The wilderness is dry and cold; no sunlight, no vegetation, not even a path to follow. There are hills upon hills as they walk into a destiny unknown. Step by step, conversations short and sweet, possibly hard to breathe at times. Papa saying, “Son, you can do this. I am right here to guide and direct you. I will carry the heavy burdens. If you need to, take my hand. We will make it son, no doubt in my mind. It may look uncertain and too hard of a journey but I am right here. Your final destiny is safe and secure.”

Isn’t that just like the story of Father God and Jesus? Isn’t that how we want to experience our heavenly Father? Some of us didn’t have earthly fathers to guide and direct us, but nonetheless, we can rest and be assured that our Papa God is walking along the path with us. He wants to carry all our burdens so that our walk is made easier.

The little boy in this photograph will always know that there is someone who cares about him and loves him to pieces. God wants us to know that He cares and loves us just as much or more. Do you really know the love of the Father? You can.

John 3:35
“The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands” NIV

Down deep she knows the right choices she must make but the fear of rejection and the fear of hurting others is really strong. I’ve been there, how about you? But sometimes our love for others can be a distraction from the one and ultimate Giver of Love, Jesus. God is asking her to surrender those relationships to Him and stand on the firm foundation of His love. It’s not always easy is it?

Remember: Love came down and rescued you, love can down and set you free.
You are His, You are forever His. Mountain high, valley low…………

Psalm 144:7
“Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters,
from the hands of foreigners” NIV

At times I sensed I was in the wrong place and other times, I was grateful and knew that God had a higher purpose. I pressed in to hear God’s voice specifically to me. I left the event feeling overwhelmed, insecure but at the same time inspired and encouraged. I think it will take some time to digest everything, little by little each day.

But part way home from my journey, I looked up and saw this one bird sitting on a wire all by himself. The wire was above the busy highway with cars traveling north and cars traveling south. The bird was just taking it all in. My heart dropped wondering where all his friends or family might be. At the same time, he seemed secure in his position.

I sensed the Lord was saying to me, “Don’t worry and don’t be concerned where you are going. Just as I take care of that little bird, I will take care of you. Yes, the journey gets lonely at times, no one around to fly with and everyone bustling here and there but rest knowing I know the plans I have specifically for you.” My heart began to settle down and my hope for the future exploded with anticipation. His love for me is so overwhelming!

Jeremiah 29:11-13
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” NIV

I want to share a prophetic word that was given to me and I believe it is for all of us as well. Ask God what He might be saying to you. I would love to see you post your comments here.

The Lord said….

“Now is the time! Make the clarion call to the lost and broken. God’s power, glory and passion will encircle all who come to Him. All the seeds that have been planted with bring in a harvest that is good and life-giving. My people must understand that the past is gone, the future is yet ahead, and the time is NOW!

Marilyn, the past IS GONE, your future is NOW…..it’s activation time…..Your harvest is NOW! Follow your passions and the harvest will follow after you. Do without hesitation what is on your heart, for Your God has already opened the way before you.

Your compassion and humility makes you a safe place for the abused and used. You have an anointing to defend the defenseless, to guard the unprotected, to plant and harvest quickly and abundantly. Your inner strength, your confidence of victory through Jesus encourages and mobilizes others and it also discourages and immobilizes the enemy.”

AMEN – I RECEIVE IT!!

How many times have you felt you were walking on a tightrope? Maybe it had to do with a friendship, work associate, or ministry? Even though the Lord is directing your steps and giving you great skills in communication, it still takes wisdom and balance to walk it out. Some people are really afraid of heights or in taking a risk. I understand that!

I believe the Lord is saying “I have new opportunities for you. Trust Me in all things. Don’t look down but always look straight ahead. I’ve got you and I AM with you all along the way. Do not doubt My call on your life.”

Proverbs 4:12-13
“When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” NIV

That was a quote from a friend of mine today. She stood up for righteousness and challenged an article in her school paper. It had to do with vulgarity and how the topic was inappropriate. Because she felt passionate about the topic, she gathered prayer and support by those who felt the same way. There were a few people she approached that didn’t care or want to get involved but she stood up with confidence and boldness knowing it was the right thing to do.

She came up against opposition when meeting with the student union, but she truly felt empowered. She is in the process of making a impact in her culture of influence by boldly speaking out for purity. So proud of her. She is growing leaps and bounds. I love it!

“We find comfort from those who agree with us, growth from those who do not. —Anon

I am not telling you something that you don’t know already. But what amazes me is how many times I don’t live my life as if it was my last breath, my last hour, my last day. It’s not that I’m thinking grave thoughts of death but I am pondering how I can live with passion, purpose, and vision today and for the future. What legacy will I leave? What inheritance will be passed on? What would my eulogy say about my life?

Today, I want to keep every moment before me while at the same time living from an eternity perspective. I am not going to take things for granted because in one moment, life can change. I am going to let the “little battles” go and keep my eyes on the promise and destiny that God has for me. I am going to love those that feel unlovable. I am going to speak hope to those that are hopeless. I am going to help feed others that don’t even know if they will eat today or not. I am going to be aware of those around me and ask God how to help others. Will you join me?

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” NAS (James 4:13-14)

For me “liberty” as written in the word of God is the truth I choose to live by:

2 Corinthians 3:17-18
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” NIV

The word “self determination” can be additionally explained as self-rule, self-government, independence, and free will. Our destiny has so much to do with making the right choices. God has made us free and we need to appropriate that freedom into every decision made in our lives..

On July 4th, we celebrated our “independence” in this nation. But, as you know, independence can have a negative aspect to it as well. I believe we can be so independent in our mentality or actions that we need no one. “I can do it myself”, “I don’t need anyone to help me”, “I don’t want to take the time to reach out for help” can become our belief systems and bring loneliness and dissatisfaction in life.

We are free and have “free will” but how do we really live among others? What is the motivation of our heart? Could it mean: My way – not yours, right vs. wrong, law vs. grace for the sake of “free will”? It’s important for us to check our hearts when it comes to freedom.

“Lack of restrictions” means we have no boundaries, no limits because our God is a limitless God. But at the same time, we have certain boundaries and authority we need to honor in our workplaces, marriages, and relationships.

I love the word “sovereignty”. I had to understand that without the sovereign love of the Father, I would have no “real” freedom and no hope. I tried living in the world with “worldly” freedom but I would always feel as if I was living in a dark hole. No lasting freedom was mine.

I am eternally grateful for God’s love for me and I desire to know Him more and walk in the freedom Jesus died for. What about you? What do you struggle with regarding your knowledge of freedom?