Make Room

Three days ago, I celebrated by fifty-fourth birthday.

I didn't take a trip. Didn't go shopping, or do brunch or any of the other fun things we tend to do in celebration of our special day. That's not what I need right now.

I need simple.

This feels like a time to keep things simple.

Time to Rise

Saturday, I had breakfast with my mom and watched the original "Aladdin" on cable. Memories of my son, Kenneth, as a little boy sitting on the floor staring at the TV screen took us on a wonderful journey. It was a perfect birthday breakfast.

Sunday, I went to church and was blown away by the message. It felt like the earth was shaking in the sanctuary when in reality it was me. Rise. Slay. Eat. This was the clarion call, my Rhema (right now) for where I am in life.

I have to rise to the occasion. WE have to rise to the occasion.

No one but God knows what and how much you have invested.

No one but God knows the sacrifices you have made and for how long.

No one but God knows how your tears, fears, and frustrations have weighed you down.

Only God knows.

Only the source of our strength and the strength of our lives fully understands our struggles. But He is also the only one who knows what we need to go all the way.

Are you ready to rise?

A Spacious Place

In the book of Psalms (New International Version), King David speaks three times of his deliverance from seasons of turmoil and restraint and into "a spacious place".

He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. ~Psalms 18:19, New international Version

You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. ~Psalms 31:8

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. ~Psalms 118:5

Everyone should always have a least one biblical image that makes you smile. A spacious place is one of mine. It's deliverance in 3D, de-cluttering in HD. By the time we find David in these passages, he is at the point of no return. Life has taken its toil. He is desperate for deliverance, desperate enough to make room for God to bless him.

Salvation would not come by this warrior's might, not by his presence or power. No, deliverance was available only by the Sprit.

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.

~Psalms 18:16-17

If you've been wading in deep waters, know that God is ready to draw you out.

Heaven wants to take you where the only limits are set by God himself.

You. Not the baggage you're carrying.

You. Not the toxic relationships.

You. Not the pride that wants to pull you under.

You.

If God is All You've Got...

If someone researched how many times I've used this phrase in my life, it would be a long list...

If God is all you've got, then God is all you need.

Don't be surprised when you run out of options. Be prepared. Emmanuel is near (God with us).

You have been through it and back. Me, too. But harvest is coming, so get ready. Your fruit has to go somewhere. Make room for your spacious place. De-clutter for the journey and watch God enlarge your territory and your life.

If you were blessed today, let me know in the comments!

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Know that I am praying for you and your journey.