Gifts
Called. Chosen. Commissioned.
Matthew 4:19
19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me…
Matthew 22:14
14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 28:19
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
A little while ago, a local college student asked to get together with me. She was searching for someone older in the faith to disciple her and wondered if I’d be interested. I agreed to meet with her on campus to discuss the idea over a cup of coffee. As we sat down together at a table outside the library, I soaked in the Florida sunshine as she started a monologue about all the things she was doing for the Lord. At some point during her sermon, I interrupted to inquire about her story. She fumbled to find the right words as I asked a few questions about her relationship with her parents, siblings and our Father, Son and Spirit. They weren’t complicated questions. Just simple things that pertained to BE-ing a disciple of Jesus. The conversation stalled, so she quickly changed the subject to her fiancé. They were planning to enter full time ministry together after graduation. She explained that her man recently found a spiritual father because he was struggling with porn, so she thought it would be a good idea for her to have a spiritual mom too! As we talked about their relationship, she admitted they were having sex, and occasionally they smoked weed together at parties.
As our conversation came to a close, I assured her that I was willing to meet again if she understood what kind of spiritual mother I am. I’m a childlike mom who’s filled with compassion and cares for the broken hearted. I feed the hungry and the hurting, because I’m hungry and hurting… and I’m healed and delivered by the love of the Father, the sacrifice of the Son, and the power of His Spirit! I’m not a mom that continually affirms and applauds gifted kids. I’m grateful for God’s grace and the gifts He’s given all His children, but I preach Bible so that good fruit may be produced. I am called, chosen and commissioned to BE and make disciples who love the Lord with all their heart.
Unfortunately, I never heard from that young woman again.
But she’s not the only kid wandering around in the wilderness here. Many have been called to this land flowing with milk and honey. Many live here as orphans. But a few have chosen to follow Jesus down the narrow road alongside spiritual siblings, parents and grandparents. A few have chosen to sit at the generational table He’s preparing for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
The sad reality is, there are many breastfed babies being trained for service in the Father’s house, but they don’t have a clue where the kitchen is! They haven’t been taught how to purchase, plan or prep a meal. They haven’t been taught to sit and share with their Savior and Lord. They haven’t been taught how to eat His body and drink His blood every…single… day. They’re hungry. And they don’t even realize they’re starving to death!!!
Question is: who’s gonna feed them?
It’s time for parents, like Peter, to strengthen the body of Christ. Yep, I’m talking to you. I know you’ve been guilty of denying Jesus because you’ve feared man, not God. But let me remind you: He’s interceding for you!
Repent & return to Him.
He’s called you.
He’s chosen you.
He’s commissioned you to GO, make disciples!
Care for and feed the lambs & sheep. Invite them to breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sit at the table and listen to their stories. Tell them yours. Preach the Word of God to them. Pray with and for them. Pursue their hearts. Prophesy dry bones to life in their mind, will and emotions.
You know where the kitchen is. You know how to sit at the table. You know how to eat the scroll. It’s time to share your leftovers with the next generation.
Restorer of Homes
(excerpt from my new book)
I received my first prophetic word in 2008 during a church leadership meeting. At the time, we were members of a non-denominational mega church plant, but I was completely clueless to the gifts of the Spirit. Being raised in traditional churches, I’d never even heard of prophesy, much less been involved in a Prophetic Presbytery, led by a modern-day prophet. I wondered if we’d inadvertently joined a cult! Silently I questioned,
Is this even biblical?
Are “prophets” for real?
Or is this guy just another clown performing in a charismatic circus?
I was skeptical. But also… a bit curious. My formative years were spent in a Presbyterian church, but after a cross-country move, my family and I settled in with the Methodists. My husband was also raised in the United Methodist Church, so we both had a pretty good foundation of Truth. But, the things of the Spirit were still very foreign to us. I knew that the one true God was a triune God; Father, Son & Spirit. But His Spirit was rarely mentioned in Sunday School or in Services, unless of course we were reciting the Apostles Creed.
I’ll never forget the moment the prophet locked eyes with me. I braced myself for impact; wanting to run and hide, while simultaneously standing in an unexplainable blessed assurance that this moment would change the trajectory of our lives.
He began by reading our mail, as they say. I looked at our leaders, silently asking,
Did you tell this guy everything about us?!
They just smiled at us, like masters watching their apprentices experience the joy of discovering hidden treasure.
The man of God continued.
