Echoes From Zion

My Psalm 17:3 Challenge...it's still becoming a lifestyle. I still have good days and bad days. However, just knowing the power of guarding my tongue keeps me in check. It is good when I weigh what I'm about to say, wondering if it's of any benefit. I just pray there will be a time when I ALWAYS choose right! :) This morning I was doing some homework for a class on Isaiah that I'm taking. I was answering a question regarding Isaiah chapter 12 (one of my favorite salvation prayer chapters), when something jumped out at me. First, take a look at Isaiah 12: 1 And in that day you will say:       “ O LORD, I will praise You; Though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. 2 Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘ For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’” 3 Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation. 4 And in that day...

Here are the journal entries I told you about. The first one is from today's prayer time. The one following is an entry from March that God reminded me of today. I'm also attaching one more...something that goes along with the other two. I usually have a trusted prophetic friend read my journal entries. I have not had her read todays. So, if you feel a check in your heart that I've missed any part (for we all prophesy in part), let me know. That's why I have her check many of them. Otherwise, wow. God messed me up today with his great love and trust in me. Enjoy! August 5, 2011 You are so much deeper than I know. Your depths are unsearchable, your rivers too wide to search out. But I am happy here on these waters. For though I may not see the depths or the eternal horizon, I am moved with every well designed ripple. Every stirring of the waters stirs my soul. Like gentle waves lapping on the shore, your presence washes over me leaving me marked and changed forever...

I. Have. Failed. Yep. I'm not beating myself up...but I tell you what, when you see the power of sin in your life, it makes you want to go to war OR wallow. I choose to war. :) Yesterday, I outright complained. Yep. I confess, I dumped and complained. Did it do me any good? Nope. It never does. After I did it, the Holy Spirit spoke to me - this compalining? It begins in your mind. AAAAHHH! How true! How TRUE! You see, my mind has been focused on something that bothers me. Instead of rolling it off to the Holy Spirit, setting my mind on things above, I set my mind on my irritation and BLAH!...out of my mouth it came. Complaining begins with a thought. Isn't this what the word of God says? Romans 8:5 - those who live according to the sinful nature, set their minds on the things of the flesh... 2 Cor. 10:5 - bringing every thought captive Col 3:3 - Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. So...I'm setting my mind on Christ. In fact, you know w...

So - my challenge? It's going okay. I'll be honest - I wish there were people DOING it with me. It would be so much easier if I never heard a believer around me complain, criticize, etc. Ya know what I mean? But overall, the challenge has become more of a lifestyle. There are days when I slip up and go, 'Oops. Missed that point in my challenge!' but overall, like I said, it really has become more of a lifestyle to guard my words. This challenge has really helped me in this. However, it is the amazing presence of my Papa & learning more about His heart that encourages me NOT to speak negatively. I've been studying Grace lately. Man - grace is, well...amazing! We sing about it in services and funerals...heck, even unbelievers are moved to tears when they hear the tune! Amazing Grace! For those of us who have truly received saving grace, we have a much greater reason to sing! We should be basking in it, celebrating it, and sharing it with everyone we see. The pro...

Come - Out of your barrenness and into full life. Out of your poverty and into supply. For the thirsty there is water that never will run dry. For the poor there is a treasure room without a lock or price. All your fruitless searches and all your efforts failed will find full satisfaction when you rest behind the Veil. Why do you run and fritter on what cannot satisfy? Listen now and eat what's good - My words will feed your life. Yes, listen and believe Me. Oh, hear My words and live! Feast on every promise for abundance they will give! A season is now coming-a grace upon your ear. An inclining to My Spirit, a grace for you to hear. Grace for you to hear Me. Inclining now begins. My Spirit is now calling and you shall hear, My friend. A new day is now dawning; there's a'blowing in the wind. My Spirit breeze will move you to where you've never been. My promise is unfolding, though now hidden from your eyes. Trust me and believe that I will ...

Recently in prayer, the Lord began to show me something that, as usual, seems so simple and yet is so deep. It's often very hard to put into words what God is showing you...because as soon as it leaves your mouth, you think, 'that sounds way too simple!' Yet, this Kingdom way is the way of child like faith and simple trust. It really isn't nearly as complicated as we've packaged it to be. What God showed me the other day is the picture of me in a wide open field. I've seen this picture before, but this time when I was praying my heart was heavy. I'd had a hard day and had been with someone who spoke negatively for an excessive amount of time. A lot of the conversation was directed towards the obvious problems and negative situations that effect the organized church. Personally, I do my best not to focus on the problems in the church...I try my best not to focus on what's NOT happening and to focus on what IS happening...even if I have to look for it so...

Here is a journal entry from my prayer time a few days ago. It is a glorious picture out of Ephesians 2:11-22; 4:1-16. It was an interesting word and one I pray that blessed those who read it. Enjoy! May 18, 2011 Good morning, Holy one! I love you. Thank you so much for the song you keep implanting in me while I dream. I am longing for the new Jerusalem. I know you are building THIS house and the one that is to come. J I love you so much and ask that you give me grace upon grace to hear you speak this morning. Anything and everything you want to tell me, Spirit….I am open to receive. I see me with him hand in hand. I want to marry you, Jesus. I don’t ever want to leave your side. That’s the beauty of eternity, my love. You and I will be together forever. One body, one people, one bride. Unity is in my heart. You are learning to love and practicing unity for that day, child. But, yes…on that day there will be no distractions. Nothing will separate us what so ever. You and I ...