God's Love Language...

Have you ever had a dream or vision you felt like was from God? Once you accepted did it feel exciting and motivating? Yeah, I'm sure you got distracted some along the way, but has it kept you somewhat focused, accountable and passionate?

Well, that's what God's vision for my life has done. It's kept me honest. No, not totally honest with everyone around me. But honest with myself and God. I guess some would call it repentant, I am quick to repent. Kinda like David. He blew it big time but was quick to repent. I think he also had a sense of God's hand on his life. That he was created for something bigger. It's really quite romantic to have a vision from God, a sense of destiny. You feel pretty special, different. But, the only thing is, well, its intimidating when God starts bringing the vision/destiny closer to realization. When its out there in the future, that's really cool. But when it's two weeks away, that's crazy! But the truth is vision is not just to give us hope and accountability but God designed it to truly come to fruition. God wants it accomplished.

As the January 6th launch quickly approaches I find myself stressing a little. Recounting my past failures, less than 100% efforts and early retirements from ministry posts. I think the issue becomes: do I really have what it takes? Can I really be what God sees in me? Maybe someone out there that's actually fulfilled God's destiny for their life will post a response to these struggles, if not there's always God's response.

It seems that God's love language just might be words of affirmation. He definitely is the King of encouragement. It seems that every single day God speaks through another way the same thing. YOU CAN DO IT! No He hasn't shouted it, yet. And He's not really used those exact words nor has He repeated the same message many times. But He has continually spoken the perfect words daily. He has given me my daily bread time and time again. He always knows what to say and when to say it.

For instance, He reminded me through a hospital visit of a prophetic word given to me four or five years ago (the patient actually spoke the exact same prophecy to me). Well, like that wasn't enough, I discussed it somewhat later that evening with one of our pastors. As I was leaving the church one of our leaders had went home and drove all the way back to give our Christmas present even though they would have seen me the next morning! Well, the CD they gave me spoke the exact same word during the exhortation of the first song! (No, its not a popular Scripture-it's something I have never heard until the original prophecy)

One last example, I opened my computer bag, a compartment I don't normally dig in. It contained a CD. A CD that had been given to me over a year ago. They handed it to me and said, "Pastor Jeremy, this is a prophetic word for you and the church." Of course, I dropped it into my bag and never listened to it, until... Three days ago I was feeling a little pressure. I opened my bag and found it. Played it and received great encouragement. Last night I played it for Pastor Josh, our worship pastor, he knew the song as it had been his anthem for encouragement throughout the past year.

Well, there you go. God's love language of words of encouragement. I pray that He encourages you and keeps you moving forward toward completion of His vision for your life. Plans are what we work; vision is what God gives. If it's a gift then it's not entirely up to us to complete it.

Happy birthday Charity. (I'm a bad brother...I forgot a card...again)

I truly thank God for His vision and His encouragement.

God bless