God’s Word for 2010!

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I asked the Lord for a word to start off my year.  Maybe you would like it for you, too!  We can share!  Enjoy and if you have a comment, feel free!!

Maryann,
It’s time to take the land.  I am with you.  Bring who will come.  Many giants have already been fought and overcome.  The rest are meaningless and insignificant.  Their strength and might are mere illusions.  Do not cave in.  Hold your ground and move forward.  I am bringing you to a place you’ve never been before.  Do not think about the past any more.  Your future lies before you and it is good.  Do not fear, for I am with you.  I am always with you.  No more doubt about that.

There is much to be done, but you will see a super acceleration of it, an increased clarity, and a super efficiency.  Remove the clutter and that which holds you back.  I will show you.  I have been freeing your mind.  Do not let any lie settle back in.  You know the strategies of the enemy.  You know the assignments put against you.  I have taught and trained you to identify them

Elevate the hearts and minds of My people…. all My people.  I love them all. They are all special to me.  They all have My heart in them.  Don’t do them damage by exclusion.  There is enough of that, “for My sake.”  But it is not for My sake… it is a distortion.  I love all.  I came for all.  Do not put road blocks up for them, to hinder them.  I have given you insight to help tear road blocks down.  You have a special anointing to bless, to enrich, and to elevate.

Enjoy each phase of this process.  Do not fret anymore and be robbed of this joy.  Each moment has a building quality that will serve the next stage of life.

I see you done, and it is a beautiful thing.  You are My beauty.  I love the twinkle in your eye.  I love your silliness and your ability to laugh at yourself and your circumstances.

I love that you love Me and seek Me each day.  Do you know how that makes me feel?  Special.

Yes, that is what is important here in this time for us.  I feel special when you attend to Me.  (He lifts my face and kisses my forehead… there is a radiant glow on my face.)

Maryann, if only you knew just how much I love you.  You would have no fears.  My love for you is so complete, so satisfying, so hopeful, so good.  Things will come your way and try to buffet you, buy you have My insulation around you.  I will keep you protected and warm.

He only is my rock and my salvation.  He is my defense and my fortress.  I shall not be moved. Ps 62

Don’t worry about what you don’t know.  Look at it as an unfolding.  When you get to that part of the path, you will learn more.  I’ve got you covered.  Stay attuned to Me.  I will teach you all you need to know. Speak My love to the world.  Be released to hear Me.

I am released.  You are my joy, my Lord.  I am free.  I am free.  I am free.

Blessings to you all!

Maryann

Doubt is NOT our friend!

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Doubt Is Not Our Friend!

Good Morning!  This is Maryann Ehmann again with another issue of Java, Jammies and Jesus!

Lately I have been having a face off with an old familiar nemesis.  Of course it wasn’t really a face off, because that implies that I stood toe to toe in opposition.  I wish I could make that claim, but….

That wasn’t the case … at least not at first.

You see, as many times as I’ve encountered this skulking, insidious enemy, I did not recognize its presence.  It’s that quiet little voice that hides in the shadows of my mind that speaks words of negativity, disqualification, and limitation.  It’s a voice that sounds like my own voice.  I sometimes even agree with it, and add more evidence to prove it’s true.

Well, not today.  Fully exposed for what it is, doubt got the boot!

Sometimes it takes some quality one on one time with the Lord to get the real picture of what is going on!

Negative, debilitating thoughts are not His, and they do not agree with Him, His intentions for me, or  what He can and will do in my life.

But I also know that I can miss the good God has for me by doubting.

That’s one reason why I hate doubt!

It distracts, confuses, and discourages me.  It weakens my resolve and makes me really self centered!  When I give it an inch, I end up feeling burdened, heavy, and low.  Is it just me?

Well, James, (in his epistle, ch 1:6-8) seems to know a lot about it.

He describes it well… anyone who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  He also goes on to say they are of two minds – double minded – hesitating, dubious, irresolute, unstable, unreliable, and uncertain about what he thinks, feels, and decides!  I think that’s a pretty accurate description, don’t you?

