Jacqueline Overpeck is a freelance writer. She and her husband, Arnold, are both CLASS (Christian Leaders, Authors, and Speakers Services) graduates. They enjoy the outdoors, and traveling in their spare time with their Maltese dog, Coconut.
Imagine what it would be like to experience continual blessing. That is blessing without interruption or end. Blessing that perpetuates until every area of your life flourishes with strength and well-being.
God’s blessing moves from heaven to you through sanctification. Sanctification is freedom from sin to holiness and it is found in the tabernacle. In Exodus, God spoke with Israel about the tabernacle. God instructed his people that the tabernacle was to be filled with the incense of burned lamb.
The Lord said, “Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs of the first year, day by day continually. . . This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you” ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , NKJV, emphasis added).
Through Jesus’ death on the cross, he became the sacrificial lamb for you and me (see ). Jesus’ spilled blood remains before God the Father as a constant reminder that you have been redeemed. Your life has been sanctified and set apart for continual blessing because of the Lamb.
Are you looking for an answer today? Is there a problem you can’t solve on your own?
You can receive a fresh visitation of the Lord by coming to the tabernacle of communion where Jesus blood was poured out. It’s the fellowship of prayer — a place of sanctification where God has promised to meet and speak with you ( ).
God will provide answers to your urgent needs and solve your most difficult problems as you enter into the holy place through the blood of the Lamb and continually wait upon Him there. Scripture reveals that continual blessing (or multiplied blessing) is found in continual surrender:
“And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.” (KJV)
God’s body of believers must stop listening to negative voices of this world. This is the day for you as a Christian to turn your ear towards heaven. Look up and listen. God has given you a victorious spirit, not a spirit of dread. The blood of Jesus is not diluted or watered down. It is thick with suffering. It is red with holiness. You have been saved by His blood and no last day demon from hell can add regret or sorrow to you. Emotional distress and spiritual decay are not God’s will for you. God intends for you to flourish in blessing in spite of famine.
proclaims, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (TLB).
Through the fellowship of continual prayer — continual blessing is received.
Precious Lord Jesus, you gave it all for me. I surrender once again to your great love. I receive you into my heart. I will never tire of calling upon your name. Fill me again. Every moment I will daily and continually yield to your hand. The hour is dark for this world. Circumstances prove your coming is near. Your light pierces through the darkness. Hide my life in you. Wash me with your blood. Cleanse my life and forgive all my sins. May I be found faithful. Call me up as your beloved, your bride. All that is within me yearns for you. Thank you for blessing my life with the continual outpouring of your Holy Spirit. Nothing this world offers compares to one moment with you. I worship you, my Lord. May your glory be seen in the earth and in my life today, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
© 2009, Jacqueline Overpeck. Used by permission. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the consent of the publisher.
CBN.com “The flourishing heart buds, blossoms, and blooms—full of rich color—in spite of icy, overcast, winter skies.”
Last winter an arctic front brought a winter storm with miserable conditions to the Dallas area. Along with the freezing rain, came the accumulation of ice—heavy ice on the branches of our nearly sixty-foot, mature oak trees. We watched the weather intently, as field reporters gave the latest updates to our north...
“East of Tulsa, trees are falling. A few minutes ago our crew heard several loud booms that sounded like guns going off. We ran to see what the noise was—to find that trees, over a half-century old, are crashing down under the weight of the weather.”
The unpleasant report continued, “Viewers can expect this front to move through north Texas overnight.”
I sighed with anxiety. Pleading words slipped under my breath, “Not our oaks, Lord, please not our oaks.” The next morning as we headed out to go to the office, I was grateful to see that our beloved oak trees endured the severe winter weather.
Our neighbor, however, wasn’t so fortunate. An oak tree to the right side of their home had split down the middle. It lay sprawling across the narrow one-lane street. “Oh, no!” I pointed at the bulky, glistening branches, as my husband carefully maneuvered our car around the fallen tree. The awkward limbs lay reaching up and shining like they’d been coated in liquid crystal.
