Overcome (2.28.18)

Father,

Your Word says that I am an overcomer because of the blood of the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the word of my testimony that in Jesus, all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form; and that I have been given fullness in Christ and share in His Authority over every spiritual power and authority!

But I confess that I do not feel like an overcomer sometimes, and I often give in to the influence of this world, instead of submitting to Christ.

O GOD, save me from myself!
May I be full of Your Spirit, Your Mighty Power and
     the power of the resurrection!
Teach me and use me, that I may be one who will see
     strongholds demolished in my life. 
Thank You Father, that because I belong to You, in Christ Jesus,
     You surround me with Your presence.

You are a wall of fire that surrounds me.

You, O Lord, are my refuge and my strength.
In every situation and struggle, You are with me.
I will not be afraid, for my trust is in Your Name.

Like Joshua, may I be confident that You are with me and will never leave or forsake me. As Your Spirit works in me, make me strong and courageous, so that I am never afraid or discouraged; but always mindful that You are with me, wherever I go.

Use me to take back ground that the enemy has stolen.
Help me to be self-controlled and alert, knowing that
     the enemy of my soul is prowling, looking for an
     opportune moment.

In Jesus’ name, strengthen me to submit to You, as I resist the enemy; and to stand firm in my faith!

Give me, I pray Lord, Your perspective of the situations I face and may I live victoriously as a conqueror because of Your Son Jesus and His Love for me.

May I be full of faith and Your Word; for I belong to You Lord, and You have overcome the world!

#ScriptureReflections: Revelation 12:11  ;  Colossians 2:9-10  ;  Ephesians 6:10  ;  Philippians 3:10  ;  2 Corinthians 10:4  ;  Psalm 125:2  ;  Zechariah 2:5  ;  Psalm 46:1-2  ;  Psalm 20:7  ;  Joshua 1:5, 9  ;  1 Peter 5:8-9  ;  Romans 8:37  ;  1 John 5:4

Reflecting on Matthew 5:43-45 :: It All Begins with Prayer.... (2.27.18)

You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:43–45

Faith Believers,
The way to treat an enemy is to love him, even when he or she is unkind in word or deed.  Jesus not only commands us to love our enemies, but to pray for them!

Prayer is GOD’s love in action.

Once we begin to care for the person for whom we are praying, we can extend acts of love and kindness to that person; as opposed to avoiding them or treating them as they have treated us or others. As we show our love and care to them, their hearts may be transformed in such a dramatic way that everything about their lives will change. They may even become ready to hear the Word Of GOD if they have previously rejected it or have never considered the good news of Jesus.

But, it all begins with prayer.
When someone angers or frustrates you,
     begin to pray for them.

This command of Jesus has a promise attached. By behaving in a loving manner toward someone who has mistreated you, and by praying for the person, you will be considered a true child of your Father who is in Heaven, for He is this way. “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain to the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, how rewarding is that?" (Matthew 5:45-46)

I don’t know a better way to stop a fight, than to stop fighting and start giving and loving. How many relationships would be saved if people could just crucify self and do what Jesus commands?

If you love those who love you, what reward will you have? But when you love your enemies, and do good to them “your reward will be great” (Luke 6:35).

  -  Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Lord, it’s true.
This command is contrary to my natural human nature.
Please fill me with Your Divine Nature, that I can truly
     treat my enemies with the kind of love that gives.

I ask You, according to Your Word, to pour Your love
     into my life.

Show me those who might think of themselves as my enemy
     and show me how to love them with Your Love.

Amen

 

 

Where is Your Faith? (2.26.18)

Faith Believers,

There are times, most often when we encounter great difficulties, that we question whether GOD will do certain things in our lives.  Things go from bad to worse, time is passing by, so we think about other possible solutions we will make "just in case" things don’t pan out.  We begin gathering our emotions and/or reaching out to others to ensure we are well-prepared for an undesired outcome.

However, when the Lord looks at this, consider that it might be viewed as a lack of faith in His Promises. GOD’s Word encourages us to walk by faith despite the hard times we face.  Regardless of what the situation dictates, His Word tells us to only believe, and that all things are possible if we believe.

Someone may be walking through a difficult time right now,
     and you’re preparing for what to do if things don’t work out. 

Why not have faith and wait on the Lord, and EXPECT GOD
     to perform a miracle just for you? 
He has not forgotten you. 
It is never too late for the Lord. 
He’s never failed and never will.