He knows my pain!

But then James says something that might be just a tad offensive:

“Let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything he asks for from God.”

What?  Wait just a minute!

Is He implying God withholds his blessings, or worse, punishes us for doubting?

NO WAY!  But I’m a little embarrassed to say that I once thought that!  It seemed so unfair!

But then I saw the sense of it.  If we are insecure, hesitant, and undirected, we aren’t very effective or productive.

I imagined running a race.  The finish line is up ahead.  I begin to run, but then I wonder, “Is this the right track?  The right direction?”  And so, I hesitate.  Maybe I stop, or turn and go in the other direction.  It’s ridiculous to think I’m ever going to reach my destination that way!

Have you ever done that with a project or new venture?  Seemed good when you started and then times got tough, or you realized more was involved than you initially thought?  Doubt.

Maybe you began to believe God at a higher level for healing, or finances, or a new job.  It didn’t come right away.  And so, you were tempted to doubt.  Maybe you didn’t doubt the goodness of God, but His will on your behalf.

Maybe the doubt is in your own ability to access God, His promises, or His word.  You hesitate.  Your resolve wanes.  You are now uncertain and no longer have the motivation, encouragement, or enthusiasm you had.  Instead, you feel tired, drained, or just numb.

Doubt does all of that.

In my next edition of Java, Jammies, and Jesus, I will share with you some fool proof ways to get out of doubt!

But before I go, let me encourage you with this:  Jesus was the most effective and powerful man that ever graced this earth.  As the Lord has been enlightening me at a newer and deeper level about how doubt affects us, He has shown me that He did not doubt.  Ever.

There is no record, nor can I even imagine it, of Jesus wondering what to do in a given situation or wondering if His words to heal would work.

We can be certain that when Jesus told Peter where to put down his net, He knew what the outcome would be.  We can be sure He did not marvel and exclaim, “Well, look at that!  It worked!”

Nor did Jesus  wonder if demons would really fly out of the infested boy at His command.

Even when He shed drops of blood in the garden, that was anguish knowing what was ahead, but not doubt.

Now, by God’s mercy, even when we doubt, He blesses us.  Thank you, Lord!  And surely, we are not to beat ourselves up for doubting.  Goodness knows there are many reasons why do.

But that does not mean that we have to live that way.

Rather, God helps us to grow in faith and live in the expectation of His promises and abundant life.  If He said it, we must take Him at His word and expect Him to be true to it!

I, for one, hate doubt.  I hate how it feels.  I hate its sabotaging effect.  I hate how I let it have its way with me.  I insult God when I don’t take what He has said or done to be true and real for me.

I thank and praise Him that He is gracious, and loving, and kind.  He never gives up on us!

Today I choose to believe God at His word.  If He says it, I want to agree with it.  How about you?

If you have an area of doubt you would like help with make a note here, or email me at maryann@agreewithgod.com

Be encouraged!  If you, too, want to be done with doubt, then respond to this blog and say – I’M DONE!

Next time – read HOW to put doubt in its place!  Share your what God has shown you!  Encourage us all!

Cheers to you!

Maryann

From Hint to Heavenly Perspective

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Welcome to another edition of Java, Jammies, and Jesus!

Agree with God
You are the crowning achievement of all His creative power!
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I’m sure you have noticed this, too…. as you go through life, God shifts the direction of your path, or so it seems, sometimes ever so slightly, giving you a new focus or renewing a previous one.

How do I know it’s God?

Because, for me, it starts with a small hint in my heart, a fleeting thought in my mind, but often a persistent and inescapable one.

This particular thought was simply, “I need more of You today, Lord.”

Nothing revelatory, extraordinary, or pivotal.

I often think, “I need more of You, Lord.” After all, that is why I began the practice of being in His presence and writing to Him daily.

So, why does this thought have … this day …. an edge of distinction?Could it be another lesson or a prior lesson tweaked?