“Doesn’t that make you sad?” I asked my husband.
He nodded, then added, “It’s a good thing we cut the dead wood our trees last fall. If we hadn’t, one of them might’ve buckled under the weight of this freeze, too.”
Later that morning, I thought again about the fallen oak tree. I considered the word of God, which makes several references to the righteous being like trees. Then, questions began to fill my mind...
What happens in a person’s heart when a winter storm blows in with high winds,and freezing rain?
What if the living branches of a heart are unhealthy? Maybe even supporting the weight of rotten, old wood?
According to the Bible, we aren’t made to tremble in the coldness of fear and affliction. God created you and I to flourish in the warmth of increasing prosperity and hope. Psalms 92 expounds upon this:
“But the godly shall flourish like palm trees and grow tall as the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord's own garden and are under his personal care. Even in old age they will still produce fruit and be vital and green. This honors the Lord and exhibits his faithful care. He is my shelter. There is nothing but goodness in him!” (Psalm 12-15, TLB)
How Can I Flourish?
What really causes a tree (or heart) to thrive—regardless of the weather? After all, there’s more inclement weather days in most of our lives than the majority of us care to admit!
To find some answers, let’s take a closer look at Psalm 92. The truths we find here might even kindle the most astute arborist’s flame:
1) The flourishing heart allows itself to be planted in Christ.
Allowing oneself to be uprooted from one place to another isn’t easy. To do so, the heart must release the past and embrace the future. This “grafting in” happens when you and I surrender to God’s will, His way, and the tender-loving care, He so gently offers.
The process of being transplanted may cause you to walk into unfamiliar territory. Maybe you haven’t been to church in awhile, or said a prayer in years. That’s okay. It’s never too late to turn your ears from the icy voice of discouragement, and run to God.
You are invited to dwell (and grow strong) in the Lord’s own garden, under His personal care. Given the state of affairs of the world around us, that’s one offer I’m going to readily accept. (See )
2) The flourishing heart produces fruit, it is vital, and green.
To be healthy as a believer, we need the light of God’s sustenance. As you open your spirit today to hear the Lord’s voice afresh, you'll become more aware of the Holy Spirit's gentle promptings. God is the one who supports life, providing spiritual nourishment. When we abide in His care, our lives burst forth with blessing. But, first we must be willing to let go of old, dead wood.
Is there unforgiveness, resentment, or anger locked up inside your heart? If so, you can release that rotten wood to God right now. As surely as you do, you’ll feel the difference. You’ll feel lighter, as-if a weight has been lifted.
reminds, as you “Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.” (See )
3) The flourishing heart knows how to praise.
What good thing has God done for you? Is His praise on the tip of your tongue? Mercies abound: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8-9, NKJV)
God is worthy of our praise. But, what exactly is praise, and how’s it done?
Praise is the applause of your heart, rising to pay tribute to a wonderful God—not only for what He has done, but also for who He is.
Here’s an example. Praise might sound something like this: "I extol You today Lord because You’ve given me breath. I honor You because You are almighty, all-knowing, and all-together lovely. I praise You because You have redeemed me. You healed my broken heart. I thank You for the harmony You’ve brought to my family and home. Only you, mighty Savior, can turn darkness to light. You’ve done all of this and so much more for me. How awesome and wonderful You are!” (See )
Forget the Snow Outside! It’s Your Time to Bloom!
No matter what your circumstances may be, when you are planted, fruitful, and full of praise, the weather won't get you down. God is your shelter. He esteems you as one who is highly valued.
Why not reach out to Him by faith today? The flourishing heart buds, blossoms, and blooms—full of rich color—in spite of icy, overcast, winter skies.
Learn more about the Author of Life
Jacqueline Overpeck is a freelance writer and works full time as Web Content Editor for Benny Hinn Ministries. She and her husband, Arnold, are both CLASS (Christian Leaders, Authors, and Speakers Services) graduates. They enjoy the outdoors, and traveling in their spare time with their Maltese dog, Coconut. Visit Jacqueline at www.AuthorJackieO.com
© 2007, Jacqueline Overpeck. Used by permission. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the consent of the publisher.
