Breakfast served

"There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." Proverbs 23:18

It is amazing how the Lord speaks to us in gentle whispers amidst the competing shrieks of the world, our flesh, and the enemy. This morning I awoke with a deep and aching sadness in my heart. I procrastinated a bit to sit in quietness of heart before Him and ruminated of ways I could soothe myself. I could hear the enemy's flaming arrows shrieking "where is the fulfillment!" I opened the word and I came across the verse above while fighting the temptation to dismiss it as mere coincidence rather than an intentional message from the KING. I sat with the reality of my ache not sure if desire had been stirred by Him or by my flesh, nonetheless the ache was real and was being seduced to recruit the old idols for immediate gratification instead of waiting for true relief to come down from the mountain. I felt a gentle reminder of manna, the daily portion of bread from heaven given to the Israelites in the desert. I then continued with my study of the book of Leviticus and it so happened that I read chapter 11 where it speaks of the dietary regulations and the very last part the Lord says, "You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean" Leviticus 11:47. Then the Lord put it on my heart to read Rick Joyner's daily devotional http://www.morningstarministries.org/Groups/1000022226/MorningStar_Ministries/Media/Daily_Devotional/Daily_Devotional.aspx

and what do you suppose it was about. . . . manna!

Even as I am writing this, I am processing the Lord's message for me today. I believe that at times He awakens a deep and gnawing ache that only He can soothe, however He seldom chooses to do so completely, at least while we are on this earth. Would I keep seeking His face and glory if I were incandescently satisfied. . . most likely not. He does provide the daily manna to sustain while we are on the journey. He knows why my heart ached this morning and how desire was fiercely stirred recently. I had to choose between the clean and unclean sustenance I was to partake; between the uncleanliness of selfish methods of coping (we all have them) or the food that He provides. I chose this morning to bring Him my longing and in return He gave me my manna, a future promise of hope and fulfillment. Soon after that, my heart stopped aching (it was the weirdest thing!) and have gone about my day. Each day, the Lord invites us to seek the bread from heaven, Christ Himself. He speaks. . . we only have yet to listen.

The Road Map

July 15, 2009

"He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father
has set by his own authority." Acts 1:7

I have been prompted by the Lord to continue writing as of two weeks ago. . . much like Jonah . . . I have his avoidant tendencies. Praise be to the Lord that He has not sent a gargantuan aquatic creature to remind me to do God's will! In all honesty, I am glad I have had two weeks to process the Lord's continual working hand in my life. Much has happened and it has been both exhilerating and heart breaking. During these past two weeks, the Lord has asked me to give up someone in my life. It is one of the most painful experiences to be asked to turn over a substitute that partially satisfies the chasm of an unmet desire. The experience feels like one's heart is being ripped apart. I saw that He was asking me to trust Him blindly; to hand over the golden calf and to trust that He will satisfy even when I can't see the promise, I just know my promise was given to me directly by Him.

I have often written about the transformative journey through the desert, which is a necessary road we must all take when we follow the King. The Lord NEVER let's us know the exact duration of our crossing but He does gives us the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey. All of us who embark on this journey have been called to fufill our destiny and purpose. He instills desires that ache deeply and then asks us to walk through the desert without a map, only carrying a promise of our calling and purpose while instructing us to follow the cloud of His glory. I am convinced that the Lord is raising a new army for the coming battle we will face. Many of us have a promise, however see nothing but sand for miles ahead. As I am writing this, He is reminding me that He purifies and trains us in the desert in order to receive the gift which He so graciously longs to give.