As I write these blogs, I’m doing so in hindsight. While reading my journal notes specifically during the month of April 2024, I must admit I find myself at times mentally all over the place attempting to figure out do I go left or do I go right and suddenly discover that the battle is not mine, it’s the Lord. So, I say to myself, “Lord I trust you,” and at the same time the battle reappears in my mind and I begin once again to question myself do I sincerely trust You Lord? Well…my approach has been to just DO what I trust the Lord is telling me to do and trust Him. In other words, hand over and surrender it ALL to Him, and believe that ALL things are working together for my good and for His purpose for my life. [Romans 8:28]. When God calls I’m led to respond according to His Will and not according to my own fleshly desires so that I’m protected from the helter-skelter choices of this world and my own mind. Moreover, as BELIEVERS, God calls you and I to BELIEVE in HIM and in the UNUSUAL and EXTRAORDINARY.
Think about it, the angel, Gabriel came to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and told her while a virgin that she is going to be impregnated by the Holy Spirit. That sounds crazy, unbelievable then and even in these days and times. And oh-by-the way, Mary was troubled at first by the message from Gabriel, nonetheless, as we read the Biblical accounts, Mary first believed and second, she [agreed] with what the angel presented to her prior to the [actual] outpouring of the Holy Spirit’s immaculate conception. [Luke 1:26-38] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201%3A26-28&version=NIV. Or the whole ideal that water could be turned into wine, WHAT? https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%202%3A1-11&version=NIVThat a man walked on water, WHAT? https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2014%3A22-33&version=NIV and on and on the Bible tells us about super natural events that happened in real life.
Likewise, we too must come into [agreement] with God to carry out His purposes for our lives. More importantly, God will use anything and anyone particularly His saints in the earth to bring about the manifestation of His will. Thus, began my calling and purpose of “Mason Jars Ministry.” The writing of ‘Gratitude Notes’ and placing them in a mason jar is an experience as well as a reminder that we are in partnership. And that partnership allows God free reign to work in our lives, our hearts, and minds to free us from the traps and tricks of the enemy.
In addition, He leads me to scriptures that make a difference not just in my life, but in others that are in my atmosphere. This month God dropped in my spirit Romans 15:13 TPT (The Passion Translation) “Now may God, the fountain of my hope, fill me to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as I trust in Him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually. Surround my life with His super-abundance until we radiate with hope!”
When I began to study and memorize this verse, I thought about the words “overflow, uncontainable joy, and perfect peace.” Who wouldn’t want this? I thought this was a free ride! However, as life began to show itself in my day-to-day activity, the joy and peace seemed to be missing. I then began to really study the verse and seek God’s guidance. I realize that my part of the deal was to participate by “trusting in Him.” How do I know I’m trusting in God…by going through situations and trials and gauging my reaction to them. I must ask myself how am I responding? Am I resting on the bosom of God in peace or am I panicking in my spirit, mind and soul? Answer…I was panicking yall. I had to learn to be still and trust God. It wasn’t easy for me and I still have my moments, but I am better and feeling the peace of God in me, around me and being still asking Him what next?
I picture a fountain overflowing with hope as I run into people who seem hopeless. I have a fountain [overflowing] with hope that I must speak into lives and believe for them to see [it] and trust in that hope. The issue I was having earlier was [believing] it was working for me. YES it does WORK ABSOLUTELY because our Holy Spirit has a way of working [in] us as we act it out by FAITH following His lead. MJM to be continued …