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Fearless

/ Michelle Halloran / Leave a comment

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When I attended pharmacy school I took a pediatric specialty elective. It was in one of these classes I learned that babies are born with only two innate fears – the fear of falling and the fear caused by loud noises. Furthermore, these two fears are reflexive in nature. A fight or flight response of our sympathetic nervous system.

Do you know what this means? All other fears are learned behaviors!

The phrase “fear not” or “do not be afraid” appears in the Bible 365 times. Is that just a coincidence or is that a daily reminder for us to not be afraid? I believe this is a loving Father, our Creator who formed us in our mother’s womb, telling us every morning as we start our day,

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name. You are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord you God… You are precious in My sight… Do not fear, for I am with you.” –Isaiah 43:1-5

Is it really possible for us to walk through the waters and fires of life with no fear? The world teaches us a different mentality. The world gives us a pep talk that shouts, “Feel the fear, but do it anyway!” or “Do it afraid!” All this popular mantra boils down to is psychology. It’s a mind trick for overcoming phobias.

Now, we can buy into the world’s methods, including this psychology, but by doing so I believe we are selling ourselves short. This isn’t really conquering our fears. This is compromise.

God’s ways are not our ways. They are higher than our ways! They are better! So, if the word of God says 365 times to “fear not,” then I believe Him at His word that it is possible to fear not. I know it is impossible for me to accomplish this using my own strength (again that’s just psychology), but I know all things are possible with God!

2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

So rather than fear, God gives us power, love, and a sound mind! These three characteristics are gifts from God. They are also traits of God Himself. Let’s study these three gifts a bit closer…

POWER:

  • Paul reveals to us in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 that God spoke to Him saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Paul’s fearless response was this, “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
  • Paul also fearlessly says in his letter to the Philippians, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” [Philippians 4:13]
  • Paul endured much persecution, but he knew the power of Jesus Christ dwelling within him. This made him more than a conqueror! This made him fearless!

LOVE:

  • 1 John 4:18 tells us “there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.” Sounds easy, but what exactly is perfect love? John answers this question in this same chapter. Let’s look at verse 12 which says, “if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.” Again, verses 15-17 says, “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us.”
  • It’s like a baby, safe in his mother’s arms. She loves her child so much, she would never let any harm come to him. How much more does our heavenly Father love us? When we have the revelation that our God is a good Father who loves us unconditionally and that He promises to never leave or forsake us, then we can rest. Then we can feel safe and secure in His arms. Fearless!

SOUND MIND:

  • 1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us, “we have the mind of Christ.” The Spirit of God dwelling in us searches the depths of God. He knows God’s thoughts toward us and He reveals these thoughts to us.
  • Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,’ declares the Lord, ‘thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end (a hope and a future).’“
  • Isaiah 26:3, “Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.”
  • Peace is the fruit of fearlessness!

These three characteristics – power, love and a sound mind – come not from ourselves, but only through Jesus Christ who abides in us. Do you realize dear children of God that we have the One who calms the storm living in us! Greater is He who is dwelling in us than he (the enemy) who is dwelling in the world! [1 John 4:4]

The opposite of fear is trust. When we have fear, what we are really saying is that we don’t trust God. However, when we trust God – really trusting Him at His word – then we have nothing to be afraid of.

What is it you are afraid of?

Fear of Abandonment? The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed. [Deuteronomy 31:8]

Fear of Man? – Stop regarding man whose breath of life is in his nostrils for why should he be esteemed? [Isaiah 2:22] Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. [Luke 12:4] The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted. [Proverbs 29:25]

Fear of Dying? – For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [Philippians 1:21] Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies.” [John 11:25] O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? [1 Corinthians 15:55]

Whatever our fears may be 
we do not have to hide our fears through false bravery,
but rather we can overcome our fears through Jesus Christ!

YOU CAN BE FEARLESS!!!

Slave to the Masquerade

/ Michelle Halloran / 1 Comment

(Photo via Google Images)

Tis the season for masks, costumes, wigs, and face paint. Dressing up as someone else is loads of fun! My boys have totes full of costumes they have worn throughout the years. Pretending to be anything from a professional football player, a super hero, a storybook character, a pirate, or a clown.

