Visiting places that have so much memory good or bad is hard sometimes.
The drive to my memory-ville was filled with prayer for a softened heart for those my heart is hardened towards.
I really didn't know what to expect really.
I had a purpose to visit and was planning on making my way back with not much of a sign of entry.
naturally, things don't always go as planned.
I met up with someone I didn't expect to be so excited to see.
We chat a bit.
I listened.
shared.
but something was different.
something wasn't right.
Yesterday, after a series of events, had to visit my memory-ville again.
I did what I needed to do, and met with the same someone again for dinner.
As I stared into his eyes,
I saw pain.
hurt.
rejection.
failure.
affliction.
brokenness.
but my eyes lighted,
because I heard His voice say,
he's redeemed.
he has purpose.
I have a plan.
that WILL prevail
he's my child.
my loved one.
he has been called.
a man of my Word.
he is valuable.
worthy.
"Remind him of my love"
I heard Him say,
so I did, I said "He loves you."
"Remind him that i'm waiting."
I heard Him say,
so I did, I said "He's waiting for you"
"Remind him to be still."
I heard Him say,
so I did, I said "sit before the Lord, let Him love you."
"Remind him of my faithfulness."
I heard Him say,
So I did, I said "He's faithful."
I felt the Spirit so full in that moment.
All my focus was on this sweet man of God,
I hurt for him as he spoke words of insecurity and pain.
Words of the enemy.
If this is you today,
my heart aches for you, know that theres so much more in store for you. Don't lose hope. He's waiting for you. He's faithful. He loves you. He adores you. He desires you. He's reaching for you. You are CALLED. You have purpose. He has a plan for your life. He wants to use you. You have worth. He won't give up on you. He hasn't abandoned you. He never ever will. You are LOVED, loved, loved. In Jesus' name I rebuke the enemy for any schemes he may have for you today! he doesn't have a place with you, for you are His.
This morning I was reading streams in the desert by L.B Cowman
This was today's devotional:
" 'Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.' Isaiah 40:1
Store up comfort. This was the prophet Isaiah's mission. The world is full of hurting and comfortless hearts. But before you will be competent for this lofty ministry, you must be trained. And your training is extremely costly, for to make it complete, you too must endure the same afflictions that are wringing countles hearts of years and blood. Consequently, your own life becomes the hospital ward where you are taught the divine art of comfort. You will be wounded so that in the binding up of your wounds by the Great Physician, you may learn how to render first aid to the wounded everywhere. Do you wonder why you are having great sorrow? Over the next ten years, you will find many others afflicted in the same way. You will tell them how you suffered and were comforted. As the story unfolds, God will apply the anesthetic He once used on you to them. Then in the eager look followed by the gleam of hope that chases the shadow of despair from the soul, you will know why you were afflicted. And you will bless God for the discipline that filled your life with such a treasure of experience and helpfulness. Selected.
God comforts us not to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters."
I read that and my heart was satisfied.
Be encouraged today, just as I am.
Your affliction, my affliction, will one day be a story, a testimony, a memory of how we overcame the despair and our Hope gave us the ultimate Comfort.
You are being trained.
The Great Physician is binding up your wounds.
Your story is continuing.
Be encouraged that this trial of pain, hurt, loss, will one day be the story that leads someone out of the pit into Hope. Because of your encouragement this burdened one's weight will be lightened. Thats something to look forward to.
We will be a vessel in the expansion of the Kingdom due to the hardships we are dealing with now.
Not only that, but through this, we will be "…mature, and complete, lacking nothing." James1:4b.
"Consider it pure joy…"Jms1:2 my brothers and sisters.
How beautiful.
I needed this today.