He mentioned ways we had served the Lord and talked about what that would look like in the future. In due season, he said we would be out of growth room, so the Lord would need to transplant us in order to transpose us into what He wanted. God was calling our entire family to be full of virtue, character and strength; to be an example of humility in the Father’s house. The man also gave specifics regarding our home:
“I feel like the Lord says, “I’ve got a different house for you because I want to turn your house not just into a trophy, but I want to make it a place of ministry.” God’s gonna give you a ministry center where you’re gonna minister to your family. Where you’re gonna minister to other families, and gather the people of God there. At times, you’ll even gather the lost and those that are yet to find Christ. They’re gonna find Him right at your kitchen table, right in your living room. It’s going to be an amazing place of ministry. Just know that God says “I’m gonna give you a place of ministry.” You’ll say, “this is our house, but it is God’s place of ministry and design for us.’”
A few months later, another prophet came to town. Calling us out of the crowd again, another word was spoken over our family. He even told us to bring our toddler up on stage with us! After he spoke to my husband, he paused and stared straight at me,
“Over you, God says, “I’m going to release a gift of prophesy.” Some of what I’ve been doing tonight, you’re gonna do. Ok? Can you receive that? Two anointing’s: One to hear, and one to speak. I’d like to lay hands on you to release that. One of the fundamental doctrines of the church, we transmit gifting’s by the laying on of hands. By speaking the word of prophesy, Father bring it to pass. We release the gift to hear and the spiritual gift of prophesy to speak. Make her a voice in the family, in the church, in the marketplace.”
After these encounters, Acts 2:17 was realized as prophetic words, visions and dreams became a recurring phenomenon in my life. During that season, mature believers in the body of Christ taught me how to become a scribe. They encouraged me to write down every prophetic word, vision or dream in a journal. Then, they told me to prepare myself for the process of persevering in prayer, until all of God’s promises came to pass. They explained that everything must be judged by the Word, contended for in prayer, and confirmed or denied in due season.
Several years into the process, I noticed a pattern emerging. Night after night, when I fell asleep, I repeatedly saw houses that needed to be renovated, remodeled or rebuilt. Initially, I didn’t know whether they were literal or spiritual houses, but eventually, the Lord revealed more of the mysteries that were hidden in my dreams.
The prophetic process proved to be more painful than I originally expected…
NEW BOOK Available Today!!!
For nearly two decades, I’ve periodically written & posted biblically based blogs @ deepintothewater.com
Never, ever, ever did I have any desire to write a book about my life.
God, however, had other plans.
After hearing His still, small voice, I put literal pen to paper and began pouring my heart out in my journal.
8 years later (a significant number for me), I felt prompted to publish some of those pages.
So, welcome to my house! Come on in…the doors open. Allow me to introduce you to The Restorer of Homes.
Self-Care
Matthew 23:1-4, 25-26
Amplified Bible
23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and Pharisees have seated themselves in Moses’ chair [of authority as teachers of the Law]; 3 so practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do; for they preach [things], but do not practice them.4 The scribes and Pharisees tie up [a]heavy loads [that are hard to bear] and place them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger [to make them lighter].
25 “Woe to you, [self–righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and robbery and self–indulgence (unrestrained greed).26 You [spiritually] blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the plate[examine and change your inner self to conform to God’s precepts], so that the outside [your public life and deeds] may be clean also.
Since the Good Shepherd told me to LAY DOWN last year, I’ve been letting go of a few old things to embrace what’s new. In the midst of this great exchange, I came to realize that His grace was no longer sustaining the weight of some of the baggage I was carrying. What I previously lifted with ease in a former season suddenly felt heavy in this one. And so, the Lord, in His loving kindness invited me further into the valley of the shadow of death to bury some dry bones. As I did what He required, His Spirit began breathing resurrection life into my body… and soul. At times, I’ll admit, the process was extremely painful. My flesh cried out on more than one occasion as my mind, will and emotions wrestled between what I wanted and what He wanted.
Before laying down, I had been stuck in the hustle and bustle of everyday life; consumed by what I was doing, while neglecting who I was being. As the Lord corrected Martha, reorienting her heart towards His, so He did with me. His Word cut between soul and spirit, reminding me that the inside of my cup was far more valuable to Him than the outside. His rebuke to the Pharisee’s was even more direct. What they were teaching people was RIGHT, but the motivation of their hearts was all WRONG.
If we aren’t careful, we too can get stuck faking the funk- working up a sweat in our scrubbing bubbles to make our cups look good on the outside, while neglecting the filth that’s piling up on the inside. Religious activity has a way of setting us up for that kind of hypocrisy. If we’re not careful, we can easily fall prey to the enemy’s trap: desiring to be praised by people. It feels really good to be accepted, affirmed and acknowledge for our giftedness, but God deserves all the praise for what we do since everything comes from Him and is for Him. Furthermore, seeking the approval of man will always leave us disappointed anyway. Instead, Jesus invites us to choose a different way. His way…which leads to eternal life: pleasing the Father.
