Well, yesterday I finished putting away my things from my trip to Georgia, which was 3 weeks ago! Procrastinate? Never! I just don't like to pack or put my stuff up when I get back! Ha ha! I have been wanting to share with you a dream I had while in Georgia but for one reason or another I haven't gotten it done, but I'm glad I waited because there is post dream information that may amaze you. Well, it amazed me anyway! I shared my dream first with a friend who was indirectly involved. Granted, I shared it later than I had planned to but I'm glad I procrastinated because God's timing is so much better than mine. Do you agree? This friend, Merion, happens to be the Mother of the girl in my dream & one day last week I got on facebook & noticed that she had decided to totally abandoned her facebook because she was going through a hard time and just needed to set some boundaries. I understand that for sure! It wasn't until the next day that I felt pressed to share my dream with her because I could see that satan was trying to steal her joy & snuff out her light. Now, the post dream info had already been revealed to me at this point so I was able to give her the whole story. I was able to start the message with encouragement by letting her know how valued she is & how much she blesses others including me & how I can appreciate her struggles as I too am going through some struggles that also make me want to burrow for awhile till it goes away. Thankfully God is so patient with me & allows me time to figure things out & get over myself & whatever it is that holds me back from moving forward into the many blessings he has in store for me.
Ok, so here' s the dream. I dreamed I was going to prison & I remember thinking that it was so stupid that I was going to prison because what I did really wasn't a punishable offense. I packed all my stuff (believe me i pack for every possible situation); the guard then went through my stuff & set out just what I would need then I started going back through what was left & asking "well, what about this?" The guard replied, "yeah, you can take it but you won't need it." Me "ok, well then I'm gonna take all this cuz it's mine & it makes me feel safe & comfortable." Wesley, my husband, was with me & we were escorted to another place to wait on roll call. This is when his brother Steven showed up just to be with us. Thanks Steven! I know you would be there. I felt a little self conscious because if people saw me then they'd know what I did. I then began to realize that all the people there were people that I knew & that they had obviously done something too! That's when an angel by the name of Meredith showed up or should I say floated over. I do know Meredith in real life & she is much younger than me, could be my daughter. She said to me, "I feel like the Lord wants me to share this with you, but I wasn't sure if He wanted me to tell you to read the whole chapter or just the verse. I'm sure now that it's the verse. 2 Chronicles 30:7 is what God has told me to share with you." At this point I'm scrunching up my face like, HUH? "I don't know, I just really believe that God wants you to know this" she says. So I got my Bible out & started questioning, "did she really mean 2 Corinthians 30:7 or maybe 1 Corinthians or 1 Chronicles?" Meredith had already flitted away, her work was done, but she heard me & reappeared off to the side & said "No! 2 Chronicles 30:7!" Now you can imagine how crazy this must have sounded to me. Why would God want me to read something in 2 Chronicles? That's old testament & so random. If you've read any of my previous blogs you will know that I have said before how God uses some very odd things to get my attention. He probably has to in order to get through to me. Besides I kinda have a hankering for all that's odd! Anyway, when I awoke from my dream it was still so vivid in my mind so I got my Bible out & started searching all those places in the Bible cuz I still thought this had to be all mixed up. Do you know that out of all those books 2 Chronicles is the only one with a chapter 30 & verse 7? Yup! Crazy? Coincidence? I think not! When I read it I was already pretty sure what God was trying to say to me. It's such a weird passage, but I believe he is telling me not to be like my ancestors who were unfaithful & invoke his anger but instead to submit completely to him. Let's take a look at 2 Chronicles 30:7 Do not be like your fathers & brothers, who were unfaithful to the Lord, the God of their fathers, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. Vs 8 says Do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were; submit to the Lord. I laughed at this cuz my neck truly was stiff that morning. It goes on to say serve the Lord so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. If you return your brothers & children will be shown compassion from their captors...For the Lord your God is gracious & compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him. Ok! How clear is that? I don't think I've ever really read in Chronicles but I was wowed. I had to ask God to go ahead & clarify that for me as if I didn't understand. I just really didn't want to hear that. So, looking back into the dream I can see that submission in all things, even the hard ones, & the one's that scare me to submit to him is what he wants. Think about it, He, the guard, has set out for me all that I need & I am still wanting to hold on to those things that are holding me prisoner because even though they are no good for me they are comfortable & safe. He still allows me to take those things even tho I won't need them if I just trust & depend on Him. He gives me the free will to choose but I would imagine he let's out a big sigh each time I hold onto my possessions. Those possessions are not necessarily material things. They could be anger, guilt, shame, sin, memories, pain, fear, worry, etc. He hasn't given up on me yet see that's why he sent Meredith, my angel! In my life I am holding on to things that only cause me pain & confusion & sadness, yet they are so hard to let go of! Why? I am afraid! OF WHAT? My future, happiness, being well, my dreams actually coming true, freedom, love! What? That's crazy you say? You are so right! It is! I believe in the dream that Steven was like the Holy Spirit, a comforter, a peaceful & reassuring presence. You never know when you may be entertaining angels unaware! Maybe you don't believe in dreams, that's ok, it's your choice. I believe enough for us all. God has spoken to me many times in my dreams. It is the one place he can speak to me that I am less resistant & more open minded. He knows me so well.
