Rejoicing on the Altar

So I was sitting here this morning talking with the Lord, when He asked me this question,

"Amy, do you really need someone else?"

So, just to fill you in a bit, so you have some context as to why the question was asked, I will share a bit more.

You see I was pouring out my heart to the Lord about (what I believed was) my need for someone to come along side me in my (ministry) life before I could fully blossom and flourish in the call He had for my life.
*(mind you this is not the first time I have had this conversation with the Lord -lol- none the less as always and ever so graciously with immense love, the Lord continued to converse with me as if it were the first time)
When I was done (whining) pouring out my heart to the Lord, He asked me the question,

"Amy, do you really need someone else?"

My answer? 😊
"No. Lord you know I don't." 💕 "You have become to me, all that I need."  💗

Then the Lord reminded me of a dream I had years ago, 

My New Room at THE ALTAR

click here to read dream

  

Where He spoke very clearly to me about my call. It wasn't the first time and it wasn't the last.
However it was very powerful.

After I was reminded of that dream Holy Spirit began to bring to mind a wealth of scripture that lifted me up as I lay on my altar. 

This first scripture is one of my favorites. I speak this one daily.

Galatians 2:20  "I have been crucified with Yeshua Messiah and I no longer live, but Messiah lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me."

Luke 9:23 "Then Yeshua was saying to everyone, “If anyone wants to follow Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross every day, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."

John 12:24 "Amen, amen I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces much fruit."

John 3:30  "He must increase, while I must decrease.”

You see, (being transparent here) I am on the downhill side of my natural life. I have lived through a great deal (of horrific traumas) here on earth. I only have the good Lord to credit for my life. 👣 He has been with me every step of the way! He has turned every tragedy into a victory! Psalm 34:19

So here I am still and I am continually learning how to live a life of rejoicing in the grave!

Which is just another way of saying dying to ones self - in all things - every day - at all times - in every situation. - It's not always easy. 

Because, well, I am still in this natural body. 

That's when I so appreciate this beautiful scripture found in the Psalms 103:14

"For He knows our frame.
He remembers that we are but dust."

I suppose it's quite apropos that King David was one who wrote this Psalm for us. A Psalm of the attributes of our loving Heavenly Father. Our Creator.

I don't suppose King David had too many friends after Jonathon. However, you sure can tell just how much David knew and loved His Lord by his writings. 💖 💔 💕 💗 Through it all. The brokenness. The sin. The heartache. The loneliness. The repentance. The passion. The obedience. He was surely a man after God's own heart. 

Oh dear Lord, help me too be all you have created me to be. To live a life worthy of the calling I have received in Yeshua Messiah. Through you Holy Spirit. For your Glory. Help me to rejoice daily in dying to myself as I live to serve others in your love...like you!

Give Me a Heart Like Yours! 

I want a heart like yours Lord.

No other heart will do.

I need a heart like yours, Lord.

If I’m to love like you.

I want to love them like you love me.

You’re always gentle and kind.

Never boastful, proud or rude,

I want to love them like you.

You never look out for yourself Lord.

You’re always looking out for me.

You don’t keep tabs on every thing I do wrong.

You never anger easily.

I want a heart like yours Lord.

No other heart will do.

I need a heart like yours, Lord.

If I’m to love to love like you.

I want to love them like you love me.

Always being my best friend.

Never delighting when evil comes my way.

But rejoicing in the truth instead.

I want to love them like you love me.

You've never failed me yet.

You’re always there to protect me Lord.

Ever trusting; in me your hope is set.

.

I want to love them like you love me.

I want to touch them like you touch me.

I want to show them that your love is real.

I want a heart like yours, Lord.

I need a heart like yours.

Give me a heart like yours.

A heart like yours.

1 Corinthians 13

I love you Lord ~ AmyColleen

Beauty for Ashes

Like a mighty hand reaching down from the throne, the Heavenly Father took hold of me and spoke very clearly to me,

 "I am doing a work in you.  It will be accomplished as I have seen fit; the work that I am doing in you, is not that which you think, but that which you desire."

This is a vision I had about 14 years ago. I still am not sure what amazes me more.
The awesome details that still resound vividly in my heart and mind.
or
Knowing I have literally gone through, am going through, this thorn bush and am almost out.
I find it purely amazing. Outstandingly awesome and supremely Godly, all that the Lord does for us.
Because He loves us.
In addition to the greatest gift of all - Himself.
This is not the only time the Lord has spoken to me about suffering. Truthfully, that is not the point of this blog post.  Yes, that is a main point of the vision. However, I really wanted to touch on and share the word the Lord spoke to me.

