ago, He gave me the word "joy" and gave me the scripture Romans 15:13. It was the year after my husband died, grief was still raging, the kids were still stabilizing, and the immensity of loss was really hitting us. "Joy" was not how I would define that year. The only joy is when it was over. However, last year, He gave me the word "adventure" and Joshua 1:9. Last year had some hard lows where grief slammed into our family with incredible fierceness, and we had to get out of our comfort zones to deal with it. Ultimately, the experience of dealing with it was healing beyond what we hoped. We also did things we had never done before and dreamed dreams that we had never considered. It was beautiful stuff.

 

I've never had a year when God gave me two words, but this year, He talked to me about one the first day, let it soak in and simmer for the Spirit to speak some more, and then told me the second one two days later. In fact, the second was an answer to questions about the first one.

 

So, how does one hear these "words"?

 

Hearing God is interesting. Sometimes I'm not sure if I am hearing Him or if I am wish-thinking. In this case, I was sitting on my couch one morning during my quiet time, and a very clear thought came into my head. Except it wasn't in my voice, if you know what I mean. "You haven't asked me about your word for next year?" I hadn't. I had given no thought to it, honestly.

 

Now, between you and me, I really wasn't keen on the idea of a word for the year. What tends to happen to me, and others I know, is we hear something and get an idea of how that will look based on how we want it to look, how we want wrongs righted, how we want our lives to be different, and one of two things happen:

1. We push forward with our agenda, which isn't what God has in mind, and then we get mad at God for not keeping His word...that we made up in our heads and He never even said.

2. We think He is going to wave some magic wand that will suddenly make that thing happen. I have learned this is one of the great lies perpetuated by the church. There is no magic wand. There is God rewarding obedience, and a lot of people miss their promise because they don't invest in it.

 

But I figured it this way, if God was going to bring it up, then He had something already in mind. My job was to be still, hear His mind, and agree with it.

 

Let's talk about that phrase a moment: "agree with it".

 

In the charismatic circles you may hear people talking about "getting in agreement with God." That usually means they are going to keep saying what they believe God said over and over and over. It can almost become like a mantra, and people think if they say it, that is the same as faith, which will "release it to happen". That is only partially true.

 

James 2 tells us faith without works is dead. Faith is not simply believing in something. It is living in a way that shows you are committed to the truth of something. If we profess to be a Christian, than that relationship should determine how we live. Paul says we cannot go on living in sin if we are saved. This isn't some heavy doctrinal law. It's common sense. If I believe Jesus came to save me from my sin, why would I think He is okay with my continuing to live in it? If He came to set me free from sin, not just damnation for it in eternity but sin itself now, then He expects me to run from the thing that enslaves me. Faith in Christ as Savior tells me I need to live like someone saved from what has kept me enslaved, which is sin.

 

Faith is living what we know is true.

 

So when God gives a word, He expects me to live in relationship to that word, which means He expects me to live as though I believe what He said will happen. I choose to do what is necessary on my part to see that promise fulfilled.

 

For instance, let's say that the word the Lord gives is "restoration of health" to someone who is coughing a lot, having a hard time with any physical exertion, and has a hard time sleeping because when he/she lies down they can't breathe. Now that is an amazing word! But, there is on magic wand, so what that person needs to do is praying for what He expects of them so He can fulfill the promise.

 

See, one of the big faults in the church culture and its "God loves you no matter what and has good plans for you" attempt to "reach people and make God relevant" is it dismisses personal responsibility. It dumps a key word: if. Go back and look through the Bible. If you find a promise, with VERY FEW exceptions, you'll find an "if".

 

If you keep my commands, I'll bless you.

If you have faith in me, you will be saved.

If you love me, obey me.

 

So keeping that in mind, let's go back up to this poor suffering soul who has been promised restoration of health. I honestly know people who would take that and say, "God promised to restore me to health and restore my breathing and give me stamina and help me sleep better," all the while puffing on another cigarette.

 

God promised, and God's promises can't fail, right?

 

Well, God's heart is what He WANTS to happen, but honestly, we can refuse. Jesus could have walked at Gethsemane if He had decided to do so. God gives us choices. We can live in a way that we get blessed, or we can live in a way that rejects the blessings; that doesn't make God a liar. That makes us faithless...because we are not living as though we really believe Him.

 

Why is it important for our words to come from God? Anything else is just a New Year's resolution.

 

In John 15:5-7, Jesus says,

I am the vine, you are the branches, if you remain in me and I in you,

 you will bear much fruit;

apart from me, you can do nothing....

