Hey sis! Please indulge me as I first of all give a big big
big shout-out to a woman who has been such a blessing to me from the very first
day I met her. No, scratch that…. She was a blessing to me waaayyyyy before that; in so far as she is the mother of my awesome
brother-in-law Marc, and she is mother/sister/friend to my precious baby
sister. I love you Mrs. Diane Johnson aka Momma J.
big shout-out to a woman who has been such a blessing to me from the very first
day I met her. No, scratch that…. She was a blessing to me waaayyyyy before that; in so far as she is the mother of my awesome
brother-in-law Marc, and she is mother/sister/friend to my precious baby
sister. I love you Mrs. Diane Johnson aka Momma J.
It was my birthday several weeks
back and I had such an outpouring of love from her and countless others. But
just a couple of days ago, I received some ‘express’
mail that in the end turned out to be snail mail, and in the package were two
absolutely delightful birthday cards from Momma J. And she is so special like
that, my second mama! She really is! It wasn’t enough for her to do Facebook
posts, etc… no, she brought a personal and very unique touch of love from the
depths of her heart.
back and I had such an outpouring of love from her and countless others. But
just a couple of days ago, I received some ‘express’
mail that in the end turned out to be snail mail, and in the package were two
absolutely delightful birthday cards from Momma J. And she is so special like
that, my second mama! She really is! It wasn’t enough for her to do Facebook
posts, etc… no, she brought a personal and very unique touch of love from the
depths of her heart.
Tears immediately began to stream
down my eyes as I considered how she would have taken her time to drive down to
the gift shop. I could see her browsing through various cards, looking for the
ones whose wordings would best convey the love she feels for her ‘other daughter’ as she so lovingly calls
me. I could see her at her dining table, bent over the cards, taking time to
underline and place emphasis on the words and phrases that she needed me to
hear truly and deeply as coming straight from her heart. I felt that true love
as being from the heart of God, and it was my birthday all over again. So this
is me honoring a precious woman who took time to honor me so much. I love you
Momma J, truly I do. And I thank you form the bottom of my heart. God Himself
hugs you for me momma-mine. He sure does!
down my eyes as I considered how she would have taken her time to drive down to
the gift shop. I could see her browsing through various cards, looking for the
ones whose wordings would best convey the love she feels for her ‘other daughter’ as she so lovingly calls
me. I could see her at her dining table, bent over the cards, taking time to
underline and place emphasis on the words and phrases that she needed me to
hear truly and deeply as coming straight from her heart. I felt that true love
as being from the heart of God, and it was my birthday all over again. So this
is me honoring a precious woman who took time to honor me so much. I love you
Momma J, truly I do. And I thank you form the bottom of my heart. God Himself
hugs you for me momma-mine. He sure does!
That said, and necessarily so,
let me get back to the word I have for you today, sis. And that word from God
is that ‘This Too Shall Pass!’
let me get back to the word I have for you today, sis. And that word from God
is that ‘This Too Shall Pass!’
I kinda already figured that God
was trying to tell me something. What was happening couldn’t have been a series
of coincidences. No! It became rather clear to me that I was dealing with ‘Godincidences’ when for four days in a
row, everyone I listened to was ministering about Esau and Jacob. From Stephen
Furtick, to Joyce Meyer, to Robert Morris, to Leon Fontaine, to At Boshoff, and
finally to Bishop TD Jakes…. the message was so essentially the same that it would
have been scary if my walk with God hadn’t yet gotten to where He has helped me
be today.
was trying to tell me something. What was happening couldn’t have been a series
of coincidences. No! It became rather clear to me that I was dealing with ‘Godincidences’ when for four days in a
row, everyone I listened to was ministering about Esau and Jacob. From Stephen
Furtick, to Joyce Meyer, to Robert Morris, to Leon Fontaine, to At Boshoff, and
finally to Bishop TD Jakes…. the message was so essentially the same that it would
have been scary if my walk with God hadn’t yet gotten to where He has helped me
be today.
