Something Big is Coming Your Way

Happy Father's Day to all the dads and those like dad! We have a short word to share before getting into our Father's Day message.

What a difference a year makes! Glory to God who causes us to triumph! Last year EVERYTHING was shut down and we were sheltering in place. However, this year, everything's opening. Imagine telling the story to your grandkids one day about the time restaurants delivered a roll of toilet paper with every order. Talk about toilet-paper-gate!

For fathers, this past year's stay-at-home orders were a reminder to stay close to God and stay encouraged. God was teaching us to revere/respect Him in that He was in control and would deliver us. It's almost like that "Feed a man a fish" quote, "If you feed a man a fish, he will eat but if you teach him to fish, he'll have fish for life." And, that's what I saw in a recent dream.

The Dream

I dreamt I was working as a cashier at a flower shop but the store was so busy no one would help me ring up a really complex order for the first time. I didn't understand until I woke up that God was the store owner and was teaching me to call on Him if I needed help. The psychology behind that was if I could walk myself through the steps, I would learn the process faster, have more confidence, and press through. And, that's how we build a firm foundation with God.

God says, "Call on Me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me," Psalm 50:15. Jesus also teaches us in Luke 6:48-49 about those who hear AND do God's word are building a firm foundation on Him, i.e., the Rock. "He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock."

In the dream, the store owner (God) wanted to teach me to hear AND do what He was saying. He was teaching me how to grow my confidence and faith in Him so if I didn't see Him, I knew He was still there working. And, we know that when we speak the word we can confidently stand on it even when it LOOKS LIKE nothing is happening.

The store owner (or God), didn't want me to have a foundation that would shift with every storm (kind of like with Covid when people lost their jobs and income for so many dried up). "But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great." Jesus also references this as He IS the well that never runs dry. Hallelu-Yahweh!

Respect for God and Doing Things His Way, Not Ours

In learning to revere and respect God as a Father, He's ALWAYS with us, teaching us, and guiding us THROUGH. We can call on Him for what we need and He ALWAYS make the way. Glory to God! Last year was HUGE. We learned to rely on and call on God FIRST even when it LOOKED LIKE everything was dried up. A lot of us couldn't SEE what God was doing. Hence, we had to call on Him and trust Him even when it felt like we were in the dark. And, that's what a sales rep shared with me recently.

I was on the phone paying a bill when the rep and I started talking about God's goodness. He shared that his wife was healed of a blood clot and what was interesting, he summed it up in one brief sentence, "She did everything God told her to and she got healed." What a reminder about my cashier dream. 

Remember, we serve a God who makes a way in the desert. In Isaiah 43:19-20, God says, "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen." Give glory to God who ALWAYS provides!

God is saying, "Ask the Holy Spirit for help and direction," "I will help with your bills," "I will help pay that rent or those hospital bills," and "Let them know they will see help soon." 

God is about to move in a SIGNIFICANT way that will impact EVERYONE. And, He's going to remove our enemies which we'll see soon. Hence, we need to get ready to SEE the fear, fire, wrath, and glory of God fall and don't be afraid, look back, or walk away. Just keep reading your Bible and resting in God. We have a loving Father God who is here and He WILL restore us. Remember, God is in control, not man. But be prepared for the coming days as I hear God saying, "Tell them to calm down when they see what God does." He's also saying "Tell them not to walk away or be afraid when they see what God does." And, God is saying, "I told you I'd shock you by what I'd do." Remember, ALL THINGS work in our favor! 

And, onto our Father's Day message...

The 3 R's: Respect, Restoration, and Rejection 

Growing up, did you ever feel rejected? Rejected by from the baseball or basketball team? Bullied by a classmate? Targeted by your siblings? Ostracized by others from your past? Harassed or called names for mistakes you made years ago even though you repented? Did you grow up not knowing your father? Or, was your father there and maybe you didn't understand him but you still had to obey? You're not alone.

David was rejected and so was Joseph AND Jesus - but remember, there are no coincidences or mistakes with God. Sometimes, God himself will allow people to reject us so He can set us apart for Himself. God might have us in situations where it feels like we're walking a tightrope but those TIGHT places are so we can call on God and draw closer to Him. Hence, the verse, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths," Proverbs 3:5-6.

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone...

In the New Testament, Jesus was rejected. While He was on assignment, He was working for His Father (God), and yet rejected by people, but that was part of His assignment - to show them love despite them.

Maybe your dad left and abandoned you. Or, you felt rejection because you didn't always understand him. You might have felt rejection from someone else. This sometimes comes with a big calling for God as He sets you apart from people so you can hear Him. Please know that God is always with you and He will always be your Father.

God is ALWAYS Our Provider, Judge, Doctor, Covering, Coach, and Way Maker

Last year, when EVERYTHING was shut down, God didn't shut down. He was and is ALWAYS with us, carrying us, and seeing us through the fire, pit, flood, lion's den, and furnace. Hence, don't listen to people who say you can't do it or that you aren't talented enough or educated enough. THEY didn't create you. THEY don't know your future, or the plans God has for you.

God says, "I have equipped you," "Your gifts will make room for you," "Believe the possibilities," and "With me, all things are possible." Know that you can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens you.

Your destiny in life isn't predetermined by your history. That means it doesn't matter if you came from small beginnings or not, you can overcome every obstacle and become someone great. Sometimes that thing you are lacking is so you can share it with others. While you might miss love from not having your dad, you can share love with others who may need someone kind and loving just like you in their lives. Share your love with others and know that Father God is with us always. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

We're sharing a very inspiring message from Pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen and pray it inspires you today!

Something Big is Coming Your Way