If you remain in me and my words remain in you,

ask anything you wish, and it will be done for you.

 

Very important things to get here:

1. Apart from me, you can do nothing. (New Year's resolutions are in human strength, which fails)

2. I am the key to bearing much fruit.

3. My words--my will, purpose, desire--remain in you.

 

When His words remain in us, when we believe them enough to invest in them and live like we believe Him, we will desire His heart. We will ask according to His heart. He will answer because He really wants His heart released and tangible to be seen and experienced on this earth, whether that be in our lives or through our lives into the larger population.

 

That is why God gives "words for the year" or "scriptures for the year". He wants His heart to be experienced on earth as it is in heaven. It is as simple as that.

 

So what if you are reading this January 1st or 4th or even May 4th? Have you lost your chance at a word? No. Not remotely. God can speak His heart to you at any time.

 

What if He gave you a word and you really didn't buy into it so it's sort of been just lying there like an old magazine on the coffee table? Have you forfeited that word? Honestly, I don't know. Some things are time sensitive. However, instead of being worried about "a word" focus on the real issue--your disobedience. Repent for not seeking Him and how He wants you to live your part of the promise. Ask His forgiveness and ask Him to purify you. Maybe you need to ask why you avoided doing what you needed to do. Deal with it. Get right with God. Make obedience your priority, and if the word is able to be restored, your obedience will open the door for that. If it can't be restored, at least you are ready for the next one. The big deal isn't a promise; it's the relationship.

 

I didn't really talk about what I meant to talk about, but that is okay. I think this is what God wanted to talk about, and if you want to talk about it some more, email me or leave a comment. I'll be happy to talk and answer questions all you want.

 

Blessings!

Jerri

 







Daddy Speaking

"Just get a box of tissues before you even start watching." I looked at his face, shadowed with stubble. Then I looked in his eyes. The laughing man's-man eyes had changed, become soft, almost misty. His lips tightened as though he were trying to control a quiver in his chin.

"GREAT movie," the woman beside him said, nodding passionately, eyes wide, vulnerable.

A chorus of voices joined in, accolades for the movie, comments on the powerful emotions.

I tried not to tense visibly. The very mention of the movie made my mind shut down...and my heart ache.

They were talking about the movie Courageous, the story of men stepping up, becoming who they should be, being the leaders God intended. Except the man in my life didn't, and I really didn't think I could watch another reminder of how things did not go as God would have chosen...as I wanted.

"It's a promise, not pain." A whisper deep in my heart, just loud enough for my conscious mind to register. Still, easy enough to dismiss as imaginary...because the pain was still all too real.

No. That movie was not for me.

I left the home group that night and headed back to my friend's home. The next day I left there and headed back to Texas.

We had survived Valentine's Day and the first anniversary of my husband's dying, and it was time to go home.

Although I knew it was only a date on the calendar, some part of me felt good, like we had crossed an unspoken line in time, a line that said the first wave of emotional landmines were behind us and although more would be ahead, we would weather them well.

I had no idea the first was waiting for me in a decorated bag on my counter.

When we drove into the driveway, our house sitter came to meet us. Everyone grabbed bags, coolers, and "stuff", and one trip at a time, we unloaded. With piles of bags, pillows, and personal things spread through the house, I went to the kitchen to see the flowers my friend Kristi had sent me. Although they were a few days old, they were stunning. Mary Kate had done a great job trimming them and tending them so they still looked lovely for me. White roses and red carnations hugged up by greenery. Perfect.

Beside the vase of flowers sat my gift. I opened it somewhat slowly, enjoying the thoughtfulness, being remembered, not being alone on this holiday of expressing love...of being loved.

Then I pulled it out...

...and stopped.

Courageous.

The DVD.

"It's a promise."

I slid it back into the bag and stared at the gift lying on my counter.

This was no coincidence. 

This was not a whisper that might or might not be real, a whisper easy to dismiss.

This was a language I understood, the language of a Father speaking to a daughter too raw, too afraid, to trust her own ears. So He spoke in ways I could hear...in a home group I visited once, more than seven hours from my home...and in a gift of love and hope delivered right to me...waiting on my return...clear words too close together in time to miss.

This was more than a movie. This was Daddy speaking...

A View of What I See...And What I Pray to Always See

Periodically, I get asked how I study the Bible or how God speaks to me. This morning I was having some fabulous time with the Lord, and He was giving me answers to questions I have been asking. I thought I would share that with you and demonstrate how I study and how God speaks to me.

