This morning I woke up with the following passage on my heart !
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverb 13:12 NIV)
What an amazing verse for a day like today ! As it is now 20 days since we stepped into this season of isolation and lockdown. I love the way the passion bible translation brings a greater depth to this verse.
(Proverbs 13:12 Passion Translation NT)
When hope’s dream seems to drag on and on,
the delay can be depressing.
But when at last your dream comes true,
life’s sweetness will satisfy your soul.
When Hopes dreams drag on and on. This verse seems so timely right now. The dream of leaving isolation and joining once again with love ones, going back to school and our job seems so far away. As for what the future will look like for us,others, our country and the world no person really knows. All this can lead us to desperation, despair and even depression if we allow it.
But True Hope never fails, gives up and disappoints. That is why this verse ends with.
…But when at last your dream comes true,
life’s sweetness will satisfy your soul.
As real hope is centred on faith.
Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. Hebrews 11:1 (Passion Translation NT)
The unseen is your future, the prophecies, dreams and promises. The Lord has place in your heart all fulfilled. The only way they won’t is if you lose hope and faith in the one who will complete them Jesus Christ.
So here is today’s challenge.
Today I feel it is time to pull out all the words the Lord has spoke over your life. All of the prophecy, dreams and promises.
1. Read through them to refresh your memory.
2. Write down 25 things the Lord has done for you in the passed. This will strengthen your heart and increase your faith. For your Testimonies hold within them the spirit of prophecy ( to see Him do it again) Rev 19:10
3. Now take all your prophecy,dreams and promises. Hold them up to the Lord one at a time. Ask Him what is the next step. Maybe say a prayer like this “Father God you gave me this prophecy/dream/promise……….(enter what He gave you and if you have the date He gave it include it too) Father I ask what is my next step ?
4. Listen and write down all the Lord says or shows you. Take your time on each one.
5 Thank the Lord for all He has shown you.
6 Now start doing what He has told you.
Father I ask that you will speak clearly to children and help them to prepare, take another step or even fulfil those words you have spoken over their life’s amen
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastors/ Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
