God's Love towards Us

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us...

1 John 4:10

I realized today that I don't really know the love of God. I have not understood it, nor have I embraced it. I have been reluctant to receive the fullness He offers, and most horribly, I have not loved others with the love of God, as He would love have me love them. Thankfully the Father's love towards us (towards me) does not condemn my failure, nor my weakness. That's the whole point.

My version of love has been based on soulish, selfish gain. I loved to be loved--by my parents as a child and later by God. It didn't matter to me if my spouse, children or friends found me unlovable--I didn't care because I knew God loved me. I was willing to totally dedicate myself to pleasing God. Any sin or selfishness--weakness--in me was put under control of my spirit--submitted to the Holy Spirit. God's strength came through to overshadow my weakness with His strength--for His glory. I hate my weaknesses. I even encouraged others to trust God to overcome any weakness that might beset them. All good and scriptural, however: The wholeness and fullness of God's love fills our weakness without always necessarily removing it.

I recently heard Pastor Tom Smardz say, "God himself has a weakness, it is us." God loves us! This is in spite of our weaknesses, our ungodliness. While we were yet sinners, God loved us so much that He sent His son Jesus to die in our place so that we could be reconciled to a holy, righteous, and just God. I only need to accept Him for who He is--my Lord and my God. He loves us in an unconditional way beyond our comprehension. I am my Father's weakness--yet he accepts me and loves me, filling my weakness with His love for His glory.

My own weakness is my husband's current illness. His illness has made him very different than the man I married--at least temporarily. Our changed lives, my responsibilities and my caring for him exhausts me so much that I feel I have no energy to be who God has called me to be. In fact my personality and character flaws are now brought out by him, instead of my gifts, talents--my best--as it once was, when we would minister together. I often abhor myself when my attitude and sharp tongue fall far short of God's love and mercy. I miss the opportunity to honor my husband--when he needs it most.

Yet I am absolutely powerless to change--for the first time in my life I feel really powerless in this situation. I trust God, I have faith that He can do something to redeem the situation. However, I can only throw up my hands in further frustration, as I seem to sink lower instead of rising above my sin and weakness. I have often felt a bit like Job. But for the first time in my life, I really feel as if I am sitting on an ash heap--scraping my hideous boils with a sharp rock--alone--with no one to really confide in. Friends encourage me pointing out my godly responses and basically perpetuating my hatred of my weakness--yet this weakness is the cross that I am to take up, to embrace, so that God can transform me and the situation.

Jesus took up His cross submitting to an unjust death, rejection and torture. In His submission the entire scenario transformed from what appeared to be Satan's greatest victory--into Satan's ultimate defeat. The cross is a heavy, back breaking burden--too much to bear. Yet we are told to take up our cross and follow Jesus. Denying yourself the little things in life prepares you to carry the cross the Lord has destined for you in your path towards Christ-likeness. Jesus' motivation was His love, that must be ours--to love as He loves. Pure and unquestioning love for God, trust and obedience, are indeed pleasing to God. However scripture states:

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

His grace is His love gift that cannot be earned and is never deserved. This perfect(mature/complete) love fills to overflowing as we allow Him to fill our weakness that we might reflect His glory in the midst of any trial. He is worthy of our trust. He is worthy of our praise. Always...

Copyright © 2008 by Ruth Mayfield All rights reserved. These articles may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, by including this notice.

Prayer--Communing with God

Have you ever noticed that when you hang around someone a lot, you begin to talk like they do? You pick up on their phraseologies and follow their train of thought, and sometimes begin to make it your own? Hmmm... maybe if we spent that much time with the Lord, we might begin to reflect His ideas, His perspective, His words....

When God speaks, it is usually brief and to the point. Read/scan the Bible from the perspective of really paying attention to the things God is saying. He is a man of few words. I mainly read the KJV, and I have heard some adapt the flowery KJV prayers, but in conversations with God--beginning in the Old Testament you get a pretty good feel of God's very different mode of conversation. I think the only time He got long winded was at the end of Job :)

"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell Me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone--while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said, 'This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt'? Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it? The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment. The wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken. Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this." Job 38

If we don't spend much time with the Lord in prayer and reading the Bible, we could misunderstand what He is trying to communicate. The Bible says the Lord knows what our needs are even before we ask, yet he wants us to have communion with Him--to ask expecting to receive His mercy, grace and love in our situation. If we ask with hearts and attitudes of trust and thanksgiving, it really only takes a few words to ask Him to intervene in a given situation.

Too often we tell God how to answer our prayers instead of letting the God who knows best, be God. We tend to rely on ourselves, or man, to meet our needs, and when it doesn't seem to be working--we go to God to have him fix everything our way. How sad that we don't go to Him first--thanking Him for being the loving Lord of our lives who meets our needs each day, and worshipping Him for what He does in and through us--as well as His provision for us and our loved ones. A totally different attitude toward prayer.

Read the Psalms. David and others did some venting, even complaining to God for their hardships. But the theme of praise, thanksgiving and trust underlies every Psalm. The writers are human just like ourselves, yet they chose to trust the faithfulness of the God who is Almighty to save, deliver and redeem them from every destruction. The God who sees all the details of our lives knows our needs and is big enough to meet them all.

Do we trust Him? Do we really believe He is loving and faithful? It is His faithfulness that is required to meet our every need. Our faith may fail, but His cannot. We can trust Him, and He longs to hear us tell Him we do. It releases His Hand to accomplish His purposes in our lives. Prayer is not really about us, but about Him. He desires to have intimate relationship with you, prayer is one of the vehicles He uses to accomplish this. Along with reading His Word and living a life style of Worship, we pray in order to commune in a two-way conversation with the Loving God of the Universe.

Copyright © 2007 by Ruth Mayfield All rights reserved. These articles may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, by including this notice.

THE ONE IN WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED--WALKING WITH HIM TO MOVE MOUNTAINS by Victoria Boyson

"Jesus is all, and as we abide in Him, we have access to all that we need: all power, all wisdom, and all strength."