My notes are marked with ** and in regular font. The actual scripture is in bold.

I hope this blesses you by helping you with your Bible study, help you understand how God can use scripture to speak, and maybe offer you some answers you have been seeking, too.

Blessings!

Psalm 105

 ¹ Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;
   make known among the nations what he has done.

**Praise the Lord and proclaim His name. Simple stuff. There are no qualifications. It isn't praise and proclaim when things go my way, when things are easy, or when I'm in the mood. I need to praise Him and proclaim His name period.

**"Make known what He has done"--sometimes it feels like He has done nothing. Sometimes I am drowning in all the stuff I have been hoping for that hasn't happened, or all I see is what I've lost. What am I supposed to say He has done. "All good and perfect gifts come from God." What good gift do I have? My kids, warm clothes, food, coffee with my friend, a good car, warm house, running water, clean water, the ability to put my feet up, the ability to read the Bible for myself....

Dear God, thank you. You spoil me with good things. Thank you.
² Sing to him, sing praise to him;
   tell of all his wonderful acts.

**"All His wonderful acts"--Daddy, please make me acutely aware of your wonderful acts, right down to the dandelion that makes me smile in the park. Who knows but that you protected that flower just so I would see it on a bumpy day and feel joy? In fact, I am willing to believe you did just that, that you saved that flower just for me because you know I love them. Thank you. Thank you for being so detailed in your love for me. Help me to not miss the tiny, but so intimate and personal detailed ways you love me.
³ Glory in his holy name;
   let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

**Dad, sometimes when I'm seeking you, I get frustrated because I don't see you answering. Please show me how to rejoice anyway. Show me how to rejoice as I seek you. I'm not really sure how to do this, but I am seeking you, and I believe rejoicing has a purpose. Help me not to think my rejoicing means I will get something from you. Help me to rejoice simply because you deserve it. You are worthy of my rejoicing. But, Dad, I know if I seek you, I will find you, and honestly, that makes me giddy with expectation. So, please keep my motives in check for me.
⁴ Look to the LORD and his strength;
   seek his face always.

**Daddy, there are things I've needed help with that I've been avoiding because I don't have the answer. It is easier to escape. Forgive me for looking for the easy way out instead of looking for you. Forgive me for forgetting that you have every answer to every problem. Forgive me for not believing you care as much about those things as I do, maybe more, because I seem to think they are inconsequential or can be ignored. You never ignore a need. NEVER. Daddy, I'm sorry. I know you probably have been sitting there waiting to give me the answer so I could handle this and we could move on. I'm sorry. You are the answer. Forgive me for whining and not actually looking to you for the solution. Oh, Lord, keep pulling me back to you until I remember.

 ⁵ Remember the wonders he has done,
   his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

**Daddy, I know this is probably talking about water out of a rock, armies in the ocean, and such, but honestly, the fact that you love me so much and you are so detailed in your commitment to me is a miracle. I think of all the times you speak to me, answer me, work on my behalf, save my butt, and just lavish me with your love, and I know the kazillion reasons I have given you not to love that way, but you do. THAT is miracle enough for me.
⁶ you his servants, the descendants of Abraham,
   his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
⁷ He is the LORD our God;
   his judgments are in all the earth.

 ⁸ He remembers his covenant forever,
   the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
⁹ the covenant he made with Abraham,
   the oath he swore to Isaac.
¹⁰ He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
   to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
¹¹ “To you I will give the land of Canaan
   as the portion you will inherit.”

 ¹² When they were but few in number,
   few indeed, and strangers in it,
¹³ they wandered from nation to nation,
   from one kingdom to another.
¹⁴ He allowed no one to oppress them;
   for their sake he rebuked kings:
¹⁵ “Do not touch my anointed ones;
   do my prophets no harm.”

 ¹⁶ He called down famine on the land
   and destroyed all their supplies of food;
¹⁷ and he sent a man before them—
   Joseph, sold as a slave.
¹⁸ They bruised his feet with shackles,
   his neck was put in irons,
¹⁹ till what he foretold came to pass,
   till the word of the LORD proved him true.
²⁰ The king sent and released him,
   the ruler of peoples set him free.
²¹ He made him master of his household,
   ruler over all he possessed,
²² to instruct his princes as he pleased
   and teach his elders wisdom.