  -  Marilyn

---

Hear what the Lord says:

My Child,
Wait on Me. 
Have faith in Me and know
      that I Am faithful. 

It’s never too late for Me to do
     the impossible in your life. 

Why would you pray, and then expect things not to work out?  Why didn’t you pray and believe Me for a miracle?  I thought needing a miracle was why you prayed in My Name.

I Am your provider, and I Am well able to take care of you.  There will be times when I allow you to experience difficulty.  However, do not be dismayed when this happens; for I already have a plan in place to deliver you.  Trust in Me. I want you to experience My Faithfulness, personally.  I want you to experience My Mighty Hand of Deliverance in your life; so that you will bear witness to others that I Am faithful. 

Wait on Me, believe in Me, trust that I Will do things in such an amazing way that it will bring glory to My Name, and have you singing praises forever. 

Where is your faith? 
Repent and put your faith in Me once again.

---

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD:

Psalm 27:14 - Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. 

Mark 9:23 - Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Luke 1:37 - For with GOD nothing shall be impossible

Luke 8:25 - And he said unto them, Where is your faith?

2 Corinthians 5:7 - For we walk by faith, not by sight or appearance.

Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to GOD must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Listen Closely, God is Knocking. Open the Door, Remain Faithful & Refuse to Let Depression or Despair Take Over. (2.25.18)

My Child,
You have nearly lost hope of things ever changing.
You expected your breakthrough to happen before now.
However, your expectations were met with more defeat.

Yes, it’s hard right now, but it won’t be this way forever.
My Word is true.

Remain faithful and refuse to let depression and despair take over your life. Do not allow anything to put out the flicker of hope that should still be burning bright for Me. If you allow that flicker of hope to die out, it will bring you down to the depths of hopelessness you've never known before. My Child, I know you are greater than that.

Listen closely, because I Am knocking.
Open the door, for I have renewed hope waiting for you.
I Am the way out that you seek.

Do not be weary in well‐doing, for you will reap
    in due season if you do not faint.

Today is the day to break the stronghold that has come against you. You will be victorious over every weapon the enemy has planned against you.

Open the door and come out of the valley.
Remember, my child I have all power over all things.

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD

Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 

Isaiah 40:30-31 - Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

#ScriptureReflection - Romans 8:31 - 34 (2.24.18)

Brothers and sisters:
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son
but handed him over for us all,
how will he not also give us everything else along with him?

Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones?
It is God who acquits us, who will condemn?
Christ Jesus it is who died—or, rather, was raised—
who also is at the right hand of God,
who indeed intercedes for us.

#ScriptureReflection - 2 Corinthians 5:20 - 6:2 (2.23.18)

Brothers and sisters:
We are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Working together, then,
we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says:

In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.

Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.

Take Some Time & Spend it in God's Presence (2.22.18)

My Child,
You called out to Me today because your spirit is feeling so heavy. 

I heard you.
I Am near you.
I feel what you are going through.

I know why your heart is troubled, and why your spirit feels heavy.  You have too much on your mind.  You’re worried about what’s coming next, and if you will have enough time to get things done.  If you don’t stop and release it all, it will only get worse. How can you know what to do, if you won’t stop for a moment and listen?

You’ve cried out to Me for help. However, you won’t take the time to wait in My Presence to receive wisdom and get understanding about what I would have you to do. I desire to relieve you of the burden you’re feeling, but you continue to bind My Hands when you won’t stop and listen to Me.

Take some time away from what you are doing
     and spend time in My presence. 

What you are doing can wait. 
Is it more important than Me?

You need to hear from Me more than you need to continue following the path that is leading you where I don’t want you to go. 

Stop and saturate your mind with My Word.
Meditate in My Presence today, and hear
     what I Am saying to you. 

If you do this, a door will open and the help you need
     will be waiting for you.

My child, it’s so easy. It's so simple.  Just stop. 

What you’re going through will pass.
If you stop and listen.

Be at peace.

All is in My Hands.

All is well.  
  

READ AND MEDITATE ON HIS WORD

Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Proverbs 4:5 - Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

Isaiah 26:3-4 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

Isaiah 30:21 - And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the
way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Focused Prayer (2.21.18)

Father,

You are a GOD of peace and not despair,
     and yet I spend so much of my time being anxious
     about things You can easily take care of.

Most of the time, these things are not worth the time I spend worrying about them. 

Show me my greatest worry, and allow me to bring it to You in prayer, laying it at Your feet, as an offering of my brokenness. 

