Imperative Word for the Body of Christ

Don't you just love it when God really wants you to hear a word He will repeat it several times until you've heard it? When listening to sermons, doing Bible study or talking with people I often hear words from the Lord. They pierce my heart and I think to myself, "wow, that was good." Then, other times, I hear the same word in different contexts, through many different venues and it's those times my spirit comes to complete attention. It's like the Lord saying to me, "Amy, wake up, this is really important. I not only want you to hear this, I want you to act on it." I have heard such a word in the last two weeks and now I am going to "act on it."

Repentance, it's important. No, let's take it further, it's imperative. Without repentance we cheapen the gift of grace.

Russell and I visited a church in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee a couple of Sundays ago. In case you are wondering where Leiper's Fork is, it is somewhere in the boonies near Franklin. Great place, you really should visit:)

We pulled up to the church and there on the sign it read, "Those who mourn will find comfort" or something like that. The pastor is doing a series on the Beatitudes and this particular week they were on Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

I must admit when I read the sign I wasn't too excited. I thought the message would be depressing. You know what they say about assumptions...

The pastor went into detail about the word "mourn." Of course to mourn means to grieve due to loss, but in this context it is more accurately referring to Godly sorrow. Sin makes God sorrowful, it grieves His heart. Sin should also grieve ours.

Let's look at II Corinthians 7:10 , "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." (NIV)

Now the same verse in the Message "Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets."

The pastor went on to say he feels as believers we are uncomfortable with confronting other's sin and we downplay the need for repentance. For example, when a sister or brother comes to us and confesses a sin, perhaps looking for accountability and/or encouragement we are quick to say, "hey man, don't worry about it, it's no big deal." We downplay the seriousness of sin because it makes us uncomfortable to really look at it face to face. Probably because we too struggle with similar sin and to confront it in another turns the spotlight on our own hearts as well.

We are instructed in James 5:16 to confess our sins to one another so healing may come. Confession is part of repentance. Repentance is part of a Godly lifestyle if we want to live in the abiding place referred to in Psalm 91:1.

As the body of Christ we must stop sugar coating sin. Let's call it what it is!

Now, in effort to convey a balanced scriptural view on the subject I must say I do not believe anyone should wallow in guilt or condemnation. Holding onto sin and allowing the enemy to tell us we are dirty or unworthy is a denial of what Christ did on the cross.

Remembering one of my favorite verses Romans 2:4, "God's kindness leads you toward repentance." It is His goodness that draws us to repent because the Holy Spirit in us is grieved by sin. Going back to the beatitude, "blessed are those that mourn, for they will be comforted." Godly sorrow brings repentance and repentance brings forgiveness and forgiveness releases healing and freedom...and nothing is more comforting then that!

Papa God continued to speak to me about repentance at the conference I just attended. The conference theme was glory and intimacy. A line I wrote down in my notes was "clean conscience by repentance." You see, it is clear, repentance is necessary for those who want to walk more intimately with the Father. Not because we have to be "good enough," or "perfect," but because sin puts up a wall between us and our Daddy. I want what grieves Him to grieve me.

Let's take this up a notch and move from personal repentance to corporate repentance. I believe repentance is a good word for the current state of our nation. I am reminded of II Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

This verse is quoted often when people are focused on the doom and gloom state of the government, economy, culture, etc. But I want to warn you don't be so quick to claim this verse without reading it carefully. Notice it clearly states we are to "turn from wicked ways." This is repentance in a nutshell.

Do you see the cause and effect pattern in this verse? Calling on His name leads to humility, where we fall on our face seeking His. When we truly seek His face we are struck with our need for repentance. Repentance clears the lines between us and heaven so we hear His voice. We then are able to receive forgiveness and healing! Isn't that amazing?!?!

Pointing the finger at one political party or person isn't the answer. Rioting, boycotting, name calling, petitioning, etc aren't the answer. Repentance is the answer, it's right there in the Book!

You might be wondering what this has to do with you? May I suggest it starts with you? Humble yourself and confess and repent from the sins of our fathers. Yes, you can repent for past generations in order to bring about change for future generations!

I have recently participated in such intercession. I was lead to repent for the sins of pride, rebellion and fear for myself and this region. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal to your heart what sins on behalf of your region and you, personally, need to repent for.

This blog has taken two different courses, thank you for staying with me. In short, walk in a lifestyle of repentance for yourself, then do your part to bring about repentance for your city, state and nation. Then praise God for His faithfulness to honor His promise to "heal," in your heart and your land!

I thank You, Papa God, that Your kindness and goodness is what leads us to repentance! I want my heart so in line with Yours, that I am grieved when You are grieved! Thank you in advance for healing my heart and healing my city...it truly does make My Soul Sing!

All you had to do was give it to Me

It has been awhile since I've written a post that is one part confession and one part exhortation:) I pray the Father speaks to you through this personal revelation.

My husband and I joined a small group. It met for the first time last night. This isn't your typical "new" small group because many of us were already in covenant relationship with each other. This level of intimacy allowed us to skip over the formalities and awkwardness of getting to know one another and get right to business. We each were asked to share up to three prayer requests.

As I listened to those who went before me I was thinking of what my requests would be. My thoughts went to several on going prayer needs within my family, but I knew none of these were what the Lord was wanting me to share with the group. He wanted me to get personal and share my heart.

Ironically, it took me awhile to realize what the concern of my heart was. I didn't go to the meeting thinking anything was weighing heavy on my heart. In hindsight I realized I couldn't have been more wrong!

