Hard-Pressed, But Not Crushed
Recently, Brian has been reading 2 Corinthians 4 & 5 over and over again. I finally listened to his prompting to read it and began to see it like never before, feeling as if I was reading new chapters of the Bible. (I love it when God does that!)I got to verse 8 in chapter 4, which starts with, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed..." and a photo I recently saw came to mind.
Someone had posted about making stamped, clay ornaments, but they were unlike any I’d ever seen before. Lace had been pressed into white clay shapes, creating the most intricate and delicate designs on their surfaces.
I saw beauty in being pressed but not crushed – of having an imprint made on the surface that replicated what had been pressed into it.
God spoke to my heart and said, “The continued pressing and pressure you’re feeling is the imprint being made in you – who you’ve become in Me through facing the pressure of this year, plus My very being and fabric of who I AM imprinted even more deeply into you. It’s being pressed more deeply for My intricate design to be made clear.”
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17)
When used on paper, a stamp only makes a mark on the surface by it first being pressed firmly into the ink, then pressed down firmly onto the surface it’s to make its mark upon. It’s as if we’ve been pressed into the ink that is Him and now the pressure is being applied for the mark to be made on the “paper” (i.e., earth) around us. It’s an imprint of Him within us that can only be imprinted elsewhere when pressure and pressing are applied.
The pressing many of us have continued to go through, even recently, has been for the purpose of making sure what we’ve gained this year - who we’ve become in the old passing away and all things becoming new, has gone down deeply, making a clear imprint on our spirits, souls, and lives.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:16-18)
That pressing has been working His beautiful design in us and it’s reflecting His glory. You might not be able to see it, but those unseen things are those that are eternal.
Don’t lose heart, sweet friend! He’s been making His imprint in and through you, and it’s stunning!
Living for Him,
Andrea (& Brian)
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
Let Go of What Used to Be
Recently, I began watching the series, “The Lost Kitchen.” I’m only on the second episode of season one, but God has been speaking so much to me through Erin French’s story of her life and restaurant.As her 2020 story unfolds in the second episode, she says, “I have to let go of what it used to be.” The Lord spoke to my heart in that moment, telling me to pay attention to those words.
I believe many of us have been looking backward at what things used to be like. Maybe without even realizing it, our hearts seem to long for what once was – the familiar, the secure, the known – even if it wasn’t the best.
We’ve been in transition, and it’s taking longer than we’d expected. We knew what to leave and had a sense of what we were moving into, yet we’ve been in this messy middle of it coming to pass and it leaves us looking back, longing for some of the things of the old season.
God has called you out into a new season and He’s asked you to leave the old behind.
Erin French was forced to rethink the way she’d done things. The Lost Kitchen had become an incredibly successful, well-oiled machine; then she had to reinvent everything. She was willing to innovate, think outside the box, and be creative. Because of her unwillingness to not give up and her willingness to transition into what she’d never done before, not only did she “make it,” but so did her family and closest friends (who work beside her), as well as her entire community.
It’s never just about us. Our perseverance in pressing into this new season has a far-reaching impact, but we can’t move into the new still holding onto the old.
Whether what we’re holding onto is “the good old days,” or instead, disillusionment, regret, disappointment, or even the determination to never have things be like they once were, if we’re holding onto it, we’re weighed down by it.
Forget what lies behind. Reach forward to what’s ahead. Press on toward all God is calling you to in this new season. Don’t turn back! (Philippians 3:13-14, paraphrased)
We can learn from the past, but it can’t become an idol we long after. Be willing to let go of what used to be – for your sake and others. Be flexible, think differently, focus forward, and keep taking the next step. All of heaven is cheering you on!
Living for Him,
Andrea
*Photo by Greta Rybus
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
NOVEMBER PROPHETIC WORD: STAND
As I played instrumental worship music and entered into His presence this morning, I had a powerful encounter with the Lord.I was dancing the waltz with God in the midst of a stunning ballroom decorated in creams and gold, illuminated by glorious light. We were both dressed in white. I held my long, flowing gown out to the side as we spun in circles around the dance floor that was reserved only for us as others stood along the perimeter. I was flooded with joy and as I watched the scene unfold in my mind, I wept, releasing all I’d been holding within.
After a while of dancing on the ballroom floor, we began to ascend into the heavenlies, and we were dancing in and on the clouds. Small, delicate stars began to fall all around us, some landing on me and soaking into me, infusing me with their heat and light. I wept even more. It’s hard to even describe it.
The scene changed as Papa offered me His hand and we walked together in the most beautiful, English garden. He pointed out the smallest of flowers, not wanting me to miss seeing their delicate beauty amidst the rest of the splendor.
We eventually came through the garden and were standing on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea – like one seen on the coasts of Cornwall. It was dawn and I heard Him say to me, “STAND, and watch the Son rise.” It was the most incredible sunrise I’d ever seen. The light of His presence rising shone on me and warmed me to the core of my spirit and soul, strengthening me with its power.
Then, we were at the edge of a river, and I was now clothed in battle gear. The Lord spoke again, saying, “Drink, and wash your face, daughter. You carry the marks of war.” I drank deeply and felt the refreshing of the water within. I washed off the dirt and the blood of the war-filled season I’d been in and when I finished, I stood once again, face set like flint, looking across the river, facing the risen sun / son. I heard just a snippet of the Elton John song, “I’m still standin’ better than I ever did!” and the vision ended.
“So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing.” (Ephesians 6:13, CJB)This has been the most intense season of war for so many, yet God’s word to us is to STAND.
I was reminded of the final fight scene in “Wonder Woman” when she fights against Ares. I saw her stand firm against the onslaught of his attacks, and as she did, she discovered even greater power in the weapons she’d possessed all along as she took what the enemy used against her and turned it on him.
God has equipped us with every weapon needed as we come face to face with the enemy.
“Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you.
Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser! Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. 13Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious.
Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph. Put on holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart. Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace.
In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the evil one! Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken word of God.
Pray passionately in the Spirit, as you constantly intercede with every form of prayer at all times.”
(Ephesians 6:10-18, TPT)
Dance with Him and have your joy restored.
Let His stars fall on you, infusing you with light and direction (Star of Bethlehem / Jesus, our Morningstar).
Notice the beauty all around you and be intentional in seeing it.
Let the Son rise on you, strengthening and empowering you.
Drink of His living streams of water to refresh your spirit and soul.
Be dressed for battle, keep your eyes on the Son and . . . STAND!
This is the music I worshipped to this morning when I had the encounter. So thankful for Upper Room! I'd love to hear of any encounters you have with the Lord as you listen!
Living for Him,
Andrea & Brian
P.S. As always, if we can pray for you, please reach out!
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
