Before I start my actual post, I HAD to share this prophecy bulletin I received this morning. Talk about perfect timing. Do you remember my post yesterday where I wanted to throw a temper tantrum? Read this:
SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns — July 9, 2010:
Beloved, as situations arise that take you off guard, your first instinct will be to react emotionally. But, if you will exercise self-control and quiet your soul, you can respond according to the unction of My Spirit instead of reacting in the flesh, which will produce a better outcome, says the Lord. I tell you this so that you can be alert because the enemy is looking to gain the advantage over you.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Find Marsha’s web site HERE.
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On a different note, I was watching Joyce Meyer yesterday and one of the verses she read REALLY stood out to me. I have never noticed this before so I thought I’d share.
Genesis 11:27-32
This is the account of Terah.
Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah. Now Sarai was barren; she had no children.
Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there.
Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.
Did you have any idea that Abram/Abraham’s father was headed to the promised land? Did you know that Abraham was basically completing what his father didn’t finish?!?!? I NEVER noticed that.
But when Terah and his family reached Haran, they “SETTLED” there.
This really knocked me in the head! How many times do we stop half-way and SETTLE?
In this season, I “feel” (I can’t go by feelings) so uncertain of my direction. I really am just sitting here waiting for God to direct my steps. My husband (after 3 years of attending our church) still isn’t ready to “join” so I sit … I wait. I feel like I’m on “hold” whereas in the past I had direction, I knew my purpose.
I went to a Mom’s group meeting a year or so ago and our women’s pastor shared how her Mom had always wanted to be a missionary but never got the chance. Instead, her daughter (our women’s pastor who was speaking) was the missionary. I’m sorry, maybe I’m selfish, BUT I WANT TO LIVE OUT MY DREAMS. I don’t want to settle where I am and watch my daughter live out the things I have prayed about for years. I DO WANT HER TO MOVE IN THE SAME THINGS, but I don’t want to be left out. Ya know? She will have her own calling, her own dreams.
I want to walk out the dreams of ministry in my heart — not stop half-way there.
So back to the scripture … Terah settled … lived there and DIED. Do we die to things spiritually when we stop before our destination (not fulfilling our callings)?
Abraham was the one who had the first covenant with the Most High God. Abraham had to walk in complete faith. He picked up his family and just WENT — not knowing where he was going. Can you imagine?
I’ll just leave this question with you. Have you stopped along the way and SETTLED?
I don’t want to be a settler!
I once had Danny Chambers (an artist with Integrity Music) prophesy some things over me. One thing he said was that I “would see my dreams with my own eyes” … I have seen this come to pass in many things and I’m not ready to stop.
Great post! I shared it. Spoke to me in MANY ways today.
Wow, I never noticed that either. This gives me a lot to chew on today. Love your honesty too. I do understand that just like David had to leave the building of God's temple to Solomon, there are some works parents start and children finish. But I too want to see my own dreams fulfilled in my lifetime.
Amazing post sis, love you.
I, too long to live out all God has for me!
Hugs,
Andrea
FANTASTIC post!!! I feel like I've settled in the past and don't want to settle in the future.
Wow! I was just thinking about how I have settled way too many times in the past. Looking forward, I feel like I need to do something more… I'm still waiting too! Time will tell what my purpose will be in the future. This is exciting! Great post Beth!
Hi Beth,
I just passed an award to you. You can see it here. http://athomeinscottsdale.blogspot.com/
Have a great weekend.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Beth– it's been too long since I've visited your blog! It looks GREAT!!! I love the new header.
Such a good post. How often we rely on our own strength and make it half way there when we could have gone all the way with the strength of the Lord.
Have a great weekend.
Lou
There certainly was a purpose in my visiting you today…..WOW….
Words I really needed to hear….
Settle….I was just about to settle and you knocked me off my chair……
Thank you for being obedient to writing what's on your heart and being trandsparent….You touch so many lives……
Bless you……and I pray you will find peace about your calling…
I have God bumps… this really, really spoke to my heart and the info about Abraham's father – wow! How did I miss that??? And the fact that Terah settled and died – the LORD is really using this Beth – to tell you how much – on Friday, I found a dead mouse in my watering can outside – you know the nice pretty *thing* that I use to water the flowers. This was the SECOND animal this week I'd found in my watering can. The first one, I was able to get out of the can out of doors. But, I could not for the life of me get the dead mouse out of the can outside. And believe me, I tried. And tried. I had to bring the can inside and get it out (with a HEAVILY bagged hand) and I nearly got sick. As I was standing over the trash can, I heard the LORD speak to my heart, "Death in the house makes me sick." The stench, the feeling of being so nauseated really got to me; but I did not clearly see what the LORD meant until I stopped by here. I am so thankful to the Father that you shared this.
I have been in this funk. I want to head toward and live out my destiny too.
Sweet encouragement here again tonight.
Bless you Beth.
I remember hearing a great sermon from Joyce Meyer – throughout the series, she reminded us of how the Isrelites spent 40 years wondering around in the dessert, questioning God, and not hearing or trusting him… the journey should have only lasted 11 days. Instead of trusting God to give us what he says, we settle – I know I have, many times.
Thanks Beth – I love your blog! Thank you Lord for this reminder through Beth!
I really love listening to Joyce Meyer and I love the Word you shared today….so true being lead by the Spirit.
Amen Beth. I do not want to be a settler either. Joyce has a lot of profound things to share from the Lord. She is a wonderful living testimony. That quote from Marsha Burns is wonderful. Thank you for sharing dear one. Blessings.
Beth,
Such food for thought…I listened to Joyce while getting ready for work and heard her comment about Abraham's father going to the promised land and settled….but you have given feet to its meaning and better understanding….
I know that I have often "settled" and feel I may be there now. But I don't have to be, with God's help!!
Thank you, Beth for this word!!
~Beth
I am so grateful to you, Beth, for pointing me to Marsha Burns in the past. Now I get encouraged every day, too. I agree with Danny's word for you and can see you pushing ahead for everything God has in store for you, defeating those enemies in your path along the way.