They love parading around in these costumes and taking on the persona of their character for the night. Their voice changes an octave or two. Their walk and other mannerisms change. They begin saying things they don’t normally say. “Ahoy, me hartys!” But when all the paint is washed off and they exchange their costumes for their pajamas, they are just my little boys again waiting to be tucked into bed.

Yet, seeing my youngest dressed up like Spiderman shooting fake webs from his wrist makes me wonder…

How many of us don costumes of our own making and never take them off? I’m talking about the exterior front we put up to make others think of us in a particular way.

For example, I used to be the biggest people pleaser. I wanted everyone to like me. So I walked around with a perpetual smile plastered on my face, always laughing at everyone’s jokes (even when they were not funny), and telling everyone what they wanted to hear whether I really thought that way or not. I had become very good at adapting to my various environments. I was a very talented actor.

Do you happen to know the Greek word for ‘actor?’ It’s hypocrite. And that’s exactly what I was.

I’d like to share with you a poem I wrote called “Slave to the Masquerade.” Can you relate???

Slave to the Masquerade©

The suit of many layers
suits me just fine.
It protects me from my neighbors
as a shield to hide behind.

You see, I lose myself amidst these layers
forgetting what lies underneath.
I’m the master of all players –
you never see the real me.

Of course, sometimes I get a little hot
and find the suit a bit restricting.
But as long as I never get caught
you’ll like the person I’m depicting.

And sometimes the suit gets cumbersome;
I accept it as a burden I must carry.
And other times it just makes me numb
to the pain so dreadfully scary.

Therefore, rather than shedding this suit
and freeing myself from the load.
I’ll continue walking in this repute
down this dark and lonely road.

By:  Michelle Halloran

Do you care how others perceive you?

Perhaps you want everyone to think you have it all together when underneath you are falling apart. Or that you are Mr. Tough Guy when fear consumes you. Maybe you want to be Little Miss Know-it-all so you can finally get that promotion you think you so deserve. Or that you are Mr. GQ Cool when it’s really your mom that still dresses you.

“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” –1 Samuel 16:7

Try as we may, we cannot fool God. And we can only fool others for so long. The world is craving authenticity. It is sick and tired of fake people! Fake people are lonely people. Not only that, but keeping up a facade is exhausting. Do you want to know why it’s so exhausting?

It’s because hypocrisy puts you in direct opposition
of who God created you to be!

This is the enemy’s tactic that we must uncover in our lives! We must unmask the lies of the enemy and see him for who he really is! Satan is the ultimate masquerader.

Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. –2 Corinthians 11:14

It’s Satan who tells us, ‘You’re okay, you’re a good person.’ This is called self-righteousness and it undermines the importance of the cross.

God created us in need of a Savior. We cannot earn salvation by being good on our own merit. You know why? Because our human nature is not good! The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants (Galatians 5:17). Self-righteousness wants to hide the sinful nature within and pretend everything is okay.

But to admit we need the cross lifts a huge weight from our shoulders. It means we can stop trying to create an appearance of goodness to impress those around us.

Jesus spoke of this in a parable found in Luke 18:10-13:

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, ‘God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’

But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’

Yes, we may pretend to be great, but we are not all that. The truth is, we are all sinners in need of a Savior. But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Jesus Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). It’s by grace we have been saved through faith; and not of ourselves. It is the gift of God, not as a result of works so no one should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Praise God! We cannot earn salvation or favor with God. It is a gift freely given. When we come to Jesus, our old self is crucified with Him that our body of sin might be done away with. That we should no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin (Romans 6:6-7).

So no longer are we slaves to the masquerade!

There is freedom in being who God created us to be!

GET REAL AND BE YOU ON PURPOSE!!!

***

© Michelle Halloran and Psalms of Mine, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Michelle Halloran and Psalms of Mine with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Three Strands of Cord

/ Michelle Halloran / Leave a comment

(Photo via Fotothing)

“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor… And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”
–Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

***

Three strands of cord are brought together
Each of a different color.
They wrap around until they are one
Soul sister and soul brother.

