Fruit That Remains: Lessons from my journals. These are excerpts from my journals over the years. Some are more current than others. I love going back into my journals because I always get refreshed and re-learn the lessons that the Lord has taught me and that I have faithfully scribed.
I can’t take it anymore! I’m so overwhelmed I feel like I’m going to have a breakdown!
Have you every felt like that? I have – many times! On one such occasion, I had been trying to make everything work in my own strength but I was in a season where there were too many demands and not enough of me to go around. I had too much on my plate and plainly needed a clone of myself to get all of my work done, let alone things at home and in ministry. It was just TOO MUCH. So I brought my anxiety to the Lord.
1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
So in this instance, here is how the conversation went down in my journal:
Me: Jesus, I love you so much and I want to please You but I’m being pulled in too many directions. I’m too concerned with work and other things that I don’t even think about You during the day. My mind is racing but it’s You that I need to hear from. Lord, please speak. I’m listening.
God: Your heart is turned toward Me. There is opposition that is coming against you to prevent you from being with Me but it’s nothing to Me. It’s nothing to you either. Keep your heart turned to Me. Keep your face turned to Me. I am moving and shaking and stirring things both in you and around you.
Stability and maturity are being developed in you so you cannot be shaken or moved. I am holding you up and keeping you firm and resolute. As you draw yourself up into Me, I am putting my heart in yours. You will see what I see. Isn’t that great? You will love what I love and hate what I hate. Don’t be afraid to speak up and defend what I love and condemn what I hate. There are spirits and principalities that have been given air time and my children need to speak up and speak out. Don’t be afraid to draw clear lines.
Advocate for love. There is power in love. Study the power in love. Look into My heart as you study the Gospels and see the power in my love. Could anything stop the power in my love? No. Did everyone understand it? No. Did all accept it? No. But did it draw those who were called to believe and receive? Yes!
So go in the power of My love. Take my name and my love to the lost and the broken for I have those who will receive you. Many will mock and not receive you. But great is your reward for reaching the few. I AM with you. Please reach them for My love’s sake.
What can man do to you that they didn’t do to Me? And I have overcome the world. Do not fear. See the victory. When you are afraid, identify the fear and bring it to Me. Call it out and we will conquer it together.
I AM Good. I AM God. I AM that I AM, Bright morning star, Rose of Sharon, Elohim, Adonai, God Most High, Infinite, Eternal, Reigning over all, Unstoppable.
Psalm 97:9-12 – For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name.
Now you:
When you read, “Light shines on the righteous”, do you cringe a little? Do you feel like that is far from describing you right now? Do you feel as though you have let the cares of this life steal your joy and your love for God? Do you feel like maybe you never had a real love for God?
You can have that joy back even when everything is Crazy-town! The Lord wants to bring you up into presence where there is fullness of joy and where He can speak purpose and hope to your soul. I encourage you to take time…even ten minutes…to quiet yourself in secluded place and begin to thank God for your blessings. Begin to worship HIm for Who he is. Draw yourself close to Him with your praise and thanksgiving.
Don’t let this blog post be merely something you read. Reading doesn’t change anyone. Only doing something with what you read changes you. So take the time to get alone with God and let Him speak to your soul about your soul. You will be astounded by what He says to you and how you feel once you have heard Him speak.
Let’s pray:
Dear Lord, You are the God Who calms the storm – in me and around me. You are the answer for all of my anxieties. Your favor surrounds me like a shield and your goodness goes before me. You speak words of direction, encouragement and peace to my heart so that I can endure life’s hardships. Help me to be patient and wait on You. Help me to be able to get quiet and hear You speak. Drive away the clouds of doubt that make me question if I am hearing from You. I am Your child; therefore, I believe that I can hear my Father’s voice. I love You and I thank You for drawing me close to You today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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Cecily, you continue to bless me and so many others. As I read this I kept getting a vision of you before a stadium of people, ministering to them. You are such a natural. The gifts God has given you are so evident to all who have had the pleasure of hearing you preach. I have known you 27 years now, and I have witnessed the struggles you have gone through and marveled at the grace you had as you traversed through the rough times. I am so proud of you and I am so privileged to know you and call you friend. You are going to draw bigger crowds than Joyce Meyers, Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer combined. I just hope you will allow me to stand as one of your prayer warriors. Sincerely Cecily, the anointing is so evident on you. I am not saying these things to tickle your ears or puff up your ego, I really sense the Spirit’s moving, and you have a message for such a time as this.
Dear Judy, I would count it an honor to have you as a prayer warrior for me. You are a mighty woman of prayer – one who actually prays when she says she will! Thank you for your encouragement! Blessings!