Truth be told, I didn’t cotton on
to the relevance of this message in my space until yesterday. Stephen Furtick
had said, ‘Don’t sacrifice what you want
now for what you need in the future’ (Let me encourage you to get his ‘God of
Jacob’ also called ‘Death to Selfie’ series. Powerful word!); and when a few minutes later Bishop Jakes gave
the charge ‘Don’t make permanent
decisions based on temporary situations’ I suddenly saw it clearly. Over
the past couple of weeks, I have found myself burdened under the weight of a
few situations playing out within my work and extended family. My own inner
sanctum has been well protected, praise God; but all around me were existing
dependencies that were being compounded by challenges that were creating other
dependencies – emotionally, spiritually financially, in and of themselves. It
was all a bit much, sis. It was!
to the relevance of this message in my space until yesterday. Stephen Furtick
had said, ‘Don’t sacrifice what you want
now for what you need in the future’ (Let me encourage you to get his ‘God of
Jacob’ also called ‘Death to Selfie’ series. Powerful word!); and when a few minutes later Bishop Jakes gave
the charge ‘Don’t make permanent
decisions based on temporary situations’ I suddenly saw it clearly. Over
the past couple of weeks, I have found myself burdened under the weight of a
few situations playing out within my work and extended family. My own inner
sanctum has been well protected, praise God; but all around me were existing
dependencies that were being compounded by challenges that were creating other
dependencies – emotionally, spiritually financially, in and of themselves. It
was all a bit much, sis. It was!
As I communed with God during my
quiet time a few mornings’ ago, He had reminded me that I needed to stay in His
rest in order to fulfill His assignments. I didn’t need to wonder why He
reminded me about that, sis. I can tell you that in those few days, my peace
had been completely stolen – to the degree that by the day before yesterday,
I’d found myself moping around quite a bit, and then randomly bursting into
tears every so often (much to consternation of my poor clueless husband).
quiet time a few mornings’ ago, He had reminded me that I needed to stay in His
rest in order to fulfill His assignments. I didn’t need to wonder why He
reminded me about that, sis. I can tell you that in those few days, my peace
had been completely stolen – to the degree that by the day before yesterday,
I’d found myself moping around quite a bit, and then randomly bursting into
tears every so often (much to consternation of my poor clueless husband).
As I stood in his embrace
yesterday morning, I was grateful that my husband knew well enough that it
wasn’t one of those times when he needed to ask me any questions or try to
solve a problem for me. He just stood rock solid with his arms around me and my
head on his chest. His steady breathing belied what I knew would certainly be
his own inner turmoil and feeling of helplessness; and I was grateful because
his outward calm was so soothing. I needed that. It was in that space that I
began to speak to myself and again allow the Holy Spirit minister peace to my
soul. It was in that space that I reminded myself that I am the blessed of the
Lord; that I am favored; that I am a privileged daughter of the Most High God.
I reminded myself of my many blessings; I reminded myself of my countless
testimonies of old, and I assured myself that God would do it again and again.
yesterday morning, I was grateful that my husband knew well enough that it
wasn’t one of those times when he needed to ask me any questions or try to
solve a problem for me. He just stood rock solid with his arms around me and my
head on his chest. His steady breathing belied what I knew would certainly be
his own inner turmoil and feeling of helplessness; and I was grateful because
his outward calm was so soothing. I needed that. It was in that space that I
began to speak to myself and again allow the Holy Spirit minister peace to my
soul. It was in that space that I reminded myself that I am the blessed of the
Lord; that I am favored; that I am a privileged daughter of the Most High God.
I reminded myself of my many blessings; I reminded myself of my countless
testimonies of old, and I assured myself that God would do it again and again.
Sis, in the space of my husband’s
stoic embrace, I reminded myself that the situations I was (and am) dealing
with been there a while anyway – even if somewhat exacerbated now. I reminded
myself that the same God Who has delivered me time and time again would fight
for me even in these new battles. And why not? He is jealous over me, isn’t He?
