Revealing

I got so wrapped up in the tasks for the past week, I forgot to blog. I am working on three books right now and preparing for the Queens photo shoot. Some times you can be so busy in God’s work, you miss the moments.

This week I got to join with thousands of people around the world starting the study of Revelation. In Bible Study Fellowship classes are packed with people wanting to know what God is doing through prophecy. I love it when people pursue God because that is when great things happen. From my Facebook page, I watched as groups around the country posted photos of their packed sanctuaries. Praise God!

In addition to studying the book of Revelation, I believe the study will be revealing in many ways. Not only will I get more book knowledge, but I know the experience will reveal the Lord in a way I have not met Him before. It is kinda like watching a new TV series, as you meet all the characters and get into their situations.

Last Monday evening I got a glimpse of what heaven will be like. I ran into many old, good friends who I have studied God’s word with in the past. There will be an eternity for people and their stories to be revealed and how we impacted each other’s lives.  There are women who prayed for me and I can’t wait to hug and thank them.

Monday, I am sure I only got to see a few people. Because there were more than 800 women there, I know each week is going to reveal more and more.  I am excited to see what He does next.

This is the first year for the study of Revelation in BSF, so I was not sure what to expect. The questions have been very enlightening. I have studied prophecy before, but this study really is making it much more clear. 2 Peter 1:19-21 helped me understand that prophecy shines a light in a dark place. That passage walked a long way with me this week.

My pastor, who is also teaching on prophecy, said Revelation is about praise and worship. Walking into these chapters with this in mind will definitely change my perspective. I am a praise and worship girl.

Like all new studies, I expect the Lord to reveal Himself to me in a new way. I know it will be life changing.  Lord give me a revelation.

Changing

I left the house in a rush this morning, and there is not a lot of light in my room. I was at my fourth stop of running errands. I was walking across a parking lot to a public building when something didn’t feel right. I looked down and saw that I had on 2 left flip flops. (my toes were cute and freshly painted) But I had on a brown flip flop for the left foot and a navy flip flop for the left. I knew I could not walk into the building like that.

Fortunately for me, I keep a pair of sneakers in my car. It was back to the car for a quick change. This cracked me up. I can’t believe I had not felt anything before that. You know sometimes that was my prayer life.

This week things have changed.

I watched the video I am sharing with you. Francis Chan blows my mind. He makes me think about things I have never thought about before. God gives us all these great examples of how to love Him and what faith looks like. Francis Chan says things that draw me closer to God.

One of my walk aways from this video is Revelation 4.  He challenged me to think about who I am praying to. When I pray now this image is before me on the throne.  He is no longer a better me in human form, but He is the image described in Revelation.  Let me tell you, that changes your approach completely as you imagine Him in the appearance of jasper and flashing lightning and pearls of thunder sitting above you on a throne.

Since I have changed my praying habits, things have changed in my life. My prayers have been very effective this week, as have been my study time. I love the idea of asking God to create new experiences in my life. If you ask, He really does it. (remember, I walked around in two left flip flops) He has a great sense of humor.

Revelation

There are those who would steal your dreams and hope. There are those who want nothing more than to see you fail. Sunday, I had a revelation that I shared with my Facebook Friends.

“I have to share this because I know some of you are waiting on the Lord to act in your life.
This morning I was on my way to church and I was singing with the radio. I don’t remember what song it was. But the Lord and I were having a conversation. He told me that sometimes we are waiting because He has to take the teeth out of the serpent that is waiting to bite you. He didn’t say He was gonna stop it, but He said it wasn’t going to harm you. You see He has to show you and the serpent who is in charge.
So whatever you are waiting on, know that God is de-fanging something that was trying to hurt you. Be still and know.”

I am in a time of waiting. It is hard, but God sends hope. You just have to look for it.

You have to learn to appreciate the times of waiting. It reminds me of the last full day of my mom’s life.  She was having a surgical procedure and we were waiting with her for her turn. My mom, my sister and I had some of the best laughter we have ever had together.  This procedure was just one of the tasks of the day. We were in a hurry to get home and get ready for Christmas. We had started talking about Christmas and ended up talking about her childhood. She had us rolling in laughter.

We were a little irritated that the procedure had not started. They originally gave us a 10am start time. Well, 10 am came and went. We were still having a good laugh, but by 12 we were looking for explanations. Closer to 1 they came and got her.

By 5 or 6 we were up in her room, laughing and talking again. We had been joined by my youngest sister and my Mom’s youngest brother and his wife.  For hours we talked and laughter. Sometimes my Mom laughed so hard, it hurt her incision. The final story of the evening was how my little sister tried to run away. We hollered. It was so funny. I could not wait for Mom to get home and hear more.

She never came home. That day of fun was all the fun I would have with her. Sometimes we are so anticipating the coming thing, we miss the moments we are living in. But I serve an awesome God. He knew what was coming. He gave us precious hours I will always remember, but they came in the form of a delay.

If things are not happening the way you want, if there is a delay in your plans, ask God for a revelation. He is taking the sting out of the bite.