Kingdom Come #11

I am writing this article as the Lord places in front of me what to write about. That is how most if not all are written. As he shows and tells me what to write and the direction to go in, I go. My life is like that too.

God says it’s time to tell you a full story here on the pages of this entry. I tried to tell you a story in the last blog article, which is the one that has the sign off/ending with the heart -me signature. This specific section in all the Salt journals goes online on the website, but since you are in the pages of The Salt Journal you get access to the full script within each issue.

In the last Salt Journal issue #6, I was living with a friend of mine and that journey ended to only begin another one. There was a plan and that plan was disrupted, but what I didn’t get to tell you in that first addition is that I thought there was an ending to my stay here in Tennessee all together. There is a plan, but within the directions given to me by God himself, there seemed to be a delay. Is it a delay or divine timing? There are times I’m just not sure which one.

It has been mostly on for nearly three years. On meaning my roads to live have been situated in the hills of Tennessee. Yep, as of today I am still here. I’ve been given a plan, but it has not been delivered to me in a way where the road out of here opens. I get tired of talking about Tennessee and the waiting. So, let’s change the subject.

When I arrived at my friend’s home in Collierville, Tennessee I was happy to be landed in a home that was safe. However, it quickly became more of a challenge than I had wanted for. Longer than I wanted for. With no car to drive me away I learned quite quickly that my heart was rough in areas where it should be smooth. And that is where I entered the “cave” and into my spiritual renewing.

Take yourself into a place you can’t leave but you want to. Yet, there is no way out. Then place no ability to buy oneself a thing…nothing. Only the bills that cover rent or house, and maybe not even that. I couldn’t afford to buy myself food or clothes, or a cup of coffee. May not sound like a hard gig to some but for someone who knows the wealth of God and can see he is withholding those from me, I knew there was good reason for him to be “withholding”.

My friend and assignment were nice enough, but it wasn’t “my” home or “my” things. The kids were not mine and neither was the laundry I was helping with. When things got really wavy, I knew God was calling me into “danger” for a reason. Can I and will I look at him instead of the waves? I was accused again of not using my gifts for God and not working to pay my bills etc… The money seems to be a big concern for some people. While others in the Kingdom of God can see the hope and purpose of following Christ looks different in all our lives.

There is one simple and yet profound unifying concept, it’s not about you, yourself. You don’t need to make the money to support yourself in the way the world does if that IS NOT WHAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO IN THIS SEASON, and if it’s not what God has called you to, even forever. The disciples went without having a “job” for food. Peter left his nets. Instead, the early church brought all their belongings and sold some so that there were no needs among the church (the body of Christ). They weren’t dissecting your life and deciding if you were fit to pay the bill.

They gave all they had to Jesus and the needs of his people were met.

[Acts 4:32-35] All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Why do I tell you these ways and promises about my life? To show you that while following Jesus you will find conflict but take heart the Lord has overcome the world! Every time I have needed Jesus to come to my rescue he has! You see my friend was signaling to me that she was not willing to pay for my stay with her any longer and some of you might agree. Why should she have to spend her money while you serve the Lord? The scriptures in Acts say otherwise but I don’t believe money to be exact is the issue here within the lines of this story.

In short, I left the house I was staying and landed safely with the way made to another location for a time before I make my final move to Florida…for the last time, I hope. I was supposed to be at a doctor’s appointment in Pensacola, Florida within 48ish hours and I sat on the bed at my friend’s house in Tennessee, not having talked to my parents in four months, and not sure what to do. In prayer I reached out to my father and by the next morning I was moved temporarily (I was given a whole week to live there) back into my parent’s home. I left at 6:30AM the next day and made my way to the doctor using my dad’s truck. Only I had just enough gas, that my dad had put in the tank the day before I left for Florida, and money (which I needed for monthly bills) to get me to Pensacola. I did not have enough money for a hotel room or gas to drive back to Tennessee. The money I did have was to be drafted out the following day/s for monthly bills….it was tight, and I needed a miracle…or 2.

