Hello friends, thank you so much for your precious prayers and words of encouragement.
Something my Pastor said the other night, well actually lots of what he said the other night is sticking with me, but one thing I will share this morning,
This really does sound like a God thing Nichole.
You see people who I live life with know me, they know I am not a 'sitter'. And people who know God realize that many times He asks us to do things that are not in our girly red shoe wearing nature to do on our own.
But friends it SO tickles me to say that I have already in this 'short', but what truly feels like a very LONG season of sitting...ha...I know I am just getting started but I have to be honest with you all! I am seeing and experiencing God in new ways.
The week or so before I left to go to She Speaks I was contacted and asked if I would like to read a copy of Priscilla Shirers newest book, One in a million and I found myself sitting the other day and picked it up and started to read. There could NOT be a better time for me to have started this book. Oh friends, it is the book that God has used to again confirm my reservation for this season with sitting with Him.
I want to share a little excerpt from this book;
It's easier to remain in the safety of where we've always been, doing the things we always done. When the heavens open, when the wind of God's Spirit and the rain of His presence shower down upon us, we're uncomfortable beneath the torrent of the unfamiliar. And so we run for cover-back to the comfort zone that has kept us from really experiencing God as He now wants to be experienced.
With His word stirring conviction within me, I prayed, "Lord, let it rain, and give me the courage to stand under the heavens when it does. Cause me to be willing to go where You take me, even if the path is unfamiliar. Tear down any man-made religious walls that may keep me from seeing You fully. Forgive me for always running back home." I knew He was preparing me for a new path. I needed to be open to receiving it. (One in a Million, by Priscilla Shirer, page 42)
Friends God has a promised land for each one of us. Are you willing to step out and say yes to Him? Oh please know that I totally understand the courage this takes.
Are you willing to take the journey that leads straight to His heart?
I would love to pray with you and for you today. Please either leave a comment or email me.
May you know today that He has called your name, He desires to hold your hand, and He will lead you to the promised land, but He needs your answer.
You are are loved on purpose!
Saving The Best For Last
17 hours ago
16 comments:
Love, love, love the excerpt! I need this, Nichole. Thank you.
I'm praying for you and would so appreciate prayers for me.
BIG encouraging hugs,
Lisa
Dear Father God thank you for Lisa. You see her and know her heart and for that You know just what needs to be done, said and taken care of! Thank You God for her commitment to You and to live in relationship with You. Hug her for me and for You today, I love You, Amen
Thank you, sweet friend. Praying for you!
I, too, love that passage you shared! At She Speaks, I ended up having to leave one of the sessions early. I felt the Lord stirring in my heart. Stirring something that demanded I spend some time alone with Him.
I ended up face down on the floor of my hotel room, crying and praying. And then I paced my hotel room, crying and praying. I cannot even fully put into words what He was stirring inside of my heart.
An invitation of sorts. An "are you ready, really ready for more? To step into more with Me?" And the question thrilled and terrified me all at once. Because I knew it was an invitation to the unfamiliar. The too big for me. The "only God" kind of stuff that makes you want to run back to the comfort of the known.
He is worthy of our trust. He keeps reminding me of that. To be still and KNOW that He is God.
I love you, friend. I love your heart of surrender.
Praying for you! And thanking God for all of the many prayers you have lifted for me.
Oh sweet Jesus I thank You for loving on Your beautiful daughter Kimberly. I thank You for the time in the hotel room...I thank YOu for the tears and the conversation. I praise Your great big mighty name for loving all over her. And I praise You for where You will take her and I celebrate knowing she will come...not in her strength or courage but Yours Lord, Amen!
Yes, I need your prayers, to hear from Him, to be healed completely of some deafness in my ears, physically and spiritually. The healing in my ears has already started but I'm still not hearing like I was earlier this year. Just because I'm 70 doesn't mean these aging things have to happen. I have a God who sees, knows, and heals everything I do and all that is within me. I'm not sure this makes sense, but I don't know how else to put it.
Bless you, Nichole, AE
Dear Heavenly Father thank You for Alice, thank You that in 70 beautiful years she has lived life with You, she needs Your healing touch to come over her. Thank You for restoring her in Your perfect time...we know all the glory is Yours, we trust You. Amen
You're Wonderful!
Dear Sweet Jesus thank You so much for Cindy...for placing this beautiful woman in my life...I feel MORE than blessed to know her. Will You love on her today Jesus...thank You, Amen!
WOW, the excerpt you wrote from page 42 is profound! Worthy to be re-read several times. I do believe many of us are searching for that peace with Him. Letting go of those things (idols!) which hold us back from that sweet intimacy with God. Letting go of the familiar and easy way, and stepping out into the unknown territory. But, the straight and narrow road – along side Him, is better than the slippery path which most likely lands us plopped in the muddy puddle. When we pray, He answers – we’ve just got to position ourselves to be ready to obey! Nichole, thank you for your continual obedience. You role-model to us what He desires out of us: Allowing His glory to shine through us as we seek to know Him more! Love you sweetie! Praying for you, too! Lori
PS It is so reassuring that He knows the plans already, - the plans He has for us. (Jer. 29:11) Lord, help us not to get in your way, but, to set out each morning, in anticipation, of spending time with You, with You alone! Help us to not be afraid of where you might take us. Guide us into the new territories. May we live today to glorify You in everything we do. Amen.
Gracious Father... I thank you today for Nichole and her passion to seek, to share and to live Christ! Bless her coming and going and bless her family! I thank you today that I can share Jesus... with a beautiful daughter of yours that I have never met face to face! What a blessing she is to my life!
Amen
Thank You Heavenly Father for gifting me with Lori and her heart for You and her passion to pray...to pray for little ole me and my family who she has never laid eyes on. Lord bless her! Help this family to tranisition from summer into fall. Love on them in Your mighty name, and thank You Lord for healing Radar, we love You because You first loved us, Amen
Lord knowing Kristen from a distance...the distance of a computer screen...hehe...has been a joy and pleasure. She lives for You in the everyday and that excites me. Thank You for blessing her and her husband and thank You that they bless those they do life with. Continue to grow Kristen in Your ways, Amen
Yes. Yes! I want to take that journey. All the way to my Father's heart!
I want my desires to be HIS desires. I want my heart to beat with His!
It was certainly interesting for me to read this post. Thanx for it. I like such themes and anything that is connected to them. I would like to read more on that blog soon.
Avril Simpson
Took me time to read all comments but I enjoyed the article…I hope you’ll keep on blogging…
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