Month: January 2019

Posted in Hiding His Word

You Give Them Something to Eat!

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

This is a blog post I wrote in March of 2013. I came across it this morning and it made me cry out with a new burden but also thankfulness for all God has done and is doing in my life. Sorry, this is so long but if you know me… this is my heart!!!

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He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom He loved. Selah.”  ~ Psalm 47:4

The Lord has been so gracious to allow me to be in His presence in places where He has chosen to show up through His signs, His wonders, and His miracles. I know I am blessed and that He has used these times and situations to increase my faith. I have seen miracles of healing, miracles of food multiplied, I have experienced and seen deliverance from depression and anxiety and addiction. I long for the day that those that are God’s own children will not be as those from Jesus’ hometown, expecting so little and so receiving and seeing little of God’s power in their lives and communities.

I think so many think of God as sooooo familiar. Meaning they think they know all there is to know because they have sat in church and think they know all the stories. The Bible says though that the stories could fill volumes though so no way we could know them all. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. John 21:25. Yes, in many ways God is familiar but in many, many more ways or probably most ways, He is a God that we can not define or put into our little box or our little human minds. He is infinite and yet reachable. He can reach out to the most scholarly yet has made His gospel simple enough for a very small child. He is a mystery and yet tells us He wants to be known. He is magnificent but humble; the Lion and also the Lamb.

After a wonderful Sunday where God moved through our pastors to give the Word, I am pondering today His call on my life and how to apply His Word. I know in part what God can do and am confident in the Word and that He can do infinitely more….but there are times when I wonder how it will all come to pass since I wasted so much of my life and talents and resources on temporal things and the roadblocks seem endless. Will I go to my grave reminding myself not to look back with regret? Will these roadblocks turn out to actually be the steps to what has been prepared?  Though I am a person that is pretty focused and committed still, I wonder sometimes. I was thinking along these lines this morning, and I felt my Father pose a question to me. He told me upfront that it was hypothetical, but He told me to take it seriously nonetheless. The question was this…Excluding praise and worship, reading my Bible and prayer and excluding all other human opinion, if I could do only ONE thing of service for Him all the rest of the days of my earthly life, what would I do and why?

…..

It was early, so I had the time at 4:30am to ponder these things, but it wasn’t necessary. I immediately knew my answer. If I could only do one thing of service — I would feed the hungry.  I know you think now I am talking feeding the hungry physically and spiritually, but I am actually mostly talking in the physical.  I would feed the hungry real solid food and pray that God, in His mercy, would give me also an opportunity and ways to feed them spiritually as He saw their need and mine.

Why?

Because long before He told me to preach or pray, He told me “you give them something to eat” from Matthew 14:16, Mark 6:19, and Luke 9:13. When God spoke this to me, it was one of the first times I ever heard God speak directly to me through His written Word. It stuck with me. On looking over these last years, I have found that from my obedience to “you give them something to eat”  has come most of the miracles, signs, and wonders that I have been allowed to see and from obedience to that command, I have been given opportunity to share the Word and pray with people, and I have been able to see people saved. Real true lasting fruit. From obedience to that command I have met people that live in their cars and in the woods, and I have also met hungry ministers. I have been allowed to minister to those that have given their lives for the Gospel but found themselves being fed through my hand, but in that moment of divine appointment (and I believe that is what it was), I found them there feeding me in such beautiful ways. Truly I tell you, from obedience to that command “you give them something to eat” I, myself, have been fed and sustained by God and have felt the presence and LOVE of GOD HIMSELF through them toward me. It was never just me allowing the love of God through me. He gave me love through them.

I find myself now in a season where I am removed and separated at least for a time from that kind of ministry and there are days I grieve terribly. Not because I miss a ministry but because I miss the people and what they brought into my life. I miss the faith that desperation brings into a people. I miss the mutual need. God transformed my heart of prejudice and gave me love and acceptance and compassion. He gave me understanding. In return, so many of the people also accepted me and loved me back. For so many once a month I was a friend or a mama or a prayer partner. They were daily in my prayers, and that prayer created a bond. I look for them always when I drive the streets of Gastonia. I am so hopeful when I don’t see them out there. I made it a point to know their names and their children’s names and their situations and their hearts. I miss their hearts. I miss their hugs. I miss their stories. I miss how they bonded to others and how they helped their neighbors. They grabbed the concept we know as “church” so much better than most. They were rich in ways I think few know.

…..

