The Admonition

She spoke three simple words...

August 4^th I had a series of three dreams. I share here one of those dreams as I believe the message has significance for all of us. In this dream I found myself with an internationally known five-fold minister of the gospel. I dream often, but I don’t dream these types of dreams often. When I do however, these dreams are always significant. I either receive a message, a lesson, or information about my identity (or calling) such as the time the man of God said to me, in my dream, after he put down his newspaper and took note of me, “You’re the woman whose heart God is developing as a warrior’s heart.” One other example is when Heidi Baker appeared in one of my dreams and not surprisingly, if you know Heidi Baker, the dream was all about the Father’s heart, including her message to me.

But back to my recent dream. I found myself in a room with this mighty woman of God who shall remain unnamed. There was much movement and a lot of purposeful activity. There was a sense that a lot of people were being served. There was no formal introduction; she got right to the point, speaking of the importance and the need of getting something ready. Her exact words were “getting something ready to share.” Somehow I had the knowing that these words were directed at me and it was my task and responsibility to go and find something for the people who were under her care. Nothing specific was mentioned, and it was up to me to discern what the need was.

I went about, seeking, but after a while it appeared to me to be fruitless. Because all I could find, in searching through room after room, were two single-size servings bags of bread chips. It was very clear they were bread chips, much like pita chips. But I leaned on my own understanding and concluded this was not enough; it would not be sufficient for the need at hand. I slipped into natural thinking and deemed the two bags insignificant. Not worth mentioning. So when I returned to her, I didn’t bring forward what I’d had in my hands; I’d left the two small bags behind. And she admonished me for it, telling me, “every bit matters.” And those three words I remember ever so clearly as this dream scene came to an end. There was no shame, but her words had been firm and authoritative, “every bit matters.”

And because some nuggets of truth are more easily discernible and require less digging and some nuggets of wisdom require a deeper level of search, I journaled this dream in an attempt to go deeper. Because it’s the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of Kings to search out a matter (Proverbs 25:2). Accordingly, I’ll share three lessons the Holy Spirit uncovered as I began to search out this matter, from the surface levels to the deeper levels. To God be the glory.

Lesson #1

God will always use what’s in our hands. Just as nothing is too hard or too big for Him, nothing is too small or insignificant. Whatever we find in our hands and whatever we find to do, God can and will use it. Just like the little boy’s lunch that was brought to Jesus. There was great value in those fives loaves and two fish, significant enough to be mentioned in all four gospels. John however, is the only one who takes the time to mention those loaves and fish came from a young lad (John 6:9).

And of course Jesus gave thanks for the loaves and fish that had come from the boy’s hand, and then He multiplied them! Yes, it is God who gives the increase. Always and without fail. Accordingly, we can ask God to help us recognize what’s in our hands, and after we’ve recognized what’s in our hands we can align with the prayer of Moses, as God is always faithful to His word. Let’s ask Him even now, let’s come into agreement with the Word of God, whether through prayer or declaration, according to your belief and your faith, say or pray this out loud:

(And remember that God is faithful!)

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands. – Psalm 90:17

Lesson #2

Don’t despise the day of small beginnings. This is the principle of Zechariah 10:4 and more specifically, don’t despise the smallness of what’s in your hands. Just because it’s small doesn’t mean it’s not sacred. If it’s unto Him and for Him, it’s sacred. God always starts with a seed. And then He watches over and nurtures and waters that seed. He is the one who brings increase. The Kingdom of God is all about increase. Even Jesus came in “seed” form as a baby. He had to go through the entire human development process. And then He had to be tested. And what’s in your hands and your heart must go through the same process.

In essence, God has no obstacle or issue in working with small. In smallness there is hiddenness and in hiddenness there is protection. Protection while the growth is happening. Remember also, in the Kingdom of God it’s the least that becomes the greatest. The mustard seed eventually becomes the mustard tree, because every seed and resurrection life inside the seed is designed to grow. Treasure that seed, that small thing in your hand. It holds potential. It is filled with potential, and God always works with potential. Do not neglect it, and do not neglect the gifts that are within you. I trust now you have caught this principle. Steward well what is in your hands (and what is small enough to fit in your hands) and watch to see what God will do. But you must have eyes to see it and a heart to discern. Trust God now with His promise:

Behold (see!) I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? Isaiah 43:19 NKJV

Lesson #3

After you recognize what’s in your hands and have prayed accordingly and in alignment with the Word of God, now you must dedicate and consecrate this gift to the Lord. Because everything you have has come from his hand and now you must give it back to Him. Because it belongs in His hand. He is the one who can hold the grandeur of it, not you alone. This is why you are called to do all that you do as “unto the Lord.” It is for His purpose, not your own; for the advancement of His Kingdom, not your own agenda. Everything is for Him and by Him and through Him, there is no other way, no getting around this truth. It is all for His glory. Will you give Him the glory? Yes? Now there is great reward. Now He knows you are not holding on to selfish ambition that leads only to temporal gain. He has something far greater and of eternal reward. But first you must release it all to Him. Has it not been recorded for our instruction?:

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

Thank Him then. And be of good courage. Just as Jesus took the bread that had been brought to him – the very Bread of Life holding up the temporal bread – and lifted it unto His father in heaven while He gave thanks for what was in His hand, the people saw and received the multiplication here on earth – on earth as it is in heaven – so too will you. All that God requires you give to Him, He gives back grander in return. And don’t think the concluding verse of this third lesson speaks (merely) of money; it does not. Read it in context. It is speaking of whatever we give to and toward our fellow man, and the preceding verse is about judging, condemning, and forgiving others. Now think of what’s possible if you were to give from your heart to the One who knows all things and and sees all things. And if you were to give to Him also what is in your hands? No matter the meager appearance, such as the two small bags of bread chips. The result would be joy unspeakable. and His glory made manifest.

Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use (when you give) it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38

Photo Credit: From my road trip travels, taken in Idaho or Montana