And then three more strands unite
With a bond not quickly separated.
Link by link and knot to knot,
A pattern is created.

I take a step back to see the big picture
And much to my surprise;
A fisherman’s net has been formed
Right before my very eyes!

As deep calls unto deep
We walk upon the water.
The voice of God says, “Let down your nets.
Trust me for I am your Father.”

With faith we hear and obey
Our hearts burning from within.
Each strand of the net has been called
To be a fisher of men.

–Michelle Halloran

***

“…from now on you will be fishers of men… they left everything and followed Him.” –Luke 5:1-11

“And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” –Mark 1:17

Ready or Not, Here I Come!

/ Michelle Halloran / 2 Comments

(Photo via http://www.jnesbit.com)

“… that He might present the Church to Himself a glorious bride, without spot or wrinkle or any other defect, but to be holy and unblemished. …” –Ephesians 5:27

I had a dream recently where I was preaching in front of many people in a church. I was preaching about Jesus returning for His Church. His Bride. I was preaching with such fervor, I remember spit spewing from my mouth. I was asking the congregates how they would react – what they would do – if Jesus Christ, Himself, walked through those doors. And I pointed to the doors in the back of the church.

Without waiting for an answer, I quickly replied, “This is what would happen!” Lo and behold, the doors began to open. I watched breathlessly as Jesus, my Lord, entered into the church.

His gaze immediately captured me. I am the one He is after! I am His Bride!

He walked down the center aisle, never removing His gaze. His eyes blazed with passion. Whether captivated by those eyes or weakened from His presence or both, I stood unmoving. Although every fiber in my being yearned to run to Him. Yet, I watched… and waited for Him to come to me. For me.

Suddenly, in the next blink of my eye, I am within His reach. His arms envelop me and he swings me into a dance. An elegant ballroom dance. A lovely song begins to sing over me. In the hidden locket of my memory, I recognize the song.

It’s the song from Sleeping Beauty.

‘I know you. I walked with you once upon a dream. I know you the gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam. And I know its true that visions are seldom all they seem. But if I know you, I know what you’ll do. You’ll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream.

Once upon a night, I dreamed we’d be together. In love forever. Once upon a night, I was wishing for a never, a never ending. Once upon a night. Once upon a time. Once upon a wish. Once upon a dream.’

Wow! What a prophetic picture of the Bride of Christ!

She’s found proclaiming the gospel, preparing the way for the Lord’s return. The cry of the Bride echoes throughout the land awakening those who have ears to hear from their slumber. She is adorned with her jewels, clothed in garments of salvation, and arrayed in a robe of His righteousness. [Isaiah 61:10]

Her lamp is trimmed and her oil is ready. [Matthew 25] She watches and waits for her Lord’s return as a watchman on the wall. And the Spirit and the Bride say, “Come!” [Revelation 22:17]

For in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, heaven will open and behold, a white horse, and He who sits upon it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness He will judge. [1 Corinthians 15:52, Revelation 19:11]

Those not prepared – those who have forsaken the Lord and pursued their own pleasures – will beg, “Lord, lord, open up for us,” when the door to the wedding feast closes with a thud.

But He will answer and say, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.”

His attention quickly returns to His Bride. The True Church. No longer is she called Forsaken or Desolate, but He gives her a new name. Sought out. [Isaiah 62] She was faithful and He sought her out. Rescuing her from death. She will reign with Him forever and ever.

***

Perhaps the life we are living is like a dream…

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.” — 1 Corinthians 13:12

…and just like the song from Sleeping Beauty, we know Jesus and He knows us. We know Him because we walk with Him. We talk with Him. We come before Him with nothing hidden, making ourselves known. And He reveals Himself to us. He speaks to us through His Word. He directs us through His Holy Spirit.

When we wake from this dream and see Him face to face, He will take us in His arms and sing this song over us.