 "I am doing a work in you.  It will be accomplished as I have seen fit; the work that I am doing in you, is not that which you think, but that which you desire."
This (for me) was going to come about by way of much suffering.
I have lived this - am living this.
This vision was 14 years ago. Well before the suffering began.

1999

Sunday am service - The Spirit of the Lord was heavy upon me. I was  given a vision as I sit still.

Then in a vision I saw myself on my knees, before the throne of God. As I looked up from bowing down, I saw another vision. I saw myself laying hands on someone in the midst of the multitudes. People were falling down and people were being delivered from bondage's and sickness of all kinds. I bowed my head low again in worship and honor to King Jesus. I was then whisked away to "My Place" on the hill with the Lord. (I speak of a place in my heart and mind. The Lord has allowed me to be able to sense His presence and see clearly in detail in my mind, a special place. I am taken here a lot in my personal time with the Lord and we spend time together there.  The Lord speaks to me and I find complete peace there with Him.)

So, I am there again. My special place. The Lord and I come together.  I take His hand and He leads me to the edge of a hill, where the green grass begins to flow.  

Without a word the Lord asks me if I am willing. I answer, "Yes Lord. I am willing."

Then again, without uttering a word I hear the Lord say,  "Lay it ALL down and go forth."  

I struggle, and I call out to him,  "Lord take it from me."

The next thing I know, I am no longer in the green grass on top of the hill with my Lord, but I find myself having to walk through a thorn bush to reach Him.  I can see Him, more out of Faith I think than vision, but I see Him none the less.  I looked for another way to reach Him, but realize that through the thorns is the most direct and shortest path.  So I proceed to go through the thorn bush as all I want is to be with my Lord. I can feel the passion and longing, burning within me. I hear the Lord calling to me. I grumble, allot, making my way through the thorns. At times running with everything in me. All I can think is how I need to get through the thorn bush to reach Jesus. I remember feeling the pain and cringing. I can see my blood dripping from my arms.  Each step I take hurts even more.  I remember being so tired and even thinking I got lost at one point  and almost panicking. 

That's when I cried out to Jesus and He resounded, "I am still here, keep on my beloved."

I did. I kept on and I made it through. I was all beaten up and my flesh was bleeding badly.  

I took the last step out of the thorn bush.
Jesus, precious Jesus was standing right there waiting for me. He reached for me. Both of His hands taking hold of my arms. He wrapped His warm, loving, forgiving arms completely around me. A feeling I will never forget and truthfully, if what I felt in the vision is  1/8 of what a real hug from my Lord will feel like, I can't even begin to imagine...

 Instantly I was whole again. Filled with complete peace and joy and in the presence of God.  No cuts, bruises or scars left to find.  Just whole and new.  Back at my  place on the hill. 

Just me and  my Jesus once again.

*** *** *** ***

It's been 14 years since I had this vision. I have had a few other dreams related to my having to suffer much in this life. At the time I wasn't entirely sure why I was having the dreams. Although I was quite sure they were from the Lord. Since then I have been watching my life unfold. The closer I get the Lord. The more I seek his face. The more I desire to know his heart. The more I long to be in his perfect will. The more I strive to be perfect as he is perfect. The more I see the answer to my question as to why I have had these visions and dreams. 

It has been, as the Apostle Paul writes to the church of Phillipa, 
"...to know Christ , the power of his resurrection and to participate in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."

Philippians 3:10-11

To know Christ fully means to know him fully.

Not to just seek after all the wonderful things he did when he walked on this earth. All the miracles, signs and wonders. 
So much of the time we hear teachings on just the first part of verse 10. 
"...to know Christ and the power of his resurrection"..
That is completely taken out of context.
 There is no truly biblical way to do so, without  including the rest of the verse -
 "...and to participate in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death ..." 
simply put 

Dying to our flesh daily.

This beloved, is most certainly a painful process.

And let us also remember - to whom much is given - much is required.

If you want something you have never had you will need to do something you have never done.

Though it is impossible for you - that doesn't mean it is impossible - for what is impossible with man is possible with God.

Where ever God guides - He always provides.

And - keep looking up - our redemption draweth nigh!

One last thing  - I am posting a link to someone who inspires me beyond mere words.

Nick Vujicic

This young man of God has such an incredible anointing on his life and touched so many lives in a positive way - it is mind boggling! 
What Nick himself has over come in his own life is more than a miracle 
(if that is possible) 
God called. God chosen. God sent.

If you need to feel encouraged - just click the above link (his name).

If you don't need encouragement - 
Then please click the link and take a looky see and be blessed! 
Then add the young man and his wife and new baby boy to your daily prayers!
Nick also has a facebook page!

God bless you!

AmyColleen