INTIMACY WITH GOD JOURNAL
Written by Linda Schreurs
JANUARY 2012
Written by Linda Schreurs
A Mother’s Musings: You’ve only seen the ‘older’ me. What else do you see?
Holy Communion! Holy Invasion! - Prepare for an epic revival of Communion!
*Linda’s CD of Intimate Communion Prayers is now available
*Women of Fire Fellowship beginning January 19th - See Announcement section.
A MOTHER’S MUSINGS
Wouldn’t it be interesting to see Jesus through the eyes of His earthly mother, Mary? How life-changing would it be to know this little guy she was raising had the weight of the world upon His shoulders? The cross beam of Calvary’s tree tore our condemnation from us through the shed blood of Jesus. Mary knew that. She knew it was coming. But that day was years down the road as she watched little boy Jesus at play. She carried in her soul the burden of the prophecy that a sword would pierce her own heart, spiritually speaking. (Luke 2:34-35) I can’t imagine raising your child knowing that. It’s a precious thing to know your divine destiny. We all have one! But we must choose wisely. We must choose eternal life through the Lamb of God so we can fulfill that holy destiny.
Jesus looked at Mary and Joseph with great love because He knew them before they were born! “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” (Jer. 1:5) He looked upon them with immense compassion as He grew into manhood knowing His destiny of death for all mankind and what these precious ones would have to bear. He had to remind them that He came to be ‘about His Father’s business.’ (Luke 2:49) Shouldn’t we as well? The older generation (Mary and Joseph) and the younger (Jesus) looked to each other to see God’s glory fulfilled. How wonderful is that?! Do we do this?
A backward/forward view
Certainly Mary and Joseph learned to accept the years going by all too quickly as Jesus got closer to His calling. But they were trustworthy enough to have faith in the forward view that the sorrow and pain yet to come would bring eternal glories beyond measure!
Dear believers, especially those of you who are parents or grandparents, how many times have you looked at your precious children or grandchildren at play and wondered what they would be when they grew up? You’ve probably thought it many times! But have you ever wondered what THEY would think if they knew YOU before they were born?
The Holy Spirit has given me some deeper insights and revelations about this concept of our children knowing us before they were born, which of course they can’t. Nevertheless, it’s intriguing to ponder as the Lord is continuing to unfold His will to us. Let us declare as Solomon in Proverbs 29:2, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” So let’s search out this matter.
You see, one day as I looked at my grandchildren at play, I thought of the years ahead and watching them grow into adulthood. I will have seen much of their life span should I live into old age. It began to fascinate me how the opposite is true. In other words, these little ones only know me as an adult. My own children, now adults with their own families, have only known me as an adult. Dah! You’re saying, “So what?!”
Stay with me on this. I looked at my grown daughter across the room as she watched her children at play and in my heart I said to her: “You’ve only known me as an adult. But I’ve known you at every age since I gave birth to you. You’ll never know what I was like when I was 2 years old, or 10 years old, or at 15. You only see the ‘older person’ in me. You’ll never know me as I know you.” Then I remembered a similar musing by a young man in an old movie called: “Back to the Future.” Perhaps you’ve seen it. The main guy in the movie is taken back in time to when his parents were dating before he was born. It’s really funny!
These thoughts made me a bit sad because my children will never fully know the journeys I’ve personally taken into adulthood. They will never truly appreciate my own ‘growing up years.’ But I appreciate knowing theirs! I’ve grown deeper in knowledge and wisdom seeing myself through them at ages I once was. You’ll do the same meditations as I’m sure every generation does.
As we live our lives in righteousness unto God, we can fully embrace the joys of the next generation. Psalm 37:25-26 says, “I have been young, and now I am old, and yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread. All day long he is gracious and lends; and his descendants are a blessing.” We’ve prayed for the next generation, and that generation prays for us!