 ²³ Then Israel entered Egypt;
   Jacob resided as a foreigner in the land of Ham.
²⁴ The LORD made his people very fruitful;
   he made them too numerous for their foes,
²⁵ whose hearts he turned to hate his people,
   to conspire against his servants.
²⁶ He sent Moses his servant,
   and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
²⁷ They performed his signs among them,
   his wonders in the land of Ham.
²⁸ He sent darkness and made the land dark—
   for had they not rebelled against his words?
²⁹ He turned their waters into blood,
   causing their fish to die.
³⁰ Their land teemed with frogs,
   which went up into the bedrooms of their rulers.
³¹ He spoke, and there came swarms of flies,
   and gnats throughout their country.
³² He turned their rain into hail,
   with lightning throughout their land;
³³ he struck down their vines and fig trees
   and shattered the trees of their country.
³⁴ He spoke, and the locusts came,
   grasshoppers without number;
³⁵ they ate up every green thing in their land,
   ate up the produce of their soil.
³⁶ Then he struck down all the firstborn in their land,
   the firstfruits of all their manhood.
³⁷ He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold,
   and from among their tribes no one faltered.
³⁸ Egypt was glad when they left,
   because dread of Israel had fallen on them.

 ³⁹ He spread out a cloud as a covering,
   and a fire to give light at night.
⁴⁰ They asked, and he brought them quail;
   he fed them well with the bread of heaven.
⁴¹ He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
   it flowed like a river in the desert.

 ⁴² For he remembered his holy promise
   given to his servant Abraham.
⁴³ He brought out his people with rejoicing,
   his chosen ones with shouts of joy;

**Daddy, thank you. I believe you are going to bring the children and me out of this with rejoicing. I believe you are going to bring us out with shouts of joy. I already see it. I see the huge change. We aren't where I want to be yet, but I see such faithfulness and wondrous change. The desert has been hard, but you have been so faithful. Thank you for reminding me of Joseph and Israel and the steadfastness of your promises. Thank you for feeding my anticipation and expectation. Thank you for the desert. I hated it, but I am amazed at how present you were in it, and if you brought others out with rejoicing and shouts of joy, I know we are coming out the same way. You take my breath away with your goodness.
⁴⁴ he gave them the lands of the nations,
   and they fell heir to what others had toiled for—
⁴⁵ that they might keep his precepts
   and observe his laws.

   Praise the LORD.

 **Daddy, I'm pondering this, "...that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws." I don't understand how their getting the lands of nations or the stuff others toiled for leads to keeping your precepts or observing your laws, but I want to understand because I want to keep your heart. I want to be faithful.

Daddy, I know this chapter is your promise to me. It is you assuring me again that you have us even if we are in the desert, and it is encouraging me to continue to believe in your promises. When the hard days come, help me not to fall into flesh patterns but to fall into THIS truth, right here. Help me to remember that you are in the desert and good things are here with you. Miracles and provision and love are in the desert, and, Daddy, if this is where you are the most evident, I want to be here. I know...I know I'm not always faithful, and I know I whine a lot, but really, if this is where I know you, this is where I would rather be. I love the idea of the Promised Land, and honestly, I'd like to rest, but the Promised Land is nothing if I am too busy with the "good stuff" to see the God stuff. All the gifts are useless if I don't see you. Please, Daddy, help me to always see you.

Be Still and Know...

...that I am God.--Psalm 46:10

The whole verse says this:

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

Being still is not my forte. In fact, it isn't on my list of "sort of good at". However, God is clear. Be still and know that I am God...and watch what I do.

I will be exalted...

Exalted. Placed above.

When we were doing the house remodel, I felt like I was scrounging for time with God. I was trying to be still, but there was always some decision, some work, some demand. When the remodel frenzy was over (the outside should be painted this week), I prayed a simple prayer: "Lord, help me get still again and hear you. Help me to find focus again. Help me see the bigger picture of Your Kingdom and not the small picture of paint chips, shelf trim, and new dishes."

I prayed that prayer because I realized I had become addicted to the adrenaline rush of "have to". You know what I mean. It's the list as long as your leg reminding you of all the things that have to be done and the push to get them all done TODAY. Either that, or my handy dandy pendulum swung the other direction where I wanted to do nothing because there was so much to do that I couldn't do it all, so I did nothing.

Both are bad. Both get my focus off God and on stuff. Mostly, it gets my focus on me and my abilities. As I said, bad.

