You Want Me to Do What, Lord? (VIII)

11/26/21

I cannot count how many times the Lord has asked me to do strange things and yet they were biblical. These strange and uncommon things were all followed up with confirmations to go forward so there was no denying He was speaking.  I have enough stories to fill a book.

When God has asked me, He has backed up the request with scripture (especially during the time when I was interceding for my old church).  Take for instance, when He told me to wear all black to church in 2012.  Boy, that was hard because I love clothes and I’m a colorful clothes girl!  To wear all black was excruciating for me.  Here’s the story:

On March 3, 2012, I was deciding what to wear to church on Sunday (I thought of wearing black and I never wear black if I’m choosing) when I heard the Lord say: “Be in mourning, daughter.”  “Jesus, was that You?” I asked.  Then He gave me an address: Ezekiel 21:6 “Sigh therefore, with a breaking heart, and sigh with bitterness before their eyes.”

I did wear black that Sunday as I was told, and my prayer partner showed up in black as well, without me telling her.  I kept hearing the Lord say to me, “Say I am a sign to you.”  We walked into the church and the head pastor’s wife walked in front of us wearing black as well.  All this confirmed I was to wear black to each church service I attended...all black.  That meant jewelry, purse, clothes, shoes, and a watch. 

Then, the Lord directed me to a book “Your Sons and Daughters shall Prophesy”, page 104: “God enacted the spoken prophecies with a series of signs that were to be like ‘acted words’…that is, constant visual reminders of the word of the Lord.”  More scripture for me regarding mourning and wearing black: Jeremiah 4:8 “For this, clothe yourself with sackcloth, lament and wail.  For the fierce anger of the Lord has not turned back from us.”

And God spoke: “Just as the book you read spoke truth, you are an actor on the stage of your God…like an actor on a stage, you act out what is prophetically going on in the life of your church.”

During the time I was wearing black to church, I felt humiliated as people stared at me…wondering, I thought, “What is wrong with her?”  The pastors noticed; I wore black throughout the remainder of 2012.  Address:  Jeremiah 6:26 “O daughter of My people, dress in sackcloth and roll about in ashes!  Make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation; for the plunderer will suddenly come upon us.”

Now, I hope God doesn’t ask you to do some of the hard things that I have been asked to do.  But even if He does, know He will approve His request powerfully so there will be no doubt in your mind that you are to obey.  The simple stuff is easy to follow, like having people live with us; praying for someone; giving an encouraging word; or interpreting someone’s dream.  Those are all fun things to do for God but it’s the hard things to do for Him that require much obedience and confirmation.

When asked to do something out of the ordinary for the Lord, seek wise counsel.  Seek out those who you know hear His voice and lead a holy life; a confidant of the Lord’s choosing is helpful.  Ask Him, who?

Even with validations, the Lord would ask me in advance of the event so I could pray and seek sensible advice to make sure I was hearing correctly.  I was glad for the preparatory time in case God changed His mind, though He never did.  He gave me enough time to get ready to do the chore through ‘soaking’ prayer and sage counsel.  Let time test out what you hear.

Once you have confidence God has spoken and you have received guidance, be obedient.  Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion…” (Hebrews 3:7-8). 

A final piece of advice, the Lord will test your obedience to do greater things for Him.  I pray you will have a passion to do the work of our God with diligence and faithfulness.  Be about His business and He will trust you with even greater things; miraculous events and stories to bless those He calls to go deeper with Him.

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.  (John 14:12).

Practice Point:  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you something to do out of the ordinary; out of your comfort zone.  Listen for His voice, record what you hear and seek Godly affirmations to move forward.  Then, ACT!

Bonus Point:  Tell God that you will do ANYTHING for Him and be on the ‘lookout’ for His request.  As always, keep your Book of Remembrance up to date.