Marching Orders: by My Spirit

Not too long ago I felt God leading me to something I've failed at more times than I like to remember and my response was “Lord, I can't.” As soon as those words flashed through my mind there was a response. “It's not in me but in God.” (a Patty paraphrase of Gen. 41:16)I wanted to both cry and dance at the same time.

A few days after that, if even that long, I was studying Joseph in my daily Bible reading and as I cross-referenced some verses from that passage I came to Zechariah 4:6. I read the verse and thought “Oh yeah, that verse.” And I was appalled when I realized it. I stopped and made myself go back and carefully read the familiar verse. I'm so glad I did. It was exactly what I needed.

Finding the Extraordinary God in our Ordinary Lives
God has put a few things on my heart for this upcoming year—things I've failed at in the past. As I say “It's not in me, Lord,” He says to me “You're right, it's not. It's in Me and it's by My Spirit. If you even try it without Me, you'll fail. Again.”

So this year my theme is 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts. I honestly feel like I've just read my marching orders and they're to climb the highest mountain I've ever encountered—like I'm standing at the base of Mt. Chimborazo and discovered that the mountains I've already climbed are just the foothills and the real thing is towering above me now. I'm thousands of feet from the summit but in my pack is the flag God has given me to plant in the highest peak. And lemme tell ya, it's not in me. But that's okay. My might and my power might get me a few steps, before I fall on my face (again) but God's Spirit is able to get me there.

7 comments:

  1. May God bless your year as you continually heed His voice and work out your marching orders.

    Happy New Year!

    Alida

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  2. Love your verse AND your graphic. Praying you through - and KNOWING that God will work in you to accomplish. Love you SO!

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  3. Barb Culler4:54 PM

    Love the analogies-makes it so real. Remember,sometimes there are also valleys to forge in order to reach the taller mountains.

    I loved Hannah Hurnard's Hind's Feet on High Places" and will be re-reading it today.

    Will be eager to read of your progress. :)

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  4. You are so right, Barb! There are always valleys along our way. I'm so very thankful God is always with us, even in those valleys.

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  5. I appreciate your realness...your thoughts about...I can't...I've had that thought...or I just won't "finish, God--you know I've tried to do this and haven't ever finished"...that's one of my thoughts...but I too, have begun again where I have left off in an area of my "goals"...I look forward to both of us...climbing our mountains!

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  6. Anonymous6:38 PM

    Greetings from Southern California.

    I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to :-)

    God Bless You, ~Ron

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  7. Oh Peej, that is a beautiful graphic to go with that verse. My ministry verse will be along a similar theme this year...what power there is in the name of our Jesus, and how willing He is to be that strength in and through is. I love you, sister!

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