Ground Zero

 Psalm 46:10 (KJV)

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

Matthew 6:6 (KJV)

"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."

Matthew 13:23 (NASB)

"And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty."

    There has been a reoccurring theme and personal revelation that I have received, that God is bringing us back to ground zero. What I mean when I say this, is that the Lord is reminding us of what He had said in the beginning; things He had told us to do before in obedience. There are missing pieces of the puzzle that have yet been placed in order for the whole picture to be made. 

    I have discussed this with others, and now discussing this with whomever decides to read, that God does not skip steps. There's a part of the purification process God requires of us that involves simple obedience. Like any father who loves their child and wants them to succeed to the best of their abilities, our Heavenly Father wants us to fulfill the same (Hebrews 12:5-13, NASB). 

    It's as if He is saying, "Wait, you missed a step. Go back and correct it (or start again). Follow My instruction this time." There is a humbling in this purifying and pruning process that, in turn, grows character and (if we allow) matures us to a different level. Obviously, the Lord would not tell us to do certain things in a certain way and in a certain order if there wasn't a reason. Does He really need a "Why?" God is all knowing, all seeing, all perfecting. 

    This leads into my next point: with this immediate obedience breeds faith-building. We all know, and goes without saying, that everything that God tells us to do is not the most comfortable thing to do. "Tell who what? Oh...my...goodness Lord. I don't even know them." "Give how much to who? Oh Lord, that's quite a bit. You sure? Maybe I'll wait on some confirmation." No! There's a window when it comes to the obedience to our Father. Don't miss it. When I say "window", I say this meaning a time limit placed on your reward (either now or down the line), and the person you're supposed to be ministering to's blessing. 

    Ah! "So you mean I have responsibility and hold accountability for my obedience?" Definitely! I'm not saying I am the most proficient at this either, but what I have experienced, learned, and what the Holy Spirit has revealed to me, is that you can't call something delay in your life when you are the one dragging your feet to His beckoning. Everything has to be evaluated and truly dissected to see if there were any loopholes you tried to take instead of just taking the first step God had said initially. The only fast-track is the one provided by the enemy, and he provides no grace like our Father when things go south. 

    In saying all of this, and what I am continuously learning through amazing teachings, leaders, and so on, is that pure obedience to God will require patience. That word is frowned upon nowadays, because we have allowed the world to speed us up on (what it seems like) everything. Holy Spirit reminds me when I want to start stressing and rushing, "The only rush is the rush you put on yourself. Take your time." There's a steady pace to moving in the obedience of God, and when we are in that vein, we are always in position ready for whatever He would want us to do next.

***Let's Pray!!! 💛 Dear Lord, thank you for taking your time with us. For disciplining us, molding us, and perfecting us in your Image. No one else has the amount of patience you give to us. However, Father, we do acknowledge and take into the fact, that you are not to be played around with. We do acknowledge that you are a jealous God, and even though you are gracious and merciful, we will not take advantage of this fact. Father, we declare that we will follow your Word and live by your Word. We will get to know you better and better each and every day. Lord, instill in us the fear of you to get on the straight and narrow path. Make our spirits fertile ground where you can plant your Word and your heart into something that will grow the fruit which you desire. We are tired of living a spiritually dead life; seeing and hearing the promises but not experiencing them ourselves. Create in us a pure and clean heart oh God, that we may see from your vantage point and not that of our own. This is your desire; that we all walk in the Spirit with you...your habitation. Make our habitation your habitation, Lord. Consume us with your Presence where we never want to leave. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray-Amen, Amen, Amen.***