Steve recently asked me to share something from the Lord at a recent ministry opportunity we had. As mentioned in a previous blog, I know I have a prophetic gifting, but I am still not entirely comfortable with the idea of sharing "a Word from the Lord", in part because I don't hear as clearly as I think I should. I often feel like I am not hearing anything at all, so a request like this sort of makes me feel pressured, because I am not sure I'll actually have anything to share when the time comes (As if! If any lack is involved it is surely mine, not His). I was praying about this, asking God to be sure and give me something, if He really wanted me to do this, and to help me to understand clearly what He might want me to say.
If I really felt I needed confirmation of either the gift or the calling to walk in it, some time during the night I got the two phrases I used as the "title" of this blog. This word, since I can't think of anything else to call it, brought forcefully to mind something that was shared by Bishop Solomon of TMCI at a conference we recently attended. He used a phrase which really struck me, "The table is set, but you're not eating!" This was in the final session of the conference, at which the theme "Walk it out" was shared through a number of powerful messages related to receiving and then walking in the presence and power God has for us as His children, and particularly as ministers of the gospel, walking in the callings God has place upon us all.
What I took away from this phrase Bishop Solomon relayed, and reiterated in the word I received, was that God has so much ready and waiting for us, but we refuse to receive and walk in it, whether because we don't feel worthy, or because for some reason we feel it isn't for us, or perhaps simply through ignorance. I think the word I received was quite simply God saying that He has come/is coming with all of His power and glory, prepared to shower us with ALL that He wants to give us and He is calling us, strongly, to eat , to receive what He would give us, to take it in, make it part of us, and walk in it. We have to accept and receive a gift for it to become ours, and this is a choice we must make for ourselves, whether to receive or not. God wants us to receive His gifts, to use them to bless others, and to give Him the glory. If we don't receive and use the gifts He has for us, others will not receive them through us, and He will not receive the glory and worship that is His. He can't give if we don't receive! So, will you eat?
Lord, we give you all the thanks and praise for the many blessings you have, just waiting to shower upon us, to fill our lives with joy and meaning, as your beloved children. Help us to realize that we need to make a decision and open ourselves up to receive what you have prepared to pour into our lives. If we refuse to receive, you cannot give, as you desire to do. Help us to willingly receive the power and glory you have determined, from the time of creation itself, to pour out upon your children. Enable us to open our hearts and spirits to receive, and to bow in surrender so you can use us to shower your blessings upon others. Yours is, indeed, all the power and glory, in Jesus' name, Amen.
Blessings,
Kathy