The Lord has taught me to come to Him with all my problems, issues, or concerns.  He has shown me His faithfulness over and over.

However, I noticed recently that my letters to Him have become too focused on my concerns.  I’ve talked to the Lord enough about them.  I can definitely sense that.

And yet, I’m not settled or satisfied.

Something is still missing.

Peace is not flowing like a river, and I want it to.

I need it to.

I am looking for that rest that only He can give, but seaching for it does not yield it.  It only seems to make it more elusive.

And then the spontaneous utterance, as if God is forming the thoughts in my mind, only in first person.  “I need more of You, Lord. Not solutions.  You.”

Ah, yes, I detect a slight shift in my soul.  I know there is more.But now what?  Worship?  Pray?  Yes, and sweet it is…. but there’s more… there’s always more…and I want it.

Again, the tug in my heart, “I need more of You, Lord.”  My concerns begin to take a back seat, fading into faith.  I am sensing a heavenly perspective, and it brings relief.

But there is more.

I am drawn to watch a Bill Johnson message. I cry.  My heart throbs for God.  He is all I want.  Any disturbance my concerns had to my peace has dissolved.

I just want Him, His purposes, His manifestations of power and love.

And then, there’s the book.

That book that has been sitting on my nightstand for, how long?  Months maybe?

You know how books and magazines pile up on our nightstands, with every intention of reading them before we drift off to sleep.

But for me, in 2, maybe 3 paragraphs, I’m snoring, glasses still on my face, the book waving up and down as it wants to fall to the covers.  Often my dear husband, takes the book and the glasses, and quietly turns off my light, mostly without my knowledge.

Well, last week I put away all those books, except for one.  One I started months ago, but just couldn’t get into.

This night though, with undeniable attraction, I picked it up, and captured by the love and power of God revealed in those pages, I couldn’t put the book down.

Don’t you love how God moves within us, sometimes so subtly, drawing our attention to what He knows will enrich and elevate us?

The book?   Expecting Miracles, by Rolland and Heidi Baker. Not your typical missionary book where you marvel at the missionary, but end up feeling small and inadequate yourself, maybe even guilty that you are not having such “strong exploits.”

No.  This book is a most inspiring, magnetizing, and hopeful book.  God knew what I needed to read.

In the coming days, I would like to bring you some of the excerpts that have delighted my heart and renewed my perspective.

The point of today’s encouragement for you (and me) is:  God loves us and is in charge of our paths.  He is actively working to bring us into greater and greater awareness of His desire, love and esteem for us.

He speaks, often subtly through our own thoughts, in a first person voice.  So, don’t ever dismiss the power of the heavenly hint.  He wants to lead us, so He can pour out His richest blessings upon us, not the least of which is Rest.

I leave you with one sentence from the Baker’s book that touched me immeasurably:

“In Jesus we are the crowning achievement of all His creative power.” (p. 185)

Meditate on that one for a century!

To His Glory and Love for you all,
Maryann


God is your help, Part 2

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Hi again!

The other day we were led by Ps 118:  1-4  to Give Thanks to the Lord because He is good and His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever. From the wonderful comments and emails I received, I see that many of you felt as good as I did from doing so!  Giving thanks, being reminded of His mercy and loving kindness, and speaking it out is indeed powerful!!

But oh, there’s more!!

Look…. v. 5 (AMP) Out of my distress I called upon the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free and in a large place.

How often I have called upon the Lord when I have felt distressed.  Unfortunately, all too often, I can feel discouraged by my own inadequacies, weaknesses, and apparent failures.  I often feel I’m not quite enough, even with the Living Christ indwelling me!  When I read this passage the other day, I was in one of those moments (which is why I’m even writing about this).

As I read the words, “…the Lord answered me…,” I asked Him, “What do You say when You answer me?”

Immediately I heard Him say… “Maryann, I love you.  I am with you.  I favor you.  I am always working good on your behalf. I’ve got this covered.  Trust in Me.”

