What type of vacuum are you?

Tonight some ministry partners gifted me a vacuum to celebrate my birthday. What an amazing gift it is! They even opened the box, put it together for me then my teenage son, Josiah, proceeded to demonstrate it. (I wanted to make sure and mention that so that I have proof that he does know how to run a vacuum if he should ever have a memory lapse!) It is the most amazing thing! (Yes, the vacuum and a teenager running it!) Asher, a two-year-old that we get to edify while his parents are sharpening tools for the Kingdom’s use, had been running our little push vacuum on the floor. He just loves to vacuum. (Yes, I am documenting his vacuum skills for later years if necessary!) What an amazing thing it was, when Josiah ran the new vacuum over the same area that Asher had just finished sweeping for almost 20 minutes! There was a vast difference. I was very excited. Even two-year-old Asher saw the difference and could hardly wait to get his hands on it! He even said … PLEASE! (Miracles never stop!) Throughout the evening I kept marveling and commenting on how great it was to have a vacuum that actually makes a difference. Even during my ministry time of detoxing and anointing feet I kept seeing how blessed having a real vacuum with power was going to be. I mean, no more icky stuff between the edge of the carpet and baseboard! Can I get an “Amen” here please? This machine has the super suction and attachments that allow even the remotest places to be reached and cleaned. My husband even had to give it a try when he got home from work. He used it on the return air vent in the hall and the baseboard … yip it did a stellar job! Whoo Hoo! It’s not just a vacuum for carpet it does way more … hardwood floors, vents, ceiling fans, and who knows what else! I do have to note that when Malachi got home from his discipleship class, he wasn’t as eager to try it out. He has obviously been reaping from his classes as he already had insight or discernment that if he vacuumed, mom would want more. Tee Hee.

Well, as I was preparing to end my day, spending quiet time with God, seeking His will and petitioning/lifting a dear friend and ministry partner and family up in prayer for healing … yip you probably guessed it … my thoughts returned yet again to the excitement of the new vacuum. You probably are pondering as to what praying for healing has to do with a vacuum … but wait! There’s more! Yes, this simple, man-made vacuum brought to mind our time with God. Are you a little push vacuum in your time with God? Spending a large amount of time repeating the same thing over and over and not accomplishing much or possibly making matters worse? Becoming more discouraged because you don’t see results for all the time, effort and energy you put in to it? … OR … Are you a full-size, turbo suction vacuum? Does the time you spend with God produce fabulous fruit and deep cleansing healing? Are you using the tools and attachments that come with your vacuum (time with God) to get the hard to reach spots, the nooks and crannies of your life? Are you allowing Him to have the super suction power in your life? Allowing Him to have access to the dirty, messy, soiled carpet in your life … even the vents, the ceiling fan blades -- all the nooks and crannies? Your spiritual carpet definitely shows the type of vacuum you have selected for use in your personal life. Are you seeing a nice, colorful, clean carpet that’s something other than the color of dirt? Is there a crispness in your witness and walk thanks to the cleaning of all the nooks and crannies that were bogged down with dirt, hair, Lego parts, BB gun pellets, etc? (Hey, our #1 mission field is filled with amazing sons! What can I say!) Are you lighter, freer, open and even eager to reach out to others because the dirt has been removed from your spiritual home? Do you find a new or renewed bounce in your step/witness because you see and experience the difference a quality “vacuum” (time listening and talking with God) can do? Are you glowing in the absence of all the dirt and debris? Are others being touched and encouraged by your glow?

I want to challenge you to stop and look at your spiritual carpet. How’s it looking? Are you cleaning it? How often? What type of tools are you using for the cleaning and upkeep? Is it crisp, colorful and standing up? Or is it dull, dirty and matted? If you discern that the only vacuum you have in your possession is just a push vacuum, make sure and use it until you decide to invest in a super suction vacuum. It’s better than nothing but don’t delay, as the longer you neglect -- the deeper and dirtier it gets. If you want prayer, encouragement, tips, tools, laughter, etc, please feel free to contact us! We are here for you and would be honored to pray with and for you and whatever else God wants us to do in your life! Oh and feel free to drop by our place and try out my new birthday vacuum! We’d LOVE to have you!! Honest! (Even if you don’t really vacuum!)

Hugs, blessings and prayers to you!

Created to Serve in Love,

Michelle

Answers in the quiet

This morning my husband came in and shared with me that yesterday during his M.A.P.P. group one of the gentlemen stated that he wondered if he was really doing what God had called him to do or if he should take a break from media missions to go get a job in the secular world to make money to do work on his house. Randy admitted that he sometimes struggles with feeling the same way. During Randy's quiet time, after questioning if he was really hearing God's voice, he distinctly heard God telling him that He had answered his prayer and submission of his heart from back in 1998. He was exactly where God wanted him to be, using his skills and life training to help maintain the International House of Prayer Mission Base-KC while being able to minister to those God brings to him. He also encouraged him by reminding him that He has us covered with our expenses and people that He has strummed their heart strings to partner with us in His ministry that He has us walking out so that we all may be more fruitful and His Kingdom would prosper.