I enjoy feeding wildlife in my garden. One evening, I noticed a bluejay sitting alone after the other birds had gone. I eased up to it. The bluejay was alive but barely moving.
The bluejay seemed comforted by my presence, so I sat on the ground near the bird until mosquitoes swarmed around me. I hated to leave the bird alone but needed to go inside. I’d never rehabilitated a wild bird before. I decided I’d call the local wildlife office in the morning.
In the meantime, I prayed, "Lord, I place this bluejay in your hands."
The next morning, I slid on my garden shoes and walked outside to where the bird had been the night before. It was gone! Based on the bird's condition, I doubted it flew away. Had a predator taken it? Maybe the neighbor’s cat or an owl?
My husband sensed my concern. "Where did you place the bird?" he asked. "I placed the bluejay in God's hands — but this isn’t what I expected God to do!"
Deep inside, I knew that if I couldn't believe God would take care of the bird, there was no way I could believe He would take care of me.
While speaking about worry, Jesus gave us a comparison between the importance of our lives and the importance of birds.
"Look at the birds of the air. . . your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) (NIV)
The Lord gently holds us. Not a day goes by that we have to worry, wonder, or fear the sovereignty of His answers. He hears our prayers and knows the concerns of our hearts. Guess who I saw drinking from my bird fountain two days later? The bluejay!
How do I know it was the same bird? Its feathers were rumpled, it hopped with a limp, and it lingered behind the other birds. The bluejay looked at me just before it flew away. I looked at my husband. Faith rose in my heart. I looked back out the screen door and smiled.
"It'll be just fine," I said. "This time, I've learned not only to place the bluejay in God's hands, but my whole heart, too."
What’s concerning you today? Is there a situation that you’re apprehensive about? Do you long for the reassurance of heaven? If so, you can place your worries in God’s great hands.
Remember, Jesus's hands were pierced with nails on Calvary’s cross so that you can walk free, forgiven, and be without burden. There on the cross, Jesus paid the ultimate price to win your love. Consider that. Jesus remained confident in God even as He hung on the cross dying in mockery and seemingly forsaken.
Where did Jesus’ confidence come from? According to the book of Luke, He understood the capable and mighty hands of God.
“Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When He had said this, He breathed His last.” (NIV)
If Jesus, who was gloriously raised from the dead and now sits at the right hand of God in heaven, trusted his well being in the hands of his father — despite how bleak the situation looked — won’t you also trust in God?" (See and )
Here’s a suggested prayer:
Lord, I’m broken today. The struggles of life have weighed me down. Yet, I agree with David, the psalmist who wrote that you do not despise a broken and contrite heart ( ). You welcome me into your presence just as I am. I know that your desire is to restore, build up, heal, and cleanse. I offer my life to you afresh. I believe by faith that you are more than able to take what is broken in me, repair it, and mend me again. How I need you, Lord. I’m dependent upon your great grace that reaches down to touch the point of my need. I give you my praise today. There is none like you. Only you take that which is empty and cause it to be full to overflowing. Will you do that in my heart right now? I ask that you would cause great joy to bubble up---not circumstantial happiness, but rather the rich, resonating inner wholeness that comes as the result of Jesus's abundant love living in me. Amen.
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” a (NIV)And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)
Copyright © 2007, Jacqueline Overpeck. Used by permission. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the consent of the publisher.
When was the last time you thought about the Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah? He’s the one who cried out that God’s mercy is new every morning even as destruction surrounded him.
The name Jeremiah is from Hebrew origin. It means “the Lord exalts.” Jeremiah is the author of the book of Lamentations. To lament is to express sadness with weeping. It is to mourn. The opposite is to celebrate — yet that’s precisely what Jeremiah does!