There is nothing quite as settling as God speaking directly to our hearts.  His words carry peace, comfort, and anticipation of good.  Hope.  I didn’t even need to know anything specific, just that He loves me, and because He does, I am in Good Hands.  Amen?

“…. and set me free…” Yes, peace, comfort, feeling assured of God’s love is freeing.  In reality, His death and resurrection has already set us free.  But living in this world, it is hard to remember that we are free indeed.  Thank God He has given us His Holy Spirit to remind us, to bring us into all truth and righteousness!  And isn’t it righteous to believe God at His word (truth)?

If He says we are free, we are free.  Free from what?  Well, the list is long!  But to name a few, how about condemnation, self-doubt and loathing, and continually judging ourselves as defective.  How often do we do that?

In Romans 5:15, Paul said, “But God’s free gift (of grace and righteousness)  is not at all to be compared to the trespass…..” or in the Amplified, “His grace is out of all proportion to the fall of man”.  Out of all proportion!  I love that!!  No comparison!  Alright!  Yes!!  Let’s be bold with the truth of God!  Take it and shove it in the enemy’s face!  Feels good, doesn’t it?  (It’s ok.   It’s allowed.)

Now, I am reminded that God’s grace is out of proportion to not just Adam’s fall, but our fall, each and every day of our lives!  There is no fall, no sin, no mistake, no inadequacy, no weakness, that could ever compare to His grace and mercy.  There is no failure for those He loves that has any real or lasting effect!  (I know some would take issue to this…. sorry for that…)

Oh, Thank Him for His mercy and loving-kindness endures forever!!

“…. and in a large place…” What is this large place?  Well, for me, it is in my mind.  Small thinking results in distress. Small thinking causes me to focus on lack, on what I don’t have, on what God isn’t doing for me, on what others have done to or said against me (or my children).   Small thinking is negative thinking.  “What if this or that?” turns into a list of all the bad things that could happen, rather than all the wonderful possibilities we have in the Lord.

Hearing the voice of the Lord, especially in the midst of distress, calms me, reminds me of my freedom, and helps my mind to see the bigger picture, the abundance of God, the array of blessings He delights to give to me and through me.  Our only job is to call upon Him with the expectation that He will answer!  Easy exchange, wouldn’t you say?

Powerful stuff.  The stuff from which transformation is made….and it is ours.

Lately I’ve heard 2 questions asked a lot:

1.  If you could be 10x bolder, what would you be doing?

2.  If you could not fail, what would your life look like?

Ponder these a bit.  I think it may have some significance to the way God would have us live!

Feel free to comment below.  I’d love to hear your responses!!

Next time…. (v. 6-7) “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?  The Lord is on my side and takes my part,….”

Thanks for reading!  May you receive today a release of the freedom you have in Him!

Love,

Maryann


Agree with God, He really is Your Help!

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Help from the Lord

One of the vehicles in my life that God uses to help me confront and overcome my fears and grow in His Amazing Love is my network marketing business. I often don’t like calling it a business because, for one, I don’t really treat it as a business, but also, it’s one of the ways I’ve been called to help people.

Business sounds so, well, mercenary, though it doesn’t have to be, but that is often the perception. Many of my partners feel the same way. We desire to be a resource of genuine assistance, not people who impose, hurt, or offend.

But in approaching people and offering to assist or benefit them in some way, we sometimes get misunderstood, ignored, or flat out rejected. This can be painful. It can cause us to recoil, slip into oblivion with our heads hung low, want to attack in response, or give up trying.

Maybe we cause some of our own pain by how we approach people. Maybe we could use better words and phrasing, or questions, or timing. Maybe…..

But sometimes we look too hard for “the” answer or the secret to success, that we get lost. We forget why we are even here, what we are doing, and where the TRUE source of OUR help lay. Before we can truly be of help to others, we need to fully understand from where OUR help comes, and how to appropriate that help!