All we will ever want, need, or desire is found in Jesus Christ. If we lack power, wisdom, or prosperity, we will find it in Him. He is, and He has all that we will ever need. We have no lack when we are in Him.

Jesus told His disciples, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

If we pull away from the Vine, who is Christ, we will discover we have little power to affect this world on our own. But when we are connected to the Vine, our source of power, we find that we are able to do all things through Him!

Our source of power is not found in ourselves, but as we abide in Christ, we have all the power we need. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (John 15:7).

Knowing Him
If we abide in Him and His words abide in us, whatever we ask will be done! When we first come to know Jesus, we mainly know Him through the experiences of others or through the Word of God. But as we seek to know Him for who He is and develop a relationship with Him, we find a place of great power and authority in the supernatural realm. We can indeed do as God does, who "calls into being that which does not exist" (Romans 4:17).

Instead of spending all our time rebuking the enemy, we will find that when we are abiding in Him, we simply say the words and find the enemy fleeing. It is not us or our words that the enemy fears, but it is our connection to the Vine that terrifies him. As long as we will abide in Him, we have all the power we need. Our words have great power in the supernatural realm as we ABIDE IN CHRIST.

His Wisdom
Have you ever faced a problem and you just did not know what to do about it? Well, in Jesus, we find the answer to all life's problems. He is our source of great wisdom. He has the answer to every question. He knows all and, as we abide in Him, we have access to all the wisdom of the ages. Our wisdom is only limited by our level of intimacy with Him.

It isn't enough to just pray; to truly effect the realms of darkness, we must pray with the wisdom of the Lord. His wisdom can only be obtained by abiding in Him. When we try to acquire God's wisdom through our own minds and methods, it becomes, at best, a perverted mess. We become puffed up and of little use to God.

As we abide in Christ, He shows us how to pray and who to pray for. And when we are led by His Spirit, we can effectively target the enemy. We can hit him with great accuracy and not wear ourselves out with repetitious, complicated prayers and methods. Jesus is all, and as we abide in Him, we have access to all that we need: all power, all wisdom and all strength.

The Good Shepherd
Even our ability to abide in Him is found in Him. As we seek Him, He draws us to Himself. He is truly the Good Shepherd that David spoke of in Psalm 23 (paraphrased):
"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall never be in want, because in Him I have all I need. My Loving Shepherd anticipates my needs and provides for me before I even know I am in lack. He leads me to places of blessing where I can rest. He restores my soul with His peace and comfort, and makes me righteous so that I may become one with Him.

I shall have no fear, because even in the face of death He prepares a feast of blessing for me to enjoy as my enemies look on in defeat. He gives me all I need and fills me with His power. His goodness and loving kindness are with me as I walk and live in Him. I will never ever leave Him, because He holds me close and keeps me walking with Himself. I will abide with Him forever!"

In the midst of the fiercest battle, I experience the greatest peace--I enjoy the greatest joy. Though satan rages, I still experience the feeling of God's protection and love. I am made fearless, because His perfect love for me casts out all fear (see 1 John 4:18).

This Bears Repeating
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the Vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me" (John 15:4).

Our authority does not lie in ourselves! It is a trick of the enemy to get us to focus either on our greatness or our unworthiness and take our eyes off Him. It is not about us at all, but Him. Only as we abide in Him will we have lasting victory and fruit.

It is God's will that we bear fruit, but we cannot apart from Him. We will only exhaust ourselves, and our work will not be of lasting value to the Kingdom. Only in God are we victorious. He is our platform of power; apart from Him we can do nothing!

To Know Him
"I know whom I have believed" (2 Timothy 1:12). Of course you believe in Jesus, but do you believe, trust in, and rely on Him? Do you believe in the greatness of His power? Are you proud of who He is and what He's done? Are you putting ALL your faith and trust in Him, or are you holding back a bit of your heart just in case He does not come through for you? If you know the One in whom you have believed, you will walk in His power and authority.

If we truly know God and how great our God is, we will move mountains for Him. The great problem today is our lack of knowledge of who He is and how awesome He is. If we could indeed see His greatness, we would walk in a spiritual authority that would astonish the world.

Our relationship with God determines the authority we walk in everyday. Without a relationship with Christ, we are only walking blindly through this life, guessing at what we believe is God's will for us. If we truly know Him, we will walk confident in His authority as His messengers. We will not hold back from aggressively believing in His power and trusting in His power to raise the dead to life.

In John 4:10, Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you; 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." Jesus said to her "If you knew (Him)" you would ask and He would give. The answers to all life's problems are found in those words, "If you knew."

We should seek to know God--not just know about Him, but know Him. As His children, our prayer should be that He would help us to know Him. For if we know Him, we will become His ambassadors on this earth and do the things He did. If we know Him, we will be His friend and bring His light into the darkness. As we begin to know Him, we can experience His glory and power--and then walk in it.

We don't have to be satisfied with knowing about God, we can truly know Him. We can walk with Him like Enoch walked with Him. And, knowing Him is more wonderful than anything else in this life. He is Life! He is the air we breathe and the reason we live!

The more we know God, the greater our faith in Him becomes, because we begin to see just how awesome He is. When we see how big He is, our faith in Him rises, and we see there is nothing He cannot handle. All things were created by Him and all things are summed up in Him (see Colossians 1:16).

How Big is Your God?
One day when my son Cole was only four years old, he was riding in our car with his daddy. They were both very quiet, just enjoying the ride and being together, when suddenly Cole spoke up. He said, "God must wear a really big shirt!" At four years old, as he sat silently in our car, the God of the universe was revealing Himself to this young man. Cole's remark was evidence that he knew God. Even as a child, and maybe especially as a child, he could understand that if God was big enough to hold the whole world in His hands, He must wear a really big shirt.
It was especially important to Cole to know that his "God-friend" is really big, because he has always been small for his age. So, to know that he had a really BIG God, who wears a really big shirt, was comforting to him. Do you feel that way sometimes? Do you need to know how big your God is?

To find a mental picture of how big God is, we can look at Isaiah 66:1. The Lord describes Himself, "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me?" If God's throne is the Heavens and this enormous world of ours is His footstool, He must, indeed, wear a really big shirt.

