Willows by the Watercourses {Repost}

“I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring; They will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses.”  Isaiah 44:3-4

Father, we ask for you to pour Your waters onto those who are thirsty and flood the dry ground of those with abortion wounded hearts.  Father, as You know, the Deeper Still Ministry is needed beyond our borders, in other states and nations.  Father, we ask for You to pour out Your Spirit on the chapters that are emerging and bless the offspring from Deeper Still.  Father, we pray for the chapters to spring up like willows by the watercourses, fully nourished and fruitful.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

New chapters of Deeper Still are in the birthing process and many more haven’t been conceived yet.  God knows when and where these chapters will spring up.  As these new chapters are being planted, they will need to be nurtured and watered with the Spirit of the Living God. 

In verse 3 above, God says He will pour water on Him who is thirsty and floods on the dry ground.  Water and floods are often used in Scripture to depict abundant blessings and are also used to denote the influence of the Holy Spirit (Bible Hub-Barnes Commentary). 

God is saying that He will pour out His Holy Spirit on those who are thirsty and bless them abundantly! Amen!

In verse 4, the He says, “They will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses.”

Willow trees in our western culture symbolize grief, such as in the weeping willow.  However, in the places where the willow originated (China), it symbolizes vitality and growth.  This symbolism comes from its ability to reproduce easily from cut branches. 

Interestingly enough, I found 5 more facts about willow trees that I thought mirrored perfectly the heart of Deeper Still as it is beginning new chapters. 

       1.  Willow trees not only sprout easily, they are fast growers. 

       2.   Willows have medicinal properties that alleviate pain and bring healing.

3     3.  Willows are used to build.

       4.  Willows need to have the proper soil and need an abundance of water (Holy Spirit).

       5.   Willows help prevent erosion. 

As Deeper Still grows and becomes all God has for it to be, may the new chapters grow in vitality, may the pain of the past be shed as hearts are healed, may the ruins of many desolations be rebuilt and restored, may the roots be ever in the right soil and watered abundantly, and may Deeper Still help prevent the erosion of our culture, our nation, and the world.  Amen!  

Why Do You Love Me So Much?

“That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”  Ephesians 3:16-19

Father, I pray for the Deeper Still team to have a greater revelation of Your love.  Lord, I pray that You would strengthen us through Your spirit in our inner man, that Christ will dwell in our hearts through faith and that we would be rooted deep and grounded in Your love, that we would know the love of Christ even beyond our understanding so we may be filled with the fullness of Your love to share with others.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The room was filled with sounds of praise as we worshiped together Saturday night at the Deeper Still Retreat.  The presence of the Lord was strong and I could feel His pleasure and happiness at His daughters and sons from separate ends of the earth (China and US) worshiping together exalting Him in awe of all He had done in the hearts of the participants and team that weekend.  

As I worshiped and tears poured from my eyes, hands lifted in total abandon, I became overwhelmed with His goodness.  My heart whispered, “Why Lord?  Why do you love me so much?”  I thought of the beating He endured for me as the Roman soldiers prepared Him for the cruel death He would suffer.  I thought about Him hanging, bear and exposed, with the pain of nails pounded into his bones and skin.  The more I thought of it, the more overwhelmed I became with His love.  Yes, I was feeling His love at that moment during praise and worship, but this love was always and constant. It is a love that existed before I was even born, even before the foundations of the world.  It always was and always will be.  It is more than my human heart can comprehend.  

As a child, we sing, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”  Yes and amen, but also Jesus loves me this I know, more than just because the Bible tells me so.  He demonstrates His love over and over again.  He demonstrated it in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).  And that would have been more than enough.  But yet, He continually displays His love for us in the everyday.  It really is above and beyond anything I can ask, think or imagine.  I pray I would know His love more.  I pray I would be more aware of His love so that I, in turn, can be filled with His love to pour out to others.  

May we truly be rooted and grounded in love and filled with the fullness of love.  Perhaps that is the reason He loves us so much.    

Stepping Into the River

“For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatever disease he had.” 

John 5: 4

Father, thank you for stirring the waters.  Lord we pray for each and every Deeper Still participant across the globe to step into your healing waters and find freedom, healing and deliverance.  Lord, we stand against fear and every other hindrance to healing.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Today’s post was written partially by a former Deeper Still participant, now team member, who wasn’t afraid to step into the Lord’s healing waters.  Thank you, Lindsey Martin, for sharing with us today.  

During a recent prayer meeting for Deeper Still, the Lord brought to my mind a picture for Deeper Still. The picture was of a raging river, with people standing on both sides. One side had several people standing, gazing across the river with no emotion, just numb. There were several men there.

On the other side I saw the team members, softly smiling, calling out to the people on the other side and encouraging them.  Gentle calls of courage echoed telling them not to be afraid.  The team stood with arms open and up, inviting those of the other side to step in.

