It's not over till it's over.

Storms come in to all our lives. This time the storm came and I wasn't home. I thought at first that was a good thing. Until I returned to the aftermath. The electricity had been off for a full two days. That meant all the ice had turned to water in my freezer, and then ran onto my kitchen floor. None of my food remaining was any good. The house was dark and it was impossible to unpack, and so I showered by flashlight and went to bed. The next morning, as light began to shine I heard the sound of a saw. Several people were still sawing their way out of the fallen trees. When I finally threw on my running shoes, and hit the pavement I began to see all the damage that had been done. One particular oak tree along my path was badly damaged. These are some of my photos of that oak tree, and what I learned.

If you will begin to zoom in on the top dead leaves you will see the little acorns hanging on. They have experienced a fall and the branch they are attached to has been severed from the tree. It's been three days since that Microburst Storm Cell hit and already the decay of the branches and leaves has begun. I thought it interesting three days as Jesus was in the grave three days, that we too experienced a fall, that we too were separated from the source of life. I had to stop. I knew God was speaking to me. The rest of my run would wait. Stop running I hear Him saying to us all.

As I continued to survey this branch I saw the little acorns hanging on. They were perfect. They didn't look like the fall had hurt them at all. That's when the Lord spoke to me. All of us were affected from the fall. We are all like that acorn. We were all severed from the tree of Life. When Adam sinned our connection to God was broken. The life of God was no longer flowing into us and death was inevitable. But, we are the seed of Adam. We are still able to produce. It's not easy knowing where this acorn came from (Adam), and seeing where and how far it has fallen (from God's presence), but unless it is eaten it will live. It will also produce (but after it's kind--sin) but there will be many years, many days of rain (tears), days of drought (times away from God's presence),  before we see what the strong Oak can  become. However, it must get planted. It must grow roots. It must stand. It must experience a rebirth. Can you hear the message inside of the message?

On most of the branches there were several acorns. Usually, there were at least two and sometimes several hanging on together. Jesus never leaves us. Death and dying were all around them, but they were hanging tough. I reached down and took one from the branch. It was well attached but it had only been three days. I thought it's easy when we are hanging on to something (like our healing or our children or our marriage), to hang on for three days, but what about three weeks? Three years? Thirty years? I knew they would eventually let go. I knew in order to survive and become what they were destined to become, they would have to let go, and go through a process of dying to all they had previously known. I hope you hear what the Spirit is saying. I know God is speaking to many of you. "Let go and trust me--I have a plan for you. But, first you must let go." 

As I held the acorn in my hand. It was to me perfect. I decided to take it home. As I continued to run again I heard the Lord speaking to me, teaching me. People take what does not belong to them because they like the way it looks, it interest them, they have their own plans for how they will use it. Their plans are not my plans. Their purpose for what they take into their hands is not my purposes. This is what the enemy of your life wants. Satan wants you in his hand. Satan wants to keep you from my original purpose for your creation. I came that you would be set free from satan. I carry you in my hand. I can snatch all who are captive, from the hand of the enemy.

Isaiah 41:13 (NiV)
​"For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

Psalm 31:15 (KJV)
​"My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me."

ACTION STEP: ​See yourself in the hand of God. See yourself free from whatever has held you captive. Get planted into a local church. Start growing by reading your Bible and listening to a pastor and some teachers online and in a local church. God has big plans for you.

Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)
​"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."