A disposable generation
It has been said that this is a disposable generation. Everything is disposable these days from plastic coffee cups to old computers, old furniture and everything in between and beyond. Sadly, many feel that way as they’ve aged into their golden years, forgotten and left alone to live out their years by themselves. That’s not always the case of course, but it probably happens far too often in this age of disposability, speed and youth. But scripture shows the opposite declaring in Psalm 7:9: “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.” Verses 17-18 go on to say: “O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth, and I still declare Thy wondrous deeds. And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Thy strength to this generation, Thy power to all who are to come.”
Think of Moses. He didn’t start his ‘career’ until he was 80! He lived to 120 and God’s Word says “his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated.” (Deut. 34:7) I’m glad he wasn’t considered disposable or non-functional. Each one of us are of extreme value of God. Remember this, even at 80 years of age you still have your whole life ahead of you! However many days or years you may have, it is your life to be lived to the fullest. Do it!
This anointing and power of God that was on Moses is the same one we must seek after no matter what our age. Moses continued to see clearly with his physical eyes and his spiritual eyes. (I could never picture him in glasses! Let’s pray for healed eyes!) Remember too his older sister and brother, Miriam and Aaron. How about Caleb who said in Joshua chapter 14: “…I am 85 years old today. I am still strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in.” (See also Ps. 92:14-15; Prov. 23:22) Precious believers, what God did then in Caleb and so many others, you better believe He can do even now!
Think too of the renowned Mother Theresa. She was as wrinkled as a prune, but everybody loved her! I don’t think a modern day face lift would have improved her anointing! Like Moses, her face was aglow with the light, love, and the power of the Lord. How about you and I?
A photograph
Consider this: In reading the obituary column in the newspaper, quite often you’ll see a picture of the deceased as they were in life. But now they’re gone – forever. Nevertheless they left a foot print in the sands of time. Was that foot print good or bad? What legacy did they leave behind? Will they be missed or not? Our photograph (face/countenance) should reflect the image of our heavenly Father. Timothy 1:5 says this about good legacies as Paul speaks to Timothy - “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”
Timothy was fortunate to have this good legacy that catapulted him into his divine destiny. Are you praying for your future wife or husband? Choose wisely one who is a follower of Christ. Are you praying for your current husband or wife? Set a good example of God’s love that they may be won by your tenderness of heart. (1 Peter 3) Are you praying for your children, grandchildren, other family members, co-workers, and many others in your sphere of influence? Live the image of Christ and see what follows. Remember Ecclesiastes 4:13, “A poor, yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction.” Wise is the older godly gentleman or woman who is still teachable! Let your life speak loud and clear for itself as you live unto God and walk in all His ways. The important thing is this - END WELL! Ecclesiastes 7:8 declares, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning; patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.”
If you’ve had a family legacy that’s not been good, consider God’s big and wonderful promises to those who love Him with all their hearts. He can change all of that through YOU! “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Cor. 5:17. See also: Isa. 42:9; Eph. 4:1; Col. 3:10; 1 Pet. 1:3)As a believer, our family roots are re-established in the Righteous Branch of the Lord Jesus. You enter the family of God and we’re not all that perfect either! But together, we build each other up in the faith. When we’re ‘born again’ it means we’ve take on the image or reflection of our heavenly Father. We begin to look more and more like Him. Our new photograph reflects His glory! All of our past is swept clean in that moment of complete surrender.
It’s time to live abundantly in the New Year! Live the ‘new you’ that’s found in the image of your heavenly Papa Abba who redeemed you with a great price through Calvary’s sacrifice. Begin building your godly legacy right now.
Today
All created things WILL DIE. Young or old let’s come to terms with the fact that our life is but a vapor when compared to all of eternity. (Rom. 8:18-28) This ‘now life’ is the transitory life. Isn’t today a good day to transition into the marvels of God? Isn’t this a great time to give your transitory life to the Lord Jesus fully, completely, unabashedly, with passionate fire in your bones and soul? In this New Year, resolve that holy commitment to the Lord Jesus. ‘Today’ is the day of salvation. (Heb. 3:7; 15:4:7) So, while there’s still ‘time’ on our side, don’t lose another second. Surrender your all to Jesus and watch your days and nights transition like that of Moses – filled with the glorious wonders of God. Friends, it doesn’t get any better than that!