The Lord showed me the gap between pain and healing is separated by the river. Freedom is on the other side of that river, but it appears scary and impossible to cross. Their eyes are skewed by pain, shame, guilt – and all they see is a frightening raging river and fear strips tenacity. BUT the Lord says that the river is the Living Water, Jesus Christ.  The Deeper Still leaders and volunteers cheer them on, encouraging them to come and step in. And as they step in. and walk through the river (meeting Christ at the retreat), they are refreshed, healed, renewed and washed clean…stepping into freedom on the other side of the river. On this side, they look back and the river is no longer raging and formidable, instead it is now calm and inviting.  The river is a place to find rest and refreshment while grace grows deep roots. He will calm the storm, call them deeper, and deliver them from their pain.– Lindsey Martin

In the scripture for today, it says that an angel came down and “troubled the water”.  The Greek word for “troubled” in this passage is tarasso and it means, “to stir up”.  When the Lord is about to do a healing, He stirs up something inside of us.  He creates “trouble” to invoke in us a deeper desire for healing, a healing that can only come from the Living Water.  

I find it interesting that the pool mentioned above wasn’t always stirring.  I believe the Lord creates specific opportunities for healing, He stirs the waters when the time is right and we just need to be willing and ready to step in.  The troublesome water may appear risky, but we can know that when our Lord stirs in our hearts, He is gentle and kind. He will lead us into the water safely.  And on the other side, there truly is a new level of freedom and deliverance.  Don’t be afraid.  Weeping may endure for the night, but joy truly does come in the morning as you are made whole.

Surrendering the Dark

“Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, ‘Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’ Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.”  John 11:39-41

Father, will you awaken those laying in the dark?  Will you stir within your people to roll away the stone and reveal those places that are hidden and dead to allow your resurrection power to bring forth life and restoration all for Your glory.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.  

We live in an abortion-wounded world.  One in three women  have had an abortion, and that isn’t even mentioning the men also affected by fathering a child who is aborted.   What does an abortion-wounded world look like?  From the outside, it may appear quite normal.   The abortion-wounded can even look rather put together.  

We can become experts in hiding our secret.  Perhaps the secret is nestled away in a box hidden in a corner of the heart with a gigantic stone rolled in front .  Put on some lipstick, a pretty lace-trimmed blouse, high heels, and well-manicured nails, and from the outside, all may appear well.  But, what is dead hidden in the dark, cannot remain hidden forever.  It will eventually start to stink.  And that stink will not disappear until the box is opened and Jesus is allowed to resurrect what was once dead.  

God is just waiting for us to lead Him to the place where we need a resurrection. God can resurrect regardless, but He is a gentleman and He won’t open the box unless we give Him access.  He may cause the stink to increase, but it is still our decision to allow Him to resurrect the dead and dark areas hidden in our hearts.  

What would happen if every single abortion-wounded person allowed God to come in and roll the stone away from their dead places and resurrect life into their soul and spirit?  I believe the world wouldn’t be able to contain the glory that would result.  I believe the world would come to itself and see abortion as the atrocity and horror that it is.  I believe abortion would end.  

In the verse above it says, “Jesus said to her.  ‘Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’”

What once brought death, destruction and darkness can now be used to bring life, liberty, and light all for the glory of God.  All that is needed is to allow God to roll away the stone!  

But so many times, we resist and say, “Wait a minute Lord.  If you roll away the stone, if you open that box, it is going to stink! Do you know how long that has been dead?  Do you know how long I have kept this secret?  Lord, are you sure you want to open that?!”  Or we might say, “Lord, you know I’ve already dealt with all that.  I know you have forgiven me.  What is the point of rolling away that stone?!  Let’s just keep all that closed away behind a big honking rock.”  

But the Lord says, “I want to bring life.  I want to resurrect and do an even greater work!  And if you believe me, you will see the glory of God!”  

All of this leaves us with a choice.  We can choose to keep our dead secrets hidden in the dark or we can choose to surrender the dark and allow the Lord access to roll away the stone and bring light and life to what was once dead.  Will you choose to surrender and then watch and you will see the glory of God!  

Out on the Rock {A Testimony from the Chinese Retreat}

“Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.  Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.” Psalms 51: 14-15

Oh Lord, how we but praise You!  We sing Your praise for delivering from the guilt of bloodshed.  Father, we ask for more of your people to be delivered throughout all the nations, for more on this earth to declare Your praise!  How we praise Your Holy Name for the mighty and great works You have done!  Amen.

The morning air whispered breaths of a new day as I gazed over the mountain tops from Eagle Rock’s magnificent view.  The clouds were laying as pillows on a bed of mountains for miles upon miles.  As I sat clenching my coffee in both hands, Bible in lap, taking in the picture of breathtaking beauty, a faint voice filled the once silent scene.  It was a lovely sound, one that mirrored the winsomeness surrounding it.  The sound led me to see a most beautiful sight.  Out on the rock at Eagle Rock was one of our participants from the Chinese retreat.  She was adorned in all white.  Her shirt flowed in the wind and her hands were lifted as she swayed back and forth rhythmically matching the melody on her lips.  What an incredible picture of God’s grace, healing and freedom! This woman who had been in tremendous bondage and hindered in worship was now free and her lips could not help but praise her King!  