Recently, while in one of those foggy funks myself, my awesome hubby, reminded me of Ps 118. I would like to share this with you over the next few days, because it’s one of those Psalms, that, taken to heart, makes you feel so good!!!

Look with me first at verses 1-4 (AMP)

GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!
Let Israel now say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.
Let the house of Aaron [the priesthood] now say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.
Let those now who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

Before we continue, let’s notice together what the Psalmist leads us to do….

1. Give Thanks.
2. NOW SAY, “His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.”

What a good idea! In the middle of funks, Give Thanks! Verbally, out loud. I have found that giving thanks in the face of discouragement is very elevating. So, maybe you can stop what you are doing right now, and …. GIVE THANKS!

Why? Because the truth is, He is good, really, and good to each of us, personally and individually.

So, join me now: “Thank You Father, for You are good, and good to me, always. Thank You.”

If you’re not feeling it, keep thanking until you do. There is real power in your words.

Another reason to Give Thanks:  God’s mercy and loving-kindness endures forever!

This is not just a blanket statement, cold, impersonal, for everyone else but you… it is YOURS!
He loves YOU. He is merciful TO YOU. When you mess up, He has nothing but mercy FOR YOU.

Not condemnation, judgment, or a big ole wagging finger in your face.

Mercy. Loving kindness. That is His heart TOWARD YOU. So, again, Give Thanks!

“Oh, Lord, sometimes people are not so merciful toward me. Sometimes they are not so loving or kind. But You are! Thank You!!!”

There are more riches in this Psalm to explore in the days to come, but for today…. Whatever you may be going through or dealing with, Give Thanks throughout your day.

Let your ears hear your voice say it. Your heart will be blessed. It will elevate you and produce a cheerful countenance for all to see. In the process, they too may be blessed!

Stay tuned for more love to come!
Agree with God… He is YOUR Help!!


How does the pain of rejection affect you?

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Ok.  I know this is not a popular topic.  Avoiding pain, of any kind, is a basic human motivation.  So, I understand if just the mention of this topic causes most of you to “runaway!”  (Sorry, can’t help but think of a segment in the movie, “Monty Python.”)

But some of you are fully aware that the pain of rejection is something you have indeed suffered, are suffering, or continue suffer.  You understand how it has affected you and driven you in various aspects of your life.

It is to you I address this post.  Read to the end…. there may be a free gift for you!

The Lord has impressed upon me recently just how significant this issue is and how it affects relationships, choices we make in our work, and endeavors we choose or don’t choose.  And thus, I am currently working on a project about the pain of rejection and how it directs our lives – positively and negatively.

Would you take just a few minutes and jot down some notes to me as to how it has affected you?  Would you mind sharing a story, a choice, and event where you have seen yourself do something or not in order to avoid the pain of rejection, or maybe how you reject yourself, or how you have tried to compensate for the pain?

For example,  because of being abused, abandoned, and rejected often as a child, I was motivated to become a lawyer.  Seems positive, right?  But once I had achieved my goal, I felt very depressed, rather than satisfied.   Why?  Because I was largely motivated to become a lawyer by my need to prove my worth and secure my future.  I wanted to be esteemed and wanted.

Well, I was esteemed, alright.  But I felt less wanted than ever!  People are scared of attorneys!  Girlfriends thought I was superior to them.  Guys thought I was too smart for them.  And on top of it, in the geographic area I lived in, being Asian, especially a smart Asian, was not a desirable trait.

The desire to avoid and compensate for the pain of rejection caused me to seek this career, but instead of being free of it, I added even more. (Thankfully God rescued me and showed me over many years, His love, esteem, and security that never fades and is in constant operation!)

Another example.  My husband has a business where he must invoice for services rendered.  For a long time we could not understand why he didn’t bill his clients on time, charge for the full extent of his work, or invoice at all!  Eventually the Lord shed light on it:  Gene perceived that the bill was a reflection of his worth.  If there was any challenge to his bill, which does happen in service businesses, it tapped into a hidden fear that he was not actually worth the money he charged.  This pain of feeling worth-less was enough to (subconsciously) keep or delay him from the billing process.  Of course, God pointed this out for Gene’s victory, but seeing and accepting this dynamic was not all that easy!