My turn to share came and out of my mouth came an earnest desire of my heart. It was a mama's cry. I can not share the details, but just know it was a burden, one I didn't fully realize the weight of...

We had a time of prayer and left agreeing to lift one another up in the days and weeks ahead.

As I was driving my younger daughter to school this morning I noticed a shift. The very thing I had shared in my request was different this morning. Hmmm? I thought to myself. It was then I heard His voice, "all you had to do was give it to Me." Ding, ding, DUH!

For a brief moment I entertained the condemning thought, "how could you miss that, Amy?" I was quick to go back to the revelation my Daddy had given me...

"All YOU had to do was give it to Me."

"All you had to DO was give it to Me."

"All you had to do was GIVE it to Me. "

" All- you- had- to- do- was- give- it- to- Me."

I consider myself an intercessor. I love to pray. I love to listen for His heartbeat; the heartbeat of heaven and release what I hear the Father say into the environment around me. I love to intercede on the behalf of others. But what I had missed was a personal need. What I realized is I had tried to "fix" it myself. Trying to cope in my strength. How I know this doesn't work! DUH! "All you had to do was give it to Me."

It wasn't that I didn't think God cared about this need, or that He was too busy...it just wasn't on my radar until I spoke it out...when I heard my voice admit to the group this issue was robbing me of peace I knew the gravity of the issue. Living in a place of His peace is something I jealously guard and voraciously treasure. "All you had to do was give it to Me."

In my heart I know the prayer is answered, it's a done deal. The situation is back in His capable hands because I have removed mySELF out of the equation. The burden is where it was meant to be all along...at His feet. He gave me His easy yoke in exchange for my weighty burden! (Matthew 11:28-30)

Perhaps you are reading this and He has brought an issue, situation or need to your mind. Have you given it to Him? Maybe you have given it to Him only to pick it back up? Hopefully you are able to lay it down and leave it at the foot of the cross, remembering there is no limit to how many times you can do so. If you feel like it's been a seemingly never ending cycle, shake off any condemnation and lay it down again...and leave it there. "All you had to do was give it to Me."

Papa, I thank You. I thank You for being accessible 24/7/365. I thank You for longing for me to come to You with the heaviest of burdens and the smallest of burdens, because in Your eyes they are equally important. I thank You for placing me in a community who generally cares about my well being. I thank You I was designed to live in community where transparency brings healing. You are a good and loving Father. You long for me to depend on You, trust in You and come to You. My Soul Sings because all I had to do was give it to YOU!

*If you are personally struggling with a burden and want a safe place to share, I would love to pray for you. You can send me a private message by Facebook:)

Prayer for Haiti

If you are like me you might be at a loss for words on how to pray for the nation of Haiti. The devastation is immense and the loss of lives is so great I can hardly comprehend it. I received a prayer bulletin originally published by the ministry of James Goll with the Encounters Network. James outlined some prayer points and I am going to take them and compose a prayer and if you would like to join me in agreement that would be awesome! Our prayers do change the course of history!

Father God, in the name of Jesus Christ I come to you in intercession for the nation of Haiti. I recognize Lord that although this nation has turned from You, You have not taken Your eyes off of them. Father, I ask for a harvest of laborers to be released into the field of Haiti in Jesus Name. I pray for the testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ to ring loud and clear throughout the nation of Haiti. I pray the strongholds of witchcraft and voodoo be broken in the mighty and strong name of Jesus Christ. The people of Haiti to repent and turn and run into the loving arms of you Father. I pray for revival to break forth...not just revival, but new life, because You are doing a new thing...birth leaders in the nation of Haiti who profess You as Lord and Savior.

I pray all efforts of rescue, restoration and relief would have a spirit of unity. That the focus would be on humanitarian relief and the rebuilding of every area of life. I pray for the re-establishment of a Godly government in every sphere of influence in the nation of Haiti. I pray for the unity of leaders across the nations for such a time as this.

I ask Lord that the body of Christ would awaken and take their position on the wall and intercede and become repairers of the breach. I repent of complacency and washing my hands clean of tragedies not occurring on my soil, as if they don't effect me. I recognize these are Your nations and as part of the body of Christ I am called to pray and intercede for those suffering.

Father I pray You would supernaturally multiply the food rations and supply clean water for all those in Haiti. I pray Your Spirit would lead rescue efforts and those living would be found quickly and receive medical help as needed. I curse the spirits of death, torment and infirmity. I speak and release life, truth and peace over the nation of Haiti in the name of Jesus!

I ask you Lord to release a heavenly host of angels into Port au Prince and the entire nation of Haiti. I ask for Heaven to come down in the midst of the darkness and invade this region with LIGHT, FREEDOM and JOY! Nothing is too big for you God! Nothing is impossible for you God! Although my human finite mind can not comprehend how goodness could be brought from such devastation that is Your promise...You are always good (Nahum 1:7!)

Your Word tells us in II Chronicles 7:14 that if we humble ourselves and pray and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways, then You will hear from heaven and will forgive our sins and heal our land. I pray that not only for my nation, but for the nation of Haiti. You promised us the nations and I want the nation of Haiti! The nation of Haiti will bow at Your feet! Send forth Your Word across the nation of Haiti!

Thank you Father! We love you Jesus! Send forth Your Spirit and heal and renew the nation of Haiti, rescue them from the grave (Psalm 104:30 and107:20) Thank you for hearing our cries and petitions! We give you honor and glory and praise! It's in the mighty and strong name of Jesus Christ we pray, AMEN!