An Invitation, Living in His Presence

December 18,2008
Driving north on 85. Away from Atlanta. Away from our church, away from our friends. My eyes are swollen from the tears. Remember His faithfulness I keep saying to myself.
Crossing into South Carolina, I hear little Selah…
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus??
Mom, He can’t hear me.
Yes He can, close your eyes and pray to Him. I know that He will let you know that He hears your prayers. Under my breath- Lord, please let her know that You hear her.

Skylar and I tuned into her prayer, having no idea what she was about to pray…

Dear Lord, dear Lord, please forgive me. Save me from the Lake of Fire. Come live in my heart. I want to live with you in heaven. Best of all, I want to play with you and be with you. Bless me from the tweep of my toes to the tweep of my bottom. Amen.

How precious. What a memory to have crossing over. What a message of His continuous goodness. More tears- but all good. All about Him.

An Invitation, Living in His Presence

Earlier that morning, Selah had heard Skylar and me talking about Heaven. Selah was surprised to learn that not everybody goes to heaven. That must have gone deeper into her than I realized. I have never talked to her about salvation. We talk about His love and about how He wants us to choose blessings and not cursings…But she heard His truth and must have felt a nudge from our sweet Holy Spirit and she accepted His invitation. I know she is three- but she gets it, I am sure. If you know Selah, you know, she gets it.

Saved, saved from what? Saved from the eternal lake of fire that no one wants to think about. Saved from a lifestyle that will cause pain and take you away from His love and goodness.
How can a God who is love send me to a lake of fire? He doesn’t- you send yourself.

Saved, how can I be saved? Not by how good you are, but by a choice you make to accept His invitation. His light and presence are available to you.

There is no shadow in His presence. No shadow? What does that mean? When you are surrounded by His light and He lives in you, you are changed. Not about a list of I can’ts, or I have tos- but you will be transformed by the power of His blood!

His power is transforming- that means life changing. You are not the same. And the closer you get to Him, the more you become like Him. The things in this world will lose their flavor- your appetite will be for more of Him. You’ll crave the Son, and the more you experience Him, the more of the old you will burn off.

What does more of Him mean? More peace, more love, more miracles, more healing and the favor of His presence will be upon you.

Does it mean I won’t have problems? No.

Does it mean I won’t have sadness? No.

Does it mean that the devil will leave you alone? Certainly not.

It does mean that you will have supernatural power supplied by God almighty through His son and the gift of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in each believer, who accepts the Savior as Lord of their lives to deal with everything the world is throwing at you!

You will get through it. Your attitude will be different. Your hope will be alive.


If you are still breathing, He has a plan for you and He has extended an invitation to you.

Another reality check- there a lot of folks that go to church that are not saved. I grew up in the church and I was not born again until after the birth of Skylar in 1994. I did church things, read churchy books, talked about God- but I didn’t know Him as Savior.

Have you accepted Him as your Savior- are you experiencing His supernatural transformation?

It is not about legalism. It is not about religion- it is about His presence in you. Bring an offering of worship to the King, who was born of a virgin, in a manger, died on a cross and rose on the third day. He is alive and He has given you an invitation to spend eternity with Him.

You might have a lot of party invitations this holiday season, or maybe you don’t. But everyone has been given one invitation.

Jesus was sent to earth so that you could have an invitation into His presence.

What party are you going to? You have a choice. He paid a price and He has a wonderful table set for you!

If you want to be transformed and accept the invitation to the best holiday party in town, pray this prayer:
Jesus, I believe that you were born of a virgin, died on the cross and rose on the third day. I confess that I am a sinner and I ask for your forgiveness. I acknowledge that there is no other way into Your presence but by the penalty you paid on the cross of Calvary. I want Your Spirit to dwell in me. I want You to be Lord of my life. I want Your peace, love and truth in every aspect of my being. I want to spend eternity with You.

If you prayed that prayer, sincerely, please contact me gzusnut@yahoo.com. I’m already praying for you.
Merry Christmas,
jananne

Merry Christmas 2008

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Here I Am

This journey to New Jersey has been a "growing in Him" experience for us. And you know with growing, there are growing pains! A few months ago, I was at the altar at our church in Georgia- amy prayer was "Lord, I want every blessing that you have for me."

Now, the world's idea of blessing and His idea of blessing can be very different!