He has good plans for me, doesn’t He? He has said He will never leave me nor
forsake me, hasn’t He? Has He not kept me and mine in great health, in material
wealth, in love, joy and togetherness? Has He not given me a great family, successful
business, growing ministries? Has He not shown me the ultimate expression of
love – a love that was deep enough to sacrificially call me out of sin and keep
me growing in Him? Ah yes sis, as I clung to my husband in the physical, my
spirit man clung back tighter to God! I exhaled deeply twice, slowly let go and
smiled broadly. I said to my husband ‘I’m
good. This too shall pass’. It was a word that came easily from my heart,
and I knew as I spoke that God had released those words straight out of His Holy
Spirit that is within me.
stoic embrace, I reminded myself that the situations I was (and am) dealing
with been there a while anyway – even if somewhat exacerbated now. I reminded
myself that the same God Who has delivered me time and time again would fight
for me even in these new battles. And why not? He is jealous over me, isn’t He?
He has good plans for me, doesn’t He? He has said He will never leave me nor
forsake me, hasn’t He? Has He not kept me and mine in great health, in material
wealth, in love, joy and togetherness? Has He not given me a great family, successful
business, growing ministries? Has He not shown me the ultimate expression of
love – a love that was deep enough to sacrificially call me out of sin and keep
me growing in Him? Ah yes sis, as I clung to my husband in the physical, my
spirit man clung back tighter to God! I exhaled deeply twice, slowly let go and
smiled broadly. I said to my husband ‘I’m
good. This too shall pass’. It was a word that came easily from my heart,
and I knew as I spoke that God had released those words straight out of His Holy
Spirit that is within me.
What has this got to do with Esau
and Jacob? Well quite simply sis, I saw that God was reminding me that in the
heat of our passions, distresses and travails, when we seem to be buffeted around
about by various storms (in Esau’s case, his intense hunger); then we need to
be careful not to let go of our birthrights. We need to be careful not to make
permanent decisions off of temporary situations. As I sat back and reflected on
the things I was (am) struggling with, and the initial sets of thoughts I’d had
regarding how best I could sort the issues out, I realized that minus my coming
back to the place of resting in God, I would have made some suboptimal
decisions, consequences for which I would have had to contend with for ages. I was
reminded afresh that none of the situations was or is in my hands, and that
operating outside of God’s rest would have amounted to me trying to help Him do
what only He actually can in the first place. I realized that minus God, any
choices I made would set me up for complications along the line. Thank God for
divine interruptions, sis. Thank God indeed!
and Jacob? Well quite simply sis, I saw that God was reminding me that in the
heat of our passions, distresses and travails, when we seem to be buffeted around
about by various storms (in Esau’s case, his intense hunger); then we need to
be careful not to let go of our birthrights. We need to be careful not to make
permanent decisions off of temporary situations. As I sat back and reflected on
the things I was (am) struggling with, and the initial sets of thoughts I’d had
regarding how best I could sort the issues out, I realized that minus my coming
back to the place of resting in God, I would have made some suboptimal
decisions, consequences for which I would have had to contend with for ages. I was
reminded afresh that none of the situations was or is in my hands, and that
operating outside of God’s rest would have amounted to me trying to help Him do
what only He actually can in the first place. I realized that minus God, any
choices I made would set me up for complications along the line. Thank God for
divine interruptions, sis. Thank God indeed!
And you know what? Though I’d
retaken my ground at home, as I walked into my office yesterday, I also began
to speak out into the atmosphere of that space which I would occupy for a good
part of my day, and again declare the blessings of God over my life in that space.
I declared the things I needed to be thankful for and I openly rebuked the
enemy for his attempt at distracting me. I could literally sense the shift in
the atmosphere, sis. Literally! Then in my first meeting of the day, what was
supposed to be a thirty minute sit down to talk business turned into a three-hour
apostolic session, with intense prayers and prophetic declarations that
validated on at least seven different levels, things that God had spoken to me
over the past few months. Wow! At the end of the day sis, with a clearer head
and heart, and with a resettled spirit, I can tell you that I have practically
been floating ever since, a silent sing-song putting a skip in my every step. The
irony is that nothing has changed in the physical. The issues are still there,
but I am back at rest. I am back to the place of the fullness of knowing with
certainty that each of these issues shall yet pass, as my God lives true to His
word to contend with everyone or everything that contends against me; as He
indeed fills me with a peace that surpasses all understanding; as I again enter
my hiding place – in His rest!
retaken my ground at home, as I walked into my office yesterday, I also began
to speak out into the atmosphere of that space which I would occupy for a good
part of my day, and again declare the blessings of God over my life in that space.