For over three weeks now, I have had bronchitis. The first two weeks were unreal. I don't think I've ever been that sick. I don't recall ever feeling like I would pass out from lack of oxygen. I truly felt like I was suffocating, and, yes, that was with the lovely steroid help I was getting. For the last week and a half, my airways have been open, but I am still draining and coughing. Talking is still a highly questionable activity, and I'm more thankful than ever for voicemail. I won't tell you I've enjoyed any of this. Quite the contrary. Had you been here one day last week, you would have heard me cursing this illness, this coughing, the aching muscles, and the whole viral thing to hell along with every demon attached to it and commanding it to stay there, never to visit upon anyone on this earth ever again. I wouldn't wish this on anyone, and God and I have discussed my thoughts on the whole issue.

However, I have to say that the Lord has not allowed the enemy to take my treasure. On the contrary, the Lord has been reminding me just what my treasure is, and I don't think I would have listened--or had the time to ponder it--unless I was too exhausted to make a body indention on the couch.

Last week, Jan Brand, a precious lady from my writing group, and I had a lovely exchange of emails. If you ever get the chance, sit with Jan awhile. Read her writing if you can, but absolutely, sit with her awhile. There is much to glean from her, and even if there isn't a large verbal exchange, you'll get stuff. Hold on to it. Let it simmer, as we say in the South. Check it periodically and see what God has cooked up through what you've learned from her.

She and I talked about a variety of things: writing, family, ministry, Truth seeking. Good stuff. I told her my philosophy on writing, speaking, and photography. I see the bigger picture. Then, she suggested that because I did, maybe I was seeing big enough.

I smiled.

The truth is I had seen that big, but it was so big. Bigger than I could believe for. At least, it was until Jan and I talked. Now, I realize I was right, and I have the faith to follow that path.

Now, you are probably thinking I'm going to leave you hanging with my metaphorical cryptic revelations, like I used to do. I'm not. I'll at least share part of it.

As many of you know, for years the Lord has put women on my heart. I am grieved at the loss of identity and value of women, not among the men, although that is frustrating. What breaks my heart is how very little value women have for themselves and other women. The enemy has done a good job of stealing identities, destinies, and hope. The Lord has given me strategies for restoring that. I believe God is outraged by the imprisonment of His daughters, and He is actively working to set them free.

Imprisonment takes many forms, and I expect over time He'll discuss them all here. For now, know He has not forgotten, and He has not abandoned. On the contrary, He is fighting ardently for every daughter of His that feels the pain of shackles or feels the cold oppression of prison walls. He won't leave you there if don't want to stay. He has given many people strategies, and they are working.

As for me, I have two main strategies I'm considering at this time.

First is a focused prayer group in which women come together and pray for their marriages and children. Satan likes to tell us we are failures as wives and moms, and since the core of our identity is that of nurturer and lover, we are easily immobilized or are easily distracted by means of escape to avoid the areas that hurt us. God doesn't want us to fail, and He doesn't want us to hurt. Instead, He wants to give us strategies to win and be victorious. He wants to kill the family curses and bring blessings on our families. I believe it is His plan to create units of warriors that fight together and keep each other focused on Truth. The question is date and frequency. I'm praying.

Second, I am presently working with several retreat centers to schedule a "semi-silent" retreat. They would last Friday through Sunday. We would come together for meals to talk, process, and pray. Otherwise, the women would be alone with their Bibles and journals and God. The idea being we all need to be still and hear God. We need to be still long enough to get beyond our prayer list and the noise of life to the point where we listen and hear His voice. It isn't just so we get direction and answers to our questions. It is to hear His heart for us and about us. The whole purpose is to be still and hear His heart.

One person asked me about worship. I have no intention of providing any form of worship music. In fact, iPods, CDs, and such are banned. Here's why. I think we should learn to worship the Lord out of our own hearts, with our own passion, in our own creatively intimate way. Sing a song in your head. Make one up, OR better yet, stop and listen to the Lord sing over you.

For too many women hoping God values them, loves them so much that He would serenade them is beyond any idea of possibility.

I guess my heart for these retreats is so simple. I want the women who go on them to have head on collision with God in all His amazing love and passion for them. I want them to be swept off their feet and enraptured by the One who is enraptured by them.

And so, I am working on two retreats a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. The retreat centers have not had anyone with this vision before, but when I shared it with them, they became very quiet, and then I heard, "Wow, that sounds amazing."

I think so. I should have the preliminary information organized by the end of the week, and I will send out the information to ladies then. If the Lord brings it to mind, pray for me, the retreat centers, and the ladies who will come.

Those are the smaller pieces of strategy the Lord has given me. As for the bigger picture, I simply want to minister to women and see them healed and equipped. Thankfully, Rob is in agreement, and we'll see what the Lord does with that desire. Just so you know, I expect it to be big.