It is a vision I shall never forget, our Chinese friend out on the high rock overlooking the mountains singing praises to our Lord.  The Lord had brought his beloved daughter 20,000 miles to set her free.  Her heart could only praise Him!  

After the retreat ended that Sunday, she continued to praise Him.  For hours, she sang and sang and sang.  It was the most angelic sound in the world to our ears.

Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed.  

This is her story.  This is her song.  Praising her Savior all the day long.  

Baby Step with a Big Purpose {Prayer for Deeper Still China}

“Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand.  And he drew near to the Philistine.”  1 Samuel 17:40

“And they said to Him, ‘We have here only five loaves and two fish.’  He said, ‘Bring them here to Me.’  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples’ and the disciples gave to the multitudes."  Matthew 14:17-19

Dear Lord, our eyes sometimes see only something small but You see the big picture.  David only had five stones, and with one stone and an obedient courageous heart, he brought down Goliath.  Also, You Lord saw the multitudes that needed to be fed and used again one obedient heart and only five loaves of bread plus two fish to feed the multitudes.  Lord, you know the five Chinese ladies who have come with obedient courageous hearts for the Chinese Deeper Still retreat this weekend.  Father, we ask for You to use them mightily for Your Kingdom purpose.  Lord, we pray for all Your purposes to be fulfilled and accomplished through this weekend.  Lord, may they leave this weekend with courage in their hearts to stand against a giant in their nation and for the feeding of the multitudes.   In  Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

The story is long with many weaving of threads.  How the Lord has brought all this together is beyond reasonable explanation and knowingly impossible without His Hand masterfully knitting it all together.   

The short version…We have five ladies from China who have come to either participate or serve at the first Chinese Deeper Still Retreat this coming weekend, August 25-28th, in Knoxville, TN. 

The Lord spoke to Deeper Still leaders at the beginning of the year and said, “Go to China without going to China.”  

So, here we are seven months later and China is here.

   

This journey has been amazing as we have seen the Lord bring it all together.  We are in awe of the magnificence of our Lord. 

Will you please pray for this weekend, for the Deeper Still team, and the five the Lord has entrusted to us for His purposes and glory? 

Glory be to our God and Father, and Lord of all.  His Kingdom come.  His will be done. 

Tale of Two Women

“For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling. That I may walk before God in the light of the living.” Ps 56:13

Oh Lord, I pray for those with abortion-wounded hearts to seek more of You. Father, deliver their soul from death. Even those who have a degree of freedom and healing, will you stir up in them a desire for more of You! I pray they would receive all you have for them, come out of the darkness of hiding and be able to walk before you in the light of the living. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This week's devotional was written by Jacque Murphy, the Director of Administration for the Deeper Still Ministry. Thank you Jacque for contributing to the devotional today!

“Recently, my husband, Darryl, and I went out shopping. We entered a local store. While

searching for that perfect something, someone who I had recently met walked in the store. This recent acquaintance was a divine appointment set up by the Lord. I had met with her to talk about Deeper Still and discovered through our conversation that she was post-abortive. I had encouraged her to come to a Deeper Still retreat, but sadly, she had not yet decided to attend. Excited to see my new friend, I walked over to say hi. She looked at me with surprise, and for a moment it seemed she had forgotten we met.

Sensing she was uncomfortable at our random meeting, I said, “It’s good to see you again.” She just smiled and nodded her head. Her face told me she didn’t want to talk with me. Backing away, I went looking for Darryl. When we were leaving the store, we passed by each other, but did not look at me, nor did she seem to want to talk. I looked at her softly and said goodbye. She did not respond.

The interaction was strange and awkward. I really didn’t know what to think about it all. I asked the Lord about it later, and felt like He said he wanted to keep Deeper Still in front of her. I didn’t expect to hear that response. But felt like the Lord was working on her heart.

The next day, I ran into another lady while I was at Walmart. This lady worked there. I was noticing her and ask her if we had met before, and she said I looked familiar too. No one was around, so I asked her if she had ever come to a retreat called Deeper Still, and immediately she said yes!! She came around the counter and gave me the biggest hug. She told me how much that retreat meant to her and how her life had been changed forever through Deeper Still!

So interesting how the Lord works. I felt like He was showing me the difference between these two ladies. One not healed, and the other, healed and free. When not healed, they are not free and want to hide and feel shame and guilt.  But once healed and free, what a difference! The second lady came out of hiding and was ready to embrace others. Her heart was open, and looking for an opportunity to embrace that freedom! Such a contrast between the two! One lady is walking in the Light and the other lady is walking in darkness, and doesn’t even realize it. “

There is an unexplainable resistance to freedom.  I resisted more freedom for years and coaxed my complacency with thinking I was fine and didn’t need more. Somehow we think seeking healing negates the freedom and healing already received. Admitting weakness and having the vulnerability to recognize that there is a need for more takes humility. Seeking more help and health isn’t a sign of weakness but of strength. With Jesus, there is always deeper. Deeper still.