I was saying to the Lord, I want You to work in me- I want Your ways, Your plans fulfilled, Your purpose for me executed!!! His ways are always higher than our ways! Isaiah 55:9. I said, "Here I am Lord, send me". Now He is sending!

You may have heard this song on Christian radio recently. The words have spoken to my heart and spirit. I pray you enjoy these words and that they minister to you in some way.

HERE I AM

 by downhere

to listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH1iYDWN3Ic

Sometimes Your calling, comes in a dream

Sometimes it comes in the Spirit's breeze,

You reach for the deepest part of me,

And call out for the things of eternity.

But I'm a man, of dust and stains,

You move in me, so I can say,

CHORUS:

Here I am, Lord send me,

All of my life, I make an offering,

Here I am, Lord send me,

Somehow my story, Is part of Your plan,

Here I am

When setbacks and failures, and upset plans,

Test my faith and leave me with empty hands,

Are You not the closest when it's hardest to stand?

I know that You will finish what you began.

These broken parts You redeem,

Become the song, that I can sing

(chorus)

Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness,

And the fear that I'll fail You in the end,

In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces,

I can't put this together but You can.

Here I Am, all my life an offering to You,

Somehow my story is a part of Your plan

Here I am

Irreversible Change

 
















I shared this in 2008, but was prompted today to reread it myself! The transformation He promises is REAL! Above, is a painting I did for my sister's birthday card, many years ago. All about transformation...

So here is the 2008 post- enjoy!

Recently, Selah and I were studying irreversible change. We made applesauce to understand this concept. Selah tried to mash the raw apples and just got “frustrating”, as she would say. Then we placed the apples in a pot and added some heat. She was able to mash the apples and after adding cinnamon and butter, we had delicious applesauce.
As we enjoyed our applesauce, I couldn't help but think how we are constantly being “irreversibly changed” to be more like Him (Philippians 1:6). We need some mashing and some sweetness, from the love and heat of the Son!
I can imagine that those apples got really hot over that fire. Do you know that fire is a symbol of God’s power, presence and protection (see: Psalm 104:4, Jeremiah 20:9, Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:17 and Daniel 3:6)?
Are you over a flame right now? Sometimes He allows us to go through fire to be changed, to glorify His Kingdom. Getting hot, really hot, is not a lot of fun. It is not comfortable, you may not “feel” His presence and you may just feel the Son-burn!!! But you can be assured that He is there (Hebrews 13:5). We are often put in situations that require His strength, beyond anything we could do on our own. Sometimes it is a process of burning away what does not belong (Luke 3:17). My pastor shared recently that faith never dulls feelings. You can have tremendous faith- but your flesh may still be hurting. We must stay in the Word- it is life, make it a priority. Surround yourself with Scripture on index cards, sticky notes and carry a Bible with you everywhere! Search His book for promises. Stay connected to people that encourage you, not those that feed into or stir up fear or negativity! Continue to praise Him with every breath you take. I am sure there have been many people whom I have crossed paths with recently who think I talk to myself- but I have a praise in my mouth at all times!!!! Have an attitude of praise on your lips, in your step and in your spirit. That is a choice, not something that just happens. Death and life are in the tongue - so speak life from His Word into your situation (Proverbs 18:21). Do not believe the lies that the enemy will whisper or shout to you. If you are in a Goliath situation, praise will break the enemies hold! Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world (1 John 4:4)!!! You will eventually see how His power, presence and protection carried you through the fire, when you do, be sure to give Him the glory.
A dragonfly is born colorless underwater. Once the dragonfly comes out of the water and emerges into light (and heat) of the sun, it changes and becomes colorful. Don’t you want to experience the transforming power of the Son?
Once we believe that Jesus died on Calvary for our sins and we ask Him to come into our hearts and reign as Lord of our life, you can be assured that you will change. Remember, it is a process (Philippians 1:6). Surrender daily! The end result will be beautiful and sweet. That is His promise.

Be Patient, James 5:7

I painted this pumpkin several years ago- and just today touched him up! As seasons are changing...I am in a season of being patient, as my husband and I discern God's will for the next move for our family.

When we have a vision that involves God's plans, we cannot expect to be able to achieve it on our own. Whew. God we need you.
And somehow I know that whatever His plan is for our lives- it involves sharing His love with others.

