July is the seventh month of the year and the Biblical significance of the number of seven is “completion.” Holy Spirit and I designed “How Words Work” to be a seven part series, but I didn’t design it to be completed in the seventh month. However, life, plus God’s leading as I sought His will for direction this month, has made it this way. So, July’s blog wraps up our “How Words Work” series primarily with the practical application of how we work out what we’ve heard and spoken. Like a new Sister-friend in Christ said to me yesterday, “You can’t just quote scripture. You have to truly believe what God says about you!” And as it is written in the Book of James, “Faith without works is dead.” Words + action = faith.
So let's talk about the action part of this equation. This is going to be a long one guys, so let’s get to it.
Commission and Cooperation with God: “And David did so, as the Lord commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.” (2 Samuel 5:25)
The bulk of the reference text for our “How Words Work” series is taken from 2 Samuel 5. In this fairly short chapter, we see a brief glance of how King David lived his entire life and ran his kingdom. The very last verse (above) nicely summarizes what we have been talking about in this series. In the words Holy Spirit spoke to me yesterday, “Focus on what God said to you, and move when He says move. Period. THAT is how you live a successful life in Christ.”
When we understand the assignment (Commission from God), and let nothing deter us from that, our actions automatically become pleasing to The Lord and our lives become successful by HIS standards. I have begun to experience this more and more recently as I press through the battles and obstacles that are naturally designed to make God’s plan worth every drop of sweat and tears. Less and less do I have to worry about whether my actions are pleasing to God. I know His Word and His words to me; I speak or write them down; and then I walk it out (i.e. Hear it. Speak it. Seek it.). No fear or doubt required.
This is what it means to live in Cooperation with God.
Confession/testimonial: Most of the stuff I sense from God’s Spirit is not pleasing (and is sometimes outright contrary) to my own desires. I obey usually only after weeks if not months of complaining, negotiating, and sometimes temper tantrums. But 99% of the time I eventually accept His commission and obey. What this means for me personally is that to be completely honest, I have very little self-interest invested in the paths I find myself on. I’m on the path because I love Jesus, I trust Him (mostly...still working on that as well), and I already know what living life based on my own wisdom and “intellect” looks like (i.e. #hotmess.com. I’m going to buy that domain name one day like my kids keep encouraging me to do since I refer to it so much in relation to my former life). What this also means is that:
The Daisies That Border My Path
by Dawn L. Bedingfield (2005)
Don’t let my todays mislead you. My tomorrows are filled with hope and possibilities.
If I don’t look like the person you want in your life right now
Don’t be turned off; one day soon you may wake up and find
That I have become the woman of your dreams.
If my material possessions make you doubt my financial status, don’t reject me;
It doesn’t mean that my wealth of wisdom, knowledge, and insight is less than
That of kings and queens.
If you watch my life and it is filled with ups and downs, twists, and turns,
Don’t be confused; a fast and easy journey doesn’t always mean it’s the right path
And a long, eventful journey is not a sign of an unsuccessful path.
If what I can offer you seems less than ideal, look deeper for the real treasures;
Remember, on the surface a diamond is nothing but soot and struggle.
If having me costs you more than what you are willing to pay,
Think about the price of replacing my love and laughter
courage and character, faithful friendship and lasting devotion
with one who is shallow and selfish.
If you have lost confidence in my destiny, don’t let me go just yet;
There is much more life to be lived and chances to be taken;
I am destined to live every moment to the fullest
and make the most of every opportunity.
I expect every negative experience and decision
to blossom into the daisies that border my path.
I will accept every challenge and challenge every obstacle with faith and patience;
I would love to share this all with you!
For me, every day that my eyes shine is one filled with new promises and opportunities.
Just because yesterday has not fulfilled my wildest dreams and expectations
Doesn’t mean my story ends there; another chapter begins right now.
Don’t cheat yourself by not waiting to see what the end will be.
You see, everything about me is ALL GOOD
Why? Because “ALL things work for my GOOD…”
So, don’t measure me by my todays or judge me by my yesterdays.
Peek into my destiny and you will see that yesterday and today
Are only preparing me for the greatness in my tomorrows.
I wrote this poem shortly after my youngest child was born (now going off to their first year of college) when I was ashamed and struggling because of my poor choices. When God makes you a promise…especially if it is in His word…you better ACT like you know. Receive it. Write it down. And then assume the position until HE brings it to pass. And He certainly will!
Now...about all those symbols from February’s blog that I promised would be cleared up… Here’s a quick reminder about the way The Lord outlined “How Words Work” for me:
Communion with Jesus
> Confession
>Confirmation
<Clarity
>Confidence
<Commission
=Cooperation with God
Meaning:
Communion with Jesus is > (more important) than your Confession. What you confess is > (more important/key) to any Confirmation. Confirmation is < (not as important as) Clarity. Clarity is > (vitally more important) than your Confidence. Confidence is < (not nearly as important as) following God’s Commission. All of this = (equals) Cooperation with God.
Hear it. Seek it. Speak it!