Teach me how to recognize Your Purpose, in the midst of my worries; or how to release them into Your Capable Hands. 

If I need to change the focus of my prayers, help me to
     be alert to the moving of Your Spirit in my heart, Father.

Amen

Rise Up in Faith (2.20.18)

My Child,

I come now to you as your Counselor.

You are wondering what to do about your circumstances, things have occurred which have overwhelmed you and caused a spirit of heaviness and confusion to come upon you. You are wondering what to do because things seem hopeless.  However, I tell you Beloved, this is not a hopeless situation, for nothing is impossible for Me. 

I say to you rise up, I have given you authority and power. 
It is time for you to bind the strong man
     and fight the good fight of faith.

Do not allow the enemy to have his way! 
Rise up as mighty men and women! 

Take the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of GOD), confront the strong man and break the power of that hindrance. 

Break the power of the curse. 
Have faith in the authority that I have given you. 

Stand! 

Do not allow the enemy to hold you down. 
Come and be filled, for I Am the One who will
     give you strength. 
I Am the One who will provide what you need for
     the season ahead of you.

So rebuke all disappointment and despair, and encourage
     yourself with My Word.

I Am for you. 
I Am the Anointed One.
I Will anoint you, so that you will be filled with My power.

Receive now that yoke-breaking anointing; and then confront the strong man in the power of My Word and watch him flee seven ways from you, says the Lord.

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD

Matthew 16:19 - And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Mark 3:27 - But no one can enter the strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.

Luke 18:27 - And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with GOD.

Deuteronomy 28:7 - The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

1 Timothy 6:12 - Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Rest Your Mind, Become Steadfast, Settle Your Spirit & Remain Calm (2.19.18)

My Child,
You are looking for direction and asking, “Where do I belong?"
You have sought many approaches to becoming successful;
     however, fear of failing and the frustration of 'not knowing'
     have caused pain in your heart.

I Am here to heal your heart and to set you free from worrying
     so that you will know you are in the right place.

My child, listen to what I Am saying to you.

Rest your mind and seek Me for new strategies and brand new relationships that will benefit My Plan for your life. Stop running to and fro, become steadfast, settle your spirit and remain calm; because I have a place that is perfectly suited just for you.

You will know it, when you are there.
 

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD:

Psalm 25:4-5 - Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the GOD of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

God Loves You & He Will Never Forsake You (2.18.18)

My Child,
I Am here to remind you that I Will always love you
     and will never forsake you. 
I loved you before you were born. 
Before you took your first breath, I was with you
     and My Love surrounded you.
So why are you wondering if I still love you
     and if I Am with you? 

I was with you when you walked roads that were of Me, and I was still with you when you walked roads that were not of Me.  I did not judge you when you made a wrong turn, I gently took your hand and led you back onto the path of salvation.

I Am with you now to overshadow you with My Wings, to open a new door before you and to lead you on to a path of Blessings; as My Will is being done in your life. 

I don’t want you to linger anymore in the past, what is done
     is done; so put these things behind you. 

I Am with you to bring the dawn of a new day to you.

Do not worry about the opportunities you missed, because
      I Am here to bring new opportunities to you.
Do not be frustrated at the things you did not accomplish
      because I have new goals for you.   

My Child, the Love I have for you will bring things together for your good.  Do not look to the past any longer, but press forward towards the future that await you. 

For this is a new season and even now My Love, My Grace
      and Mercy have opened a new door before you.

Never doubt My Love for you, or whether I Am still with you.
Rest and know that I love you so much and will never leave
      nor forsake you. 

Now, can I ask you to make that same promise to Me? 

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD
Jeremiah 31:3 - The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.

John 3:16 - For GOD so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Philippians 3:13-14 - Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of GOD in Christ Jesus. 

Hebrews 13:5 - Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

#ScriptureReflection - Genesis 9:8-15 (2.17.18)

⁸ Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: ⁹ “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you ¹⁰ and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. ¹¹ I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

¹² And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: ¹³ I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.

#ScriptureReflection - 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 (2.16.18)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia:

² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise to the God of All Comfort

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. ⁶ If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. ⁷ And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

⁸ We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. ⁹ Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. ¹⁰ He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, ¹¹ as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

God is So Proud of You. Cease not Fasting and Praying. You are Stronger than You Think.... (2.15.18)

My Child,
I see how hard you have worked.
I see the times you endured suffering.
I say unto you that I am aware of the countless times
     you pushed through your trials.
You never let go of My Hand.  And you are still holding on.
I know you could have turned back, as so many others did,
     but you did not.