“I know you. I walked with you once upon a dream…”

Do you know Jesus? Are you walking with Him, hand in hand, through this moment in eternity we call life? Will He find you faithful? Or will He find you defiled with other lovers?

“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.” –2 Timothy 3:1-5

If you are wasting your life on things that will perish, it’s not too late to give your life to Jesus. The things of this world grow dim in the light of His glory. This is my prayer for you…

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” — Ephesians 1:17-19

And for those of you who are already believers…

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” — 2 Timothy 4:1-2

***

Boy, am I looking forward to that dance! Find me faithful, Lord!!!

(Please share this message of love and truth with those God has entrusted you with. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Let us proclaim the kingdom of God together!)

There is a Ripple in the Clouds! Come Catch the Vision of Heaven!

/ Michelle Halloran / 1 Comment

(Photo via Pinterest)

I had the most glorious dream last night! It was so sacred, it took me a while to even share with my husband. But from it, I believe God has given me a message to share with you today. So, here goes! I pray it ministers to you!

The dream began with me gazing into the clouds. It was a beautiful evening. My husband and children were there along with a few other people whom I didn’t recognize, but somehow I knew them in the dream.

Something in the clouds had caught our attention. The clouds had taken on the formation of ripples. There were several of them, and just like a ripple from a drop of water in a pool, each one began with a central focal point surrounded by a ripple effect. It was so captivating and intriguing.

We all desired to go the place directly underneath this portrait of beauty in the sky. It was getting dark by this time and the journey to our destination was going to be a long one. I looked down at my two boys and realized we couldn’t make the venture that night. I told the others to go on ahead and we would catch up with them in the morning. And so they began the great expedition that we would start the next day.

And boy, were we anxious to get started! At the first gleam of dawn, we were up and loaded in our car. Just like the night before, the ripples were still high in the sky. Our time had come and our journey began.

My husband drove the car through what appeared to be a metro-like area. We were heading toward a huge building that may have been a courthouse. Regardless, I knew we were on a main street with a lot of traffic.

Then suddenly, like a flash of lightning, my whole family was transported directly to the place of our destination beneath the ripples in the sky. The scenery before us was spectacular! A transparent curtain that rippled like the clouds above us was unveiling another world in front of us. It looked like a place fairy tales are made.

It was breathtaking. Astonishing. Majestic. Glorious.

At the splendor of it all, I placed my hand over my mouth in amazement. God’s presence fell over me like a heavy blanket. I dropped to my knees and began crying. A heavenly language came out of my mouth and at the same time I felt like I was communicating the magnificent array with my husband in my native tongue.

The colors were absolutely brilliant. It was a field of green with a gently rolling landscape. Remarkable trees, flowers that would blow your imagination, and a sparkling crystal clear stream.

I was immediately drawn to the water. Not able to muster the strength to stand, I crawled on my hands and knees to the water’s edge. All the while, crying and speaking in my heavenly language.

Floating on the water was a luscious fruit and I desperately desired it. It grew on a leafy vine. Bright red and tender. Bigger than a cherry. Smaller than an apple. It was the best tasting, juiciest fruit I’ve ever eaten!

And as quickly as we were transported there, I was transported back home. Back to my daily routine; still holding the fruit I retrieved from the water.

At that point, I came across a lady I see almost everyday and I shared my fruit with her. She devoured it hungrily and her eyes grew large with delight. Then a great rejoicing broke out. The place filled with singing and dancing. Such joy invaded the atmosphere!

A beautiful young maiden dancing merrily with her fiancé caught my attention. I say ‘maiden’ because the setting appeared to be in the 1800’s. Kind of ‘Gone with the Wind’ -ish. As I watched intently, I discovered this dark-haired beauty was mute. She had never been able to speak her love to her betrothed. While she was dancing, I saw her gaze turned toward another woman dancing in the room.

The mute girl had a vision, and I saw it clearly. In the vision, the other woman laid her hands over the young girl’s throat and prayed a simple prayer to Jesus for her healing. The vision ended and, without hesitation, the mute maiden rushed to the woman, motioning her to pray.

