Don't Squirm

Some people have an aversion to going to the Dentist. They wait until it’s absolutely necessary to see one, and others never go. I can understand the fear and dread that can come with a dental appointment, even though I have a great Dentist who is caring and professional.

The uncertainty of what the Dentist will find, and what procedure will be done can be un-nerving. But for optimum health, regular check-ups and cleanings are imperative.

When I get in the Dentist chair, I try to relax, put my brain in neutral, and let them do their job. When there are sharp instruments in your mouth, that is the worst time to squirm. The very procedure that the Dentist is performing in order to help you, could actually hurt you, and damage your teeth if you squirm.

Imagine what would happen if you moved or got up while the Dentist was drilling. He could damage your teeth, which would not help you at all. The problem could actually become worse.

There are times in life when we suffer painful physical or emotional circumstances, and cry out to God to deliver us, not realizing that He is performing a procedure to help us through the situation. We are told in God’s word to rest in the Lord.

The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14 NIV).

Resting in the Lord doesn’t necessarily make the circumstances change immediately, but we can rest in Him being with us to help us through the situation. Remember these words from the 23rd Psalm, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” And, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.”

Put your brain in neutral, trust in the Lord, and let Him finish His job. You won’t be in the chair forever, but if you squirm, you make His job harder, and it could hurt you worse.

Someone asked a friend of mine, who has a chronic illness, when God was going to heal him. He replied, “I know that God is going to heal me, but “when” is up to Him.

I also have found myself in difficult circumstances in the past. In the midst of it I prayed, “Lord, I know that you are leading me, but this path is narrow, rocky, and it’s difficult to keep from stumbling. It’s hard. Nearby is a beautiful meadow of green grass. Why can’t we walk through there?

The Lord replied, “Son, I am purposely leading you around that beautiful meadow. There are alligators in that grass!”

My difficult circumstances were actually the safest path around the real danger. Though I didn’t understand at the time, I later realized that God’s purpose was beyond my understanding. Through hindsight, now I see.

Don’t forget that God is your Father. He loves you and will do what is best for you. You might not see it at the time, especially if the circumstances seem impossible, but hold on to His word. He who cannot lie says, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 KJV). Don’t squirm!

Don't Squirm on CBN.com

Please read "Don't Squirm" on cbn.com. Here's the link.

http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/devotions/markland-squirm.aspx

No Hamburgers?

See my devotion today on cbn.com. http://www.cbn.com/spiritualli​fe/Devotions/markland-no-hambu​rgers.aspx

Heavenly Intercession by Michael Plemmons Guest Blogger

It has been twelve days now of prayer and intercession for me and thousands of others. So much has happened during this time that I hardly know where to begin. Moses had told me that Father would unveil to me his great purpose in this hour and also his will for my life. I now know what God would have of me and it will be the purpose of this journal to both chronicle the events as they happened, but also the inner struggles and decisions I have made.

Going back twelve days all of us began to intercede for Fathers will to be done. The Holy Spirit overshadowed us in a fire of pure blinding light. He began to share with me details of insight both in my past and its effects on how I got here. He spoke to me in that beautiful still small voice. I knew that although I was linked with him and all these others that he was ministering to each of us on an individual level as well

“Son you have traveled a great distance to find yourself here and you have known me and heard my voice from the beginning indeed you were chosen by Father for his purpose before you were even born. Your mother while you were yet in her womb cried out to us in intercession that we would overshadow you and use you for our work. She did not realize she was anointed of God in praying that which Father had lain on her heart.

You always had the ability to hear our voice. It was a proud day for us that day when as a six-year-old child you gave your heart to us. You have suffered many things including abuses you should never have endured. Satan has always hated you for he saw in you that spark of divine favor Father had for you.

You have spent most of your life seeking our face. Satan knew God’s plan for your life and that it was Father’s will to show you his whole heart and reveal the kingdom to you. It is Father’s plan to have you close to his side always and to dwell in the light with him. Satan thus plagued you with abuse as a child. Yet we knew what Father had planned and also your innermost deep convictions of love, service, and dedication to Father that have always been there. Those who would walk in the glory are tried as by fire. For a time you walked away from us and Satan was allowed to torment you in the very opposite of that which Father had for you.

Yet in the midst of it all your heart was always fixed on us. Think of how unusual your life was even as a small child. How much your heart yearned to hear the word preached even as an toddler. Your mind as yet could not even fully understand what was being said yet in your heart of hearts you responded to our presence.

You always had a deep affection for us and a love for the word. I placed in you that divine touch of hunger to both learn the truth and be fed thereby. Yes you were tormented of hell yet had you not known the depths of darkness as it were you would not be the compassionate servant touched with the wounds of others that you are. Remember that day as a teenager when you for the first time had a conscience awareness of my voice speaking to you, and from that day till now you have always heard me.

Then so many glorious things happened including the years of prophetic training when you both saw and heard things here in our presence that few have ever heard. At the end of which Jesus asked if you were willing to pay the price to go to the next level no matter what the cost and you said yes. It was with both joy and sorrow that we felt such pride in you.

The bodily afflictions you have suffered since November are the afflictions hell has hit you with to again be deterred from Father’s purpose for your life. It is no coincidence son that you have been ill since coming here. Going into this time of intercession your heart has discerned the truth and we would have you reflect once more on what is happening both now and will ever be”

With that the Spirit ceased speaking and my inward conviction was verified. I will continue to pay a price for walking where I have been called to walk. It is Fathers will that I enter that glory cloud I saw back in July and once there to never leave it. I no longer care what I must endure for it is my greatest desire to know his heart and be an obedient son and follow him in his purposes for my life whatever the cost.