A verse that struck me this morning during those early hours with the Lord was this: Psalm 47:4, “He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom He loved. Selah.”  I have always loved that promise. I have always asked the Lord for the nations, but my inheritance is His choice. When someone leaves you an inheritance, it is their choice as to what they leave each person. The poor and the poor in spirit are my inheritance…this I know though I can’t fully explain all of what that means yet or how my wonderful Father wants me to take care of this precious gift he leaves me.

Selah! [pause, and calmly think of that]

 

Posted in Hiding His Word

Set Your Mind – Daniel 10:12

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

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“Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.” ~ Daniel‬ ‭10:12‬

Chasten – to inflict suffering upon for purposes of moral improvement; chastise; to restrain; subdue.

Chastise – to discipline.

Remember that the moment that you go before the Lord to pray, God responds. You spend time humbling yourself as you continue in prayer to breakthrough the objections of the enemy.

So therefore set your mind.
Set your mind to seek the Lord.
Set your mind to consecrate yourself.
Set your mind to live godly.
Set your mind to rid yourself of what’s holding you back.
Set your mind to honor God in all you do.
It’s your decision.
Set your mind.

Daniel did just that. He did as Scripture directs and saw the results of 2 Chronicles 7:14-16. He Humbled himself and prayed.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. ~ 2 Chronicles‬ ‭7:14-16‬

Posted in Hiding His Word

Notes to Self from Psalm 1:1-3

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” ~ Psalms‬ ‭1:1-3‬

Notes to Self from Psalms 1

1. Being around Godly counsel ensures safety
2. Meditating on the Word of God ensures a renewed mind
3. Everything you do prospers IF you keep #1 and #2 at the forefront of my mind

Posted in Hiding His Word

Chosen

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

God has been continuing to speak to me today about those that are chosen, the elect, those He has gathered.  There were other things as well, but these are the passages that struck my heart as I was reading.

Numbers 8:6 – Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.

Numbers 8:10-11 – And thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites: and Aaron shall offer an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the Lord.  

Numbers 8:16 – For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.  (these were the chosen, the firstfruits of the people set apart for God)

Numbers 9:8 – And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you. (an example of the prophetic ministry of Moses)

Mark 13:20b but for the elect’s sake, whom He hath chosen, He hath shortened the days.

Psalm 50:5 – Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made the covenant with me by sacrifice.

Proverbs 10:29a; 30a – The way of the Lord is strength to the upright. The righteous shall never be removed.

Elect – to pick out, choose. To select by vote for an office. To determine in favor of. Selected. Chosen by God.

Chosen – elect; selected; preferred, pick.

Gather – to bring together into one group, collection, or place. To bring together or assemble; collect gradually. To pick or harvest. Pick up piece by piece.

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Proverbs 50:23 – Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me; and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of the Lord.

Off topic but I didn’t want to leave this out. The Word is so rich with instruction for our lives. Those that offer these praises and glorify Him, choosing to order their steps and conversations so as to be shown the salvation of the Lord will surely be set apart ones, so guess not really off topic after all.

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Help me today Jesus to be content with where you have me in this life. Help me to always strive for Your best for me but to cease striving in my own strength to be liked or accepted or included. Help me to always be aware that Your presence accompanies me, Holy Spirit, even in those most lonely moments of this life when I can’t sense it. Help me to trust totally in Your Word regarding that. Love to you, my Friend and Counselor. I pray this in the precious and glorious Name of Jesus. Amen!

Posted in Hiding His Word

God Will Restore – Jeremiah 30:17

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

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“For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.” ~ Jeremiah‬ ‭30:17‬‬‬‬

Restore – to bring back into existence, use, or the like; reestablish: to restore order; to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition; to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor; to put back to a former place, or to a former position, rank, etc ; to give back; make restitution of (anything taken away or lost) ; to reproduce or reconstruct in the original state.

Health – the general condition of the body or mind with reference to soundness and vigor.  Soundness of body or mind; freedom from disease or ailment

Heal – to make healthy, whole, or sound; restore to health; free from ailment; to free from evil; cleanse; purify.

Wound – an injury, usually involving division of tissue or rupture of the integument or mucous membrane, due to external violence or some mechanical agency rather than disease; an injury or hurt to feelings, sensibilities, reputation, etc.