I feel that at this time in my life I am up against a wall, stale mate. Imagine if I would have submitted, given it all up that morning. Would I still be in this place right now, in this prison? Let me just clue you in even more about how well God knows me. He knew it would take more than a dream & a verse. One of my devos for that day, March 18 2012, was titled "Listening Carefully". Psalm 119:162-163. The devo says, "so...would you be quiet & listen with your eyes on the pages of your Bible? Listen for His still, small voice to whisper to your heart through his word." ROTFL! The other devo for the day is titled "Will I bring myself up to this level?" 2 Corinthians 7:1 ...perfecting holiness in the fear of God. In summary, Am I claiming his promises? Do I realize that He owns me, my body His temple, or am I condoning some habit that couldn't withstand God's light on it? 1 Corinthians 6:19. Do I know that God instructs even the small details of my life, for me my thoughts. When God convicts do not confer with flesh & blood but be cleansed at once Galatians 1:16. Is the mind of my spirit in perfect agreement with the life of the Son of God in me or am I mentally rebellious & defiant? Philippians 2:5. It ends with "be serious in your commitment to God & gladly leave everything else alone." I mean really, how much more clear does it need to be? Evidently for me, crystal clear! I frustrate myself! So naturally last Tuesday I was still asking God questions about what is wrong with me, what do I need to do? I read my devos but they didn't really lead me anywhere. Didn't know where to look in my Bible so I got on facebook, nothing there this time. So, finally I grabbed my Bible & guess where it turned to? You got it, 2 Chronicles 1. I read it & basically what I heard was that Solomon asked God for wisdom & knowledge, not riches etc, & God granted it & then some. 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 The truth is, wisdom, knowledge & a splash of understanding is definitely what I need. Now I must put away all doubt, fear, & pride & ask for what I need & give up all that I don't need. Wouldn't you agree? Are you like me? Does anyone else do this? I am asking for your prayers that i will humble myself to God's will & truths about my life & surrender all that entangles me. I know that he has such a greater purpose for me, more than all this self inflicted suffering. Until he has created a pure heart in me I will not be able to see his purpose or execute it when it is revealed to me.
I want to tell you how blessed I was when Merion responded the very day that I had sent her the message because I knew she had already checked out of facebook so I prayed that if it was God's will then please let her somehow get my message. He answered ASAP! It blessed me to know how blessed she felt & that she is back on facebook! I enjoy her positive & encouraging posts!
If Jesus texted or facebooked I bet his message to me would look something like this...Jesus:TBH! Sigh! SMH! It's not who you knew, it's not what you did, it's how lived! Keep living for me! I am patiently waiting for you to break free from your prison & join me in freedom completely consecrated in me! Love Jesus!
PRISONER 2012
Stephanie Goode
WOW, that was a powerful song and what a message. Thanks for sharing. Who would have thought that the dream you had was such a spoken word for you. I am so glad you have recieved the message that God had for you. Can't wait to see it unfold in your life. Keep on searching, listening and obeying.. Love Ya Ruth
ReplyDelete