Proceeding precisely how the vision played out, the woman prayed for the mute girl and she was healed. She had received her voice.

Laughter erupted from vocal cords that had never uttered a sound! She ran to her fiancé’s side and began exclaiming words of adoration, love, and devotion to him. I witnessed such intense emotion in her face. Such tenderness in her words. Such love in her voice. It was a sweet, sweet sound.

And then I woke up…

I firmly believe God gave me a vision of heaven last night in my dream. Just a glimpse of His glory. A taste of His splendor. A touch of His majesty. The water represented the living water that never runs dry. The fruit was the fruit of the Spirit. The mute maiden signified the Church, the Bride of Christ, and the other woman, the Holy Spirit who is healing the voice of the Church. And of course, the fiancé is the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, who is soon and very soon returning for His Church.

I pray that we would all catch the vision of heaven. All it takes is a glimpse, a taste, a touch… and we are transformed forever. When we catch the vision of heaven, we are drawn into the secret place of the Most High. What God gives us freely in this place, He wants us to give freely to the people He places in our lives – He gives us all a sphere of influence.

The fruit of the Spirit that He cultivates within us in the Holy of Holies is meant to be shared so others can taste and see the goodness of the Lord. Then they will be drawn to their own secret place of the Most High, desiring to eat from the hand of Jesus themselves!

The Holy Spirit is awakening His church from its slumber. He’s turning lullabies into battle cries! The voice that has been muted by the enemy is beginning to proclaim her love for the Bridegroom! The voice of the Bride will resound in the heavens and all who hear it will feel the vibration of its power!

God is releasing drops of His glory among people who are seeking His face. One drop ripples. Then another drop ripples. Followed by two or three more ripples. There is coming a reverberating ripple of God’s glory throughout the entire earth!

Oh, what revival would break out if each one of us would take our eyes off ourselves and seek the face of Jesus. Oh, that we would all catch the vision of heaven. Partaking the fruit of Jesus and sharing it with others. All while edifying the name of Jesus with our unified voice. When He is lifted up, He will draw all men.

This ripple of revival will pulsate throughout the whole earth!!! Behold, the Bridegroom is coming! People get ready!

(We each have a sphere of influence. If you have been encouraged by this post, please consider sharing with yours! May the ripple of revival begin in each one of us! Thank you and God Bless!!!)

Defining Moments

/ Michelle Halloran / Leave a comment

(Photo via Pinterest)

We all have defining moments.
Don’t let your past define you.
Don’t let the world define you.
Let God define you.

Covered by the blood of Jesus,
You are a new creature.

Old things have passed.
Leave them in the past.

Know who you are in Christ Jesus
He will call you by name.

He will call you daughter… son…
Faithful Servant.

He will call out the gifts he placed
Within you in your mother’s womb.

He will call you blessed and highly favored…
More than a conqueror.

He will call you “Mine”
And write His name upon your heart.
The name above all names.

He is the potter.
You are the clay.

Let His hands form you and make you
Molding you into His perfect creation.

Let Him speak to you which path to take
Guiding you into His perfect plan.

Let Him touch the coal to your lips
Burning away the chaff of your heart.

Let Him purify you like gold
Through the refiner’s fire.

Let the God of heaven and earth lead you into your
Defining moments.

After You

/ Michelle Halloran / Leave a comment

After You I was created
In Your very own image.

After You I seek
And find treasures unimaginable.

After You I thirst
And You give me a well of living water.

I yearn after You.
I long after You.
I take after You.

And in Your goodness, You open the door for me,
Saying this is the way. Walk in it.

But before I enter I will say,
“After You.”

I will always follow…

…After You.

Like a Child

/ Michelle Halloran / Leave a comment


(Photo via karlsprague.com)

Lord, let me see through the eyes of a child.
Restore unto me the wonder of the universe, the excitement of the simple things, and the intense passion for life.
Let me love with fervor, stand in innocence, and laugh often with joy unspeakable.

