TEDDY BEAR LOVE
8/11/23 TEDDY BEAR LOVE
For many years when I did errands, like way back when I did early morning deliveries in typesetting I would once in a while get a maple bar, or stop through Dutch Brothers for a hot drink treat. In the afternoons if I did errands it was McDonalds sundae. I regularly took Anna for those too. They were a source of comfort and also reward. This came from my childhood when after a big test – like a piano recital or a good report card my folks would take me to the ice cream parlor as a reward.
I gave up those treats several years ago when I had to start tracking my carbs. I noticed on my errands day before yesterday that I was not hungry or desiring treats at all, but had reoccurring thoughts of maple bars and ice-cream. This was NOT lust, I wasn’t desiring them. But the old patterns of getting into the car and thinking of those choices kept coming back to me. I realized this was demonic torment and also a place where my mind needed to be transformed from old habits. The other two sources of comfort were Micheals and Hobby Lobby, as they were on my errand route. And whenever I went down that street I always thought about whether I was going to stop in even if I didn’t need anything. Sure enough when I turned the corner, I thought about Micheal’s and Holly Lobby. My happy craft place at home is totally happy with supplies and I simply dont need more stuff.
Finally when I came out of the post office I said outload in the car: Lord I am no longer a child! I do NOT want and I do not need the teddy bears of ice cream, maple bars, Micheals and Hobby Lobby!! I said it with emphasis because I realized a demon was tormenting me with old childhood thought patterns. I talked to the Lord about this, and asked Him to please take those old thought patterns away and I bound the demon involved. This was an earnest prayer.
I then remembered that I got rid of most of a teddy bear collection early spring and I knew giving away the teddy bears were a sign.
As I was in the car praying over the old teddy bears of maple bars and Michaels, the Holy Spirit brought back the memory of this picture that MaryEllen had posted onto facebook several months ago. Back then I knew the Lord was asking me to make some sacrifices and if I would do as He asked, He would reward me with something much better than what I let go of. This graphic was a confirmation to me back then.
Back then, I asked that the reward He would give me would be an increase in relationship with Him, which would be more intimate and deeper friendship.
So yesterday I had a doctor appointment that was a big deal and I was stressed about going. I prayed a lot going into it and the doctor and nurse were very accommodating to my quirky needs. But when I got out of there, on my way to the car I said, Oh maple bars, oh ice cream, oh Micheals and Hobby Lobby!!! I was SO stressed, I felt like it was a big joke and all of my loved ones in heaven were laughing with me as I vented all that stream. I laughed too because honestly I didn’t want any of them, but that was where my mind went!
AM DEVOTIONS: HE HEARD ME!
That was a long story with a punch line. The Lord hears our prayers! This morning as I sat with the Lord, I prayed in tongues, then asked the Lord how He wanted to do devotions this morning. I have a list of many different ways I seek Him, and also ways to record it. My art Bible came to mind and it had been a few months since I had turned to it. So I opened my art bible and here is the page I turned to!!!!!
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn you.
Jeremiah 31:8-9 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the ends of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travails with child together: a great company shall return there. 9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, in which they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Jeremiah 31:12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for grain, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
Jeremiah 31:15-17 Thus says the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. 16 Thus says the LORD; Restrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears: for your work shall be rewarded, says the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. 17 And there is hope in your end, says the LORD, that your children shall come again to their own border.
As I pondered the teddy bears message, He brought the memory of this vision back to me:
6/05/07: Years ago I had a vision of the Lord sending all His teddy bears out into a parade onto the streets. They were all dressed up in rank and file, each group the same height and uniform. They were celebrating. He is getting ready to send His graduates!
Every year we experience some measure of graduation in crossing over into our promises. As a people we are graduating from the past, leaving it all behind yet also bringing with us the memorial stones of lessons and experiences and Words that were planted in our faith. We are done circling the same mountains of defeat and hopeless wanderings. We are going to know the God of the Bible, honor His Word, learn to obey Him and occupy the promises and destinies He has preserved for us. We are finally moving forward with purpose in lui of circling.
CONFIRMATION: Last night I was reminded of teddy bear sacrifices I had made and I prayed over them once again. Then right after turning to the above Teddy Bear in my art Bible, I turned again to this!!!
Growing up is hard to do, but the rewards are worth it! He hears our heart’s cry and answers our prayers that are unique to us, because He created us unique. I remember something my grandson said a few weeks ago: YOU BE YOU.
APPLICATION: As I ponder the Lord’s Teddy Bear message today, it all began from my prayer of wanting a renewed mind, where it no longer circled old childhood patterns. When He sheds light on the fact your thoughts are repeating cycles that you don’t want, learn to cast them off and give them to the Lord. Ask Him for the mind of Christ, to think His thoughts and see the matter from His perspective. Remember He loves you, and will never condemn you. He and the cloud of witnesses are cheering you on, as you grow up into His full image.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
