New Beginnings
The Lord gave me the following verses awhile ago with regards to the season of life I had been walking in as a result of personal family hurts (a lifetime of memories for the enemy to use in his arsenal). These verses became such an encouragement and brought much joy and hope to me as I walked thru the year focused on Him, the blessing of my family unit and extended family of Christ, as well as His promises to me in His Word. I placed my trust in Him completely for all the coming year would bring.
“Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19
Isaiah 61 was big for me, especially verse 3:
"To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
The past few years living overseas has brought trials, triumphs and especially big break throughs in my walk with the Lord; I am praying for more of the same this year. I never want to find myself "dull" in my faith. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy green pastures and still waters, but everything is being used by God for our good (Romans 8:28)...especially the trials and pains.
The Lord faithfully gave me scriptures for each situation of this past year. He also blessed me with the ability to "break free" from heavy bondage and strongholds; brought on through the hurt caused by others (unforgiveness and unresolved issues stuffed down; wanting to forgive but not really knowing how...until He met me in that quiet place). He reminded me often that He is no stranger to rejection, especially from family. It's what drove Him to the cross so that I would have victory over my sin, rejection & hurt caused by others, and every other trial brought on by life...because He overcame the grave.
"Nothing touches us that has not first flowed through the fingers of our God. That’s why we can trust Him completely." Chuck Swindoll The LORD taught me a new approach to the things I was dreading (like being a "pastor's wife" and hurtful relations) through this little phrase: "Don't despise the very thing that God is using to drive you to Him.".
I learned how to take my thoughts and hurts directly into His presence and allow Him to speak His truth in difficult situations (rather than waste time revisiting those things and allowing bitterness and strongholds to come in). My mind is often my biggest battle field. He gave me this scripture:
"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete." 2 Corinthians 10:5
By doing this, He revealed where I may have wronged others (Psalm 139:23-24); allowing me to "come clean".
These are ways that I can remain completely surrendered to Him daily; by staying in His presence and treasuring up scripture in my heart to enable me to do battle when the enemy attacks. It also instills in me His Perspective and heart towards others...the ability to choose love, grace and mercy over all. After all "Mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13) and "love" is the greatest gift (1 Cor. 13:13). It's "choosing" "the more excellent way" (1 Cor. 12:31).
Time in His presence is to be purposeful (not necessarily lengthy, but purposeful), and I found how important it is to just sit in silence and ask Him to simply "speak" (Jeremiah 33:3)
I do not know what He has in store for the rest of this year but I know that my desire is to abide in Him "daily" (John 15), with no expectations; other than to know that whatever comes my way, His hand is on the pulse of it and He is true to the promises in His Word.
by Coleen Jejeran, CCEA Missionary to Romania