How many times in my life these past 100+ days I have had the precious opportunity to be "still and know" He is God. Asking ceaselessly for His council when I need to take that next step, in pain, pushing through it. Believing I can do all things through Him that strengthens me. I have had no choice being laid up for the most part with this broken leg, on the mend, in these circumstances I am in right now. What a treasured time it has been.
Who is this Wonderful Counselor some of you may ask? How do I receive access? What is the truth? What do I do?
Some of you may know.
Some of you may know and forgot.
Some of you may know, believe, and need to re-visit.
Some of you may not want to know, but need to know anyway.
Some may be intrigued, and want to quench your thirst in this parched world.
Some of you may have a deep cry for help, but don't know where to turn, or who to ask.
Some of you are down and out, confused, heavy burdened, need to have the answer, and have no clue.
Whatever the circumstances here is what the "Life Instruction Manual -The Bible" states in the Old and New Testament who this "Wonderful Counselor" is. Guess what... there is hope.. you are loved, and the access is all yours and mine to take... if we listen, obey and simply ask....
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Psalm 119:24
Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.
Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.
John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 15:26
"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
John 16:7
But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
So there is a Wonderful Counselor waiting to be born, re-born, re-visited in the heart of YOU every moment of every day to listen, comfort, love on, and encourage you!
Yes, He is there waiting around in the comfy, cozy coach of your heart. It is a room in your heart that YOU are the designer of. What does this room look like for you? Mine is a plush purple coach with lots of tapestry warm colored pillows (golds, burgandy, rust, liquid amber & deep greens). There is a table next to the coach where I have a cup of my flavorite "Cindy Chai Tea", a candle is lit, and there is a window behind the coach, open just a crack, where you can smell the rain drops that just started, it is just around dusk." Sitting on the coach waiting for me is "My Wonderful Counselor" Jesus. Sometimes I go visit Him and imagine Him just giving me a big warm hug. Sometimes I share with Him burdens on my heart and he just listens. The most important conversations are the ones where "I ask Him specific questions about steps in my life regarding "the raising of our son, repentance of sins I may or may not know exist in my life, where He wants me to spend my time and talent to give Him praise and glory." He speaks in a still, small voice when I quiet my mind and heart and seek to hear and listen to Him. He is there, and very real. Sometimes He speaks through an overwhelming sense of peace.
Sometimes I spend time too much time in the room of my "head..... over-thinking, analyzing trying to figure it out my way, on my own terms, holding on to things. Sometimes I am in the room of my hands and feet.... so busy. I forget to ask Him if He wants me to be doing what I am doing, and "what are my motives here?" Are they glorifying you? Pure of heart? Self-centered? Am I being selfless here, putting other people's needs before my own? Then I remember...... OH I BLEW IT!!! I turn around and go back to my heart and notice a crack in the door of my heart.... I look to my comfy coach and there my Wonderful Counselor sits .... waiting... just waiting.... for me to come back for a visit. His face is loving, kind, patient, long-suffering, gentle, kind, and full of joy when He sees me come through the door to plop down on the coach for a visit with Him. Some of my best visits are when I just imagine His loving arms around me saying, I have got you. I will provide for you all things. I have you and He gently runs His fingers through my hair and says, " I love you, I made you, and I want you to be the best you can be for me!" Trust in me, and have faith without being double-minded and I will establish your steps, and your path. The truth has set you free. Go, now in peace and live life fully in Me. This is my Wonderful Counselor, that is my #1 advocate, FAN, believer in me, wanting what is best for me.
What about you? Where are you at today? Where is your heart? Who is your counselor? The good news is that my Counselor is your's too if you just choose to ask Him into the comfy coach of your heart to live, and lead you. All you have to do is ask Him into your heart, tell Him you believe, and He will enter into your being, and you will start living a life under the authority of the Wonderful Counselor. "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver is one of my favorite books. Chapter 5 "Living Room Intimacy" covers alot about making your heart a home for this "Wonderful Counselor - Jesus" It is a fabulous book and especially this chapter.
What about you? Where are you at today? Where is your heart? Who is your counselor? The good news is that my Counselor is your's too if you just choose to ask Him into the comfy coach of your heart to live, and lead you. All you have to do is ask Him into your heart, tell Him you believe, and He will enter into your being, and you will start living a life under the authority of the Wonderful Counselor. "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver is one of my favorite books. Chapter 5 "Living Room Intimacy" covers alot about making your heart a home for this "Wonderful Counselor - Jesus" It is a fabulous book and especially this chapter.
Here are some final verses to muse on in your journey today to explore your Counselor in fresh news ways:
"I am the vine, you are the branches, If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit: apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5
"Remain in Me, and I will remain in you." John 15:4
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Rev. 3:20
Wonderful words about our wonderful counselor. Love the visual, how often we just leave him sitting on the couch alone? great reminder of going to His Word- the Bible, for our problems, not the world's ways of fixing our issues.
ReplyDeleteJoanne,
ReplyDeleteThe Lord is shinning through you today. I feel His warmth with every word you wrote. Thank you for taking the time to bless all of us with such a powerful visual. I am leaving my computer right now and picking up my Bible to spend time with the Lord. Thank you for this gift today.
God Bless you!!
All my love, Caroline