Saturday, December 11, 2004

I AM THAT I AM

Have you ever gone through a series of crisis that occurred simultaneous? And though you’ve come through it all with your sanity and faith intact, do you feel exhausted and all you want to do is crawl into the comforting arms of someone who will hold you with compassion and understanding until your soul is replenish?

That’s how I felt! Since February I had been bombarded with crisis upon crises in every major area of my life that left me feeling abandon and isolated from family and friends who couldn’t identify emotionally with what I was going through. No one could connect with me in my loss because they hadn’t been where I’d been.

“Lord,” I cried, “I need a hug from someone who can feel and understand what I’ve been through. I’m not looking for a new relationship or sexual intimacy, I just want somebody to hold me, to tell me they understand and know what I’m feeling! Isn’t there anyone for me who can give me the comfort I need?”

As I sat with my head in my arms sobbing, I heard in my mind, “I AM THAT I AM.” Over and over again the phrase was repeated, “I AM THAT I AM.” I wiped my eyes and turned to the passage of scripture in Exodus where God identified Himself to Moses through the Burning Bush as “I Am that I Am.” From there I followed the reference scriptures to John 8:58 where Jesus identified Himself to the Pharisees with the same title, and then to Revelation 1:4, 8 where Jesus identifies Himself as the one “who was, who is and who is to come” and “Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending.”

“Yes Lord, I understand that you are self-existing; you are before all things, you know the beginning and ending of everything that exists, seen and unseen because everything that exists was created by you! But what does that have to do with me and my present needs?”

Tears began to roll down my cheeks as God began to speak to me with my own mouth.

“Anna, I am the God of your past, your present and your future. I was there when you was conceived in your mother’s womb. I was there throughout your growing up when you were rejected, humiliated and misused; I was there! I felt your pain when you was deserted and betrayed by those close to you. I know how you feel! Remember the multitude, even the 70 disciples who followed me only for the fishes and loaves? I know what it feels like to be abandon and betrayed. I was with you then, I am with you now and I will take you safely through to your future.”

“Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus! Hallelujah Lord Jesus!” As I praised and worship God with tears of gratitude and thankfulness I felt the comfort of God surround me, hugging me. The weariness was gone, my soul was replenished. I was now able to enjoy life again.

Friday, December 10, 2004

A Sweet Smelling Fragrance

The Friday after Thanksgiving I walked through my new apartment thanking God for bringing me through past and recent crisis. I thanked Him for getting me out of situations that are a part of life, as well as those I caused by making wrong choices.

I ended my prayer of Thanksgiving by presenting myself as a living sacrifice unto the Lord. I asked Him to forgive me of all my trespasses and to make me a sweet smelling fragrance unto Him. I further prayed, “If I am still Your choice for the work You’ve called me to do, please Lord, reaffirm your selection of me.”

I laid down on the couch and fell asleep. When I awoke an hour or so later the entire living room was filled with the fragrance of almonds. After the fragrance lifted I was compelled to look up all references in the Bible pertaining to almonds.

From the list of references I found, one stood out above the others. In Numbers, chapter 17, there’s a passage of scriptures that tell of God’s selection of Aaron to serve as His High Priest against the rejection of the people. Moses was instructed to take a rod (twig/branch) from the elder of each tribe; the person’s rod that blossomed would be the one He selected. Not only did Aaron’s rod blossom, it also bore almonds! Without question, Aaron was God’s choice.

And without question God has chosen me! Every word and dream He has given me will be established as long as I hold His revelation of Himself to me ABOVE refute of the religious few.

God desires for each of His children to know Him personally, one on one without a middleman. Each of us through the redemptive work of Christ can approach the throne of grace because we are members of the Royal Priesthood, lively stones, formed into God spiritual house He can inhabit (Hebrews 4:14-16; I Peter 2:9).

The five gifts of office mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 were placed by God to nurture each believer into developing a personal relationship with Christ AND NOT dependency on the gifts.