In prayer I heard God say go anyway. Trust is what led me. So, I went with trust in my heart and when I was about ¾ the way to Pensacola a friend from Nashville gave me a call to just catch up on life. Within this call she graciously sent me enough money for a hotel and some gas back to Tennessee. It was a miracle and God showing me I can trust him to do and deliver on what he says he will do. Have faith he whispers to us daily on our hearts.

Before I left for Pensacola the Lord had directed me to ask my parents for gas money and a hotel room, both they have graciously extended in the past. But this time they were not open to treating me as if I were a disciple of Christ in need but kept their means to themselves. They had enough but were not willing enough. Even with a declined offer extended I trusted God would provide for his will and he did just that. They knew someone was in need but decided to judge the situation based on what “they” knew instead of seeking God’s approval for the means he has gifted to them. A helping hand to our servants pleasing and giving their whole lives to God is what, the topic we are after today in this article of The Salt Journal. The Salt Journal is not my own idea, it’s God’s. My life is not my own, it’s God’s. I seek his will and in doing his will he promises to provide all the needs met. Today I write for him but tomorrow the Lord might ask me to write a best-selling book, or it gets read by no more than five people. He may ask me to jog to Alaska to tell people about the Lord, or he may ask me to quit and raise five kids, start a school, run a business, be a maid etc… What matters the most is that I have obeyed God’s commands for and over my life. It’s not the job it’s the “job” giver, and that is what matters the most to me. So, if I am to work, I will work for the Lord until he approves me in the Lord, and I rise up to meet him in glory! It’s enough to be his servant, of the living God. What he chooses for me to do in a day should not be chosen to judge but to be celebrated and given towards in a heart of encouragement and means if that be the call of obedience on your life, to be extended to the very least of these…

Now, all of this might sound harsh, or you are relieved to not be alone on your branch in some tall tree outside “the neighborhood”. Be relieved, be renewed of spirit. Be of great song! Be thrilled we have a Kingdom that is for you and not against you. “My parents” and “friend” are not the only people out there to have help you. We need also to consider they need Jesus too and extend grace to where they are living in their heart. We all need Jesus and it’s also important we work towards and in a renewed heart, soul, body and mind.

The green fields of heaven are not here, yet. But we can exist in them if we will find heaven in each other’s will. There is a will, and it is good. I am not out to get you or burden you, I am here to see and watch you grown into who God created you and me to become. Watch us grow into kings and queens of rejoicing! Where money and judgment have no hold, and the ruler of our heart is Jesus. Watch him, the Lord rule and provide all we need together, through one another.

Maybe it’s a check but maybe it’s a holding hand, a swept-up home, a babysitter to parents who need a night out and you watch the kids. Whatever the need is may we seek God to do as he would in all and every situation. May our eyes roam to and fro and look upon your neighbors and children of God to see and be willing to meet the needs that come our way. Let go of your stuff! And be willing to give to another in need. We can and are able. If you see a need and aren’t able to meet it ask someone who can, and or pray and ask God to make you able to meet that need for the first time.

The anointing of the Lord is set upon you to preach the good news of the gospel. It is also on you to reach the needs of his people. Don’t be quick to judge another’s situation. Instead ask for the discerning eyes of Christ to grant you wisdom into their situation. What does the heart need? Would a good roof help cover them for the winter months? Would a long-distance call to another country help your immigrant neighbor talk to their family this week? There are many ways we can help but we must first stop controlling our lives and realize first we are all cared for and provided for by God. Therefore, we can meet the needs of those around us first also. Be good to your neighbor and he will also be good to you. Be scared to help your neighbor and watch him pass by your home. Don’t let your judgment be your verdict.

Stop Jesus! Stop here and meet our needs for we have emptied ourselves out to help the others. Thank you, Jesus, for a witness to discern and divide what you have given us among your body of believers. What I have is yours and I will steward this gift because I love and thank you for it. I am yours and you are mine.

Lastly, take hold of the promises of the Lord and show him, the Lord you are following him both in heart and mind and body. He is the tree we all sit upon. He is our nourishment. Provide for those who are in need around you and be not afraid that someone will not do the same for you when you come to a needy place of your own. We who believe are all in the Kingdom of God, a family, in righteousness.

Acts 4:32-35...put it at the apostles' feet.