These are just 2 ways we have seen our choices affected by the pain of rejection.  There are so many more that relate to our relationships, our ministry, what we expect from life, God, and ourselves.

How about you?  Would you share with me how the pain of rejection has affected you and your choices in live?  Do you desire to be free and victorious of it as well?  In what ways are you already?

And here is the free gift part ….. share your story, and receive a $7 gift card to your favorite coffee shop, restaurant, or department store!   You can send me an email privately, or you can add your story here!

Thanks so much!!

Cheers!

Maryann

Agree with God…You have favor!

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Another Java, Jammies, and Jesus entry….

Dear Friends,

Lately I’ve been struggling with this whole message of favor.  I mean, I know God put it on my heart, and has been continually, relentlessly causing me to understand favor, see favor, appropriate favor… and yet… there’s this voice that haunts me that says, “You’re making too big a thing about this favor…”, or “You’re being self serving,” or…. “Nobody really cares, Maryann… it’s just a message for you.”

And so, I went to the Lord about it today.  “What do you say,” I asked?  “What do you want me to do with this emphasis?  Is it important to the Body or is it just something to help me with long standing insecurities?”

Then during our Java, jammies, and Jesus time, I asked my husband what he thought.  And his answer was, “I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel.” (Ps 16:7)

Hmmmm….. “Has He given you counsel, Maryann?”  Yes…. yes, He has.

And why is that not enough?  It should have been, but it wasn’t it.

God, however, in His favor and mercy, knew that…. so while checking out the calendar for our son’s school, (totally random activity!) I came across Bill Johnson’s (his school pastor) message entitled, “Favor like Jesus.”

Oh, wow.  Set up by God, again!!

Here is the link for those of you who would like to experience a Bill Johnson message:

Favor of Jesus

Anyway… around 30 minutes into the message, Bill gives an encouraging prophetic word to his church and viewing audience stating that over the next 10 years, God will be adding a supernatural power to our COVERT  ministry… the ministry of wisdom and discernment.

Businesses, schools, and the marketplace will all need God’s supernatural wisdom.  The world needs millions of Daniels positioned to dream dreams, interpret them, provide visions, and prophecies to those in need.

But… and here’s the really encouraging part to me…. those who are positioned in places of favor, who understand and know favor, who appropriate, release, and increase in favor, will be those who bless their spheres of influence with this amazing wisdom and discernment our Most High wants to give.

FAVOR IS A BIG DEAL!

And the other encouraging part to me…. in order to gain wisdom and discernment, we need to be in constant intimacy with God, abiding in His love, with Him having open access to our hearts and minds!

INTIMACY IS A BIG DEAL!

So, I see His work in me… and mine here… Intimacy with God is not about 5, 10 or even 30 minutes in the morning to get our day blessed or refueled, as helpful as that is!  It is the condition of our hearts – that always permissive, united, and conscious awareness of the presence of the Almighty, speaking continually to us, and us always open to hearing His soothing, and yet exciting voice.

I am renewed in my mission.  I am compelled to passionately pursue Him, His face, and His love for me, not just because of the marvelous peace it brings to my soul, but also because it is the link to bringing it to all He brings within my path.

Knowing He favors me has been life changing.  I actually feel good about myself, because I KNOW He feels good about me!  My confidence level has soared! My ability to know what to do in various situations has skyrocketed.  My anticipation of favorable outcomes no matter where I go or what I am involved with brings incredible joy.  It is an awesome way to live, and oh, am I grateful.

If you struggle with favor, with confidence in God and yourself, with moving forward in life with the things God has told you, please let me know.  If I can help, I would love to.  Intimacy increases your understanding of and appropriation of favor… it is so good, because He is!

I thank you all for sticking with me this past year…. I love you…