I am so ever thankful at all God has done to protect us from our own hardheadedness and not so great choices over the past 16 years. It so humbles my heart when I see all the littlest details that He has done to take care of us and direct our steps. Even though because of Randy's fear of having to possibly raise our own "support" he walked away from a calling 13 years ago, God was still ever faithful and kept training Randy while He was preparing his heart to finally say "Yes Lord". Now Randy has a better understanding of living by God's provisions, thanks to an in-depth study in the Word and how God has done it from the beginning of time. God has already laid out the master plan. How we all are to work together to do the work of His Kingdom. Some are called to partner in prayer, some are called to partner in finances, some are called to partner in provisions, some are called to partner in encouragement, some are called to go forth, some are called to minister to those who are on the forefront, some are called to minister to those that have given their all, some are called to partner in ways only God knows however as we allow God to bring those together that He has preordained to work together as a team so that His work can be done. We all have been created and called for a specific purpose. When we stop looking for the complicated things and just quietly listen to what our heart is saying, we generally find His answer to us in the most child-like, easy ways or answers. I praise God that we are His and are seeking to praise and worship Him while He is using us for His Kingdom work.

We pray blessings over each one of you and pray that you will stop and listen to see how God is using or wanting to use you today. Be BLESSED!

Submission (submit, submitted, submitting)

Currently every Sunday a group of women (whom I'm honored to be a part of) who have a heart to pray for Men of Valor across the world will unite in the International House of Prayer - Mission Base in Kansas City MO side room #2. Today we are each sharing on what the Holy Spirit has laid upon our hearts in regards to submission. The following is what my heart will bring to the group today. Submission to me is an honor because I know whom I am submitting too. When submitting to God it is not a bad thing or word because He has authority over all and as His child, I inherit all. Thank you Father!

Here's what I'll be sharing later today. I pray it blesses you as I have been blessed in praying and pondering over what the Spirit was wanting to show me in regards to submission.:

Hebrew word used in Hebrews 13:17 -- to be straightforward with.

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV) “17Obey(AD) your leaders and submit to them,(AE) for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to(AF) give an account.(AG) Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

Greek word used in James 4:7, I Peter 2:13 and 5:5 -- hupotusso -- to subordinate; to obey – be under obedience, put under, subdue unto; be subjected to, submit self unto.

James 4:7 (ESV) “7Submit yourselves therefore to God.(A) Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

I Peter 2:13-15 (NIV) “13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.”

I Peter 5:1-10 “1 To the elders among you, I appeal (exhort) as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”[a] 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. “

Submission is an action, a choice. It is an action that we take whether consciously or unconsciously. We choose what or whom we are going to submit to (give authority or control to) with our emotions, with our time, with our money, with our possessions. We choose who we are going to give authority over our emotions. We choose who we are going to give authority over our time. We choose who we are giving authority over our money. We choose who we are going to give authority over our possessions. Absolutely everything in our life is based on a choice. We choose who we are going to serve or be a slave too. It is an action that in not making a choice you are still making a choice. For example, in not choosing God you are choosing Satan. Another example, When you are not walking a lifestyle that focuses on bringing glory and praise to God then you are choosing to walk in a lifestyle that focuses on self and what makes you feel good or allows you to take up your time and numb your mind and heart to its secret yearnings of being loved by the God of love. Yet another example, when you shut the door to your home you choose when to open it and who or what you allow in. When you don’t shut the door, leaving it cracked or wide open, then you are allowing whomever and whatever to enter into your home whether it be an edifying person, an evil person, a sweet loving pet or an evil poisonous snake. In every aspect of your life you choose to take authority over what you allow or you choose to give up the choice and allow whomever or whatever wants, to come in and take authority.

As for me personally, I have unfortunately in my past allowed myself to be robbed by the enemy when I have chosen not to taken authority and make choices in my life. During those times that I didn’t take authority and make a decision, I now understand that I was not focused, feeling worthless and/or walking in fear and allowed the enemy to chose for me. All of which is not operating in the Lord. He does not give us a spirit of fear but He gives us love, power and a sound mind. In Isaiah 11:2 it is written, “2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—“. God did not create us to be worthless, He empowers us. In Romans 8:14-16 (NIV) it is written, “ 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Footnotes: Romans 8:15 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture; also in verse 23.) Thus He created us in His own image giving us through the blood of Jesus Christ authority and dominion over all things if we choose (submit) to be adopted by Him. God created us all with an intense desire to love Him and worship Him which is why we only find and feel emptiness when we submit to the worldly pleasures of lust and self-fulfillment.

I thank God that He loves me unconditionally and doesn’t ever revoke(unadopt) my being a Child of God just because I make a mistake or a poor choice. I know I am loved unconditionally and am reassured that as I travel the road of living fully in Christ, He looks on me with pride and love every time I take a step. Even when I stumble and fall down, because with His help I am always able to get back up, repent and keep moving forward in my sole life purpose of loving and worshiping Him. But wait! There’s more! I get the added BONUS because all the love He showers on me is manifested through me to any and all who cross my path. God’s bonus of loving one another. And all at one great price … FREE! I absolutely must make sure that all I know (and even those I don't know yet!) get this great lifetime deal!! I am gratefully and willingly submitted to His authority, power and love.