Can you see now how big God is? And, this great big Daddy God loves you and wants to be your friend. He wants to take care of even the smallest details of your life. He loves you, and you can take refuge in Him and live confidently in His love for You.

Can We Trust Him?
When we understand His greatness and believe in His power, we will move mountains for Him and astonish the world. As we know Him and how much He loves us, we will walk in His authority and power; then our light will shine before all men, that they might glorify our Father in Heaven (see Matthew 5:16).

Asaph prayed in Psalm 83:18, "Let them know that You, whose name is the Lord--that you alone are the Most High over all the earth." He prayed that we would understand--He is Lord of the Heavens and of the earth; He is Lord over every living thing. Every knee will bow and confess His Name, because He has created all things.

We do not put our faith in a little God, but one who created all things. He really is an awesome God and no matter how big our trouble looks, He is bigger. He laid the foundations of the earth and commands the sun to rise each morning. He told the seas how far to come up shore and understands the expanse of the earth (see Job 38:4-18).

He is able to take care of us at all times. He is able to keep us from falling. He is able to keep us in victory and power.

Pray this with me: Dear Father, release me from the shackles of my fleshly knowledge of You, and show me just how awesome You are, so I might be found in You, and reveal Your greatness to a world that needs You desperately. Help me to know the One in whom I have believed.
In Jesus' name, amen.

Victoria Boyson
Speaking Life Ministries
Email: victoria@boyson.org

reposted from the Elijah List http://www.elijahlist.com/

Heavenly Whirlwinds and Chariots of Fire-by Paulette Reed

Rev. Paulette Reed
www.dotmm.org

Soaring on the Wind
During this hour of restoration and acceleration in the Church of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is propelling us to live "on earth as it is in heaven." As the master artist paints us into circumstantial corners, our trust and faith are being forced to expand along with our tent pegs. We realize more and more that God is in control - we are not. Control is only an illusion and robs us of total reliance on the Holy Spirit. Any attempt to control will also inhibit people from the ability to freely love as Jesus loves. As we yield and hang on to the mighty right hand of God, He picks us up and twirls us like a child's top. He lifts us, taking us where He will, when He will. . . His will. Then, He sets our feet upon holy ground, and says, "Occupy."

As the Divine exchange continues until the day of completion - Jesus' life for ours - we love Him more each day with all of our hearts, minds, and souls. Because of our love, we also serve Him more each day, with zeal. However, friends, when assignments change and the breakthrough angels show up, there are whirlwinds awaiting us. We must live as a wheel-within-a-wheel, soaring with each spiritual storm developed by the Creator, believing there are angelic hosts waiting to assist and protect us and advance the kingdom of God. Do not resist the wind, for it insists upon change and many will be "unstuck" by its forcefulness. No matter what circumstances you are in, come hell or high water, the Lord wants to lift you up and take you out. Change is coming.

"Air Force One" - Taking Off and Landing
As God is raising people into new positions at an unprecedented rate, we continue the crucial preparation. Many Christians are downscaling, buying smaller homes, determined to get out of debt, and the like. They are ready for rapid discipleship deployment - not even taking an extra tunic. The Lord may send us across the street or across the world. Perhaps the King of Glory will open the gates and translate us to another continent, or pour out heavenly revelation to be written down for the church. Whatever the charge, we shall be ready. Beloved, the more we let go, the more we lay hold (Galatians 2:20) so when the Lord speaks we can immediately say, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8).

It's important to consider that those on the receiving end must be prepared as well. As God sends gifts to His body - prophets, administrators, apostles, ministers of helps, pastors, evangelists and teachers - the ox must never be muzzled while it is threshing. Be prepared, church, to take care of those whom the Lord sends to you, for we always reap what we sow; an undeniable kingdom principle. We must always honor God's "gifts" to the body, so the house is not desolate.

Heavenly Whirlwinds
As we look at whirlwinds as type and shadow, we note the "suddenly" and "separation" that accompanies them. "As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind" (II Kings 2:11).

Beloved, when we've been prepared and trained by the Sower, then He can "take us up" to learn of heaven and plant us where He will. Heavenly whirlwinds may catch us up geographically, spiritually or emotionally, but either way God will do a work in us - through them. The whirlwinds of God may seem uncomfortable, but we must learn to live in the eye of each spirit-storm. The Prince of Peace is the center of our being even when, especially when, we seem swept away by life. Remember that if God can entrust us with the power of each cyclone, He can use us more and more for His glory. The glory is in the wind and God is the underlying, motivating force of life. So, even when we may not realize it, He is always moving on our behalf, going before us to divide the waters so we can cross over (II Kings 2:14). Beloved, whirlwinds are a vertical experience; they rise as incense, taking us closer to heaven each time so we can flow with our Supernatural Father. It's in the swirling, on the Potter's wheel, that we are molded into Christlikeness. For, God's way is in the whirlwind and the storm (Nahum 1:3).

Some of you reading this may feel isolated and forgotten. Does it seem no one in your sphere of family and friends understands, or even tries to understand? Don't lose heart! Though the ways of God seem mysterious and perplexing, we can know with certainty He is purposeful in all He does. He has not abandoned you, nor left you behind. You are drenched in the anointed oil of His perfect plan, and have been hand picked for His special forces! God has tailored your current experience to evoke the sweet aroma of your worship and, at the same time, to train you to reign.

Sometimes we hear people say, "Well, so-and-so is just too heavenly to be any earthly good." Personally, I've never met anyone like that. I have met many, however, who are too earthy to be any heavenly good. It's when we learn to please the Father and live on earth, as it is in heaven that His mighty power can and will be released. Elijah had pleased the Father with his life of faithfulness. It wasn't so much about the ascension as the expectation; watching for the whirlwinds of God's glory, not missing the opportunity to soar. Elijah didn't even have time to reason with intellect - He just believed and consequently was taken up; promoted so to speak. God is returning us to the basics of Christianity, dear ones. We cry out, "Lord, teach us to pray!" He answers, "I did, a couple thousand years ago 'on earth as it is in heaven.' " Oh, may we honor and cherish the Lord's Prayer - the perfect daily petition - as we decree its fulfillment. May we arise and shine for the light has come (Isaiah 60).

