On Sunday night, a group of eleven women, met in my home to feast on the Bread of Life out of the book of Colossians. I’ve wanted to have a small group in our home since the day we moved in five and a half years ago. And did have one for a few months but Mike’s illness and all that went with it put a small group on hold. The desire remained.

When we met Sunday night, Yeshua was the guest of honor. 

We heard and read Colossians 1:1-14. Paul’s words spoke to us, and we applied them to our lives. We shared our stories and glorified the only One to deserve our praise and full attention. Our hearts were knit together through laughter, tears, and prayers. 

Before the meeting, I was nervous. While I’ve done a lot of teaching and some preaching, the last small group I led was 10-12 years ago. I knew the faces of most of the women filling my living room, but I didn’t know more than a few of them as good friends. We only crossed paths during greetings on Sunday morning, at church. By the end of the meeting, I came away in awe of what Holy Spirit can do with hearts all seeking to know Yeshua more. We came as individuals, but we left as a family.

In the night, I woke up several times with a chorus singing in my spirit.

“I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned

In awe of the One who gave it all,

I’ll stand My soul, Lord to You, surrendered

All I am is Yours.” 

(The Stand by Hillsong United)

I’ve learned to pay attention to the night songs Abba sends me. He speaks to me through them. 

This chorus mirrored the verses I asked everyone to write out and say out loud several times a day during the week. We need to get His Word (Jesus) planted in our hearts. 

Colossians 1:13-14 The Living Translation 

For He (Abba) has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of satan’s kingdom and brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, Who bought our freedom with His blood and forgave us all our sins. (From the text, some letters were capitalized or diminished by me.)

Today’s circumstances tend to put us in worry and depression. Read this personal paraphrase and declare:

Abba, You rescued me out of the darkness and gloom of satan’s kingdom and brought me into the Kingdom of Your dear Son, Who bought my freedom with His blood and forgave me of all my sins.

I’ve been set free. God created me to have joy.

With all the distractions in our world, we need a focal point. Those who are sold out to Yeshua are in transition to give birth to God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. We are participants and witnesses to the greatest displays of God’s power and love since the resurrection. There is a whole lot of shaking going on, just as He promised:

See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” 27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Hebrews 12:25-27

If we are to remain, our entire lives must be surrendered to Him, alone. The Creator of the universe is calling us into a deep relationship with Him. Can we sing this chorus honestly from our hearts? Can we lay down our agendas and follow Him? Our choices about how, where, and with whom we spend our time, energy, and money are ours to make, but are we choosing His will? 

These are daily challenges, hourly, and moment-by-moment challenges. It will require a life change. It’s not about a list of rules to check off at the end of the day. It’s about relationship, conversation, speaking, listening, and following instructions without grumbling or complaining. This is not an easy road, but we will never be alone. 

I absolutely LOVE these two passages from the Amplified Classic Bible

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. John 14:26

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] Hebrews 13:5

In Romans 8:18-19 NKJV, Paul writes:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

Yahweh is calling us to stand in this hour—to re-present Him and His Kingdom to our world. They are looking for answers and we are carrying the only One Who is the answer. It’s not a pill or a program, He is calling us to partner with the Power that rules the universe, the One who has all the supply needed to manifest His will. 

So, what can we say?

What can we do?

But offer our hearts, Oh God

Completely to You.

 I hope you join me…

 I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned

In awe of the One who gave it all,

I’ll stand My soul, Lord to You, surrendered

All I am is Yours.

Shalom ♥