More encouragement please?

Do you find yourself waiting for someone, sometimes anyone, to give you the encouragement or approval you feel you need to keep going?  This has been on my heart lately and I'm seeing it more and more in myself and others the more I look.  I made a picture for my daughters room and spent a bit of time on it cutting out felt birds and making it look just so.  The first thing I wanted was for my husband to see it and say how good it looked.  Which he did.  In a man way which never has quite the enthusiasm I'd like but never the less he gave his approval and it made me pleased with my effort.  We had friends over on the wednesday and I was also happy when my girlfriend asked if I had made it and gave me her praise that I'd done a good job.  My inlaws stayed over  the weekend and I'd navigated the way into the bedroom to maybe get some notice but nothing was said.  How easy for me to get offended.  Had they even seen it?  Probably not.  But satan was getting in my head saying 'they don't like you, you're not very special, your cooking must be bad too because they didn't comment on it....bla bla bla.  Is it really that important to hear others approval?  We should know that if we rely on others to say the right thing we are going to live a life of disappointment.  Having self worth is important, so is not listening to satan's discouragement.  I know that my inlaws love me, I know they enjoy my cooking and I could really waste precious energy beating myself up about something that doesn't even exist.  If we know that God is for us then it shouldn't matter what others say or what they think of us.  Romans 8 v 31 If God is for us, who can be against us?  Psalm 118 It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man.  The bible is full of learning gems telling us not to put our hopes on man but to hope on and trust in God.  Don't be discouraged when the words you want to hear don't come through for you from others. Remember that God's always with you cheering you on, so look to him for your every need. Also be the one that encourages others, you never know how badly they need to hear how great they look or well they're doing.  Be a blessing to those around you and you will be blessed in return.

Powerful waves of cleansing water

 I spoke to my friend that I haven't seen for a few months yesterday and what is truly amazing is that God had shown me a vision about her the day before.  I had seen her as a seal balancing a ball on her nose and on stage for all to see.  This is how her life has been, bystanders just waiting for her to mess up and drop the ball, always on display for people to judge.  How easy it is for us to be a bystander, ready and waiting to applaud or judge.  Have you ever thought what a struggle that gives the poor seal to perform under that pressure?  As we prayed together we saw God pulling her out of that place and setting her free.  Free to swim in the beautiful sea, washed over with the powerful waves of cleansing water.  Swimming into new depths and free.  As I was driving home this morning tears started flooding out from eyes as I thought of her hardships and pain.  God had given me a glimpse of how hard the past few years had been for her and it was breaking my heart. I love my dear friend so much and yet I had not let myself feel her pain.  I had been waiting for change to come for her and having hope for great things to be in her life but I had never felt like this before.  I was so grieved in my spirit to think I hadn't been there nearly enough for her and it took my heavenly Daddy to show me I had been like a bystander. I'm so sorry my beautiful friend.  I'm also so happy that we could paint this beautiful picture together of a new freedom and I pray that this resonates in the hearts of those reading this to be careful how you look at your friends.  Always have love and mercy.  Make a commitment to love with your words and build confidence in others.  Matthew 12 v 36 But I tell you, on the day of judgement men will have to give account for every idle word they speak.  So be careful the words you chose to speak about a person because you will be accountable for them.  Words are seeds of power, they can be uplifting and encouraging and produce a good harvest or destructive and produce a bad harvest for your life and those around you.  If when you're reading this you find yourself thinking yes, I'm like the seal, always messing up and always being criticised, always being judged I'm telling you that's not how God wants it to be for you.  Jesus offers freedom, a place of rest and peace.  I pray that God will give you the grace to forgive those that have made you feel judged and that he floods over you with his love and freedom.  If you find yourself saying yes, I'm a bystander I look at others and judge them, I pray that you will be able to receive Gods grace and forgiveness and instead of watching from the stands that you will jump in and help them swim to safety. May God bless your day today with great friends.

In heavenly places embrace me

When I'm standing in your presence I'm made blameless
When I call upon your name you're always there
Angels fighting for me remain nameless
Shouting holy to the one beyond compare

Your spirit draws me in and fills me
My cup overflows with your goodness
Your love knows no bounds nor your mercy
Sweet honey to my lips is your taste

I shall sing of your glory forever
praises of grace are my sword
truth wrapped around me
I shall fear not
You are my God
My Lord

In heavenly places embrace me
Lift me up to sit by your throne
On my knees I shall fall
because you forgave all
then you say stand up, you are home

Dance with me Daddy
I love you
Sweep me up off my feet
My dear friend
To have you so close
everyday of my life
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed

Do not be afraid, for the Lord your God is with you

Did you know that fear is a sin? God tells us so many times in the bible not to be afraid of the things of the world.  Luke 12 v 4-5 I tell you, my friends, do not dread and be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have nothing more they can do. But I warn you whom you should fear: fear him who, after killing, has the power to hurl into hell; yes I say to you, fear him!
I was visiting my niece on the weekend and she was telling me about the ghosts in her house. Strange noises, faces popping around corners, singing in the night etc.  Instantly I got a little fearful of what was there spiritually and what it could do to my girls.  I later went home and my oldest daughter woke up in the night with a high fever and bad dreams, there were monsters in her room.  I prayed over her and all through the night I was troubled with dreams of evil spirits entering my house and honestly I was freaked out.  Fear gripped me and I lost the faith in my authority as a daughter of God.  We are seated in heavenly places and have the authority through jesus to cast out demons and trample on snakes and heal the sick (Luke 10v19). I was confused how an evil spirit could have any authority to follow me home and invade my daughters health and my dreams.  Last night at my friends house I was sharing what had happened and I learnt that fear is a sin, and any sin in our lives leaves a spiritual doorway open for satan to attack.  So I repented of my sin of fear,  I took the authority given to me from God and we sent angels to be around my nieces house.  I had an overwhelming sense of peace and had the best sleep. As did my daughter, her fever had completely gone and she was able to go to daycare today.  I have learnt such a valuable lesson out of this. What we keep in our thoughts and what comes out of our mouths impact our everyday lives not just physically but also spiritually.  I encourage you to be transformed by the renewal of your mind (Romans 12 v 2) don't let fear have a hold on you, but fear God... Love what he loves and hate what he hates. His power and love is far greater than that of this world.