Calling all Chariots!
When we learn to trust the storm winds of the Spirit, we also learn to trust our Heavenly Father to send help in the midst of them. It's when Elijah, "was no more" that Elisha's dependence upon God greatly increased. He had to go on alone to see God show His power. Whether physical, moral or mental, some may feel that separation is so very difficult. But rejoice, for Jesus says, "He expounds all things to His disciples when He's alone with them" (Mark 4:34). Alleluia! Friends, you may never grow more spiritually or emotionally than by transplantation and isolation. Now, pick up the mantle that fell to the ground in the glory wind and cross over!

Do you recall when Israel had been split in two, weakening her borders and clashing with her neighbors? It was then that Elisha, a prophet in his own right, was trapped and desperately needed God. It was then that he prayed for spiritual eyes to be opened. This man of God did not have time to debate doctrine. He needed the Helper! "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." In addition, Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see. Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (II Kings 6:16 and 17).

Oh beloved, may our spiritual eyes be opened so we can see the hills full of horses and chariots of fire waiting, ready to protect us, the church. In accordance with the Word of God, it appears there is an abundance of help available for, "The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands" (Psalm 68:17). We must know and believe the golden chariot is always with us - in us. It is in the holiest part of "the temple" and we have access to it (I Chronicles 28:18).

Our Father, Who art in heaven, "Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, Your lightening lit up the world, the earth trembled and quaked" (Psalm 77:18). Continue to show us your power, Father. We thank you for the whirlwinds that take us up to the heavenly realm with you, for they are full of your glory. May we have visitations like Elijah so we can live on earth as it is in heaven? Even when Your fiery chariots separate us, we rejoice knowing they catch us up to You. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done. Please, please open our spiritual eyes that we might see far beyond what the five physical senses could ever perceive. We believe, Holy Father, that Your glory is in the whirlwinds; that the hills are full of horses and chariots protecting Your church as we march victoriously, and occupy. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory - forever.

Rev. Paulette Reed
www.dotmm.org
Copyright (c) 2007 All Rights Reserved

THE TIME OF WRATH by Mary Clark

This is a repost by Mary Clark. I don't often do this, but parts of this really resonated with my spirit. It has been my heart to call people to read the Word of God and have an intimate relationship with the Lord in this day and in this hour. We cannot be deceived and we will not fear if we develop our absolute trust in Him, Jesus our Messiah, now. "O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy." Habakkuk 3:2

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Daniel 11: 36 & 37 The king will do as he pleases.  He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods.  He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.  He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all.

I tell you, beloved, that perilous times are ahead for those who have not chosen to follow My course – perilous times.  Be comforted in knowing that I am well aware of what is coming forth, and My arm is not short.  For those who have turned away from Me, there will be a day of reckoning the likes of which the world has never seen.  I want you to regard these words as truth, taking them into your heart, and looking to Me, keeping your focus on Me, the Holy One Who is well able to deliver you from the wrath of the wicked one.

I am your God.  The gates of hell shall not prevail against My will.  My will shall shine forth as the noonday sun.  Be that it may, the evil one is releasing all of his tormentors as a last-ditch effort to pull as many as possible from My loving grasp.  As you see his work,  know that no matter what he pulls in the way of evilness, the Beloved's strength and might will prevail - will prevail to the end.

I am looking forward to seeing all come to a grand finale.  I am looking forward to seeing My very own children dance in the face of conflict, and focus on the Beloved for all of their needs.  I will deliver in ways you never dreamed possible.  Yes, I am your God, and I am well able to supply all of your needs during this time of catastrophe when the evil one takes his position on earth, telling the world words of lies – words that many will digest, taking them into their hearts.  But My very own beloved will pay his words, his lies, no mind, focus on Me, and follow My course into all of the wonder that I have planned.

So know this:  I am a God of great truth, My truth shall prevail, shall live on forever.  The enemy speaks lies.  He has one to fit every situation, but know that My truth can take his lies and topple them, sending them to oblivion.  So follow My course.  See the tides swell and know that just as surely as the waves touch the shore, I am with you, I am giving you My signals of love and devotion and you will conquer in the end, dear one.  Yes.  You will walk in My truth, My strength, and know the real value of serving the One Who is Almighty. 

The enemy is about to make a pronouncement on earth.  When he does, I want you to be prepared, beloved, prepared to launch an all-out attack on him and his lies.  I want you standing straight and tall.  I do not want to see you cowering.  I want to see you upright, poised for action.  Get ready to move out of your places of complacency, dear one.  Get ready to move into the delight of My heart, for this is the place where you will gain strength and know that My deepest desire is to see you walking free of the enemy and his cohorts. 

This is the hour for new understanding, revelation so deep, dear one, that it will boggle your mind. This is the hour to stand fast in all that I have for you.  For just as I came to earth as a baby to show Myself meek and mild, I will now come in My strength and awesome power, presenting My heart to those who have served Me.  And just what is My heart presenting to you, My beloved?  It is presenting a new hour replete with the knowledge of My love for you.  It is presenting a catching away into a place of wonder, a place where you will be so captivated by My love that the intruder will have no access to you, no access whatsoever.

Know that I have a wonderful plan for those who serve Me.  The enemy may be touting his lies of dissention, but they will get him nowhere, because the King of glory is making Himself known in a mighty way, and My beloved will realize the rich quality of My love and worship Me unconditionally.  That is all that I ask, beloved, for you to worship Me unconditionally.

Oh!  We will have a grand old time when we are united in that place of wonder that I have prepared for those who have offered their time and love to Me – a grand old time – a time of great wonder the likes of which you have never seen.  So get ready to identify My will in your life in an extraordinary way, and know this:  The evil one will do as he pleases just as long as I let him, but not a moment longer, beloved, not even a fraction of a second longer!!!