 "But life is not worth anything unless I use it for doing the work of telling others the good news about God's mighty kindness and love." Acts 20:24 TLB

How can you do that in your everyday walk? Use what gifts He has given you! Be available to the adversity and sometimes, inconveniences, that come from following after the True Prize! We are not all called to pastor! In everyday living, whether you are a student, a teacher, an athlete, a doctor, a grocery store cashier...God has gifted you in a special way to build His kingdom.  If you are not sure what your dream is, spend more time with Jesus! He has a plan for you! God knew you before you were formed(Psalm 139)- He predestined us all to be in a relationship with Him, if we chose. You are so special to Him that He knows how many hairs are on your head (Matthew 10:30)! Seek His dream for your life- trust Him and with His help- be patient as your God sized dream comes true!

So, as my family and I wait to find out- whether we are staying in Georgia or moving to NJ, Florida, or Nashville...we are thanking Him for all things!!!

Praising Him Patiently! jananne

Garment of Praise

How many of us ask, "why"? Why did I get that doctor's report? Why is my child struggling? Why is the economy in a mess? Why do I feel like everything is falling apart? Why did my husband lose his job? Look at the women in the painting, Garment of Praise, Isaiah 61:3.

Recently my friend Tonya shared with me how the Lord spoke to her heart about the Why? He told her, turn your why into a Y of praise. I didn't know then, how much I would appreciate that message. See, our sweet Jesus has a remedy for everything. He has given us the garment of praise for our heaviness(Isaiah 61:3). The enemy cannot inhabit your praises. Only Jesus!!!! Read 2 Chronicles 20 and discover how King Jehoshaphat turned on the praise! Notice something else in that account(this is a true story, you know!) In 2 Chronicles 20:12, this king admitted, we don't know what to do, the enemy is too big for us to deal with! Can you relate in 2008!!! And then added, "BUT OUR EYES ARE ON YOU GOD!" Praise, prayer,fasting and faith led King Jehoshaphat into victory! His enemies turned on each other! GOD FOUGHT THE BATTLE FOR HIM! When your arms are lifted up in praise, they cannot hold the weapons of anger, bitterness and un-forgiveness. Let Him fight for you- He'll win every time.

Keep your arms lifted to Him. Praise Him continually. I have started keeping praise music on in my house all the time- even at night- I might turn the volume down- but there are praises to Jesus going through my home 24/7. I also am learning how to have an attitude of praise. I cannot complain about a circumstance if I am living in continual praise (see Philippians 2:13).

So praise Him no matter what the circumstance may look like, Jesus is working behind the scenes. And remember, He will take the road that brings Him the most glory- that is our delight and our comfort.

Praising Him-jananne

Sour Apple Sweet Savior

Selah and I recently investigated apples! I know, it is not quite apple picking season- but we were singing A- A, Adam...!!!! My teacher friends understand!!!! Part of our fun was to taste four different varieties of apples. Selah "predicted" that the red delicious apple would be the sweetest. She was right, of course! When she tasted the Granny Smith apple- her lips puckered and she said in her sweet "free" (3)year old voice,"That is sooooo sour!" The Holy Spirit prompted me to cut the apple in half. I asked Selah, "What do you see?" "A Star!" she replied. I told her that Jesus was our Morning Star. We studied how the star resembled the cross. I reminded her of how sour the apple had been. Sometimes that is how we act. Selah calls this acting yucky! We are a lot like that sour apple- but we have a sweet Savior on the inside named Jesus, who died on the cross for our "yuckiness". I want her to be reminded in all things what our sweet Savior did for us!

After our special apple tasting time. I took the apple pieces and soaked them in salt water so they would not turn "yucky". I thought- we must soak in the salt so we don't turn "yucky"!!! We need to be at our best and full of His flavor to be His light in a dying world.

Salt [is] good: but if the salt have lost His saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. Mark 9:50

God Bless you all. Praising Him like no one is watching-jananne

Encourage One Another

I am so thankful to the Holy Spirit, who teaches me daily, inspires me hourly... The painting, Encourage One Another, is a favorite of mine. We all need sheltering trees! Friends in our lives that will get down on their knees and lift us up to our King Jesus! This painting was inspired by the Holy Spirit as I was encouraged by one of my dearest friends, Sarah, who encourages me often with His Word and her intercessory prayers.
Be blessed as you encourage others! jananne

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