What do you see?
So the next time you look at an older person, try to see them in a different light. Try to see them through the eyes or your imagination. No doubt they’ve experienced some of the same struggles you may be going through. Better yet, ask them to share those things with you! And for you older ones, look with compassion rather than condemnation at the youngsters of today and offer your love, wisdom, compassion and mentorship. (See Announcements - Mentors)
Let’s mend the gap between the generations and ring in the New Year with Joel 2 and Acts 2. Revival! May the church become alive once again in this powerful way. Make Psalm 148:12-13 a part of your growing Christianity: “…Both young men and virgins; old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven.” Revival is imminent and it will include all ages of men, women and children. Can I hear an ‘Amen’ out there?!
HOLY COMMUNION! HOLY INVASION!
Ladies and gentlemen of the Most High God, prepare for an epic revival of Holy Communion! An epiphany of revelation, insight, understanding and power will begin to flow as a river in the Last Days according to Daniel 12. In this year of 2012, might we now have entered that time? No one can say for sure when that time is as scripture plainly tells us. (Eccl. 9:12; Luke 12:40) But I always tell people, “Each one of us are in the Last Days because we never know when ‘our’ last day might be.” The suddenlies of life may take our life at any moment. Isn’t it best to be prepared at all times?
With that said, I want to encourage you to begin to take Holy Communion in a much more intimate way than you ever have in the past. Set aside old traditions and go after the fresh, deep and profound encounter with the Lamb of God in this sacred act because that’s what it’s always meant to be. In my forthcoming book (this spring) titled: ‘Holy Communion! Holy Invasion!’ as well as my CD just released by the same title, you will personally experience the divine invasion of the Lord in this profound depth of worship. It’s going to a whole new level! Time and space here does not permit me to say much more. However, DO plan on embracing these two items to aide your spiritual journey. You’ll be amazingly and powerfully blessed!
Each month this year in my IWG monthly Journals, I will give you one of my intimate Communion prayers for you to use either in your private or corporate communion times. The ones shared in the Journals will not be the ones contained in the CD however. Nevertheless, all of them are quite intimate and very personal as I share my deepest encounters with the Lamb of God.
If you’d be so kind, please share with me your own encounters with God using these materials or the prayers contained in these monthly Journals for this year of 2012. Thank you, and God bless!
HOLY COMMUNION PRAYER
(Journaled on 12-15-11, at 2:02 AM. This particular prayer seems fitting for the start of a new year)
The Bread
I am in need of Thee. I’m in desperate need of Thee, O Lamb of God! My heart pines for You, seeks You, adores You, praises You. I need Your holy Light to illumine my walk that I not stumble over and over again. You have rescued me from myself, as well as worldly foes who assault me on every side. Your body was ravaged for my freedom from every kind of lie and darkness thrown at me. You, O Lamb of God, are my pure delight! My soul’s song!
You are most tender with me. I love that. I need that. I need Your calming stillness of power, glory and majesty. I see You as angels see You! You are so full of overflowing light! O holy Lamb of God, You indeed are the light of the world!
There are no shadows around me when I walk with You!
The Cup
I’m in need of Your blood, O Lamb of God. I’m in great, great need of its power of transformation in my life. I need change! I need deeper spiritual life in You. Your blood takes me where I need to go – even beyond human understanding and into divine paradise and glory. Your blood is the beautiful door into the spectaculars of God – forevermore.
This little human being is allowed entrance into the divinely eternal through the power and glory of Your precious blood. O how I love Thee, O Lamb of God!
May Thy holy blood heal us and reveal the mysteries of God to our families.
Heal and reveal!
Heal and reveal!
Hearts are opened by the taking of this precious cup of salvation. Hearts are transformed and renewed.
I love you, Jesus. Thank you. Thank YOU! Glory unto Your Name forever and ever and ever!