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Mary Clark

Face to Face

I was standing on the sidewalk just outside the Old City of Jerusalem in prayer, looking toward the ancient city of David and the Mt of Olives. There was a fair amount of traffic, tour buses and cars passing by. A small narrow tractor used to deliver goods down the narrow walking streets in the Old City passed me, then stopped, blocking traffic. An Arab man walking on the side walk walked up and with a warm greeting, reached for the other Arab man's hand who was driving the tractor. They proceeded to shake with one hand, and embrace with the other--while kissing each other on both cheeks--not once--but twice! By this time about 5 cars were honking with all their might--Israeli style. Working men, embracing like this share much more than words. Their smells, their sweat, their lives become intermingled in those moments.

The man was so cheered by this greeting that as he left the tractor, which began to slowly move, he waved heartily, with a huge smile at the Jewish man in the first car, who was of course blowing his horn the loudest. And the Lord immediately spoke to me.

In America, men shake hands. I was a woman in corporate America for a time, so I did some of that ritual handshaking as well. It is a brief clasp of the hand, the pressure and length of the handshake tells you something about the person's personality. In any case, it is a brief encounter. At church, sometimes you may get a hug along with the handshake--church is more like family in that regard.

In the Middle East, this type of greeting I saw is more common. In fact I have often seen people stop whatever they are doing to embrace in a warm and sincere greeting similar to this. This time was a pretty extreme case, stopping traffic and all. But hospitality, close friendships and relationships in general are more meaningful in this culture.

What kind of greeting would God desire? Jesus was born and raised in the middle eastern culture. I imagine he would greet the disciples much like these two men did. With hearty, sincere joy of their encounter. Of course, the Lord is well aware of the different cultures we were all brought up with. Some families don't do much "touching" at all. Others are very "touchy-feely". The Lord has indicated that He will always meet us where we are at.

But what is His desire? The Bible tells us that our Lord is an intimate, passionate God. He desires intimacy with us. Read the Song of Solomon! He gave us His Word so that we could get to know Him, see Him as He is. We can get glimpses of His personality, His heart, His desires and His love--from reading the Word and meditating on it. If we only open our Bible's at a church service, it is like greeting your friend without even a handshake. If you open your Bible occasionally, perhaps this is like a handshake--you are genuinely happy to spend this short time with Him. And so-forth, until you come to the place where you spend enough time with Him that you desire to see Him face to face. You spend time reading the Bible and praying, then while you work, play and worship--you are meditating on the Word of God and His character. When you pray and when you speak of God with your family, friends and acquaintances--you know He is there with you. If He were to walk into the room at any moment during your day you would jump up, run to Him and greet Him. Maybe you would even stop traffic! That greeting would be like the one I witnessed yesterday. A handshake, an embrace, kisses on both cheeks--twice--a meeting Face-to-Face. May our lives become intermingled with the Life of the Living God frequently!

Treasure in Earthen Vessels

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:6

I have heard many prophets and ministers lately, giving the examples from the Bible about our lives being like clay in the Potter's Hand. Over the years I've contemplated that God has indeed shaped and moulded my life to be a fit vessel unto His honor. I have been cracked and broken and the Master Potter has skillfully mended me better and stronger than I was originally, even though it was my own mistakes that caused my brokenness. I remember meditating on this at least 20 years ago and I nod my head in agreement, our God is Amazing.

Today I received a new perspective of us as clay pots. Clay pots can be fashioned by hand, or turned on a wheel, some are poured into molds and other are fashioned from coils of clay pressed and moulded together. Small children take clay and just press the lump into a bowl or pot type shape. In some countries clay is left in the sun to dry. As it dries it hardens, but if not properly conditioned it can become brittle. I had the opportunity while growing up to take ceramic classes at a relative's home. She was a talented teacher and artist, so I learned a lot from her.

She used clay 'slip' to pour into molds, which were then dried on shelves in the warm room. The art students would carefully smooth the edges created by the molds and then the clay vessel is 'fired'. This would harden and strength the clay. Afterwards a glaze is applied and the piece is 'fired' again, at a higher temperature. Glaze seals the porous clay, or ceramic, making it lustrous and waterproof. If the piece is to be preciously detailed with 'china paint', the artist carefully mixes powdered paint with lavender oil and medium(another oil substance). This 'china paint' (usually reserved for fine china) is fired at a very high temperature to seal the vivid colors of the details into the glazed piece. Finally, if a gold or silver trim is desired, they use some a real precious metal mixture and tiny, thin brushes to carefully place the treasured trim. Then the piece is again 'fired' yet again, causing the brilliant gold or silver to come forth for all to admire.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

James 1:2-12 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations[fiery trials]; Knowing that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withers the grass, and the flower thereof falls, and the grace of the fashion of it perishes: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Clay pots have the ability to pass through very high temperature firing. If a piece of paper or something should get stuck to the bottom, it will burn up in the kiln (oven). This reminds me of how the Bible tells us, that all that is not of God in our lives, will burn as wood or stubble. I am reminded that our life trials are strengthening, and beautifying our lives to make us not only fit but beautifully decorated vessels, that reflect the glory of God and are useful for His intended purposes. The number of times we find ourselves in the furnace can vary according to our purpose and decoration. A plain earthen pot that requires no glaze, may only take a single firing. Whereas one who is to glisten with the beauty and artistry to give glory to the Master, may take many, many firings. Both are according to His purposes.

Then I am also reminded that our God is a consuming fire. (Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:29)Those which are our own works, or those done by the will or strength of man will either burn up completely, or the firing will show the forgery, and the need for the Master to do some corrective work on the piece. Those most intricate glazings, and delicate hand paintings done by the Master, take special oils mixed with the paint. The oils always speak of the Holy Spirit's anointing on our lives. God never takes over our lives, but gently guides and leads us, so that it is our own will that chooses God's will and purpose for our lives.

As believers, we have no need to fear that when we stand in God's presence, even face to face, we will be consumed. Because in His wonderful wisdom he made us earthen vessels. The simplest earthen vessel can contain the treasures of God's salvation freely given to us. He planned it that way! We don't have to become perfect and mature to become His treasure chest. Yet our Heavenly Father, The Master, has a beautiful plan for each vessel--and He sees each of us as simple unfired pots and our full potential at the same time. And He adores each and every one that He has formed(or created). For we are each created to carry His glory!

