God Knows Your Name

By Hazel Holland

About five years ago I had an experience that forever changed the way I look at giving.

It was the day after Thanksgiving. I was pouring a large pot of home-made chili into a couple of plastic containers to freeze for a later date.

Since students from the nearby college often showed up unannounced at my door, it was always good to have extra food on hand.

After filling up one large container, I was suddenly struck with the idea of giving the rest of this chili to a homeless person. The prompting was so strong I knew it was from God. So I heated up the rest of the chili, poured it into a large cottage cheese container, placed several portions of warm homemade cornbread in a zip-lock bag, added several plastic spoons, and headed for my car. I knew I wouldn’t have to drive far before running into homeless people.

But as I drove down the street and saw the first homeless person, I heard God say, “Not this one!”

“Why not, God?” I questioned.

Then I noticed several more homeless people nearby. “I have enough chili and cornbread in my sack to feed all of them” I reminded God. I hadn’t expected Him to want me to pass by homeless people like this…

As I continued to drive down the street I passed by several more homeless people in the same way. Each time God would say, “Not this one!” So I obeyed, and moved on.

When I finally came up to a major intersection and asked God which way to go, He immediately prompted me to turn right. Who was the person whom God had in mind for this food? I wondered.

Then the Spirit spoke to my heart again and said, “Look down the road!”

Off in the distance I saw someone standing on the narrow divider that separates traffic. From a distance I couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman, because they were bundled up in an over-sized jacket with the hood pulled down over their head.

“Is that the person you want me to give this meal to?” I asked God.

“That’s the one!” He replied.

A tangible joy born of the Spirit began to rise up inside of me. I got in the left-hand lane as I neared the divider, hoping that the light would turn red so that I could stop for a moment, roll down my window, and hand this person their meal. But the light stayed green. So I drove on by planning to make a u-turn at the next green light.

The thrill of this adventure with God overwhelmed my spirit as I prepared to make a second attempt to deliver this food. This time when the light turned red I found myself opposite the stranger. As he lifted up his head I could see his unshaven face. Quickly I rolled down my window and thrust the paper sack of chili and cornbread towards Him.

“God wants you to know that He knows your name!” I called out.

Immediately he threw back the hood of his jacket and hurried towards me. His face looked worn, yet familiar.

“Remember me?” he asked as tears streamed down his face. “I’m Stephen. Two years ago you brought me and several other homeless people Thanksgiving dinner!”

“Yes…! I stammered as tears filled my eyes. I remembered how he had dropped to his knees, and with tears of gratitude raised his hands toward heaven and thanked God for the “feast” in front of him.

“This chili and cornbread is a gift from God to let you know how much He loves YOU! Hope it warms you up. It’s kind of cold outside today.”

He took the food gratefully and began thanking me profusely. “Don’t thank me I”, I responded. “God had me by-pass several other homeless people before I got to you, because He wants you to know that He knows your name! Stephen, God knows your name!”

Immediately he stopped thanking me, lifted his eyes toward heaven and began to pray. He was oblivious to the people in the cars watching him. So was I. “God knows your name” I repeated softly to myself as the light turned green. “It’s written on the palm of His hand!”

I don’t remember the drive home. It’s kind of a blur. But I do remember God’s joy flooding my heart and streaming down my face. Nothing could compare with the pure joy of seeing that homeless man enjoy his unexpected blessing! I couldn’t stop thanking God for a taste of His goodness and grace.

By obeying the Spirit’s leading, I discovered that blessing someone means giving something to them for their sake, not for my own. Could it be that God has always meant for us to share in the joy of blessing one another face to face like this? I believe that the body of Christ is strengthened and edified when we personally bless one another, and are blessed by one another.

In some small way through this experience I began to catch a glimpse of the pure agape love of God who willingly poured out His life for me.  Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than receive”.  Now I know why. ♥

See: Blessing Others For Their Sake--Not Our Own

Such Raging Love!

By Hazel Holland

God is awakening within each one of His children a desire for greater intimacy with Him.  He is calling us to come into His presence so that we can dance with Him upon the waves of difficulty and the fears and disappointments in our lives.  

I know at times I’m tempted to turn away from that call to intimacy with Him, because I don’t want to face my "stuff."  I just can't bear the thought of facing my own shortcomings, failures and deferred hopes and dreams…  So I say, "No, God, not today.  Not right now.  Some other time I'll come away with You!"

But God invites us to come to Him anyway in the midst of the storm we are facing.  He invites us to come to Him now as He comes striding towards us on the turbulent “water”.  He invites us to leave the safety of the "boat" we are clinging to, and do something that we know we can never do in the natural. He invites us to join Him to walk on the waves because He wants us to trust in the strength of His love.

Not only that, but He invites us to dance with Him on the mountains of fear that seem to easily overwhelm us.  He invites us to trust Him to take care of us while we supernaturally walk on “water”. He will support us as we keep our eyes focused on Him, and not the tidal wave of fear that seems ready to swallow us up at any moment.

He reminds us that we are always at the center of His heart. We are the apple of His eye and the focus of His utmost care.  His greatest suffering was also His greatest joy, because the cross released the power of His resurrection love.  And that love gave birth to us.  We are His priceless pearl whom He wants to be with Him forever!

“Jesus, we want to know more fully the fellowship of your sufferings and the power of your resurrection.  We want to know on a deeper level the kind of love that rages in your heart for us... for each one of your children.  We want to join You in intercession for a world that doesn’t yet know the One whom our souls long for. 

Father, you help us to understand that when the "north wind blows" and we cower and hide, our failures are not fatal.  You help us to understand the unconditional nature of Your love for us through our weaknesses.  We want to be smitten and undone by Your love, Lord, so that we can become carriers of the glory of Your love and resurrection power to your children everywhere."

Link: I AM Will Calm Your Sea

I AM will Calm your Sea

by Hazel Holland

When the situation looked the most impossible to the disciples, that's when Jesus came walking on the water...stepping through the whitecaps

towards them as if the angry sea were mere asphalt. Can you hear His welcome voice as it thundered with power and authority in the midst of that storm?

"It is I... don't be afraid!

Just as Jesus, the great "I AM",calmed the sea that stormy night and brought the disciples safely to the shore, so He comes striding across the turbulent sea of your life. With a voice more powerful than any wind of adversity, He says to you right now:

"I am Yahweh! Don't be afraid! I AM with you! I will calm the sea of your troubled heart. I will go deeper than the deepest ocean and heal the source of your fear and pain."

"I AM the Word by whom all things were made, and My Word will not return to Me void. It will accomplish that which I have purposed in My heart for you, My beloved!"

"Two thousand years ago I would not let the crowds make Me a King, but today I will let you make Me King of your heart. Let Me step into the restless sea of your anxious thoughts and emotions and quiet your spirit with My love."

"Let Me hold you as I sing over you. Let Me lead you as we dance over the whitecaps on this turbulent sea of life together. Let Me bring you safely to the shore on the other side..."

___________________________

After writing this word from His heart this morning I was inspired to paint this water color this afternoon as I thought about Sara, a young friend of mine, who is going through a difficult time in her life right now.

Also see this link: Great Raging Love, I AM