If you, like me, struggle with people pleasing, I have good news for you! Take heart, my friend. There’s always HOPE! Seek the Lord. You will find Him. Ask Him to examine every area of your soul that is bowing to the fear of man. He will ever so gently illuminate the dark places with His marvelous light, releasing you from the enemy’s lies which hold you captive.
I’m so grateful for the freedom to worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth in this season and for the saints who told me what I needed to hear. I’m even thankful for the sinners who told me what I needed to hear, because God uses all things for my good- but especially for HIS glory!
As I’ve submit to this process of cleansing, the Lord has taught me a few valuable lessons about self-care in this season:
- First and foremost, I must constantly care for my spirit. I literally cannot live without His bread and water sustaining me every day. The secret place is my happy place. Rising early every morning I worship Him in silence, reading/hearing scripture, praying in the spirit and being a scribe (journaling). That quiet time carries me the rest of the day as I continue meditating on His Word and praying, without ceasing.
- Second, my soul needs compassionate care. In His presence, as I pour out the complaints in my mind, will and emotions, He comforts, cares and corrects anything I believe which is contrary to what He says about Himself, myself and others.
- Third, my body needs continual care. After hiring a nutrition coach, I realized this temple needed some serious cleansing, ‘cuz what I was puttin’ in my mouth wasn’t holy! Our enemy has convinced us that fast, fake food will satisfy us. It’s a lie. God has already provided everything we need since the dawn of creation: what grows in the ground, what grazes on it, and what swims in the waters that separates the dry land. Spend the time and money required to eat healthy foods- and move your body!
Beloved, it’s time to clean the inside of our cups. Let’s not just be hearers of the Word, let’s do it! We need to practice what we preach. God is watching. And so is the world.
A Prayer (fighting the good fight)
1 Timothy 6:11-14
11 … Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. 13 And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
God, YOU said that when we fight the good fight of faith, it’s not by our strength or our power, but by YOUR Spirit. That means: we have to SEEK first YOUR Kingdom. Then all the things, all the plans for how to resist the devil will be given to us. Only then will we be able to go – and possess the land YOU promised. When we humble ourselves, seek YOUR face and turn from our wicked ways, no power or principality of darkness will harm us. No weapon formed against us will prosper. When we submit to YOU, as children, in childlike faith, we prove that YOU are our Father. A chosen few are doing that. But many that are called are running around like orphans with poopy diapers, swinging swords they aren’t strong enough to handle. Oh, that we would grow up and become spiritually mature sons and daughters!
How many times have YOU forgiven us our trespasses against YOU? In our ignorance we’ve believed we’re grown- just because we’re gifted! Heaven, help us. Many of us are doing good works; using spiritual gifts with gusto as explosive diarrhea overflows our sagging diapers. Our sacrifices have been detestable to YOU. They stink like week old dirty diapers! YOU are not interested in our Simon the Sorcerer routine; performing miracles, signs and wonders for the crowd….without knowing YOU. Without loving YOU! It’s obvious: we love ourselves and others more. The proof is evidence against us: we refuse to obey YOU. We’ve been content performing for love instead of from love.
When will we STOP?
When will we BE STILL?
When will we LAY DOWN and let our parents (the spiritually mature believers YOU have placed in our lives) help change us?
When we confess that we’ve rejected YOU as Father. When we repent for resisting YOUR authority. When we realize we’ve been deceived, doubted and followed the advice of the father of lies. “Don’t tell me what to do!” is the mantra of his children. They’ve declared their declaration of independence in their hearts. They’ve chosen to remain orphans; independent, impetuous and impatient… willing to survive alone, as individuals.
Lord, forgive us. We do not know what we are doing! We need a spanking. We need a time out. We need to be grounded. We need our toy swords to be taken away for a season to rest, recover and be restored to YOU: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We need to become HOLY as YOU are holy! Then we need to be reconciled to our fathers and mothers & brothers and sisters in Christ.
We confess all our crap to you, Lord! We repent for acting like orphans. We repent for being rebellious children. We declare a new declaration of DEPENDANCE on YOU, our good Father. We ask for YOUR helper- YOUR Spirit to lead us into all Truth. Change our hearts as YOU change our diapers! Train us in the way we should go. Potty train us. Teach us to grow up! We wanna become spiritually mature. We want to develop into healthy & holy kids, teenagers and adults. And when we are able, we ask that YOU show us how to parent the young ones as YOU have parented us; teaching us to obey all YOU have commanded.
Amen.
Deep Into the Water 