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart... PROVERBS 3:5,6

I awoke on Sunday, December 31 with a strong feeling about the parable of the 10 virgins found in Matthew Chapter 25. Usually I study the "wise" virgins, because of course we want to be ready, as they were, in this parable told by Jesus. In fact I have often encouraged friends with that scripture and even given gifts from Israel of tiny oil lamps as a reminder that we all need to be diligent to be ready. But in waking on Sunday morning my focus was on the 5 foolish virgins. My heart ached for them.

There was a sentence that pounded through my head concerning them, they have fallen... fallen. I cannot remember the exact words, perhaps they weren't in English, but the meaning was there. It wasn't until reading an email from Chuck Pierce today, that this feeling hit me again.

Now as I rehearse the story in my head once again, I picture all 10 of these virgins huddled together at the beginning talking about the coming wedding, the handsome bridegroom--the beautiful bride, who would be at the feast, what a glorious time it would be. Each time they hear footsteps approaching they look up in anticipation, is it the bridegroom? But as the sun sets and darkness creeps in around them they pull their cloaks closer around them. Some of them look for a comfortable place to sit and wait.

Half of them wonder why the others are carrying around the extra supplies they had brought, as unnecessary additional burdens. In fact, as they all nap, they may even spill some of the extra oil on themselves and be stained before the feast. Some begin to talk about other things not related to the wedding feast at all. Perhaps the bridegroom won't come until morning, so we need not jump up at every footstep we hear. Probably he will wait until morning, and come with the freshness of a new day, as the sun rises in the east... They convince themselves that they are adequately prepared for their perceived understanding of the bridegroom. While the 5 who have prepared for a long night, are still looking expectantly to every footstep which approaches. Perhaps he will tarry, but they are prepared regardless. They all fall asleep feeling they are prepared.

When the announcement came in the middle of the dark night, they all trimmed their wicks that their lights might shine. But there was no reserved oil for those foolish virgins. They had not prepared for a long night. They ran to buy more oil when it was too late. They were shut out. They knew the bridegroom, they knew where he was at the feast--yet they were not allowed in. In fact his response is, "I don't know you." What a crushing blow! It reminds me of the scripture

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you...." Matthew 7

You see, just knowing that Jesus is the bridegroom isn't enough. The devil and his servants know who He is, and tremble (James 2:19) but that will not save them.

We have been in a preparation time for a very long time. Some have been quite satisfied with their level of understanding and service in the Kingdom of God. But there are some who seem to be "redeeming the time, for the days are evil" Ephesians 5:16, living each day for God in active pursuit of learning, growing and serving in whatever ways the Lord puts before them. These are those who have been storing up that extra oil in prepared vessels.

The day is coming when there will be a separation between those who profess to know God and those who are truly serving him. If you are one who looks to going to heaven or some kind of "rapture" to deliver you from this cruel world--or difficulties to come, I earnestly ask you to examine yourself to see if you have extra oil, or even a vessel to put it in, and are you carrying it with you everyday--all day and night. The current events of this world should be shaking each of us to consider our lives in light of eternity. When the world finishes shaking, the only ones left standing will be those firmly established and trusting in God. You see you cannot get your oil from someone else, the wise virgins could not share their oil. You must have your own, in your own vessel.

Read the Bible, the Word of God. Spend time talking to Him, as those in the Bible did. Learn to fully trust God today--and you will be prepared for tomorrow.

Lord, have mercy on us. Shake us, wake us up, that none of us would be complacent. Do whatever it takes to make us wise, that we might be prepared for your soon coming. Make us encourager's of one another, not to just be ready, but to place our absolute trust in You in all things--TODAY. Have Mercy...

Do Not Be Afraid

Strengthen ye the week hands, encourage the feeble knees. Isaiah 35:8

This has been the scripture that has been my motivation for two years. The Lord gave Isaiah 35, the entire chapter, to read and meditate on in December 2004. This verse jumped out at me. It became the confirmation for my ministry to Israel, Uganda and to then nations from here. There are so many people in the body of believers who need solid encouragement. I began an intense time of crying out to God for the right words, His Words, to speak to every person and situation I encounter.

I began my own journey toward being encouraged by trying to follow in King David's example. He was so close to God, that he could encourage himself in the Lord, when all 400 of his friends were trying to stone him! (1 Kings Chapter 30) In 2004, I was successful in a job that was very consuming and stressful. I had learned the ability to juggle it all and still have a rewarding ministry, and even felt good about my Christian witness to a corporate world. I had a good balance of personal time and ministry through my congregation. But I knew there was not the freshness which David had, of spending quality time with the Lord. When we go through really difficult times, we have to find the scriptures to stand on to pull us through--they become alive to us. I lived through many of those times, but my life was now comfortable. Time to light a fire under myself, and find ways to bless and encourage others! But the words have to be fresh, alive and anointed by God.

So I jumped into His Word and spending more time with Him.

Of course my conclusion was to encourage everyone to read the scriptures for themselves. You know, teach a man to fish, don't just give him a fish. But there are times when anyone can become so distraught, that if they haven't hidden the Word in their heart ahead of time--and sometimes even if they have--they just can't get past the situation in their face, to reach God. Those are the ones, I want to reach.

I agree with Spurgeon, who delivered a sermon on this verse back in 1859, that week hands and feeble knees are a sign of one shaking with fear. The Bible tells us that the enemy of our souls comes to steal, kill and destroy our faith, hope and joy. One of his best tactics is through fear. It takes a great amount of fear to make you shake and tremble. I met some people here in Israel that were literally shaking, worrying about the war with Lebanon last summer, and fearing escalation. Jerusalem is a safe distance from the fighting, but the entire country was filled with people displaced from their homes bringing their fear to the atmosphere of the entire country. In those kinds of times we all must remember God's faithfulness. He has promised to never leave nor forsake us. And He has given us words like those in Psalm 91, which we can read again, and again, and again until they penetrate our darkest fears. The Bible tells us the the Lord Himself watches over His Word to perform it, the Word never returns void--but always accomplishes that which He intends.