Lord, let me trust You as a good Father.
Restore unto me the faith of a child, the abandonment of worry, and the reliance of Your strength.
Let me partake of Your perfect love, rest in Your arms, and obey Your every command.

Matthew 18:3-4 – “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven…”

I Will Endure

/ Michelle Halloran / Leave a comment

After such interest in a previous post, “Walk Like a Blind Man,” I felt pressed to share this prophetic song God gave me to encourage that friend overcoming cancer. I pray it ministers to you.

I will endure,
I will endure,
I will endure for a little while.

The first gleam of dawn is breaking,
Soon the sun will be soaring.
Weeping may last through the night,
But joy comes in the morning.

I will not fear.
My robe is bullet proof.
Though the storm winds blow,
I will not be moved.

I will trust God.
My anchor is hope.
I will find rest
With Jesus in the boat.

I will endure,
I will endure,
I will endure for a little while.

I will lay hold of that for which
Jesus did lay hold of me.
I will obtain the prize that in
His perfection I am free.

The promise is mine.
This I will confess.
The word has gone forth,
And it will manifest.

I will endure,
I will endure,
I will endure for a little while.

Peace… Be… Still…

Like Jacob,
I will not let go until you bless me.

Like Abraham,
I will have faith in the promise you’ve spoken over me.

Like Daniel,
Even in the lion’s den, I will not bow to any other.

Like Paul,
Even in the prison cell I will sing your praises forever and ever.

I will endure,
I will endure,
I will endure for it’s just a little while.

Peace… Be… Still…

“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” –Hebrews 10:36

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” –Hebrews 10:23

Lost… but not Forgotten

/ Michelle Halloran / Leave a comment

(Photo via CMCSVirtues)

A love story based on Ezekiel 16 & 36

I have loved you from the beginning of time. In the beginning, I created the heavens and the earth thinking about you and My Son. I created you for Him. Blood, water, and spirit I created you from the dust and separated the veil of time to place you in your point of history. For such a time as this you were created.

I look upon you and admire the beauty of My creation. Your hair as dark as the midnight sky; your eyes sparkling like the ocean at dawn. A delicate flower on the outside you are, but on the inside I made you a mighty warrior. I made you to be mighty for My Kingdom. To wrestle violently against the darkness.

I loved the days of your childlike faith when you let me hold you in the palm of My hand. But one tragic day, your warrior spirit – the tenacity that I love so much about you – turned against Me. You thought you knew better than Me and you jumped out of My hand. I could have closed My fist and held you tight, but I didn’t. In My great love for you, I always give you a choice.

You didn’t choose Me.

No longer safe and secure and clothed in My splendor, you lay naked and exposed and you hide in darkness. I cry out for you to return to Me and you turn the other way in shame. The darkness I created you to wrestle against, you begin making it your home.

You quickly become prey for all that is in the world. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. Quickly you ran and quickly you fall. Every good and precious gift I give you, you squander with your loose living. You worship everything that catches your eye. All the while, I never take My eye off you.

My heart yearns for you. The separation you’ve built between us doesn’t hinder My love for you. Though you drown out My voice with endless distractions, My love for you is never quenched. Neither height, nor depth, nor any other created thing can separate you from My love.

So, I sent you a Savior, my Son, to rescue you from your harlotries. He was pierced through for your transgressions. He was crushed for your iniquities. The chastening for your well-being fell upon His shoulders. He poured Himself out to death only so you can live.

I know your heart aches as does Mine, for you were created to abide in Me and I in you. We were not meant to be apart so I’ve provided you a blood-stained cross to bridge our great divide. Come to Me, I beckon you. Let Me sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness. Let Me replace your heart of stone with a heart of flesh. Let Me put My Spirit within you. I will save you from all your shame and disgrace. I will clothe you in My splendor once again. You will be Mine and I will be yours.

And same as always, I leave you a choice. Will you choose to cross that bridge and return to Me? Will you choose life through the death of your Savior? Will you choose Me? Choose this day whom you will serve.

Remember, you may be lost… but you are never forgotten.

Signed and Sealed with No Greater Love,

God, your Father