I declared the things I needed to be thankful for and I openly rebuked the
enemy for his attempt at distracting me. I could literally sense the shift in
the atmosphere, sis. Literally! Then in my first meeting of the day, what was
supposed to be a thirty minute sit down to talk business turned into a three-hour
apostolic session, with intense prayers and prophetic declarations that
validated on at least seven different levels, things that God had spoken to me
over the past few months. Wow! At the end of the day sis, with a clearer head
and heart, and with a resettled spirit, I can tell you that I have practically
been floating ever since, a silent sing-song putting a skip in my every step. The
irony is that nothing has changed in the physical. The issues are still there,
but I am back at rest. I am back to the place of the fullness of knowing with
certainty that each of these issues shall yet pass, as my God lives true to His
word to contend with everyone or everything that contends against me; as He
indeed fills me with a peace that surpasses all understanding; as I again enter
my hiding place – in His rest!
What then is my message to you,
sis? As the Lord ministered to me, I want you to hear His word for you also,sis.
No matter what you are going through, no matter how difficult the situation is,
the Lord is asking that you trust Him. He is saying to you that this too shall
pass. He is saying that something great is ahead of you, good plans that He
laid in store from you from the foundation of the earth – your birthright, sis.
Your heavenly birthright is in store for you! He says you should not allow the
hunger pangs and pains of the day cause you to sub-optimize your destiny, sis. Don’t
make hard choices because you can’t see your way through, sis. Rather, keep
your focus up – on Him. Remind yourself of your previous testimonies, sis. And then
rest again, trust again, believe again.
sis? As the Lord ministered to me, I want you to hear His word for you also,sis.
No matter what you are going through, no matter how difficult the situation is,
the Lord is asking that you trust Him. He is saying to you that this too shall
pass. He is saying that something great is ahead of you, good plans that He
laid in store from you from the foundation of the earth – your birthright, sis.
Your heavenly birthright is in store for you! He says you should not allow the
hunger pangs and pains of the day cause you to sub-optimize your destiny, sis. Don’t
make hard choices because you can’t see your way through, sis. Rather, keep
your focus up – on Him. Remind yourself of your previous testimonies, sis. And then
rest again, trust again, believe again.
Don’t worry that it looks hard,
sis. Don’t worry that it looks scary, confusing, frustrating, that it appears
to be stagnating. Don’t let the winds blowing from all sides distract you. All eyes
on Jesus, sis! Your Father is calling you back into His rest, and into the
assurance that He is more than able. Whatever is your current ‘this’, sis…. Please
trust that it too shall pass. Count your blessings, sis. It truly does help you
see life through God’s perspective and power. Yes, like me you may find yourself
weighed down and teary-eyed for a season. But please don’t let that season
escalate, sis. Rather, be intentional about your God-focus. Be intentional
about finding your past testimonies because He will do it again. This too shall
sis! This too shall pass! I trust that the Holy Spirit will help you see this
clearly with every attack of the enemy, even as surely as He has and is daily
helping me.
sis. Don’t worry that it looks scary, confusing, frustrating, that it appears
to be stagnating. Don’t let the winds blowing from all sides distract you. All eyes
on Jesus, sis! Your Father is calling you back into His rest, and into the
assurance that He is more than able. Whatever is your current ‘this’, sis…. Please
trust that it too shall pass. Count your blessings, sis. It truly does help you
see life through God’s perspective and power. Yes, like me you may find yourself
weighed down and teary-eyed for a season. But please don’t let that season
escalate, sis. Rather, be intentional about your God-focus. Be intentional
about finding your past testimonies because He will do it again. This too shall
sis! This too shall pass! I trust that the Holy Spirit will help you see this
clearly with every attack of the enemy, even as surely as He has and is daily
helping me.
Be blessed sis…. For you surely
are!
are!
Child of God, thank you for this word from the throne room of grace and mercy. Thanks for this timely and timeless reminder that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. My God, your God will come through for you as you've already testified. He will encompass you with His love and favour. Keep soaring Sis!!!