So to the dear ones the Lord has placed in my path, and to those reading these words. I speak peace.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, don't lean on your own reasoning, acknowledge Him in everything, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, [and] the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35

Spurgeon's sermon on Isaiah 35: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0243.htm

Shalom!

Beloved Israel

Jesus himself knew this land intimately. He walked many a mile through the deserts and the city and village streets. He came to Jerusalem many times. He was an observant Jew who knew the Torah and celebrated all the feasts, even the feast of dedication, which we now often call Channukah (John 10). And Jesus wept over Jerusalem.

The conflicts surrounding religion are numerous. Not only Jews, Arabs and Christians consider Jerusalem holy. There are the Kabbalists and even Freemasons, among others, who revere this place as being very special indeed. Under the streets, in both the old city and the new, lie piles of ruin and rubble which cover the ground several feet above the level where Jesus would have walked. People are told this, but it doesn't seem to matter. It is the atmosphere of the Holy Land which captures one's heart. A sense of nearness to heaven, yet still touching the earth, like being a part of a glorious sunset or sunrise where it is easy to imagine heaven's choirs singing and rejoicing.

So when you are here, your focus can be either on the heavenly or the earthly. Both have a wealth of experience to fill your senses, and some seem to go into overload even when only visiting for a short while. Some who live here seem beaten down by the daily pressure, others have full hearts to serve and can get over-used after some time, if they don't wisely pace themselves. Israelis who live here simply go about the business of their lives, for the most part. They are not really thinking about all the history and significance of their surroundings.

But all have been touched deep in their hearts by this place. Israel's jewel is Jerusalem. It's not the prettiest place, and certainly not the most serene. There is a constant clash of cultures. There are people from all over the world who reside here. Residents are accustomed to the dangers close by and with the unusually high level of daily hassles. All joke about how difficult it is to live here, yet they wouldn't willingly move.

What is the drawing inside for those who love this place? It can only be described as something beyond ourselves. It cannot be defined in scientific terms as a physical or even tangible desiring. It is more to be compared to the tugging of heart strings. Like a place where you have your fondest memories of your favorite seasons of life. Yet it you may have never been here before. It could be described as in a family of fishermen who love fishing, it is in their "bones" to get up at 4am to go out in the cold mist after those fish. It doesn't matter that they usually let them go, and spend many hours and money on their equipment and the preparation for their few hours on the lake. It is like a genetic thing passed on from generation to generation, sometimes caught by friends and others that get close enough to check it out.

Obviously if you were born in Israel, or you are Jewish, it is easy to explain the longing for this land. Then there are those like myself who have spent enough time in the Bible to have been captured in their hearts to long for the place which the Lord longs for Himself. From the Tanach (Old Testament) to the New Testament- the pages contain God's love for this land and its people, and all those who would have a heart after God's.

So here I am, a gentile (non-Jewish), and a Christian, who loves the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I love being here, and yet it is so very difficult a place to live. I miss family and friends, the culture of upstate New York--not the stressful jobs or the heavy responsibilities of that life, rather the lack of daily hassles. It is difficult to learn the language and takes time and money which I do not have, so my progress is slow. But it is a beautiful place, with beautiful people--all of them--Jew, Arab and the mixed multitude. Each day is a blessing which God has bestowed for me to embrace and bless, bringing His love into it a little more by just being here.

I hope these few pictures will tug on your heart enough to read God's Word, the Bible, so that you can get His heart for this place and these people. (You can never get an accurate picture from the media.) We need to seek to see and hear from God's perspective, gained from a solid foundation of time spent with Him, reading His Word and prayerfully seeking Him.

A Holy God

The Lord often uses me as an encourager to the body of Christ. In fact, 2 years ago in December, I was seeking God for a scripture for the coming year for my life-as have have done for many years. He gave me Isaiah 35, especially verses 3 and 4.

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you. ISAIAH 35:3,4

Little did I know I would be getting married and entering into full-time ministry in Israel and traveling to Uganda, 6 short months later. Last year the Lord told me to keep the same verse. That had never happened before, but given the tremendous need to encourage in this difficult place, it seemed quite logical. The body of believers in Israel, and in Jerusalem especially, gets so burdened and beaten down. Any issues you may find in your local body of believers, in your own church or relationships in other churches and between churches is multiplied many times over here in the spiritual epicenter of this world. My husband, Duane, and I spend the greatest portion of our time and energy counselling and encouraging. It's a rewarding but daunting task as there is constant drain of every ones spiritual energy.

[If you are ever inclined to pray, please remember to pray for the body of believers here in Israel-all of us-Jew, Arab and the many international servants the Lord has planted here- short and long term. I would also challenge you to put your finances behind your prayers as the Lord would lead. Contact me if you would like to direct your funds to a particular type of ministry-we have lots of connections.]

Encouraging people is not always easy. People are dealing with issues caused by despair, poverty or low self esteem; to just seeking God's will in a decision. Here, many live by faith, or on very low wages. Food is reasonably priced, but housing is very high, and many share living spaces. One way the Lord has used us is to see in the Spirit His blessing and anointing on individuals and then we speak the blessings and promises of His Word into their lives. If people just knew the Word of God better, then they could, as King David did, encourage themselves in the Lord.

Isaiah 35 continues with God's blessing and restoration-the fact that we are ministering here in Israel makes all this very real to us. Everyone is looking for the blessings. Some are acquainted with sacrifice and suffering, but we all seem to forget that our loving heavenly Father is a Holy and Righteous God! The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. Numbers 14:18 For too long the body of believers has been seeking intimacy with God, seeking the Glory of God, seeking the signs and miracles, even the "manifest presence" of God. We have forgotten that Our God is a consuming fire! Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:29

Until we understand and stand in awe, or rather fall to our faces in holy reverence, we cannot expect God's blanket blessings. We are sinful creatures in desperate need of a saviour. The blood of Jesus covers all-as we appropriate it. It is only the Blood on the mercy seat that allows us to come boldly before the throne of grace. It is the unfathomable love of a holy, righteous God that has sacrificed and provided the one thing that allows us access to God Himself. Even so, the Word of God teaches that when we stand before Him, all the dross in our lives-anything that has no value in the Kingdom of God-will burn up in His presence. What can remain? What have we given or done that is entirely without self-serving or self-gratification? Certainly that bigger house, or second car, or dinner at the fancy restaurant-while our brother and sisters are living in mud houses, drinking rain water from a rusty 55 gallon drum-can't fair too well in God's presence.

