What’s the next step?

Almost a whole month of this new year is gone and my heart is still full of questions as to the next steps I should take.  As I came before the LORD, I thought it was just between the two of us as I journaled my thoughts hoping for clarity.  But now I feel strongly nudged to share these thoughts with you.

Paul stated, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19). Our LORD told Paul, in effect, “Your whole life is to be overpowered and subdued by ME; you are to have no end, no aim, and no purpose but MINE.” … “You did not choose ME, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go…” (John 15:16).

I remember my heavenly vision LORD, I clearly remember that day YOU spoke directly to me “You did not choose ME, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go…

Late summer 1970 under that pine tree on a mountain near Loyalton, California YOU spoke to me through YOUR word.

Isaiah 50:4-5 The LORD GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: HE me wakens morning by morning, HE wakens mine ear to hear (listen) as one who is taught.  The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious; I have not turned away.

YOU also gave this warning:

Isaiah 50:10-11 Who among you fears the LORD (that is you, Sharon) and obeys the word of HIS servant (the Bible)?  Let the one who walks in the dark (does not know what is ahead), who has no light (does not know what to do), TRUST in the name (character) of the LORD and RELY on their GOD (to take care of what needs to be done). 

But now, all you who light fires (brainstorm ideas) and provide yourselves with flaming torches (formulate your own plans), go, walk in the light of your own fires (ideas) and of the torches (plans) you have set ablaze (concocted). This is what you shall receive from MY hand: You will lie down in torment (you will suffer).

LORD, way back then, over 50 years ago now, I was so confused and down and it was so exciting to hear those words directed to me as I read YOUR word.  It was like water to my thirsty soul that I had meaning, that I had a purpose. The call for my whole life to be overpowered and subdued by YOU; with no end, no aim, and no purpose but YOUR’s I totally embraced although I had no idea what I was getting into or where YOU would lead.  But those words lifted me from despair and gave me hope..

YOU have taught me through YOUR word and YOUR servants during years alone while the kids were at school, then came the adventures, studies, camp, work at the space center, the 10/40 and teaching and then writing.  Never have I felt the call about YOU opening my ears to hear/listen more clearly than I have since YOU brought me to Pueblo.

YOU know I’ve questioned where I’m at and what I’m doing (teaching) yet writing has become such a joy.  Please direct and confirm the specifics of what YOU want for like JESUS I come to do YOUR will O LORD. 

“Show me YOUR ways, LORD, teach me YOUR paths. Guide me in YOUR truth and teach me, for you are GOD my SAVIOR, and my hope is in you all day long” (Psalm 25:4-5).

I know YOU are my Master; I am confident in and trust YOUR infinite wisdom, YOUR complete knowledge of what is needed and how to bring it about, YOUR unsearchable understanding of how we feel and will react, I am amazed at what YOU create and do, I trust YOUR dynamite unlimited power. I am awaiting YOUR counsel, those directions/ instructions I need to take the next step whether forward or back, for I fear only YOU my LORD and my Redeemer.  I rely on YOU to work out all the details that need to be done as YOUR use whom YOU choose to do what YOU want done. Keep me from deception I pray in JESUS precious name. AMEN

HE knows

One had told me repeatedly that GOD was not answering him. Today I shared Psalm 22:1-2 “My GOD, my GOD, why have you forsaken me?  Why are you so far from helping me and from the words of my roaring?  Oh my GOD, I cry in the daytime, but you hear not and in the night season, and am not silent” with him.  Then I asked, “The one who said that knows how you feel doesn’t he?”

He nodded yes and then I asked, “Do you know who said that?” and he shook his head no.  So, I told him, “it was JESUS when he hung on the cross for your sins and mine.  JESUS totally understands how you are feeling, go to HIM.”

Excited about the positive response I shared the exchange and one hearing what I said replied, “But JESUS has no way of knowing how an addict feels!”

I could not keep quiet and therefore related what happened to me. At one point when I was having severe issues with my monthly cycle, I read in Hebrews 4:14-15. I didn’t believe it and told JESUS that HE wasn’t a woman so HE could not understand what I was going through. 

Immediately, a phrase from an episode in JESUS life bombarded my thoughts (Mark 5:25-34).  When the woman with the issue of blood merely touched the hem of JESUS’ garment JESUS felt power go out of HIS being to heal her (Mark 5:30). That says to me that JESUS felt what it takes every time HE healed someone, whatever the problem was. 

And drugs go way, way back in history for alcohol is a drug and Noah was the 1st recorded one drunk.

So if you are ever tempted by the evil one to think that JESUS does not know how you feel in your situation, thereby HE cannot help you, remember the Bible says HE does.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Hugs

Sharon