Saturday, December 16, 2017

December 16

During my time sitting next to a creek in the woods a verse in Ezekiel came to mind. It was revealed to Ezekiel during a vision God gave him about the river flowing from the temple. As I was enjoying my time with the Lord, it suddenly came to me like a light bulb turning on! God had placed me beside a trickling creek that runs into the lake, which, by the way, is named Hancock, which is my maiden name! That little fresh water creek, which was only about ankle deep, was like the Holy Spirit pouring into me! In the vision He gave Ezekiel, He was calling him to go deeper into the river, to the point that it was over his head and it couldn’t be passed through. Where this fresh water flowed, the trees along the bank produced fruit. The Holy Spirit flowing into you makes everything fresh and alive, producing fruit! Pay attention! God is speaking to you all the time, are you tuned in?


And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing." Ezekiel 47:12

Friday, December 15, 2017

December 15

God gives me illustrations of truth through His creation. Although I love the owl, there is something significant about a bird that hunts its prey in the darkness. By significant I mean creepy! They worry me because I have small dogs and I’m afraid that one might get snatched up when I take them out at night. As I was walking down a trail in the forest, I heard an owl just above my head, so I immediately began thinking there was a demonic presence, but God in His greatness saw my distress and gave me a sign of His mighty power, the eagle! The eagle was much higher in the tree showing me that it didn’t matter about the demons lurking, He is more powerful than any and His wings have me covered! The wingspan of the largest owl is only five feet where the eagles wings can span up to eight feet! If you are ever feeling overwhelmed by your circumstances, remember the He has you covered!


Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, Deuteronomy 32:11

Thursday, December 14, 2017

December 14

During my time in the woods, I felt the Lord was telling me to get up and take a look at the lake from that vantage point. The thorny vines, stickers, and underbrush prohibited me from going very far. I could see the clearing, but I needed a machete if I was going to make it there! I kept tripping and getting tangled, so I gave up and went back to my chair. I began to feel like I hadn’t heard Him and it was my own desire to see the lake. It was Him, because there was a lesson in it! We cannot make it as a Christian and traverse through this world without our weapon. We need something to cut through the thicket and to clear a path to the opening we see ahead of us; that clearing that is drawing us deeper into the woods with the promise of freedom once we make it there. We have a weapon and it’s our Sword! Make sure you don’t leave your chair without it!


and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:17

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

December 13

For years I’ve gone against my desire to deck the halls as a way of getting rid of the idol. Yes, it had become an idol. Instead of worshiping our Savior, I was worshiping the season. I allowed myself to get caught up in the joy of Christmas, rather than revering God who gave us the reason to celebrate. It was very hard because I love all of the festivities and fun. Then I heard our Father tell me that it was okay for me to enjoy the season, and that it was okay to get caught up in the festivities because I was His child and He knows how much I love it. I had a reminder of how gracious and loving He is and if his little girl wanted to decorate, she could! So, I put up a tree and stopped denying my love for Christmas. I know the reason we celebrate, and He is worthy of that celebration. Nothing I do can change His love for me; my sin is hidden in Jesus and that’s something to celebrate!


But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. Romans 11:6

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

December 12

Our definition of rest and God’s definition of rest are quite different. We are thinking about taking a load off, closing our eyes, and sleeping for a week. It’s true that we need to take time to rest our bodies, because, what use are we if we cannot function? God considers it rest when we are no longer consumed by the power sin holds over our heads. We are at rest when we realize that we are no longer bound by religion, but are bound by love. We find our perfect rest in Jesus. He wants us to stop striving to please man and begin to look to Him to fulfill His perfect law, and that is to love Him and to love others as we love ourselves. When we change our minds and fall in love with Him, everything else in our lives will fall into place. It is then that we enter into His rest, the promised land! Once you get your heart in line with your head and you truly believe, rest will come.


And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:18-19

Monday, December 11, 2017

December 11

I got away for a few days, unplugged and spent some quality time with Jesus. I thought I had found the perfect place, right along the edge of the lake. I got there early and no one was around except me and the birds. Then I realized I had picked the wrong spot. The lake side was where I wanted to be, but that wasn’t the place God had chosen. It only dawned on me when the lake's edge became the perfect spot of many others. I picked up and moved to a secluded place in the woods next to a creek. It was perfect! Just me, Jesus, and the birds communing together! It’s amazing the things He will reveal to you when you make an effort and take a time-out with Him. Do you realize how precious we are to Him? We are His everything! I know you’ve heard this before, but you need to listen to Him and take it from your head to your heart. Listen as He tells you of His love for you. You are a child of The King!


for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. Galatians 3:26