Today as I sit lo write to you I don't know what to share. This week has been emotionally draining. I didn't gel any great new revelations since all I desire to do Is come Into His presence to rest and praise Him. My revelation of the last few days Is the power of resting In Him thanking Him In everything.
We were able to bring Summer home on Tuesday. She was so happy to see us but still on lots of meds for her pain so a bit disoriented. The Dr wasn't ready for her to leave since she wanted to watch her a couple more days and we understood that. However, the cost of the Dr watching her is so expensive we knew we could take care of her and she would heal better here. She's doing so well. No more diarrhea, swelling Is going down and she loves her new "ortho" dog bed, a gift from a sweet friend. She's eating, drinking and letting me put pills down her. She can find a pill in anything thing you give her! She refuses to eat one on her own and knows the procedure means my hand going down her throat but she doesn't care☺. Our only Issue Is getting her up and taking her out without something hurting. It's mostly about the sling we don't have yet that will help with her back end. She had so much road rash from the accident that her groin area Is raw and anything we try to lift her with hurts. But we are making progress and she is so stubborn she absolutely refuses to help us in any way.☺ She's a character. She lets me lift her by her harness to get the "sling" we have now under her and doesn't even try to stand up. But we are so thankful she is here and that the Lord is showing us and guiding us in how to care for her. Right now someone has to be with her so we are taking turns going out to do things and it's working for this week. Next week and beyond He will give us the plan.
This week the Lord reminded me that the words of my mouth are life or death. He spoke to my heart that impossibilities are only possible In my unbelief. His Word says in Matthew 19:26 - "But what seems impossible to you Is never Impossible to God!" I know all things are possible with Him and that nothing is impossible. Our common sense, our natural minds try to determine what's possible and impossible. We actually know deep down inside His ways are higher than ours but sometimes we just don't know how to let go and trust Him with some of our life's issues.
One of the greatest challenges we often face is the dread of what may come. There's a fear of what may or may not happen in our lives. The enemy is trying to plant a fear that God isn't as good as we may think. The enemy's lies kill our hope, steal our trust in the Lord and crushes our trust to receive His unconditional love. So much of the world and religion believes that God is in control of our situations and lives so find themselves living in dread of what our Father is going to do next. This is happening in many people with the election. It's not time to get in fear about what may happen but to believe His Word and speak life. Life comes when we KNOW what the goodness of God is and expect His goodness to be in every area of our lives.
"Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.'" Isaiah 41:10
We need to pay attention to what we think about. The Lord told me I need to pay attention and to let nothing go unchecked. This is like I shared a couple weeks ago about the age of distraction. Our focus needs to be on Him and Him only right now, actually always, so we can continue to live each day in His presence with His peace and hope. I am to be aware of my thoughts so I can surrender the negative ones to Him. Any fears, unforgiveness, offenses, incorrect thoughts of my identity I need to bring into the light. He cares about my every thought. This will bring breakthrough and freedom. As I started to think about my words and thoughts I realized how negative some of my thoughts were especially in times of exhaustion. I wasn't thinking about it but realized many of my thoughts and words about different situations were actually cursing. He said to me, "Anything that is negative is speaking a curse to that situation or person."
"Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life, and the talkative person will reap the consequences." Proverbs 18:21
The other day I read this - Everything you need His love has provided. Never underestimate the power that was released through the cross. An unlimited supply of His goodness was accomplished at the cross. Healing, forgiveness, shame, fear, anger were taken care of when Jesus gave His ALL - His life for us on the cross. Hope, favor, love, peace, joy, forgiveness are ours for the taking. We just have to receive it from Him all through faith. If He didn't withhold the gift of salvation for all eternity, why would He withhold what we need during our temporary stay on earth? His love is relevant and applies to every area of our life. There is nothing too great, too small, too mundane that is not affected by the power of His love!
I think more than anything this week I've let fear creep in. Are we doing right? How did we get to this place? What is next? Did we make a mistake putting Sumer through this? But day by day, moment by moment He gives me peace and whispers songs or verses into my heart that let me know that the answers to my questions are not important or necessary. All I need is to rest in Him.
"And everything I've taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!" John 16:33
I have focused on being thankful and praising Him. A couple of my sweetest friends will send me songs that lift my heart and I just praise Him in every situation.
"Let everyone give all their praise and thanks to the Lord! Here's why - he's better than anyone could ever imagine. Yes, he's always loving and kind, and his faithful love never ends." Psalm 107:1
So lift your hands and give thanks to God for his marvelous kindness and for his miracles of mercy for those he loves!" Psalm 107:15
"Always giving thanks to God the Father for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" Ephesians 5:20
Praises and thanksgiving actually break the curse, break through walls and barriers we cannot get through. Our words of thanksgiving opens the heavens and brings miracles in the darkest times. The Lord has promised us that entering into an attitude of praise and thanksgiving will lift the burden, bring miracles, bring freedom, release pain and brings us into His presence. The power of praise is greater than anything we know or will ever experience. That is Who He is and Who He wants to be in us.
"Let everyone give all their praise and thanks to the Lord! Here's why - he's better than anyone could ever imagine. Yes, he's always loving and kind, and his faithful love never ends. So, go ahead-let everyone know it! Tell the world how he broke through and delivered you from the power of darkness and has gathered us together from all over the world. He has set us free to be his very own! So lift your hands and give thanks to God for his marvelous kindness and for his miracles of mercy for those he loves!" Psalm 107:1-3 Passion Bible
Take time to think about your words - your heart. Do your words represent Him as powerful, kind, loving and worthy of praise and thanksgiving always? We are thankful the Lord is guiding us and that our family and friends are well. We praise His name and trust Him in everything. Ed and I are doing well working together in this challenging time. When we hear Summer cry in pain it hurts us but we continue to ask the Lord to guide us together and speak His Life. If we can really grasp and receive the power that comes from praise and thanksgiving we would never want to grumble and complain again. Freeing power. Healing power. Praise and thanksgiving is greater than any force. That is my desire!
"Let everyone thank God, for he is good, and he is easy to please!
His tender love for us continues on forever!
Give thanks to God, our King over all gods!
His tender love for us continues on forever!
Give thanks to the Lord over all lords!
His tender love for us continues on forever!
Give thanks to the only miracle working God!
His tender love for us continues on forever!
Give thanks to the Creator who made the heavens with wisdom!
His tender love for us continues on forever! " Psalms 136:1-5