“I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds.” This is what the Lord said to his chosen people, the nation he calls His own. These words are powerful. He said He would free them from disease and heal them of any inflicted injuries. God made this promise to an entire nation. And that the King of Glory, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, is concerned enough with this small nation to promise to restore health to them and heal them of their wounds means the world to me! Why? Because it means our Father in Heaven is also keeping an eye out for each one of us. He cares so much for us that He also promises to heal us.

We know from reading the Bible that these are not empty promises. God fulfills all His promises, every single Word. Over and over He proves His Word is true… and so we can be confident that His Word will come to pass.

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. ~ Isaiah 55: 11

Something I read today regarding wounds:

Some wounds take bandages. Some wounds take stitches. Some wounds take surgery to replace new with the old. Just because you didn’t get to choose the way you wanted to heal doesn’t mean you take your bandage off and demand stitches.
Wounds aren’t meant to be reopened. A reopened wound causes more infections…
When you get healed, stay healed. Don’t create your own healing method. God knows how to tend to your wounds. Wounds cannot heal when that healing is sought in the world. It’s impossible. But with God any wound is available for healing.

Lord, I thank You for releasing supernatural strength to me, for restoring my health, delivering me from the bondage of fear, and for healing my wounds. You are so good to me! I love you and honor you, Jesus! Oh, merciful Father, I come before Your throne tonight to ask You to let your healing virtue flow to those that are on my prayer list. Holy Spirit, you know every single name and their affliction and suffering. You know every need. You died so that each one could walk in your healing tonight. Let healing flow through bodies, minds, and spirits tonight…on this earth as it is in heaven…for YOUR GLORY alone!!! I pray this in Jesus Name. Amen! Amen!!!

Posted in Hiding His Word

Healing and Granny’s Fig Jam: 2 Kings 20:1-7

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

“In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.” ~ 2 Kings‬ ‭20:1-7‬ 

2 Kings 20 is such an interesting passage!!!

In this passage of scripture, I see that the Lord healed in answer to prayer. And yet, figs were used by the direction of the prophet of God before there was a complete recovery. Sometimes God uses medicines. Sometimes healing is a process.

I see that God was true to His Word. Specifically, 2 Chronicles 7:14 – IF my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land. Hezekiah certainly did humble himself and pray. God did answer.

I see that God said He would heal and then defend and deliver the nation…for His own sake but also for the sake of His servant, David. Isn’t it amazing that God might do something for us for the sake of those around us, that are His servants? Have you ever thought that God might have healed you for the sake of your mother or for the sake of your pastor or for the sake of your spouse? Have you ever thought that God might just heal someone for your sake if you are obedient to Him and His will…as well as for His own sake and for His Glory?!?

Reading the rest of the chapter (and you should), I see that even though there was recovery, Hezekiah wanted a sign to prove it. Aren’t we like that? I like that Hezekiah was bold enough to ask! We have not because we ask not!!!! God did give the sign which was a miracle. The Bible doesn’t explain the miracle so we just have to leave it at that. Praise God for His miracles.

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Here are a few things I believe about healing. Some relate to this scripture and some are my beliefs because of the finished work of the Cross and the healing work God has done in me!

  • I believe in divine healing and that God uses our prayers to bring His healing forth.
  • I believe that He heals because He is a merciful and compassionate God and also because healing is His perfect will.
  • I believe that healing was paid for in the atonement just as salvation was.
  • I believe that there are many things we don’t understand and won’t understand…but still healing is God’s perfect will.
  • I believe that God will direct and redirect our paths to pray for people because He wants to heal. Sometimes I listen…sometimes I cower. Forgive me Lord for the times I have ignored your call and let someone that is hurting walk away.
  • I believe we would see so many miracles if we made up our mind to listen and walk in boldness and obedience. Not just in church services though. I am talking about as we walk through our own, everyday world.
  • I believe…I just do!

It is very late, so maybe I will write some more later and then update. All thoughts are welcome. I truly love to hear what others have gleaned from scripture or what the Holy Ghost has revealed to them about scripture, prayer, and healing. God bless.

 

On a personal note: When I was a young teenager we lived beside my grandparents. My Granny and Grandpa Burgess had fig trees in their yard. Every year Granny made the best fig jam. I sure do miss my grandparents and her jam. When I read about figs in the Bible I think on those days and thank God for their influence in my life, but mostly for their presence. Their presence brought healing to me just as that lump of figs for Hezekiah. Thinking on Granny’s figs I know that no matter what I lost in my life, I was blessed beyond measure by those two loving me unconditionally and caring for me. Sometimes the greatest gift of healing anyone can give is just to be there!!!!