But we are to seek His presence. There is fullness of joy and a taste of Zoe-everlasting life-just being in His presence. Read Psalm 119-the Word of God brings the presence of God and the blessings of God into our daily lives. His presence is not to be taken for granted. He is with us not just because we did or did not do something to please Him, but because of our relationship with Him. I love C. S. Lewis' line from the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe allegory; "He's not a tame lion." Such a relationship requires reverence and immediate repentance when we see anything in ourselves that would be displeasing to Him in word, thought, or action. If we look at the world through His eyes, we will value the fatherless and the widows far above those who stand in positions of renown.

The righteous, holy God who created the universe wants to tabernacle-take up His abode-with you and me. Amazing! ♥

Dancing with the Lord

Shalom Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I’ve had several ideas of late for sending out little nuggets of revelation the Lord has been blessing me with--but the timing hasn’t been right until now. So, today, I’d like to share a few thoughts with you on the subject of dancing (with the Lord).

Many people come to us asking prayer for the guidance of the Lord. Some ask, “How do I hear from God myself? How can I be sure it’s Him?” Well, that age-old question has yet to be answered by anyone but the Lord Himself. My experience has been: start with the Word of God, trust Him, and you will know that you know when the Lord speaks. Like some of you, I have heard from the Lord on many different types of occasions. There is no formula. And I don’t believe there is anyone who hasn’t had a misstep, thinking the Lord was speaking, when, later, it became evident He was not, or the timing wasn't right.

Does this mean we didn’t have faith to hear the Lord speak to us...that we were too fleshly, too sinful, too easily deceived? NO! This is all part of learning to trust the Lord. If we continue to trust Him, He will take our mistakes and make them beautiful, as if things were supposed to have been that way from the beginning. We must believe that He does, indeed, wish to speak to us, lead us, and “guide our footsteps.” But sometimes--often, when we most desire an audible voice from the Lord--He guides almost imperceptibly. He gives us choices so that we can learn our own hearts.

Also, like a father, He sometimes wants us to make choices by ourselves, just so He can bless us. Picture a dad asking his 8-year-old son, “Do you want the red bicycle or the blue one?” They are not exactly identical and his son has no clue about which will be of better quality. Dad just wants to give him the one he wants. I have encountered many Christians who are so concerned about missing God’s will that they are like a little boy who refuses to choose, and just says, “You know best, Father.” But the father’s joy a nd excitement over the little boy getting his heart’s desire is gone. These same people sometimes speak of “not putting God in a box,” or “quenching the Spirit,” voicing their fear of limiting Him--yet they are keeping Him from doing His heart’s desire. Well, what if the desire of His heart is to bless you by giving you the desire of your heart?

So what does all this have to do with dancing? I had a conversation with a couple of friends about how we are all learning to live by faith in new dimensions. The Lord directs our steps a day at a time, even one tiny step at a time. Comments like, “It would be nice to know where I will sleep in a few days,” are not uncommon in Jerusalem. God’s provision is quite often just in time, and not a moment sooner. What is the Lord trying to teach us? Or train us all for?

I shared with those friends that as a former successful and creative project planner, I have had experience with incorporating contingency plan s into a schedule, so that when just about everything that could go wrong does, the schedule can still be used with only minor adjustments. Good project plans always incorporate a list of risk assessments anticipated while making the plan, and are presented along with the plan to management, the customer and the workers. Any deviations affect the entire schedule. For many years, I have thought of the Lord as the ultimate project planner. He just doesn’t let us see the entire schedule, showing only a few of the details. His master schedule has it all. But today, I heard myself say, “He isn’t executing a project plan--He is dancing with us!” Wow, what a different perspective! He is dancing a new dance never done before, and He wants us as His partner.

Many years ago, before I had learned to dance, a friend of my husband asked me to dance at a wedding and I was petrified. I was self-conscious, quite clumsy and embarrassed, knowing I would step on his toes. He dragg ed me to the dance floor, and because he was such a good dancer, he led without any effort to follow on my part and we floated around the room. To this day, I cannot dance well, but for that short time, I felt like a graceful ballerina--all because the man could lead so well. Father God knows how to lead. He holds us close to Himself and we fall in step as we look into His face and flow with His movements.

I am one who has always fought low self-esteem. From the time I was a little girl, I have looked at my feet a lot instead of looking up. I have good peripheral vision (praise God!) so I don’t bump into things too often. This has affected me spiritually, as well, and God has spent many years building up my spirit through His Word. I have memorized many scriptures about God blessing our feet.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 34:23, 24.

The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. Habakkuk 3:19.

Thou hast enlarged my steps under me that my feet did not slip. Psalm 18:36.

I have always been looking at my feet...but when you dance, you must not do that. Can you imagine what it would be like if those ballroom dancers were always looking at their feet? First off, you have to push away from your partner to see your feet. That makes it difficult for him to lead.

I see many in the body of believers keeping arm’s length from the Lord in order to tell where their feet might land, always worried about making a mistake. They are seeking God to show them what to do next instead of tr usting Him and just flowing with His Spirit. This is a great lesson to me and gives me perspective as I minister with the Lord and my husband, and live my daily personal life.

Thank you, Lord, that you are such a patient and loving Abba, our Daddy.

If you are seeking the Lord to direct you and help you make decisions, picture yourself as a little one in Daddy’s arms as he carries you across the dance floor. Then, see yourself a few years older, standing on Daddy’s feet as he dances with you, teaching you to move with Him. Finally, see yourself mature, as He takes you by the hand and you let Him lead you across the dance floor, leaning into Him and flowing with Him. And even when you misstep, as you lean into Him, see how He continues the flow. This has to be a lot easier than studying the plan to see where your feet ought to land next. Hallelujah!

Blessings!