A New Day Has Dawned...

Last night, as I watched the peach drop in Atlanta showing on half my TV screen and the ball drop in Times Square on the other side of my screen, I couldn't help but breathe a sign of relief that the book entitled "2012" had closed and the fresh new one entitled "2013" just opened. It's one thing to be grateful for every moment given, and I am grateful, but I'm also exceedingly grateful that seasons DO change and that we are not meant to revel in the past. We're to use the past as a springboard for the future and the manifestation of the promises God gives us.

I'm excited about what is to come this year. I don't even know what all "it" will be, but I'm excited for it to come to pass. There's nothing like resting in the moment, during the winter season, KNOWING that there is fruit in progress.  We might not really enjoy it because we can't see it, but that's okay.  It's there, and nothing can stop it's growth.  Even more importantly, we can rest in the confidence that because of God's grace, unless we intentionally forfeit it, nothing can steal the seed growing into fruit.  God has made His promises, and as His heirs, we WILL see them manifest in their due season.

There is NOTHING that separates us from the love of God and all of the benefits that come with being His Beloved.  I sat in a period of silence yesterday, thinking about all that had happened in 2012, and re-examining the desires of my heart.  I said to the Lord, "Father, I know we can't do anything to deserve your Love.  I'm not entitled to anything extra really.  Your Love is supposed to be more than enough."  And in that moment, He swiftly redirected my misguided focus.

"Are you My daughter?"

"Of course I am," I answered.

"Is a child entitled to anything from her parents, or is their responsibility finished as soon as they've given her birth?" He asked.

"Well, God, that's really where it all just seems to begin..."

"Exactly. So if I've given you birth, My responsibility to you is not over. Just like a parent loves giving gifts to his child despite them having done nothing to deserve it, I want to fulfill the desires of your heart.  I am responsible for your happiness."

I sat there, honestly somewhat stunned, because I'd never thought about it in quite that manner.  I knew that Grace was about receiving when we've been completely incapable of doing anything to deserve it.  But I'd never thought of it as God seeing it as a responsibility.  So He reminded me of Luke 11:9-13:

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

"But Lord, that's referring to the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it's not really saying You're responsible for our happiness..."

So then He reminded me of two more Scriptures.

"And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit." - Acts 13:52
"...for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." - Romans 14:17

Joy comes from Him.  Our happiness is birthed from the Holy Spirit.  It's actually a desire of His heart to give the desires of ours, and once He's planted those desires in our hearts, He is then responsible for creating the circumstances to bring them to fruition.

So I am declaring that for me, a new day has dawned.  The seeds have been planted.  The fruit is growing.  The promises are just around the corner.  ALL of them, including the ones that had seemed so out-of-reach that I had begun to wonder if I had imagined them all.  I'm dusting those gems off, bringing them down from the shelf I'd not dared to explore in years, and staring amazed at how much more brilliant they are now.  Sparkling gems are hard to ignore for long.  Eventually SOMETHING is going to catch a ray of light on some facet and bring it to attention.  So they might as well just be all out there as reminders, unless He's given directives to do otherwise.

I'm trusting in the Father who has promised and is responsible for those promises, including their fulfillment.  And as I do, I suddenly feel a rush of hope that I have not felt in a long time.  I feel a boldness to approach Him with my requests, and I totally believe I'm going to see them come to pass.  

I encourage you to do the same.  Boldly approach Him.  The scepter is extended and the King awaits our requests.  What heart's desire are you daring to ask Him to manifest for you this year?  Be bold.  Speak it, and receive it.

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 

- Romans 15:13