In the middle of his sorrow, He finds hope and comfort in his God. Jeremiah said,
“Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'" ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , NIV)
Babylon had plundered Jerusalem. Yet even as smoke was still rising from the ashes, Jeremiah understood these tremendous keys:
How could anyone cry out, “Great is your faithfulness!” in the middle of loss? The answer is that Jeremiah knew God could turn tragedy into triumph. He had a revelation of God’s steadfast love. A love that is resolute despite surrounding circumstances.
How about you? Has there been a loss in your life? Have you seen disaster in your home or family? Have you experienced a heartbreak of any kind?
If so, be encouraged. As you lift your head like Jeremiah and look up, you will see the triumph of Christ on the horizon. God will take the damage you have suffered and turn it into gain. God is your portion. No matter what has occurred in your life, He is your eternal inheritance, lasting measure, and life share.
Many hundreds of floods occur each year; some are greater in intensity than others. To prevent flood damage, men build defenses such as levees, dams, and reservoirs to deter rivers from bursting over their banks.
One of the greatest dams ever constructed is the Hoover Dam in Black Canyon on the Colorado River, about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. It took 21,000 men, more than 5,000,000 barrels of cement, and 726 feet of height to erect the giant barrier and control the flow of water from Lake Mead. The Hoover Dam power plant generates hydroelectric power for use in Nevada, Arizona, and California. It produces more than 4 billion kilowatt-hours a year. That’s enough to serve 1.3 million people.
If a man-made dam can do this — what can God Almighty do for you?
Isaiah declared, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him” ( , NKJV).
The Lord declares that He himself will stand as a supporting base against the thing that would seek to bring harm to you! Imagine the power of God in your life!
Yes, disaster comes. It came to Jerusalem. It came to Jeremiah. It will come to you. But your lamentation during a disaster can turn to unexplainable joy as God’s power rushes over you.
God alone causes the clinching of man’s heart to cease:
God was steadfast to all of them. And He’ll be steadfast in love to you.
The name Jeremiah means “the Lord exalts.” God will exalt you above your lamentation and sorrow today — just as He did for his prophet of old.
"All your waves and billows have gone over me, and floods of sorrow pour upon me like a thundering cataract. Yet day by day the Lord also pours out his steadfast love upon me... " ( , TLB).
Copyright © 2008, Jacqueline Overpeck. Used by permission.
"We know how much God loves us because we have felt His love and because we believe Him when He tells us that He loves us dearly. God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him." ( "> OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , TLB)
When you come before the Lord in prayer, part of you empties out. That part is filled with the heartaches, hurts, soreness, grief, and agonies you’ve experienced throughout your life. As you pour the pain in your heart out to God, He refills your inner being or spirit with Himself. God is love ( "> OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ) and great healing is within Him ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).
It’s a trade. You give God your pain, He heals you and refills your heart with His purpose. You lay down your fear, and God fills your heart with faith. You give God your sin, He gives you His sanctification. An exchange takes place.
One might compare this exchange to the scientific transfer of photosynthesis. A simple definition for photosynthesis is the conversion of light energy into chemical energy by live organisms. Nearly all life depends on this conversion, including that of plants, animals, and humans.
A leaf, for example, is light dependant. Photosynthesis begins when light hits a leaf. The leaf reacts to the light, capturing and absorbing the energy of the sun to produce more life-giving molecules, and the release of oxygen. This by-product is the fuel used by all living things. It’s the conversion of usable sunlight energy into usable chemical energy.
In like manner, men, women, and children are dependent on the conversion of their hearts by the light of Christ Jesus, God’s son, to make them whole. Just as each cell in a leaf absorbs sunlight, every fiber in your being is touched and restored by the nearness of a holy God. The by-product of that right relationship is life-giving oxygen.
"In Him we live and move and have our being." ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , NKJV)
Won’t you trade your pain today and allow your heart to be touched by the light of Jesus love? The impartation you’ll receive—if you empty yourself of the old to receive the new will bring great refreshing to your life today!
"Praise the LORD, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, I tell myself, and never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He ransoms me from death and surrounds me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle's!" ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , NLT)
© 2007, Jacqueline Overpeck. Used by permission. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the consent of the publisher.
