Today is known as “Black Friday”, the day when many retailers have big sales and maybe start making a profit on the year. It is the time when we are inundated with promotions and email blasts.
I understand the purpose and rationale for seasonal promotions, but sometimes it all seems like so much clutter, so I decided to sit this one out.
A lot of companies and ministries will send out a special Thanksgiving message. I believe those for the most part are well intended, but they can also feel somewhat obligatory. “Oh, it’s Thanksgiving… I’d better send out a nice Thanksgiving message”.
I’ve done those many times. Don’t want to seem unthankful. They were sincere, but obliged.
So I sat this one out.
I wanted to take time to think through what I am truly thankful for, not just what I should be thankful for. It’s amazing to me, how taking time to think that through and then express that gratitude from the heart, changes you.
When I told my wife Judy not just that I was thankful for her, but why, it opened up a deep back and forth, heartfelt conversation with her blessing me in equally deep and meaningful ways. As it turns out…
Expressing genuine thanks, helps you as much if not more than it does the recipient.
I am also thankful for you, which may seem odd because we may never have met. But to me, just the fact that you read and share my blogs, books and videos, means that you also have a desire to see God’s kingdom and glory known in the earth.
That’s a connection I truly and deeply value.
But perhaps most significantly is what God showed me in a dream about a week ago.
I told you I would try to find the words to pass along, that would be able to carry the depth of meaning and impact that I experienced when I uttered them in my dream. But alas, that will be up to the Holy Spirit.
I will however tell you the six words I uttered in that dream that changed me. They brought me real joy that was inexpressible and immediate. I have neither the vocabulary nor the intellect to know how to pass that on, but I will share the message, and trust that you will perhaps ask the Lord to make them as real to you, as they now are to me.
I was standing with my knees bent as though ready to leap for joy. I was blown away by the simple truth I uttered… “I am… a son… of God!”
Being related to some earthly royalty is nothing in comparison. Let me break it down word by word so maybe you can experience what I did…
“I”
Not you. Not someone else. This was PERSONAL, (though obviously true for others).
“AM”
Not will be. Not was. It’s NOW.
“A”
Something SPECIFIC and singular, not vague and general.
“SON”
Not only a child of God, but sonship as expressed in Romans 8:14 ( “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”) implies additional LEGAL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES that only come with maturity.
“OF”
Not just any old son. Not some random son. A very SPECIFIC son. (I belong to someone!)
“GOD”
There is no higher position. It doesn’t get any better. There is nothing he can’t do for you. Being God’s son (or daughter) opens up an unlimited supply of opportunities for you.
As it says in Romans 8:32 “For God who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also, FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS?”
Of course, I knew all this theoretically and doctrinally, but it became experiential in the night season and for me it was, is and shall continue to be… transformational.
I pray you can connect with loved ones in new and fresh ways and that you may also experience a much deeper level of relationship with the Father, who indeed is YOUR FATHER, who is in Heaven and lives within your heart!
If you’re in Louisville next week, be sure to drop by where I’ll be speaking. I’d love to meet you in person!
Thanks for reading and sharing!
I always enjoy hearing such good revelations, so thankful. Have a good event in Louisville!
Thank you for your support Sharon. Appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Blessings,
Dear Bro. Michael;
Thank you again for these very timely words. I am so glad that I'm not the only one who felt like sitting this one out as well.
There is, indeed, way too much clutter out there and I just felt that I didn't have the energy to send out 300 e-cards again.
While I am truly thankful, I wouldn't want my customers to think that I am trying to hit them up for business like I used to. Instead, I have found that FATHER has been sending me enough to meet my needs as HE promised, I used to over work during the Christmas, gotta get those church bells ringing, and totally wore myself out in the process. I'm so done with that.
I am always listening for HIS direction and am looking FWD to learning more from the class. I have cut out almost all of the physical work and am training a much younger guy to do it while I conduct lol. I need to become the salesman that FATHER knows I can be all by HIS strength or course.
Many Blessings;
Ken Neill
Love it Ken! You are truly walking with the Father of lights my friend. Keep pursuing Him!
Dear Michael, Thank you!
I sat behind my laptop, looking at the salaries and bills that must still be paid, and today is 30 November.
A numbness and darkness try to overwhelm me, then I read your words; " I…AM…A…SON….OF….GOD!"
These words came like light beams, the darkness still tried to force it out, but it is impossible because…
I….AM….A….SON…OF….GOD!
HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!
I AM A CONQUERER!
I AM VICTORIOUS!
Yes, indeed, I cannot express this overwhelmingness (I do not have a better word)! The above are not statements it is REAL!
With much gratitude!
Thank you for sharing!
Sonja Prinsloo
A Son of God
You are so right Sonja… That is exactly what I hoped people would sense. THANK YOU for sharing back with me and for edifying others with your response!
Love your insight . And the way you presented it. Please keep me in your prayers that His will be done here on Earth as it is in Heaven . I’m thankful and grateful to learn from you in your God given wisdom .
Thank you Diana… Praying for you even now as I post my reply to you!
Michael,
Since you communicated you had this experience, I have been waiting (im)patiently for you to share the details. I waited for a time I could absorb and enjoy it. Thanks for sharing.
My 1st thought as I was reading it, was the six words "So I sat this one out" and I thought, this is certainly profound. So often I/we feel like we have to do it, whatever it is. when the it may be something God wants to do for us, or somethiing we should not even considering doing. We should just be ourself and quit living up to others expectations.
Reading on, you then reveal the 6 words "I am a child of God" with a clarifying tag line for each word, and it's a reminder to me:
1. I am never too old to learn something new and refreshing
2. I need to live for an audiance of one
3. I am blessed beyond measure
Thanks for sharing. I will be taking both of these with me in the coming days to continue to ponder, what is the next thing God wants me to do. And it may be to be still and know, "I am God" thus says the LORD.
Bruce
Hi Bruce… Your three points are certainly true for me as well my friend. I appreciate you reminding me and other readers of those simple but profound truths. God bless you brother!