Living Always With Great Expectation,
Dawn~
So let's talk about the action part of this equation. This is going to be a long one guys, so let’s get to it.
Commission and Cooperation with God: “And David did so, as the Lord commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.” (2 Samuel 5:25)
The bulk of the reference text for our “How Words Work” series is taken from 2 Samuel 5. In this fairly short chapter, we see a brief glance of how King David lived his entire life and ran his kingdom. The very last verse (above) nicely summarizes what we have been talking about in this series. In the words Holy Spirit spoke to me yesterday, “Focus on what God said to you, and move when He says move. Period. THAT is how you live a successful life in Christ.”
When we understand the assignment (Commission from God), and let nothing deter us from that, our actions automatically become pleasing to The Lord and our lives become successful by HIS standards. I have begun to experience this more and more recently as I press through the battles and obstacles that are naturally designed to make God’s plan worth every drop of sweat and tears. Less and less do I have to worry about whether my actions are pleasing to God. I know His Word and His words to me; I speak or write them down; and then I walk it out (i.e. Hear it. Speak it. Seek it.). No fear or doubt required.
This is what it means to live in Cooperation with God.
Confession/testimonial: Most of the stuff I sense from God’s Spirit is not pleasing (and is sometimes outright contrary) to my own desires. I obey usually only after weeks if not months of complaining, negotiating, and sometimes temper tantrums. But 99% of the time I eventually accept His commission and obey. What this means for me personally is that to be completely honest, I have very little self-interest invested in the paths I find myself on. I’m on the path because I love Jesus, I trust Him (mostly...still working on that as well), and I already know what living life based on my own wisdom and “intellect” looks like (i.e. #hotmess.com. I’m going to buy that domain name one day like my kids keep encouraging me to do since I refer to it so much in relation to my former life). What this also means is that:
- Whatever I have gained or accomplished for myself, my family, God’s People, or the world is the sole result of what God planned and graced me to have. I can only take credit for the obedience. And even that is due to His grace, because there was a time when I couldn't obey God if my life depended on it…and sometimes it did depend on it.
- So, whatever happens on this path, good, bad, or indifferent can only happen as God allows it. And so it’s STILL working out for my good!
- Therefore, very few folks can threaten me with taking what I have or accomplished. I didn’t ask for it or want it in the first place. PLEASE make my life simpler if you think you can.
The Daisies That Border My Path
by Dawn L. Bedingfield (2005)
Don’t let my todays mislead you. My tomorrows are filled with hope and possibilities.
If I don’t look like the person you want in your life right now
Don’t be turned off; one day soon you may wake up and find
That I have become the woman of your dreams.
If my material possessions make you doubt my financial status, don’t reject me;
It doesn’t mean that my wealth of wisdom, knowledge, and insight is less than
That of kings and queens.
If you watch my life and it is filled with ups and downs, twists, and turns,
Don’t be confused; a fast and easy journey doesn’t always mean it’s the right path
And a long, eventful journey is not a sign of an unsuccessful path.
If what I can offer you seems less than ideal, look deeper for the real treasures;
Remember, on the surface a diamond is nothing but soot and struggle.
If having me costs you more than what you are willing to pay,
Think about the price of replacing my love and laughter
courage and character, faithful friendship and lasting devotion
with one who is shallow and selfish.
If you have lost confidence in my destiny, don’t let me go just yet;
There is much more life to be lived and chances to be taken;
I am destined to live every moment to the fullest
and make the most of every opportunity.
I expect every negative experience and decision
to blossom into the daisies that border my path.
I will accept every challenge and challenge every obstacle with faith and patience;
I would love to share this all with you!
For me, every day that my eyes shine is one filled with new promises and opportunities.
Just because yesterday has not fulfilled my wildest dreams and expectations
Doesn’t mean my story ends there; another chapter begins right now.
Don’t cheat yourself by not waiting to see what the end will be.
You see, everything about me is ALL GOOD
Why? Because “ALL things work for my GOOD…”
So, don’t measure me by my todays or judge me by my yesterdays.
Peek into my destiny and you will see that yesterday and today
Are only preparing me for the greatness in my tomorrows.
I wrote this poem shortly after my youngest child was born (now going off to their first year of college) when I was ashamed and struggling because of my poor choices. When God makes you a promise…especially if it is in His word…you better ACT like you know. Receive it. Write it down. And then assume the position until HE brings it to pass. And He certainly will!
Now...about all those symbols from February’s blog that I promised would be cleared up… Here’s a quick reminder about the way The Lord outlined “How Words Work” for me:
Communion with Jesus
> Confession
>Confirmation
<Clarity
>Confidence
<Commission
=Cooperation with God
Meaning:
Communion with Jesus is > (more important) than your Confession. What you confess is > (more important/key) to any Confirmation. Confirmation is < (not as important as) Clarity. Clarity is > (vitally more important) than your Confidence. Confidence is < (not nearly as important as) following God’s Commission. All of this = (equals) Cooperation with God.
Hear it. Seek it. Speak it!
Living Always With Great Expectation,
Dawn~
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