What is Next After Letting Go

"We have to keep letting go, and slowly, but surely, the great full life of God will invade us, penetrating every part. Then Jesus will have complete and effective dominion in us, and people will take notice that we have been with Him." 
“My Utmost for His Highest, Updated Edition" by Oswald Chambers

If I had read the above quote a month ago, I would have closed my heart to the words.  The last seven months have been very dark.  Through circumstances that I will get into later, I had so much built up anger and resentment towards God. Yet, He never left my side.

It was only a few weeks ago when I was with a friend, that I started to slowly come into the light and realize that I needed to let go of that resentment.  My friend said that the darkness I felt was from the devil, and I had to have Jesus help me get that devil out of my life.

“Submit yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NLT)

At first, I couldn’t do it.  It was that dark in my soul and my heart.  She started to pray and all the sudden I let out a loud voice, “In Jesus name, devil flee from me.”  I had to let go of the anger and resentment towards God.  I had to. It was killing me.

It didn’t just suddenly disappear right after that prayer. Yes, I immediately felt the pressure that had been on my chest disappear.  Yes, I can say that I let it all go, but there is a moment in each day since, that I realize I have picked it back up.

Every day I must have my connection with Jesus. Every day, I must keep letting go of what is not from God.  For you see, I am now, where I want the great full life of God to invade me completely and totally.  Where there was darkness, I want the light to shine.  Where there was hate, I want love.

Photo by Rene Böhmer on Unsplash

Only Light can drive out darkness. 

This month, our prayer is about what is next after letting go.  The next step is what Oswald Chambers said.  Every day, keep letting go.  Every day, and eventually, God will invade us completely.

Dear Poppa God,

Thank you for your light shining on us.  Thank you that every day we can let go of those things that are not of you.  Please invade us with your presence, Poppa God.  May each of us get to the point that people notice that we have been with you.

In Jesus Name

Amen

Laura Maxson

God’s Word for My Year - 2017

God is truly amazing.  He shows us answers to our questions in His timing and in His way. November 7, 2016, that is the date that God gave me my word for the year 2017. 

My word for 2017 is Openness.  I looked up the word to see what the dictionary defined it as. 

[Openness is a noun, and is defined as lack of restrictions; accessibility.  It is also defined as acceptance of or receptiveness to change or new ideas.]

God has started making the changes, and I have already been receptive to those changes.  The last six months have been full of changes and new ideas. I have been on a journey, not only emotionally, but physically.  There has been a constant in it all, and that is my Lord.

I would have to say the last three months, I have become closer and more dependent on God.  He keeps showing me His amazing love.  Every day I see His works all around me.  He is always there. 

This last several months have been some of the more challenging, and with so many questions that I have had.  God is showing me that He’s got me, and He’s got my back.  He will not lead me astray, or in the wrong direction.

“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You let Your Holy One see corruption.  You have made known to me the paths of life, You will fill me with joy in Your presence.”  Acts 2:26-28

Recently, as I was having my devotions, I was open with God and with myself.  I sat on the recliner that has become my prayer recliner.  I wrote down my prayer in my prayer journal, and as I wrote, I became more honest with myself.  God already knows my heart, but I was honest with Him too.

I was struggling and scared.  Doubt was creeping in.  Here He has given me this answer and I was having doubts.  Yes, I said it.  I was doubting Him.  He knew that I was, and He was there to reassure me. 

Though I was doubting him, I was focused on Him.  I looked to Him for the answers, and will continue to do so.  He is God, He can handle whatever I throw at Him, if I am open with Him, and with myself.

I realize that the doubts are of the devil, and in Jesus’ name, God rebuked the devil and the devil fled.  “Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.  I cling to that promise.

God is God and I am not.  I can’t do it on my own.  The more open I am, the more He can come into my heart, my mind, and my soul.  So, when doubts come in, I look to Him, and my heart is open.

I am open to the will of God.  He will not lead me astray.  You can trust Him too.

Dear Lord, Thank You for revealing yourself to me today in a moment of weakness, You were there to be my stronghold.  Thank you that I can be open with you and myself.  You are my Lord, In Jesus’ Name Amen.

Laura Maxson