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After I’d spent time in spiritual intimacy with the Lamb of God in this Communion encounter, He spoke to my heart with the following word:
“Lift up your eyes! Chin up! I am here. I am with you to the ends of the earth, to the ends of time. I am your ETERNAL SOURCE and I will never leave you or forsake you. You are my child and I love you with an everlasting love. No weapon formed against you will prosper for I am MORE THAN your ‘knight in shining armor’ – I am THE LIGHT and you shall not fall nor dash your foot against a stone. I am your provider, your healer, your restorer. Do not fear. I am here. I am your beacon light. Follow me.” How comforting!
Scripture references for the communion prayer and the word given by the Lord
Light - Isa. 60:1,19; Micah 7:8; Matt. 5:14-16 and 6:22
Stillness - Ps. 46:10
Shadows - Ps. 17:8; 36:7; 91:1; James 1:17
Doors – Ps. 24:7; Rev. 3:20
Veil/Entrance - Heb. 6:19
Heal/Reveal - Ex. 15:26, Ps. 103:3; Isa. 40:5; 43:12: John 17:6, Rom. 8:18; I Pet. 4:13; Rev. 22:2-3
Lift eyes - Ps. 121:1; 123:1; Ps. 134; Ps. 143:8
Source - Heb. 5:9
No weapon - Isa. 54:17
Do not fear - Ps. 23:4; Isa. 35:4
Dash your foot - Ps. 91:12
ANNOUNCEMENTS
VIDEO OF STATEWIDE WORSHIP WAR ROOM of 11-11-11 is available to view at our website: www.intimacy-with-God.com It’s less than four minutes and amazing!
OUR SPIRITUAL MENTORS - Mike and I have a spiritual father and mother in Pastor Don and Ruth Ann Polston whom we’ve known for many years. They now reside in Indianapolis and are still very active in ministry, especially on You Tube! What a prime example of continuing in fiery passion for the Lord as one ages. Please tap into their wisdom and anointing at: www.donhpolston.com. His latest posting, ‘Dig in your valley,’ is extremely encouraging.
WOMEN OF FIRE FELLOWSHIP
WFF!
And it’s not the World Fighter Federation either, but it’s close! These are the days of the Lord’s anointed women who are being called to an astounding level of intimacy with God and victory in their lives! They are the passionate ones and they’re on fire for Him marching onward and upward in victory as Deborah in Judges 6, who declared, “O my soul, march on with strength.”
Women need the camaraderie and support of each other in this hour of testing and trials.
Now is the hour of living divinely and powerfully in the Presence of God where He takes your breath away with His spectacular glory!
Precious Ladies of the Lord, let us gather together for a ‘time such as this’ and walk out the mighty manifestations of God’s promises. This is the year! Now is the time! Are you ready?!
If you’re truly seeking MORE in your walk with the Lord, please join me and all the fiery women of God in this area on Thursday evenings beginning January 19th at 7 PM at the Strategic America office complex, Suite 100, 6600 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA, 50266. Warning! Do not come if you’re expecting anything normal! This is a call to be ‘off the charts’ with the Lord! We’ll engage the following:
Fresh and different music/worship
Challenging study of God’s Word and being pregnant with huge promises that God will deliver!
Healings and deliverances
Encouragement and support
Passionate Prayer
Bring your saved and unsaved sisters to encounter the Lord.
Spiritual Medals of Valor and Courage will be given by our Commander in Chief, Jesus! He rewards those who seek Him. (Heb. 11:6)
Scheduled fellowships in homes with delightful dishes and fun will also be held.
WOMEN’S HERMITAGES FOR 2012: May 17-20 and Oct. 4-7. Make arrangements now to partake of these life changing times alone with God in the privacy of your own cabin! Contact Linda for details.
LINDA’S BOOKS:
Armageddon Bride. It’s about the moral status of our times. The Lord is coming back for a Bride without spot or wrinkle. So what does that look like? $14, plus $5 for shipping and handling.
Words Aptly Spoken. This book is about our ministry’s prophetic prayer journey to all 99 Iowa County Courthouses. This is the state where the road to the White House begins. Governmental authority is the saints heritage. $19, plus $5 shipping and handling.