His Promises Bring Life

My initial goal in writing this post was to speak on just how rough and challenging my thirties were.  Then I had a change of heart and decided I wasn’t going to do that.  I want to keep in the back of my mind all that we had to walk through, however, I do not want to give them any position of power in my mind or spirit any more than they already possess.

It’s not ignoring or disregarding the events that made this decade so challenging.  Rather, I am choosing to not give them a place anymore.  Now, there are some experiences that I will carry with me such as losing both of my parents in the span of three short years – the process of grief is simply inevitable and will continue.  I will always treasure them in my heart and still have some mild trauma to walk through due to witnessing their passing first hand.  But most of what took place in my thirties that made it so difficult I am choosing to let go of.  Instead, I want to focus on all of the good that took place while using the negatives as stepping stones into my next decade of life.

As of January, I am officially in the last year of my thirties.  Before I know it, 40 will be knocking on my door very hard.  For the first time in my adult life, I am actually looking forward to getting older and will gladly swing the door wide open when it arrives.  You may be wondering why?  For me, it’s as simple as a promise – or two.

As a person of faith who, as one of our pastors recently put it, stumbled into the new year, one of my goals is to become more reliant on God and trust His leading.  And what better way to begin this process than to receive a promise from Him.  This past December, we had some guests who were preaching locally come by our New Creation Shoppe and check out what it is we do as a ministry.  As soon as I was introduced to Bill Chilcote, he began speaking a promise over me from the Lord (it’s just what prophetic people do).  I don’t remember it all and I didn’t think to record it.  But the one part that stood out to me the most was this, “2019 is going to be a year of preparation for 2020 vision.”  Now, sometimes when you get a word from God through someone or from God directly, it can seem a little obscure and will require prayer for clarity.  I didn’t feel that about this one – I felt it was meant exactly the way it was said.  It encouraged me quite a bit.

The second promise came directly from the Lord Himself.  The unique thing about this word was its timing.  Within a week or two after the new year began, we entered crisis mode with both of our daughters who were dealing similar yet unique situations.  We were not prepared for it and were caught off guard by it all.  While I was at work one afternoon, I sat down to write something – I do not remember what I was planning to write, but what came out was unexpected.  As soon as I put pen to paper, the Lord just started talking.  So I started dictating.  He was asking me questions about success and what I thought that looked like.  He even mentioned that He realized, with all we had going on, that now may not seem like the right time to bring up such a topic.  But, to Him, the timing was perfect.  Here is a short piece of what He spoke.

“You were created and destined by Me for success.  So much, in fact, that there is a multitude of people in the world who need what your success is going to offer – they just don’t realize they need it because you have yet to create it.  But once you do, many will find hope, freedom, salvation and get answers to questions they have had for years.  This is the year (2019) that you discover yourself in a new way.”

What would you do with that?

What I am choosing to do is realize the connection between Bill’s word and God’s word and not question the fact that He has something up His sleeve.  What it is also doing is allowing me to look ahead rather than remaining focused on how crappy my thirties have been.  Or how tough our current situation may be.  It looks to me as if He has some crazy things planned this year that are going to prepare me and my family for an awesome 4th decade.

So you better believe I am looking forward to 40.  But my thirties ain’t over yet.  And as my wife put it with my birthday hashtag, I am #thirtynineandfeelingfine!  We are still in the crux of some tough issues and life is not pouring us lemonade as we speak.  But I have a promise from the Lord.  What else do we need?  He is always faithful to His promises as they are “Yes & Amen.”

My encouragement for you is simple…..kind of.  If you have been in a dark season or if you feel like life has become stale and complacent, get a promise from the Lord.  If you don’t have one, ask for one.  Go to His word and find all of the promises you can and begin speaking and praying them over your life and the life of your family.  If you know of someone who has the gift of prophecy, go to them for prayer.  If you don’t know someone like that, come to our Healing Night at church the first Monday of the month and meet someone who can pray over you and speak the heart of God over your life.  His promises are life-giving and will carry you through hard times.

I am so looking forward to whatever it is He is up to!

 

If you need prayer or a word from the Lord, please let me know.  I would be glad to pray on your behalf and share with you anything He may share with me.  If you want information about the Healing Nights at my church, I would be glad to share it with you so you can get the prayer you need.  If you have questions about the prophetic, it’s ok.  I’m still learning a lot myself.  It’s not scary like some may think.  It is an amazing gift God uses to bring hope to His people.  I would be glad to try and answer any questions you might have.  It really is worth it!