The Lord has been stirring my heart so much over the past few weeks. I’ve been wanting to blog about it for a while, but then He gives me more. I cry out to the Lord to help me not fall into complacency and get consumed with thoughts of going home. I ask Him to help me stay focused on the mark and continue to press in to His sweet presence. The Lord has been answering my prayers a little different than I was expecting. He wakes me up between 5-6:30am every morning. (My alarm clock has been missing for a while now.) I spend the first fruits of my day with my Heavenly Father and it has been such a sweet time. He has spoken so much truth and confirmation to me about who I am in Christ and the anointing on my life. He washes His love over me and pours His heart into mine- imparting His perfect will to me.
(An acronym the Lord gave me.)
A mbassador
I ntercessor
T rust
H eart
Faith and power seems to be the common theme in our dialogue. He gives me Scriptures like Romans 9:17,”…even for this same purpose have I raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.”
If I could have a theme song for the past few weeks it would probably be “Faith,” by Jason Upton which talks of letting faith arise in the deepest parts of my being and the most broken parts of my soul. It talks about trusting with the faith and joy like a child, saying no to distractions and obstacles that come my way, dancing and laughing with Him.
I pray the Ephesians 1 and 3 prayers over my family daily, as well as, Colossians 1 over myself, and the Lord says, “Cristie, this is my desire for your life…
“For this cause I also, since the day I heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. Giving thanks unto the Father, which has made you able to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in life; who has delivered you from the power of darkness, and has translated you into the kingdom of his dear Son. Colossians 1:9-13
There is such a powerful message in those verses. The Lord desires that we know His will and walk in spiritual understanding. The Lord wants us to be fruitful and strengthened with His might. And one of the verses that stuck out to me the most, that has been proven this year through the World Race, is that the Lord has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom! Hallelujah! We don’t have to walk in defeat and stay bound by the enemy. We’re free to live out our testimony and walk in the kingdom of His Son, Jesus Christ.
I can feel the Lord’s presence stronger and stronger in my life each day, as if the Lord is building my Spirit up and preparing me for something larger than my mind can comprehend. The Lord is faithful to meet me where I’m at and love me for who I am; His presence is always with me…sometimes I feel as if He is just holding me in His arms as His precious little girl. How humbling it is to know that I am a daughter of the Most High and that He’s called me to great things.
I’ve argued with God quite a bit lately about walking in humility and my approach and attitude about returning home, and He tells me, “No, it’s time you step out in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit and leave this false humility behind. It’s time you step it up and stop worrying and focusing on yourself and how you will come off to others. Rise up, my daughter. It’s time to go to a new level of trust and stepping out in faith in me. Both feet out of the boat, completely immersed in my Spirit.”
I want to end this blog with a vision the Lord gave me. I hope you are encouraged through this blog and know that the Lord is always with you. He’s always ready to meet us where we are at and offer an extended arm of hope and love. The Lord is faithful and His promises are true. He is my God and King and my one, true desire is that He is glorified through my life and all that I do and say.
Just the other night I was seeking His face and praying to the Lord. I got a vision of myself praying on bended knee in an open field, seeking the Lord. A massive tornado began rising around me with debris flying as far as I could see. As I looked to the Heavens I saw an extended hand reaching down for me. In desperation, I clinched the Lord’s hand and was swept away into a romantic dance with the Lord. The intimacy was so sweet; I cannot put it into words. With the storm swirling about me, debris flying, the rains pouring, He gently began reminding me of the impartations He has given me this year and all that He has invested in me. He gently whispers in my ear that I cannot hold it in, but that it’s time to release it to the nations. (Funny to me, cause I think I’m getting ready to go home.) In response, I began weeping and crying to the Lord, “But God, I am not worthy. I am but a child, a 22-year old girl. What could I possibly offer to the world? What could I do that would mean anything in the kingdom of God?” Again, his gentle correction comes in our dialogue, “RISE UP woman. You are my daughter, my beloved and anointed one. It’s time to fight. It’s time to pour out your heart and hold nothing back. No reserves. No backup plans.”
Lord, I give you my life and my future- my hopes, plans, and dreams are yours. Have your way in my life. May I never look to the left or the right, help me to keep my eyes focused on the prize, continuing to run my race, looking to the author and finisher of my faith. Never backing down, never holding back. I love you my Savior and King. All glory to your name. Amen.