I Am so proud of you.

Take a deep breath, for help is on the way.
Now is the time for you to be blessed.
It is time for you to walk into a new season.

You only need to believe; and I Will bring you forth and bless you according to your faith. But you must keep yourself holy before Me.

Cease not, fasting and praying.

Make praying a way of life, like the air you breathe.
I want you to walk in holiness before Me.
I Am bringing you into a new land.

Continue to be steadfast.

Do not turn back from any difficulties placed
     before you, rejoice in them.
If you look closely, you will find Me in those difficulties. 

Yes, I Am there in the midst of them, leading you through them.
As you continue to press your way through,
     you will become closer to Me.

You are stronger than you think.

Soon you will see My Glory.
Soon you will hear My Voice.
Soon you will see My Revelations as never before.

Do not worry about the things you are going through, after all, it is just a rehearsal. You know that I would never leave you comfortless.

I promised to never leave you nor forsake you.

  

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD
Psalm 33:20 - Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.

Psalm 121:1-3 - I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy GOD: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

John 14:18 - I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 

2 Corinthians 1:4 - Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of GOD.

Do Not Worry About the Storm that's Raging Around You. Do Not Become Discouraged. Believe in God, Trust in His Word & Keep Your Eyes on Him. (2.14.18)

My Child,
Do not focus your attention on your circumstances and difficulties,
     because these trials are only for a season and they don’t have
     any power over you.
The only power they have is the power you give them.

Therefore, rebuke these attacks and do not glorify the pain it is causing in your life. Instead, take away the power of it by keeping your eyes on Me; and speaking words of faith, which glorify Me.

Keep your eyes fixed solely upon Me, and
     I Will cause you to stand firm.
I Will empower you to walk on water, and to still the storms
     in your life. 

Make a commitment to seek and pursue Me.
Make a promise to Me, and to yourself, that you will
     believe in Me and trust in My Word.
Do not listen to the many lies the enemy has placed
     in the storm.
Instead, listen to My Voice and obey only My Still Small Voice.  

Learn to look to Me expectantly for all your needs.
Learn to believe the things that I have promised to you
     are true and remind yourself of them daily.
I Am almighty, all powerful, and I can do all things.

Do not become discouraged, just keep your eyes fixed
     upon Me, and you will see My Glory manifest into
     every area of your life.

I say again, keep your eyes on Me.

Do not worry about the storm that’s raging around you,
     for I Am the One who will cause the wind and the
     storm to cease.

Read and Meditate on God's Word:

Psalm 16:8 - I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 

Psalm 121:1-2 - I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Isaiah 50:7 - For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

Mark 4:39-41 - And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? 

John 10:27 - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 - For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

Hebrews 12:2 - Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of GOD.

Because God has Faith in You, You Will Succeed (2.13.18)

My Child,
I know that you have faith in Me, but
     did you know that I have faith in you? 

I have every confidence that you can stand firm in the face of the temptations that used to beset you.  I have faith in you, because My Holy Spirit is at work in you; changing and transforming you into My Image.  And I know that you can accomplish all that I’ve asked you to do, even if you don’t have faith in yourself.

I know this because I have spoken My Truth into your spirit; and My Holy Spirit is at work, reminding you that you can do all things through My Son, Christ Jesus, who strengthens you.  Therefore, it does not matter if the task at hand seems overwhelming to you, I have faith in you that it will be done.

My child, you are not an accident,
     you were carefully planned and chosen.
You are an amazing person,
     because I made you that way.   
My indwelling spirit has been at work in you,
     to refine and transform you. 

My Holy Spirit has destroyed all the strongholds of the enemy that once held you back and is releasing you to be precisely the person who I designed you to be: strong, bold, faithful, and able to do all things in My Strength and in My Anointing.

Therefore, do not allow yourself to be held back
      by the lies of the enemy any longer.

Instead, embrace who I created you to be.
Embrace the calling and destiny that I put on your life,
     then rise up in My Power, and go accomplish all that
     I have given you to do. 

And as you go, remember this: you are My Child,
     and you do not go alone or in your own strength. 

I Will be with you every step of the way, empowering you. 

You will succeed, because I have faith in you.

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD:

Psalm 1:3 - And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 

Ezekiel 37:14 - And I shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. 

Romans 8:37 - Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.